He/Him

GUITAR, BASS, PIANO & UKULELE

Andrew Brassard is a musician, producer, and composer based out of the Twin Cities. He attended Cape Fear Community College from 2011 to 2013, where he studied classical guitar and graduated with an Associate’s Degree in Fine Arts of Music. Awarded the Premier Scholarship at McNally Smith College of Music, he relocated to St. Paul, Minnesota in the fall of 2013 to study music production and instrumental composition.  After  graduating cum laude with his Bachelor Degree in Music Production, he has remained in St. Paul and is presently active teaching music lessons, gigging, writing music for bands, composing for various forms of media, and freelancing as an audio engineer.

Andrew has over 5 years of full time teaching experience for electric, acoustic, and classical guitar, bass, ukulele and piano. He has taught and inspired hundreds of students of all ages, backgrounds and skill levels, and he specializes in rock, metal, pop, classical, and other genres. He accommodates a wide range of aspiring players and musicians, instructing them in the knowledge of music fundamentals, theory, productive practice, technique, and performance. He has transformed many young beginners who have never touched an instrument into accomplished and confident players, performing recitals on stage for friends and family. Andrew tailors his lessons first and foremost to the students desires and helps them learn how to play the songs and music they love. Offering In-Studio and Online Lessons.

He/Him

BASS, UKULELE, GUITAR & PIANO

A longtime Midwestern musician, Taylor enjoys exploring the many avenues that music provides. He has spent much of his life splitting time between instruments with four strings, ukuleles and basses (both electric and upright), but always takes a moment to pick up an acoustic guitar or sit at the piano. Taylor understands the drive that pushes aspiring musicians to become performers out in the community, as well as the joy of playing along with family and friends. Every instrument sings, and Taylor uses each one to trace a path that supports students' musical goals and inspires them to steady progress. He is a local songwriter, performer and show host.  He has played both in the studio and onstage with numerous Midwestern groups like Lena Elizabeth & The Lowland Lakers.  Offering In-Studio and Online Lessons.

She/Her

DRUMS

Terah's musical journey began once she discovered her passion for drums at the age of ten. She was trained in classical percussion and drums in Berlin, Germany, and then received her Bachelor of Music degree in the U.S. During high school and university, Terah played percussion for concert bands and orchestras, including a European honor band concert in Vienna, Austria. She played drums for musicals, jazz ensembles, basketball pep bands, various rock, dance and church bands, studio recording gigs and touring bands. Later, she focused solely on drum set, her favorite style being anthem-rock and anything groove. She has been teaching private drum lessons since 2004. An eventual move to California provided Terah the opportunity to play rock gigs around Los Angeles, and to perform as a drummer at Disneyland for five years. During her time with Disney, she was chosen to be the lead drummer for a Screen Actors Guild national commercial and a major company convention. She helped teach drum parts to new hires, and here's a fun tidbit: she got to teach Mickey Mouse as well! 

Terah can teach you to read notation and follow charts, or to simply listen to songs and decipher the beats together. Her philosophy is to let the student choose since we all learn best in different ways. She believes you are never too old to start something new! Music has been such a fulfilling part of her life that she truly enjoys helping others achieve steps toward their own musical goals and dreams. Offering In-Studio and Online Lessons.

She/Her

VOCALS, PIANO & SONGWRITING

After studying voice for 10 years and graduating with a degree as a Recording Artist, Ashley discovered a love for teaching music! As a person who digs spending time with people and music, it could not be more ideal. She's now been teaching music lessons for four years and is always excited to meet new students. With training and experience in Classical, Broadway, Jazz, Soul and Pop, it's easy to start learning to sing and play in a healthy way. If you want to find Ashley outside the studio, you can catch her at one of her band's shows in the Twin Cities. Offering In-Studio and Online Lessons.

He/Him

GUITAR, BANJO, HARMONICA & BASS

I've been a playing and performing music for 20 years. I began on acoustic guitar, electric lead and rhythm, and then moved on to harmonica and banjo. I have been teaching lessons for these instruments for the last five years. On guitar, I teach standard tuning rock & blues styles but specialize in open tuning fingerstyle  folk and blues, including slide. On harmonica, I mainly play country blues lip-pursed style, but also get into Chicago blues tongue-blocking techniques. On bass, I focus on rock, blues, and classic country styles. And, on banjo, I play three-finger bluegrass style. I prefer to tailor my lessons to the student rather than have a set curriculum. I teach what the student wants to learn, at the pace they are comfortable with, and with equal focus on techniques, theory and application. I currently play in Minneapolis bands Heatwave & Landman and The Fattenin' Frogs. I also perform solo acoustic blues and folk on guitar and harmonica. My true love is American roots music, whether playing it or teaching it. Offering In-Studio and Online Lessons.

