Why Anthem Academy of Music?

Anthem Academy of Music provides the highest quality guitar, piano, ukulele, viola, violin, and voice lessons through an approach that focuses on developing fundamentals, technique, and musicianship. We believe that everyone is capable of learning to play an instrument and developing their creative voice. That is why we strive to create a positive and fun learning environment that both motivates and inspires students.

Regarded as one of the most outstanding young Mexican musicians, Amos Lucidi has performed extensively as a soloist and in chamber groups in Mexico, Italy, France and the United Kingdom, participating in important festivals such as the International Festival of Mayan Culture and Merida Fest. He has been soloist on several occasions with the Symphonic Orchestra of the Yucatan. More recent appearances include recitals in venues such as St. James’s Piccadilly and the Old Royal Naval College in London, l’Eglise de Saint-Merry in Paris and Teatro Clitunno in Trevi, Italy. His playing has earned him a host of awards, scholarships, and recognition from various competitions.

Amos recently earned a Doctor of Musical Arts in Piano Performance degree at the University of Minnesota under the guidance of Professor Alexander Braginsky. Before moving to Minnesota, he was Piano Professor and Collaborative Pianist at the Bachelor of Musical Arts of Escuela Superior de Artes de Yucatán (ESAY) in Merida, México, from which he obtained his B.A. in Musical Arts with honors in 2011.

In September 2017 he obtained the title of Master of Arts in Piano Performance with Distinction at Trinity Laban Conservatoire of Music and Dance, under the guidance of the internationally renowned pianists Mikhail Kazakevich and Peter Tuite.

Music is a creative activity that makes us imagine a better world in order to create it. Amos believes that the experience of a live performance can touch our consciousness and change the way we look at the world, thus making us better human beings.

Amos can teach lessons in English, Spanish, and Italian.

Mario Ángel Pérez is a Minnesota-born, -educated, and -based tenor. Mario has previously covered Don José (Carmen) with Opera Reading Project and performed Young Luis in Reinaldo Maya’s production of Tienda for Augsburg University. Other previous roles include Remendado (Carmen) at Pine Mountain Music Festival, Euthyclès (La belle Hélène) with Lakes Area Music Festival, First Priest and First Armored Man (Die Zauberflöte) with Lakes Area Music Festival, a cover of Emperor Altoum (Turandot) at Cedar Rapids Opera, and Gran Sacerdote (Idiomeneo), Gherardo (Gianni Schicchi), and First Priest (Die Zauberflöte) at the University of Minnesota. He has earned both a Master of Music and Bachelor of Music in vocal performance from the University of Minnesota.

Mario Ángel was selected as a participant in the University of Minnesota and Minnesota Opera’s ECCO program where he received individualized instruction on operatic preparation with Allen Perriello. He also studied Mozart aria interpretation with Helen Donath through the Internationale Sommerakademie at the Universität Mozarteum in Salzburg, Austria. Mario Ángel has performed for the Austrian Ambassador to the United States, Dr. Wolfgang Wander, at the Center for Austrian Studies’ 40th Anniversary Celebration at the University of Minnesota.

Currently, Mario resides in Columbia Heights with his dog Bump.

Mary Newton is a native of Minnesota.  She has degrees in Church Music (Concordia University – Chicago) and Organ performance, with a secondary area in Music Education (University of Minnesota). 

Mary has performed solo organ recitals, played in master classes with Hans Fagius (Royal Danish Conservatory) and John Weaver (The Juilliard School) and has commissioned and premiered new music. She has also been rehearsal accompanists/organists for orchestra/choir works including Vivaldi’s Gloria and Mozart’s Requiem and Faure’s Requiem.

She has also published articles in The American Organist and the Clavier Companion (the journal now known as Piano Magazine) and has been a clinician at piano and organ conventions.

Mary has 15+ years of piano teaching experience and is a member of Minnesota Music Teachers Association (MMTA) and the National Federation of Music Clubs. She is currently the President of one of the local Federation chapters in the Twin Cities, which puts on festivals every year. She has placed many students in Federation and MMTA events with exciting results. She is passionate in introducing students to the world of music and helping them cultivate their musical journey. 

Minnesota native, Sam Anderson is a freelance violist and string teacher in the Twin Cities area. Sam is currently studying with renowned viola teacher and performer Korey Konkol at the University of Minnesota - Twin Cities, where he is working towards getting his BM in Viola Performance.

Starting viola at the late age of 14, Sam has excelled as a violist winning competitions such as Schubert Club’s 2023 Bruce Carlson Scholarship Competition and Thursday Musical’s 2023 Young Artist Competition.

Playing viola has taken Sam almost everywhere in Minnesota and has recently taken him internationally to Italy. In the Summer of 2021, he was invited to attend the Pienza Music Festival hosted by University of Minnesota violin professor Sally O’Reilly. And in the summer of 2023, Sam will be attending the International Music Festival of the Adriatic hosted by Luther College.

Having grown up in a small Minnesota town and gone to one of the largest state schools in the country for his undergrad, Sam believes in the importance of individuality. Every developing musician is a unique individual with different strengths and weaknesses. As a teacher and a growing musician, Sam believes that every student deserves to be treated as such in order to best serve their needs as a musician. Sam is willing to go the extra mile in order to teach new students and help them reach their goals.

