Chaska

Lois is an experienced musician who has appreciated many diverse musical experiences and a lifetime love of learning and teaching opportunities. She took piano lessons over ten years growing up, during which time she began accompanying church and Sunday school choirs. She played baritone horn/euphonium in elementary and high school bands, considering becoming a band director during some of these years. While attending the University of Minnesota at Morris in pre-chiropractic doctor studies, she was a member of the concert band and accompanied vocal students during their lessons. After beginning chiropractic practice in SE MN, she was a member of a community band and involved in church music, initially working with children’s choirs, high school singers and small instrumental groups, and directing adult choirs. Eventually she taught herself to play organ and was the sole organist for ten years. She accompanied the Lake City Singers. She shared her love of music with her two children who took piano lessons from a local teacher, but respected their decisions as they grew older to pursue other musical opportunities vocally and instrumentally, but appreciating the foundation of their piano lessons. She enjoys watching the next generation of her young granddaughter sitting at the piano with either her dad or Grandma Lois. After moving back to the area where she grew up, she rejoined the Mid Minnesota Concert Band, which she had been a member during high school. Now living in Buffalo, she has joined the church choir, handbell ringers, and playing piano with the contemporary praise team. She has recently started composing music. She loves observing how people grow and connect with music, both as listeners and participants.

Beth has been singing professionally since her teens, when she was cast as a
singing waitress, doing nightly shows at the Omni Mt. Washington Hotel in
New Hampshire. She went on to study at Berklee College of Music in Boston.
She released her debut jazz album “Far Cry, Live at Studio M” in 2001, which
was aired on jazz88, KBEM. She has played in many of the Twin Cities finest
jazz clubs. Beth has been featured many times fronting a big band, as well as
several gospel choirs and is also an event soloist. Beth was a regular soloist with
TCC Gospel Choir for several years. She continued her studies at McNally Smith
College of Music, where she got her degree in Vocal Performance. She has
taught private voice for 5 years and has done vocal coaching and workshops for
10 years. She was invited to teach Vocal Intensive and Jazz Camps in Los
Angeles several summers and has worked with both middle and high school
students and choirs in Minnesota. With her extensive experience in
performance, she has a unique way of working with the whole singer. With
young singers, Beth helps them develop a foundational technique of healthy
singing, understanding their instrument and building confidence and eartraining
skills. The more experienced singers who want to take it to the next
level will add more advanced skills including song interpretation,
improvisation, belting and performance techniques. Beth loves working with
singers, helping them develop a lifelong love of music!

*Beth also offers the option to teach from her studio in Plymouth.