MEET OUR BOARD MEMBERS

I’ve been performing in the Anchorage area most of my adult life and teaching seriously for about five years. I’ve performed with most of the major arts organizations in town as well as served many local churches and schools. I can teach all the foundational skills and knowledge that a pianist needs, as well as prepare you to be a competent accompanist, band keyboardist, and church musician. All my students are exposed to sight-reading, improvisation, and basic composition. I love making my lessons a fun and encouraging space to help students feel confident and find their voice in music.​Degrees/Certification: Bachelor of Music Performance from University of Alaska Anchorage 

I have been an Alaskan resident since 1954 when my family moved from Los Angeles, California to homestead on the Kenai Peninsula. After receiving a BM in piano performance at UAF and a Masters in Music in piano at the Peabody Conservatory of Music in Baltimore, Maryland, I returned to Anchorage and started my private piano studio and also become an Adjunct Professor at UAA. I have taught various classes at the UAA Music Department and currently I am teaching piano master class, functional piano and private piano. I still have a private studio in my home and enjoy working with the intermediate and advanced piano students. I was one of the founding members of the Alaska Music Teachers Association (AMTA) and continue to serve as the Anchorage Keyboard Teachers Association (AKTA) as their treasurer.

Autumn Laemmrich earned a Bachelor of Music in Piano Performance from University of Wisconsin–Stevens Point, where she studied with Dr. Raffi Besalyan. She began teaching piano in Wisconsin in 2008 and moved to Alaska in 2011. As the owner and instructor of Mountain Sound Piano Studio, she teaches students of all ages and skill levels, specializing in classical piano instruction through a traditional progression from method books to standard repertoire while also supporting individual musical interests. A certified Ultimate Music Theory instructor, she offers private theory lessons and group theory clubs that foster community among her students. She also serves on the boards of the Anchorage Keyboard Teachers Association and the Alaska Music Teachers Association.

Gretchen is a life long Alaskan, growing up in the valley under the amazing view of Pioneer Peak. 
She received her B.M Ed (k-12) from UAF. She taught Music Theory for 10 years at Southcentral’s Alaska Suzuki Institute, has been teaching private piano and saxophone lessons for 25 + years in her home based studio, and recently added General Music Classes for a Eagle River based homeschool group. She is Immediate Past President of AKTA, having served for 10+ years.  She enjoys the daily interaction with her students, which fill her up with laughter and love.