Piano Voice Strings Chamber High Brass
Guitar Brass
Music lessons are taught at the Broadview Mansion by talented instructors. Piano lessons are offered on our Steinway piano. Various historic rooms throughout the mansion are used for the lessons. Broadview provides our students with a peaceful, serene environment in a historical setting in which to nurture their talents.
You can read about our instructors or view some artistic video of the Van Leer Music Instruction program by clicking on the menu selections on the left. Call or click on Contact Us for inquiries or to sign up for lessons. We'd love to have you or your student!
Contact Us
Beth Carl graduated from Pacific Lutheran university in 1983 with a Bachelor of Music degree in Piano Performance, with an Emphasis in Piano Pedagogy. In addition, she has privately studied organ, harpsichord, jazz improvisation, song writing, synthesis and voice. She has taught piano for many years to children and adults, and has the proven ability to develop talent. Beth is experienced in solo performance and accompaniment, and has spent many years involved in church worship.
Teaching Philosophy :
My goal is to instill in all students of varying musical abilities a love and appreciation for piano music, and to do so by adapting to the learning style and pace of each student. I am able to excite them by building on their individual passions and interests, while gradually transforming weaknesses into strengths. Through this approach I provide thorough training in the rudiments of piano study; theory, technique, improvisation, classical, jazz, and popular literature. I strive to cultivate in each student a sense of personal accomplishment, self-discipline, and musicianship. I am currently inviting new students, both children and adults, into my studio.
Christine Hansen
My aim is to bring my enthusiasm for music and performance to students of all ages and motivations in a structured and non-threatening environment. Through a creative and flexible approach, I tailor lessons to meet each students individual objectives and work with students and their families to instill efficient and effective practice habits. Lessons will provide a solid musical foundation, with emphasis placed on fundamentals, ear training, music theory, and musicianship.
Teaching Philosophy:
Christine Hansen graduated from Illinois State University with a Bachelor of Music degree in Horn Performance, where she studied with Joe Neisler. Christine began her studies as a student of Douglas Hill at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, and has received master classes from Soren Hermansson, David Wetherhill, Daniel Bourge, and Lisa Bontrager. As a student, Christine has performed with the UW-Madison Wind Ensemble, the UW-Madison Horn Choir, the ISU Symphony Orchestra, the ISU Wind Symphony, the ISU Horn Choir, and numerous chamber groups. Christine has also played with the Eau Claire Chamber Orchestra, Opera Illinois, numerous community ensembles, and is actively involved in local Civil War brass bands. Christine studied piano for many years, recently with Dr. Carlyn Morenus of ISU, and served as a church pianist for six years in her hometown of Monroe, WI. Christine welcomes trumpet, horn, and piano students of all ages.
John Hansen
John graduated from ISU in 2006 with a Bachelors Degree in Music Education. while at ISU he performed with the Wind Symphony, Symphonic Winds, Symphony Orchestra, Madrigal Brass Quintet, and the Big Red Marching Machine. He is currently in his fifth year of teaching, and his third year teaching 5-12 band in the Midland School District. John currently performs with several community ensembles, and subs witht he Illinois Valley Symphony Orchestra.
Music has the remarkable ability to soothe, heal, and serve as an outlet for anger and frustration. My goal is for music to impact the lives of every student that I teach. Music affects people in ways that other arts are unable to, and through a safe and relaxed lesson environment, I will help students understand and appreciate the role of music in their lives.
Guitarist Michael Hull has been teaching for more than 20 years to students of all ages and abilities. He particularly enjoys working with beginners. In addition, many of his former students are aspiring musicians who have gone on to study at prestigious institutions as Northwestern University, Eastman and North Carolina School of the Arts. Several of them serve on the faculty of colleges and universities. Michael Holds a Master of Music from Illinois State University and a Bachelor of Fine Arts/Music from the University of North Carolina at Wilmington. Currently, he serves on the faculty at Heartland Community College, Illinois Central College and Bradley University. In addition to teaching, he performs extensively as a soloist and with the Twin City Guitar Duo. He as performed for the Springfield Guitar Society Concert Series, Cultural House of Vileyka, Belarus (former Soviet Union) and many other venues and stages. Michael resides in Bloomington with his wife, Svetlana and their children, Nikolai and Evelyne.
