Creating Musicians the Austin Way!
The Lone Star School of Music strives to deliver Austin music lessons in an atmosphere conducive to the learning and sharing of music, to be an incubator of ideas and talent and to help foster a sense of community to all the musicians of Austin, both amateur and professional.
Our School is the homegrown product of one local musician who envisioned a music/arts teaching center that would ignite both creativity and community in Austin, the perfect marriage of atmosphere and convenience. We offer not only private music lessons on a HUGE variety of instruments. Our popular group classes are perfect for adults, teens, children, beginners and pros! To that end we offer guitar lessons, piano lessons, bass, drums, voice, songwriting, stereo building, and more.
We revel in the city's rich musical heritage, promote it's present and will, hopefully, help to guide it's future. Austin is known far and wide as the Live Music Capital of the World and we at the The Lone Star want to do our part to help maintain and deserve that reputation!
Kurt Phillips - Guitar, Bass, Ukulele & Children's Music Classes
Kurt Phillips is the proud owner of Lone Star School of Music, a life long dream of his and his wife Atha Phillips.
Kurt's musical journey began on the plains of South West Kansas.
I had taken a few lessons in Dallas as a kid, but it wasn't until Jr. High in Ulysses, Kansas that I began to see the possibility of actually playing music and then after high school there was nothing else I wanted to do but play guitar.
Flash forward through countless gigs, too many bands to count, a degree in classical guitar from The Chicago College of Performing Arts, a stint teaching for the National Guitar Workshop and even a film sound track to 2006 when Kurt and his wife Atha opened Lone Star School of Music. "I feel very fortunate to return to my Texas roots and settle down in Austin."
Aside from the day to day running of the Lone Star, Kurt still maintains a busy teaching and performing schedule, taking both guitar and mandolin students as well as teaching the Wee Rock children's class.
James Anderson - Violin, Fiddle, Mandolin
A native of Fort Collins, Colorado, James Anderson is a graduate of the University of Northern Colorado and the prestigious Guildhall School of Music and Drama in London, England. Beginning his classical studies at the age of 6, James has performed around the globe as a classical, jazz, and bluegrass violinist. At the age of 17, James hit the road as fiddler for the bluegrass/jam group Victor Barnes and performed with such acts as the Ben Taylor Band and Railroad Earth. At the age of 18, James was the first place winner of the Loveland Symphony Orchestra concerto competition and performed Edourd Lalos Symphonie Espagnole with the symphony. While continuing his classical studies, James began developing his improvisation and began studying jazz. In 2002, he became a resident jazz musician at Jays Bistro and Jazz Lounge in Fort Collins. While studying at the University of Northern Colorado, James was a featured performer at the Helena Jazz Jubilee festival in Helena, Montana. In 2005, James founded the progressive gypsy swing jazz quartet Hot Club Nouveau with guitarist Scott Kruser and went on to perform over 100 gigs a year for the next three years. In 2007, James was invited and continues to perform and teach at the Alaska City Folk Arts Festival in Anchorage, Alaska. While at the University of Northern Colorado, James was the concertmaster of the Symphony, Chamber, and Opera orchestras the UNC Symphony Orchestra was named by Downbeat magazine the Best College Orchestra in the nation six times, including under James leadership. After graduating with honors in 2008, James was accepted to the prestigious Guildhall conservatory in London, England whose notable alumni includes cellist Jacquelin du Pre, violist William Primrose, and jazz legend Dave Holland. While in London, James was an active performer and performed in halls including the Barbican Hall, the Yehudi Menuhin School of Musics famed concert hall in Surrey, England, and Londons famous Wigmore Hall, as well as the Le Quecumbar Gypsy Jazz Club among others. James has been featured with some of the worlds leading violinists including Mark OConnor, Darol Anger, Doug The Rajun Cajun Kershaw, jazz legend Johnny Frigo, jazz virtuosos Christian Howes and Sara Caswell, and classical sensation Gilles Apap. He was the Assistant Concertmaster of the Wyoming Symphony Orchestra, a member of the Greeley Philharmonic Orchestra, has been a featured soloist with the Ethos West Chamber Orchestra, and has been on world tours to Germany, Austria, Spain, and England with various orchestras. He has been featured on KRFC 88.9 FM radio in Fort Collins, and has held residencies at the Savoy Bistro restaurant, Dazzle Jazz Club in Denver (one of Downbeat Magazines Top 100 Jazz Clubs in the World), and numerous other clubs in Northern Colorado.
Cassie Grace - Piano & Voice
An Austin native, Cassie is a singer, songwriter, and pianist with 15 years of experience performing and teaching. Cassie has recorded as a solo artist, CASS on iTunes, and played with various jazz and pop bands throughout Texas, Utah, Oregon, North Carolina, and the Marley band in Negril, Jamaica.
