Meet Our Teachers

Julie De Rurange

Owner, Let's Play Music Director, Teacher

Piano / Voice

Julie grew up in the Portland, Oregon area where she took 10 years of piano lessons and gained a powerful appreciation for music and especially musical theater. She has been teaching the Let's Play Music program for a decade and believes wholeheartedly in the value of this curriculum. Julie is excited to be part of the expansion of Let's Play Music in the beautiful St. George area.

Jessica is so excited to be a part of the Let's Play Music world! She started teaching piano 10 years ago when she was having difficulties trying to find a teacher for her then 8 year old daughter, so she took on the task of doing it herself. The neighbors found out she was teaching and one thing led to another and she soon had a full schedule. Jessica was first introduced to Let's Play Music with her second child and instantly fell in love with the program! Since then, she tells everyone she knows about it and found herself as a teacher shortly afterward. Jessica can't wait to share the joy and fulfillment that music brings with you and your child/ren!

Marianne Stewart

Sound Beginnings Director, Teacher

Marianne studied human development and music at Brigham Young University, graduating with her Bachelor's in 2002. She has been teaching the Let's Play Music curriculum since 2008, adding Sound Beginnings and Presto programs to her studio as they became available. Since moving to St. George in 2023, she has been teaching music in a preschool setting, and working with online Let's Play Music students from all over the country. Marianne and her husband, Dan, have six adult children between them, plus one teenage daughter still at home. When she's not playing music, Marianne loves sunrise runs with her friends, canyon hikes with her husband, listening to audiobooks and podcasts, and anything that involves both chocolate and peanut butter.

Jessica Clayton

Teacher

As a young pianist, Jessica dreamed of one day becoming a music teacher. She later studied the oboe and received her degree in music from Utah State University, but it wasn't until she discovered the Let's Play Music curriculum that she found the missing piece in music education: music experienced as joy, connection and self-expression. She has been living the dream as a Let's Play Music teacher for five years and looks forward to many more at Let's Play Music St. George! In addition to music, Jessica loves discussing books, cooking up adventurous recipes and hiking red rock trails with her husband, two kids and adorable goldendoodle.

Janna Brown

Violin Instructor

Violin

Janna Ostler Brown is a proud graduate of Utah Tech University, where she earned a Bachelor of Violin Performance, studying with Dr. Paul Abegg. Previous private teachers include Victoria Andrus, Jason Bonham, and Linda Ghidossi-DeLuca. Additional instruction includes lessons and master classes with Ka-Wai Yu, Hasse Borup, William Terwilliger, Francesca Anderegg, Bayla Keyes, Esther Abrami, and members of the Atos Trio and Juilliard Quartet. During her undergraduate studies, she worked with world-renowned conductors including Yue Bao, Ken Lam, Alexander Prior, Kazem Abdullah, JoAnn Falletta, and Keith Lockhart, and has collaborated with artists such as Daniel Hsu, Kenny Broberg, Zhu Wang, Chad Hoopes, Matthew Lipman, Natasha Paremski, Audra McDonald, and Jeremy Denk. Solo performances include concerts with the Orchestra of Southern Utah, the University orchestra at Utah Tech, and the Southwest Symphony. Currently, Janna teaches violin and viola privately, performs with the Southwest Symphony, and is a member of the Red Rock String Quartet.

Matt Wilkes

Guitar Instructor

Guitar

Matt is a dedicated and experienced guitar instructor at Let's Play Music St. George, with over 25 years of playing experience and a passion for teaching students of all ages. His musical background spans a wide range of instruments and styles, including classical acoustic, steel-string acoustic, electric guitar, lap steel, sitar, and ukulele. For 16 years, Matt served as the guitarist for New Promise Lutheran Church, and he has also had the unique opportunity to audition for The Smashing Pumpkins. In addition to his performance experience, he is an approved service provider with the Children First Education Fund (CFEF). Matt has been teaching privately for 14 years and has previously taught at both the St. George School of Music and the Resonance School of Music. Outside of teaching, he stays active performing at weddings and playing with several local bands. As a father of two, Matt especially enjoys working with children and beginning students, creating a supportive and engaging learning environment. At the same time, he is skilled in teaching players of all ages and skill levels. His approach focuses on building a strong foundation while keeping lessons fun and inspiring—helping students not only learn guitar, but continue growing long after their lessons have ended.

Logan Hadlock

Drum Instructor

Drums

Logan has been an active member of the music community in St George, especially the past 6 or 7 years. He graduated Desert Hills High School in 2025 as a powerful student leader in percussion. He has been a participant and leader in countless honor ensembles, community orchestras, and small groups all over the area, touring as far as SLC and LA. He joined the Utah National Guard in 2024 and recently returned from successful training at the US Army School of Music where he earned his spot as a drummer for the 23rd Army Band. When he isn't doing something music related (which is rare) he is probably making time for friends or family, or building an empire in a game somewhere.

Tragon Hadlock

Drum Instructor

Drums

Tragon Hadlock just finished his sophomore year at Desert Hills High School where he was a major participant in the audition band and percussion groups. In addition, he plays snare on their premier Drumline. He's had valuable experiences as a performer in combo groups around town and is one of the on-call percussionists for mentorship, always eager to share his love of drums with younger students and kids.