The bass is the most important instrument ever invented (at least according to our Education Director who happens to also be a bassist). Whereas the string bass has been around for a few hundred years, the first electric basses were created in the 1930s. Both versions have a strong presence in music today. It's a staple in nearly every style of music out there from classical to rock to bluegrass. It provides a foundation for the groove while also doubling as a beautiful solo instrument.
At Madison Music Foundry we provide both electric bass lessons and string bass lessons. Instruction is available for any age and level at a time that's convenient for you.
Josh Cohen
ELECTRIC BASS, GUITAR, PIANO
Josh Cohen is a multi-award winning six-string electric bassist, composer, session musician, and music educator who travels frequently throughout North America to perform and teach clinics/workshops including; Bass Boot Camp 2016 and 2019, Gruv Gear’s Clinic Series at Steve’s Music Toronto, Bass Break Live 2017, the 2019 Waupaca Bach Festival, Solo Bass Night VI and VII and more. He has garnered a lot of attention for his solo electric bass compositions and arrangements, and his arrangement of Herbie Hancock’s “Chameleon” was ranked as the number one bass video of 2015 by No Treble magazine.
Josh’s solo six-string electric bass performances, which can be heard on his debut 2014 album Out of the Bassment, use extended techniques to create the sound of an entire band with only one instrument, and without the aid of loop pedals. When listeners hear Josh playing for the first time, they are often surprised to find out that everything they are hearing is being created by one person in real-time.
Along with his performance career which includes opening up for highly regarded fellow bass players Stu Hamm, Michael Manring, and Kai Eckhardt, Cohen has been teaching private lessons for over a decade at multiple music schools. He believes in dedicating time to his students both in the lesson and outside of the classroom preparing personalized exercises, transcriptions and other learning materials. When students study bass, piano, guitar, theory and/or jazz improvisation with Josh they have a teacher who takes pride in the accomplishments of his students and constantly strives to provide them with the best instruction and opportunities possible. Many of his students have gone on to have professional careers in music (e.g. Ronald Poon - bassist for Canadian Ska band Adam's Mind) and/or have continued their studies at post-secondary institutions.
Ken Fitzsimmons
Teaching since 1996, Ken has helped students successfully audition into Wisconsin Youth Symphony Orchestra (WYSO), WSMA Honors Orchestra, and various university music schools and conservatories. Many have gone on to tour in bands, play in professional orchestras and even to teach lessons. One on one lessons are catered to your needs whether you play professionally or for fun. All ages and experience levels are welcome. You are never too old or too young. In addition to being trained in multiple styles, Ken also teaches music theory, ear training and sight singing.
Since receiving a degree in bass performance from UW-Madison studying under jazz great Richard Davis, Ken has played with the Wisconsin Chamber Orchestra, Madison Symphony Orchestra, various jazz groups along with countless blues, country, and rock bands. He has performed on nearly 20 albums and has toured the country numerous times with award winning Irish rock band The Kissers.
Ken is also the Education Director at Madison Music Foundry.
Brendan Franklin
GUITAR, PIANO, ELECTRIC BASS, STRING BASS, BANJO, MANDOLIN, UKULELE
While Brendan makes his living these days as a musician and educator, his musical beginnings stuttered before taking off with rocket boots. Initially setting his guitar aside out of frustration, power chords and the promises of youthful punk rebellion were enough to rope a young, teenage Brendan back in. Teaching himself was great, but his desire to learn more about music beyond what he and his friends could figure out led him to study music at Edgewood College. While there, studied classical guitar under Nathan Wysock and jazz under Daniel Wallach before receiving his BS in Music in 2012.
In his tenure as a music instructor since 2004, Brendan has helped his students graduate to milestones ranging from playing in first bands, writing first songs, to even successfully auditioning for the University of Wisconsin-Madison School of Music. Brendan welcomes students of all ages and skill levels. He believes in not merely teaching students notes and songs, but also how to learn and apply their musical knowledge they an grow more well-rounded as musicians. He also recognizes that no single teaching approach works for everyone or even every song/concept for a single student, so he teaches in and encourages an open, friendly, and flexible style that best suits each student.
Brendan currently plays with award-winning Irish rock band The Kissers and Chicago's Last False Hope.
Jim Gerbig
GUITAR, ELECTRIC BASS, BRASS, WOODWINDS
Jim holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in Instrumental Music Education from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, and has worked with all levels of Brass and Woodwind students since 1982. In addition, he has been a private studio guitar and bass guitar teacher since 1977. Equally at home playing Rock, Jazz, and Fusion styles, he especially enjoys helping rock guitarists make the transition to playing in their school jazz ensemble.
He has coached hundreds of band students to Superior and Excellent ratings in Solo/Ensemble performances, from individuals and small ensembles to full jazz band and concert band events. In addition, he has worked with students on all instruments to improve their improvisational skills and working knowledge of Music Theory.
