INSTRUCTORS
Valerie Young has spent 30 joyful years making music with young children. Valerie holds a degree in Music Therapy from Wilfrid Laurier University (Waterloo, Canada) and an associate diploma in piano performance from the Royal Conservatory of Music. When she's not at the studio, she loves spending time with her 4 kids, reading, painting, baking, camping, and hiking with her dogs.
Dr. Christopher Hahn is a well-respected pianist and performer, teacher, adjudicator, clinician, and author. He has been teaching piano to students of all ages for over 25 years. Dr. Hahn is professor of piano and pedagogy, and Chair of the Keyboard Division at the University of Montana where he has been on faculty since 2004.
Lucy Banbury has been playing piano for 12 years and brings enthusiasm and patience to PLAY Piano. Currently a senior at Sentinel High School, she specializes in helping beginner students feel comfortable and excited about learning piano! Outside the studio, you can usually find her outdoors—cliff jumping, playing volleyball, or exploring local hiking trails. She also loves catching live concerts whenever she gets the chance.
Jack Cederberg is a student pianist in 8th grade who has been playing piano for 6 years. He also plays clarinet in the Washington middle school jazz and concert band. Outside of piano Jack enjoys mountain biking, track, and hanging out with friends.
Adelita Chin is a student at Washington Middle School. She has played the piano for the last 7 years. This year she is excited to not only play piano but teach it as well. In addition to piano, Adelita also plays violin, ice skates and jump ropes in her free time. She looks forward to playing the piano with you!
As a recent graduate from the University of Montana with a bachelor’s in piano performance, D’Andre Conant will be spending the next year devoting his time to teaching, collaborating with local musicians, and preparing for a Master’s program.
Britta De Groot holds a degree in music from Hillsdale College and a Master of Music in Piano Performance from the University of Colorado Boulder. With over a decade of teaching experience, Britta has worked with students of all ages in her private studio, for community music schools, and in private and public school systems, and has additionally worked in leadership for an arts education nonprofit. Britta is an active performer, both solo and collaboratively; most recently she has performed in the duo Govorov & De Groot with Russian saxophonist Sergei Govorov, with whom she has toured across the United States. Britta is enthusiastic about sharing music with others, whether through performance or teaching, and is dedicated to fostering meaningful musical experiences.
Imogen Farnworth is going into 8th grade. She's been learning piano at Play Piano for almost 6 years. She also plays tenor saxophone in the Washington Middle School jazz and concert band. She loves to rock climb, walk around downtown with her friends, drink boba tea, and take care of her two little guinea pigs, Harold and Oscar.
Madeleine Folkerts is a Missoula-based performer and educator. She is Adjunct Instructor of Horn at the University of Montana, the Principal Horn in Bozeman Symphony, and a former member of the Chinook Winds. She has private horn and piano students throughout the state and frequently works in the public schools, both as a horn instructor and accompanist. She has appeared with the Big Sky Festival Orchestra and the National Repertory Orchestra. She enjoys adventuring outdoors in her free time.
Jens Jacobsen is a Missoula based musician and educator with a wide variety of experience as a teacher and performer. Recently, he moved back to Missoula from Superior, MT after teaching elementary music there for five years. Jens holds bachelors degrees in Music Performance, K-12 Music Education, and Human Biology from the University of Montana, and a masters degree in Trumpet Performance from Indiana University. Jens plays second trumpet with the Missoula Symphony, and currently teaches high school band at Loyola Sacred Heart. Jens is excited to join the team at Play Piano!
Landon Kleeman -- Mr. K holds a degree in piano performance and pedagogy from the University of Montana, and is excited to be entering his first year of the Masters of Music program there this fall. As of 2026 he is accompanying, stage managing, performing, teaching and recording original music. He is thrilled to be able to pass along his ever-growing knowledge of music to the next generations. During his free time he enjoys reading, noodling on the guitar, woodworking, watching sports, listening to records, and building cars.
Nancy Labbe recently retired from 30 years of teaching choral music and loves her new role of working with the awesome students at Play Piano Academy! Nancy holds a Bachelor of Music Education degree along with a Master of Arts in Integrated Arts and Education. Nancy loves the Montana outdoors, singing in Dolce Canto, travel, and spending time with her friends and family.​​​
Elin Peterson holds a Bachelor of Music degree in Vocal Performance from the University of Montana. Elin began teaching private voice in 2015 at On Center Dance Studio. In 2016 she moved to the Seattle area to join the music leader team with Musically Minded serving as a music educator for children ages birth-five. She also served as a sought after music instructor for Voice in the Valley Music Studio (Maple Valley, WA). She also taught as a preschool teacher, sharing the gift of music with her classroom each day. She is very excited to be teaching at Play!
Riley Steele is a freshman at Hellgate high school. She loves to play the piano, and has been taking lessons at PLAY since she was 7 years old. Riley mountain bikes competitively with the Missoula Mammoths, and does taekwondo. In her free time she enjoys reading, crafting, listening to music, and solving logic puzzles.