(217) 777-7100
Mike Semerau
Drums / Owner / Director
Mike has been drumming since Christmas Day 1979, teaching them to thousands of drummers since February 1995 owning Chicago's # 1 Drum Lessons where he had 5 studios before giving them all up and going remote to be able to open Taylorville Music Lessons.
** ALL LESSONS ARE RECORDED ON PRO VIDEO ** for students to take home either on dvd, usb drive, or have them emailed of every drum lesson for easy referencing and to help aid Mike's drum students at home while they practice. Mike is the only teacher in the world that offers such an original unique lesson plan only where one can learn with him and no where else.
THE MORE TIMES YOU WATCH AND LISTEN TO SOME ONE DEMONSTRATE, THE FASTER ONE WILL LEARN.
Mike is fluent in all styles of drumming: Jazz, Blues, Rock, Funk, Swing, World, Gospel, Latin, Heavy Metal, rock, , double bass, stick tricks, 4 way independence, song writing, soloing, composing, improvisational, notes/drum charts, etc. just to name a few.
Mike will get you to drum in a band on the first 30min. class guaranteed!
(No experience necessary)
Mike also holds a slew of awards, endorsements and certificates for his drumming. Endorsements: Ludwig Drums, Zildjian Cymbals, Aquarian Drum Heads, Pro Mark Sticks, Kick Port, Trick, Cympads, Qwik Stix stick holders
Mary Beth Sederburg
Piano / Voice
Piano / Voice
Mary Beth Sederburg is a native of Erie, Pennsylvania and later lived in Pittsburgh, PA for many years before moving to Decatur in 2018.
Mary Beth has led a multi-faceted career as a pianist, singer, educator, and conductor. She graduated from Carnegie Mellon University in 2001 with a M.M. in Opera Theater, and previously earned her Bachelor’s degree in Piano/Music Education from Mercyhurst University.
She has served on the faculties of Millikin University, Saint Vincent College, Mercyhurst University, and has also taught for the pre-college programs of Carnegie Mellon University and Interlochen Academy of the Arts.
Ms. Sederburg has taught piano and voice privately and in academic settings for over 30 years, and taught K-12 Music in the Milcreek Township School District and the Diocese of Erie County.
Mary Beth is thrilled to work with students of all ages!
Leroy Kleimola
Guitar / Bass / Trumpet
Guitar / Bass / Trumpet
Leroy got into music at a young age, when his mom introduced him to the Beatles. The obsession only grew as he expanded his music tastes into everything from Glenn Miller and big band, to grunge and new metal.
His top 5 favorite bands change quite frequently, but when this list was made it was the Beatles, Tool, Nirvana, Chicago, and Fair to Midland. Leroy started playing trumpet in 5th grade and switched to tuba when his band instructor said his lips were
“too big to play trumpet.”
Now he plays over 9 instruments and enjoys playing bass, trumpet, and guitar the most. Leroy has been married to his wife Christy for nearly ten years and they have four kids:
Bailey, Alexis, Kaley, and Londyn.
Blake Friedrich
Piano / Voice
Piano / Voice
Blake is a piano and voice teacher at Taylorville Music Lessons. He has been playing piano since he was 8 and singing since age 16, being the only musican of his family. He was born and raised in Taylorville and Stonington.
He attended Taylorville High School where he graduated with 2 leading roles in THS' yearly musicals and 1 year of Madrigal under his belt. Blake also has a proficiency in many styles from classical piano to Rock N Roll such as Bon Jovi and Journey. His main weapons are piano and voice, but he also dabbles in drums and guitar for his local church.
He can work with anyone but specializes in working with people on the Autism spectrum, as he is on the spectrum himself.
He is currently working to obtain his Bachelors degree in Music Therapy at Lincoln Land Community College in Springfield.
Dylan Blankenship - Guitar
Guitar / Ukulele / Bass / Theory
Dylan Blankenship is a guitar instructor, musician and singer/songwriter native to central Illinois, he is most notably an acoustic guitar player, but can also play electric guitar, bass, and ukulele.
First starting as a bass player at 13,
Dylan learned mostly rock n’ roll, blues, psychedelic and country; moving forward he picked up the 6 string guitar and focused on a more traditional folk sound, focused on finger picking and pretty melodies.
Some of his biggest musical influences are, Jim Croce, Jimmy Page, Joshua Lee Turner, Paul Simon, Jim Morrison, James Taylor, and Jason Isbell just to name a few.
Catherine Spannagel
Saxophone (Alto / Tenor) / Flute
Catherine started playing saxophone as a high school freshman in 1999 so that she could be in the jazz band. A Lincoln High School alum, she comes from a strong band program where she participated in pit orchestra, solo/ensemble(earning top scores), marching band, pep band, and jazz band.