With over 30 years of studio teaching experience, Jim prides himself on finding the right approach to guide any student in realizing their potential, on whatever their instrument of choice. Full Bio (pdf)
Kevin Knapp
GUITAR, ELECTRIC BASS, STRING BASS, PIANO, MANDOLIN, UKULELE, HAMMOND ORGAN, ABLETON LIVE
Kevin Knapp is a freelance multi-instrumentalist, composer, and educator living in Madison, WI with over 30 years experience. Having grown up in a home full of educators and music, Kevin is passionate about music education. He focuses on keeping music fun and helping students explore music that excites them.
Kevin’s early accomplishments include acceptance to Interlochen Summer Arts Camp with an emphasis in composition and the Chopin Award for piano performance. Kevin graduated with a Bachelor of Music in Composition from University of Wisconsin, Madison. During his time at UW, he was awarded multiple scholarships, composed numerous pieces for performance by the UW Chior and UW Symphony Orchestra, and was awarded the UW Composition Prize.
These days, Kevin plays Hammond Organ and piano at multiple Madison area churches, provides dance accompaniment to the UW Dance Department, and teaches music privately. He also performs regularly with a variety of Madison-area ensembles with styles ranging from pop to classical.
Nick Omiccioli
GUITAR, ELECTRIC BASS, COMPOSITION, MUSIC THEORY, JAZZ THEORY, SONGWRITING
Nick is an educator, electric guitarist, and composer that decided to pursue music after he first heard Metallica when he was fifteen. Nick has been described as a “rising star” [The Kansas City Star] and a composer with “powerful ideas” that “expresses them confidently” [The Straits Times]. In addition to having been awarded many national and international honors, Nick has received residencies at Copland House, Willapa Bay AiR, and was a finalist for the Rome Prize.
Nick has performed with orchestras, wind ensembles, rock bands, jazz combos, and experimental music groups. In 2019, Nick performed as a soloist with the Singapore Symphony and in 2018 with the classical comedy duo, Igudesman and Joo. He specializes in rock, metal, classical, and fusion musical styles. Nick enjoys working with students of all ages and abilities—whether learning basic fundamentals, jazz theory, or how to shred, Nick’s extensive background and singular teaching approach can help you accomplish your goals. Many of Nick’s students have gone on to have careers as performing artists, composers, or study music formally.
As a composer, Nick’s music has been performed all over the world. He has composed for some of the leading ensembles of today such as the Berkeley Symphony, l’Orchestre de la francophonie, Alarm Will Sound, and the Jasper String Quartet, among others. Nick has received commissions by the Wellesley Composers Conference, the Aspen Music Festival and School, Shouse Institute at the Great Lakes Chamber Music Festival, National Arts Centre in Canada, and Le Domaine Forget.
Nick holds degrees from the University of Missouri-Kansas City (DMA, MM) where he was a Preparing Future Faculty Fellow and at Heidelberg University (BM). Nick previously taught at Yong Siew Toh Conservatory of Music at the National University of Singapore, the University of Missouri-Kansas City, and the University of Central Missouri.
Lee Payne
Born with a passion for music, Lee has been playing instruments for as long as he can remember. He earned his BA at UW-Madison in Musical Performance in 2000 with a focus on classical guitar and jazz studies. His studies also included extensive theory training. Lee has been playing guitar since 1992 and has played with original bands and a few cover rock bands. Some venues include The Barrymore Theatre, Memorial Union Terrace, and Summerfest. He has been teaching guitar lessons privately since 1999 and in group settings since 2004. As a mentor, he focuses on individual development of musicians as well as preparing students for group dynamics in the future. Each curriculum is personalized so students can reach their own goals as quickly as possible.
Lee believes that every person should get the opportunity to have a fulfilling relationship with music, whether it is casual or professional.
Kyle Rightley
GUITAR, ELECTRIC BASS, UKULELE, EUPHONIUM, TROMBONE
Kyle Rightley is a Madison-based performer, songwriter, and educator. He has built a career out of a wide variety of genres spanning rock, folk, classical, jazz, and funk. His third acoustic solo release, Making Home, won the 2018 Madison Area Music Association Award (MAMA) for Country/Bluegrass Album of the Year. Isthmus described the album as “traditional Americana that resembles political forebears like Joan Baez or Willie Nelson.” Though his primary instruments are guitar, trombone, and euphonium, Kyle can also be heard playing ukulele, keyboards, mandolin, percussion, bass, and just about anything he can get his hands on. In addition to his solo exploits, he is a member of award-winning groups The Big Payback, Driveway Thriftdwellers, The Civil Engineers, Five Points Jazz Collective, Don’t Mess With Cupid, and other area ensembles. These groups have won various MAMA, Wisconsin Area Music Industry (WAMI), and other local awards in categories as diverse as pop/R&B, rock, jazz, country, and folk.
