Shannon is a naturally gifted teacher and musician, and has been teaching music in classrooms and at his studio since graduating from Luther College in 2001. He has led choirs at churches, directed musicals, and been part of worship arts teams. He has always viewed teaching as its own artform. He understands it is one thing to master and excel at performing an instrument, but it takes an entirely different skill set and temperament to effectively share and teach a skill to others of all ages. Since 2001 Shannon has been fine tuning a highly customized method of teaching music to people of all ages and abilities. Shannon is a professional musician performing regularly as well as serving on the worship team at his church, Athey Creek Christian Fellowship. Shannon also directs the Youth Worship Program at Athey and teaches full time with FMAA at his home studio.
Shannon has rebranded his former Hobbit Music & Arts Academy by partnering with Christian music instructors. Together they have formed The Fellowship Music & Arts Academy which is being registered as a non-profit, faith based organization.
Shannon has been an active musician and full time professional traveling Dueling Piano Performer. He owns the piano entertainment company Dueling Hobbits Productions that entertains at events all over the Midwest and the Pacific Northwest. Learning from a teacher with a myriad of performance experience playing solo piano, in cover bands, tribute bands, at churches, for musicals, weddings, and dueling piano shows allows him to offer real-world examples and encouragement to all students whatever their goals or applications for learning music may be.
Shannon enjoys teaching and is very passionate about both music and the art of teaching. He understands one can be considered an expert at a skill but be terrible at teaching it. He is blessed with both a talent to teach and perform music.
He says, “I enjoy finding creative ways to teach unique minds. Teaching never feels like work to me.”