On high school band trips she marched in the Mulan parade, participated in a Disney movie soundtrack clinic, and played outside the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Her love of learning all things music took her to band camp every summer. She played in jazz band at both Lincoln College and Heartland Community College.
As a self taught flutist, Catherine is passionate about providing a quality education for her students. Her own teacher would often tell her that "We play music, because we have something to say. " Forever grateful for her music teachers and their tremendous impact on her life, Catherine hopes to inspire new saxophonists and flutists to build the skill and confidence, to speak boldly through music.
Michelle Goodrich - Cello
Cello
Michelle teaches cello at Taylorville Music Lessons since February 2022. She learned cello for the first time in 4th grade at Taylorville Elementary Schools.
Michelle ended orchestra classes in high school to give more attention to college prep. After college, and after working full time for about 6 years, she met a piano player. He encouraged her to play cello with him, as a duet.
Taylorville Music Lessons is motivating her to teach cello to others, and she hopes to be performing on a regular basis.
Michelle also works full time as a hospital pharmacist. She is a mother to 6 boys who all attend school in Taylorville.
Michelle's other interests include Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, Dungeons & Dragons, and selling boutique clothing at events and home parties.
Cristy Simon
Clarinet/Flute/Piano/Voice
Cristy comes from a very musical family. At age ten, she started playing clarinet in Anderson, IN. She joined the high school band while in junior high then joined orchestra and stage band while in high school. While in these groups, she learned multiple instruments (alto saxophone and bass clarinet).
She then attended college in Wisconsin and earned her BS in music education and Bible. During her four years of college, she traveled the United States representing her college in a band and a chorale.
After college she returned to Indiana where she taught elementary music and was in charge of the high school band for several years.
She and her husband, Larry, have lived in Pana for 21 years. She is responsible for the music ministries of her church where she plays piano and supplies special music.
She now homeschools her autistic grandson and is looking forward to sharing the music experience with all that are interested.
Lena Schmitz
Violin / Viola / Cello
Lena Schmitz grew up in Rapid City South Dakota, where she started playing violin when she was in fourth grade. Continuing through high school and proceeded to go to college for a music career. Lena has been teaching violin, viola, and cello since 2010 and have had several students.
In Rapid City South Dakota where she began teaching at a music studio there. Lena then moved her teaching studio to a nonprofit teaching studio where she taught general music to preschool through fifth grade. She also continued to teach string instruments for 5 years. Lena is looking forward to teaching some new students.
Toni McGuire
Violin / Viola / Guitar / Flute / Piano
Toni has been teaching for over 40yrs and can play 11 different instruments! Check out her credentials below.
Skills
Composing, teaching and playing Piano, Violin and Flute. Lessons taught in person and online. Billing, advertising, scheduling recitals and soirees, teaching master classes and judging piano and violin competitions in Springfield, VA, Decatur, GA, Zhengzhou China and Springfield, VA.
Debut
Dances for String Orchestra Movement 2 “Cha Cha”
October 13, 2024 performed by Alexandria Chamber Music Society at Alexandria History Museum at the Lyceum.
Dances for String Orchestra Movement 1 “Tango”
March 27, 2023 Performed by Arlington Concert Orchestra @ Kenmore Middle School, Arlington, VA
Experience
1984-Present
Educate students in person and online. Prepare students for Jr. Festivals, studio recitals, school performances. Compose teaching pieces for students.
Teach theory to students.
September 2017-Present
Arlington Community Learning - Piano, Violin and Music Theory instructor
Teach piano and violin in person to adults at the Syphax Building in Arlington, VA
Teach piano, violin, and music theory online
Teach theory to students.
August 2023-August 2024
Taught Violin Beginner and Late Intermediate and Beginner Viola.
Prepared students for an in store recital. And taught theory.
Education
September 1982- December 1982
Shenandoah College and Conservatory of Music, Winchester, VA - Bachelor of Arts
Major instrument was the voice and my minor was piano. I was unable to finish due to medical reasons.
September 1985-June 1988
Northern Virginia Community College, Alexandria, VA - Associates of Fine Arts
Toni's major instrument was the piano. For her graduation recital she composed her own encore.
Awards
Performance awards from George Mason Arts Academy for Violin performance on Spring and Winter Recitals 2017-2019
High School medals for All County Chorus and Band 1980-1982
Contacted by the John Lennon Songwriting Bus and had students participate and create a song on the bus. Featured on CNN and in the “Parade” insert in the Sunday newspaper.
