Zachary

/ Knapton Musik Knotes/

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 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.  

When he’s not giving lessons on the violin, viola, cello, or bass Zachary is busy creating mad tunes on his handmade ‘Lego’ violin!

Jean

/ Knapton Musik Knotes/

Jean Dickinson is an independent contractor who teaches Violin, Viola, Cello, and Bass at Knapton Musik Knotes.  She is licensed through the state of Wisconsin to teach K-12 instrumental music and specializes in strings.

Jean is the Conductor for the UW-Rock County Youth Orchestra, and she's a founding member of the Whitewater String Quartet.  She has participated as a player in the UW-Rock County Chamber Orchestra, Beloit Janesville Symphony, Choral Union Orchestra, Southern Lakes Orchestra, Wisconsin Chamber Orchestra, and the Waukesha Symphony.  

The worst arrangement Jean ever did was rap music on the cello/violin.  As you can imagine, it didn't work out very well!  

When she's not teaching or playing the strings, Jean collects mid-century jewelry and odd watches.  She's an avid gardener, loves to fish and bike, as well as canoe.  She hopes to someday master jump-roping and the Pokeman card game that she plays with her grandson!

Jean is a private instructor who rents studio space at Knapton Musik Knotes.