Private Lessons
"Music gives a soul to the universe, wings to the mind, flight to the imagination, and life to everything."
- Plato
Interested in private lessons? At Ms. Libby's, we offer private instruction in piano, voice, guitar, violin, and bass guitar.
We hold a winter recital in December and a spring recital in April. Recitals are 100% optional for students.
Students may pay for a trial lesson for $30 and if interested, continue monthly payments after that. We accept Venmo, PayPal, credit cards and checks. Everything except payment by check incurs a small fee. Please click on the Payment and Attendance Policy for full details.
Jenna Gorka
Piano and Voice Lessons
Jenna Gorka earned her music education degree for Kindergarten through 12th grade from Lindenwood University, and went on to teach K-8 for 4.5 years. She also worked at St. Louis Children's Choirs as an ensemble teaching assistant for 7 years. Jenna started working at Ms. Libby's in 2021 teaching Mommy and Me, Group Voice, and Group Ukulele classes in addition to private lessons. She's an amazing mom of 2 beautiful children with her husband Ray, and we're so blessed to have her wonderful teaching talents at the studio!
Tim Piper
Drum Lessons
Tim Piper joins the studio with almost 4 decades of drumming experience. He has been a studio drummer and worked with live bands during his career. A husband and father of 3 boys, he loves working with kids and brings his fun and silly teaching style to every lesson! He specializes in ear training and will guide your child through the keys of keeping a steady beat as he moves to more advanced drum concepts.
Nick Purler
Guitar Lessons
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Nick Purler joins the studio with over 20 years of experience. Nick has played with bands both in St. Louis and around the country, even touring with a comedian. He is passionate about creating music and sharing it with others. Nick is also a producer and is proficient in GarageBand, Final Cut Pro and Logic Pro X systems. He is currently working on an EP in Nashville but lives in St. Charles with his wife where they run a production company called French Deck Entertainment. Nick is excited to join the instructors at Ms. Libby's to share his passion for guitar and producing with students.
Chris Miller
Piano and Bass Guitar lessons
Chris Miller is a seasoned musician with decades of experience playing piano, guitar and bass guitar (among other instruments!). With a focus on music theory, he takes a more traditional approach to teaching, stressing the fundamentals as he instructs you/your child to success on an instrument!
John Varwig
Piano and Voice Lessons
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John received his Bachelor's in Music Education from the Music Conservatory at Wheaton College, and his Masters of Music from Webster University. Before retiring in 2011, he taught in the Francis Howell school district for 26 years and taught children K through 12 grades in general and choral music.
John is excited to teach again, and has always loved working with students. He looks to his teaching to encourage his students in both their love of music and the enjoyment of life to the fullest!
Peter Shea
Piano Lessons
Peter began his piano journey with lessons at the young age of 6 and continued mastering his craft into college. He many years of study allowed him to begin teaching lessons at the age of 14, and transfer his love of piano to others. Peter is always looking for ways to make piano lesson fun and engaging for students. In his many years of playing piano, he has won superior ratings multiple times in MAMA's virtuoso category, performed multiple gold rated solos at the district and state level, in the Solo and Small Ensemble Categories, and has performed in multiple state-level concert bands including the Iowa Band Association Conference. His experience in piano has given him the ability to thrive both musically and academically. Peter believes that piano lessons teach students time management, studying skills/practice techniques and patience.
Heather Nuehring
Piano Lessons
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Heather grew up in a family of musicians in Northern Iowa. In high school, she received numerous awards for piano and flute, and went on to earn a music education degree. After teaching in schools for several years, she began teaching lessons full time. She has been teaching piano lessons for 34 years.
Heather teaches our homeschool families during weekday mornings, and we're very grateful for her at the studio!
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Ben Stafford
Guitar Lessons
Ben brings a fresh new approach to guitar instruction, blending electric guitar and synthesized sound accompaniment in his methods. Ben has been a guitar enthusiast since the late 90's and has many played gigs locally around the St. Louis area. He graduated from UMSL with degrees in Education and History.
Ben has a passion for imparting what he has learned to other guitar players, young and old. Whether a student is 7 or 70, he believes there is a path for learning to play the guitar and to develop a deeper understanding of music.
Aiden Smith
Piano and Voice Lessons
Aiden received his Bachelor's of Arts degree in Vocal Performance from Central Methodist University in 2017. Soon after graduating, he started teaching and fell in love with early childhood and elementary music education. He has also been teaching private piano and voice lessons for many years; recently through Webster University's School of Music teaching both group piano and early childhood age classes. When Mr. Aiden isn't teaching, he loves to sing and perform. He has sung at the Bach Society for many years as well as with the cast of St. Charles Christmas Traditions/Legends and Lanterns off Main Street. He is a section leader at his church and also plays french horn in the Alliance Philharmonic Orchestra of St. Louis.
Nick Sanderson
Drum Lessons
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Nick joins the teaching staff at our studio with an impressive resume that includes 7 years of national touring experience in over 15 states with his band, Cabretta. Because of this, Nick can not only teach drum lessons, but he can lend his knowledge to students interested in songwriting and producing as well. In addition, he has over 5 years of experience teaching drum lessons in the St. Louis area. "My passion to share my creativity with the world is embedded in my drive to work hard and have fun doing what I love most."