(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
Blake Friedrich
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.
Graduated Merryville College with a music therapy degree in 2024. Blake is a full time music therapist in Springfield.
Kobey Workman
Guitar/Ukulele/Bass/Mandolin/Banjo Theory
Kobey is a musician, songwriter and multi instrumentalist focusing mainly on lead electric guitar. He has played guitar since he was a kid strumming on has dads old guitars. His first influences were 80s Rock such as Metallica, Tesla, and Ozzy. He later took interest in many other instruments including bass, keys, drums, banjo and other stringed instruments. Also has took interested in many genres and eras of music including but not limited to: blues, funk, jazz, hip-hop, and country
Kobey has played in original and cover funk, blues, country, and rock influenced bands since after high school. Although he has knowledge of the more technical side, he has studied music theory for the last 2 years. He is most proficient at taking an artistic expression, feeling based, and improvisational approach to music.
Cristina Simon
Sax/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
Piano / Voice / 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.
Leroy Kleimola
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.
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Brad Adams
Guitar/Bass/Ukulele/Mandolin
Started Piano in 1972 at age 10, learned Music Theory. Picked up Acoustic Guitar at 26. Started on Electric at 27 as well as the Bass Guitar and have never looked back. I knew this was for me!! I play guitar at my churches praise band where I am also the music director. Can't wait to meet some new students!
Heather Ruppert
Guitar/Bass/Ukulele
Heather has played guitar since the 80s and the piano since the 90s, playing in various worship bands in a couple of states.
In 2018 she took a position as a recreation therapist at an agency for youth in crisis. Many of the young people there were interested in learning how to play an instrument so she started teaching them basic piano and guitar with limited success.
While some of the youth thrived taking on the challenges of these two popular instruments, many struggled with attention and patience.
Heather's world of teaching music to high risk youth all changed with the introduction of a new-to-her instrument. The Baritone Ukulele became the most important piece in her burgeoning music program.
With the help of the baritone, Heather was able to develop a method that opened the mysteries of learning music to virtually anyone.
She was able to get attention and patience challenged young people to play a song in a lesson or two. And once they were hooked with the early success, they were able to develop the patience, attention, and confidence to learn more.
Some of her baritone students gained enough confidence that they were able to transition smoothly to the guitar, both electric and acoustic.
With the quick success rate that the baritone brings, Heather is able to teach individual and group lessons, catering to the needs of the individual and the dynamic of the group.