When you choose to take lessons
at SMSM, you are part of something bigger!
What we value:
Expertise
It is our goal to hire the best area teachers. Whether they are veteran instructors or just getting started we have a place for everyone. We give all our teachers the flexibility to handle their own lesson scheduling and we pay a competitive wage on a sliding scale according to experience & training.
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Diversity
We welcome ALL students. Period.
We offer Suzuki & traditional forms of instruction and do not champion one method over another. Instead, we provide education so students & families can choose whatever method of learning resonates with them & their lifestyle.
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What is most important is that all people can access music instruction.
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Financial Aid
We spend the majority of our time working to make it possible for every student to learn regardless of their economic situation. From scholarships to state and local partnerships, we will work tirelessly to help ensure that you can access quality music lessons in your area.
Partnerships
We cultivate relationships within southern Minnesota
in order to provide access to music education for students who are not near that instruction. We also provide access to financial aid resources so that every student is able to fit music into their budget.
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Executive Director
Mary Flanagan
Work cell: 507-276-8747
Email: director@mankatosom.com
​Contact for:
financial aid, partnerships, complaints, invoicing issues,
individual & corporate donation opportunities, recitals, events, sponsoring a student, fundraisers
SMSM Mission Statement
Our mission is to provide excellent music instruction to students of every age and level of ability regardless of their economic situation, facilitating their goals, and encouraging each to share their gifts within the community they live.
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Assistant Director
Erica Swanson
Email: assistantdirector@mankatosom.com
​Contact for:
Registration issues, teacher assignments, onboarding,
teaching with us, MyMusicStaff issues
Office Supervisor
Michaella Crnkovic
Email: officesupervisor@mankatosom.com
​Contact for:
All general questions about SMSM
Bookkeeper/CPA
Katie Faugstad, Home Run Tax & Accounting
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SMSM Teachers
​Andrea Martinson-Venincasa, Violin, Viola
Chris Walchuk, Guitar, Mandolin & Ukulele
David Stordalen, General Band Instruments
Elizabeth Makela, Suzuki Piano
Erica Swanson, Violin & Viola
Gail Carpenter, Voice & Choir
Gabriella Sanchez, General Band Instruments, Voice
Kathleen Goedtke, Suzuki Piano
Kyle Johnson, Piano
Lisa James, Piano
Lizzie Rossow, Voice
Madeline Gutzke, Violin
Mary Flanagan, Violin
Mckenna Slattery, Strings, General Band Instruments
Michaella Crnkovic, Piano
Michelle Sedivy, Voice
Megan Wehrwein, Violin
Patti Tryhus, Violin & Viola
Sarah Wei, Piano
Sharon Mautner-Rodgers, Cello, String Bass
Thomas Fu, Piano, Euphonium
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SMSM Board of Directors
**Currently seeking a Board President
**Currently seeking a Vice President
**Currently seeking more board members
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*Actively searching*
Board President
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Lane Makela
Treasurer
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Kimberley Greenwood
Secretary
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Edna Quartey
Board Member
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Logan Burns
Board Member
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Cael Jameson
Board Member
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David Stordalen
Board Member
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The Southern Minnesota School of Music contracts our teachers out to the following partnership locations in southern Minnesota! Partnerships are truly at the heart of what we offer at SMSM and we can't wait to bring music to your area!
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Altona Hutterite Community
Henderson, MN
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Concordia Classical Academy
North Mankato, MN
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Cultivate Mankato
Mankato, MN
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Forte Fine Arts
Le Sueur, MN
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Madelia High School & Middle School
Madelia, MN​
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Madelia St. Marys Catholic School
Madelia, Mn
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New Ulm Community Education
New Ulm, MN
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St. Peter Community Education
St. Peter, MN​
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