Music Lessons & Instructors
MUSIC LESSONS BAY CITY MI
Herter Music has been offering professional musical instruction since 1903!
We hope this will be your first day of a lifetime of musical fun!
Quality Musical Instruction
At Herter Music Center, you will get the highest quality musical instruction possible, and we encourage you to contact us with any questions or ideas you may have that would enhance your musical experience here.
Lessons
Lessons are in 1/2 hour weekly private sessions on a month-to-month basis. Our program is designed for you to have fun and enjoy playing, whether you’re in your own room or you aspire to play at Carnegie Hall.
Instruments include but are not limited to:
- Piano
- Keyboard
- Organ
- Accordion
- Flute
- Clarinet
- Oboe
- Alto Saxophone
- Tenor Saxophone
- Trumpet
- Trombone
- French Horn
- Baritone
- Drums / Percussion
- Violin
- Viola
- Cello
- Upright Bass
- Guitar
- Bass Guitar
- Uke
- Mandolin
- Voice
Contact Us Today to Sign Up for Music Lessons at (989) 893-4545
Music Instructors
James Besaw
Saxophone
Bio: I have been teaching at Herter Music Center since 2012. In May 2017, I received my Bachelors of Music Education from Saginaw Valley State University, where I studied with Susan Littell. In the summer of 2015, I was a Performance Fellow at the Nief Norf Summer Music Festival in Knoxville Tennessee. I play in a variety of ensembles across the state of Michigan ranging from jazz and rock bands to professional wind ensembles, such as the East Shore Wind Symphony. In the fall of 2018, I began a Master’s Degree Program in saxophone performance at Oakland University, where I am a graduate assistant. I currently study with Dr. Jeff Heisler.
In my teaching, I have prepared students for college music auditions, solo and ensemble, auditions and various performances.
Dale Huggard
Alto/Bass Clarinet, Clarinet
Bio: Dale Huggard is a graduate of SVSU and holds a Bachelors of Music with an emphasis in clarinet. In 2004, he was awarded the Rhea Miller Music Scholarship at Saginaw Valley State University. While at SVSU, he served as principal clarinet in the concert band and have also performed with the jazz band. He currently is principal clarinet in the Saginaw Eddy Band and the East Shore Wind Symphony. Dale also subs in regional symphonies around the state of Michigan. In 2006, he performed in Carnegie Hall in New York City with the National Wind Ensemble. He currently performs in pit orchestras at Midland Center for the Arts and other community theaters. His students have received superior ratings at District and State Solo and Ensemble and have been represented in the Michigan Youth Arts Festival for the past ten years. Dale has had numerous clarinet students work on and complete college degrees in clarinet performance and music education. His principal teachers were Joan Dillard and Linda Hargett. He excitedly welcomes students of any age and level.
Slazenger716@gmail.com
Ray York II
Bass Guitar, Guitar, Mandolin, Ukulele
Bio: I graduated from Kendall College of Art and Design with a BFA in Graphic Design – Illustration. I also spent one year at Sheridan College of Classical Animation. I have an engineers certificate from Recording Institute of Detroit. Some of the musicians I have worked with are: Bob Dennis and Steve Hunter (Motown, Recording Institute), Dick Wagner (Alice Cooper, Lou Reed) and Seth York (L.A. Studio Musician, Musicians Institute). I have scored 2 full-length independent motion pictures; Roadtrip to Oblivion and Locked Away. I have been playing, writing and recording music of all styles for almost 30 years. Specialties include Fingerpicking and Alternative Tunings for Acoustic stringed instruments.
woodenplanet@msn.com
John Rickert
trumpet
Bio: I began playing trumpet at the age of 9, taught by my father who earned his doctorate in music from the University of Illinois. Later studied with Floyd Mead, Harry Wallerstein, Mike Metheny, and Jeff Stout. I am an SVSU and Berklee College of Music alumni and have been the director of music at Michigan Avenue Baptist Church in Saginaw for the last 8 years. Currently lead trumpet with the funk & soul group, “Soul Xpress” and have sang and played trumpet professionally around the world for the last 25 years.
I enjoy playing in the orchestra pit for shows in the area and with the Bay City Players. I also am a veteran in the studio and have recorded with many different groups including the legendary Dick Wagner.
