Faculty and Staff

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The North Valley Music School takes pride in its highly trained, experienced teachers. A majority of our faculty have music and/or music education degrees from accredited institutions, with a major in their principal subject taught and/or have the equivalent professional experience to their credit.


Tina Bertram
Piano and Suzuki Piano

Tina has been teaching piano at NVMS since 2004. She has a Masters in Organ and Ethnomusicology from Indiana University and has completed her Suzuki Piano Book 1 training. Tina plays with the touring group Moonshine Mountain and is also the piano half of a local violin/piano duo, and particularly enjoys accompanying soloists and ensembles. In addition to keyboard instruments, Tina also plays claw hammer banjo. She has 5 children and lives in Fortine, MT. Back to Top


Griffin Browne

Griffin Browne
Cello

Cellist Griffin Browne is active as an orchestral musician, private teacher and free-lance musician. He currently plays with the Glacier Symphony and Chorale in Kalispell, MT. Recently a section member of the Memphis Symphony Orchestra and principal cellist with the Jackson Symphony, Dr. Browne has appeared as soloist with several orchestras in the mid-south area. These include the Jackson Symphony, Starkville Symphony, Dyersburg Symphony and the University of Memphis Symphony and Chamber Orchestras. With Leonardo Altino, David Bjella and Grace Bahng as his primary instructors, he received his Master’s and Doctoral degrees in cello performance from the University of Memphis and has a Bachelor of Music degree from Stetson University. In 2013, Dr. Browne completed an edition of M.H. Graul’s Cello Concerto, an unpublished work he found in the Sing-Akademie Archive and he enjoys playing music of many different genres – from classical to pop and jazz. Dr. Browne currently resides in Kila, MT with his wife, two children and father in law. Back to Top


D’Andre Conant
Piano

D’Andre is NVMS’ first intern and will be supervised by Dan Kohnstamm.   D’Andre Conant was born in Kalispell Montana. He began playing the piano when he was ten years old after moving to Santa Fe New Mexico. At the age of thirteen, he began studying classical piano with Melanie Monsour at the Santa Fe University of Art and Design for two years. Since returning to Montana four years ago he began studying piano with Dan Kohnstamm at the North Valley Music School, taking part in recitals and placing 2nd in the state round MTNA senior piano competition. He now continues to take lessons with Dan Kohnstamm as well as becoming a piano technician and further his career as a pianist in hopes to play with a live orchestra one day. Back to Top


Diane Dickerson
Harp and Piano

Diane has been a professional harpist, playing the grand pedal harp, for 40 years. Living in Dallas, TX and Oklahoma performing around the U.S. for varied audiences including dignitaries and presidents. She plays “pop” songs, Broadway selections, folk tunes, classical pieces, holiday music AND sings. She has performed as a soloist, in a harp duo, in a piano/harp duo, in a piano duo, and in numerous orchestras. She has taught (lever & pedal) harp & piano for NVMS since the fall of 2006 and performs on her harp(s) for events in the area. Diane received her Bachelor of Music in Applied Performance Harp from North Texas State University, Denton, (now the University of North Texas). At NTSU she studied harp with Mr. Charles Kleinstuber, who learned from world-renowned master harpist, Carlos Salzedo. Back to Top


Jolene Green
Saxophone and Jazz Studies

Jolene Green was born and raised in Whitefish Montana.  She was introduced to music by her middle school music directors Jenanne Solberg and Mark McCrady.  Jolene was a student of NVMS until she moved to Missoula to pursue a degree in Jazz Studies.  She recently graduated from the University of Montana where she studied under Johan Eriksson and held top spots in the school’s highest-performing jazz bands for numerous years.  Since graduating she has been working as a freelance musician and private lesson teacher.  Jolene currently plays in numerous bands around Montana whose styles range from metal to synth pop to straight-ahead jazz.  Jolene also sings and composes music, she is the frontwoman and composer for Order of the Sunshine Deity- a jazz hip-hop fusion band made up of some of Missoula’s highest-performing musicians.  Jolene has played all over the Northwest and is especially excited to be playing with Deaf Charlie- a band led by John Wicks (of Fitz & the Tantrums) and Jeff Ament (of Pearl Jam) at the Ohana Music Festival this fall.  Back to Top 


