Piano and Organ

Multiple Instructors

PIANO AND ORGAN

INDIVIDUAL and GROUP Classes Available

The piano is the foundational instrument for music study, whether professional, amateur, or hobbyist.

In piano lessons, you will learn how to read music in multiple clefs, gain a solid individual sense of rhythm, develop better coordination, and build a great ear. Pianists can accompany others, play in a band, and lead others in folk, religious, or background music.

PIANO INSTRUCTOR

Leslie Appleby, NCTM

Education

Nationally Certified Teacher of Music

EXPERIENCE

Leslie Appleby is a Nationally Certified Teacher of Music in Piano (Music Teachers National Association) and has taught piano privately for the past 30 years to students of all ages and abilities. 

Her students have won numerous honors in competitions of the Iowa Music Teachers Association (IMTA) and the Private Music Teachers Association (PMTA), as well as the Dubuque Symphony Concerto Competition and the Terrace Hill Piano Competition.  She has also worked successfully with students who have a variety of developmental challenges.

Ms. Appleby studied piano performance in New York City with several graduates of the Juilliard School.  She then studied at Brooklyn College for three semesters with concert pianist Agustin Anievas.

Ms. Appleby is active in IMTA as the Dubuque Festival Chair and auditions scheduler.  She is currently President of PMTA, based in Cedar Rapids.  She plays regularly for worship services, has appeared often on St. Luke’s Fabulous Friday Concert Series, and does occasional performances of Dixieland music with the Americana Band, among other community events.  She sometimes gives full-length solo recitals, most recently in 2021.  

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PIANO INSTRUCTOR

Lisa Reed

Education

BA, Education

Loras College

EXPERIENCE

Lisa is currently a senior at Loras College studying elementary education. She first started taking private lessons at the age of 6 and has performed in many recitals and outreach events, including nursing homes. She is an accomplished church musician, having played at both her home parish and Loras College. Her goals are to piano/organ at her local parish and one day have her own piano studio. She loves learning alongside all the students she is teaching!

 
 
 
PIANO INSTRUCTOR

Laura Chase

Education

BA, Music

East Carolina University in Greenville, NC

EXPERIENCE

Laura Chase graduated from East Carolina University in Greenville, NC with a Bachelor’s degree in Music. For nine years she taught in North Carolina Public Schools as an Elementary Music Teacher and has also served as an adjunct community college faculty member, teaching Music & Movement. Laura has taught students of all ages in piano pedagogy and is currently a music teacher at Eleanor Roosevelt Middle School.

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PIANO INSTRUCTOR

Kendra Leik, NCTM

Education

BA, Secretarial Science

Providence Baptist College, Elgin, IL

Nationally Certified Teacher of Music in Piano

 

EXPERIENCE

Kendra Leik, NCTM, is a nationally certified teacher of music in piano and a member of the Music Teachers National Association. She is a graduate of Providence Baptist College, Elgin, IL, and has been a pianist for over 20 years.

Ms. Leik loves to accompany vocal groups of all ages for church services, recitals, music programs, and school competitions. Since her music studies in college, she has written several hymn arrangements and hopes to publish some of these arrangements soon.

PIANO INSTRUCTOR

JILL SCHEIRER

Education

BA, Music

Concordia College, Moorhead, MN

 

EXPERIENCE

Jill Scheirer graduated from Concordia College in Minnesota with a B.A. in Music Education with an emphasis in clarinet performance. She was employed as a music teacher in the Dubuque Community Schools as a PK-5 music and choir teacher. Ms. Scheirer has also taught in the Bismarck, ND, and Kulm, ND, public schools. She is widely known as a dedicated musician with a wide variety of music and leadership experiences.

PIANO INSTRUCTOR

Luke Tyler, NCTM

Education

Doctor of Arts, Piano

Ball State University

 

 

Masters of Music, Piano

Miami University

 

 

BA in Music

Hanover College

 

EXPERIENCE

Dr. Luke Tyler has over 20 years of teaching piano to students of all ages and levels, ranging from pre-school aged beginners to college music majors and older adults.

Luke taught at Loras College for 7 years, where he coordinated the keyboard area, taught music theory, and developed courses in American and world music.

Luke is active in Music Teachers National Association (MTNA). He has served as an adjudicator, performer, and presenter within the organization at all levels, including performances on the national stage. He has notable performances in Tucson, Milwaukee, Indianapolis, Cincinnati, Fort Wayne, Germany, Beijing, and Hong Kong.

Luke is also an avid church musician with over 14 years of professional experience. He currently serves as Music Director at Westminster Presbyterian Church and Contemporary Music Director at Holy Trinity Lutheran Church.

When not at NISOM, Luke enjoyed gardening and spending time with his wife, Lizz, and his two girls.

Education

Doctor of Music Arts, organ

University of Kansas

 

 

Masters of Music, Organ

University of Iowa

 

 

BA in Music

Carroll University

 

 

Experience:

Charles Barland is Professor of Music and University Organist at the University of Dubuque.

As an organist, he has performed throughout the United Stated and in Germany, Northern Ireland, Scotland, and England, including performances in Armagh, Glasgow, London, Munich, Boston, Orlando, Chicago, Milwaukee, Los Angeles, and Honolulu.

In addition, he is Director of Music for Holy Trinity Lutheran Church and Organist/Choir Director at St. Luke’s United Methodist Church. He is a member of the Dubuque Symphony Board and is Dean of the River Valley Chapter of the American Guild of Organists.

Jen Diemer

Education

BME, Music Education
BM, Music Therapy
Wartburg College

Jen Diemer graduated in 2022 from Wartburg College in Waverly, Iowa with bachelors degrees in music education and music therapy. During her undergraduate experience, she studied piano and Dr. Ted Reuter, accompanied the Wartburg Ritterchor, and taught private piano lessons in the community. She also enjoyed singing in a choir and playing the clarinet with the Wartburg College Wind Ensemble.

In addition teaching lessons, Ms. Diemer currently serves as a hospice music therapist in Dubuque and surrounding areas. When she’s not making music, she enjoys reading, biking, and spending time with friends.