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)

Piano | Guitar | Bass | Ukulele | Voice | Banjo

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.

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.

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.

Jeff Bauman

Guitar

I’ve been teaching one on one guitar lesson in Shelby Township since 1993. I worked at Mitches Music Box until he retired in 2022. Pete has graciously taken me in right after and I’ve been at Music Maker since then. It’s such a great operation over here and exciting to be a part of it.

Growing up I took as many music classes as I could all thru school. My main instruments were tuba and guitar. As a Jeannette Patriot and a Utica Chieftain, I played in all the bands they offered and was fortunate to be able to perform in a multitude of different musical venues over my 6 years there. After high school I took extensive music classes ant MCC including classical guitar with Lee Dymant, Jazz Improv with Scott Peterson and Music Theory with Tom Cook.

I’ve organized and played in rock bands since I was 12. I don’t my play nearly as much as I used to but I still do occasional public and private gigs and might even be spotted in a local sidewalk Jazz quintet now and again.

My main instrument is guitar. I also teach Bass. My students ages are from 8 and up. I teach everything from BB King to Kerry King and everything in between. Applying music theory to the song you love the most is what I love the most and usually the main focus in my lessons. I’ll share the tools, apps, books, websites and inspirations that I’ve used over my 30 years of one on one lessons.

My YouTube
https://youtube.com/@eddieatedynomite?si=kfr49q15MXq0id_y

Niko Puzio

Guitar

I believe in excellence from the creative and technical form of work in the music industry from each individual and collaborative effort. Iv’e been playing for 23 years, with a Degree from Columbia College Chicago In Contemporary Urban Popular Music. I have learned many modern styles of music from jazz, blues, rock, funk, R&B, Country, and many more. I am trained in classical and jazz pop music theory and reading music. I am also an, active, performing, writing, and recording musician that has performed and recorded in different stages and studios throughout the United states.I have a strong desire to teach and mentor young musicians in training. I teach Electric, Acoustic Guitars, Beginner Bass, Beginner Ukelele, Teen Band Classes, and Basic Audio Engineering.

Band Website: https://www.kougaran.com/

Bernadette Kathryn

Voice

After performing on the Grand Ole Opry stage in 2017, Nashville Recording Artist, Bernadette Kathryn’s name is on everyone’s lips in the country music community. And now she’s teaching voice and stage presence at Music Maker Studio!

Bernadette graduated with an Entertainment Business degree and is classically trained in Italian opera – although she fell in love with country music, classic rock, pop music and musical theater at a young age and adores teaching these genres.

She has been teaching stage presence since 2015.

Her goal as a vocal coach is to teach her students how to protect their voice (because you only get one) while also finding their own unique sound.
The whole world’s a stage, so let’s make it rock!

Website:
https://bernadettekathrynonline.com/

Lucy Lester

Piano

I’ve been teaching and playing music for over 40 years. I have worked at various music studios as a private and group music wellness instructor. I’ve used Music therapy for our senior group classes and special performing arts group in Troy. I have a degree in music management and education.

I have also worked at various record labels, management companies, radio stations and music studios in charge of promotions, sales and band management .

I enjoy teaching, singing in church choir, attending concerts and spending time with my family.