NDSU Music Academy
We are excited to continue another year of music-making at the NDSU Music Academy!
We feel our Music Academy is a great opportunity to enrich our community by educating students young and old about music and the fine arts. Please check out our FAQ tab for common questions and an explanation of how we set up lessons. We look forward to meeting you!
Registration for returning students is open August 1, 2024. An email is sent to returning students from the previous summer, spring, and fall sessions to register. If you are a returning student and didn’t receive an email, please check your Spam folder first and then email laura.kellogg@ndsu.edu. Please do not fill out a new registration form. If it’s been over a year since you took lessons with the Music Academy, you will NOT get an email about registration from me. Email me directly to ask for a returning student registration form.
Registration for new students is open August 6, 2024 (fill out registration form on the registration tab)
Scholarships Available
Excite Music, a fiscal sponsor project of the Impact Foundation, provides scholarships on the basis of need to students at the NDSU Music Academy. Excite Music’s mission is to ensure that every child has the opportunity to learn and experience music, regardless of economic status. To apply for a scholarship, please visit their website to fill out the application: https://excitemusicfm.com
The NDSU Music Academy currently offers lessons in the following areas:
- Organ
- Rhythm ukulele
- Rhythm guitar (centers around chords, strumming patterns, and working with groups of strings)
- Voice
- Piano
- Flute
- Oboe
- Saxophone
- Trumpet
- Horn
- Percussion
- Violin
- Viola
- Cello (new Fall 2024)
- Composition (new Fall 2024)
Please check the “Meet the Instructors” tab for ages the instructors teach.
We also have a FB page, so please give us a Like! The Music Academy Director will post updates on social media and via email. https://www.facebook.com/NDSUMusicAcademy/
Dr. Laura Kellogg
Director of the NDSU Music Academy
laura.kellogg@ndsu.edu
About
The NDSU Music Academy is a non-degree organization that provides high quality music education to students from age five years through adult. The Academy allows students to work at their own pace in an encouraging environment. We also provide opportunities for students to perform and interact with each other in a non-competitive atmosphere with a recital in the fall and spring. The instructors at the Academy are highly qualified NDSU graduate and undergraduate students pursuing degrees in music education, music performance, and conducting.
The NDSU Music Academy is housed at Peace Lutheran Church (1011 12th Avenue N, Fargo, ND).
Laura Kellogg is the Director of the NDSU Music Academy. She is also flute faculty at NDSU and the Executive Director of the Fargo Moorhead Area Youth Symphonies.
Fall Session 2024
| Registration Opens – Returning Students | August 1 |
| Registration Opens – New Students | August 6 |
| Lessons Begin | September 3 (Tuesday) |
| No lessons | November 11 November 27-29 |
| Last Day of Lessons | December 6 |
| Fall Recital | December 7, 2:00pm |
Spring Session 2025
| Registration Opens – Returning Students | December 1 |
| Registration Opens – New Students | December 6 |
| Lessons Begin | January 21 (Tuesday) |
| No Lessons | February 17 March 10-14 April 18, 21 |
| Last Day of Lessons | May 9 |
| Spring Recital | May 10, 2:00pm |
Summer Session 2025 (8 lessons)
| Registration Opens – Returning Students | May 1 |
| Registration Opens – New Students | May 6 |
| Lessons Begin | June 2 |
| No Lessons | June 30-July 4 |
| Last Day of Lessons | August 1 |
| No Recital in summer session |
Pay tuition online
Prorated Fee
- $24.00 for each 30 minute lesson
- $36.00 for each 45 minute lesson
- $48.00 for each 1 hour lesson
Lessons are pro-rated depending on what day of the week lessons are. Please see charts below for tuition costs. (This is to avoid makeup lessons from days NDSU is closed for holidays and breaks)
Fall Semester
In Fall Semester, lessons go from Sept. 3 to Dec. 6
Because of holidays and breaks, there are differing amounts of lessons for each day of the week.
