Kathy Petersen

Opus Music Academy - Kathy PetersenKathy Petersen is the President and Founder of Opus Music Academy.  In January 2016 she accompanied her daughter at her Viola Juries at a small local music school in Northeast Minneapolis.  After leaving that school, Kathy was inspired, and the beginnings of Opus Music Academy were in the works ever since.  Kathy teaches Private and Adaptive Piano lessons, Flute lessons, and Ukulele Lessons on site at Opus Music Academy in Plymouth, MN.

A few words from Kathy:

I have my bachelor’s degree in Music Therapy from Augsburg College in Minneapolis. I have been playing piano since 1986, and teaching piano since 2009.  I have been playing flute since 1990, and Ukulele since 2004. I am currently a student of the Carnegie Hall Royal Conservatory Music Development Program, working towards my certification in Piano Pedagogy in elementary, intermediate, and advanced piano. I teach all levels and abilities, with experience teaching students with varying special needs, from beginning to advanced, from ages 7-100+. I am a mother of 3 children, and wife to a wonderful man, who is also a musician. We have a cat who is a favorite to all who meet her, Grace.

I have a fiery passion for teaching music, and our home is filled with the beautiful noises we call music. We enjoy playing together as a family at church events. I sing in the alumni choir, Masterworks Chorale, at Augsburg College, and I have volunteered as a pianist at a local hospital. I also enjoy playing for friends and special occasions, as well as accompanying choirs. I am also the director of the Youth Bell Choir at Robbinsdale United Church of Christ. Sharing the love of music through piano instruction brings joy to not only my personal life, but also in my professional life. I have FUN teaching and playing!

My program is designed to work with each individual student on a weekly basis to give them a knowledge and understanding of how to read music, scale and theory study, a basic knowledge of chord structure and lead sheets, an understanding of different musical eras and an appreciation for all different types of music. I also integrate modern and popular music into students’ study. My training is more “process-based”, versus “performance-based”. This means I am more interested in the process of learning and teaching, which varies from student to student, than I am interested in the end-product. I believe it builds life skills and self-confidence to help students develop and grow into successful, beautiful people and musicians.

I specialize in Adaptive Lessons.  Adaptive lessons are for individuals whose goal is to learn how to play piano, but don’t benefit through the “traditional” approach to teaching.  Therefore, with the help of Music Therapy training at Augsburg, I am able to adapt to each individual’s learning styles and needs based on their disability.  Adaptive lessons are for anyone and any age, and any disability.

Students, regardless of age or level, are encouraged to participate in Competitions throughout the year, which have varying dues amounts. There will also be field trips to concerts and other musical events to build community with other students and enrich the learning experience. The more musical experiences we all are exposed to and share together, the better!

 

PIANO | ADAPTIVE PIANO | FLUTE | UKULELE

Geographic areas served

The Opus studios in Plymouth and Robbinsdale

Rates

  • $32 / half hour
  • $52.50 / hour
  • Adaptive lessons = $47.25 / half hour lesson

Professional Affiliations

  • Member of Music Teachers National Association
  • Member of Minnesota Music Teachers Association
  • Current Student of The Royal Conservatory of Music Piano Pedagogy
  • Finance Chair Minneapolis Music Teachers Forum
  • Member of American Music Therapy Association
  • Director of The Jane Bossert Junior Bell Choir at Robbinsdale Parkway United Church of Christ
  • Board Member of Quorum, Minnesota’s LGBTQ+ and Allied Chamber of Commerce
  • Board Member of the Able Artist Foundation
  • Member of New Hope Business Networking Group
  • Member of Maple Grove Networkers
  • Member of Minneapolis Regional Chamber