The Mike Finnigan
School of Music

Welcome to a new world of musical learning.
Enrollment for summer workshops is now open!

Mike Finnigan was a beloved musician, often called a "musician's musician." He loved music, was passionate about education, loved playing at the Stiefel, and loved Kansas. Mike Finnigan was a keyboardist, vocalist, and session musician who performed with an impressive array of artists including Buddy Guy, Bonnie Raitt, Crosby, Stills & Nash, and Jimi Hendrix. We are grateful that we are able to celebrate his legacy with this school named in his honor.


Scholarships are available for students in need.  If registering for a workshop is beyond your financial means, please call (785)827-1998 for a scholarship application or print out the application here.

Barrelhouse Piano & Kansas Blues with Pat O'Connor

2 hour workshop- Monday, June 5 from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m.
Enrollment ClOSED
ENROLLMENT CLosed
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Piano Basics 1

4 day workshop- June 6, 13, 20, 27 from 1:00 to 1:50 p.m.
Enrollment ClOSED
ENROLLMENT CLosed
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Piano Basics 2

4 day workshop- June 6, 13, 20, 27 from 2:00 to 2:50 p.m.
Enrollment ClOSED
ENROLLMENT CLosed
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Trumpet- Mastering Audition Pieces

4 day workshop- June 6, 13, 20, 27 from 5:00 to 5:50 p.m.
Enrollment ClOSED
ENROLLMENT CLosed
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Brass Fundamentals

4 day workshop- June 6, 13, 20, 27 from 6:00 to 6:50 p.m.
Enrollment ClOSED
ENROLLMENT CLosed
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Guitar Basics Workshop

4 day workshop - June 12, 13, 14, 16 from 10:00 to 10:50 a.m.
Enrollment ClOSED
ENROLLMENT CLosed
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Guitar Chords & Capos

4 day workshop- June 12, 13, 14, 16 from 11:00 to 11:50 a.m.
Enrollment ClOSED
ENROLLMENT CLosed
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Introduction to Bass Guitar

4 day workshop- June 19-22 from 10:00 to 10:50 a.m.
Enrollment ClOSED
ENROLLMENT CLosed
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Guitar Riffs & Improvisation

4 day workshop- June 19-22 from 11:00 to 11:50 a.m.
Enrollment ClOSED
ENROLLMENT CLosed
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Guitar Performance Camp

2-week camp; Mon.-Thu., Jun. 12, 13, 14, 16 & Jun. 19-22, 1:00-1:50 p.m., Recital 12:30 Jun. 23
Enrollment ClOSED
ENROLLMENT CLosed
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Singing With a Microphone & PA

4 day workshop- June 12-15 from 10:00 to 11:30 a.m.
Enrollment ClOSED
ENROLLMENT CLosed
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Singing With a Microphone & PA

4 day workshop- June 12-15 from 5:30 to 7:00 p.m.
Enrollment ClOSED
ENROLLMENT CLosed
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Songwriting

4 day workshop- June 12, 14, 19, 21 from 7:00 to 7:50 p.m.
Enrollment ClOSED
ENROLLMENT CLosed
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Class Information & Donations

Class Offerings

Violin for little beginners: May 26, 30 June 2, 6- 1:00 to 1:50 p.m.
Violin for 4th and 5th grade beginners: May 26, 30, June 2, 6- 2:00 to 2:50 p.m.
Violin for 6th through 8th grade: May 26, 30 June 2, 6- 3:30 to 4:20 p.m.
Chamber music: May 26, 30, June 2, 6- 4:30 to 5:20 p.m.
African American Church Piano: June 1, 5, 8, 12- 5:30 to 6:20 p.m.
Barrelhouse Piano & Kansas Blues with Pat O'Connor: June 5- 6:30 to 8:30 p.m.
Basic Piano: June 6, 13, 20, 27- 1:00 to 1:50 p.m. or 2:00 to 2:50 p.m. (2 offerings)
Trumpet- Mastering Audition Pieces: June 6, 13, 20, 27- 5:00 to 5:50 p.m.
Brass Fundamentals: June 6, 13, 20, 17- 6:00 to 6:50 p.m.
Guitar Basics: June 12 through 15- 10:00 to 10:50 a.m.
Guitar chords & capos: June 12 though 15- 11:00 to 11:50 a.m.
Introduction to Bass Guitar: June 19 through 22- 10:00 to 10:50 a.m.
Guitar Riffs & Improvisation: June 19 through 22- 11:00 to 11:50 a.m.
Guitar Performance Camp: June 12 through 15 and June 19 through 22- 1:00 to 1:50 p.m.
Singing with a Microphone & PA: June 12 through 15- 10:00 to 11:30 a.m. or 5:30 to 7:00 p.m. (2 offerings)
Songwriting: June 12, 14, 19, 21- 7:00 to 7:50 p.m.

