Sharing Skills – Local Musicians Teach Their Trade
It’s a well-known fact that the music scene in Omaha and the surrounding areas is thriving on a national level. Live music fans can catch bands performing almost every day of the week in a variety of venues both large and small. Our local pool of musicians includes a wide variety of genres and more talent than many cities across the nation. They work hard on their creative endeavors, but most musicians don’t make a living from their art. So what do they do to maintain their rock and roll lifestyle when not performing?
Many local musicians support themselves by taking their talents off stage and sharing their knowledge with others through music lessons. Kids and adults can take advantage of the massive talents of our local musicians through lessons taught by qualified instructors who actively hone their chops on stage.
If you or someone you know wants to learn how to play, why not get schooled by those who actively make our music scene one of the best in the country? Below is a partial listing of active local musicians who also work as music instructors, complete with contact information and musical background.
Listen to the Worlds of Wayne Podcast at worldsofwayne.com to hear an interview with several of our local music instructors and their experiences teaching others the joys of learning to play an instrument.
Scott “Zip” Zimmerman – Ocean Black, The Whipkey Three, Citizen’s Band
What: Drum set, marching percussion (snare & tenors), concert/school percussion (snare/bells), mallet percussion (bells/vibraphone)
Where: Dietze Music (132nd & W. Center)
Age Range: 5 and older
Contact info: 402-617-0884 or zipdrum2001@yahoo.com
Other info: Zip has a Bachelor of Education in Music Teacher Education from UNL
Matt Whipkey – Whipkey band, Brad Hoshaw and the Seven Deadlies
What: Guitar
Where: Private Studio
Age Range: Any
Contact info: matt@mattwhipkey.com
Glen Smith – Mannheim Steamroller, Yardapes, Taxi Driver, Musico, The Labels, Omaha Symphony, Dallas Opera, Fort Worth Symphony, Russ Morgan and Bobby Layne orchestras
What: Guitar, Bass, Double Bass, Mandolin, Banjo, Music Theory
Where: Dietze Music (132nd & W. Center)
Age Range: Any
Contact info: Glencecilsmithmusic@gmail.com
Vern Fergesen – The Willards, Brad Hoshaw and the Seven Deadlies, Travelling Mercies, Matt Cox Band, Steve Byam, Bonehart Flannigan, the Talbott Brothers, John Klemmensen and the Party, Molly and the Mother May I’s
What: Piano, guitar, bass, uke, mandolin, drums
Where: Millard music house (136th & Q) or private house calls
Age Range: 8 and older
Contact info: 402-658-9352
Kait Berreckman – Kait Berreckman Band / Solo performer
What: Guitar and voice
Where: Private studio
Age Range: 10 and older
Contact info: kaitberreckman@gmail.com
Craig Balderston – The 9s, Sailing in Soup, Brad Cordle Band, The Jailbreakers
What: Bass Guitar
Where: Home studio / private lessons
Age Range: Any
Contact info: 402-208-1068 – cbaldy1172@gmail.com
Kevin Sullivan – Omaha Guitar Trio, Rock and Roll Suicide, Belles & Whistles
What: Guitar
Where: Dietze Music (132nd & W. Center)
Age Range: 7 and older
Contact info: 402-880-9949 / ksully87@gmail.com
Zachary Adkins – Narcotic Self
What: Guitar
Where: Private instruction / Remote (Skype)
Age Range: Any
Contact info: 402-429-4172 / www.facebook.com/adkinsguitarlessons
Jacob Duncan – Rock and Roll Suicide, Robo Dojo
What: Guitar, bass, voice, bass, mandolin, piano, and composition instruction
Where: Private instruction / Studio
Age Range: Any
Contact info: 402-301-8014 / jacobbduncan@gmail.com
Other info: Bachelor’s degree from UNO in classical guitar performance
Jason Ferguson – Tucker Hill, Citizen’s Brigade, Solo performer, Yesterday and Today, Sarah Benck and the Robbers, Filter Kings, Soul Trigger, Musical Theater
What: Guitar
Where: Dietze Music (20th & Cornhusker Rd, Bellevue)
Age Range: Any
Contact info: 402-291-3745 (Dietze main line)
Other info: Jason has been at Dietze Music in Bellevue since it opened 13 years ago. For most of that time he’s taught around 20 to 40 students a week. Find him on Youtube to check out some of his music.