Private Instruction
We are a year-round program providing private instruction from professional instructors to people of all ages and experience levels. New students are accepted on an ongoing basis depending on the availability of the teacher. We have current openings for instruction on voice violin, viola, cello, flute, and trombone.
The rate for private instruction is $29 per 30-minute lesson, $43.50 for 45 minutes, or $58 for 60 minutes, payable on a month to month basis. Scholarship information available upon request.
The rate for private instruction is $29 per 30-minute lesson, $43.50 for 45 minutes, or $58 for 60 minutes, payable on a month to month basis. Scholarship information available upon request.
Please contact Lisa Todd to be directed to a teacher and to schedule a free trial lesson. You will then be sent a link to register.
[email protected] or (253) 292-6611.
[email protected] or (253) 292-6611.
Jim Schultz Memorial Scholarship
This scholarship is in honor of Jim Schultz, a beloved UPPC musician who loved Jesus, people, and music!
There are two scholarships awarded yearly to recognize current Music & Arts Institute students who show outstanding dedication to their musical studies. Candidates are nominated by their teachers and then participate in a competition in the spring where two winners are chosen. All current MAI students are eligible but need to be recommended by their teacher.
There are two scholarships awarded yearly to recognize current Music & Arts Institute students who show outstanding dedication to their musical studies. Candidates are nominated by their teachers and then participate in a competition in the spring where two winners are chosen. All current MAI students are eligible but need to be recommended by their teacher.
2023 Jim Schultz Scholarship Winners
Christina Cho
My name is Christina Cho, and I'm a 7th grader from Narrows View Intermediate School. I've been playing since I was 11. At that time, I didn't think through and chose the flute because my dad had a spare flute in the house, and it was pretty easy to carry around. However, ever since taking lessons with Susan Halstead, I've realized what a fantastic instrument the flute is. The way music goes and interprets always differs, making me love music more. The flute is diverse and versatile in many types of music, whether you're in a band, orchestra, doing jazz, and more. I'm very grateful for this music program and my teacher for teaching me how beautiful the flute and its music can be. When I'm not practicing my flute, I enjoy my life hanging out with my friends.
Patrick Cabigao
My name is Patrick Cabigao, and I'm currently finishing my sophomore year at Curtis Senior High School. It's been six years since I began playing the viola in the spring of 4th grade. I started taking private lessons with Karl Albrecht after I joined the Tacoma Junior Youth Symphony last September and with his mentorship, I feel myself improving faster than I ever have before. Along with being in TJYS, I've also played in school orchestras for as long as I've been playing the viola. One of my favorite memories from being in a school orchestra was performing as a group in San Francisco, and not only were the performances there memorable, but also simply traveling around San Francisco with my friends and fellow orchestra members was an experience I'm certain I'll remember for a long time. I've really enjoyed playing the viola with all the music, friends, and memories it has brought me, and I'm hoping to continue playing into the far future.
Meet the Teachers
Maria Bokor
Piano & Viola
Maria Bokor has studied the piano beginning at the age of 4. She was a piano major at the New England Conservatory and received a Bachelor of Music degree from Reed College in piano studies. She was the pianist for the Community of Christ church in Puyallup for many years and taught piano at the Annie Wright School. Maria combines the Suzuki approach with traditional European methods in her teaching.
Maria is also a professional violist and is the Associate Principal viola of the Tacoma Symphony. She studied at the Interlochen Arts Academy and received a Master of Music in viola performance from the University of Victoria, Canada. Maria is also a physical therapist and brings those skills to help ensure relaxed playing with good posture.
Maria is also a professional violist and is the Associate Principal viola of the Tacoma Symphony. She studied at the Interlochen Arts Academy and received a Master of Music in viola performance from the University of Victoria, Canada. Maria is also a physical therapist and brings those skills to help ensure relaxed playing with good posture.
Kristina Thomas
Piano
Kristina Thomas began studying piano in the second grade at Tacoma Baptist Schools. She earned a Bachelor of Music Education at Pacific Lutheran University and taught high school band and orchestra in the Tacoma Public Schools for three years.
Kristina has taught both piano and flute in the Puget Sound area since 1994. She is currently on the staff of the Tacoma Youth Symphony Association and the Minister of Music at Redeemer Lutheran Church.
Kristina has taught both piano and flute in the Puget Sound area since 1994. She is currently on the staff of the Tacoma Youth Symphony Association and the Minister of Music at Redeemer Lutheran Church.
Lisa Ingraham
Violin
Lisa Ingraham, a native of Tacoma, WA, studied violin with Helen Pagels of Olympia, in High School, and Heifetz protégé, Ann Tremaine, at Pacific Lutheran University, where she majored in K-12 String and Choral Education. She also studied voice with Zoanne Wilkie, Jean Kopta and Marianne Weltmann, and often draws on her vocal training, as well as her background in theatre and dance, to expand her ability to convey musical ideas.
Lisa began her teaching career while still in Jr. High and has maintained a private studio ever since. In 1998 she started teaching at Cascade Christian Schools’ Tacoma Elementary and the program has since expanded to include all three elementary campuses, as well as the Jr/Sr High.
An active performer, she plays with Symphony Tacoma, Tacoma Opera, as well as doing free-lance work, and is a founding member of the Con Brio String Quartet.
