Faculty

Important Information
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Register now for 2020 summer classes and private lessons!

ONLINE ONLY THROUGH THE
COVID - 19 PANDEMIC

- Classes begin the week of June 1st.
- Register soon!

- Classes and private lessons are available year-round in all instruments.

- Vocal lessons are available in all styles.

Contact Us!

- Class costs are just $92 per month. Scholarships awarded for students taking two or more classes.

- All classes are held late afternoon and evenings and meet once per week.

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.

DON JAQUES - Saxophone and Drum Set

Don Jaques is a saxophonist, flutist, drummer and sound studio engineer. Don received his Bachelor of Arts Degree in music from the University of Northern Iowa.

Don has been teaching for many years. He is well versed in all aspects of music including theory, harmony, melody and rhythm studies. He specializes in teaching saxophone, flute, drums and sound engineering. As a clinician, he works with students from middle school to college level. He has performed with many jazz greats, was a professional musician in Las Vegas and continues to perform in the Des Moines area. He has many years of experience as a sound engineer at Airport Studio and Neon Blue Recording Studio in Des Moines, and Jazz Central Studios in Minneapolis.

Don believes that while attaining technical proficiency on one's instrument is crucial, injecting joy and happiness into every musical endeavor is even more important. Whether performing or teaching a beginning saxophone lesson, the positive, beautiful side of music is what is most important. It is his goal to encourage students to have fun with music and be an inspiration to everyone with whom they come in contact.

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.