KETV NEWS

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Jonny Clausing is a multi-instrumentalist and experienced professional performer as well as a music instructor. As a young child, he began playing violin through the Suzuki method, which was soon followed by cello, piano, baritone, tuba, guitar, and harmonica. While pursuing his music performance degree at Parkland College, he began giggi

Jonny Clausing is a multi-instrumentalist and experienced professional performer as well as a music instructor. As a young child, he began playing violin through the Suzuki method, which was soon followed by cello, piano, baritone, tuba, guitar, and harmonica. While pursuing his music performance degree at Parkland College, he began gigging with blues rock bands and later fronted his own band for over a decade in central Illinois. 

In addition to teaching music lessons, Jonny currently enjoys playing fiddle and guitar with several country and alt-rock groups in Nebraska.

While his former students have gone on to success in youth symphonies, university bands, and professional gigging, Jonny enjoys teaching students at all levels. Whether you want to learn classical violin or country or bluegrass fiddle, Jonny is excited to help you reach your goals.

Sophie is a Music Education major at UNO. She  grew up taking lessons for voice, piano, and cello and heavily involved in Orchestra, Choir, Show Choir, an acapella group, Theatre, and Tri-M in high school, as well as an independent study to become familiar with conducting. 

Member of the Concert Choir and act as the NAfME (National Associa

Sophie is a Music Education major at UNO. She  grew up taking lessons for voice, piano, and cello and heavily involved in Orchestra, Choir, Show Choir, an acapella group, Theatre, and Tri-M in high school, as well as an independent study to become familiar with conducting. 

Member of the Concert Choir and act as the NAfME (National Association for Music Education) Chapter’s treasurer. She is also a section leader at Dundee Presbyterian Church. Upon graduation, she plans to work as a High School Choir and Show Choir Director.

Wes Graffius is a percussionist from Omaha, Nebraska. After graduating from Benson High School in 2003, he attended the University of Nebraska - Lincoln, where he studied music. After graduating from UNL in 2008 with a Bachelors Degree in Music Education, he spent his time playing in various music groups in the Omaha area. 

Wes is well-ver

Wes Graffius is a percussionist from Omaha, Nebraska. After graduating from Benson High School in 2003, he attended the University of Nebraska - Lincoln, where he studied music. After graduating from UNL in 2008 with a Bachelors Degree in Music Education, he spent his time playing in various music groups in the Omaha area. 

Wes is well-versed in playing rock, hip-hop, pop, r&b, funk, and jazz on the drum set. He also has experience in orchestral, concert, and marching band music. He has the ability to teach reading music and basic music theory and has experience playing various percussion instruments. 

As a passionate practitioner and student of music himself, Wes is thrilled to have the opportunity to spread the joy of music and is eager to teach percussion to students of all ages.

Jaimy Colfack has played piano for 25+ years and has trained for 20 years. She attended UNO on a scholarship for Vocal Music Education and Performance, with also majoring in Early Childhood Education. Prior to having children, she taught Preschool and wrote and implemented the Music curriculum.  

She has taught piano and voice privately fo

Jaimy Colfack has played piano for 25+ years and has trained for 20 years. She attended UNO on a scholarship for Vocal Music Education and Performance, with also majoring in Early Childhood Education. Prior to having children, she taught Preschool and wrote and implemented the Music curriculum.  

She has taught piano and voice privately for over ten years.

"I do not believe that one teaching style fits all, especially when it comes to music.  My goal is always to tailor lessons plans to the student, no matter the age, based on how they best learn, and most importantly, help nurture their love for and interest in music.  Music is life!"

Joshua Cole is a Heartland Country Artist based in Waterloo, NE. Alongside playing shows, Josh loves to help people reach their musical goals. He has 15 years of music experience including teaching guitar, performing live, writing songs, and managing local bands. He was also a camp counselor at Maple Street YMCA for three years.

