Musikhaus began as a private music studio in 1998 by Dr. James D. Feiszli (me), in Rapid City, South Dakota. I was fortunate to be joined by my wife Michelle in 2000.

Michelle, an accomplished keyboardist and professional vocalist,  became the primary instructor/owner of the studio, developing it into one of the largest and most successful music studios in South Dakota with students winning scholarships to prestigious conservatories across the U.S. and in competitions such as Miss South Dakota. Meanwhile I focused on ChoralNet – an online forum for choral music, eventually donated to the American Choral Directors Association; Dakota Voices – a semi-professional vocal ensemble; and transcribing/ editing/arranging music for ensembles in the USA and abroad.

I retired from college teaching in 2016 and spent two very satisfying years as Director of Choirs at the First United Methodist Church in Rapid City.  Michelle, meanwhile, earned a Master of Science in Mental Health Counseling. In 2018, she accepted a position as a counselor at the Florida Civil Commitment Center.

We relocated to Florida. Musikhaus ended as a teaching studio. I spent two semesters teaching choral conducting and graduate choral literature at the University of Miami and then retired from choral activity.

Michelle developed her career as a mental health professional. At the FCCC, she moved from counselor to team leader to Assistant Clinical Director. She then began to be offered Clinical Director positions at various Southwest Florida agencies and left the FCCC to pursue those and develop a private practice – Shell Coast Counseling. She is currently the Clinical Director for an agency in Fort Myers in addition to practicing privately. Her online professional presence can be found at the link above and elsewhere.

In 2019, I entered part-time employment at Total Wine and More – the largest retailer of wine and spirits in the USA. Having undergone specialized training, I am now certified in wine, spirits, and beer by Total Wine and Cicerone. In many ways it is an extension of what I’ve always done – share what I have learned with others.

BTW, Michelle informs me that these photos are tantamount to false advertising as they were taken almost twenty years ago. So, visit the blog posts for more recent ones…..