JAMES SODKE

 Piano, Keyboard, Brass

James Sodke teaches private lessons on piano and keyboards, and teaches students at all levels. He is fluent in all styles, including classical and jazz. He has a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Music Education from UW Milwaukee, is an Associate Lecturer in music at UW-Parkside, and was the musical director for musicals at Carthage College. He is the co-director of Lakeshore Conservatory of Music, the Director of Traditional Music at Lutheran Church of the Resurrection in Racine Wisconsin, and is a freelance editor, arranger, and engraver for Hal Leonard Publishing. 

James Sodke has appeared with the national tours of: Dancin’, Zorba, Camelot, Chorus Line, Stop the World, the Rockettes, South Pacific, Grease, 42nd St., Lou Rawls, Gladys Knight, The Moody Blues, The Mills Brothers, The Temptations, The Drifters, Danny and the Jrs. and Little Anthony.

He has performed with jazz greats Stanley Jordan, The Dorsey Band, and Dianne Schuur, and performed with The Milwaukee, Racine, Kenosha, and Waukesha Symphony Orchestras, the Milwaukee Civic and Chamber Orchestras, and Present Music. He has been a clinician/guest artist for the Kenosha, Racine, Milwaukee, Cudahy, Wausau, and Bowler public schools, and the Rhythm section clinician for Wisconsin Honors Jazz Band.

Former students include: 

Dave Kochanski (Rippingtons, Boney James, American Idol, and others) 

Joel Frahm (International Jazz recording artist) 

Matt Kinzleman (International Jazz recording artist) 

Chris Bressette, Brandon Covelli, David Billingsly (former UW-Eau Claire graduates and international musicians)

Dr. Amanda Albrecht (Tulsa, OK), Joe Kennedy (New Orleans), John Sorensen (Wilmont HS) (UW-Parkside graduates)

Wisconsin Area Music Industry Awards (WAMI): Nominated for Keyboard Player of the Year (2008, 2009, 2010)

Winner of Best Jazz Band (2008, 2009, 2010)

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Contact Info: jsodkepianolessons.com or (262)-321-8947