About Us
Centered on people
Our authentic and community-oriented approach to teaching fosters the personal and musical development of every student through encouragement and holistic learning. We invest in our staff with continued education in refining their craft so they can continually share an excited and knowledgeable passion for guitar.
Services, processes and facility
We want your entire experience at Riverside to be positive. With that goal in mind we’re prompt in communication and follow-through and invest in beautiful design and craftsmanship. Whether you choose a class setting or one-on-one lessons, you’ll get guitar coaching in an environment created for joyful, holistic and lasting learning.
Guarantee
Our guarantee is that we will do whatever we can to help you succeed in learning.
This includes:
- Ensuring your teacher and/or class type are the right fit for your learning style.
- Issuing a full refund within the first 30 days if we don’t meet your expectations.
Our Team
We’re a fun group of passionate musicians working hard to make a positive impact in our community.
Dean Wiers-Windemuller - Owner
What was your reason for starting Riverside Guitar School?
To share my passion for guitar with my community and make a living for my family while I’m at it.
What is your favorite part about coming into work every day?
Playing songs with students and watching them gain the confidence that comes from learning new skills.
What are you most excited about for RGS this year?
Watching the buildout of our amazing new facility come together. I love interior design and am excited to be able to offer a beautiful space to our students in which to make music.
What is your favorite song in the curriculum?
Jubilee! I learned this song in high school from a recording by folk singer Jean Ritchie and I still love it. It has a great major pentatonic melody and its sentiment is so pure and innocent.
What is your favorite musical artist?
Wynton Marsalis. He is a jazz artist who was born in New Orleans and now lives in New York City. He has led multiple amazing groups — my favorite group is his septet. He also wrote a very inspiring book I read recently called Moving to Higher Ground: How Jazz Can Change Your Life. I’m drawn to history and Wynton’s music drips with the entire history of jazz.
What do you like to do outside of work?
I love to read, run, play tennis and spend time with my wife and kids.
What is your family like?
I have an amazing wife and 4 young boys ages 4 – 12. Nash loves soccer, August is great with animals and is on the Critter Crew at the Critter Barn, Dakota is our resident thespian and 4 year old Ryder has a super outgoing personality (he’ll yell to complete strangers across the street “Hi! I’m taking a walk with my dad!”). My wife Cicely came into my life 15 years ago and that has been the best thing to ever happen to me. She has a master’s degree in social work, is passionate about educating our children (we are a homeschooling family), has a kind and inclusive heart, and loves travel and adventure.
A random fact about you?
I love collecting records. A recent find at Vertigo on Division Avenue was Woody Guthrie’s Dust Bowl Ballads.
Brett Kiewiet - Studio Assistant/Teacher
What is your favorite part about coming into work every day?
Working toward something special; building a community of guitarists that can be vulnerable and open to learning.
What is your favorite song on the curriculum?
Be Thou My Vision
What is your favorite band or musical artist?
Either Pedro the Lion or MewithoutYou – I can’t decide.
What do you like to do outside of work?
Write songs, play video games and hang with my wife and cats.
What is your family like?
My wife, Allie, is extremely driven and kind. I have 3 very sweet kitties. We are growing our family and our first child is due at Christmastime.
A random fact about you?
I love Guitar, but Drums are my first love.
Vincent Frank - Studio Assistant/Teacher
What is your favorite part about coming into work every day?
Teaching lessons. I love to work with students to help them play the music they love.
What is your favorite song on the curriculum?
Old Betty Larkin, I really like the dissonance in the melody!
What is your favorite band or musical artist?
Joni Mitchell for contemporary music, Bach and John Dowland are tied for classical.
What do you like to do outside of work?
I love having game nights (virtual or in person) with my friends and family.
What is your family like?
Loud, crazy, and fun!
A random fact about you?
I love to read, especially sci-fi and horror novels.
Audrey Frank - Teacher
What is your favorite part about coming into work every day?
I love getting students excited about learning how to play guitar!
What is your favorite song on the curriculum?
Li’l Liza Jane. We always have fun playing and singing any variation of this song.
What is your favorite band or musical artist?
I have too many to name here, but what I’m listening to right now is Miranda Lambert’s album Palomino. I tried to catch Lake Street Dive in concert this summer, but wasn’t able to get there!
What do you like to do outside of work?
I enjoy all things creative, from sewing to crocheting and knitting. I am an avid reader and traveler as well!
What is your family like?
I am close with my 3 younger brothers, mom and dad, and many cousins and extended family who mostly live in West Michigan. We love playing cards and laughing together.
A random fact about you?
I competed for the title of Miss Michigan and played my guitar and sang “True Colors” by Cyndi Lauper. It was a great experience to share my love of guitar with a huge audience!
Micah King - Teacher
What is your favorite part about coming into work every day?
I love being able to make connections with other people who love music as much as I do.
What is your favorite song on the curriculum?
Probably Swingin’ Springtime.
What is your favorite band or musical artist?
I don’t really have favorites of anything as it really depends on my mood, but I absolutely love alternative artists Milky Chance and Dominic Fike, electronic music artists Tycho and Griz, jazz artists Peter White and Fourplay, classic rock bands Boston, Queen, and Toto, hip-hop artists J. Cole and Wale, classical music artists Mozart and Schubert, and many more!
What do you like to do outside of work?
I love learning music production and making songs, practicing guitar, going on hikes, disc-golfing, longboarding, playing video games, dancing, reading books (and listening to audiobooks), and doing research on things I’m interested in.
What is your family like?
My family members are the nicest people I know. I have a mom, dad, and 3 brothers, one older and two younger. I’m currently living with my two younger brothers!
A random fact about you?
I used to be really into bodybuilding but decided that I would rather focus on more internal goals instead of external ones!