Our Teachers

Heatherjo Bolton

Piano & Woodwinds

Having been teaching private lessons since 1996, Heatherjo Bolton has been with Ashland Academy since the very beginning, is responsible for all of the day-to-day operations and has been the owner since 2006. She maintained a private studio of over 80 students for over two decades before cutting back a bit and returning to daytime teaching. Heatherjo attended both the University of Wisconsin at Eau Claire and at River Falls. In 2004, UWRF awarded her a bachelor degree in preK–12 instrumental and vocal music education as well as high honors in both oboe and piano performance. She has been on staff at Shell Lakes Arts Center as their double reed instructor since 1998, is often asked to assess and work with teachers of all specialties, re-vamps current school music programs and has helped establish several school band programs. Heatherjo has been guest soloist on oboe with orchestras around the world, touring Paris, Iceland, Russia, Europe, Japan, Canada, and throughout the United States. She can often be seen performing, judging competitions, and as a clinician. Her sounds can be heard on several recordings with her performing, arranging, and composing. Mrs. Bolton is active in Music Ministry at three churches; performing on both oboe and piano regularly and has even become a “pandemic canter”. Her specialized study of the positive effects music has on the brain, in childhood development, and overall human intelligence has led way to many lecturing and workshop opportunities. In the fall of 2020, Mrs. Bolton began teaching PreK through 8th grade music at two private schools in Wisconsin. Ms. Heatherjo also enjoys water skiing, crafts, anything to do with plants (especially bonsai), board and card games, and really values time with her precious family.

Nick Chapdelaine

Piano, Voice

Nick Chapdelaine started studying music in 2012. Coming from a very musical family, he is currently attending the University of Wisconsin River Falls seeking bachelor’s degree in music education with a vocal emphasis. He currently performs in a band, playing piano, guitar, mandolin, and both lead and back-up vocals. He has experience in music theory and songwriting. Outside of teaching, Nick loves spending time with his family, cat (Zelda), and dog (Koda), playing Minecraft and Animal Crossing, and being outside. Mr. Chapdelaine joined the Ashland Family in January 2022.

Chris Chelgren

Violin, Viola, Piano

Chris Chelgren has been teaching private violin and viola lessons and music theory since 1999. Chris
graduated from St. Olaf College in Northfield, MN with a Bachelor Degree in Music Theory and Composition.
He was actively involved in the music program, taking private viola lessons, composing music, and serving as principal violist for the St. Olaf Orchestra. He has toured much of Eastern Europe, China, Japan, and the
South Pacific, where he has enjoyed traveling with different orchestras. While not teaching or working, he
enjoys listening to classical, world, and electronic music, playing European board games, reading, and
spending time with his cat Moxie.

Mike Graebner

Guitar, Bass Guitar, Mandolin, Ukelele, Upright Bass

Mike is an accomplished musician with over 30 years of experience playing the guitar. He has a
background in fingerstyle acoustic guitar, rock, jazz, and classical guitar. Mr. Graebner has studied at Arizona State University, the University of Minnesota, and at McNally Smith School of Music. While at Arizona State University he was awarded the Jazzbird Grant for Excellence in Jazz Performance. In 2002, Mike recorded a solo LP, “Corner of the World”, with Grammy award winner Mike Elliott as engineer. Mike has written music for film and radio, but nothing gives him more satisfaction than his passion for playing and teaching the guitar. Mr. Graebner has been with the Academy since its creation in 1998, having taught privately since 1996.

Meghan Schmidt

Piano, Music Therapy, Composition

Mrs. Meghan Schmidt has been teaching piano since 2007. For most of that time, her students have regularly participated in the National Federation of Music Clubs and the Wisconsin Music Teachers Association competitions. In May of 2010, she graduated from Indiana State University with a double degree in Piano Performance and Music Business. Her collegiate carrier was capped with a piano pedagogy internship before completing her master in Music Therapy in 2015. Upon moving to the area in 2020, Mrs. Schmidt sought out many private musical schools and chose Ashland as the lucky recipient. Meghan was welcomed into the Ashland Family in March 2021.

Ryan Smith

Guitar, Bass Guitar, Percussion

Two-year Minnesota Music Award "Best Guitarist" nominee Ryan Smith, has been teaching guitar at
Ashland Academy since its creation in 1998. He earned his Bachelor of Music (classical guitar performance) at Bethel University where he graduated from the Honors Program. He also teaches at Hill-Murray and has an active performing and recording career. He is well-versed in all styles of music including rock, alternative, punk, classical, blues, and jazz. Ryan is the lead singer/guitarist/songwriter for the indie-rock group The Melismatics. The Melismatics have had their music featured on MTV's "Laguna Beach," NBC's "Windfall," and numerous extreme sports videos. They have also performed nationally and internationally at such venues/events as Lollapalooza, Summerfest (Milwaukee), SXSW (Austin, TX), First Ave (Minneapolis), Spaceland (Los Angeles), NXNE (Toronto), Mercury Lounge (New York City), Double Door (Chicago), and many, many more. Mr.Smith has also lent his guitar playing to such artists as Mark Mallman, Phil Solem (The Rembrandts), Grant Hart (Husker Du), Keri Noble, All Star United, and many others. As a song writer, he has been involved with several publishing companies. Ryan likes to provide students of all ages and experience levels with a well-rounded education that includes the fundamentals of music, a diverse repertoire, music theory, sight-reading, improvisation, and a general knowledge of the music business. Ryan was here at the creation of Ashland Academy of Music and has been teaching privately since 1996.