Community Music School Teachers

Discovering Music is a Lifelong Adventure!

Our teachers are passionate about teaching and music!  We believe that music should be accessible to everyone and work their best to meet each student where they are on their musical journey.

  • CMS teachers enjoy working with each of their students, regardless of what musical path a student is pursuing.
  • CMS employs a combination of teachers who are professional performers and educators, as well as student teachers who are currently pursuing a degree in music at the University of Northern Iowa School of Music.

We believe that music should be accessible to everyone and will do our best to meet each student where they are on their musical journey.

  • Our teachers are passionate about teaching and music!
  • CMS teachers enjoy working with each of their students, regardless of what musical path a student is pursuing.
  • CMS employs a combination of teachers who are professional performers and educators, as well as student teachers who are currently pursuing a degree in music at the University of Northern Iowa School of Music.
  • All CMS teachers, directors, and staff that work students and participants under the age of 18 are required to successfully pass a criminal background check annually.

Community Music School Lesson Teachers

Headshot of Adam Denner
Adam Denner (Low Brass & Piano)

Adam's passion is helping people find the joy in music and learn to make music they love, while helping them to share that joy with the world around them.

Headshot of Kate Saulsbury
Kate Saulsbury (Voice)

While many of Kate’s students have earned recognition and awards at numerous competitions and auditions, the top priority in her studio is to meet each student where they are at, and help them grow as a singer and well-rounded musician.

Morgan List sitting at a grand piano, facing away from the piano, holding music books.
Morgan List (Piano & Music for Little Mozarts)

I want my students to feel happy and joyful when attending their lessons.  They will feel like they are in a safe space with me and to leave happier than when they came in. I love when students leave and immediately tell their parents what they learned.

Piano

  • @ Christine Compton
  • # Adam Denner
  • # Hannah Elerding
  • @ Lauren Leman
  • @ Morgan List
  • # Lydia Watkins

Voice

  • @ Lauren Leman
  • @ Kate Smalley Saulsbury
Panther White Teacher indicated by a *
Panther Purple Teacher indicated by a #
Panther Gold Teacher indicated by a @
Student playing a piano.

Brass 

  • * Aidan Anderson, Tuba
  • # Adam Denner, Tuba, Euphonium/Baritone, Trombone
  • # Jonathan Grorud, Trombone
  • * Patrick Mooney, Horn
  • * Dora Roordan, Trumpet
  • * Spencer Schnetzer, Trombone

Percussion

  • TBA
Panther White Teacher indicated by a *
Panther Purple Teacher indicated by a #
Panther Gold Teacher indicated by a @
Two small kids with drums in their laps.
  • * Blake Daale, Oboe
  • # Hannah Elerding, Saxophone
  • @ Heather Hamilton, Clarinet
  • * Charlotte Ottemoeller, Saxophone
  • # Emily Paul, Flute
  • * Kate VanGorp, Bassoon
  • * Kate Wilken, Saxophone
Panther White Teacher indicated by a *
Panther Purple Teacher indicated by a #
Panther Gold Teacher indicated by a @
Student playing a clarinet.

Piano

  • @ Christine Compton
  • # Adam Denner
  • # Hannah Elerding
  • @ Lauren Leman
  • @ Morgan List
  • # Lydia Watkins

Voice

  • @ Lauren Leman
  • @ Kate Smalley Saulsbury
Panther White Teacher indicated by a *
Panther Purple Teacher indicated by a #
Panther Gold Teacher indicated by a @
Student playing a piano.

Brass 

  • * Aidan Anderson, Tuba
  • # Adam Denner, Tuba, Euphonium/Baritone, Trombone
  • # Jonathan Grorud, Trombone
  • * Patrick Mooney, Horn
  • * Dora Roordan, Trumpet
  • * Spencer Schnetzer, Trombone

Percussion

  • TBA
Panther White Teacher indicated by a *
Panther Purple Teacher indicated by a #
Panther Gold Teacher indicated by a @
Two small kids with drums in their laps.
  • * Blake Daale, Oboe
  • # Hannah Elerding, Saxophone
  • @ Heather Hamilton, Clarinet
  • * Charlotte Ottemoeller, Saxophone
  • # Emily Paul, Flute
  • * Kate VanGorp, Bassoon
  • * Kate Wilken, Saxophone
Panther White Teacher indicated by a *
Panther Purple Teacher indicated by a #
Panther Gold Teacher indicated by a @
Student playing a clarinet.