Independence School of Music - Independence Ohio - sitemap 

Private lessons  - Piano - Guitar  - Drum - Strings - Flute  - Oboe  - Clarinet - Trumpet - Trombone - Saxophone - Percussion  -

Teacher Biographies - Independence School of Music has a great lineup of dedicated professional music teachers.  Our music teachers love to teach and have years of teaching experience, music performance degrees, music education degrees, and experience as professional musicians.
 

				Derek Van Rohr - Piano Teacher Derek has a M.A. in Philosophy from Cleveland State University (Cleveland, Ohio), and a B.A. in Music from Mount Union College.  Derek has been teaching piano lessons for eight years.  Derek is on the Adjunct faculty at Lorain County Community College, studies Japanese and is a member of a task force at Cuyahoga Community College seeking new ways to incorporate the arts into general course curriculum.
				Bob Rericha - Guitar Teacher - Mandolin Teacher - February 2008 Bob has been playing guitar since he was 10 years old, and studied 14 years.  His teachers included Romeo Fascione, John Stebal, Carl Olin, and Greg Hamilton.  He has attended many master classes and studied Jazz for two years at Akron University, and 2 years at Cleveland Music Settlement.  Bob has been teaching guitar and mandolin for almost 40 years.  Bob plays mandolin for the local band The Knights Tempo.  He is known for his neo jazz style and can teach various guitar styles including classical guitar.  Bob has performed all over the country and is a published composer.
				Dave Kochis - Saxophone Teacher - Clarinet Teacher - Flute Teacher Dave has a music degree from Youngstown State University (Youngstown Ohio) and has been teaching music for 18 years.  Dave performed professionally for four years with Royal Caribbean Cruise lines, and presently plays professionally on an occasional basis.  Dave teaches saxophone lessons, flute lessons, and clarinet lessons at Independence School of Music.
				Tom Mroczka - Brass & Woodwinds Teacher- Trumpet Teacher - Trombone Teacher - Flute Teacher Tom has a degree in music education from The Ohio State University (Columbus, Ohio) and is an extremely versatile musician.  He has been a music teacher and band director in the Bedford, Ohio school system for 28 years where he taught a young Halle Berry at Carylwood Elementary School.  We are pleased to have Tom on our staff because in addition to teaching his primary trumpet lessons and trombone lessons to students here at Independence School of Music, Tom can teach clarinet lessons, flute lessons , saxophone lessons, violin lessons, keyboard lessons and accordion lessons - covering for our other music instructors when they have performance gigs or are on vacation.  Tom has played in many bands
				Amy-Lynne Berry - Violin Teacher - Viola Teacher - Cello Teacher Amy-Lynne attended Baldwin-Wallace College of Music, and studied Music Education. She has taught private and small ensemble string instruments for 11 years. Amy-Lynne's principle instrument is viola.  She also teaches violin, and beginning cello. Amy-Lynne teaches a modified Suzuki method, with emphasis on repetition, ear training, theory and reading music. "My goals are to provide each student the tools to set and reach their goals, and to provide the training and opportunity to get there.. I recognize that not every student is in the same starting place, so naturally they have different needs. Every person is different; no one thing works for everyone. Therefore my approach is diverse and multilayered to be able to reach each student individually and help them to shine." Amy-Lynne also performs frequently with work at Medina County Chorus and Orchestra, Ashland Symphony, Cleveland Women’s Orchestra, and several local musical theaters.
				Erik Rozak - Percussion Teacher - Drum Teacher - Drum Lessons Erik M. Roszak is a graduate of Baldwin Wallace College (Berea, Ohio)  with a degree in Music Performance.  He has an extensive background in Music Education. Erik's primary emphasis is Percussion lessons, but he also plays piano (and sings) bringing invaluable experience to his percussion students.  Mr. Roszak has played everything from conch shell, 40 pitched aluminum cans, flower pots, PVC piping, and much more. He has played under the baton of esteemed composers including Steve Reich, Krystof Penderecki, and Joseph Swantner.  Erik performs often and has played at several theatrical productions including Mis Saigon, Les Miserables, and Jesus Christ Superstar.  Mr. Rozak loves to teach and aside from teaching drum lessons at Independence School of Music,  Erik also has instructed the drum lines of local area high schools including Valley Forge High School and Normandy High School in Parma, Ohio.
				Eric Dregne - Trombone Teacher - Trumpet Teacher Eric has an English degree, and studied music at Youngstown State University.  He received a Fellowship from Aspen Music Festival.  He is the Musical Director of The Roberto Ocasio Latin Jazz Project, a group that plays extensively throughout northeastern Ohio.  Eric has been teaching trombone lessons, and trumpet lessons for 17 years.
				Gwen Thomas - Violin Teacher Gwen studied violin at BW Conservatory (Berea, Ohio), and has a degree in violin performance from Cleveland State University (Cleveland, Ohio).  She is presently pursuing a degree in Music Education certification from CSU.  Gwen plays and teaches violin lessons and viola lessons and plays and teaches all styles including jazz violin lessons, electric violin, rock violin, classical violin and bluegrass violin lessons.  She plays out frequently and is a member of the band "Motivational Speaker Dance Party".  Aside from teaching violin lessons at Independence School of Music, Gwen also teaches at Westgate Music and Music Workshop.  She is available to perform at weddings and parties.  Due to the demands of Gwen's performance schedule, she no longer accepts new students, but does offer occasional Violin Master Class at Independence School of Music.
				Linda Leshen - Piano Teacher Linda has a degree in music education from Cedarville University.  She has taught piano lessons for 17 years.  Aside from teaching piano lessons at Independence School of Music, Linda also teaches music in the Revere school system, and plays piano at the Parma Heights Baptist Church.  She has been the assistant director of the Middleburgh Heights High School Choir.
				Gretchen Venel - Voice Teacher Gretchen has a degree in Music Education, and teaches voice lessons and is the Choir director at the Independence, Ohio middle school.  In additional to teaching singing lessons, Gretchen also offers voice audition coaching for students that are trying out for musical plays.
				Ron Spenica - Guitar Teacher Ron is self taught on the guitar and has been teaching guitar lessons for 15 years.  Ron teaches all guitar styles and his students young and old love his teaching methods. Ron's schedule is always full, he has one of the highest student retention rates, and maintains a waiting list for new students.
				Jim Romanin Guitar Teacher Jim has a music degree, and teaches acoustic guitar lessons and electric guitar lessons and bass guitar lessons.  Jim teaches private guitar lessons, and now also teaches "buddy lessons" and group guitar class for teens, and group guitar lessons for adults.
				Camilla Hiaasen - Piano Teacher Camilla Hiaasen has a degree in Piano Pedagogy. She has her Master's from the Cleveland Institute of Music, and maintains the same classical teaching style and curriculum as Cleveland Institute of Music (CIM).  Most of her students start with her at a young age and remain through high school.  Ms. Hiaasen taught in Brecksville for 15 years and is now teaching privately from her new Brecksville location.  You may contact Independence School of Music to arrange an interview with Miss Cammy.