Kyle holds a Master of Music degree in euphonium performance from the University of Wisconsin-Madison and a Bachelor of Music from the University of Colorado-Boulder. As a music educator, Kyle strives to foster individual expression, collaboration, and communication through music. He has taught students from a large range of different backgrounds, ages, and skill levels. In addition to providing a solid foundation of fundamental playing techniques, Kyle focuses on music theory, improvisation, and composition in lessons.
Chris Schultz
GUITAR, ELECTRIC BASS
Chris has been surrounded with music most of his life. His grandparents were music educators and had him start piano lessons at age 6. Then, at 13, after listening to arguably too much Metallica, he was inspired to take up the guitar, and start a band. Chris has toured the Midwest and shared the stage with bands ranging from Mudvayne, Disturbed, and The Dillinger Escape Plan. He currently plays music ranging from acoustic to aggressive metal in several Madison based bands and understands the details of dynamic, aggressive music. As an instructor, Chris has taught all styles and ages. He prefers an individualized approach (everyone's different, right?), teaching everything from note reading, tablature, popular music, song writing, beginning to advanced theory and technique. Above all, he believes having fun can be the greatest motivator and is the most important part of playing music. Full Bio (pdf)
Chris also teaches lessons on topics such as Music Theory, Songwriting, Recording Software, Manuscript Software (Guitar Pro), and Gear.
Greyson Sztuczko
GUITAR, PIANO, ELECTRIC BASS, UKULELE, MANDOLIN, TROMBONE, TRUMPET
Greyson Sztuczko is a multi-instrumentalist and composer originally from Appleton, WI. What excites him the most is musical exploration - whether playing in bands, writing music for video games, or getting nerdy about music theory. His favorite thing about teaching is being able to answer students' questions and follow the paths they present.
He graduated from Lawrence University in 2015 having studied guitar, trombone, and theory/composition. He has been teaching since then on a total of 8 instruments. He has taught students of all ages and experience levels, including students with special needs. He plays a total of 20 instruments.
He is excited to open the path on your musical journey by combining his teaching and education with his diverse experiences. His musical background spans 16 years across most genrest and kinds of ensembles you can think of (including recording/producing music in/for many of these groups). He has also worked behind the scenes for a number of professional touring bands; the most notable is having toured as an all-around instrument technician for Dennis DeYoung of Styx. He has toured the midwest with his own band, The Goat Wizard, and they have also self-recorded several albums/compilations (the newest to be released this year). The mobile video games he scored as Greyson JS have received high reviews with downloads into the thousands, on top of the one-man-band progressive rock songs and guitar-soundscapes he has created. He has also worked in music instrument shops in management, sales, repair, and instruction.
He takes all of this experience and education to craft a wholly musical approach for every student's unique path. He tailors for everyone their own combination of instrument technique, theory, reading (staff and/or tab), performance and practicing approaches, writing (if desired), learning valuable lessons from the students' favorite songs, and most importantly, an emphasis on overall musicianship.
Stefan Truesdell
Steve has been playing guitar, touring and recording for over 25 years. He studied at Lakeshore Conservatory and at UW-Whitewater where he learned marketing skills which helped his alt-metal band Dead Fly Boy land a record deal with Sector II Records. He has toured the U.S. repeatedly in notable acts such as the reggae group Natty Nation and funk group Weapons of Mass Defunktion.
Steve finds teaching to be one of the most rewarding parts of being a musician. He wants students to get the most out of lessons whether they are beginning students with no or few musical skills, already versed in music theory, currently performing musicians, or itching to do something with that guitar that's been sitting around gathering dust in the corner. He is versed in multiple styles and wants students to feel comfortable with themselves and work at a pace that's right for them. Full Bio (pdf)
www.reverbnation.com/womd
www.myspace.com/weaponsofmassdefunktion
Eric Winkelman
PIANO, GUITAR, ELECTRIC BASS, UKULELE
Eric has been playing music his entire life, first learning to play the drums. By 13, his passion for learning new instruments drove him to pick up the piano, alto sax, guitar, bass, and later voice by age 18. He is an avid self-taught artist deeply interested in recording, composing and arranging. Over the years, he has independently taught lessons on piano, drums and guitar. He has been multitrack recording in his home studio since 13, and has gigged in several groups, playing blues, funk, soul, pop, jazz and theatre on the drums, percussion, electric bass, and keys/vocals.
His diversity has garnered a wide knowledge of music theory and styles that translates well to being an educator. He graduated from UW Madison with a Bachelor's degree in engineering, playing in several UW orchestras along the way. His passion for sharing his music knowledge has brought him great satisfaction as a dedicated instructor with skills in teaching not only the fundamentals, but also jazz theory, ear training and improvisation. Eric is interested in catering to each of his student's desires that brought them to take lessons in the first place, developing unique lessons to further drive their passions to pursue their instrument.