He/Him

TRUMPET, TROMBONE, FRENCH HORN & BARITONE

Sten Johnson has been teaching trumpet, trombone and French horn to beginning and advanced students since 2006, and he believes that anyone can learn to play! He is a dedicated teacher whose aim is for his students to enjoy their instrument while reaching their playing goals. He has toured nationally and internationally with New Sound Underground, Youngblood Brass Band and others, and maintains a busy schedule while at home in Minneapolis. Sten earned a B.M. in Trumpet Performance from McNally Smith College of Music and is a locally grown product of St. Paul's Como Park neighborhood. Offering In-Studio and Online Lessons by appointment only.

She/Her

GUITAR & UKULELE

Lila enjoys guiding students on a journey of lifelong musical learning. She studied guitar at Musicians Institute and has performed and recorded with bands of various styles over the years. Her experience ranges from rock to indie pop and folk, with a smattering of classical. More recently, she has morphed into a singer/songwriter with a love of fingerstyle guitar. Having taught guitar for over 10 years, Lila has experience with students of a variety of ages and backgrounds. She understands what it’s like to be a beginner, and she approaches teaching with patience and compassion. She encourages feedback from her students about how they want to learn, tailoring lessons according to their learning style, goals, and musical taste. Offering In-Studio and Online Lessons.

He/Him

DRUMS, GUITAR, BASS, UKULELE & PIANO

Peter is a professional musician, born and raised in the Twin Cities, with over a decade of experience performing. You might see him around town drumming with his current bands, Eudaemon (Black Metal) and Surly Grrly (Queercore/Punk). Other groups he plays with include Ice Climber and Inhvmanity, which are both improv-based projects.  

Peter started playing drums at the age of nine and picked up the guitar shortly after. He has been playing in bands for the last 13 years and has experience gigging across multiple genres including but not limited to: Metal, Rock, Funk, Pop, and Hip Hop. In recent years he has taught in Minneapolis public schools, where he fell in love with encouraging students to explore their passions and curiosities. He is enthusiastic about teaching, and always prioritizes the student’s personal goals as a musician. Lessons incorporate music theory, technique, composition, and improvisational skills. In his free time Peter enjoys biking, spending time outdoors, and taking care of his zoo of animals at home. Offering In-Studio and Online Lessons.

They/Them

ELECTRIC & UPRIGHT BASS, GUITAR, PIANO, UKULELE & SONGWRITING

Mickey Mahoney is a teacher, bassist, and songwriter from Minneapolis. They have been teaching since 2013, empowering students with creative-led instruction that will generate a life-long passion for their instrument. After graduating from McNally Smith College of Music with a B.M. in Bass Performance in 2017, Mickey has toured extensively in the U.S. and Europe. On the road or at home, Mickey is performing with bands like Lissie, Early Eyes, Yellow Ostrich and more! They are driven to share their excitement of music with their students, providing an education that is both goal oriented and fun. Offering In-Studio and Online Lessons.

He/Him

GUITAR

Colin Roy Monette has been a vibrant part of the Twin Cities music scene for over 20 years, contributing as a performer, educator, and recording artist. With a passion for music that spans multiple genres—including blues, jazz, funk, soul, alt-country, Americana, Latino, world beat, and rock 'n' roll—Colin has dedicated himself to both his craft and his students.

Outside of music, Colin is a proud family man, sharing his life with his wife, two children, a dog, and a backyard full of chickens!

As a teacher, Colin focuses on applied music theory, classic songs, popular chord progressions, and both rhythm and soloing techniques. Whether you're a beginner or an experienced player, Colin will meet you where you are and inspire you to achieve your musical goals. Offering In-Studio Lessons.

