BASS

Acoustic or Electric Bass Lessons, Classes, and Bands

Whether you are a beginner or an actively performing musician, our experienced bass teachers offer you one-on-one instruction customized to help you achieve your musical goals. Our instructors teach both upright (acoustic) and electric bass in a wide variety of classic and contemporary styles.

Our complete current class schedule with session dates and times is published quarterly and available upon request in hard copy and e-versions.

A number of our instructors lead bands, or “ensembles”. These bands provide opportunities for bass players to learn how to play better with other musicians, gain valuable performance experience, and pick up new repertoire. Visit our Bands page for more details.

Please contact our office with any questions, or to sign up for lessons, or classes today.

BASS INSTRUCTORS

Elizabeth Draper - Upright Bass, Electric Bass
www.myspace.com/blackblondiemusic
www.myspace.com/ourhipsdontlie
Elizabeth Draper received a Bachelors of Music in Double Bass Performance from the University of Minnesota in 2004. It was there that she studied under St. Paul Chamber Orchestra's Chris Brown and Minnesota Orchestra's Peter Lloyd and James Clute. Her classical endeavors have found her performing both as a featured soloist and as an active section member in a number of orchestras and chamber ensembles. Elizabeth has been a professional gigging jazz bassist since age 16. She performs regularly in the big band and jazz combo circuit around the Twin Cities. Her improvising has led her to The School For Improvised Music in New York and a European tour with Ireland's Nick Roth. Her eclectic background has found her performing in indie rock bands, casino stints, musicals, and studio jingle work. Elizabeth is a member of the group The Ditch Lilies, a string band whose style ranges from honky tonk, 1930s swing, bluegrass and country. She is also a member of the touring band Black Blondie, a trip hop, dub influenced, alternative R&B project. Elizabeth has taught privately since 1998.

Dale Dahlquist - Electric Bass
Dale Dahlquist has had a long career of music performance and teaching with a "side" of music recording and sound reinforcement. His first professional stint was in the mid 70's touring with June Apple recording artist Dakota Dave Hull, playing bass as a sideman in concerts at upper-Midwest colleges and universities. Since then, public venues have included folk festivals, county fairs, art festivals, TV and radio shows, the Minnesota State Fair and numerous bars and music clubs. His teaching experience at WBSM spans three decades and thousands of students. Dale teaches and has played professionally in a number of genres: bluegrass, jazz, rock, pop and dance band music. Blues, swing and ragtime guitar are specialties.

Jim Ouska - Electric Bass, Bands
www.jimandjanemusic.com
Jim Ouska has been teaching individual lessons in guitar and bass and leading ensembles at West Bank School of Music since 1987. He won a WBSM jazz composers grant and has received nominations from the Minnesota Music Academy for guitarist of the year in the jazz, R&B and bluegrass categories. Also a singer and songwriter, he recently released three CD’s of original songs. Jim performs regularly in the Twin Cities and throughout the Midwest and has been a featured guitarist on a number of recordings. (See above website to read reviews and hear samples from one of his most recent projects.)

Paul Renz - Director of Jazz Studies, Guitar, Bass, Ensembles
www.paulrenz.com
Paul Renz started the jazz ensemble program at WBSM in 1993 and currently leads three adult jazz ensembles that perform regularly in the community. He also teaches guitar and bass, jazz theory, composition, sight-singing and improvisation classes. Renz has a Bachelor's degree in jazz composition and arranging from Berklee College of Music and a Master's degree in composition and jazz studies from the New England Conservatory of Music. He has been featured as a guitarist and composer on National Public Radio. Renz's works have been commissioned by Tidewater Performing Arts of Virginia, Tidewater Classic Guitar Society, Minnesota Center for Arts Education, MacPhail Center for Music and Roseville Area High School in Minnesota. Renz has recorded and produced several critically acclaimed CDs featuring original compositions and some of the finest players in the upper Midwest. He performs frequently in the Twin Cities and his quartet tours nationally every other year. Renz is a well-known clinician and presents master classes throughout the United States.

Paul Storms - Electric Bass, Bands
Long time WBSM teacher Paul Storms studied music at the University of St. Thomas and the University of Minnesota under the tutelage of Jeffrey Van, Charles Pedersen, and Paul Berget. He has also studied with Michael Hauser and Pedro Bacan. He was chosen to perform at Master Classes conducted by Christopher Parkening, Larry Coryell and Sharon Isben. With a versatile repertoire that covers rock, blues, jazz, classical, flamenco and more, Paul teaches students of all ages, but is particularly adept at working with younger pupils. As a performer, he has played concerts from retirement communities to TV studios, from private events to the Minneapolis Parks and Recreation Board summer concert series with highlights including performances on WCCO and KTCA TV and radio stations KFAI, WCCO and KDWB. Recently he performed with the all star youth choir at the American Choir Director's Association Convention.

BASS CLASSES (See current class schedule for dates and times)

We currently do not have any bass classes, but offer private instruction, or a band experience. Contact the Director to see if we can create a class for you.

WEST BANK SCHOOL of MUSIC
1813 South 6th St. Minneapolis, MN. 55454 (612) 333-6651
info@westbankmusic.org

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