LAMF’s education programs inspire the next generation of musicians through private instruction, mentorship, and meaningful musical experiences. Through one-on-one lessons with dedicated teaching artists, students build skills, confidence, and a lifelong connection to music. These efforts are also supported by classroom visits with professional musicians, interactive programs like our Sound Garden, and concerts designed for young people and families.
Current Offerings
Studio Teaching/Private Lessons:
Studio music lessons provide personalized, one-on-one instruction tailored to each student’s goals, skill level, and interests. Through a supportive and engaging approach, students build strong technical foundations, musical understanding, and confidence while developing a lifelong connection to music. Lessons are currently held in the Orchestra Room at Forestview Middle School. If you’d like to enroll, please sign up using THIS FORM. We offer rolling enrollment and spots are filled on a first come, first served basis. If spots are not available, we will add you to a waiting list until we’re able to offer you a spot.
If you’d like to find out more about our educational offerings, contact Marc at marc@lakesareamusic.org.
Teaching Artists
Marc Harroo serves as the Director of Youth Education for the Lakes Area Music Festival. Guided by lifelong curiosity and a passion for problem solving, he found a home in music – not only as an art form, but as a collaborative space for exploration and growth. He began studying the violin at age three in Trinidad and Tobago and rose through youth orchestras to become concertmaster of the Trinidad and Tobago Youth Philharmonic Orchestra and later the National Philharmonic Orchestra, performing as a soloist, arranger, and occasional conductor. Alongside an active performance career, he earned degrees in Psychology and Music Performance and worked extensively across both classical and Caribbean musical traditions before pursuing graduate studies in music education in the United States. At every stage of his journey, community has been the guiding thread, shaping his belief that sustainable musical excellence can only occur where there is discipline, honesty and empathy. He hopes to create a robust private music instruction program in the Brainerd-Lakes Area and forge pathways for students to use these skills to give back to their community.
Paul Sandberg is a senior at Brainerd High School, and has been playing the violin for 7 years, starting in 6th grade at Forestview with Leslie Zander and continuing private lessons with Michael Zellgert at the start of 10th grade. He began volunteering with LAMF in the summer before his freshman year and has worked there every summer during the festival. Throughout his musical journey, he’s always found himself inspired and excited by his teachers, and hopes to pass that love of music on!
Micah Biermaier has studied violin for more than seven years under the guidance of Leslie Zander and Marc Harroo (starting in his senior year). Teaching has always come naturally to him, whether showing others how to solve a math problem, explaining his favorite fishing lures, or sharing what he has learned about the violin. He values the instrument for its lifelong challenge, appreciating that there is always another level to reach as a musician. As a student teacher, he is excited to help young musicians discover that orchestra is fun and hopes to show students the wide range of possibilities available on an instrument.
Student & Parent Voices
Families in our teaching studio share how music lessons have shaped their experience:
What Students Are Saying
“I learned that playing an instrument was a lot harder than I thought, but I love how I feel about myself when I learn a new song, or get better at the songs I’ve been working on.” — Student, 9 years old
“Taking lessons feels good because it reminds me that I’m always supported by people and that I have someone to ask questions to whenever I need help.” — Student, 15 years old
What Parents Are Saying
“I love seeing my kid be excited about something real again. Everything is usually buried in a phone or a computer so it’s nice to see them reconnect with the world.” — Parent of student
“My kid has learned a lot of self control through working with Marc and continues to develop a lot of ways to cope with obstacles. It should be a music class but it almost feels like a life coaching class. She’s a lot happier these days and that makes me happy as her mom.” — Parent of student
“It takes a lot of patience as a parent to get through the days when my son is scratching away but when he gets it right, he’s happier than I’ve ever seen him. It’s weird because he never really picked the cello, but hey – if it works it works!” — Parent of student
Educational Impact (2024–2025)
Here’s a snapshot of how LAMF’s teaching artists are inspiring young musicians and connecting students to meaningful musical experiences throughout the region:
Highlights
- Side-by-side performance: Brainerd High School orchestras & international baroque violinist Chloe Fedor
- 800+ elementary students attended Carnival of the Animals
- Private lesson enrollment grew from 1 student to 30+ students in one year
Programs & Reach
- 47 explorers attended Explore Music! Day Camp
- 200+ kids and families visited the Sound Garden at Northland Arboretum
- 1,934 K–12 students participated in Music Mentors Project activities