Pam Harrington
Violin

Pamela Harrington started playing violin at the age of four with fiddle music, and transitioned to classical music after moving to Arcadia, California. She studied briefly under Henry Gronnier at the Colburn school in LA, and spent three summers at Interlochen Arts Camp. In 2021, Pamela moved to Montana to be closer to family. Currently, she is studying at FVCC as a music composition/violin performance major, and is a recent member of the Glacier Symphony.  Back to Top


Jenn Hawken
Flute

Jennifer Hawken began playing flute when she was 12 and soon knew that flute would be a major part of her life. She studied flute with Mary Karen Clardy at the University of North Texas and Sydney Carlson at the University of Houston. She is principal flute in the Glacier Symphony Orchestra and has appeared as a soloist with the Brazosport Symphony Orchestra. Jennifer has given solo recitals and played in many chamber music settings, and she is equally at home in both classical and jazz. She taught high school band for a few years and has taught privately for over 25 years. She enjoys hiking, sewing, and reading good books with a cup of tea.  Back to Top


Amy Haymond
Violin

Growing up in a music-loving family, Amy began private violin lessons at age 10 with Elvira Arambula. A Flathead Valley resident since 2006, she’s studied with Joan Renne, Sam Taylor, and Wai Mizutani, and pursued an education in music theory, ear training, solo and ensemble performance, and Baroque music at the 2019 Period Performance Workshop in Bozeman, MT. Currently, Amy serves as principal 2nd violinist with the Glacier Symphony, and plays in theGreat Falls Symphony. With over 5 years teaching experience, Amy enthusiastically shares her skills and love of learning, music, performance, history, and culture with students of all ages through private and group instruction. Living near Kalispell with her parents and sister, Amy is an avid outdoors adventurer, loves Irish dance, travel, cooking, health, and time with family and friends. Back to Top


Eric Holdhusen
Flathead Valley Youth Symphony

Eric Holdhusen is a product of North Valley Music School.  He started violin lessons at the age of four and picked up trumpet in the 7th grade with the guidance of Jenanne Solberg and Mark McCrady, two of the valley’s finest music educators.  He earned his Bachelor of Music at St. Olaf College in Northfield, Minnesota, studying under Dr. Timothy Mahr and Steven Amundson.  While there, he performed and toured with the St. Olaf Orchestra, top jazz ensemble, and the St. Olaf Band, the latter of which he served as Vice President during his senior year.  Following graduation, he moved back to the Flathead Valley, where he currently serves as Director of Orchestras at Flathead High School, the conductor and founder of the Flathead Valley Youth Symphony, and occasionally plays violin in the Glacier Symphony.  When off the podium, Eric is usually mastering the art of the InstaPot, coaching the FHS tennis, or exploring our beautiful valley through running, climbing, biking, and skiing.  Back to Top


Christian Johnson
Acoustic and Electric Guitar, Mandolin, Fiddle, Violin, Ukulele and Bass

Christian has been a professional musician for over  45 years and a Music Teacher in his own studio and at the North Valley Music School for the last 10 years. He is an original member of the iconic Mission Mountain Wood Band. Christian is a certified Luthier and a certified Audio Engineer. He currently manages and performs with several popular bands. In addition, he mentors several young local artists. Check Christian out at: The Christian Johnson Project on Facebook


Dan Kohnstamm
Piano

Dan Kohnstamm has been teaching at the Music School for the past five years where he has been enjoying working with students on their piano and musical abilities.  This year he has four recitals planned in November, December, March and June. He has also added an “Ensemble Time” on Early Release Wednesdays from the Whitefish School District for interested students by appointment in the Great Room.  This optional program will enable students to play music with others in preparation for recitals, school concerts, or just for fun, at no extra charge. Dan’s background as a musician includes a BA in piano and organ performance from Beloit College in Beloit, Wisconsin, as well as studying at the Juilliard School of Music in their Pre-College Division as a teenager.  Dan is nationally certified through the Music Teachers National Association.  He has collaborated with many Whitefish High School musicians for the District and State Music Festivals for over thirty years. Dan also serves as a church musician with the Glacier Unitarian Universalist Fellowship in Kalispell and the First Presbyterian Church in Whitefish. Back to Top


