Meet our Eighty Eight Notes School of Music Teachers!
Meet Mellisa Weinert, MAME, NCTM
CEO & Director of Music & Education, Principal Piano Teacher, Theory, & Composition
A dedicated piano teacher and music school owner, Mellisa has pursued her love of music from a very young age. Music and teaching are her passion! She opened Le Forte Piano Studio in 2007 where she teaches piano to all ages and levels. As the studio expanded, Le Forte Piano Studio rebranded under the name Eighty Eight Notes School of Music in 2013 to accommodate additional music education opportunities including early childhood music and piano. She chose the name Eighty Eight Notes School of Music because it is representative of Mellisa’s teaching philosophy that piano is foundational and the springboard to all successful music education. Mellisa says about her profession, “I don't have to teach music, I GET to teach music! My ultimate goal as your teacher is to nurture a genuine love for music, a gift that lasts a lifetime.” She began learning piano at home at the age of four, began flute lessons at five, and violin at the age of six. "Music has always been fascinating to me. As Sergi Rachmoninov said, “Music is enough for a lifetime, but a lifetime is not enough for music.”
Mellisa graduated with her Bachelor of Arts in Music Education and Liturgical Music, with a minor in Flute Performance and Bible in 2007 from Golden State Baptist College in Santa Clara, CA. She received her Master of Arts in Music Education with a concentration in Piano Pedagogy in 2013 from the University of St. Thomas in St. Paul, MN. She is a Nationally Certified Teacher of Music (certified through the Music Teacher's National Association) as well as a member of several professional music organizations including the Music Teachers National Association (MTNA), Minnesota Music Teachers Association (MMTA), and APPI (Association of Professional Piano Instructors) of which she has served as an officer. She is a music education and business consultant for several music schools and private studios around the country and has performed at the Notations Valle d’Aosta Winter Piano Academy Festival in Aosta Valley Amayville, Italy. Mellisa is the lead piano teacher, Director of Music, and CEO of Eighty Eight Notes School of Music.
Meet Tony Lovaas
Percussion, Guitar, Ukulele, and Banjo
From Concert to Marching band, Percussion Chamber to Jazz Improvisational Ensembles, intertwined with Choral community and harmony training, Anthony Johan Lovaas is a classically trained, Minnesota veined, multi-instrumentalist. As a recording engineer, session player, booking agent, composer, performer, and songwriter, he has worked within the music industry for many diverse years. At the top of his totem, beginning with his primary passion of percussion, exists a lifelong relationship of rhythm, harmony, and musicianship. Studying Music Business at Augsburg College, Anthony graduated with Bachelor of Arts with specialization in Percussion Studies. It was there he studied 4 way coordination underneath Marv Dahlgren and in depth percussion technique with Matthew Barber. Performing in many ensembles, small chambers,and expanding knowledgeability of music theory and aural skills, he reinforced and reclaimed his appreciation and understanding of music and specifically percussion.
Since then, his passion for percussion has only increased, as did his instrumental capacity. Whether he’s touring and performing with local MPLS bands, recording and sessioning in the studio, or promoting and coordinating concerts and events, his diverse background, technical training, and knowledgeability proves for a compelling and communal experience, whether it be through teaching, instructing, or mentoring.
Since then, his passion for percussion has only increased, as did his instrumental capacity. Whether he’s touring and performing with local MPLS bands, recording and sessioning in the studio, or promoting and coordinating concerts and events, his diverse background, technical training, and knowledgeability proves for a compelling and communal experience, whether it be through teaching, instructing, or mentoring.
Meet Svetlana Davis
Violin & Viola Teacher
Svetlana, originally from the Ukraine, has been living and teaching in the United States for fourteen years. Svetlana graduated from Kiev State Conservatory with a Masters Degree in Teaching and string Performance. While in the Ukraine, she was a member of the State Symphony Orchestra of Ukraine. With over 10 years of teaching and performance experience we could not be more thrilled to have her as a teacher here at Eighty Eight Notes! Svetlana teaches each student individually, believing that every student learns differently and each need a slightly different approach and method.
Meet Tom McNellis
Voice Teacher
Tom McNellis holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Music Performance from St. John’s University in Collegeville, Minnesota, where he studied voice with Dr. Patricia Kent and pedagogy with Dr. Axel Theimer. A lifelong performer, Tom sings as tenor soloist and section leader at St. Christopher’s Episcopal Church in Roseville. A passionate student of American music, he plays banjo and sings in the Twin Cities folk band, Skunk Hollow. He has worked as a choral director, cantor, coach, and emcee. With a holistic approach to vocal education and care, Tom endeavors to explore the energetics of voice as a window into the whole person, toward positive, self-directed growth.
Meet Christopher Tank
Flute, Clarinet, & Saxophone Teacher
Meet Tim Cheesebrow
Head of Song Writing
Tim has held a number of positions in the music industry. Much of his experience is in leadership roles, focusing on strategy and product development. Tim’s work is guided by a strong sense of vision and work ethic that favors partnership and is uncompromising in its values.
Tim founded MusicWorks Minnesota, a 501c3 organization that teaches songwriting to middle school students to develop critical life skills and give them a tool to overcome personal challenges. In this role Tim: Writes curriculum and designs class experiences, Teaches in public school classrooms, Trains and manages teams of contract teachers, Creates brand and marketing materials, Managed fundraising and grant writing efforts, Sells classes to leading school districts, Produces music for 100's of young people, Manages Blues performance camp, and Recruits highly effective board of directors.
Since 2000, Tim has also been playing shows for audiences across the midwest. With several albums, hired studio time and countless hours of production and live performance time logged, Tim is a music veteran and a versatile asset on the stage or behind the scenes. He has produced 4 Full length albums, 2 EP Albums, is Proficient on vocals, guitar, mandolin and euphonium, has created a Composition/arranging experience, has experienced the Producer experience, been on Regional tours, Signed to Loud Folk Records, and has performed National and International radio play.
Tim has a Bachelor of Arts in Music Composition and Studio Art from St. John's University.
Tim founded MusicWorks Minnesota, a 501c3 organization that teaches songwriting to middle school students to develop critical life skills and give them a tool to overcome personal challenges. In this role Tim: Writes curriculum and designs class experiences, Teaches in public school classrooms, Trains and manages teams of contract teachers, Creates brand and marketing materials, Managed fundraising and grant writing efforts, Sells classes to leading school districts, Produces music for 100's of young people, Manages Blues performance camp, and Recruits highly effective board of directors.
Since 2000, Tim has also been playing shows for audiences across the midwest. With several albums, hired studio time and countless hours of production and live performance time logged, Tim is a music veteran and a versatile asset on the stage or behind the scenes. He has produced 4 Full length albums, 2 EP Albums, is Proficient on vocals, guitar, mandolin and euphonium, has created a Composition/arranging experience, has experienced the Producer experience, been on Regional tours, Signed to Loud Folk Records, and has performed National and International radio play.
Tim has a Bachelor of Arts in Music Composition and Studio Art from St. John's University.