Sam first found his passion for music while playing in the Greater Twin Cities Youth Symphony. There, he met like-minded students who loved music as much as he did, many of whom he’s still friends with today. It’s social and emotional connections like these that have inspired Sam to dedicate himself to continue playing and teaching the violin and viola.

Keiko Takahashi is a highly experienced and dedicated piano teacher, committed to nurturing musical talent in her students throughout her lifetime. She holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in music education from the esteemed University of Yamagata and has gained teaching experience across diverse cultures and continents. This diverse background makes her a uniquely qualified instructor who can connect with individuals from various walks of life.

Keiko's teaching style blends her expertise with a deep sensitivity. Her background as a church choir director and women's chorus circle coach contributes to a structured yet nurturing learning environment. She focuses on recognizing and addressing each student's unique characteristics and needs. Keiko's commitment goes beyond teaching piano proficiency; she inspires her students to develop a profound appreciation for music's artistic and emotional dimensions.

With experience in missionary work, translation, and music education, Keiko offers a well-rounded perspective, understanding the universal language of music. If you or your child is seeking a piano teacher who combines expertise with a genuine respect for each student's unique musical journey, Keiko Takahashi is the perfect choice.

Keiko can teach lessons in both English and Japanese.

Dimitra Kitsou is a multi-talented musician and educator from Greece with a strong passion for music and early childhood education. Her journey in music began at a young age, starting with her piano studies at 9 years old. This early exposure to music ignited her passion for the art form, which eventually led her to pursue a Bachelor’s and Integrated Master’s degree in “Music Studies” from the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, along with a Harmony Degree.

Dimitra’s interest in working with children and her desire to explore innovative teaching methods brought her to the Orff Approach. She honed her skills in this approach by completing the “Further Educational Course in Orff-Schulwerk Studies on Three Levels” at Moraitis School in Athens, Greece.

Since 2019, Dimitra has been actively involved in teaching and conducting various seminars. These includes pedagogy, music-dance-speech integration, improvisation, and physical theatre. Additionally, her musical abilities extend beyond the piano, as she also plays the guitar and ukulele, and even writes songs for children.

Her lessons are characterized by their creativity and child-centered approach. Her ultimate goal is not only to impart musical knowledge and skills but also to foster a deep and lasting love for music in her students. By recognizing and nurturing each student’s unique talents and abilities, Dimitra strives to make a meaningful impact on their musical journeys.

Dimitra can teach in both English and Greek.

Jeremy, a Michigan native, has been teaching piano since 2017. He holds BAs in Piano Performance from the University of Notre Dame and in Music Education from Saginaw Valley State University. Jeremy's musical journey includes collaborations with several universities, specializing in musical theater and 20th-century art songs.

With a diverse musical background, Jeremy serves as a music director at his church, honing his skills with instrumentalists and vocalists of all levels. Beyond academic settings, his experience enriches his understanding of music's transformative power and reinforces his passion for sharing it with others.

Jeremy's teaching approach is marked by inclusivity and personalization. Welcoming students of all ages and proficiency levels, he tailors each learning experience to individual interests. Utilizing personalized methods and materials, Jeremy ensures consistent and enjoyable progress. His confidence in guiding students to success reflects his dedication to fostering a supportive and encouraging environment, where the transformative power of music becomes accessible to all.

Maya Hilten is a young musician who finds opera to be the ultimate form of self-expression and discovery. She found her passion for singing and music at a young age, having grown up in a musically inclined family. This led her to fall in love with choir and music theory. She began voice lessons at 13, where she learned that singing classical and opera brought her the most joy. In addition, through piano lessons, she took a liking to accompanying herself singing, while creating arrangements and original music.

She is in the early stages of her post-secondary studies, and has found joy in vocal performance, leadership, and instruction. Maya spent four years at the Performing Arts Institute of Minnesota High School, participating in choir, treble choir, and chamber choir, as well as theatre technician work and stage management. In addition, she studies with vocal instructor Melissa Holm-Johansen. Maya has had the opportunity to take part in Project Opera at MN Opera and an apprenticeship with the same program. In addition, she has enjoyed being selected as a soprano section leader in school and recreational choirs. Maya looks forward to using these experiences to propel her career in the future, and to create a safe environment and outlet for other musicians. In her free time, she enjoys both dancing and watching ballet, studying Spanish literature and poetry, studying psychology, and creating new recipes, even when they are not always perfect on the rst try.

Gideon Scheeler began playing piano at the age of five. He studied with his mother for two years, then began taking lessons with Elena Piastro, at the Saint Paul Conservatory of Music. Throughout the years he has participated in, and won, many local, regional, and national competitions, including the Minnesota State Fair Amatuer Talent Competition, Schubert Club Scholarship Competition, University of Wisconsin - River Falls Piano Festival, Evergreen Scholarship Competition, Marvin O. Mechelke Scholarship Competition, and the American Protege Piano and Strings Competition. He has also performed with orchestras, been a part of numerous chamber ensembles, accompanied choirs and soloists, and performed in Carnegie Hall’s Weill Recital Hall. He is now entering his Junior year of college, majoring in Piano Performance with Professor Alexander Braginsky at the University of Minnesota.

After many years of studying with wonderful and inspirational teachers, Gideon is excited to step into this new path in life. He looks forward to sharing his love of music with students, inspiring in them the love of music and fostering a new perspective on life in the same manner in which he was inspired.