Lauri Knapton, Owner

Lauri has worked in the music business since 1985. She started working in a music store when she was in high school.  Her parents never played musical instruments but encouraged her to play instruments by taking her to lessons and listening to her practice. 

Lauri has an Associates degree from UW Rock County and a Bachelors degree from UW Whitewater.  She plays the violin, piano, and organ.  She has also “played with” the cello, harpsichord, accordion, trumpet, guitar, ukulele and drums. 

Lauri established Knapton Musik Knotes in 2000 with the purpose of providing top notch customer service, musical instruments and musical accessories.

Lauri loves traveling...with maps.  She's only used a GPS twice:  the first time it directed her through a field in Ohio, and the other time into the ocean in California!   

Brad Lutton, Store Manager

Brad is the Store Manager at Knapton Musik Knotes, and he thoroughly enjoys the opportunity to pass along his love of music to people of all ages. 

Brad has worked in the music industry since the mid 90’s.  He teaches guitar, bass, ukulele and banjo—he also enjoys playing drums and piano.    He’s the guitarist/back-up vocalist/dancer in the Local Band 2211.  When he’s not playing or teaching music, Brad enjoys all different types of sports.  GO PACK GO!

In his younger years, Brad had long curly locks, but now….he does not.

Robin Westby

Robin teaches guitar, bass guitar, ukulele, piano, mandolin, trumpet, and drums at Knapton Musik Knotes

Robin began playing the guitar at age 15 when she started taking lessons at Knapton.  She fine-tuned her performance skills with Rock County 4H, Show Choir, and Heat Wave. 

Robin plays lead guitar and sings in the local band Curb Appeal, which originated as a Knapton Rock Camp band.  

When she's not teaching or playing music, Robin stays busy with modeling and participating in Cosplay.  

Robin's favorite food is artichoke and her greatest regret in life so far is that she never learned how to whistle!

Ed Schultz

Ed has played guitar off and on for over 40 years.  He is a guitarist and the lead vocalist in the local band "Curb Appeal" which was started from a Knapton Musik Knotes Rock Camp.  He also plays in his church's Praise Band.

Ed has over 32 guitars, and he is still "shopping" every time new models arrive.  In addition to collecting those, he also really likes shoes, owning around 100 pairs!  

Ed also has a weakness for Mentos, and we can bribe him to do just about any chore around the store for them!

Another fun fact:  Ed appears dancing in a Duran Duran video "The Reflex" at 1:29-1:33.  The next time you see him, ask him for his autograph!

Everett Edwardson

Everett’s dad was a drummer in many different bands over the years, so it was only natural that he was introduced to music at a young age! What started as an interest in drums led to interest in all things music.

In 6th grade, Everett learned that he was a prodigy at playing the alto saxophone. He was also a member of his schools choir and had the same choir director throughout junior high and high school. During his senior year of high school he took a Music Theory semester course which really sparked his overall interest in music. It was in that class where he learned a lot of different theoretical ideas that helped him discover some new ideas that can transpose to every instrument there is.

Everett recently picked up guitar and is taking the time to practice every night. He hopes to one day be able to start teaching lessons about Music Theory and how to play instruments such as the Saxophone, Piano, Guitar, Uke and Drums.

Zachary Peterson

Zachary Peterson, a Beloit-based violinist, has an extensive background in performance.    He is comfortable teaching violin, viola, cello, and bass to all ability levels and ages, and he is happy to take on adult students as well as absolute beginners to very advanced students. He is also comfortable teaching people in fiddle and non-classical styles.

Zachary holds degrees from The University of Wisconsin Oshkosh (Bachelors 2006-2010), The University of Western Ontario (Masters 2010-2012) as well as Roosevelt University (Performance Certificate 2012-2014).  After completing his degrees Zachary went right into a two year membership with the Civic Orchestra of Chicago, one of the countries leading training orchestras.

Zachary grew up in the Beloit / Janesville area where he studied with Lori Davis (Wier) and John Pickart, and later with Janet Chisholm in Madison. After graduating High School, Zachary went on to study with Klara Bahcall, Annette Barbara-Vogel, Jaime Weisenblum and Stefan Hersh.

While studying at the collegiate level, Zachary received various honors and opportunities. He was a featured soloist with both the Western Ontario and UW-Oshkosh Orchestras playing the Mozart Adagio and Rondo (Western) as well as Dvorak’s violin romance (Oshkosh). Other honors include being a UW-Oshkosh Honors Recitalist as well as passing his Master’s Degree final recital with a mark of Distinction, a mark given to exceptional student recitals the the University of Western Ontario. Zachary has also had the honor of working with as well as performing alongside some of the leading classical musicians of our time. During the end of his time at UW-Oshkosh, Zachary had a teaching studio at Mike’s Music in Fond du Lac, where he taught students aged 6 - 60.

While at Roosevelt, Zachary’s quartet was given the honor of playing the Mozart Viola Quintet with Julliard Professor of Viola Toby Appel. While at the Civic Orchestra of Chicago, Yo Yo Ma worked extensively with the Orchestra giving masterclasses, workshops and coaching, which during the Bach Brandenburg Concertos Marathon Concert in 2015, Mr. Ma sat in with the Brandenburg group Zachary was playing in. Also while in Civic, Zachary played under many influential conductors including Riccardo Mutti, Charles Dutoit and Sir Andrew Davis. At Roosevelt, Zachary performed in Masterclasses taught by concert violinists James Ehnes and Augustin Hadelich.

Outside of his training, Zachary has organized and performed in many solo recitals and concerts. He has a passion for finding and performing obscure and under-performed masterpieces and championing lesser known composers. In addition to classical performance, Zachary is an accomplished fiddler, which he hopes to showcase more in the coming years.  

Helaina Baker

Helaina has been playing piano for 10 years. When she’s not at school or at Knapton, you can find her playing with the Turtle Creek Chamber Orchestra!

Isai Mata

Isai has been playing music ever since he was 11 years old, playing the trombone in the 6th grade alongside his school’s orchestra. He would continue to learn guitar, piano and drums playing for his church’s band!

Ever since joining Knapton Musik Knotes he has expanded his musical repertoire by learning bass, ukulele, and his current expedition, banjo.

Isai currently gives lessons for guitar, piano, and drums with a specialty in Classical Spanish, Indie & Folk and Alternative Rock!

He is also a bilingual speaker so do not be afraid to speak to him in Spanish. Muchos gracias!

Caleb Sigmund

Olivia Rockers

Theron Schroeder

Theron has been into music his whole life. His dad and grandfather were directly involved with the Milton High School Marching Band, and directors for the Janesville local Green Beret Marching Band. Starting in marching band at 10 years old, he has found a significant interest in saxophones, particularly the Alto and Baritone Saxophone. 

He also has experience playing brass instruments such as baritone, mellophone, french horn, tuba, and trumpet. Having played those in his middle school and high school concerts, as well as playing in the orchestra for his church. He has been in the Green Berets for 10 years and played 2 years in the high school marching band. 

He has also started playing guitar and wants to expand his abilities with other instruments in the future, while also studying music theory.