Three decades in the studio where music gets taught
ALWAYS TEACHING
As a teacher, Jon Michael Iverson has taught students of all ages, abilities, and musical styles. In addition to standard classical piano repertoire, his teaching includes popular and contemporary styles such as jazz, blues, stride piano, pop tunes, and coaching pianist-singers. Regardless of musical style, his students have been routinely selected for MacPhail Center for Music’s distinguished Honors Recitals, performance scholarships and the prestigious Concerto & Aria Concert.
As the son of Mary Lou Iverson, NCTM and Minnesota Music Hall of Fame Inductee, he grew up in a musical household. Iverson began teaching at the early age of 14 and has a deep passion for sharing musical knowledge and instruction with others. The underlying principle of his teaching philosophy is to use music to teach the whole person. That music opens doors within us that we don't know are meant to be opened.
“He discerns what it is that I need to learn while
remaining very sensitive to my needs. He is good at making the 'music beneath the music' come alive.”
-- MacPhail Student
Benefactor Dr. Richard King talks with a recipient of the Iverson Inspirational Merit Scholarship at MacPhail Center for Music
The IVERSON INSPIRATIONAL MERIT SCHOLARSHIP at MacPhail
While grieving for his late wife Lois, retired doctor Richard King found renewed value in the healing power of music. In the process of taking piano lessons with Jon Michael Iverson at MacPhail, King found a path through the grieving process: to play his late wife's favorite songs to her spirit in the evening.
With the hope to inspire others to do something positive in the world through music, King and Iverson created the Iverson Inspirational Merit Scholarship. Awarded annually, the Iverson Scholarship is intended to support and encourage students to use music as a positive force: to help another person heal, cope, or mend. Student James Pumphrey was the first scholarship recipient, due to his volunteer work playing music for toddlers at a crisis nursery in Minneapolis.
Watch the Kare 11 News Story:
MUSIC AS A SOCIAL GLUE
In January 2026, the city of Minneapolis was the center of Operation Metro Surge, a Federal deployment of thousands of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents to the city. For weeks, ICE agents occupied Minneapolis and many of the surrounding suburbs.
The impact of Metro Surge was felt especially hard with the deaths of Nicole Goode and Alex Pretti. The residents of Minneapolis mourned together, and then demonstrated their deep unhappiness, anger, and vitriol towards the occupation. Massive protests were held all through the city, a show of solidarity, unity and togetherness.
Throughout this ordeal, music was able to help sustain the community. Jon Michael Iverson shares his thoughts in this video prepared for MacPhail After Dark (2026).
PROFESSIONAL STATEMENT
Music exists in all known cultures, past and present: it is a foundational attribute of human existence, shaped by – and shaping – the lived human experience. Music therefore serves as a mirror, helping us understand the world around us as well as the world within us; it helps us learn what it means to be human. As a result, musical understanding and appreciation are important elements in the Art of Personhood, helping us lead an artful life that is well-rounded and balanced, helping bring purpose, meaning, and fulfillment to our lives. By providing a richer, deeper, and more beautiful understanding of life, music helps establish an informed, aware, and conscious citizenry – a populace that is emotionally and culturally intelligent. Above all else, these are the most profound benefits of music and music education.
FORMER STUDENTS
