Meet our String Teachers
Tony Chang is a dedicated violin performer and educator with over 28 years of experience. He studied violin performance at Indiana University. He has taught violin and conducting at Central College and Simpson College, performed with orchestras in the US and Japan, and maintains an active private studio. He is accepting violin and viola students of all ages and skill levels. He uses both Suzuki and Traditional Orchestral methods to bring out strong skills of musicianship with his students.
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​Cellist Ryan Doerr grew up in Sioux Falls, SD where he studied cello starting at the age of seven
with Karren Melik-Stepanov. Ryan holds a B.A. in Music from Drake University where he
studied with Ashley Sidon. After his undergrad, he studied cello for two years with LA Phil
Cellist, Gloria Lum. He is currently doing his M.A. in Cello Performance at the University of
Iowa, where he studies with Anthony Arnone.
Ryan was appointed Associate Principal cello with Orchestra Iowa in 2022 and was appointed as
Assistant Principal Cellist with the Des Moines Symphony Orchestra in 2023. He also served as
Principal Cellist at Opera in the Ozarks during their 2022 season. In addition to performing with
these orchestras, Ryan serves as the cello teaching assistant at the University of Iowa.
​Askar Khaetov is a bass player, performer, composer and teacher. He holds a Bachelor's and two Master's in Jazz performance from the State Conservatory of Uzbekistan and in Jazz Studies from the University of Iowa. He has shared the stage with some of the finest jazz musicians such as Benny Green, Chris Coles, Christie Dashiell, Anibal Rojas, Aaron Gosh, just to name a few.
During his Master's at the Universityof Iowa, he worked as a teaching assistant of jazz history and was an assistant director of a jazz combo. He also worked as an electric bass instructor at the state Conservatory of Uzbekistan and as a guitar teacher at British school of Tashkent.