Teachers | Music Maker Studio

INSPIRING INSTRUCTORS

READY TO HELP YOU GROW

MEET OUR AMAZING TEACHERS

For Over 20 Years We’ve Been Teaching Students of All Ages from Beginner to Pro

At Music Maker Studio we’re here to share our love of music with you and provide a positive learning environment that inspires artists to grow.

Peter Piwonski (Owner)

Peter original opened Music Maker Studio in 1999. He was owner from 1999-2006. After 5 years in Wisconsin, he moved back to Michigan and took over as current store owner as of June 1, 2013. He has taught thousands of students in Shelby Twp. over the past 20 years, many of whom now have careers in the music industry. Before opening the store in 1999, Peter attended Oakland University for Music Education. He also attended Madison Media Institute in Madison, WI, for sound Engineering. Peter also has experience working with kids with Autism; incorporating music into their therapy sessions.

Brianna Wilkinson

Piano | Voice | Guitar

Brianna Wilkinson is a Rochester University (formerly Rochester College) alumna with a Bachelor of Science in Music and Theatre with a Business Administration Minor. While at RU she was involved in many musical theatre productions, including the role of Florinda in “Into the Woods,” Baby Kangaroo in “Seussical,” and in the ensemble for “Jesus Christ Superstar.” She was also a member of the “A Cappella Chorus” an a cappella ensemble, “Autumn” for four years. Through these groups, she had been able to tour and sing across the country for music festivals including locations such as California, Oklahoma, Florida, and Carnegie Hall in New York City.

She has been a member of the Archdiocesan Choir of Detroit and sang with the group for various events in the archdiocese. Experiences from this choir included a trip to sing at St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome, Italy, and an opportunity to sing with the Sistine Chapel Choir at the Detroit Opera House.

She also plays ukulele and sings in a folk/country music band and has played at music festivals and events in Port Huron, MI. This group plays mainly in the Summer months at events in and around the Port Huron area.

She has been teaching music lessons since the Summer of 2015. She loves music and hopes to instill a love for music in her students. Brianna also enjoys writing, arranging, recording, and performing her own music as well. You can find her and her music online:

Youtube
Instagram
Facebook

Kenny Kazmierski

Drums

Kenny has been playing and performing on the drums for 40+ years. His experiences in school band (jazz band, concert band, symphony band, and so on) give Kenny a great amount of knowledge about drums and drumming skills. He has been teaching for many years, 10 of which have been at Music Maker. He teaches both children and adults ranging from beginner to advanced. Kenny has been a member in several bands over the years, the most current of which is called Planet of Fun. The band has been around for 25 years and plays every weekend around Metro Detroit at various bars and pubs.

Erik Blundell

Guitar | Bass

Erik has been playing guitar and bass for almost 40 years, 22 of which have also included teaching. His students range in age from child to adult and from beginner to advanced levels of learning. Erik has his degree in Choral and General Music from Ball University in Indiana. And is on the Board of Directors for the American Guild of Music.

When Erik is not teaching, he is playing at various bars and pubs around Metro Detroit. He is a member of 5 different bands; Threshold, Random Facts, EMC, Rock Slyde, and The Lonley Days Band.

Jillian Stec

Guitar | Voice

Jillian Stec has been teaching vocal technique and training since 2018. She has worked with vocalists of many different genres, including musical theater, rock, pop, metal, country, and R&B. She has been in the music scene since 2016 with her band Dark Eyed Dreamers whom she is the lead vocalist and rhythm guitarist, and has been singing and performing since the age of 3 years old. Her main goal is to use her techniques to increase vocal range and improve vocal skills in all of her students, as well as give them the confidence and encouragement they need to be the best performer they can be!

Pam Hendricks

Violin | Viola | Cello

Pam Hendricks has been playing violin since she was 6 years of age. She received her Bachelor of Music Education degree from Wayne State University and has been teaching strings for 23 years. She has performed with ensembles such as the Wayne State Orchestra, St. Clair Symphony, and is currently a member of a trio called Belleau Notte, where she plays violin and cello.

Jessica Cates

Trombone

Jessica Cates is an active freelancing trombone player and low brass teacher. During the past decade and spanning over 5 states, she has held principal trombone positions in several regional orchestras, has worked with the Boston Philharmonic and Josh Groban. Currently, she has an expanding studio of trombone, euphonium/baritone, and tuba students and works as a low brass clinician in several schools in Macomb and Oakland counties.

Lessons with Jessica will include, but are not limited to, the following:
– Beginning music, classical, jazz, and contemporary studies.
– Preparations for Solo and Ensemble, honors band, and college auditions.
– Low Brass specific pedagogy and all-around musicianship including music history, appreciation, and theory.

