Troy Anniskett
Instruments: Guitar & Piano
Days of the Week: Monday - Friday
Troy has been making music since he was 9 years old. He's been playing the piano for 13 years and the guitar for 7 years. Troy also composes music, plays in his band called, "Shybones" and has recording knowledge. Troy started teaching at Anchorage Music & Dance Center in 2006.
Background:
- Attending UAA to obtain BA in Music Education
- Plays and teaches Rock, Folk & Bluegrass style music
- 3 years of classical piano experience
- Participated in the Maria Downey Piano Competition
- Received the Exxon Mobile Master Artist Series Award
- Cordova Bluegrass Music Camp Counselor
- Sound Technician for Anchorage Community Theater
Hannah Gauthier
Instruments: Beginning Piano
Days of the Week: Monday, Wednesday, Friday & Saturday
Hannah has been playing the piano for 10 years. She taught piano lessons in Florida for 3 years before moving to Alaska. Hannah is an enthusiastic teacher who wants her students to be excited about playing the piano as they develop the skills to sight read and enjoy performing at recitals.
Background:
- 2002 Placed First for Regional & State Piano Competition at Florida Association of Christian Colleges
- 2003 thru 2006 Piano Teacher in Port St. Lucie, Florida.
- 2009 Attended American College Dance Association Festival
- 2010 Choreographed UAA New Dances
- 2011 Graduates UAA with B.S. in Dance Therapy & a Minor in Dance
Kayla Hunt
Instruments: Beginning to Advanced Flute, Beginning to Intermediate Alto Sax & Clarinet; Beginning to Intermediate Piano
Days of the Week: Monday - Wednesday & Saturday
Kayla has been playing the flute for 14 years and teaching private music lessons for 6 years. She arrived in Anchorage this summer from Montana, where she attended Montana State University and majored in music. Kayla also played the alto sax in her high school jazz band. She is excited to meet & teach young musicians in Anchorage.
Background:
- 2007 Graduate Montana State University, Bozeman, BA in Music with a minor in English Writing
- 2006 Competed in Montana State University Concerto Competition
- 2004-07 Montana State University Band & Flute Choir
- 2000-03 Received Great & Superior ratings on solos & duets at State Music Festivals
Wayne Keller
Instruments: Percussion, Guitar & Trumpet
Days of the Week: Monday - Friday
Wayne has been playing music since he was 11 years old. He started on the trumpet and picked up the guitar that same year. Since then, Wayne has studied drums, piano & bass guitar. Wayne has worked at Anchorage Music & Dance Center since 2006.
Background:
- 2008 Attending UAA & continuing percussion education w/John Damberg
- 2007 Gold winner in Jazz Band Competition in Las Vegas
- 2006-08 Played guitar in South Anchorage High School Jazz Band
- 2006-07 Played percussion in South Anchorage High School Symphonic Band
Liz Malys
Instruments: Beginner & Advanced Piano, Cello, Violin, Composition & Voice
Days of the Week: Monday - Thursday
Liz is a graduate of the University of Arizona. She has been teaching private piano lessons since 2005 and taught music classes at middle and high school levels. Liz was a music theory tutor at the Boston Conservatory, and is proficient with Finale and Sibelius software. She has also performed and published original pieces for piano and cello.
Background:
- 2007 Graduate University of Arizona, B.M. Performance in Composition
- 2006-07 Creator & organizer of, "Novus Modus", a choir specializing in the performance of music by student composers
- 2003-04 attended Boston Conservatory
- Played cello in University of Arizona orchestra
- Wrote & performed music in collaboration with dance/choreography
Alison McKay
Instruments: Beginning to Advanced Voice
Days of the Week: Tuesday, Wednesday & Thursday
Alison is originally from Unalakleet, Alaska then moved to Rhode Island, where she attended high school. Alison attended Boston Conservatory of Music, where she received her Bachelor's of Music, Applied Voice. She has taught instrumental and choral music classes to Pre-K thru High School students, as well as individual and group piano and voice lessons. She uses a classical technique for vocal styling. Alison has also performed all over the world, including: Anchorage, with Anchorage Civic Opera; Lincoln Center with the Boston Opera; and in Yugoslavia.