Robert (Bob) Manni
Piano

Robert has his Masters in Piano Performance from the highly regarded School of Music at Cal State Fullerton and is a seasoned professional performing musician and coach/accompanist. He has been active as pianist and organist since the seventies. While living in California he taught piano privately, coached instrumentalists and vocalists in college music departments, freelanced as pianist and accompanist in recitals and concerts, and served as organist for several churches. He considers himself fortunate to have had the opportunity to study piano and organ from an early age. With music being both a source of joy and serious study, he attended USC, and holds piano degrees from UC Santa Barbara (BA) and CSU Fullerton (MM). Robert strongly believes in the importance of music in our shared culture, and the pleasure and satisfaction it brings in our personal and professional lives. He enjoys sharing his love of music with students, and is proud to be part of the enthusiastic musical community at North Valley Music School!  Back to Top

Kate McMahon
Banjo

Kate is a three-finger picking – Scruggs style banjo player.    She was born in Champaign, IL and moved to Great Falls, MT in 1997 where she started a jam session that introduced her to the Montana bluegrass scene.   She has been on the board and newsletter editor for the Montana Rockies Bluegrass Association for 12-years and has performed in several bluegrass bands.  In 2005, Kate moved to Whitefish and enjoys sharing her love of bluegrass music by organizing jams, writing articles for the newsletter and playing at local nursing homes.  She created the poster “I Learned About Life in a Bluegrass Jam” and believes in the power of music to bring family and friends together.  Back to Top


Elsa Michelsen
Piano, Oboe
Born and raised in Kalispell MT, Elsa is thrilled to return to the Flathead Valley full time after earning her BA in Music with an emphasis in piano pedagogy from Whitworth University in Spokane, WA where she studied with Dr. Judith Schoepflin. While at Whitworth, Elsa was on scholarship for both piano and oboe and was an active scholar and performer in the music department. Elsa was recognized as an outstanding performer in Music Artistry Program Adjudications in 2022 and a silver medalist in the Collegiate/Adult Beethoven Sonata division of MusicFest Northwest in 2023. In addition to her accomplishments in piano, Elsa played principal oboe in the Whitworth Wind Symphony and Symphony Orchestra, completed an elective oboe recital, and sang in the Whitworth Choir.Aside from her contribution to the music of Whitworth, Elsa has played oboe locally with the Glacier Symphony and Chorale and Flathead Valley Community College’s orchestra and chamber ensembles. She continues to play periodically with with the Glacier Symphony, and is looking forward to singing with the Glacier Chorale for their upcoming season. As a teacher, it is Elsa’s joy and honor to partner with students and inspire them to commit to excellence, service, tenacity, joy, humility, and love in their music and in their life. Back to Top

Karen Pogorzelski
NVMS Glee Club, Ukulele

Karen brings her energy, enthusiasm, and passion for music to NVMS programs.  You don’t want your little one to miss out on any ensemble or camp that Karen is involved with at NVMS.  She recently completed her American Montessori Society Early Childhood Credential through the Montana Montessori Teacher Education Institute. Karen taught music for many years in Sandpoint, Idaho, at the Music Conservatory of Sandpoint.  As well as teaching at Woodland Montessori she works for Ravenwood Outdoor Learning Center. Back to Top


Jeremy Reinbolt
Drum Set/ Percussion

Hailing from Southern California, Jeremy is pleased to be a part of the NVMS family and the Flathead music scene. Jeremy has been a performer, composer, arranger, and educator for 20+ years. As a graduate of USC School of Music in both percussion performance and composition, he has performed with numerous theatre companies, orchestras, pop acts, and chamber ensembles, including The Alpine Theatre Project, Glacier Symphony, The MAC Band, Double Bacon Jazz, Musical Theatre West, The Laguna Playhouse and The Hour of Power Orchestra. Jeremy has performed in over 150 musical theater productions. As a composer, Jeremy has scored for dozens of films, including horror thriller, Naked Fear, and Cannes Film Festival entrant 19 at 11. He’s also composed music for haunted attraction Fort Fear in Ohio and penned a soul tune, Justify, for The Kid & Nic Show’s album, Where you are, there you is. Back to Top