Tennille Coston
Bio: With over 15 years of teaching and performing experience, Tennille is passionate about sharing her love of music with students of all ages. Beginning her classical studies at age 7, she has enjoyed developing those skills and participating in various community orchestras & ensembles in the Bay area over the years. After spending a year living in Haiti with her family, she has also gained appreciation for music from other cultures as well. Mother to three girls, (and dog Lucy) she enjoys art, spending time with family & friends, and country living on their small farm.
Aron Scott Callard
Bio: Aron Scott Callard is a freelance trombone player originally from Central New York. He has completed his undergraduate in education and jazz composition at Elmhurst University in Elmhurst, Illinois and recently completed his masters in trombone performance at Ball State University. Throughout his collegiate career, Aron has had the opportunity to perform with musicians such as Doc Severinsen, Donny McCaslin, and most recently with Christian Lindberg at the 2022 International Trombone Festival. While at Ball State, he served as the Jazz Department Graduate Assistant where he conducted the Jazz 3 Ensemble where he was able to feature both students and faculty in their performances.
Mark Dault
Percussion
Bio: I am a Bay City native and also SVSU alumni. I have received many different awards including ‘Best Jazz Drummer,’ ‘Best Rock Drummer’ and ‘Best Blues Drummer’ in the Review Music Awards. I have performed with many award winning groups and legendary artists including: Dick Wagner, Matt Besey, Myron Floren, Peggy March, Jeff Hall, Richie Cole, Question Mark and the Mysterians, Ray Peterson and many more. I also work as a session drummer and can be heard on over 13 albums. I am a member of the Vic Firth Educational Team.
markdault@aol.com
Randy Juhl
Guitar, Violin
Bio: Randy currently plays with Bluegrass, Folk and Irish/Celtic Groups in the area. He plays and teaches Fiddle and guitar part time at Herter Music and also teaches Computer Science at Delta College and Saginaw Public School Career Complex.
Mary Wale
Bass Guitar, Guitar, Piano
Bio: I have taught many private lessons and classes in the area. I have been teaching since I was a teenager and have experience with students ages 4 to 94. I am known for my work with the mentally or physically challenged, troubled teens, gifted and talented kids, A.D.D. students and many who just want to play music.I have played in local rock bands, accompanied many different singers and currently also work in church muisc. I studied under many different private instructors at Delta College and Saginaw Valley State University including; Jack Bruske and Bob Kingsbury. I teach both guitar and piano.
Deb Taylor
Voice, Piano, Brass
Bio: I have been teaching since I was a sophomore in college and organized my college’s choir in 2001. I specialize in Voice & Piano, but also teach brass & woodwinds (my instrument in band was the trombone). I utilize classical teaching methods across a plethora of musical genres to show that “the old ways” still apply today.
Ann Banning
Bio: I have played the piano and organ for over 50 years and have several years of experience with the Yamaha Clavinovas. I have taught piano to students of all ages for over 30 years. I have a Bachelors Degree from Cornerstone University, where I also studied piano. I further continued my studies after college with Joanne Leach, who was the former president of the Temple Theater Organ Club. I began teaching piano at Herter Music Center in Saginaw in 1987 and transferred to Bay City in 2012.
Eric Markley
Bio: I am a professional musician with 44 years of performance and teaching experience. I have my Bachelor of Arts in music performance from Saginaw Valley State University as well as my Masters of Music in music performance from Wayne State University. I have 5 years of experience performing with the Wayne State University symphony orchestra under direction of Professor Kypros Markou, among other groups like their jazz ensembles, and I am currently a member in good standing with the American Federation of Musicians Union Local 5 of Detroit.
Monica Borrello
Bio: Monica Borrello has a Bachelor of Arts in Music from Saginaw Valley State University and a Master of Library and Information Science from Wayne State University. She studied guitar with Dan Penkala at S.V.S.U. and continued her studies with him after graduation. She has over 30 years of performing experience locally in both solo and ensemble work. She feels privileged to be able to share her guitar and musical knowledge with her students (both group and private), as well as being a part of their musical growth and development.
Primary Communities Served
Auburn
Bay City
Bridgeport
Buena Vista
Carrollton
Chesaning
Coleman
Edenville
Essexville
Frankenmuth
Freeland
Hemlock
Kawkawlin
Linwood
Merrill
Midland
Millington
Saginaw
Shields
St. Charles
Tuscola
University Center
Vassar
Zilwaukee