Dr. Fil Starostka

Trumpet

Dr. Fil Starostka is a freelance trumpet performer and teacher. Fil received his doctorate of musical arts in trumpet performance from Louisiana State University with Dr. Matthew Vangjel. In addition, Fil completed a minor in music history where he researched under-represented Polish composers from the 19th century. His work culminated in his dissertation compiling the first substantial English biography of Polish composer Zygmunt Noskowski. Fil enjoys being out in nature and is looking forward to being back home in Michigan.

Prior to his studies at LSU, Fil completed his masters in trumpet performance at Michigan State University with Justin Emerich and his bachelor’s in trumpet performance at Oakland University with Gordon Simmons. Fil previously performed with the Baton Rouge Symphony Orchestra, Mississippi Symphony Orchestra, Rochester Symphony Orchestra, Constantinides New Music Ensemble, Oakland University Brass Band, and Musique 21.

Samantha James

CLARINET

Samantha James received her Bachelor of Music Education degree from Eastern Michigan University while studying clarinet with Sandra Jackson. At Eastern, she performed clarinet in the EMU Wind Symphony, Symphonic Band, Marching Band, Jazz Combo, and multiple chamber ensembles. She has experience performing in various masterclasses with prominent orchestral clarinetists. During the summer months, she enjoys teaching and instructing high school band camps in Southeast Michigan and teaching music to students of all ages.

Bob Monteleone

Guitar

Bob had been teaching at the Music Box in Shelby Twp. for over 30 years until the store closed in 2022. Since then Bob has been teaching at Music Makers. He mostly teaches guitar but can also teach bass, pedal steel, ukulele & beginner piano.

Here are some of the styles & techniques Bob has mastered and offers his students:
MODERN & CLASSIC ROCK: rhythm & lead guitar
BLUES: Chicago, slide, modern & acoustic
JAZZ: Playing over complex chord changes, chord melodies, comping
COUNTRY: chicken pickin’ & bluegrass
ACOUSTIC: alternate tunings & fingerpicking

Some of Bob’s former students have traveled the world performing with notable recording acts: Jon Ketchum w/Cher Loyd (Tonight Show, Today Show)
Brett Lucas w/Bettye Lavette (Austin City Limits, David Letterman Show)
Dino Zoyes: bassist for Atlantic Records’ Charm Farm

Bob performs regularly in the Metro Detroit area with Acoustic Madness, the Winestoned Cowboys, CSNY tribute band Carry On, and the Stumbling Mice
He also does solo acoustic gigs or duos with his wife April (Bob & April), his son Coltrane (Bob & Coltrane) & Ken McCauley (Ken & Bob Show)

Bob runs indie record label Hanzie Records and is a contributor to Big City Blues Magazine

Sarah Clements

PIANO

Sarah is a musician, pianist, singer, and songwriter. Her dedication to music as a craft has led her to achieve great academic success, earning her a spot on the Dean’s List for Winter 2023, Fall 2023, Winter 2024, and recognition from the Phi Theta Kappa Honors Society for her collegiate achievements. Currently completing her Certificate in Music Performance, she is also pursuing a Major in Music.

Sarah’s extensive knowledge of piano and music theory serves as a guiding force, shaping the musical journeys of her students. Whether covering fundamental principles or diving into advanced concepts, Sarah ensures that her students gain a dynamic understanding of musical notation and performance, so they leave each session with confidence. Sarah’s teaching style is focused on clear and effective communication and strives to create a positive, fun, and engaging learning experience for students of all ages.

When not practicing or playing piano, Sarah enjoys spending quality time with her family and four dogs. As a former competitive figure skater, she also loves teaching ice skating at her local ice arena.

Brendan Skerbe

Saxophone

With 10 years of experience in playing and performing, and 5 years of informal teaching experience, Brendan Skerbe is a dedicated saxophonist known for his adaptability and passion for music. He holds several awards for his performances, including the Louis Armstrong Award from Eisenhower High School, Outstanding Section Award from CMU Jazz Weekend, and numerous Division I awards from Jazz Festival and Solo & Ensemble.

Brendan’s teaching philosophy emphasizes fundamentals for developing technique, tone, and rhythm, while also allowing students the flexibility to focus on their individual areas of improvement. He is determined to help his students not only improve their skills but also find their love for making music. He has taught children and adults alike, aiding them in achieving their music goals, be it prepping for classical recitals or learning how to improvise over jazz or blues.

In addition to his teaching and performance experience, Brendan also has a background in music composition. He has composed hundreds of original songs and released several onto music streaming services. This experience enhances his overall musicianship and provides a unique perspective that he brings into his teaching.