Keyboard West has a highly qualified and enthusiastic staff. Karen Unrau, Consultant for the International Piano teaching Foundation, trains and certifies all piano teachers associated with Keyboard West. We are proud to announce our talented staff.

Jessica Anderson - has been teaching piano lessons for seven years and will begin her third year of teaching at Keyboard West. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in music from the University of Northern Iowa., where she performed extensively as a collaborative pianist and choir accompanist. Prior to her time at UNI, Jessica received several awards for her solo performances and was runner-up at the Terrace Hill Governor's Piano Competition.  Jessica is now a staff accompanist at Drake University and performs frequently as a freelance musician. She is a member of Music Teachers National Association. She loves teaching and desires to cultivate musicianship and a love for music in each of her students. In her spare time, Jessica enjoys writing music, running, and reading.

Kim Baack - is looking forward to her tenth year at Keyboard West. Kim specializes in teaching music to pre-school and young elementary children and also teaches Wiggles N’ Tunes classes.  Kim enjoys young children because they come to class so excited to learn! Kim received her B.A. in Elementary Education at the University of Northern Iowa and is happy to combine her pre-school teaching experience with her love for music. Kim and her husband Brad have two sons. In her free time she enjoys watching her boy's sports activities, knitting and walking.

Greg Brown - is a world-class guitarist with a passion for teaching. His accomplishments include hosting a guitar TV show in Houston for several years, authoring more than 10 books, and producing several successful teaching videos and CD ROMs. Greg’s years of research and learning culminated in creating Light Speed Guitar. The method creates outstanding guitar players. Many of his students are first chair in their high school jazz bands in addition to winning many awards. Greg moved back to Des Moines in 2006 to be with his family. His desire is to bring high quality guitar instruction to the Midwest.

Skye Brown - is enjoying her second year teaching at Keyboard West Studios.  She is a music education major at Drake University.  Her main instrument is clarinet and she just finished the piano portion of her degree last spring. She studies clarinet with Clarence Padilla.  Skye has been playing piano since the age of seven.  In her free time, Skye enjoys photography, spending time with friends, and going to movies.

Jessica Conklin - is enjoying her third year teaching at Keyboard West Studios.  She has been teaching piano for twelve years, and is an active member of MTNA. Jessica received a Bachelor of Music degree in Piano Pedagogy from Converse College and a Master of Music degree in Piano Performance and Pedagogy from the University of Oklahoma.  Jessica is excited about watching her students progress this year!  She is also a yoga instructor and enjoys archery and cooking.

Stephanie Coy - is the Director of Keyboard West Studios and is looking forward to her fifth year of teaching group piano lessons.  She enjoys creating a positive, musical experience for and motivating students at each lesson. Stephanie is a member of the Federated Music Club. She has been playing piano since age 5 and performs in the community at weddings and social gatherings. She's a graduate of Drake University. Stephanie's looking forward to continuing to share her love of music with her students. Stephanie's hobbies include jogging, reading and cooking!

Joseph Ewart - is in his second year as an instructor here at Keyboard West Studios. He has been studying guitar with Greg Brown for several years. Joseph attends Roosevelt High School. He participated in the Jazz band at school and plays soccer. Guitar is his main focus. Joseph is inspired and influenced by the music he listens to. He is eager to share his love of music with his students.

Denise Forney - returns for her second year at Keyboard West Studios as a music instructor.  Denise brings passion and energy to her programs, and enjoys instilling a love for music in children.  Denise started playing guitar at age of 9 and piano at age 11. She enjoys utilizing her singing and playing skills to lead worship in her church and entertaining youth as her alter ego "Hosanna Montana."  Denise has a graduate degree from Drake University, and her hobbies include singing, songwriting and spending quality time with her husband John and three young children: Rachel, Kaitlyn and Jacob.

Jeff Huber - is a new teacher at Keyboard West.  He has played keyboard since age 7 and has taught piano in schools in Texas and Minnesota.  Jeff's specialty is church music.  He holds two bachelors - one in Church Music and one in Elementary Music Education from Northwestern College in Roseville, MN.  In college, he took piano, organ, and voice lessons, sang in the men's choir and college choir, and was the pianist for a contemporary ensemble. After college, he earned a Master's in Church Music from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Fort Worth, Texas.  Most recently Jeff has been a substitute teacher in the Waukee CSD.  This fall, in addition to subbing, he is returning to school in hopes of earning a secondary teaching license in Iowa.  Jeff is a member of Lutheran Church of Hope where he directs the hand bell choir and sings in the one of the choirs; he has also been a member of the Drake University Community Chorus.  Jeff and his wife, Kay, have one daughter.

