Our Team
Winston Lee - Piano Teacher - Owner
Winston Lee began studying piano at age seven. By age nine he became the youngest to ever win the Utah Valley Symphony Concerto Competition and performed Mozart’s 19th Piano Concerto with the Utah Valley Symphony. He spent a large part of his youth competing in various states. Winston taught Orchestra at Rocky Mountain Middle School for seventeen years. For fun, he performs regularly with an eighties tribute band and is also a member of a retro 70’s rock band, Bay of Pigs, currently performing “Pleasant Grove Rock Opera”. Lee studied classical piano with Dr. Pollei of B.Y.U. and Professor Amano of Utah State. He believes that all students will benefit from studying music. Winston enjoys teaching all levels of piano students.
Russ Lee - Guitar Teacher - School of Rock
Russ Lee is a diverse teacher who enjoys incorporating music theory into the songs that he teaches. An experienced musician, he has recorded his own music, performed in original bands as guitarist and vocalist, and produced and recorded various local bands. Russ currently performs in an eighties tribute band. He teaches the Lee Music School of Rock classes, developing young musicians into confident performers. Russ has taught guitar at Lee Music since we opened our door in 2000. He is a valued teacher at Lee Music and is also the artist responsible for most of our ceiling art.
Rick Thornburgh - Guitar Teacher
Rick Thornburgh has been a teacher at Lee Music for over two decades. His students have excelled and gone on to create their own bands as well as become recording artists. Rick is an extremely talented and skilled musician, able to perform difficult guitar solos with perfection. He currently performs with an eighties tribute band as well as continually hones in on his technical skills by learning guitar solos for fun. Rick is a valued teacher at Lee Music and we hope to keep him for many more years.
Jaime Jespersen - Drum Teacher
Jaime Jespersen provides students the technique and rhythm-reading knowledge knowledge that they will need to succeed as versatile drummers and percussionists. He has an extensive performance background. Jaime is currently recording and performing “Pleasant Grove Rock Opera” with the retro 70’s rock band, Bay of Pigs. He has been teaching at Lee Music for over two decades. Lee Music appreciates the dedication Jaime has shown to his students and to our entire team.
Luke Dillon - Drum Teacher
Luke Dillon has taught at Lee Music since February, 2022. He believes that “drums are important - that’s why God put one in your chest” (at least that’s been Luke’s excuse for tapping on the dinner table his whole life). He has collaborated on many projects here in the Rocky Mountains as well as the coastal Northeast. Luke fosters his students’ passion for music while incorporating transcription, contemporary technique, and application. Luke’s students are lucky to have such a fun and skilled teacher. We are happy to have Luke as a teacher at Lee Music.
Aiden Swenson - Drum Teacher
Aiden Swenson has been playing the drums since he was eight years old. He has consistently participated in the Lee Music School of Rock since 2013, gaining experience rehearsing and performing with live bands. He also loves singing and playing keyboards as needed for performances. Aiden started teaching drums at Lee Music in January of 2023. His students have built a rapport with him while improving their skills. Aiden is a valued part of our team at Lee Music.
Janice Vincent - Violin Teacher
Janice Vincent, currently the orchestra teacher at Wasatch High School and Timpanogos Middle School, began her music career while a violin performance major at BYU, as a freelance studio and orchestral violinist. Over the years, she has been musically active in Washington, Virginia, and Utah, teaching private lessons and performing in numerous symphony, ballet, and opera productions and many studio recording projects, as well as giving recitals both as soloist and ensemble member. Janice finds immense satisfaction in helping young people discover the joy of making music. Over the years, Lee Music has been fortunate that Janice puts aside time in her busy schedule to teach at our studios.
Julie Lauchner - Piano Teacher
Julie Lauchner started piano at age eight and acquired an immediate and lasting passion for the instrument, continuing lessons from grade school through college. She majored in Piano Performance at Westmont College in Santa Barbara, California. Julie began teaching during her high school years and continued upon returning from college. Later, after becoming a member of the Arizona State Music Teachers Association, one of her high school students won the state competition, performing Rachmaninoff’s Prelude in G Minor. Julie has always been an active pianist, performing in recitals, schools, churches, and special events, as well as accompanying vocalists and instrumentalists. Julie‘s extensive technical skills and ability to coach advanced students, along with her love of teaching all levels of musicians is appreciated here at Lee Music. Her passion to see students gain skill, confidence, and excitement for the art of music aligns perfectly with our goals. Lee Music enthusiastically welcomes Julie to our team!
Emmett Olson - Cello Teacher
Emmett Olson is the principal cellist for the Wasatch High School Orchestra. He studied classical cello with Marcos Rangel and has been studying under Janice Vincent at Timpanogos Middle School and Wasatch High School for over six years. Emmett has excelled in Solo and Ensemble Festivals. He is also well versed in piano and enjoys composing for cello, piano, and guitar. He is often writing songs for his band Stereo. Emmett has been a great addition to our team at Lee Music. He is patient and fun with kids of all ages.
Gentry Biggs - Guitar Teacher
Gentry Biggs started studying guitar with Russ Lee here at Lee Music at the age of ten. He is proficient at acoustic and electric guitar. Gentry has been a member of the Lee Music School of Rock program for over six years, performing drums, guitar, bass, and vocals. He is an excellent performer. Gentry will prove to be a patient and kind teacher. We are excited for him to complete his student teaching here at Lee Music!
Rhys Moore - Piano Teacher
Rhys Moore has been studying the piano since the age of six. He has competed at the Heber Valley Piano Festival throughout his youth and earned the Outstanding Musician Award seven of the ten years he competed. Along with piano, he began violin at age eleven and won the state competition with the Wasatch High School Orchestra. Rhys also learned ukulele and guitar in high school. He writes and records his own music. Rhys has been a teacher at Lee Music since 2022. His students enjoy learning from him and he is always very welcoming to them. Rhys is currently completing his mentorship under the guidance of Winston Lee here at Lee Music. Lee Music appreciates the drive and inspiration he brings to his teaching.
Eric Patterson- Violin Teacher
Eric Patterson is a skilled fiddle and violin player, having begun studying at age six. Originally trained in classical violin through the Suzuki Method, Eric was able to transition into fiddle music easily. Eric used his fiddling skills to become an entertainer at the Heber Valley Railroad at fifteen years old. He has trained multiple violinists during his time at the railroad, helping them increase in proficiency and confidence. For over a decade, Eric has played in various groups and combos. He believes that it is important to let students explore the world of music and find the genres and playing styles that inspire them to continue learning. We are happy to have Eric on our team here at Lee Music!
Alison Samuels - Flute and Piano Teacher
Alison Samuels brings to Lee Music a wealth of musical accomplishments and educational expertise. She is a master at the flute and has performed extensively as a soloist, in chamber groups, as well as orchestral settings. She, along with her husband, Eric Samuels, founded the Utah Music Festival and School, which included private lessons, masterclasses, chamber music, and orchestral performances. Alison’s impressive educational history with the flute includes Julius Baker, Sam Baron, Albert Tipton, and Brad Garner, all internationally-respected teachers. She received a B.A. from SUNY Stony Brook and a M.M. from the Manhattan School of Music. She taught and performed for eighteen seasons at the Utah Music Festival and School and has taught on the faculties of Nyack (NY) College, Hackley Private School (NY), and Weilenmann School of Discovery. Alison is first and foremost an expert flute player and instructor, although with her life-long dedication to music education, she is also able to teach piano proficiently.