Helen Chang Haertzen
First Violinist/Minnesota Orchestra
Sebastian is a wonderful pianist. I enjoyed performing Arvo Part's Spiegel Im Spiegel live with him onstage at Metropolitan Ballet. I have also got to know him well in the dance world, enjoying his music during class with Lise Houlton at Minnesota Dance Theater.
Chris T.
St. Paul
When my son first started his lessons, I was immediately impressed with Brian's knowledge of music, music theory, and the art of piano playing. Sebastian believes that confident and skilled playing must develop upon a foundation of good technique. And right from the start, he emphasized good technique in my son's lessons. This has allowed my son to grow and develop as a piano player and musician over the years. In addition, in his lessons, Sebastian emphasizes the importance of reading music - especially sight reading -but he doesn't neglect attention to the skill of learning to play by ear. My son's playing has greatly benefited from being able to develop these complementary skills.
Erik Sanborn
Founder/Artistic Director
Metropolitian Ballet
Sebastian plays for my performances, auditions, and classes. He has a feeling for ballet, a sense for weaving music and dance together as one flow. He is one of the top pianists in town.
Eric Heegaard
M.D
My son has been a student with Sebastian off and on for a number of years. He likes piano but it is not his major focus as he is busy with a number of other sports and school activities. Ian's experience with Sebastian has been nothing short of wondrous. Sebastian has a unique ability to find a musical connection with a broad range of students, from prodigies to students like my son who simply want to know the joy plying music. Sebastian is able to meet a student where he or she is at in their musical journey and inspire and coax that student to move forward at their own unique pace. He has a gentle enthusiasm that provides enough momentum for a teenager to "stick with it" so that progress be achieved. He is truly masterful at his craft.
Dyan WIlliams
attorney
I first started taking weekly lessons with Sebastian in the summer of 2009. With Sebastian's guidance, I have gone from barely playing scales to playing pieces like Satie's Gymnopedies, Gnossiennes, Bach's Prelude 1 from the Well Tempered Clavier, as well as contemporary compositions by Yann Tiersen and Dustin O'halloran.
Sebastian is a unique and effective teaching style that he customizes to match each students preferences and strengths. He mixes theory, practice and play seamlessly in his lessons. He infuses humor in his teaching, but doesn't let you off the hook when you can do better.