Background:
- Group, Private & Master Classes Music Teacher, More Than Music, N. Kingstown, RI, 1994-2004
- Graduated Boston Conservatory of Music, Boston, MA with Bachelor of Music, Applied Voice 1982
- Music Teacher Brighton Elementary School, Island Pond, VT, 2007-08
- Completed Licensure Courses: Differentiated Instruction; Child & Adolescent Psychology at Lyndon State College, Lyndonville, VT, 2009
- Obtained Vermont Provisional Teacher's License for PK-12 Music, 2010
Christine Nees
Instruments: Beginner to Advanced Violin Beginner Cello, Viola & String Bass
Days of the Week: Tuesday - Thursday
Christine has lived in Anchorage most of her life and is a retired Anchorage School District Orchestra Teacher. After 23 years of teaching for the district, she still has a love of music and the desire to share it with students, especially beginners. Christine has taught elementary, middle & high school orchestra at many local schools including, Hanshew Middle School, and Bartlett & Service High Schools. She has also taught at Kings Lake Fine Arts Camp and the Birchwood String Camp. After retiring Christine continued to teach full time and part time for the district until 2009. Her first love is the violin, but she also enjoys teaching beginning viola, cello & string bass.
Background:
- 1979 Graduated from Pacific University with Bachelor of Music Education Degree K-12
- 1979-2017 Current State of Alaska Teaching Certificate
- 2009-2015 Certified in CPR and Heart Saver
- 1973-1986 Anchorage Symphony & Anchorage String Chamber Orchestra
- 1977-1979 Portland Jewish Symphony
Michael See
Instruments: Beginning to Advanced Guitar
Days of the Week: Tuesday, Thursday & Saturday
Michael has been playing the guitar for 8 years. He has taught private lessons for the past 4 years. He has just returned to Anchorage after attending Humboldt State University. He is continuing his education at UAA to obtain a degree in Guitar Performance. Michael has a passion for music and enjoys teaching students how to play with their hearts and minds as one.
Background:
- Pursuing BM degree in Guitar Performance at UAA, 2009
- Attended Humboldt State University, 2007-08
- Humboldt State University Jazz Orchestra & Jazz String Trio, 2007-08
- Humboldt State University Guitar Ensemble, 2007-08
Luke Sherman
Instruments: Guitar & Bass
Days of the Week: Monday - Thursday
A longtime Alaskan, Luke has played guitar since 1996. He studied with Larry Beekman in Kansas City for 3 years. He also plays the upright bass. Luke has worked at Anchorage Music & Dance Center since 2004. He has been store manager, and has taught group guitar classes & private lessons here.
Background:
- 12 years playing Classical & Fingerstyle guitar
- Taught College Economics
- Teaching private lessons at Anchorage Music & Dance Center since 2005
Will Tompkins
Instruments: Beginning to Intermediate Guitar; Beginning to Advanced Stand-Up Orchestra Bass & Electric Bass Guitar
Days of the Week: Monday & Tuesday
Will plays mostly rock and jazz, but loves to play all forms of music. He started playing the guitar and piano 6 years ago. Will studied guitar with Christine Livingston & piano with Karen Strid-Chadwick. He began studying jazz and music theory in middle and high school with John Damberg. Will started his local gig career with a small jazz combo that he helped form, and played steadily for four years.
Background:
- 12 years experience playing upright & electric bass
- Six years studying rhythm and finger style guitar
- Played in progressive rock band, 2004-07
- Experienced "gigging" bass player
Ian Worthington
Instruments: Beginning to Intermediate Guitar & Bass, Beginner Piano &
Beginning to Advanced Cello
Days of the Week: Monday - Friday
Ian has been playing a variety of instruments including: cello, piano, guitar and bass for the past 14 years. He has been performing music, both in groups and solo, for the last 9 years. He's currently in a band, "Bolt Action Beaver", in which he writes and performs original songs.
Background:
- Attending UAA to obtain a BA in Music Education
- 2007 Member of Alaska All State Orchestra
- 2001-08 Studied Cello with Coralyn More
- 2001-08 Polaris K-12 Orchestra
- 2002-03 Junior Youth Symphony
