Veritas Conservatory of Music

Students’ appreciation and mastery of music grow as they learn from an internationally renowned musician, Givi Sarkisian.

About Givi:

Laureate of the international competition among performers on brass instrument.

He graduated from the Lyceum at the St. Petersburg Conservatory in the class of brass instruments and piano.

He studied at the St. Petersburg Conservatory, majoring as an orchestra artist, and music teacher.

He performed at the St. Petersburg Opera as a soloist of the orchestra and concertmaster of the trumpet group.

He was one of the organizers and soloists of the Horn Orchestra which was nominated for entry into the Guinness Book of Records.

He was a French Horn orchestra artist in the St. Petersburg Symphony Orchestra

He was admitted to the State Pedagogical University in St. Petersburg at the Faculty of Opera Vocals of Professor Dumtsev.

Beginner Students Receive:

  • Fundamentals of Music Literacy such as music theory and history 
  • Ear music training
  • Private instrumental and voice lessons

Advanced Students Receive:

  • Participation in an ensemble/orchestra 
  • Development of performance skills through musicianship 
  • Private instrumental and voice lessons 

Benefits of Music:

  • Cognitive development skills  
  • Emotional and mental well-being 
  • Growth in self-confidence 
  • Physical development in motor skills and coordination
  • Creativity and Imagination

Interested? Complete the form below.

The Arts

In 2022, the American Guild of Musical Artists (AGMA) recognized  Givi Sarkisian as an internationally acclaimed multi-instrumentalist and educator with extraordinary abilities. And now at Veritas Academy, he is inviting musicians of all skill levels and all ages to join him to make music as part of an orchestra, choir, laureates of various music competitions, or beginning and exploration. Givi takes an individual approach for each student and selects the most suitable musical instrument based on the strengths of each student.

John Baumgartner

Mr. Baumgartner is a Twin Cities-based trombonist, bassist, composer, and music educator. As a performer he has toured across the US and Canada, recorded on various projects.

Karen Baumgartner

Ms. Karen Baumgartner is an award winning-flutist who has given solo performances across the country. She also teachers at the University of Northwestern in Saint as an adjunct flute instructor.

Weily Grina-Shay

Ms. Grina-Shay is a clarinetist who is passionate about chamber music, education. She is the co-founder of 10th Wave Chamber Music Collective, a chamber music organization that seeks to curate innovative concert.

Rebecca Plunkett

Ms. Plunkett is a highly motivated, fun, energetic, and organized violinist who loves to teach! She has a certification in Beginner Violin Technique with Dr. Stephanie Allen of Violin Technique Coaching.

Ben Valine

Mr. Valine is a multi-instrumentalist whose talents include violin, viola, guitar, banjo, and mandolin. He has performed with Vince Gill and Ricky Skaggs, and has opened for John Legend, Sting, and The Jacksons.

Kiana Welsch

Ms. Welsch has been playing the violin since she was six years old. She was a dedicated member of the Minnesota Youth Symphonies for five years, which played a significant role in her career choice.

Cathy Ellis

Ms. Ellis has taught music since 1987 and has performed in orchestras since 7th grade. She studied the Suzuki Violin Method at San Diego State University under Dr. Theodore Brunson.

Timothy Shows

Mr. Shows is a Colombian American Principal Oboist of the Mankato Symphony. His studies in Manhattan with Maestro Lucarelli have refined his senses of tone color and air production.

What Everyone Is Saying About Veritas

We want the best life for our child. A best life starts with a strong foundation. Veritas Academy is that foundation. We couldn’t be happier with our choice to choose Veritas.

Because of Veritas Academy’s commitment to students, my children are motivated to learn, they are challenged at their skill level instead of being held back due to their ages.

Transition from other educational models is seamlessly supported. Staff and teachers are proactive and caring to the smallest detail. Leadership goes above and beyond for ALL students.

Veritas Academy prepared my child for college. His biology professor said his papers are some of the best first-time college papers she has ever seen.