| Day of the week | Number of lessons | Length of lessons | Tuition Due |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mondays | 12 | 30-minute 45-minute 1 hour | $288 $432 $576 |
| Tuesdays | 14 | 30-minute 45-minute 1 hour | $336 $504 $672 |
| Wednesdays | 13 | 30-minute 45-minute 1 hour | $312 $468 $624 |
| Thursdays | 13 | 30-minute 45-minute 1 hour | $312 $468 $624 |
| Fridays | 13 | 30-minute 45-minute 1 hour | $312 $468 $624 |
Spring Semester
In Spring Semester, lessons go from Jan. 21 to May 9
Because of holidays and breaks, there are differing amounts of lessons for each day of the week.
| Day of the week | Number of lessons | Length of lessons | Tuition Due |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mondays | 12 | 30-minute 45-minute 1 hour | $288 $432 $576 |
| Tuesdays | 15 | 30-minute 45-minute 1 hour | $360 $540 $720 |
| Wednesdays | 15 | 30-minute 45-minute 1 hour | $360 $540 $720 |
| Thursdays | 15 | 30-minute 45-minute 1 hour | $360 $540 $720 |
| Fridays | 14 | 30-minute 45-minute 1 hour | $336 $504 $672 |
Summer Session
There will always be 8 lessons in the summer session.
30-minute lessons $192
45-minute lessons $288
1 hour lessons $384
Summer lessons offered only by specific teachers, check with your teacher to see about availability in the summer.
Registration
There is a $20 registration fee per student for first time registration only
After registering, we will contact you to schedule your weekly lesson time. Once we have found a time that works for your lesson, then pay your new student registration fee of $20 online through our website within 48 hours. When we have received your new student fee, we will reserve your lesson time. If the new student fee is not received within 48 hours, the lesson time that was agreed upon will become available for other students to reserve.
Payments
Once you have established a lesson time, you may pay in full or make two payments per semester for the fall and spring semesters. Payment is due before the first lesson. Lessons will not begin until payment has been received. If paying twice per semester, the second payment is due during the seventh week of the semester. Summer session payment is due in full before the first lesson. Payment can be made in the form of a check or credit card. Checks should be made out to NDSU and sent to:
NDSU Music Academy
Attn: Tracey Dahl
PO Box 6050 Dept 2540
Fargo ND 58108
Pay Lessons Online
This site will ask for the contribution amount. You’ll need to type in the tuition amount since it changes by semester and depending on what day you have lessons on.
Make-up lessons
- There will be the option of making up one lesson each semester for an excused absence.
- An absence will be counted as excused when the teacher is notified at least one week prior to the lesson. If the teacher was not notified prior to the absence, the lesson will be counted as unexcused and will not be rescheduled.
- If a student is ill, the teacher must be notified by phone a minimum of two hours prior to the lesson. If the teacher was not notified prior to the absence, the lesson will be counted as unexcused and will not be rescheduled.
- A lesson canceled by the instructor will be made up at the earliest convenience of both parties.
- All make up lessons will take place during normal Academy hours.
- Please respect our instructors time as they have carved out a specific time in their schedule to teach you or your child.
Expectations
Academy students are expected to:
- Keep a regular practice schedule as specified by their instructor
- Attend all lessons and recital in which they are enrolled
- Bring instrument, music and all lesson materials to each lesson
Lesson Location
In-person lessons will take place at Peace Lutheran Church, 1011 12th Avenue North, Fargo. When you walk in the front door, continue walking towards the back of the church. There will be a host who will greet you and show you where the lessons are at. (Lessons will be in the Sunday School Wing). Parents must always accompany children. There is a waiting area with chairs and tables outside the lesson rooms.
Building Policies
Peace Lutheran Church has graciously opened their facility for Academy use, we wish to keep their building in good order and respect their property. The Sunday school wing is the only place students and parents will be allowed to wait in the building. An adult must accompany students at all times. Students may not wait outside of the building for any reason and must remain in the Sunday school wing.