Cassie had her first song used in a film soundtrack at the age of 16 and since then has been featured in multiple regional commercials, television shows in the UK and the US, and several feature films, including one she attended the debut of at Sundance and another at the Cannes Film Festival.
Locally, Cassie has been a performer at Esther's Follies, earned her Bachelors in Music from UT in 2001, and is currently pursuing her Masters degree. She is also a 200RYT (certified yoga teacher) and NASM personal trainer.
Cassie is experienced teaching all styles of music from Broadway to country, classical to pop and jazz, 3 years old to 73 years young. With an extensive background in composition and theory, she delights in incorporating these as well as music history into lessons as appropriate for each student. She considers herself a patient and compassionate teacher with a balance of discipline and structure and feels truly privileged to be a part of the Lone Star School of Music staff.
Debbie Gutierrez - Piano, Voice
Debbie is a singer, songwriter, and multi-instrumentalist, with over ten years of teaching experience. While studying voice and piano as a music major at San Jacinto College in Houston, Texas, Debbie was also vigorously performing live shows with multiple bands, as well as a solo vocalist. After transferring to Texas State University, she earned a BA in liberal arts. Being in the central Texas area, it didnt't take long to become heavily involved in the Austin music scene. Performing as lead vocalist, and bassist for the band Hollow, a two time winner of Austin Music Awards in the "best bands" category, received first place award via The Edge Magazine. Debbie also had the opportunity to perform as the touring bassist for California based all-girl band Chix Pack. As a teacher, Debbie has worked with students of all ages and skill levels. "The knowledge I can pass on to others brings me joy. Just seeing my students eyes light up when they experience the magic of music, is as great a reward as I could ever ask for. I am thrilled to be working with the Lone Star School of Music."
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Schley Barrack - Banjo, Guitar
Originally from Lancaster, Virginia, Schley Barrack took to music almost immediately and it has been an integral part of his life ever since. After teaching himself the basics on guitar and banjo, he polished his technique in lessons with a local bluegrass multi-instrumentalist all while annoying the neighborhood with a barrage of loud rock music played in his garage with friends. He practiced diligently and studied the playing of everyone from Doc Watson to Jimi Hendrix.
After high school he attended Radford University and studied classical guitar with Dr. Robert Trent. While working hard to learn the vast classical repertoire, he found time to play in a jazz band, jazz combo and various rock and country bands.
After graduating college in 2005, He made the move down to Austin, Texas to pursue a career music. Since moving to Austin, Schley has toured America and Europe playing in country and bluegrass bands including a showcase at the Country Rendezvous Festival in Craponne, France. He continues to perfect his craft playing many local and regional gigs on both guitar and banjo.
Schley takes a practical method to teaching, tailoring each lesson to the students specific needs and abilities. He believes that the most important thing he can accomplish is to help his students cultivate a love for music and thirst for knowledge that will accompany them throughout their years with the instrument.
Joshua Mauk - Guitar, Bass, Percussion
Joshua Mauk has been making music for over 22 years as a singer/ songwriter, guitarist and has landed in the Austin area at just the right time to bring his unique style to the Ancient Art of Guitar Dojo Training.
He is a master instructor and has trained on four continents in diverse environments. His technique is rooted in patience and humility. "Live life, Have fun and Make Music" is his motto.
Michael Cerza - Trumpet, Piano, Drums & Percussion
Equally comfortable on stage as a trumpeter, a pianist, a drummer and a percussionist, Michael J. Cerza has played in groups ranging from Big Band Jazz, experimental and small group Jazz, Latin/Bossa Nova ensembles, Americana, Rock, to orchestral and solo piano work.
Michael has appeared on numerous recordings and has toured in Canada, the Caribbean as well as the U.S. He has composed and arranged original pieces for ensembles; several of his original compositions are currently licensed.
Michael holds lifetime certification in K-12 Music and has taught music in educational settings that range from public school to colleges. His music teaching experience includes elementary bands, High School Latin ensembles, community music groups, county-wide instrument-making workshops, and college-level music appreciation courses. Michael has taught private lessons on trumpet, piano, Latin percussion and drums since 1975.
Michael is a life-long learner and a true eclectic. For a time, Michael was fascinated with the physics of sound as it relates to musical instruments. This led to a long period of research and experimentation in ethnomusicology and sound production, a brief affiliation with Gunnar Shoenberg at Bennington College in Vermont and many sonic experiments in design and construction, one of which is housed in the Science Center, in Ithaca, New York.
On the macrocosmic level, Michael's personal interest is with the deconstruction of ideas and concepts in order to understand and create his own unique expressions of them. Musically, this has meant that he branched out from being strictly a trumpeter, to the piano, then Latin percussion, and then to drums (with a brief flirtation with guitar and bass between). The experience has proven to be a powerful tool in developing his overall awareness and musical sensitivity; he feels that this has led to a greater understanding of how a musical group constructs a meaningful sound.
