Music Lessons in Sioux Falls, SD

Popplers Music offers a semester-based music lesson program in Sioux Falls featuring weekly, 30-minute lessons and 60-minute lessons available upon request. Our semesters loosely follow our public school calendar, although the number of weeks per semester will vary. Students may join the music lesson program at any point in time. The fall and spring semesters will feature a recital to cap off the season, and while it is optional, it is highly encouraged to participate! Lesson fees are determined by each teacher, ranging between $20 and $40/half hour and all music lessons occur during regular store hours. Please contact the store for further details!

To inquire about music lessons, please call us at (605) 336-6332 or email Chris for more information! chris@popplersmusic.com

Paul Schilf Low Brass Instructor

Dr. Paul R. Schilf taught for 15 years at Augustana University in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. While at Augustana, Schilf served as associate director of bands and professor of music education. He conducted the Augustana Band, The College & Community Concert Band, The Northlander’s Jazz Ensemble, the Jazz Lab Band, and the Augustana Brass Choir. In April of 2016, Dr Schilf retired from Augustana University and became general manager of Popplers Music Inc. in Sioux Falls. This new business venture allows for him to remain active in music education in a different capacity.

Isabella Kumagai Piano Instructor

Bella graduated in Brazil, with a Bachelor of Music in Piano Performance, and received her master’s degree in music from the University of North Dakota. Bella has also been a soloist with symphony orchestras both in Brazil and the United States and has won 1st prize in 12 Piano Competitions. She is passionate about teaching piano and playing duets with her husband Matt, who is a cellist. Her favorite hobby is spending time outside with her daughter Maya, and she also loves watching tv series with Matt and eating anything with a lot of chocolate.

Matt Walicke Vocal & Piano Instructor

Instructor Matthew Walicke can help you truly find your voice. With training in a wide range of classical and contemporary methods, his lessons help students understand their instrument and its capabilities. He is also accepting piano students.

Elizabeth (Beth) Feltes Vocal Instructor

Elizabeth (Beth) Feltes, of Sioux Falls, SD, is a classically trained Soprano. She earned a Bachelor's Degree in Music from Gustavus Adolphus College in 2005. As a Soprano soloist, Elizabeth has performed at dozens of senior living communities, churches, funerals, competitions, and family events. She has been teaching piano and voice lessons for 9 years (www.elizabethfeltes.weebly.com). In 2019 Elizabeth competed in the Eisteddfod at the North American Festival of Wales and received the top prize in the Semi-Professional Solo Voice category which included a scholarship to travel to Wales to compete in the Eisteddfod there. In 2022 (after a delay caused by COVID), she finally got to travel to Wales and compete. Playing piano and singing are two of Beth's favorite things to do! Beth loves musical theater and, in 2016, portrayed Mary in a stage performance of "Mary Poppins." In 2022, she was the Music Director for The Premiere Playhouse's production of Mary Poppins Jr. Beth has been the Children’s Choir director at Abiding Savior Free Lutheran Church for the past 5 years. In 2023, Beth started The Sioux Falls Homeschool Choir (www.sfhomeschoolchoir.mymusicstaff.com) and she is thrilled to continue to give kids ages 4-18 an opportunity to grow their choral singing skills. Elizabeth currently resides in Sioux Falls with her husband and 3 young children.

Ian Reiland-Smith Percussion Instructor

Ian Reiland-Smith grew up is Sioux Falls, SD and earned a bachelor's degree in percussion performance from the University of South Dakota in 2019. He has participated in and taught for local drum academy Groove inc. Outside his music life, Ian performs stand up comedy at local open mics.

Adam Schechter Violin/Viola Instructor

Adam Schechter is a member of the viola section of the South Dakota Symphony Orchestra. He studied Viola Performance at Indiana University under Stephen Wyrczynski and at McGill University under Andre Roy. While at Indiana University, Adam received instruction in violin pedagogy from Mimi Zweig and Brenda Brenner, and he taught supplemental violin lessons as a part of the Indiana University String Academy. Adam grew up in Sioux Falls, studying viola and violin with Sue and Ray Sidoti.