Student Dismissal
Students who are not meeting the expectations listed above may be dismissed at any time with tuition forfeited.
Cancellation of lessons
- The Music Academy will only cancel lessons due to bad weather if NDSU cancels events for that day. Check the NDSU website for cancellation information. We will not follow public school or Peace Lutheran cancellations.
- If a student decides to cancel due to bad weather and NDSU is open, the instructor is not obligated to make up the absence.
- The Music Academy Director will send out an email blast and post on the NDSU Music Academy Facebook page when lessons are canceled.
- Lessons canceled by the instructor will be made up at the earliest convenience of both parties.
Withdrawal
Withdrawing from lessons requires written notification to the Academy office. If written notification is not received, students will still be considered officially enrolled and charged accordingly for tuition.
Refund Policy
After the first payment has been received, students are obligated to pay for that half of the semester. If a student has paid in full for the semester and does not continue lessons in the second half of the semester, a refund will be given for the second half of the semester.
Late Arrival
Students are expected to arrive on time and be ready for their lesson to begin at the specified time. Instructors will wait 15 minutes before assuming the students will be absent for the lesson. Instructors are not required to make-up lost time. However, if an instructor is late, they will arrange to make-up the lost time.
Please fill out this registration form for NEW students only. If you have previously taken lessons through the Music Academy, you will receive an email with returning student registration information on August 1st, December 1st, and May 1st.
Registrations for new students will open on August 6th, December 6th, and May 6th.
Scholarships for students are available on the basis of need through Excite Music. Please visit Excite Music FM to apply.
Ava McCormick, flute
Teaches age 10 and above
Beginner, intermediate, and advanced students
Ava McCormick is the flute instructor at the NDSU Music Academy. She received her Bachelor’s degree in General Music and Neuroscience at NDSU in 2021, and this is her sixth year teaching at the Academy. She is from Moorhead, MN, and has played the flute for 15 years. Ava loves teaching and playing the flute and strives to help young players develop their ability to express themselves musically.
Cameron Solberg, oboe
Beginner, intermediate, and advanced students
Cameron Solberg grew up in Fargo, North Dakota and gained her Bachelor of Music in Music Education and Bachelor of Science in Mathematics Education at North Dakota State University. She studied oboe under Philip McKenzie and studied under Jennifer Peterson prior to college.
Cameron has obtained a variety of performing and teaching opportunities while studying at NDSU. These experiences include playing in the NDSU Wind Symphony, NDSU Woodwind Quintet, NDSU Gold Star Marching Band, NDSU Jazz Ensemble, NDSU Saxophone Quartet, and various chamber ensembles for NDSU’s operas and choirs. She has also earned the title as a finalist in the Bismarck Mandan Symphony Orchestra Young Artist Concerto Competition and competed in the Greater Grand Forks Symphony Orchestra Young Artist Concerto Competition and the Fargo-Moorhead Symphony Orchestra Young Artist Solo Competition.
While performing is a large passion for Cameron, she also enjoys sharing her knowledge and appreciation for music through teaching. In addition to teaching private oboe lessons for the NDSU Music Academy, she has also volunteered as a camp counselor for the Bemidji MusiCamp.
Alison Johnson, piano
Teaches age 5 and above
Beginner, intermediate, and advanced students
Alison Johnson is a current student at NDSU’s Challey School of Music studying instrumental music education. This will be her second year attending NDSU! Currently, she is studying piano, accompanies over at the Newman center for mass, is in the Wind Symphony, and you can catch her in NDSU’s Gold Star Marching Band at one of the games! Alison is from Victoria, MN, a small town 30 minutes southwest of the twin cities. She is thrilled to be teaching again this year and can’t wait to get going again with everything piano! Alison has found that one of her passions is not only music, but also teaching. She believes that music is a universal language and can be enjoyed by anyone whether you are the listener or player. By learning the piano (or any instrument), you are not only developing the skill to create music, but you are also learning how to appreciate music and all it has to offer.