Michael is a graduate of Ithaca College School of Music in Ithaca, New York as well as SUNY Cortland where he earned a M.Ed in Literacy. He currently teaches at St. Edwards University in the School of Education.
Jason Danti - Saxophone, Clarinet & Flute
Jason Danti is a talented multi-instrumentalist specializing in saxophone, flute and clarinet. He is an inspirational teacher and a widely sought after performing musician.
Jason received his Bachelor's degree in jazz performance from the University of Texas at Austin. While attending UT, he studied under John Mills (Jazz) and Harvey Pittel (Classical).
Jason has a desire to continuously increase his musical understanding.
Playing in a variety of bands bands with different musicians, has expanded his stylistic repertoire.
Jason teaches his students how to enhance their technical abilities and how to manipulate their tone on their instrument. He teaches the theories involved in jazz, classical, and/or the various genres that interest his student.
He explains the history of music and how famous musicians influenced each other through time. He will help his students find the musicians that they enjoy listening to and help them transcribe their music.
Jason will also teach ways to make the roots of historical music transparent in his students music and he will teach ways for his students to create their own original sound.
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Alan Retamozo - Guitar
Alan's passion for playing guitar began at an early age and continues to this day. In addition to being an experienced performer, he has many years of formal studies in classical, jazz, blues and more.
Alan's professional music education began at Texas A&M University where he studied tonal theory and classical guitar performance for 3 years. While in his studies there, Alan was accepted into the prestigious Berklee College of Music in Boston, MA where he studied guitar extensively and received a Bachelors degree in Jazz Composition. While at Berklee, Alan studied with such renowned and Grammy award-winning artists such asAlla Elana Cohen, Mick Goodrick, Sheryl Bailey, Richard Evans, Oscar Stagnaro, and others.
As a passionate player and lifelong student, he understands the importance of creatingan efficient curriculum tailored to each individual students interests, age, and experience. Alan incorporated rhythmic and ear-training studies into his private lessons, which is an often-ignored yet essential aspect of musical education. He is acutely aware of the many milestones of progress that students work to achieve, and understands the most effective way to coach students past the unique challenges of learning an instrument.
Alan moved to Austin from Boston, MA in the spring of 2010 and is now an active memberof the Austin creative music scene. He is a permanent member of the NAJO jazzbig bands orchestra, a frequent sub for the Austin Jazz Band (big band), and playswith several established Austin pop/rock/r&b groups. As a composer and arranger, Alan writes for four of the leading jazz big bands in the Austin area. He also continued to compose and study classical composition privately.
Alan's students' ages range from 5 to 60 and he brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to each lesson and student. As a professional performer, recording musician, teacher, and composer, he is ready to share the gift of music with students of any age, level, or style of music.
Marcus TenHarmsel - Violin, Viola
Born and raised in Billings, Montana, Marcus TenHarmsel has been playing violin since the age of six.
Marcus graduated Magna Cum Laude with a Bachelors of Music in Violin Performance from the University of Northern Colorado. Rated by Downbeat magazine as Best College Orchestra seven out of nine years, Marcus held concertmaster positions with the UNC Symphony, Chamber, and Opera orchestras.
While at UNC, Marcus lead the UNC Quartet in a performance of Elgars Introduction and Allegro for String Quartet and String Orchestra at the Western States Honor Orchestra Festival.
Marcus has toured with various groups around the United States and Europe.
During the summer of 2008 he was awarded a scholarship to attend the prestigious Brevard Music Center in Brevard, North Carolina where he collaborated with artists such as Joshua Bell, Midori, Lynn Harrell, and Mark OConnor in the Brevard Faculty Orchestra.
He has been an active educator for many years, teaching in various parts of Colorado, and at music festivals in Montana.
Marcus is a recent Austin transplant and believes music education can plant seedlings of confidence, purpose, community, and creativity for anyone who decides to pursue it.
Brandon J. Wilhelm - Piano, Voice
Brandon Wilhelm received his Master of Music degree in voice performance from the University of Texas in December of 2009, and has been teaching piano, voice, and guitar in Austin ever since. Before coming to Texas, he lived in Tacoma, Washington where he also taught music while pursuing an undergraduate degree. Brandon received his Bachelor’s in Music Education and K-12 certification from Pacific Lutheran University in 2005. He is a native of the great state of Wyoming, where he grew up in a small town near the Rocky Mountains.
Brandon currently resides in Austin, working as a private music instructor, and church musician. He has performed in a wide range of musical settings and styles, vocal and instrumental, including jazz, rock, opera, classical, choral, musical theater, etc. Having worked with a wide range of students both in age and musical style, Brandon is capable of catering to the needs of any student, and loves instilling the joy of music in others.
