Emerson Education Wing
at The Cramer Exchange
Curiosity, creativity, and enduring Music education For all
What would you like to learn?
Would you teach an instrument you play?
We want to know your interests and skills; let’s connect!
The Emerson Education Wing at the new Cramer Exchange facility encompasses a future recording studio, an eventual music and instrument lending library, and practice rooms, where music lessons various instruments (including piano, guitar, and voice) will be offered for both children and adults.
Students will also enjoy the use of brand-new pianos, including a Kawai Baby Grand, donated by Don & Carol Kress, and other donated instruments for borrowing. Our main hall serves as a performance space and gathering place for musicians of all stages of their career.
“Music education has always been a core component of our vision for The Cramer Exchange,” says DCA Executive Director Cari Lewis. “We are tickled that this dream is finally coming to fruition with the Emerson Education Wing. We can’t wait to see students coming in and out of these halls—and hear the wonderful music they make!”
The Emerson Education Wing is named after Anne Haberland Emerson, a Fish Creek resident and visionary supporter of DCA since the organization’s founding more than 30 years ago. Emerson was also vital to the creation of Friends of Gibraltar.
On September 19 we officially open the Emerson Education Wing with a free public event with New York City-based collective ShoutHouse. They will provide an 11 a.m. workshop, instrument demo, and Q&A session followed by an evening show on DCA’s Main Stage. Folks interested in music education opportunities at The Cramer Exchange are encouraged to attend to learn more about programming, meet instructors, and tour the facility.
DCA is now accepting students of all ages; those interested can see below for more information. We are also seeking instructors, particularly on guitar and ukulele; interested parties should contact Vinni Hancock at vinni.hancock@gibraltar.k12.wi.us.
Be part of the journey: inquire to teach or learn today!
Instructors & Instruments
*
Instructors & Instruments *
Zephyr Ciesar
Voice | All Ages
$50/30 min | $95/60 min
-
Zephyr Ciesar is a professional singer, songwriter, Equity actress, and vocal health enthusiast. A graduate of New York’s renowned CAP21 Musical Theatre Conservatory, one of the city’s most rigorous musical theatre training programs, Zephyr has performed professionally in New York’s Off Broadway scene, starring in productions such as Head Over Heels and Pinkalicious.
She currently tours as the lead singer of the Sheboygan Music Wall of Fame Band, Bacchus Lotus and also tours as a solo headliner under her own name, Zephyr Ciesar, performing her original music. More information can be found at www.zephyrciesar.com
Passionate about vocal health and authentic self-expression, Zephyr is dedicated to helping singers develop healthy vocal technique, build confidence, and discover their own unique sound.
-
Voice lessons include a warm-up focused on healthy singing through breathing and breath control, posture and alignment, vocal range, dynamics, vocal control, pitch, and tone. Each lesson is tailored to the student’s individual goals, needs, and experience.
We then apply these skills in real time through a specific piece of music selected and approved by the instructor.
Discover your unique voice, sing with confidence, release the pressure, and have some fun with it! All ages and skill levels are welcome!
Austin Skalecki
Guitar | Middle & High School+
$35/30 min | $55/60 min
-
Austin Skalecki is a folk and Americana guitarist and songwriter from Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin. He spends the majority of the year performing on the Door County Peninsula and touring the country in the offseason. His music is rooted in storytelling, with influences ranging from folk, blues, americana, and rock. After years of teaching himself guitar and developing his craft through playing live and writing songs, as a teacher he brings a practical, real-world approach to his lessons. He enjoys helping students find their own relationship with the instrument, whether they're just learning the basics, wanting to learn their favorite songs, or looking to dive deeper into songwriting and playing.
-
I want to help students find their own passion within the guitar. We can work on the basics of chords, rhythm, and songwriting. I also have the ability to take a more in-depth approach to intermediate skills like improvising, solos, and basic theory. My goal is to give students the tools to play the music they enjoy while building confidence and developing their own style
Maria Thompson
Piano, Voice, Guitar, Ukulele | All Ages
$40/30 min | $175/5 lesson package
-
Maria Lynn Thompson (Pape)(Grasse) is a dedicated vocal, beginning piano and beginning guitar instructor with a lifelong passion for music. She emphasizes breathing, technique and slowly building confidence. She will also get you prepared for auditions. Her journey as a singer has taken her through diverse performances, from musicals and show choirs to weddings, funerals, and local venues. A highlight of her early career was performing the national anthem for various occasions and being named the choral winner for the Sauk Prairie High School Class of 1990. During her time at UW-Baraboo, she was honored to serve as the lead soloist for both Handel’s Messiah and John Rutter’s Requiem.
She began teaching private voice lessons in 1989 and has spent over 30 years in education, including running her own preschool. While she enjoys working with students of all ages, her true passion lies in teaching beginners. Having experienced childhood anxiety herself, she brings a deeply compassionate, low-pressure approach to her lessons. She believes that music should be a source of joy and healing, and her goal is to create a safe, therapeutic space where students can learn and grow at their own pace.
Her formal education includes music studies at UW-Stevens Point and a degree in Early Childhood Education from Madison Area Technical College. -
My goal is to teach people to love music and learn at their own pace. I’m very passionate but also laid back so there is no pressure. I teach voice, beginning to intermediate piano and beginning guitar.
Kate Wesoloski
Piano | Grades 3 & up
$30/30 min | $60/60 min
-
Kate is a local general music teacher and accompanist in Door County. She has played piano since a young age. At UW-Stevens Point Kate studied music education with piano as her primary instrument. After graduating in 2021, she began teaching elementary music 4K-5 at Gibraltar Area Schools. She has enjoyed accompanying friends at various local performances, and loves the 1:1 experience of getting to teach formal piano lessons.
-
Piano lessons for students 2nd grade, or seven year old, and up. I enjoy working with all levels of learners. Goals for lessons can be altered for each learner to find success at various skills.
Lesson Information
-
FALL SESSION - October 6 to mid-December
Youth:
Tuesday/Thursday
3:30 - 5:00 PM time slotsAdults:
Saturday/Sunday
By appointmentCurrently offering: Voice, piano, guitar, ukulele
WINTER SESSION - mid-January to mid-April
Youth:
Tuesday/Thursday
3:30 - 5:00 PM time slotsAdults:
Saturday/Sunday
By appointmentCurrently offering: Voice, piano, guitar, ukulele
SUMMER SESSION - By appointment
-
Inquiries can be done in person at the Box Office, by email at education@dcauditorium.org, or by phone (920.868.2728) Monday-Friday noon till 5 p.m.
All students under 18 must have paperwork signed by a parent or guardian before starting lessons.
-
Payments are made directly to instructors; please contact your instructor for payment options.
-
Once registered, all lesson payments are final. No-shows and missed lessons will not be refunded, unless a lesson is cancelled due to inclement weather or by an instructor. If a student misses a session, it can be made up by rescheduling directly with your instructor.
Schedule a Lesson
Contact us today to start registration!