Zackary Carlson, trumpet and piano
Teaches ages 5 and above
Trumpet: beginner, intermediate, and advanced students
Piano: beginner students
Zack Carlson is an instrumental education major at North Dakota State University. He has been playing for 9 years and has performed in a variety of ensembles including Principal Trumpet of the NDSU Symphony Orchestra, Section Leader in the Gold Star Marching Band, NDSU Wind Symphony, NDSU Jazz Ensemble, and the Gold Star Brass Quintet. Music has been a large part of his life and he wants to provide his knowledge to the next generation of musicians in any way he can.
Bradley Schiltz, violin and viola
Teaches ages 6 and above
Violin and viola: beginner, intermediate, and advanced students
Bradley has been playing the violin for 12 years. He has performed in numerous ensembles and has a passion for music and teaching. Bradley is currently studying chemistry at NDSU.
Benton Schmidt, organ
*Students need to be able to have their feet reach the pedals. Estimated youngest age is 10 years old
Teaches beginner, intermediate, and advanced students
A native of Fargo, North Dakota, Benton Schmidt began studying music at the age of 5. He completed his Bachelor of Music in Piano Performance at North Dakota State University where he was recipient of the Bill Euren Fellowship Award. Schmidt received his Masters of Sacred Music from the University of Notre Dame in May 2021 and is currently finishing his doctorate in Church Music at the University of Kansas. At home in both ancient and modern repertoire, Benton particularly enjoys the liturgical music of seventeenth-century French and early German Baroque periods. He currently serves as the director of music at St. Paul’s Newman Center next to the campus of NDSU.
Guilherme Montenegro, piano
Teaches beginner and intermediate students
Guilherme Montenegro is currently studying Collaborative Piano under the guidance of Dr. Tyler Wottrich. When pursuing a master degree in Music Education from the University of Brasilia, he carried out research about collaborative pianists at scholarly music settings in Brazil. Previous piano professors were Dr. Jaci Toffano, Dr. Maria de los Ángeles Iglesias, and Neusa França. Since 2011 Guilherme has been serving as a collaborative pianist for the School of Music at Brasília for both vocal and instrumental divisions. Main topics of his interest include collaborative piano, chamber music, sight reading, piano teaching for beginners, and vernacular language learning applied to art songs. Those interests resulted in the publication of scholarly papers at larger Brazilian conferences in Music. Guilherme also gained relevant musical experience due to piano accompaniment for the Brazilian Federal Senate choir and for a few editions of the International Summer Program held by the School of Music at Brasília. In addition to music performance, Guilherme has taught one-to-one piano lessons for beginners, and distance music courses at the Brazilian Open University Program – Universidade Aberta do Brasil. He’s thrilled about pursuing a doctoral degree and sharing his professional experience as an international student at NDSU. Piano teaching enables him to share experiences and positively transform students’ lives with music.
Angelana Quanbeck, violin, guitar, ukulele, voice
Teaches ages 6 and above
Violin: beginner and intermediate students
Guitar: beginner students
Ukulele: beginner students
AJ graduated from NDSU Spring of 2024, having majored in Music and Sociology. They enjoy reading, baking, knowing too much about Shakespeare, and hanging out with her dogs. AJ’s main instruments are violin and voice, but she also dabbles in viola, guitar, ukulele, piano, saxophone, and percussion. They love to write music, both singer-songwriter style, and for vocal and instrumental chamber groups. As a teacher, AJ sees music as one of the best ways to develop learning skills, as well as connect with oneself and others. She prioritizes cultivating students’ relationship with music, encouraging them to find their joy.
