Important Information _____________________ REGISTER NOW FOR THE 2023-24 SCHOOL YEAR CLASSES AND PRIVATE LESSONS! Online education also available. NEW STUDENTS: - Classes begin the week of October 30th. - Register soon! - New students should be registered by October 16th for Jazz Theory and any coordinated Instrumental Jazz Techniques classes. - Scholarships awarded to students taking two or more classes or a combination of private lessons and classes. - Classes and private lessons are available year-round in all instruments. - Vocal lessons are available in all styles. - All classes are held late afternoon and evening and meet once per week. - Convenient location just off I-235, 8th Street exit in West Des Moines. Contact Us! CONTINUING STUDENTS: - Classes resume the week of September 18th. Please discuss your continuing education with Susie Miget and confirm with the office. |
SUSIE MIGET - Jazz Theory and Improvisation, Jazz Techniques, Performance Combo, Bass, Piano, Guitar, Trombone and Voice![]() Susie Miget is a bassist, pianist, vocalist, guitarist, trombonist, composer, arranger and an expert in jazz theory and improvisation. Her education began early as both of her parents are jazz musicians, arrangers and music educators. She studied at Fontbonne College, Eddie Brauer Studios and Mel Bay Studios in St. Louis. She majored in trombone and voice at Murry State University, and bass and composition at Drake University.
Susie began performing at age six with her sisters, also musicians, in the St. Louis area for numerous television, radio and concert appearances. She has performed with many jazz greats over the years and also led many successful jazz groups of her own. She is highly respected as a musician, educator and composer and continues to perform regularly. Susie has received many awards as a musician, composer and educator over the years including the 2014 Jazz Educators of Iowa Hall of Fame Award, the CJC Jazz Hall of Fame induction - musician and educator in 2009 and several National Association of Jazz Educator performance awards. Susie began her private studio teaching in 1974. She has taught as Director of Jazz Studies at Central College and jazz bass instructor at Simpson, Southwest Community and William Penn Colleges. She has taught as a clinician at many colleges, high schools, junior high schools and summer jazz camps and adjudicated many jazz competitions. In 1995 Susie founded Creative Music Studio. Susie is proud of the history of great jazz and jazz education in Iowa, in both the professional world of jazz performance and the exceptional jazz programs in our junior high and high schools. She has enjoyed working with the many great jazz musicians and jazz band directors over the years to expand the knowledge of this great art form. Many of her students have been accepted into prestigious college jazz programs and become nationally known jazz artists. Susie is dedicated to truly helping students to become individual artists. She believes in the combination of technique, theory, a good overview of jazz through listening, and most of all, the development of your own, individual, artistic expression. Susie also very much enjoys sharing and perpetuating the art of jazz through teaching our young musicians. DAVE BOHL - Saxophone![]() Dave Bohl is an Iowa native and is a highly respected and sought after jazz saxophonist. A graduate of Drake University, Dave performs in groups all over the midwest including The Des Moines Big Band, Son Peruchos, the Matt Terronez Quartet and Orquesta Alto Maiz. Throughout his music career, he has also performed with nationally and internationally known artists including Aretha Franklin, Idina Menzel, Bernadette Peters, 10,000 Maniacs and many more. He also leads his own quartet playing original compositions and arrangements. Dave joined the faculty of Creative Music Studio in 2022.
During the day, you can hear Dave anchoring the news on iHeart Radio stations across the Midwest, including Des Moines' flagship news station, NewsRadio 1040 WHO. DAVE REZEK - Trumpet![]() Trumpeter Dave Rezek received his Bachelor of Music Education degree with a jazz specialization from the University of Northern Iowa and his Master of Music degree in Trumpet Performance from New England Conservatory in Boston.
Dave has worked as a professional musician throughout the Midwest, New England and New York City. He has played with many jazz greats in both innovative large and small jazz groups, including the Grammy-nominated big band "Darcy James Argue's Secret Society". He has also played in pit orchestras for many Broadway shows, which included a highlight onstage performance at the 2006 Tony Awards show with the cast of Jersey Boys, where the show took home the award for Best Musical. He currently leads his own original music septet, "Dave Rezek's Alpha State Agents", is the leader of the "Des Moines Big Band", and he also performs in many other innovative groups with Iowa's top jazz artists, covering all styles from jazz to salsa, fusion, R&B, and classical. Dave has taught for many years and is a much sought-after musician, educator, clinician, festival adjudicator and arranger. Dave believes that the biggest rewards in music are freedom of expression, emotional connection, heightened creativity, inspiration and enlightenment. With a focus on trumpet flexibility, technical facility, and absorbtion of the improvisational styles of the jazz greats, students will experience the confidence, joy, success and kinship that will lead them to those rewards. ![]() CHRIS CLAUSEN - Drums
_______________ Clincian and teacher, Chris Clausen, returns to Central Iowa after teaching and playing professionally in the St. Louis area for the last 27 years. His drum credits in Missouri include several recordings in various styles, most notably a Grammy-nominated fusion album by Rik Galliano. The last two years Chris occupied the drum chair for St. Louis historic Gateway City Big Band. He also has played live with such jazz notables as Willie Thomas, Mike Metheny, Ted Nash, Ryan Kisor, Tim Hagans and Danilo Perez. Chirs started teaching jazz drumming at Creative Music Studio in 2022 and is also playing this season with the Des Moines Big Band. Chris believes that music is an activity best enjoyed by playing together with others. Learning the fundamentals of music, how theory works, good listening skills, proper styles and techniques, etc., should all come together to help the musician become not merely a player, but a collaborator. There is great joy to be found in contributing to a group that can, "serve the sound". This concept is foundational to everything that Chris teaches. |