January 2012's Teacher Spotlight
Steve Seitz
Steve has been a professional musician for over 30 years, touring nationally and abroad, including Europe, China, Canada, and the Caribbean. He’s been a drum and percussion instructor in the Green Bay and Fox Valley for over 20 years, and holds clinics in various schools in northeastern Wisconsin. He’s studied with several nationally renowned drummers and percussionists.

Favorite Musical Genres: I grew up in an adventurous time for music. I would listen to everything from the Beatles to Jimi Hendrix. After I was introduced to jazz, I listened to Miles Davis, Coltrane, and Monk followed by the fusion era with Weather Report, Chick Corea, and Herbie Hancock. Today I can appreciate all genres that are done with a high standard of musicianship and are compositionally sound.

Favorite Teaching Moments: I have been teaching percussion long enough to be able to see students achieve their goals. Some are now music educators, some have toured and recorded albums, some are college students with music majors, for some just to play in a band is a major goal. Each student is unique and I feel blessed to get to know each one.

Favorite moment in your musical career: The opportunity to travel at a young age. I have had the pleasure of performing on several European tours, China, Caribbean and all through the U.S.

What you like to do in your spare time: I am an avid motorcyclist. I have a Harley Davidson and enjoy everything from bike rallies to week-long trips.

Best tip you can offer a beginning music student: Enjoy practicing your instrument; it is an art form. It should be joyous, not something you are forced to do. It should be work you love to do.

Student Libby Welton's Musical Accomplishments and Praise for Steve

Music shapes my life every day. I am very thankful for those who have shaped my music career thus far. Steve has been a large part of that adventure. The memories of my first lesson with Steve include ones of excitement, enthusiasm and anticipation. Steve’s contagious energy continues to motivate me to this day. Steve is a great educator because he teaches young students how to learn.

Music can broaden minds, and being a student of Steve’s has shown me this. Steve always pushes me to do my best, and because of that, I have been going to State Solo and Ensemble every year since 8th grade. In addition, I am in my third year with Ashwaubenon High School’s top jazz band, Jaguar Jazz. Along with this, I participate in Jaguar Jazz’s combo and play drum set accompaniment for our show choir “Encore”. I have participated in my school’s marching band for four years, as drum line captain in my junior year and receiving the honor of Drum Major this year as a senior.

Steve also encouraged me to be a well-rounded musician. I participated in Ashwaubenon High School musicals all four years of my high school career, receiving lead roles in my junior and senior year as Belle in Disney’s Beauty and the Beast and Tzeitel in Fiddler on the Roof, respectively. I am also a nine-year member of the Green Bay Girl Choir. Being a well-rounded musician assisted in my participation in the 2011 WSMA State Honors Band as my audition required me to be well versed in all aspects of concert band percussion. All of these music groups contribute to my aspiration of becoming the best musician I can.

I recently joined a band with a few music friends and I perform with the Green Bay City Band during the summer. Music will continue to be an important part of my life when I venture to college this coming fall; it is an integral aspect of my character. Although I do not plan to obtain a major in music, I do wish to continue playing. Steve set a firm foundation for my playing and taught me how to build upon it; it is now my turn to grow as I continue on my musical journey.

Past Teacher Spotlights

April 2012 - Katie DeNure
March 2012 - Steve Schani
February 2012 - Bobbi Rohrs
January 2012 - Steve Seitz
Decmber 2011 - Bruce Koestner
November 2011 - Jason Busse