He/Him

GUITAR, UKULELE & BASS

Hello, my name is Will Scott. I am a guitarist, composer and music educator from Minneapolis, Minnesota. I graduated from Gustavus Adolphus College, where I studied music theory, composition and performance. I have been an active musician for over a decade, and I am well versed in a variety of different styles including: rock, pop, blues, jazz, metal, folk, and fingerstyle picking. 

As a performing musician, I have played guitar in rock bands, big bands, jazz combos and choral ensembles. I have performed at many venues around the midwest, including First Avenue's Mainroom in Minneapolis.

I teach private guitar, bass, and ukulele lessons at Twin Town Guitars in Minneapolis. Working with students of all ages and ability levels, I adapt my lessons to complement each student's unique interests and talents. I help my students develop strong foundational skills while maintaining a fun and supportive learning environment. It is my mission to provide knowledgeable instruction and customized lesson plans to help each student reach their musical goals. Offering In-Studio and Online Lessons.

He/Him

GUITAR, BASS, PIANO, DRUMS & VOCALS

Ryan Smith has been professionally teaching, performing, recording, and writing music for over 15 years.  He holds a Bachelor of Music Degree from Bethel University, where he studied classical guitar with Dr. David Crittenden.  Ryan is well-versed in many styles including rock, alternative, indie, classical, blues, and jazz.  He has been nominated for "Best Guitarist" in the Minnesota Music Awards two years in a row and his experience with the music business, touring, and recording allows him to give progressive lessons for all ages and abilities.  Since 2001, Mr. Smith has been the singer, songwriter, and lead guitarist for The Melismatics, who have been featured on MTV, MTVU, VH1, NBC, Animal Planet, and ESPN, among others.  They have also toured internationally playing such festivals as Lollapalooza, SXSW and Summerfest.  In addition to his guitar, bass, and drum teaching, Ryan has worked with many students interested in songwriting and studio recording. Offering Online Lessons.

He/Him

GUITAR, DRUMS, BASS & UKULELE

Alec Tonjes has been playing music for over 15 years and has been a full time music teacher and youth ensemble director for the last 7 years. Alec attended Mainstreet School of Performing Arts in Hopkins and Perpich Arts High School in Golden Valley. He went on to study at McNally Smith College of Music where he received the Marv Dalghren Scholarship. Alec also has experience gigging with a variety of different Twin Cities bands in all different genres including: Rock, Jazz, Metal, Neo Soul, Funk, Pop, Country, Latin, Blues, and Hip Hop.

Alec structures his lessons around student's personal goals and interests. He finds that students make the most progress when they are excited about what they are learning. Since every student is different, lessons include a mix of learning favorite songs, technical exercises, genres, theory, rhythm improvisation, soloing, and song writing. 

When teaching children, Alec strives to find a balance of making lessons fun and playful, while still maintaining growth and a sense of accomplishment. Music reading is a fundamental part of lessons as well. Alec communicates with parents and shares how their child is doing, opportunities for growth, and successes! Alec also has experience teaching students who have disabilities and is able to work lessons around student specific needs. Offering In-Studio and Online Lessons.

She/Her

CELLO, VIOLA, VIOLIN, SONGWRITING & MUSIC THEORY

Arianna is a freelance multi-instrumentalist and teacher from Minneapolis. In 2018, she graduated with a Bachelor’s of Music in Cello Performance and a double major in English Literature from the University of Minnesota, Twin Cities. As a cellist, she has performed orchestral and chamber music throughout the U.S., Mexico, Spain, and England, though she primarily collaborates with fellow artists in the Twin Cities, experimenting with live performance and compositions that use extended string techniques and electronics. She enjoys fussing with classical and pop idioms, and eclectic instrumentation, fascinated by the endless possibilities of textural interplay between string instruments, synthesizers, and voice. Throughout the past several years, she has recorded and performed many projects as a soloist and collaborator. She plays with the Delphia Cello Quartet as a rotating member, as a performing artist for Thursday Musical, and as a session musician. She taught extracurricular strings through Saint Paul Public Schools, assisted with summer strings camps at the MacPhail Center for Music, and has been teaching cello as a private instructor at the City of Lakes Waldorf School since 2016, and as the String Ensemble assistant there since 2022. In fall 2021, she joined Minneapolis-Saint Paul-based sort-of-pop record label, Aura Vortex Records, and released an album from her synth pop/indie rock project  Spaceport in March of 2023. Offering In-Studio and Online Lessons by appointment only.