Your Opus Executive Leadership Team
Whether you have questions about events, lessons, billing, or available teaching positions, you’ll find a team member to help you find the answers to your questions and goals quickly!
Kathy Petersen
Founder, President, & Instructor
Kathy Petersen is the president of Opus Music Academy and holds a bachelor’s degree in Music Therapy from Augsburg College in Minneapolis. Kathy began playing piano in 1986 and teaching piano in 2009. She is currently working towards a certification in Piano Pedagogy in elementary, intermediate, and advanced piano as a student of the Carnegie Hall Royal Conservatory Music Development Program.
612-217-0415
kathy.petersen@opusmusicacademy.com
m.me/opusmusicacademyMN
Trixie Grewell
Events Coordinator & Instructor
Trixie graduated high school from Parnassus Preparatory School in 2020, where she received a classical education and presented her thesis on the importance of visibility and inclusivity for those with mental illness. She has played the viola since 5th grade, with both private lessons and ensemble practice in the school orchestra and her church’s Bluegrass Band. She also picked up the ukulele in 8th grade and loves to sing.
In addition to working at Caribou Coffee and as Opus Music Academy Event Coordinator, Trixie is passionate about art; after many years of musical endeavors, she found she also likes to draw and paint in her free time at home while listening to classical music.
Animals hold a very special place in Trixie’s life. She has a dog and cat at her mom’s house, Kaia and Grace, as well as two cats who live in her apartment, Oliver and Sheeba. She loves to read and creatively write while her cats snooze on her desk or go camping and hiking with her dog.
events@opusmusicacademy.com
Conner Gorby
Business Support Specialist
Conner Gorby received their Bachelors Degree in Music Theory/Composition from Hardin-Simmons University. They then received their Masters Degree in Clarinet Performance from The university of Texas at Arlington. During their time at Hardin-Simmons, Conner performed with a group called the Key City Jazz quintet, as well as in the pit orchestra for productions of “A funny thing Happened on the way to the Forum” and “Hedwig and the angry Inch.” Conner enjoys music in all of its forms and their main goal is to bring that enjoyment to those that they Teach.
In their Downtime, Conner enjoys spending time with their spouse exploring the area. Conner also enjoys playing “Dungeons and Dragons” and disc golf in their free time.
Madeline Baumgart
Vice President and Instructor
Madeline Baumgart is a piano instructor in addition to being the Vice President of Opus Music Academy. After graduating from Tennessee Tech University with a degree in Piano Performance and Music Business, she relocated to Minneapolis to pursue her Master of Music Therapy at Augsburg University.
In her spare time, Madeline loves playing with her cats, Aurora and Anastasia, and hanging out with her nephew Noah. She also loves going on scenic walks, rock climbing, eating chicken nuggets, and reading. Although she misses her family in Tennessee, Madeline is excited to be in Minnesota and see some real snow!
madeline.baumgart@opusmusicacademy.com
Jackson Peters
Director of Social Media & Marketing
Jackson Peters is a seasoned guitarist with extensive musical experience spanning over fourteen years which includes a plethora of contrasting genres and ensembles. Being eager to jump at any opportunity presented to him, Jackson has been able to perform alongside notable figures such as Broadway star Jessica Vosk and Nashville recording artist Doug Allen Nash. In addition to performing with many award-winning pit orchestras, both in academic and professional settings, he has also performed with other large ensembles including the Fox Valley Symphony Orchestra.
When performing locally, you can often see him performing a vast range of genres including jazz, rock, blues, fusion as well as improvised music with some of the Twin Cities’ finest musicians. In his free time, Jackson also enjoys spending time with his friends (also including his cat Lester), making scale models, reading, and playing video games with his brother. He has also recently found interests in digitizing rare vinyls and low-stakes graphic design projects.
marketing@opusmusicacademy.com
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