Michelle
Sisler, Owner
When I was little I used to sit down at my toy piano and play songs, by ear, along with the jukebox. This was how my parents discovered my talent and love for music and enrolled me in piano lessons at the age of seven. During my years and years of lessons I was fortunate enough to have a teacher who encouraged me to participate in events and contests and helped me become a piano teacher in Owatonna.
After graduating from Concordia College, I started teaching a few students and my initial five students quickly grew into my current 35, ages 7 – 64. I really enjoy being creative in my teaching, making lessons interesting and fun for all the students and attending conferences and seminars to pick up new ideas. Right from the start, I knew that technology would play an important part in my studio, something I never imagined when I took lessons. Wow, how music lessons have changed! When I started this lab, I found it frustrating to know what was out there, what software to use, how to charge for the use of a lab, and even what specific cable I needed to hook everything together. Since I felt a need for help starting my lab eight years ago, I have started helping other teachers set up their labs, train them on the software, and provide one-stop shopping for lab software, books and CDs.
Along with teaching, I also have presented technology sessions at the National Conference on Keyboard Pedagogy, Music Teachers National Association Conference, various state conferences and local groups and have written for the technology section of Keyboard Companion including Keeping in Rhythm with Technology, which focuses on how to teach rhythm using technology (Summer, 2006 issue), a series of articles in Clavier, and reviews in American Music Teacher.
I currently live in Owatonna, MN with my husband, Kevin and our 7-year old twins, Brandon and Brianna. In my spare time, I enjoy scrapbooking and spending time in Duluth, MN.