Josh will 

Joshua Cole is a Heartland Country Artist based in Waterloo, NE. Alongside playing shows, Josh loves to help people reach their musical goals. He has 15 years of music experience including teaching guitar, performing live, writing songs, and managing local bands. He was also a camp counselor at Maple Street YMCA for three years.

Josh will help get you on a path to achieve success in guitar, bass, or ukulele, in the most fun and efficient way possible. Learn to play confidently in a relaxed environment where you get to choose the songs you want to play! 

Josh can also assist in your songwriting to help you take what is in your heart to paper. Need help singing and playing guitar at the same time? He can help with that, too!

Rianna Kopcho fell in love with music and began her journey by learning to play guitar, piano, and violin at the age of 11. When she began guitar lessons at School of Rock Omaha at the age of 14, Rianna discovered her love for performance and rock music! She had the opportunity to perform at Summerfest and was selected as the only guitari

Rianna Kopcho fell in love with music and began her journey by learning to play guitar, piano, and violin at the age of 11. When she began guitar lessons at School of Rock Omaha at the age of 14, Rianna discovered her love for performance and rock music! She had the opportunity to perform at Summerfest and was selected as the only guitarist in the Nebraska All-State Jazz Band in 2019. With the help of her guitar instructor, Zach Adkins at Adkins Guitar and Music Lessons, Rianna auditioned for the Berklee College of Music and was selected as the 24th recipient of the Jimmy Lyons Scholarship, awarding her with a full-tuition scholarship. 

In 2024, she graduated as a Guitar Performance major with a minor in the Theory of Jazz and Popular Song. Throughout her time in Boston, Rianna has played as the lead guitarist for various bands, performing at venues such as Brighton Music Hall and the Berklee Performance Center. 

 Rianna hopes to inspire the next generation of rockers to be themselves unapologetically and to become the representation they wish to see in the music industry.

Bailey is currently a student at University of Nebraska Omaha studying music Education for Saxophone and Educational Psychology. She is involved with both top ensembles at UNO, the Symphonic Wind Ensemble and the Concert Choir that she performed with at Carnegie Hall.  

She started playing guitar when she was six, and has been in love wit

Bailey is currently a student at University of Nebraska Omaha studying music Education for Saxophone and Educational Psychology. She is involved with both top ensembles at UNO, the Symphonic Wind Ensemble and the Concert Choir that she performed with at Carnegie Hall.  

She started playing guitar when she was six, and has been in love with music ever since! Bailey plays guitar, bass, ukulele, piano, piccolo/flute, clarinet, saxophones, and trumpet!

 Elizabeth Ford is currently a full time student at the University of Nebraska at Omaha in her third year majoring in Music Performance, concentration in trumpet performance, with a minor in Psychology. Elizabeth stays involved at UNO including, member of the Symphonic Wind Ensemble, Jazz band, Maverick Machine (pep band), the Honors prog

 Elizabeth Ford is currently a full time student at the University of Nebraska at Omaha in her third year majoring in Music Performance, concentration in trumpet performance, with a minor in Psychology. Elizabeth stays involved at UNO including, member of the Symphonic Wind Ensemble, Jazz band, Maverick Machine (pep band), the Honors program, as a student athlete (swimming), and soon to be studying abroad in Norway! In addition Elizabeth is currently in Professor Stacie Haneline's piano mentorship program at UNO where she is continuing to develop valuable and specific skills for teaching piano in addition to her own personal experience with private lessons.

Having grown up in Omaha, Elizabeth began taking piano lessons at the age of 5 and has continued to make music a part of her life ever since. Now that she is in college and building her career around music, she has fallen in love with teaching and has been doing so privately for over 6 years with students of all ages. 

"Music has always been a source of joy for me, teaching me very valuable life lessons throughout my studies. The music educators I've learned from have been role models and pillars of inspiration, encouraging me to discover who I am through music in ways I never knew were possible. My goal as an educator is to provide my students with a productive environment that offers routine and encourages individual creativity while building lasting and meaningful relationships with students and families".