Music at LSC
Explore music opportunities at Lake Superior College
Talented instructors, zero textbook costs, clubs and more. Courses offered at Lake Superior College range from classes like History of Rock and Roll, to private lessons for beginners to experienced musicians. Many music courses count toward the Minnesota Transfer Curriculum and all, including applied lessons, count toward the Associate of Arts degree.
Summer Sessions Available!
General music courses
- History of Rock and Roll
- Introduction to World Music
- Appreciation of Music
- Fundamentals of Music
- Concert Choir
Applied lessons - general education elective
Beginner to advanced students are welcome! Schedules are arranged with instructors to meet one-on-one on a weekly basis, and schedules are flexible. Choose from 30 minute (1 credit) or 60 minute (2 credit):
- Applied Music - Piano*
(two keyboard practice rooms available) - Applied Music – Voice*
- Applied Music - Guitar
- Applied Music - Strings Violin and Viola
- Applied Music - Intensive Study Voice*
- Applied Music - Intensive Study Piano*
- Applied Music - Intensive Study Violin and Viola
- Applied Music - Intensive Study Guitar
*Multiple sections offered
Our Mission
The mission of the Lake Superior College’s music department is to provide an introductory music education through a broad range of course offerings designed to help students of all levels develop an appreciation for music, build and enhance their musicianship skills in written and performed music, perceive how historical, social, and cultural factors influence music, and to build an awareness of and respect for the cultural, intellectual, and social diversity found within music.All students who have a desire to learn regardless of previous music experience or knowledge are encouraged to join in the exploration of the universal human expression that is music.
Explore music opportunities at Lake Superior College
Clubs are open to any student who can play an instrument or sing. To learn more, contact faculty advisor Calland Metts.
"To say that I have loved my time learning piano under Mrs. Clark is an understatement! Under her instruction, I have developed my piano playing skills into something I didn’t even knew I had in me. If you have any interest in music you have to check this out!" ~Luke Peters,current LSC student
"During my lessons at LSC, it really set the foundation of proper technique for my voice and really explored what my voice could do. These lessons helped me take a huge step into transitioning towards my major in vocal music education." ~Riley Hinnenkamp,LSC graduate,current UW-Superior music major
"I’m extra thankful I was able to have voice lessons with Cal last semester, as it ended up being my one opportunity to regularly sing during the pandemic. His feedback has given me confidence and I look forward to growing as a singer." ~Grace Herbertz,current LSC student
Meet our talented music instructors
Dr. Jeffrey Madison
Hailed for his dramatic diversity, baritone and stage director, Jeffrey Madison has performed and directed a varied repertoire from grand opera and operetta to musical comedy. Dr. Madison has performed leading roles with companies including The Minnesota Opera, Minnesota Orchestra, Colorado Symphony, Jacksonville Symphony, Seattle Opera Young Artists, Chautauqua Opera, Western Plains Opera, Fargo-Moorhead Opera, and an appearance at Carnegie Hall with the Minnesota Orchestra. Locally, Dr. Madison has performed with the Lyric Opera of the North, Duluth-Superior Symphony Orchestra, Lake Superior Chamber Orchestra, and the Duluth Playhouse.
Dr. Madison’s directing credits include productions with Lyric Opera of the North, Duluth Playhouse, UW-Superior, Big Top Chautauqua, University of Minnesota-Twin Cities, and Bethel University.
Dr. Madison has served on the music faculty at LSC for 3 years where he teaches Applied Voice and World Music. He also serves in the music department at UW-Superior and has taught for the U of M Twin Cities, Saint Scholastica, UMD, and Bethel University. Dr. Madison holds music degrees from the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire and the University of Minnesota-Twin Cities.
Dr. Madison especially enjoys working with beginning music students and loves the hard-working student community at LSC!
Calland Metts, M.M.
Calland Metts is a member of the music Faculty at Lake Superior College as well as Fond du Lac Tribal and Community College and Bemidji State University. Mr. Metts teaches such courses as History of Rock and Roll, Music Appreciation, Concert Choir as well as private voice, piano and brass applied lessons. At LSC Cal has served as Faculty advisor for both Choir club and Band club.
As a performer Mr. Metts has performed a wide variety of genres of music and theater. From Tenor soloist in Handel’s Messiah with the Utah Symphony to Emile Debeque in South Pacific with Courtland Repertory Theater in upstate New York. Local Audiences may have seen Cal perform with the Duluth Superior Symphony or onstage at the Duluth Playhouse.
Cal also serves as co general artistic director of Lyric Opera of the North with his wife Sarah Lawrence. Roles with LOON include appearances in The Barber of Seville, Don Giovanni and Amahl and the Night Visitors where he got to perform along side his Daughter Giulia.
Mr. Metts earned a Bachelor of Arts in music from Otterbein University and a Master of Music in Opera performance from Northwestern University.
Cal also enjoys partnering with designer Ann Gumpper in Lyric Opera of the North’s Scenic design and build shop.
John Ondich-Batson, M.M.
John Ondich-Batson is a violist/violinist with a B.A from St. Olaf College as well as a M.M. in orchestral conducting from UMD. John is currently pursuing conducting opportunities with community organizations in the Twin Cities as well as maintaining various violin/viola teaching studios including here at Lake Superior College. John is an active violist/assistant director in the Civic Orchestra of Minneapolis as well as a violist/personnel manager for the Wayzata Symphony Orchestra.
John’s teaching style not only focuses on the mechanics of playing the violin/viola, but also musicianship, music theory comprehension, and music history.
John Farrell
John Farrell has been music faculty at Lake Superior College for 20 years. His guitar teaching style is rooted in a belief that a strong foundation in chord and scale theory combines with good technique and rhythm set up the student to succeed in any style of music. Experienced in styles ranging from pop, rock, blues, jazz, country, the student can choose what musical style they are interested in. John Farrell studied Jazz studies at UMD and was the first person to graduate from Music Tech (later renamed as McNally Smith Institute) two-year program.
John believes that the students stylistic interests and goals are paramount to development of the player and enjoyment of the instrument. He teaches all styles and all levels from beginner to advanced. He especially enjoys teaching improvisation and creative aspects of music.