MRC Instructor Info
Shawna Weaver
Shawna sings, plays violin, and keys with a few local bands, including Stardust Collective and Fox Moxie. She is our new program director, joining us with several years of education program leadership. She recently moved back from San Diego where she taught students about marine biology. She is excited to be diving back into the Duluth music scene!
Darin Bergsven
Hello
Darin Bergsven is a music teacher and guitar player. He earned his B.A. in Music Education from the University of Minnesota, Duluth in 2002. Darin has been with the MRC since its beginning in 2011 and served for a year as its head administrator. Darin has performed with jazz duo Perfectini, the North Shore Big Band, and the Big Time Jazz Orchestra. He appears on many recordings including his solo debut Out of Nowhere (2012), Tangier 57’s It Is People (2009), and Big Time Jazz Orchestra’s Fanfare from Some Flounder (2006).
Traxx Kavajecz
Hello
Traxx joins the MRC as an instructor after years with the MRC as a student. You may have seen Traxx playing on stage, and we are so excited for him to mentor students in guitar, singing, putting together ensembles, and getting ready for gigs.
Check out Born Too Late, the band he and his sister started that has taken them around the region. Traxx is a phenomenal musician, and we are lucky to have him.
Ty Pearson
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Ty is a singer, songwriter, and guitarist. He has played with several bands and is currently making music with a group in Duluth. Additionally, he is an author, filmmaker, and digital media artist who is in his third year at the University of Minnesota Duluth.
Shanna Willie
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Shanna began playing drums in 1996 at age 16 and began giving private lessons two years ago. Influenced by her dad and sister playing drums and simply having access to a set, she began. Since then she’s played with lots of groups and people including The Keep Aways, Nordic Waste, The Undesirables, Moon Dogs and Neat Neat Neat. Shanna loves supporting others and feels honored to do so through volunteering at PAVSA and working at Essentia’s Center for Personal Fitness where she gets to teach fitness and yoga classes along with offering personal training. Shanna thinks the drums are super rad and that everybody should give them a try! She enjoys teaching drums with fun, spontaneity, inclusivity, and creativity as guiding lights. She looks forward to seeing you at Sacred Heart on Thursdays!
Judy Billington
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Judy is a piano player with over 21 years of experience. She has an extensive background in church music, specifically accompaniment for choirs and soloists. She has a long history with classical music, especially from the romantic and classical eras.
Judith is very passionate about sharing her love of music with others, and is very excited for this opportunity to teach at the Music Resource Center!