Idaho Falls Lessons

2995 E 17th St
Idaho Falls, ID 83406

Our flagship location featuring expert instructors for piano, voice, guitar, bass, drums, violin, viola, and ukulele. Professional music education in a comfortable, inspiring environment.

Pocatello Partnership

338 Yellowstone Ave
Pocatello, ID

We're proud to partner with Kind Conservatory, Pocatello's premier music school, providing exceptional music education to students of all ages and skill levels.

Lexie Belnap

Piano

Lexie taught piano lessons during the summer in high school and loves teaching! She grew up in Montana and has been playing the piano since she was about 4 years old. She has competed in a variety of competitions, festivals, and masterclasses.

She was able to play three pieces composed for the state of Montana for the Montana State Music Teachers Association. She has taken private piano lessons since she was six and has continued studying through college.

Lexie is passionate about music and can't wait to continue learning through teaching! Her enthusiasm and dedication make her an excellent choice for students looking to develop their piano skills.

Mark Garriott

Drums and Percussion

Self-taught, Mark Garriott had an affinity for drums at the early age of nine, teaching himself by listening to various bands like the Beatles and Kiss, and practicing countless hours. In 1981 he played for the many school bands of Shelley School District, which lead to a musical scholarship to Boise State.

Beginning in 1993, Mark toured the Far East and Mediterranean for the Department of Defense, playing for all factions of the United States Military. Mark moved to Nevada where he played the Las Vegas Strip for 5 years, then settled in Idaho Falls in 1998.

Mark formed his own bands, and then began teaching in 2009. He likes to begin teaching kids at about 9 years of age depending on their development or skill level. Reading music is the foundation of Mark's teaching, creating the ability for students to add increasing layers of complexity and expand the creative process.

Dustin Meyers

Guitar and Ukulele

Dustin has been playing guitar for 22 years, ukulele for 7 years, and teaching for the last 8. He develops curriculum on an individual basis according to the student's natural ability, aptitude, and preferences. He works with students age 3 and up, creating personalized learning experiences that inspire and challenge each student to reach their musical potential.

Helen Neilson

Piano and Voice

Helen Neilson grew up in Burley, Idaho in a musical family of 6 kids where everyone sang and everyone played an instrument. There she took 8 years of piano, participated in various choirs and musical productions, and won several youth music scholarships.

While attending BYU-Idaho she had the opportunity to sing with the touring choir, participate in opera productions and study with Kristine Ciesinski. She graduated from BYU-Idaho with a Bachelor's degree in Vocal Performance.

From the little beginner to the older adult, Helen believes that everyone benefits from musical education and strives to build her students in whatever way she can.

J.C. Ruminski

Piano

J.C. Ruminski is a pianist/multi-instrumentalist who has over 20 years of experience with his instrument. He started out taking piano lessons when he was 10 years old and continued to expand his knowledge and style throughout his teens and twenties by performing solo as well as with various bands in Idaho and Oregon.

He's looking to pass his knowledge of the piano on to any who are willing to learn and has been teaching in the Eastern Idaho area from Idaho Falls to Pocatello. He's taking on students of all skill levels, focusing on teaching the fundamentals to beginner students to help get them playing the music they want to learn as soon as possible.

For intermediate and advanced students, he teaches different skills and techniques to help refine and define their own playing and improvising styles. Whatever genre of music you're looking to play, he's sure to get you moving in the right direction!

Jim Waite

Violin and Viola

Jim has been involved in music professionally for over 30 years. He has multiple degrees in music from Brigham Young University and New York University. His professional accomplishments include:

• Concertmaster, Idaho State Civic Symphony (Pocatello) for 15 years from 1993-2004 and 2008-2011
• Principal Second Violinist, Idaho Falls Symphony Orchestra, 2004 to present
• Member, 2nd violinist, Idaho Falls Symphony String Quartet

Jim has performed in orchestras worldwide, including Idaho, Utah, Pennsylvania, China, Taiwan, and Hong Kong.

In addition to his professional performing career, Jim has had a long career giving private instruction to countless violin, viola, and piano students.

Austin Whittle

Bass and Guitar

Austin is a performing and studio musician, and also an instructor who has studied Interdisciplinary Music Studies at Berklee Online College of Music. He has dedicated his life to bass guitar (16 years), guitar (14 years), drums (14 years), singing, and continues to hone his craft as an artist.

He teaches bass and guitar to all ages, and has been teaching for six years. He has performed with many bands in Idaho and Oregon for the last 8 years, writing songs and stories through his music and singing. Humble, optimistic, and genuine are characteristics Austin beholds.

His ultimate goal as an instructor is to get the student to play music right away. This enlightens the student as they reveal their true potential as a musician. He covers education in blues, rock, country, folk, reggae, and many other genres, providing clear understanding when teaching musical concepts.