Catherine Robinson
Voice and Piano
Catherine recently retired from teaching choral music and returned to the Flathead Valley where she was born and raised. She has a bachelor’s degree in Secondary Vocal Music Education from the University of Idaho and a Masters’s degree in Choral Conducting from California State University, Los Angeles. In addition, she has an English Language Arts endorsement from the University of Washington. Catherine has been a choral director and music teacher at the middle and high school levels in public and private schools in Idaho, Washington, Montana, and New Mexico. She directed musical theatre productions at Flathead High School and Shorecrest and Kentridge High Schools in the Seattle area. She received the Outstanding Music Director award from the 5th Avenue Theatre in Seattle for the Kentridge Players’ production of Evita and was nominated for Little Shop of Horrors. Catherine sang with The Santa Fe Desert Chorale for six winter seasons and was the conductor of Coro de Cámara (Santa Fe and Los Alamos) for eight seasons. She also performed with The Santa Fe Opera and has sung leading and supporting roles in musicals and operas in Idaho and Washington. She has sung with the New Mexico Symphony Chorale and the Portland Symphonic Choir and will be singing with the Glacier Symphony Chorale this season. Catherine is pleased to be teaching voice and piano at North Valley Music School this year and looks forward to meeting new students of all ages. Back to Top



Matt Seymour
Bass and Beginner Guitar
A seasoned bassist and music aficionado, with over 25 years of professional experience. Rooted in a family legacy of musicians, Matt’s journey into the world of music began early, as he explored his father’s record collection and experimented with the piano. Starting with guitar and eventually gravitating toward the bass at the young age of 8, Matt’s musical journey took flight under the guidance of his father, Dan Seymour. During his formative years at McMinnville High School, Matt found inspiration in the mentorship of his exceptional music teacher, Dana Libonati. Pursuing his passion further, he delved into the realm of jazz and upright bass under the teachings of the renowned musician and composer David Friesen in Portland. His musical education continued under the wing of Dave Barduhn at Mount Hood Community College. Beyond the world of music, Matt’s love for nature led him to study Outdoor Recreation in Bend, Oregon, and eventually, to the snowy slopes of Whitefish in 2012, where he dedicated himself to both the vibrant Flathead music scene and the art of working and living in the skiing community. Matt has contributed his talents to a range of musical projects and collaborations, from the Jake Blair Band and James LaRocca Project to Voodoun Moi and Mike Strickland. Currently, he’s actively engaged in projects like MAC Band, Double Bacon Jazz, Archertown, and more, showcasing his versatility and dedication to diverse musical styles. His passion for music is matched only by his commitment to nurturing the talents of aspiring musicians. With a wealth of experience and a deep understanding of the intricacies of music, Matt brings a unique blend of expertise and creativity to his teaching. Join Matt in his musical journey, where every note is an opportunity to explore and grow. Back to Top


 Tim Torgerson 
Guitar, Ukulele, Bass, Songwriting
Tim started at NVMS in 2019. Guitarist/singer/songwriter/loop artist, a Whitefish, Montana native, plays his “progressive/acoustic/indie” style of music throughout the Northwest and beyond as a solo artist and with his band Creation Highway. Tim is described by other artists as “a virtuoso finger-style guitarist” and “a musician’s musician”. The Daily Inter Lake wrote, “a remarkable guitarist who writes songs that draw from jazz and rock influences and tell stories from the heart.” His own sound has emerged through influences from acoustic and electric guitar music, jazz, blues, progressive rock, classical, experimental, funk, reggae, soul, and anything that moves him. Music has taken Tim to Asia, the Middle East, and across North America, playing at events and venues such as Acoustic Palooza, Blue Note, House of Blues, Crown Of The Continent, and many more. He has shared the stage with Phil Keaggy, Shawn Mullins, and Stephen Stills to mention only a few. Flathead Living and Missoula Living magazines described hearing Tim live; “After only a few musical notes…chords of another world filled the room” and “Watching and listening to Tim play guitar is like what it would be to see Picasso Paint.” Tim also teaches and mentors privately, in schools, groups, workshop settings and has been developing his own curriculum for guitarists and other musicians. He focuses mainly on guitar, songwriting, and arranging skills for students of all ages, styles, and levels, but also teaches bass, ukelele, keyboard, production, songwriting, arranging, chord theory & general music mentoring. Tim has studied with Pat Metheny, Lee Ritenour, Koinonia, Chris Proctor, Emily Remler, Pierre Bensusan, Mike Stern, Doyle Dykes, David Wilcox, and others. Tim’s vocal instructors include Pat Williams at the University of Montana, Bret Manning, and Greg Enrico (teaching Seth Ryggs’ Method). The continual growth and passion in Tim’s own musical journey have meant inspiration and resources for his students as well. He taught at Summit Preparatory School for well over a decade, hosting a weekly Guitar Club and teaching private lessons to at-risk youth. He taught group lessons at Salish and Kootenai College, Bigfork Junior High Aces Program. In addition to the fulfillment of seeing students excel as musicians, Tim has enjoyed the development of some really good friendships and opportunities to speak encouraging words. Back to Top


