Douglas Kuhl School of Music
where music inspires community
DKSM Violin Teachers
Rochelle Drudge has enjoyed teaching violin, piano and music theory in Winkler since 1993, with the exception of a few years living in Indiana and one year spent teaching music in Loma Plata, Paraguay. Her musical involvements have also included directing student strings ensembles, conducting children’s choirs, piano accompanying and playing piano, violin or viola in various ensembles. For the last 10+ years, she has spent much energy developing musical programming for Southern Manitoba. Together with Wes Hamm, she founded Douglas Kuhl School of Music in 2014 and has remained in the role of artistic director until the summer of 2023. She was the founder and director of Homeschool Harmony Choir (2009 - 2019) and of Cadenza Summer Music Week (2013 - 2023). Rochelle has also been significantly involved in leadership of DKSM’s string ensembles.
Rochelle holds a Bachelor of Theology from Canadian Mennonite Bible College (1992)
and has studied music in a variety of formal and informal contexts. She has completed
her RCM gr. 10 Piano certificate and studied violin at a grade 10 level. Her teachers
have included Jean Broadfoot, David Vistenin, and Emmanuel Horch. She studied
conducting with George Wiebe and took her Orff Level 1 certification at the University of Manitoba. A strong interest in music pedagogy has prompted formal and informal study in the Suzuki Method, Edwin Gordon’s Music Learning Theory, Body Mapping, and
more.
Currently, Rochelle’s private studio in Winkler is made up of 43 violin and piano students
of all ages. Her teaching philosophy and style is strongly influenced by Music Learning
Theory, but she incorporates pedagogical elements from many teaching methods.
Central to her teaching philosophy is that music is best learned through a mutual
relationship of understanding and respect among teacher, student and parents.
Rochelle’s main goals as a teacher are to help students learn to communicate in the
‘language’ of music, to find joy in the creative process of music learning, and to grow in
confidence as musicians through private lessons and participation in collaborative and
non-competitive musical contexts.
Rochelle is the mother of three children - Kayla, Hannah and Amie. She had the
privilege of homeschooling her children from 1999-2023 and this experience has had a
significant influence in how she teaches music.
Rochelle’s studio is currently full for the 2023-24 year, but she will possibly be accepting
new violin and piano students at some point throughout the year or in the fall of 2024.
Feel free to contact her if you wish to be on a waiting list or if you have other questions about her lessons or policies.
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To contact Rochelle, email rochelledrudge@gmail.com
Sarah-Lynn Bergen began playing the violin here in the Pembina Valley at the age of 7. She performed with the Winnipeg Youth Orchestra for 4 years while taking lessons with Simon MacDonald and Karl Stobbe. She continued her studies at the University of Ottawa where she completed a Bachelor of Music under the tutelage of Yehonatan Berick, Jean-Hee Lee and Micheal van der Sloot.
While in university, Sarah had the pleasure of performing with the University of Ottawa Orchestra, the Ottawa Symphony Orchestra, the Ottawa Pops Orchestra, and the Manitoba Underground Opera. Sarah discovered a passion for music education through volunteering with Ottawa’s El Sistema program, Orkidstra, and teaching violin and piano at a local music school.
Sarah-Lynn has had the honor of being a student teacher at Cadenza Summer Music Week since 2013 and is excited to be back teaching in Manitoba! In her spare time, Sarah enjoys baking bread, knitting, and cross-country skiing.
Sarah will be accepting new students in the fall of 2023.
If you wish to be on his waiting list or have other questions about his studio,
feel free to contact her at: sarahlynnbergen11@gmail.com
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Jason Vanwynsberghe
Southern Manitoba born, Violinist Jason Vanwynsberghe holds a Bachelors of Violin Performance from the Brandon University School of Music, as well as Minors in Music Composition and English Literature. Since his studies, he has been actively been involved in the southern Manitoba music community.
Jason enjoys performing in a wide variety of settings and styles. He has played as Concert Master of the Brandon Community Orchestra, and Brandon University Orchestra, as well as performing with the Manitoba Underground Opera Company, the Grande Prairie(AB) Symphony and Singing Concert series, and Numerous Musical Theatre shows with CandleWick Productions. Additionally Jason has performed both as a solo act and as a freelance/session musician, often featuring the Electric Violin with Looping Pedal, in a wide variety of styles
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Equally interested in Music Education, Jason also operates a large violin Studio in and around the communities of Manitou, Morden and Winkler. As a conductor, Jason is the current Director of DKSM string ensemble Post Road Strings. He has served as guest conductor and clinician of the Brandon Community Orchestra, and Music Director for the Manitoba Oak Valley Passion Play.
As a composer, Jason has also written several commissioned and frequently performed Compositions. Notable among these: ‘A Prairie Sunset’ (Brandon Community orchestra, 2018), ‘Impromptu’ for Solo Violin (2015), and ‘Mass of Kenosis’ (2019).
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Jason’s studio is currently full for the 2023-24 school year.
If you wish to be on his waiting list or have other questions about his studio,
feel free to contact him at: javanwynsberghe@gmail.com
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Ainsley Kroeker
Ainsley, born and raised in Morden, began studying violin at age 4 with Lilian Toews and started performing regularly at a young age, both solo and in all levels of the Winnipeg Youth Orchestra’s. She completed her ARCT Diploma in Violin Performance from the Royal Conservatory of Music, as well has her Grade 8 Piano. Later, continued her studies at the University of Manitoba, studying with Karl Stobbe and Oleg Pokhanovski.
While studying she maintained a large teaching studio and was the founder, manager and performer for Hesed String Quartet, a professional ensemble for hire in Winnipeg. She graduated with a Bachelor of Music and Bachelor of Education in 2012. Her love for teaching violin lead her to complete her Suzuki Book 1 Teacher Training, as well as the Orff teaching method for Early Years. She enjoys teaching all levels, using a variety of material, and has prepared many students for RCM exams. She has experience as a festival adjudicator and clinician for string players and ensembles. After taking time off to raise her young family, her husband, three boys and dog are now settled in Winkler.
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Ainsley's studio is currently full. She will not be accepting new students
for the 2023 -2024 year. Inquiries about lessons with Ainsley
can be sent to ainsleyjkroeker@gmail.com
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Lori Klassen has been an active teacher in Winkler since 1991. Enjoying teaching students of all ages, her studio to date includes piano (beginner to grade 10), flute (beginner to grade 8), beginner violin (Suzuki method), theory, and harmony. Along with maintaining her studio, Lori is active as a performer and accompanist. Playing in church, accompanying soloists and various
groups and choirs over the years have provided many opportunities to enjoy making music together with others.
After having completed an ARCT degree in piano teaching, piano performance, and flute performance, Lori decided to pursue learning the violin. This has expanded the opportunities to learn and collaborate with others in string groups, and to learn new styles of music such as fiddling. Lori believes that music and lessons should always be enjoyable, and that everyone is
capable of making music. It is her theory that teachers should never stop learning, this is why she is actively involved in discovering and learning new teaching methods such as Music Learning Theory (MLT) so as to make the learning process for her students easier and more tailored to their individual needs.
Lori currently resides in Winkler with her husband Wayne and 2 daughters.
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Lori will be accepting new students for the 2023-2024 year.
Feel free to contact her at loridklassen@mymts.net