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.
D’Andre Conant is a senior at the University of Montana, completing a degree in Piano Performance. He is looking to continue his studies abroad at the master’s level following graduation. This year, D’Andre is preparing for piano competitions and continues to perform in recitals and collaborative settings. Alongside performing, he enjoys working with students of all ages and levels, helping them build a strong musical foundation and appreciation for the piano.
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.
Clara Hahn is a senior music education major at the University of Montana. She is incredibly excited be back at PLAY this year. When she isn’t teaching, you can find her singing in the University Chamber Chorale, or conducting the Grizzly Marching Band!
Landon Kleeman began piano lessons at age 3 and continued throughout high school. After being accepted to the University of Montana he graduated in 2024 with a degree in piano performance and pedagogy. As of 2025, 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.
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Beth Mast earned a Bachelor of Music degree in music theory from the University of Montana, studying both piano and voice. She enjoys singing in choir, yoga, hiking, and spending time with friends and family. She is looking forward to her sixth year teaching at PLAY!
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!
Esther Russell has been playing piano since age five, and enjoys sharing her love of music through teaching. Currently based in Missoula, she is dedicating a year to studying hymns and helping students grow in skill and confidence. Outside of teaching, she loves traveling—having visited seven countries—and skiing in the mountains.