Rachel Wambeke
Piano, Voice, Violin

Rachel Wambeke is the granddaughter of NVMS co-founder Betty Lou Wambeke. She started piano lessons with Betty Lou at 3 years old. She began violin lessons at age 6, continuing her musical studies at NVMS. She was also involved in many musical theatre productions with local community theatres, including Mary Lennox in WTC’s Secret Garden. During her high school years, she played violin regularly in the Glacier Symphony. She went on to study Music Education at Montana State University, studying piano with Laurel Yost, violin with Angela Ahn, and voice with Elizabeth Croy. She also played in the MSU Symphony and sang with the MSU Chorale and the Montanans 16-voice ensemble. In the fall of 2017, she graduated with her Bachelor of Music Education degree, (Broadfield K-12) as a vocal major. Earlier that summer, she played violin professionally in the Festival Amadeus orchestra.The following year, she moved to Pennsylvania for an intensive Musical Theatre Conservatory at the Sight and Sound Theatres. There, she performed in 8-11 professional shows weekly and studied singing for the stage, acting, and dancing. Recently moved back to Whitefish, she is excited to invest into the next generation of musicians through voice, violin, and piano lessons. She wants to continue the legacy of her grandmother and is thrilled to have come full circle to teach at the North Valley Music School. Back to Top


Jennifer Wickland
Music Together

Jennifer has been either a teacher, administrator or Board member since 1998 when the school started in the basement of the old Methodist Church. She is a trained Suzuki Piano Teacher, plays the guitar, and flute, as well. Her mother, Betty Lou Wambeke, started the school with her friend Betsy Kohnstamm and she is thrilled to be involved with their dream come true. She’s cheerful, sweet, and loves working with young children and families. Photo by Amy Boring. Back to Top


Deidre Corson
Executive Director

Deidre began working for NVMS in the fall of 2016 after serving 3 years on the Board of Directors.  The power of music has always been a passion in her life.  She has a Bachelor’s of Music Education from the University of Montana where she studied Voice with the late Esther England, played flute and saxophone in the band, and was the Drum Major of the Grizzly Marching Band. Outside of NVMS she is a singer/songwriter and performed 10 years with the local band Engine 99.  Deidre has lived in Montana since 1995 and enjoys a full life with her husband, Tim, two children, Cody and Sienna Pearl, and the fluffy music school dog, Monty. She loves to ski, hike, raft, camp, and take advantage of all Montana has to offer. Back to Top


Andraya Johnson
Office Manager

Nurture. Love. Mother. Grandmother. Organize. Peace. Andraya was an Orthopedic Surgeons Office Manager for approximately 9 years prior to her family’s move to Montana in 2007. She has moved throughout the valley into different similar positions, finally alighting here at NVMS early in 2020. Andraya is a wife, mother of four, and grandmother of eleven, as well as a pretty good seamstress. She and her husband Jeff enjoy hiking, biking, cross country skiing, and fishing. Although she doesn’t play or teach any instruments, Andraya loves music and was drawn to NVMS for that reason. Back to Top


Jessica Evans Shaw
Director of Opportunity

Creative. Brilliant. Energy Abound. Passionate. Driven. Jessica loved music so much she left her home state of Missouri to go live her adult life in Austin, Texas so she could immerse herself in the live music capital of the world. She moved to Montana three years ago with her husband John and was grateful to see the mission of the NVMS in the Flathead. She did not benefit from music lessons at a young age and passionately believes that such education is instrumental, pun intended! Professionally, she brings a strong background in fundraising, event planning, content creation, and social media management to NVMS. As a writer, she is constantly reminded that where words fail, it is music that speaks. Back to Top