Ethan Bruley, piano and saxophone
Teaches ages 5 and above
Piano: beginner and intermediate
Saxophone: beginner and intermediate
Ethan Bruley is a freshman at NDSU pursuing a Music Education degree. He grew up in West Fargo and has played piano for 12 years. He has played around town in multiple groups and teaches other kids in the F-M area outside of NDSU too. Ethan has always loved teaching kids music and enjoys watching his students grow. Ethan has also played saxophone for 7 years and is a part of the NDSU Jazz Ensemble and the Gold Star Saxophone Quartet. Outside of music, he spends most of his time watching football or bowling.
Germán Rojas, piano and trumpet
Teaches ages 5 and above
Piano: beginner, intermediate, and advanced
Trumpet: beginner, intermediate, and advanced (starting age 9)
Germán Rojas is a professional trumpet player and a piano enthusiast with over 20 years of experience. With 12 years devoted to both studying and teaching at various universities across the United States. He earned his bachelor degree in music from the Central University of Colombia, followed by a master’s degree in music from the University of Louisiana at Lafayette. He further enriched his education through participation in the Artist Diploma program at Texas Christian University and is currently on the verge of completing a doctorate at North Dakota State University.
His expertise spans classical music, rock, jazz, and popular genres. Additionally, he has successfully organized youth brass instrument groups within symphony orchestras and concert bands. He’s skilled in various musical settings, including jazz big bands, symphony orchestras, concert bands, rock and funk groups, and small jazz ensembles, both as a trumpeter and a pianist.
His teaching philosophy centers around nurturing a student’s natural connection to music while encouraging self-expression through their instrument. He firmly believes that this approach is the most effective way to master instrumental technique.
Owen Cary, percussion, composition, and piano
Teaches ages 8 and above
Percussion: beginner, intermediate, and advanced
Composition: beginner and intermediate
Piano: beginner and intermediate
Owen Cary is a current student of the Challey School of Music at NDSU. He is currently studying Instrumental Music Education and Music Composition. This will be his third year! He is studying percussion under Dr. Sigurd Johnson and is studying composition under Dr. Kyle Vanderburg. He is involved in the NDSU Wind Symphony, Percussion Ensemble, Jazz Lab Band, and is the snare drum section leader in the Gold Star Marching Band! A huge belief of his is that the strongest bondings one can have, are those made through music whether you’re a listener or a player! Music also has the ability to bring people together and put their differences aside which is why learning an instrument can be so beneficial!
Zubin Park, cello
Teaches ages 13 and above
Cello: intermediate and advanced
An innovative and devoted chamber musician and soloist, Korean-American cellist Zubin Park is a recent graduate of Temple University’s pre-college division, as well as a three year string quartet fellowship at Settlement Music School in Philadelphia, PA. Zubin has held positions in the Philadelphia Youth Orchestra and the Juilliard School pre-college division. In addition, Zubin has received extensive classical training from esteemed faculty and orchestral members, his principal instructors including Gloria dePasquale, Amy Barston, Yumi Kendall, Thomas Kraines, Lawrence Stomberg, and Elise Buffat Nelson, whom he is studying with at the Challey School of Music at North Dakota State University. Zubin is also a busy and dedicated pedagogue, and strives to maintain a sizable teacher studio; he is continually inspired by the influence that a teacher can have on a students’ passion and zeal for their instrument. Zubin is a double major candidate in Music and Chemistry.
Han Gao, piano
Teaches ages 5 and above
Piano: beginner, intermediate, and advanced
HAN GAO started to play the piano at age of 7 in her home country of China. At age 11, she studied with Ukrainian pianist and educator, Kyskova Tatiana. During this time, she won prizes in many national piano competitions including the 2008 Xinghai National Children’s Piano Competition, Beijing, where she won honorable mention. At age 14, she studied with Ukrainian pianist, Vladimir Petro, piano professor at The Odessa National Academy of Music. Han has also taken part in master classes of Chinese pianist and educator, Yafen Zhu at the Shenyang Conservatory of Music in China.
