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Meet the Instructors of Grand Music Studio
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D. Ann Hargens (Owner & Piano Instructor)
Debbie Ann Hargens or "Ahn", owner and piano instructor, has been studying classical piano since the age of 4. She has a Music Business degree from Drake University and has been teaching since 2000. Ann has worked with students ranging in age from 4 to 60+ years old.
Ann is a current member of the Music Teachers National Association (MTNA), Iowa Music Teachers Association (IMTA), Des Moines Music Teachers Association (DMMTA), National Federated Music Club (NFMC) and the Federated Music Club of Des Moines. Ann's previous instructors include Karen Carr and Chiu-Ling Lin.
Ann frequently accompanies local vocal studios for recitals and competitions year-round and performs as a solo musican for weddings, receptions and other functions. She has also served as an adjudicator for piano festivals.
At Grand Music Studio, Ann primarily works with late elementary to early advanced students and those focusing on classical music studies.
2037 Grand Avenue Suite E
West Des Moines, IA 50265
dahargens@grandmusicstudio.com
515.778.5788
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Nick Rieser (Piano & Jazz Instructor)
Nick Rieser, piano instructor, joined GMS in October 2008. Nick studied classical piano for many years and in later years with renowned jazz teacher Alan Swain in Evanston, Illinois. Nick's first band experience was with a Dixieland group in high school. Since then, he has performed as a soloist and accompanist to theatre performances and vocalists as well as part of gigging ensembles and big bands. He was a member of the Stanley Paul Orchestra in Chicago for over 10 years.
Currently, Nick performs with the Des Moines Community Jazz Center Big Band and in various clubs throughout the metro area. His is on the rosters of the Iowa Arts Council, Metro Arts Alliance, and VSA Arts as a jazz pianist.
As a piano instructor, Nick has worked with students ranging in age from 5 to 70. He taught beginning guitar and piano classes for the Chicago Park District, and formed a rock band with local high school students.
He taught an adult course called "Laid Back Piano" at Waubonsee Community College, which focused on fun and early improvisation. At the Music Matters School of Music in Illinois, he helped students compose their own recital pieces.
Nick participated in the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts' seminar, "Planning Effective Arts-Integrated Residencies for Students." Based on this seminar, he worked on a classroom program to improve basic math skills through music.
At Grand Music Studio, Nick primarily works with beginning to late intermediate piano students and is the primary jazz music instructor.
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Loraine Ho (Piano Instructor)
Loraine Ho, piano instructor, began teaching at Grand Music Studio in March 2010. She has been playing the piano since age 6 and followed the curriculum established by the Associated Board of the Royals Schools of Music. She successfully completed the highest levels available. Loraine has an Accounting degree from Iowa State University and is in the process of earning an Music Teachers National Association (MTNA) certification. She frequently attends conferences and seminars on music topics ranging from stylistic technique to advancements in music technology and its applications in the studio.
Loraine has a desire to cultivate musicianship and a love for music in all her students. In her spare time, she enjoys reading, traveling internationally, yoga, and world-wide cuisines.
At Grand Music Studio, Loraine works with all ages of students from beginner to intermediate level.
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Grey Lovelace (Guitar, Bass & Jazz Piano Instructor)
Grey Lovelace joined the studio in November 2010. He is currently finishing his degree in Music Education from Simpson College in Indianola, Iowa.
Grey is an active musician in the community, frequently as the bass player for musicals at the Des Moines Playhouse.
As an instructor, Grey works with all ages and abilities. He teaches students the foundations of playing the guitar and helps them build proper technique to learn any styles of music. Grey also teaches Bass, Jazz Piano and Beginner Piano for Adults.
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Paige Harpin (Voice & Piano Instructor)
Paige Harpin joined the studio in June 2010. She graduated from Drake University with a Bachelor's in Music Education. She has experience teaching all levels in K through 8 General Music programs, private voice and piano, and assisting in the direction of show choir.
Paige frequently performs in the Des Moines and surrounding areas in many different groups in the genres of jazz, R&B, folk and classical. Recently, she was the director of an adult choir called Spirit Singers at the Sacred Heart Church.
She keeps busy with accompanying the St. Anthony's Children's Choir. Paige has been a vocal clinician for Waukee and Southeast Polk.
Paige teaches voice students of all ages and abilities and piano students beginner to intermediate level.
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Whitney Edgar (Voice & Piano Instructor)
Whitney Hansen began teaching at Grand Music Studio in June 2011. Whitney, a coloratura soprano, hails from Newton, Iowa. She recently received her Masters of Music degree in vocal performance from the University of Tennessee, where she performed in STREET SCENE, DON GIOVANNI, THE CRUCIBLE, AND GIANNI SCHICCHI, and where she performed regularly around the Knoxville area. In addition to performing, Whitney also assisted teaching courses in beginning voice and musicology.
She received her Bachelor of Arts degree in Music from Simpson College, where she performed in THE CONSUL, DIDO AND AENEAS, ALBERT HERRING, SUOR ANGELICA, COSE FAN TUTTE, and performed regularly with the Des Moines Metro Opera. She also performed in LA TRAVIATA, IL BARBIERE DI SIVIGLIA, SUOR ANGELICA, and GIANNI SCHICCHI with Opera in the Ozarks and participated in the lieder program of the American Institute of Musical Studies in Graz, Austria.
Whitney is currently studying with Maestro David Jones in New York City. Whitney has experience teaching a wide range of vocal styles including: Broadway, jazz, classical, rock, and pop. She enjoys working with any age!
At Grand Music Studio, Whitney teaches voice students of all ages and abilities and beginning piano.
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Jordan Pohlmann (Voice & Piano Instructor)
Jordan Pohlmann began teaching at Grand Music Studio in June 2011. He received his Bachelor of Arts in vocal performance from Doane College in Crete, Nebraska in 2009. Since then he has studied with Grammy award winner Darlene Koldenhoven, recorded professionally for Disney at Igloo Music Studios in Burbank, California, and was the lead singer for a Christian rock band based out of Indianapolis. Most recently Jordan has studied jazz and taught piano at the School for Music Vocations in Creston, Iowa.
He performed with the jazz/funk/R&B vocal group Audio Radiance which toured in California and Canada and opened for internationally renowned groups M -Pact, Rajaton, and the New
York Voices.
During his time at Doane and since, Jordan has performed regularly in a variety of styles including classical, jazz, rock, gospel, funk, musical theater, and contemporary Christian. He is passionate about helping musicians of all skill levels hone their craft.
Jordan works with voice students of all ages and abilties and piano students from beginner to late-intermediate.
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dahargens@grandmusicstudio.com
nrieser@grandmusicstudio.com
lho@grandmusicstudio.com
glovelace@grandmusicstudio.com
pharpin@grandmusicstudio.com
wedgar@grandmusicstudio.com
jpohlmann@grandmusicstudio.com