Tasondra Walicke Clarinet and Saxophone Instructor

Tasondra Walicke is a passionate musician and music educator, dedicated to excellence in performance and personal connections. She is a Brookings, SD native and has been living in Sioux Falls for 15 years after studying Music Education at South Dakota State University and Clarinet Performance and Pedagogy at the University of Iowa. Tasondra is in her tenth year as an Instructor of Clarinet and Saxophone at the University of Sioux Falls. She is a frequent guest artist, soloist, clinician, and adjudicator for regional high schools, universities, and professional ensembles. For thirteen years, Tasondra served as Director of Music at Sioux Falls Lutheran High School, leading their Concert Band, Marching Band, Concert Choir, and small instrumental and vocal ensembles. She also taught Music Theory, Middle School Band, and private instrumental and vocal lessons to 4th-grade through 12th-grade students at Sioux Falls Lutheran School. In her limited free time, she enjoys traveling and making music with her husband, Matthew, and spending time with their children Evan, Abi, and Paul, and their dogs, Arya and Rocko.

Melissa Molstad Piano Instructor

My name is Melissa Molstad. My husband, Tom, and I have been married for 26 years. We live on an acreage NW of Sioux Falls and have 6 children, 2 daughters-in-law, and three grandchildren. Our home pets include 7 fish in an aquarium, Smudge the indoor dog and Friskiss the old, outside tomcat. In the summer we garden and in the winter we read a lot of books. We have been a home-school family for 20 years and we love to learn. Among other things, my husband is a self-taught luthier. He builds and sells ukuleles and guitars (birdwire.net). I have been learning to quilt baby blankets. Piano lessons began for me when I was four years old and continued all the way through college. My piano has been a best friend and companion to me for most of my life: even when I attended college out of state it came along. When I am frustrated or lonely or sad, playing the piano helps. When I need a challenge, I pick a new song to learn. I’m excited to get to know you a little bit and share with you some of what I know about music and the piano. It will be a joy to help you grow and encourage you on your music path however long that path turns out to be.

Mike VanDeWiele Guitar and Ukulele Instructor

Hi, my name is Michael and I'm a guitar major from Augustana University. I was raised in Pierre and have been playing guitar for over 12 years, focusing on jazz and contemporary music. I look forward to helping you start your guitar journey and I'm excited to see you grow to love the instrument as much as I have.

Jaret Stormo Piano

Jaret Stormo grew up on a farm just outside of Hayti, SD where he found a life of music at a young age. In junior high and high school at Hamlin, he accompanied choirs and soloists, played in a jazz band, and played for many weddings, funerals, and church services. While obtaining a Bachelor’s degree in Music Merchandising at SDSU he performed with the SDSU Statesmen, Concert Choir, Madrigal Dinner, Opera Workshop, musicals, and accompanied fellow students. Jaret continues to play for weddings, funerals, and various events. With over 30 years of piano performance, he is excited to join the Popplers team and share his passion for music with students of all ages.

Augustus Schaefer Trumpet and Horn

Augustus Schaefer is currently studying a Masters of Music in Wind Conducting and Trumpet Performance at the University of South Dakota. Previously he taught 5-12 Band in Hill City SD and Tyndall SD. Augustus has a Bachelors of Music Education from Northern State University where he studied trumpet, horn, voice, and conducting. He continues to work with music camps through NSU and USD as well as the Rushmore Music Camp. Ensemble experience includes concert and symphonic bands, symphony orchestras, jazz ensembles, chamber ensembles, pit orchestras, and various community and church ensembles.

Ricky Crawley Woodwinds

Dr. Ricky Crawley teaches all woodwinds here at Popplers Music. Dr. Crawley received his Bachelor’s in Music Education from James Madison University, his Masters of Music at Michigan State University and his Ph. D from Florida State University in Music Education, Oboe, Bassoon, Jazz Piano and Jazz Saxophone. Formerly a Professor of Jazz at South Dakota State University, Dr. Crawley now lives in Sioux Falls.