Attendance Policy:

Classes missed by the student for any reason cannot be made up, nor will a tuition refund be given. However, the teacher may allow the student to attend another class at their discretion. In the event of a class being canceled due to the instructor’s absence, or if the school must be closed because of inclement weather, either a make-up class will be offered, or a partial tuition refund will be issued. Class registration is non-refundable

If a student who is attending classes on a scholarship has 3 or more unexcused absences, they will not be allowed to apply for a scholarship for the next semester of classes. Please contact the instructors or the box office with any questions on this policy.
The Phantom Blues Band Album Dedicated to Mike Finnigan Available for purchase!
All proceeds from the sale of "Blues for Breakfast" will be going to the Mike Finnigan School of Music. The album can be purchased at www.thephantombluesband.com

For questions Please contact:

Jane Gates
jgates@stiefeltheatre.org
(785)827-1998

Frequently Asked Questions

Why should I choose The Mike Finnigan School of Music?

When you enroll, you receive the very best instruction from the most qualified instructors in the area.

Music is a collaborative art form - Playing together is essential to becoming a good musician and the group lesson format provides that opportunity while also giving students plenty of individual feedback.

Each class will include essential learning objectives that will be assessed by the instructor to help focus instruction and aid students in their practicing.

Students are learning in one of the nation’s premier performance venues and will receive a chance to perform on the Stiefel stage.  The Stiefel’s work in bringing in the nation’s top performing artists may also bring chances for students to work with some of America’s greatest musicians or chances to see a live concert at the Stiefel while enrolled.
How are your classes structured?
‍‍

• All lessons will be taught in a group format.

• 50 minute classes offered in 12 week sessions plus a short informal concert/recital or open house at the Stiefel at the conclusion of each session.

• A minimum number of students must be signed up to offer the class.  Each class also has a maximum number of participants so sign up soon!

• Classes will meet in the Watson Room / Green Room of the Stiefel Theatre.

• Tuition is due upon enrollment, but payment plans are available. Scholarships are available if class enrollment is beyond your financial means. Contact the box office to discuss payment options.

Meet our Instructors

Our Instructors

Matt Gerry

Guitar Instructor

Matt Gerry has been a music teacher and guitar instructor at Salina South Middle School for 19 years. Through various grants from organizations like the Salina Education Foundation, the Greater Salina Community Foundation, Donorschoose.org, the Give a Note Foundation, and the Country Music Association he has built a guitar program in the Salina public school system from the ground up. At Salina South Middle School where he currently teaches, over 200 students enroll in his guitar classes every year. He is a Salina South High School graduate who obtained his Bachelor's degree in Music Education from Wichita State University, and a Master degree in Teacher Leadership from Kansas State University. His training also includes instruction from the GAMA Teaching Guitar Workshops and the National Science Foundation’s STEM Guitar Building Project. Mr. Gerry’s work has been featured in various publications including InTune magazine, Music Inc. magazine, and his middle school guitar program was featured as the Kansas representative in NAMEs - Guitar Class in 50 States. His students have gained national attention by winning the “Making Wishes with Weezer” contest in 2010, appearing on a commercial aired on the Disney Channel, and were also highlighted on the Radio Disney Music Awards. His teaching accolades include Salina Teacher of the Year in 2011, the Music Teacher of Excellence Award from the Country Music Association Foundation in 2017, and was a “Hero for Change” recipient from Radio Disney that same year. Gerry is a member of the board of directors at the Stiefel Theatre. Matt is married to his wife, Stephanie who are both proud parents to Adele (16) and Lydia (14) who attend Salina South schools. He enjoys singing and playing guitar at First Covenant Church, and the hobby of collecting vinyl records.

