Brandy Held graduated in 2005 from UW-Whitewater with BA in piano performance and a psychology minor. She is currently working on a music education certification at Cesa #1 for grades K-12. At Whitewater she studied classical piano with the Julliard graduate Dr. Myung Hee Chung and after graduating studied jazz and improvisation with Brian Hagen. Brandy began playing piano at age 4 and started taking lessons at age 8 with Rachelle Berger Poteracki. At age 11 she began writing and performing her own songs. She was also inspired by her dad Ron Held who was also a guitarist/singer/performer. All throughout high school she took variety of music courses with one of her favorite music teachers Lance G. Haas who was voted Wisconsin’s Teacher of the Year and was once the drummer for the Steve Miller Band. In the year 2000 she began playing guitar and has studied guitar in college and with Madison, WI guitarists Rockwell Rice and Travis Ziegler. She offers beginning to advanced piano and guitar lessons. She is also the solo artist and performer in the Madison area.
Brandy Held
Brandy has been a music teacher for 18 years and has been running her own studio since 2005. At one point Brandy taught up to 45 students weekly until she recently cut back her hours to teach general music full time and songwrite. She teaches all ages and all styles. She also gives her students the chance to perform 2 times a year in student recitals. Brandy works with kids and adults of all ages. She has worked with kids that have ADD, ADHD, and autism and has an interest in music therapy and preschool style music education for babies to ages 4. Her Madison, WI music studio also makes monthly donations to the Heifer International Foundation to help others obtain sustainable food and income. Brandy is also a supporter of Kiva loans.
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Brandy has been playing the piano for the last 36 years and the guitar for about 22 years. She has also been a rock singer for the last 32 years. From 2009 to 2012 she took voice lessons and has studied with vocal coaches Trudy Evans , Kelly Garrow, and Caitlin Cisler. She has also been a songwriter/accompanist for 29 years. In college she took classes on music theory, composition, musical ear-training, music history, folk guitar. Her past musical experience includes: performing classical music in college; acting and singing in musicals including lead roles; singing , playing piano, and arranging music for pop/rock concerts; music theory and arranging courses; playing the baritone in marching and jazz bands since age 10; singing in high school and college choirs; and teaching preschoolers music education. In high school she was awarded The “Leadership Award”and “Most Spirited” band awards by Lance G. Haas as well as a Music Excellence award given to her by the US Marines in the year 2000. Brandy has been an accompanist for the last 29 years. She used to be choir pianist for about 20 years and has experience playing for weddings as well. In 2008-2010 was the keyboardist for the folk/jazz group Mockingbird in the Madison area and also has helped out on keyboards/keytar for the other local bands. She is currently a solo artist in the Madison, Wi area. In March 2011 she released her first EP Dark Eyes. Her first album Chaser was released in June 2012 and is available on CD baby, itunes, Amazon, and reverbnation. She is currently working on a new album due later in 2022 or early 2023.
Brandy has had a passion for music since she was a child and loves being able to give the gift of music to others. She loves being a teacher, songwriter, and performer. She loves playing piano, guitar, and singing. In her spare time she spends time with family, pets, and friends. Her other hobbies and interests include attending music concerts (especially Muse, Ben Folds and Tori Amos!), karaoke, fitness, photography, gardening, reading, recording music, and theater.