Grace Goeller Cello

Grace Goeller, a native of Sioux Falls, SD, is studying Cello Performance at the University of South Dakota. She currently serves as Associate Principal of the USD Symphony Orchestra, and has been a member of the USD Opera Orchestra, Ensemble Zusammen, the Cherry St. String Quartet, and the USD Chamber Orchestra. In 2022, she was the winner of the SDMTA Competition and a finalist for the USD Concerto Aria Competition. In addition to her work as a performer, Grace has a passion for teaching and has worked with students of all ages through private lessons as well as through music outreach programs such as Harmony South Dakota in Sioux Falls and Music Academy at First Methodist in Sioux City, IA.

Rachel Bozonie Cello

Rachel Bozonie will be a graduate of the University of South Dakota at the end of the Spring 2024 semester. They studied Instrumental & Vocal Music Education, as well as Cello Performance with Dr. Sonja Kraus. While at USD, Rachel has been involved in the university’s Symphony Orchestra, Chamber Orchestra, Low String Ensemble, Vocal Jazz group, Chamber Singers, Opera, and Symphonic Choir. As a student, Rachel has had the opportunity to serve as one of the Student Office Managers for the USD Summer Music Camp for the past three summers, as well as tutor students in music theory. Now, Rachel is excited to share their passion and experience in cello and music with the Sioux Falls area.

Natalie Sterba Violin/Viola

Natalie Sterba enjoys an active career as a chamber musician, orchestra member and solo recitalist. A native of Omaha, Nebraska, she trained at the prestigious Omaha Conservatory of Music before she pursued her bachelor's degree in violin performance at Bowling Green State University in Ohio. She subsequently earned a dual master’s degree in violin and viola performance from the University of South Dakota (USD) where she was the teacher of record for several applied violin/viola courses. Her most influential teachers were Dr. Penny Thompson Kruse, Dr. Ioana Galu, and Byron Tauchi. During her master's degrees at USD, Sterba has served as concertmaster and principal violist in the USD Symphony Orchestra. She has been the concertmaster for the USD Opera productions of Alcina (2022), Gianni Schicchi (2023), Suour Angelica (2023), and Notes on Viradot (2024). Since 2021, Sterba has served as principal second violin in the USD Chamber Orchestra, the elite string ensemble of the university. Sterba has participated in several international music festivals, including Eastern Music Festival (Greensboro, North Carolina) Brevard Music Center’s Summer Institute, (Brevard, North Carolina), and Honors Performance Series at Carnegie Hall in New York. In 2022, Sterba was awarded the Majorie Townsley Rawlins Scholarship for outstanding musical and educational work. She won Second place in the Young Artist Strings in the violin category at the Music Teachers National Association Competition in 2022 and was a finalist in the 2021-2022 University of South Dakota Concerto/Aria Competition. Sterba was also selected to present at USD’s IdeaFest conference with “Looking Forward, While Looking Back: Shostakovich’s Creativity Inspired by Human Tragedy and Loss”

Heather Brenner Piano

Heather Brenner began playing piano at age 5 in Florida where she was born and raised. She joined band as a trumpet player in 6th grade and continued playing through high school marching band. In college, she attended Florida State University’s School of Music where she earned a Bachelor Degree in Music Therapy on piano. For about 25 years, Heather has taught private piano lessons, which allowed her to work alongside being a Home School Mom. Heather has participated in singing and playing on worship teams at church her entire adult life. From 2017-2021, Heather was the Music Director at Rapid City Christian School, where she taught 6th-12th grade band and choir, as well as led the student worship team for chapel. After moving to Sioux Falls in 2021, Heather originally taught private piano lessons at Schmitt Music and will move to Popplers in the summer of 2024. She also started and directs the Sioux Falls Home School Band. In 2017, Heather recorded an album (under the name Heather Goddard) of 12 original songs titled “This is My Life”, which were born from the pains and struggles of her own life. This album is still available on most digital platforms as well as on Youtube. Teaching ages 6 through adult, Heather enjoys sharing her passion of music to others desiring to learn. This involves the dedication of students being wiling to work, but if it isn’t fun then something is wrong. Heather meets students where they are at and works diligently to help them succeed in musicianship and in their overall love of music.