Jesse Smith

Guitar Instructor

Jesse Smith has been playing guitar and bass for over 20 years. He received his Bachelor of Arts degree in Music Education from Kansas Wesleyan University in2008. After graduation, Jesse was a member of the Salina Symphony, performed many shows as a pit orchestra member at the Salina Community Theatre, and has been a member of several locally performing bands. Since 2019, he has taught music and guitar classes at Lakewood Middle School. His wife Abby also works in education, and they are proud parents to their daughter, Violet.

Jennifer Andres

Piano Instructor

My name is Jennifer Andres and I am so excited to begin working with the Stiefel Theater to teach at the Mike Finnigan School of Music!  A little bit about myself, my husband and I live in Abilene Kansas where I have five children from ages 21 – 3 years old !  I have been playing piano for 37 years and I have been teaching private lessons for 18 years.  I am an avid supporter of music education and over my career I have seen the benefits of piano in my students’ lives.  I am so excited to begin teaching piano at the Mike Finnigan School of Music!  I look forward to working with your students!

Ann Zimmerman

Songwirting Instructor

Ann Zimmerman has sung across the Great Plains and beyond—in New York, Seattle, Boston, Texas, Minnesota, Alaska – turning each audience into her backup choir.  She sings songs old and new and has written her own award-winning songs. She has four independent recordings. Ann sings annually at the Land Institute’s Prairie Festival near Salina and in recent years has been performing at the Walnut Valley Festival, Winfield, Kansas. She entertains nationally at festivals, farmers markets, fancy theaters, conferences and backyards. Pre-pandemic, she played about a hundred dates a year. Ann sings for thousands of students each year in Salina Public Schools through the Salina Arts & Humanities “Arts Infusion” program. “Meadowlark,” the title song from her album of children’s music, was chosen as a finalist in the folk / Americana category of The Great American Song contest.  Ann was voted the "People's Choice" winner in the Wildflower! Festival song contest near Dallas with songs from her “Blue Wild Indigo” album. She is a long-standing member of the juried “Kansas Arts on Tour” and Mid-America Arts Alliance rosters. She was nominated for a “grass-roots Grammy” in the Just Plain Folks national song contest. Ann is from Salina, an attorney and mediator with degrees from K-State and Harvard, and is an elected member of the Salina school board.

Bill Tuzicka

Vocal Instructor

William “Bill” Tuzicka is currently in his twelfth year as the conductor and music director of the Salina Chorale.  He serves as the Technical Director and Director of Operations for the Stiefel Theatre.  Mr. Tuzicka taught choral music for 37 years at Southeast of Saline Jr/Sr High School and holds a bachelor’s of music degree from Bethany College and a masters of music education degree from Wichita State University. Bill has many years of “hands on” experience working with performers.

Gavin Blehm

Brass Instrument Instructor

Gavin Blehm is a trumpeter and music instructor from Abilene now living in Texas. A graduate of Ft. Hays State University, he is pursuing a master’s degree in Trumpet Performance at the University of North Texas (UNT) where he plays in chamber music, wind and jazz ensembles and works with public school students. He has performed with the Salina Symphony, Theatre Salina and Hays Symphony

Mikaela Nilo

Strings Instructor

Mikaela Nilo,23, began playing violin at age four in Oregon where she grew up. Now, living with her husband in Ft. Riley, she plays in the Salina Symphony and subs in the Kansas City Symphony. She graduated in 2021 in violin performance from Biola University, Los Angeles, with many awards. At Biola, she taught “String Sprouts,” an after-school program for young children in underserved areas.

Patrick O'Connor

Barrelhouse Piano Instructor

Patrick O’Connor, Wichita musician, historian and all-around character, will demonstrate “Barrelhouse” piano, a style developed around the time of early Blues and will tell adventures of meeting early blue musicians and Mike Finnigan. Pat curated exhibits on The Blues at the Kansas African American Museum and authored the book Wichita Blues: Discovery. He plays keyboard and guitar and has done deep research into Blues History in Kansas.

Ramona Malone

Gospel/ Church Piano Instructor

Ramona Malone, lifelong pianist and active Salina citizen, focuses her musical efforts on praise, worship and community and is enthusiastic about this chance to share her skills. She works and plays at New Jerusalem Missionary Baptist Church, has directed the Salina Gospel Choir, serves on the Martin Luther King Ad Hoc Committee and is president of the Salina Family Healthcare Center board.