Instructor Bios
Allison Cramer-Piano and Kindermusik
Allison Cramer teaches early childhood classes and piano lessons at All 12 Notes. She has been working with preschool age children and teaching piano and French horn since 1997. She also has six years of experience as a K-8 General Music teacher. Allison graduated from the University of Northern Iowa in 1999 with a Bachelor of Music in Music Education with an emphasis on K-12 Instrumental and General Music. She is currently finishing her thesis "The Uses of Musical Activities in Minnesota Preschools" while working towards a Master of Arts degree in Music Education, Orff Concentration, at the University of St. Thomas.
Allison uses the Orff-Schulwerk approach in her teaching which actively engages students in music making. Using this approach, students learn to be musicians through the exploratory approach of dancing, moving, singing, and speaking while learning to play their instrument or as part of a music class.
Allison is the early childhood chair for the Minnesota Music Educators Association, is a certified Kindermusik instructor, the Twin Cities representative for the Partnership of Kindermusik Educators, and is a member of the National Association for Music Education, the National Association for Music Education, and Minnesota Music Teachers Association. Allison has presented several workshops in the area for parents and teachers on using music with young children in preschool, daycare, and home settings and also offers musical story times in local libraries and other community settings.
Mike Cramer-
Guitar, Mandolin, and Electric Bass
Mike Cramer is an award-winning guitarist and educator. He received his BA in music from the University of Northern Iowa where he graduated Summa Cum Laude. Upon graduation he took an adjunct guitar instructor position at Grinnell College in Grinnell Iowa, a position he held for 3 years before moving to the Twin Cities. Cramer has given workshops throughout the country and has taught for the National Guitar Workshop for the past two summers. Along with a busy teaching studio, Cramer is an active performer having shared the stage with or opened for such performers as B.B. King, Tommy Castro, Chris Duarte, Michael "Hawkeye" Herman, Spencer Bohren, Debbie Duncan, Tresa Sauer, Gordy Johnson, Tanner Taylor, Jay Epstein, JazzMN Big Band, and Gordon Goodwin.
Vladan Milenkovic-
Piano
Vladan Milekovic, Serbian born pianist and composer, received classical training from a young age and lead his jazz trio in former Yugoslavia before receiving a scholarship to study at Berklee College of Music in Boston in 1991. During the mid-nineties he became an active participant in the Greater Boston music scene as a performer in various jazz and world music projects, as well as a teacher. He has recently completed his Masters degree at University of Northern Iowa where he performed with the award-winning Jazz Band One and served as a teaching assistant. He is currently on faculty at Augsburg College in Minneapolis and resides in St. Paul, MN.
Anna Haugen-
Piano
Anna Haugen has been enjoying her "dream job" as a piano teacher for the past five years. She is a 2000 graduate of the University of Minnesota, Morris where she received her degree in Elementary Education and a minor in music. Some of her life experiences have included: substitute teaching in an elementary music classroom, serving as lead teacher at a childcare center, working in the children's department of a public library, and volunteering as children's coordinator at her church. Anna has taught piano lessons to students of all ages and abilities. One of her most rewarding experiences lately was teaching lessons to three adults with developmental disabilities. Ann is married and has two young daughters. She just recently moved to the Twin Cities, and is excited to join All 12 Notes in "building community through music."
Becky Hanson-
Piano
Becky Hanson has been teaching music for over 10 years. Her experience includes working with kindergarten to adult in both private and group instruction settings. She graduated with a Bachelor of Music Performance Degree in 2001 from St. Cloud State University with an instrumental emphasis in percussion and piano. Becky has performed with the St. Cloud Symphony, the Fargo-Moorhead Symphony and the Mid-America Wind Ensemble. She has served as a senior choir pianist and continues to free lance playing private parties and weddings. She is also a member of the local rock group, Atomic Flea. Becky strongly supports the philosophy that music should be a fun experience that also teaches important life skills such as self-expression, creativity, and discipline.
Dave Tiede-
Drums
Dave holds a Bachelor's Degree in Music from the University of Northern Iowa. During his years of study at UNI, Dave studied under Tom Giampietro, Randy Hogancamp, Chris Merz, and Bob Washut. While maintaining an active performance schedule, Dave has performed with an array of artists and groups. From 2005-2007 he was a member of the award winning UNI Jazz Band One with whom he recorded two albums: "Destination Unknown," and "Renovation." Most recently, he has released an album with his quintet, Group X, titled "Kick the Can." On this album, Dave has written two compositions inspired by modern-day jazz, rock, funk, and hip-hop groups.
In addition to Jazz Band One, he has performed with: Kenny Werner, Dick Oatts, Cuong Vu, Clark Terry, Bobby Shew, Rex Richardson, Corey Christiansen, Sam Salamone, Jeff Coffin, the UNI Faculty Jazz Ensemble, the UNI Faculty Tentet, Ants or Giants, and Group X. Along with performing, Dave teaches drum set and percussion in the Twin Cities area. He has also appeared as a guest speaker and clinician at various schools throughout the Midwest.
