Forest Lake Middle School

Maurya Laqua, Middle School Band Teacher, spent the first two decades of her life in Williston, ND, finding her way to Fargo-Moorhead as a college student.  She studied at Concordia College in Moorhead, MN, and is a proud Cobber!  At Concordia she earned a Bachelor of Arts degree, double majoring in music education and psychology while playing French Horn in The Concordia College Band and The Concordia College Orchestra.  After graduation she made her way to the Twin Cities area filling a medical leave at Isanti Middle School and ultimately landing the fall of 1999 in the Forest Lake Area School District.  Her entire career in Forest Lake has been teaching at the jr. high level, an age group she fell in love with as a Bible camp counselor.  When she isn’t teaching Ms. Laqua devotes her left over energy to the Forest Lake Girls Basketball Program as their “DOBO”-Director Of Basketball Operations-and is the volunteer music director and pianist for Youth Performing Arts (YPA).  Ms. Laqua lives in Forest Lake with her old-man-cat, Sebastian, and Pug, Polly, but travels around the country and the world staying connected with friends, family and fun.

Jake Matheson teaches band in the Forest Lake Area Schools. He teaches 7th and 8th grade bands and lessons at Forest Lake Area Middle School and elementary bands at Scandia Elementary, Wyoming Elementary and Ranger Academy. Mr. Matheson directs the Forest Lake Ranger Marching Band.  Mr. Matheson holds a Bachelor of Music in K-12 Instrumental Music Education from the University of South Dakota and a Master of Science in Curriculum and Instruction from Western Governors University. Mr. Matheson is a third generation graduate of Forest Lake Area High School. Mr. Matheson founded and directs the Forest Lake Area Community Band and teaches many band lessons after school through Forest Lake Area Community Education.  Mr. Matheson and his wife Lauren (who is also a music teacher) live in Chisago with their son Tyler and Yorkie puppy named Ellie.

John Guidry is thoroughly enjoying his second year at Forest Lake Area High School. Before coming to Forest Lake he taught choir for seven years in Delano and Stillwater. John grew up in Pennsylvania and came to Minnesota to earn his Bachelor’s Degree in Music Education at the University of Northwestern – St. Paul. His choirs have performed at the Minnesota American Choral Directors Association State Convention twice and have collaborated with the St. Croix Chordsmen Barbershop Chorus. He has performed with the Minnesota Orchestra and St. Paul Chamber Orchestra as a member of the Minnesota Chorale and is the choir director at Twin Cities Bible Church in Maplewood. John lives in Lino Lakes with his wife and their three boys.

Mrs. Gorsegner currently enjoys teaching voice lessons at the Middle School (7-8) and Vocal & Classroom Music at Linwood (K-5), Ranger Academy (K-3), the Linwood 6th-grade Choir.

She has been a teacher for Forest Lake Area Schools since 2005, and has taught both Vocal & Classroom Music, and Reading Intervention. As a musician, her main instruments are voice & piano. She enjoys performing & listening to a variety of musical styles.  She leads and accompanies her church Praise Team, and also enjoys cooking, reading and spending time with her family. Family activities they enjoy together include: camping, hiking, fishing, four-wheeling, snowmobiling, traveling, playing games and family meals.

Natasha Montzka teaches orchestra at the Middle School & at several elementary schools within the Forest Lake Area district. She has received degrees from both the University of Minnesota – Twin Cities and Texas Tech University. Natasha also serves as the concertmaster of the Minnetonka Chamber Orchestra and teaches Adult String Classes through Community Education.

Poji Schreiber has been the Elementary and Junior High Orchestra Director and Pops Orchestra Director in the Forest Lake Area School District for 19 years. Her passion is to teach music and share her love of music with others. She believes in empowering each and every student and that everyone can achieve their goals. Poji studied with numerous violin teachers, like Aaron Janse (Minnesota Orchestra), Elsa Nilsson (St. Paul Chamber Orchestra) and Andrea Een (Minnesota Opera). She has a Bachelor of Music in Education from St. Olaf College and a Masters in Education from St. Catherine University. She is a MYS alum and was a first violinist in the Metropolitan Symphony Orchestra. She also has three children and loves going on fun adventures with her family. For fun, she loves to curl up with a good mystery book.