Lessons – Sioux Falls, SD

Popplers Music offers a semester-based lesson program featuring weekly, 30-minute lessons and 60-minute lessons available upon request. Our semesters loosely follow our public school calendar, although the number of weeks per semester will vary. Students may join the program at any point in time. The fall and spring semesters will feature a recital to cap off the season, and while it is optional, it is highly encouraged to participate! Lesson fees are determined by each teacher, ranging between $20 and $40/half hour and all lessons occur during regular store hours. Please contact the store for further details!

To inquire about lessons, please call us at (605) 336-6332 or email Chris for more information! chris@popplersmusic.com

Paul Schilf Low Brass Instructor

Dr. Paul R. Schilf taught for 15 years at Augustana University in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. While at Augustana, Schilf served as associate director of bands and professor of music education. He conducted the Augustana Band, The College & Community Concert Band, The Northlander’s Jazz Ensemble, the Jazz Lab Band, and the Augustana Brass Choir. In April of 2016, Dr Schilf retired from Augustana University and became general manager of Popplers Music Inc. in Sioux Falls. This new business venture allows for him to remain active in music education in a different capacity.

Isabella Kumagai Piano Instructor

Bella graduated in Brazil, with a Bachelor of Music in Piano Performance, and received her master’s degree in music from the University of North Dakota. Bella has also been a soloist with symphony orchestras both in Brazil and the United States and has won 1st prize in 12 Piano Competitions. She is passionate about teaching piano and playing duets with her husband Matt, who is a cellist. Her favorite hobby is spending time outside with her daughter Maya, and she also loves watching tv series with Matt and eating anything with a lot of chocolate.

Matt Wellert Cello Instructor

Born in Santiago, Chile, Matthew Wellert is an avid cellist in Sioux Falls and the surrounding areas. Currently focusing on the piano department in Sioux Falls, he also manages the Popplers Music Artist Series by coordinating events with professional musicians from the surrounding areas. Aspiring to introduce music through culture and diversity, Matt enjoys collaborating with musicians from all backgrounds and all skill levels. He obtains a Masters of Music in Cello Performance from the University of North Dakota, and two degrees from the University of Montana where he obtained a Bachelor of Arts in Cello Performance, and a Bachelor of Science in Sociology/Criminology.

Greg Eden Guitar Instructor

Currently residing in Tea, South Dakota, Greg Eden was a Professor of Guitar at Creighton University in Omaha, Nebraska for 8 years. He holds a Master's Degree in Guitar Performance and Pedagogy from the Peabody Conservatory in Baltimore, MD where he studied classical guitar under the tutelage of recording artist Julian Gray. Greg has also played guitar for numerous Nashville-area artists including Top 10 CMT Artist Chas Collins, “The Voice” 2018 finalist KarianneJean, and Texaco Country Showdown finalist Marie Wise-Hawkins. Greg has opened for such famous artists as Lynyrd Skynyrd, Tracy Lawrence, Parmalee, Dustin Lynch, and Brothers Osborne and has performed with the Omaha Symphony on several occasions in their Masterworks and Pops series; most recently sharing the stage with the legendary Neil Sedaka. Greg has been teaching for over 21 years, and he loves watching students grow as musicians and people while they study music. He has had several students go on to attend prestigious music schools including Berklee College of Music in Boston and the San Francisco Conservatory of Music.

Tanner Goodall Trumpet Instructor

Tanner Goodall is Sioux Falls native with a specialization in trumpet performance. He graduated from South Dakota State University in 2020 with a bachelor’s degree in music education. An avid fan of jazz and live performance, he can sometimes be found playing with different groups in the Sioux Falls downtown area.

Ian Reiland-Smith Percussion Instructor

Ian Reiland-Smith grew up is Sioux Falls, SD and earned a bachelor's degree in percussion performance from the University of South Dakota in 2019. He has participated in and taught for local drum academy Groove inc. Outside his music life, Ian performs stand up comedy at local open mics.

Adam Schechter Violin/Viola Instructor

Adam Schechter is a member of the viola section of the South Dakota Symphony Orchestra. He studied Viola Performance at Indiana University under Stephen Wyrczynski and at McGill University under Andre Roy. While at Indiana University, Adam received instruction in violin pedagogy from Mimi Zweig and Brenda Brenner, and he taught supplemental violin lessons as a part of the Indiana University String Academy. Adam grew up in Sioux Falls, studying viola and violin with Sue and Ray Sidoti.

Thomas Fortner Cello Instructor

Thomas Fortner is a passionate musical communicator, creative programmer, innovative arts entrepreneur, and dynamic educator. He is currently the Assistant Conductor and Youth Orchestra Music Director of the South Dakota Symphony Orchestra. An energetic advocate of building stronger communities through music, he founded and is the Artistic Director of the Iowa Great Lakes Music Festival, where he partners with local performing arts presenters to bring world-class musical performances to the Iowa Great Lakes region.

Tasondra Walicke Clarinet and Saxophone Instructor

Tasondra Walicke is a passionate musician and music educator, dedicated to excellence in performance and personal connections. She is a Brookings, SD native and has been living in Sioux Falls for 15 years after studying Music Education at South Dakota State University and Clarinet Performance and Pedagogy at the University of Iowa. Tasondra is in her tenth year as an Instructor of Clarinet and Saxophone at the University of Sioux Falls. She is a frequent guest artist, soloist, clinician, and adjudicator for regional high schools, universities, and professional ensembles. For thirteen years, Tasondra served as Director of Music at Sioux Falls Lutheran High School, leading their Concert Band, Marching Band, Concert Choir, and small instrumental and vocal ensembles. She also taught Music Theory, Middle School Band, and private instrumental and vocal lessons to 4th-grade through 12th-grade students at Sioux Falls Lutheran School. In her limited free time, she enjoys traveling and making music with her husband, Matthew, and spending time with their children Evan, Abi, and Paul, and their dogs, Arya and Rocko.