Han earned her Bachelor of Music degree in piano performance at the University of Central Oklahoma in 2020 studying with Dr. David Forbat and Dr. Valery Kuleshov.
She was 1st place at the Oklahoma Music Teachers Association Competition in 2017. She was also 1st prize winner in 2020 Ladies Music Club of Oklahoma City Scholarship Competition. In September of 2017, she was selected by the UCO piano division as performer in the 2017 UCO President’s Concert. Han played and presented collaborative work “Take, O Take Those Lips Away” at National Conference for Undergraduate Research. (Fall 2017-Spring 2018) She obtained a Master of Music degree in piano performance at the University of North Carolina at Greensboro in 2022 studying with Dr. John Salmon. Currently, Han is a 3rd year doctoral student in collaborative piano at North Dakota State University where she studies with Dr. Tyler Wottrich.
The goal of Han’s teaching career is to make the students feel and enjoy the beauty of the music. She hopes students not only learn how to play the piano but also, they will get a good mood from learning piano. Han’s approach is to find appropriate teaching methods to teach different kinds of students by using wealth of method books and music activities. Han has three components of her teaching philosophy which are enjoyment, study efficiency and encouragement.
Carlie Sell, voice
Teaches ages 5 and above
Voice: beginner, intermediate, and advanced
Carlie is currently a student at NDSU pursuing a degree in Vocal Music Education. She found a true passion in teaching through her highschool choir teacher who let her direct a song for the middle school choir. She since has gone on to teach private lessons while gaining pedagogical knowledge from Dr. Karisa Templeton.
Jacob Reinbold-Nagel, trombone
Teaches ages 7 and above
Trombone: beginner and intermediate
Q: How are lessons set up?
A: Before the semester begins, I collect all the instructors’ availability. I create a Google Spreadsheet for each instructor with times they are available to teach. Once a student registers for lessons, I email that Spreadsheet link to the student. The student then edits the document to pick a lesson time that works for them.
Q: Why are the tuition amounts different for fall versus spring versus summer?
A: The tuition changes because there are a different amount of lessons. In the fall there are 13 lessons, in the spring there are 15 lessons, and in the summer there are 8 lessons.
Q: Where do the lessons take place?
A: Peace Lutheran Church. The address is 1011 12th Ave. N, Fargo. Upon entering the church, walk towards the back. There will be a host to greet you and direct you to where lessons are. The lesson rooms are located upstairs in the Sunday School wing of the church.
Q: Are instruments provided by the Academy?
A: No, students will need to purchase or rent their own instruments. Of course, we do have pianos at the church for lessons! For other instruments, check out local music stores such as Eckroth Music and Schmitt Music for purchasing or rental options.
Q: What materials should be purchased for lessons?
A: Besides an instrument, lesson materials will be determined by your instructor specifically for you! At the first lesson, the instructor will get to know the student’s level to recommend appropriate method books and music. These materials can often be purchased at Eckroth Music, Schmitt Music, or Popplers Music.
Q: What length of lessons should I select for my child?
A: This depends on the age, attention span, and goals of the student. For younger students age 4-12, I would recommend 30 minutes. Middle school and high school levels would be more 45 minutes to an hour. If your child is interested in being involved in music at the college level, I would say definitely an hour.
Q: Can I sign my child up for lessons on multiple instruments?
A: You sure can!
Q: What days and times are lessons available?
A: Academy hours are Monday through Friday, 4:00pm-8:00pm. However, each instructor has different availability within that time frame. Once you register for lessons, I will send you a Google Spreadsheet of the instructor’s availability. Lessons are NOT available on the weekends.
Q: Why aren’t there lessons during the weekend?
A: Our instructors are all involved in the music program at NDSU. They often have musical obligations and performances on the weekend.
Q: Can we invite friends and family to the recital?
A: Yes, of course!