Meet Our Instructors
Lyle Raymond
Guitar, Bass, Banjo, Ukulele, Piano
“My entire approach to teaching music is based on two principles: First, that music is a language, and should be learned in the same manner as one’s native language, through listening, experimentation, and improvisation. Second, that music is best practiced with others. For these reasons, I use activities like improvisation, ear training, and composition in my courses. I strive to create a “working musician” experience for my students, in which performance objectives are given high priority.
I know that most students don’t aspire to be professionals, but I will treat every student as though they do.”
Mary Regan
Piano
“I’m a passionate instructor with two decades of teaching experience, and a bachelor’s in Piano Pedagogy. I try to keep lessons both engaging and fun by getting to know each student and establishing personalized goals, choosing appealing repertoire, and employing my own games and activities. I encourage my students to be curious and inventive as they learn to be confident musicians. Both my experience and creative approach enable me to support students of all ages and ability levels in reaching their musical goals. “
Mark Schuh
Guitar, Bass, Piano, Ukulele
I'm a Madison native, and my musical journey has taken me through many years in San Francisco and Oakland, California. The joy of sharing music has always been at the heart of my passion.
My musical education started early with classical fingerpicking, and during my time at UW Madison, I delved into the world of jazz. Combining these influences, my teaching style aims to challenge my students while ensuring we have a lot of fun along the way.
It's been incredibly rewarding to witness my students succeed as solo artists and band members, knowing that I played a part in their musical growth.
Michael Dobiel
Winds, Bass Guitar, Piano
Michael is a musician who has been active as a performer, composer, and educator for over 10 years. He recently relocated to Madison from the Boston, MA, area where he also grew up. Michael is a versatile educator, able to teach woodwinds, brass, piano, and bass guitar. He adapts lessons to the needs of each student, emphasizing musical fundamentals while collaborating with students to identify their goals. His experience has shown him that when students participate in goal setting, the outcome is generally enriched appreciation and understanding of their instrument.