Michael Hull's teaching philosophy simply involves providing students of every level with a balanced music education. This involves learning the guitar in a musical fashion, including the basics of standard notation, improvisation and a thorough grounding in various techniques. While jazz, blues and other popular styles are encouraged, the foundation for his group and private instruction is classical in nature. He provides his students with a theoretical basis as well as a historical context for the music studied.
Roy Magnuson
Roy David Magnuson (b. 1983) has composed music for concert band, wind ensemble, orchestra, chamber ensembles, vocalists, video games and films. His works for wind ensemble have been performed throughout the United States by high school, university and professional ensembles including Illinois State University, Ithaca College, the University of Arkansas Fort Smith, and the Air Force Band of Mid-America. Awards for composition include the Mary Jo Brown Award and Charles Bolen Award from Illinois State University. Roy also received the Smadbeck Award for composition at Ithaca College and was selected as the first winner of the Kulmusick contest sponsored by the new music ensemble at Ithaca College.
Deana Moore studied classical piano at Lincoln Christian College. She has 15 years of teaching experience, teaching children and adults. Deana has 40 years of experience as a church organist, pianist, and choral accompanist. She is currently employed as organist and pianist at Clinton Presbyterian Church, and is accompanist at Second Presbyterian Church, Bloomington. Deana is currently accepting students at Immanuel Bible Foundation at Broadview Mansion, and she travels to Danvers to teach in the home or at Danvers Presbyterian Church.
In my teaching methodology, I strive to provide first a solid foundation built upon theory, technique, music history, and memorization skills while utilizing a wide range of classic and popular music literature. I believe both structure and discipline are important. I expect that each student will establish a routine practice time at home and that the family will be supportive of this. I will expect good attendance at lessons. That said, I also firmly believe that structure needs to be balanced with some latitude in order to engage each student. I encourage each student to choose a piece that interests them and I strive to adapt my teaching style to fit the individual learning needs of the student. Along with the basics and the discipline and the structure, I place a great deal of emphasis on artistic expression and creativity.
Most importantly, I want to provide a non-threatening atmosphere in which I can pass along the joy music has brought into my life. Come along with melet's make beautiful music together!
Jane Smolen previously held soloist positions at St. Benedict Parish in chicago and performed with the Ravenswood Orchestra. She is a 1999 graduate of Illinois State University, and has studied under Bonnie Pomfret, Michelle Vought, and Jerold Siena. She has 11 years of private music teaching experience.
Each student brings a unique and individual desire to learn. Everyone is entitled to learn in a respectful environment with thoughtful and organized instruction. Each student is responsible to develop discipline through practice and experience public performance of their abilities. I will provide musical instruction and guidance in every aspect of musical life including music theory, history, literature, and performance.
Sam Strakovsky
A 1981 graduate of St. Petersburg Conservatory in Russia (a 5-year university level program), Sam found his way to Illinois. In 1993 he was employed by the Music Shoppe in Normal as a piano technician, starting at the same time his own business now known as Sam's Piano Service (repairing and tuning acoustic pianos, 309-242-7267). In 2001, he opened his private teaching studio where he currently teaches piano, music theory and voice to students of all ages. Since 2005, Sam has been the Music Director at Pleasant Grove United Methodist Church in Downs, Illinois.
As a professional musician and teacher, my strength is in a two-step process: to understand the why first and to learn to execute second. I encourage my students to follow this principle scheme of learning. That helps them to turn my knowledge and experience they receive at the lessons into their own skills developed during their home practice.
I am open to teach students with any previous musical experience, any age (6 years of age and up,) and in any musical genre (classical, jazz, popular, etc.)
