Local Current Blog
Cloud Cult pianist Sarah Jane Perbix opens new music school in Northeast Minneapolis
by Anna Segner
March 16, 2015
Sarah Jane Perbix officially expanded her piano studio to become “Sarah Jane's Music School” on March 1 when the school moved into a cozy location in Northeast Minneapolis.
The new location at 2522 Central Ave. suits the school’s new goals and plans for development. The space is cheerful with colorful accents set against an interior brick wall, and the acoustics are music-ready. The school will now offer private lessons and classes in piano, guitar, strings, percussion, and voice to kids and adults.
Perbix has been touring with Cloud Cult and Jeremy Messersmith for about five years, making high-profile appearances at Rock the Garden, Bonnaroo, Sasquatch, and Late Night with David Letterman.
While she has been touring with Cloud Cult and Messersmith, she continued to teach students full time. Overall, Perbix has 16 years of experience teaching piano to kids and adults. Perbix plans to focus on the school while continuing playing piano for Cloud Cult; however, she will probably cut back on touring with other bands.
Students at Sarah Jane’s Music School have the option of private lessons or classes. According to the school’s website, private lessons are personalized to the students’ interest, but lessons will have a certain amount of “theory, ear training, repertoire development, and technical exercises.”
Classes open for registration currently are Preschool Music and Movement, a songwriting class with Haley Bonar, and a BYOB (Bring Your Own Beer) guitar class that's a local example of what's seemingly becoming a national trend: boozy music lessons.
According to The Journal, Sarah Jane’s Music School “has about 50 students already, and new students can join the school beginning March 16.”
A goal of the expansion is to create a community of musicians, learners, and teachers by expanding to a wider range of instruments. In addition to Perbix, piano lessons will be taught by Nakita Shedd, who has worked with Perbix for over a year. Alan Church (BBGUN) is teaching guitar and percussion at the school. As far as strings, Daniel Zamzow is teaching bass and cello, and Erika Olson Blanco will be teaching violin. Voice lessons will be offered by Julie Thoreen of Har-di-Har.
At an open house, Cloud Cult themselves helped to inaugurate the new music school. Sharing a photo of the performance, Perbix wrote, "I wish this party happened every weekend."
Anna Segner is a student at St. Mary’s University of Minnesota.
This activity is made possible in part by the Minnesota Legacy Amendment’s Arts & Cultural Heritage Fund.