Bemidji Music Studio | Lessons, Suzuki, Traditional, Ashley Hodapp

Staff Bios


Our staff is well educated, and consists of talented and experienced teachers who are in touch with the musical aspirations of the studio and the families who take lessons with us. Our comprehensive program offers private lessons, group lessons, recitals and additional community performance opportunities. We believe this continues to shape well-rounded musicians and gives them many different playing and learning opportunities. Our goal as a studio is to help each of our students develop musically to the best of their ability. Bemidji Music Studio currently offers lessons in piano, violin, viola, cello and mandolin to children ages 3 and up. We are so pleased to be able to offer different instructors to accommodate and meet the different personalities, scheduling and musical needs of all of our students. We want to allow them the opportunity to connect with each of their students, to both inspire as well as motivate them!

	Ashley Hodapp-Ashley is the owner of Bemidji Music Studio and has been teaching violin, viola, cello and piano lessons for 13 years. She lives in Bemidji with her husband Jake, her son Philip and daughter Eleanor. Ashley enjoys teaching, and watching each student grow and progress. Outside of teaching and operating the studio, Ashley enjoys cooking, being outside and spending time with her family!

	Eliza Tinglestad- Eliza has been teaching violin and piano at Bemidji Music Studio for 1 year. She has played violin for 12 years, and piano for 5 years. In addition to violin and piano, she also plays the mandolin, guitar and the bass. She is currently attending Northwest Technical College working to earn her LPN. When she is not teaching or at class, Miss Eliza enjoys babysitting, quilting, beading and scrapbooking.

	Kristie Larson- Kristie is from Osakis, MN and lives in Bemidji while attending Northwest Technical College working to earn her LPN. She has played the piano for 8 years. When she is not in class, Miss Kristie enjoys spending time with friends, running, cooking, and playing piano.

	Heather Hanson - Heather lives in Bemidji with her husband and two daughters. She has a BA in Education and in the past has taught pre-school at KinderKids Pre-School in Bemidji. She has also taught private piano lessons, and is currently a stay-at-home mom. In her spare time, Miss Heather enjoys cooking, sewing and crafts, and spending time with her family.
	Keren Swedberg - Keren is from Warroad, MN. Her mom forced her to start piano lessons at the age of eight and she instantly fell in love with the instrument. She's been playing piano now for over 13 years and has enjoyed challenges such as playing a 30 minute solo concert her high school senior year, leading the worship team at her home church, and being the accompanist for the Oak Hills Christian Choir. She's currently a junior at Bemidji State University and enjoys extracurricular activities such as swing dance, intramural broomball, and hanging out with family and friends.