Jesse Kern - is in his third year at Keyboard West Studios and is enjoying teaching piano to groups of students because of the added stimulus and motivation that classmates provide.  He loves how the Pace Method teaches transposition, composition and a fluid experience of the whole keyboard from the very beginning!  Jesse is excited to see his student’s blossom in these creative endeavors.  He loves sharing the joy of music and singing with these students.  He holds a Bachelor of Musical Arts in Piano from Oklahoma Baptist University.  He is also the director and one of the teachers at the School of Metaphysics, which just celebrated 30 years in Des Moines.

Christa Pearson - Begins her 6th year at Keyboard West this fall.  She received a Bachelor of Music degree in Piano Pedagogy from Drake University in 1999, studying with Chiu-Ling Lin.   A highlight of college was winning the Drake Soloist award and playing Gershwin's, Concerto in F, with the Drake Symphony.  She went on to study music theory in graduate school at the University of Massachusetts, and taught music theory and ear training at Luther College for four years before returning to the Des Moines area.  She is an active instrumental accompanist with a particular love for modern music.  When not teaching or making music, Christa enjoys cooking, reading and spending time with her husband, Scott.  She's also anxious to welcome their new baby into the world and begin her new calling as a mom!

David Rubin - is a Senior Piano Performance Major at Drake University with minors in trombone and composition. He is currently studying with Dr. Roth and enjoys learning and performing classical repertoire. He has performed in several masterclasses, ensemble and solo recitals in Sheslow Auditorium, the Salisbury House and many weddings. David is excited to apply his knowledge and experience to teaching at Keyboard West!

Amy Saylor - is in her fifth year teaching at Keyboard West and specializes in pre-school and Wiggles N' Tunes classes. She holds a Bachelor of Music degree with an emphasis in business from Drake University. She studied oboe with Jay Light and piano with Chiu-Ling Lin while at Drake. She is an active alumnae member of Sigma Alpha Iota, a professional music fraternity for women, serving on the national Philanthropies Board as Secretary. She enjoys spending time with her family, cooking, reading and she is a huge Chicago Cubs fan.

Kelly Tabor - is in her second year of teaching at Keyboard West.  She began studying the piano at a young age and wishes to share her love of music with other young musicians.  Kelly attended Drake University, graduating in 2003 with a BSBA in marketing and management and a minor in music, focusing on piano and vocal studies.  During her four years at Drake, Kelly was a member of the Drake University Community Chorus and was also a student accompanist. Kelly has also recently begun playing the guitar as well.  In her free time, Kelly enjoys running, biking, and spending time with friends and family.

Karen Unrau - has a passion for teaching and watching young talent develop.  She has been teaching piano in the community for 33 years. Karen's Early Childhood and Music Education studies at Bethel College, Newton, Kansas, led her to Montessori Children's House, West Des Moines, where she taught music for 20 years. Karen is a consultant for the International Piano Teaching Foundation, training and certifying teachers in the group teaching methods of Dr. Robert Pace.  She co-founded Keyboard West Studios in 1988 together with Joyce Templeman, and was sole owner from 1998-2005.  She currently serves as the Education Director for Keyboard West Studios.  She is an active member of the Music Teachers National Association as well as the local Des Moines Music Teachers organization. Karen is also a member of the National Federation of Music Clubs and the Federated Music Club of Des Moines. Karen enjoys live music, reading, writing, travel, and being a grandparent.

Joan Wierenga - is newly returned to Des Moines after 23 years in Boise, Idaho.  Joan has taught piano lessons (and voice and flute) for 25 years, and is excited to meet and have lots of musical fun with Keyboard West students.  Joan began her piano adventure with 10 years of study with Joyce Templeman, and continued on with Carol Lei Post at Central College, where her affection for accompanying was put to good use.  Joan and her husband, Thom, home school their two daughters, and in her free moments Joan loves to travel, read, scrapbook and cross-stitch.