Lisa began her teaching career while still in Jr. High and has maintained a private studio ever since. In 1998 she started teaching at Cascade Christian Schools’ Tacoma Elementary and the program has since expanded to include all three elementary campuses, as well as the Jr/Sr High.
An active performer, she plays with Symphony Tacoma, Tacoma Opera, as well as doing free-lance work, and is a founding member of the Con Brio String Quartet.
Karl Albrecht
Violin & Viola
Karl has taught both violin and viola for more than 25 years. His students routinely achieve the highest possible scores in competitions and evaluations. He uses multiple resources to teach students from the earliest to the most advanced levels and tailors his teaching to each individual student's abilities.
After majoring in Viola Performance at Pacific Lutheran University, Karl moved to Southern California to continue studying and received a full ride scholarship to play in the Cal State Long Beach String Quartet and played with the LA Philharmonic Institute Orchestra for two seasons.
Karl has performed with multiple professional orchestras including the Portland Chamber Orchestra, Portland Opera, and Tacoma Opera. He played principal viola for the national tour of Steven Sondheim’s “Into The Woods.” Karl has performed for television, film, and in the recording industry. He is currently under contract with the Redlands Symphony and with the Oregon Coast Music Festival as associate principal viola.
After majoring in Viola Performance at Pacific Lutheran University, Karl moved to Southern California to continue studying and received a full ride scholarship to play in the Cal State Long Beach String Quartet and played with the LA Philharmonic Institute Orchestra for two seasons.
Karl has performed with multiple professional orchestras including the Portland Chamber Orchestra, Portland Opera, and Tacoma Opera. He played principal viola for the national tour of Steven Sondheim’s “Into The Woods.” Karl has performed for television, film, and in the recording industry. He is currently under contract with the Redlands Symphony and with the Oregon Coast Music Festival as associate principal viola.
Loren Tucker
Guitar
Loren grew up in the Seattle area where he participated in his school wind ensembles, choirs and jazz bands. He also studied guitar privately and played on his church worship team. After high school he studied music and audio engineering at Shoreline Community College. He then transferred to Belmont University in Nashville Tennessee, where he earned his Bachelor of Music, guitar principle, with a Music Business Emphasis. Loren has experience as a session musician, producer and musical director. Currently he is the Director of Contemporary Music and University Place Presbyterian Church. In His spare time, he enjoys skiing, and exploring the beautiful Pacific Northwest with his wife and their two children.
Lisa Todd
Cello
Lisa Todd started playing cello at a young age and studied with Fern Glass Boyd at the University of Montana. She then studied with David Hoffman at Pacific Lutheran University and graduated with a degree in K-12 instrumental music and taught orchestra in the Federal Way public schools at the elementary and junior high level for 6 years. As a young mom, she turned her focus to private teaching and has continued for over 30 years. She enjoys working with students of all ages and skill levels and continues to sharpen her teaching skills by seeking out training with top instructors in the cello world. Lisa is the Director of UPPC’s Music and Arts Institute and also enjoys teaching early childhood music at UPPC's Sunset Christian Preschool.
Mick Crosby
Trombone
Mick Crosby spent 34 years with the Tacoma School District as an elementary teacher and principal. He is a member of the UPPC Chancel Brass and plays with the Tacoma Musical Playhouse. His primary goal is to share with young musicians the joys and musical challenges of playing the trombone.
Susan Halstead
Flute & KinderFlute
Susan Hallstead has been playing and teaching the flute for over 20 years. She studied flute and vocal performance at the University of Puget Sound and the University of Washington. Her flute teachers have included Scott Goff (Seattle Symphony), Felix Skowronek (UofW), and Murray Panitz (Philadelphia Orchestra/Curtis Institute). Susan also studied flute pedagogy with award-winning KinderFlute™ creator, Kathy Blocki. While in college, she was a member of the Tacoma Symphony, the Contemporary Group Woodwind Quintet, and was principal flute of the U of W Symphony.
Susan is currently pursuing the study of World flutes, including Irish penny whistle, Chinese dizi flute, and Native American Flute, and is a member of the Wind Spirit Native American Flute Circle.
Susan is currently pursuing the study of World flutes, including Irish penny whistle, Chinese dizi flute, and Native American Flute, and is a member of the Wind Spirit Native American Flute Circle.
Katie Hausler
Voice
Katie was born and raised in a musical household with a father who played every instrument you can imagine. She has been singing since she was 3 years old and performed in children's choirs
and productions. She officially started taking voice lessons when she was around 12 years old, and continued taking them into college. She studied music at Concordia University Irvine and has sung in multiple Acapella groups, on different worship teams, and in college choirs. She is currently the Minister of Worship Arts and Choir Director at Our Savior Lutheran Church, and is the vocal director for Mustard Seed Theatre.
and productions. She officially started taking voice lessons when she was around 12 years old, and continued taking them into college. She studied music at Concordia University Irvine and has sung in multiple Acapella groups, on different worship teams, and in college choirs. She is currently the Minister of Worship Arts and Choir Director at Our Savior Lutheran Church, and is the vocal director for Mustard Seed Theatre.
Questions? Lisa Todd, MAI Director, [email protected] | 253.292.6611