Daniel Wilson - Guitar
Daniel Wilson has been playing and creating music his whole life, and playing guitar and studying music for well over ten years. Trained in rock, jazz, and classical, Daniel has performed and recorded as both a solo artist and as a member of a touring hard rockband, a state university jazz big band, various jazz quartets, acoustic/electric duos, classical ensembles, and more. Daniel earned his Bachelors degree in Guitar Performance, with an emphasis in jazz, followed by his Masters in Music Theory and Composition, both from Sam Houston State University. In addition to teaching guitar privately for over five years, Daniel also conducted the Sam Houston State University Guitar Ensemble during the Fall 2007 semester. Daniel is experienced in teaching all styles, from rock and country, to jazz and classical, and all levels, from complete beginners, to more experienced and advanced players. Daniel also enjoys teaching composition, songwriting, and music theory.
I love to teach, and I love to see students learning and improving. With a thorough background in music theory and history (including world music), I enjoy teaching music from a fundamental perspective, in addition to the specific genre the student is studying. I believe that that the fullest musical experience comes from not only learning the styles and songs you love, but also understanding and appreciating other styles, understanding theory and history, and understanding the underlying connections between all musical cultures. I consider myself a patient and easy going teacher, but with a sense of discipline and a focus on results and developing the students technical abilities in addition to developing their musicality. I always set lesson cirriculum to fit the students interests. I generally divide lessons between learning songs and repertory and some theory and history. But often I loved to leave time for jamming and learning to improvise, becuase I feel one of the best ways to learn is by playing with other musicians. I also encourage students to compose and write their own music. Therein I believe lies the true joys of music: creating and sharing music with others!
Recitals are a great way to honor
your child's hard work while getting he or she used to performing in front of a crowd.
We have two recitals a year, the
first is held mid-December and the
second is held mid-May.
As a favor to the parents, we break the students up by teachers and have several shows, this creates
short hour long recitals.
May 20, 2012 12:00-5:30
$20 Recital Fee due
Downloads
Lone Star School of Music Policies.pdf
Welcome to the Lone Star School of Music. We are very excited to be working with you and your family, sharing a love of music that will last a lifetime. Please take a moment to review our policies and procedures.
Registration Fee
There is a registration fee is $30 per student and $50 per family.
Monthly Payment
We will withdraw your tuition on or around the first of each month from your debit/credit card. You may also pay by check or cash, please ensure we receive the check by the first day of each month. Payments received after the third will need to include a $20 late fee, there are no exeptions. To make it easier, you may pay on-line through your account. There is a $25 fee for all returned checks.
Scheduling
Our teachers have allocated a time period for your child's lesson. They generally have full schedules, which makes it very difficult for them to accommodate changes to your child's reserved time period. We understand that we all get sick from time to time and will allow for one rescheduled lesson due to illness every three months, this lesson will be made up at the teachers convenience.
Communication With You
Our teachers are happy to discuss your child's progress with you at any time. If you would like weekly updates, our teachers will take a minute of two to talk with you after each lesson.
Substitute Teachers
If your teacher cannot make their lesson, you may on occasion have a substitute teacher.
Holidays
Our school is closed on all major holidays. These include:
New Years Week of Spring Break Good Friday-Easter Memorial Day
4th of July Labor Day Halloween Week of Thanksgiving Week of Christmas
Occasionally, your lesson will fall on a holiday and you will not have a lesson. There are no tuition adjustments or make-up lessons given for lessons that fall on the above major holidays.
Recitals
Recitals are held twice a year, mid-December and mid-May. Participation is optional but encouraged. There is a $20 per student recital fee. Students who are not performing at a recital are welcome to attend. We occasionally take photos of students performing recitals and sometimes post them on our school bulletin board or on our website. If you would prefer not to have you or your childs photo displayed, please let our office manager know.
Care Of Your Children
Your childs safety is important to us; however, the school is not responsible for providing supervision before or after class. Parents with very young students are asked to please remain in the school during lessons. Students are not to be left at the school for excessive time before or after class. Please make arrangements to pick up your child as soon as the lesson is over.
Withdrawal From Class
Please be advised that you are required to give a written 30 day notice of withdrawal from classes, withdrawal forms are available at the counter.
New Enrollment-Rental Form.pdf
4808 W. William Cannon, Austin, TX 78749
(Moving March 5th two blocks east to The Shops at Arbor Trails).
We are located just west of MoPac, close to the Costco shopping center.
From MoPac:
Take the William Cannon exit.
Go approximately 1/2 mile west.
We're on the right (North) side of William Cannon across from Legend Oaks neighborhood entrance.
Look for the the BIG Rock!
Monday-Thursday 10:00 AM - 7:30 PM
Friday 11:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Saturday 9:30 AM - 2:00 PM
