Meet Your St. Louis Music Teacher – The Heart Behind Imperfect Music Studio

I'm Annaka – a lifelong perfectionist who now loves sharing the joy of music making in lessons with adults and children of all ages!

My Musical Journey

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Annaka’s musical journey began nearly 30 years ago with her first piano lesson. In 5th grade, she picked up the clarinet in her Iowa public school band – and hasn’t looked back since! From those first lessons onward, her path has woven together artistry and education, shaping a career of teaching and performing.

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​As a Teacher

 

Annaka leads early childhood music classes and teaches clarinet, saxophone, and piano students at a variety of levels. She loves guiding students as they grow — whether that means learning a pop tune, preparing for honor band auditions, or working toward university study. In every lesson, she aims to balance technical development with creativity and exploration.

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Her teaching experience spans many settings, including serving as a teaching assistant during both her master’s and doctoral studies. She has also completed specialized training in piano pedagogy for young beginners and in an internationally recognized early childhood music curriculum. These experiences continue to shape her approach, guiding students with joy, grit, and grace.

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Performance & Professional Highlights

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Alongside teaching, Annaka maintains an active performing career. She has presented and performed at ClarinetFest in Belgium, Tennessee, and Nevada, co-founded Cairn Music, a Colorado-based chamber ensemble, and collaborated on the innovative Training Groove project, designed to provide a soundtrack for runners. Whether in a concert hall, classroom, or community setting, she sees performance as an opportunity for connection and storytelling.​

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Annaka holds a Doctorate of Musical Arts in Clarinet Performance and Pedagogy from the University of Colorado Boulder and has served in roles ranging from lecturer to band assistant.

 

Beyond the Studio

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Outside of her musical life, she enjoys hiking, traveling, and exploring the world with her husband and two young daughters.