Learning to play music, on any instrument, should be an enjoyable experience. To make its so, we try to match up our students with a teacher who would be most compatible with them. All our teachers are professionals and enjoy teaching.

Whether you're an adult who has decided to fulfill a long held dream, or the parent of a young child just setting out on their musical journey, Cascade Music can help you select the right class and teacher.

We offer Private lessons for the following:

Piano

Voice

Harmonica

Guitar

Violin

Cello

With emphasis on "hands on" learning, supported by the Kawai digital piano, offers an ideal setting in which to develop your musical creativity, and offers a social setting to make the process even more fun.

Group lessons are sometimes available for other instruments, especially during the summer months. Please give us a call if you have an interest in learning more about participating in group lessons.

No matter what the instrument, one of our instructors could be just right for you.

Lessons are offered Monday through Saturday, with day and evening classes available.

Following is a brief look at some of our teaching staff available at our Valparaiso location - Gratz Piano, our 7,000 square foot showroom located at 704 N. Silhavy Road.

Some of our teachers:

Among the Gratz Piano music teachers:

CHRIS BROWN - Chris, has been teaching electric, acoustic and bass guitar for seven years. Music has been a part of his life since 6th grade. He was active in the music programs at all the Valparaiso schools he attended. At Valparaiso High School he played French horn in band, and, while in the choir, was named as one of the top tenors while singing with the Varsity Singers.

For the past six years he has performed throughout Northwest Indiana with Dynamic Box, a three piece rock band.

Chris says he likes to keep learning fun while still including the basics of guitar. His favorite kind of music is alternative rock, but he enjoys the basic acoustic guitar sound.

Students of all ages have lauded Chris for solid teaching skills.

Chris also has his own band Dynamic Box which performs regularly at various locations around NW Indiana. For more information on Dynamic Box please email dynamicbox@hotmail.com

JAMES CRISMAN - With a Bachelor of Music and a Master of Liberal Arts degrees, James Crisman has a solid background in music and musical training. Specializing in piano, voice and organ instruction at Gratz Piano, he has as his main emphasis, church music. He is the organist for the First United Methodist Church of Valparaiso, and is an active member of the American Guild of Organists. His piano students have been finalists and winners of the Community Concert Scholarship program in Valparaiso.

He is a past member of the Chicago Symphony Chorus and has served as an assistant director and accompanist for the Porter County Children's Choir.

REBECKA (Becky) L. SCHROEDER - A graduate of Valparaiso University (class of '86), Becky has been teaching privately for nine years, the last ten at GRATZ MUSIC. She enjoys teaching all ages and all varieties of music.

Becky identifies with young people, not only because she has a 16 year old daughter herself, but also because she began her formal music training at age 12. She learned to love guitar, piano and voice and performed in many choirs, recitals and operas at VU, as well as with a traveling Christian musical group.

JOHN COSTA - Began playing the guitar at the age of sixteen. He demonstrates styles including Folk, Blues, and Rock. However, a full blown love of the country blues began with the inception of the harmonica into his life eight years ago. John immediately began an intense study of the harmonica, bringing him to the "Old Town School of Folk Music" in Chicago, where the level of devotion to the instrument is high.

This passion for music has culminated into him becoming an instructor of both guitar and harmonica. He has been heard at various venues throughout Northwest Indiana and Chicago Illinois. He has taught at major harmonica conventions (SPAH) and The Buckeye Harmonica Convention). He continues to explore the role of the harmonica and guitar in both the old timey and traditional styles.

Jianyun Meng - received his Bachelor's degree in violin and orchestral performance from the
Music Department of Nanjing College of Arts, Nanjing PRC. He served as concertmaster of Nanjing Symphony and Director of Nanjing Angel's Violin School before he came to the States. He did his graduate studies in music education at Butler University and Valparaiso University and obtained his master's degee from VU.

Mr. Meng has been on the faculty of Valparaiso University ever since his graduation in 1993. He has taught many successful students who became professionals, principle players at school orchestras, or won competitions at local and state level, advanced or just starting, could all benefit immensely from Mr. Meng's expertise as well as his contagious personality.

The core of Mr. Meng's teaching philosophy is to impart his love for music, no only skill and knowledge about music, to his students. Students, whether old or young, advanced or just starting, could all benefit immensely from Mr. Meng's expertise as well as his contagious personality.

Gordon Little - Indiana State Teacher's License for Choral and Instrumental
Music (K-12)

Twenty-six years of teaching experience in public and private schools. Currently employed by the School City of Hammond where I have taught 17 years.

Six years of private piano teaching: 1976-1978 and 1982-1986.

M.M.E. degree from Indiana University School of Music and B.S. degree from Ball State University. Piano was my primary instrument at both schools.

KIM MILLER - Piano

LOIS BROUGHTON - Lois Broughton has taught piano for over forty years. She has also taught high school English, English as a Second Language, mentored special education students for public school, directed school and church choirs, overseen and written curricula for children’s music programs, and directed musical plays and concerts for school, community, and church. She has been a church music director, worship leader, organist, and pianist. Her extensive experience with students of all ages from pre-school through senior citizens has given her an understanding of the many learning styles of individuals which has become the basis of her teaching process.

Lois teaches all styles of music including classics, jazz, church music as well as composition and arranging. Her personally written lessons, songs and musical games make music come alive for her students.

Lois and her husband Gary have three grown children and eight grandchildren. In her spare time she writes music, adult fiction, and stories for children.