Private Lessons

When she was 8 years old Audrey saw a flyer for private piano lessons. On her own volition she called the listed number. The rest is history! She continued in piano lessons until her early twenties. She began teaching private piano lessons during her senior year at Midland High. Audrey then took a break from studying to start a family with her husband. She feels so blessed to be able to stay at home raising her 5 children (all under age 10!). Music has continued to be an important part of her adult life, accompanying and singing in choirs, playing piano and organ for her church, and sharing the joy of music with her own kiddos. Audrey is very excited for this opportunity to get to know the Midland music community again.

Brittany has loved music and singing all her life. She sang in multiple choirs and loves making up new songs for her 3 young children. Brittany has worked with children in various settings for over a decade. She loves to see them smile and learn in a fun environment. In her free time, Brittany enjoys board games, painting, yoga, sewing, and spending time with family. She is excited to help the children of Midland find the joy of making music!

Chantelle is a registered teacher with the Suzuki Association of the Americas and holds a Bachelor of Music Education degree from Olivet College. Her decades of teaching experience include private and group settings, Violin, Viola, Cello, Suzuki and traditional methods, beginning strings classes, middle school orchestra, ensemble coaching, public school, homeschool, and remote lessons. She enjoys performing in her community's orchestra, church, and loves being a part of musical productions.

Dan Vaillancourt has been songwriting, performing and teaching music for over two decades. He has taught private lessons to students of all ages, ranging from young children to retirees. He is passionate about providing ideas and techniques to teach a musical foundation to enable students to pursue their personal musical goals and to have fun while learning to play their instrument! He also enjoys hiking, biking, gardening, cooking and spending time with his family.

Lindsay has been playing and singing since she was 3 years old. For the last 25 years, she has played trombone in concert bands, jazz bands, brass bands, orchestras and small ensembles, and currently plays with the Midland Concert Band, Mid Michigan Brass Band, and Just Trombones here in Midland. Lindsay holds degrees in physics and biomedical engineering, and spent 12 years researching infant, child and adolescent brain development. She is excited to combine her two passions of child development and music.

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Matthew grew up in Caro, MI where he started playing the guitar at age 14. After finishing high school he moved to Dallas, TX and began studying classical guitar with Carlo Pezzimenti at Brookhaven College School of the Arts and later at Texas Woman’s University in Denton, TX where he received training in classical and jazz guitar, piano, percussion, music theory, choir and orchestral conducting. He began teaching music in 2012 and has worked with children and adults in groups and as individuals.

Matthew is so excited to be part of the UpBeat team and is looking forward to all of the music to be
made and all of the fun to be had!

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Miss Mei has background in elementary education and human resources and has been a part of the UpBeat Family since the beginning! After bringing her three boys to various lessons over the years, Miss Mei has finally joined our Administrative Team. In her free time, she loves to read, play guitar, and play board games with her kids.

Nicole has taught group and private music lessons for over 7 years which fostered her love of education. She played clarinet with the Michigan State University Concert Band and Orchestra. After graduating in 2016 from Michigan State University with a Bachelor of Arts in Elementary Education, Nicole has returned to Midland to teach at Siebert Elementary and to continue sharing her love of music at UpBeat.

Rachel Jones is a graduate of Eastern Michigan University with a degree in Music Education. Rachel and her husband have just relocated to Midland and are excited to start their lives here! Her main instrument is Clarinet but loves to play many instruments. Music is Rachel's passion and in her free time she loves swimming, hiking and crafting. She also has two cats who she thinks are the cutest! She can not wait to make music with the children of Midland!

Roger Stevens has a long career of working with, and developing, young instrumental musicians. He retired from Midland Public Schools in June of 2016, where he had been the Northeast Middle School band director for 23 years. During that time, students and ensembles under his guidance received numerous awards.


Mr. Roger Stevens is a local musician who is a charter member of the Resonators Adult Percussion Ensemble. He has performed with the Chemical City Band, the Midland Concert Band, and the Midland Community Orchestra. He currently teaches the Dow HS drum line as well as the Meridian HS drum line.