Grafton artist’s job is to inspire talent in Ozaukee

Angie Mack of Ozaukee Talent wants to harness the skills of her students of all ages at her Grafton home.

“This is honestly the best job you can ever imagine. I love working with musicians and actors. I feel really lucky to be doing this,” Mack said. 

Mack trains aspiring artists from southeastern Wisconsin ranging in age from 3 to 83.

“I have 35 students signed up per week this summer. I usually show older people the shortcuts because they aren’t really into the tricks of the trade and just want to keep the rhythm going,” she said.

Before starting her business, Mack worked for the North Shore Academy of the Arts in Grafton and has more than 20 years of training experience. Previously, Mack served as the pianist and music director for Spirit Life Church in Mequon. She also volunteers her time to organize community performing arts events such as Gathering on the Green in Mequon.

Currently, Mack is a music staff member at Ozaukee Christian School in West Bend. 

Mack said she feels lucky to be teaching after she was diagnosed with breast cancer several years ago.

“I was out of work for a few years, but I got to keep doing what I’m doing,” she said.

During the coronavirus pandemic, Mack said, she offered online lessons to her students, which has led her to teach people in other states as far away as Florida. 

“I really wasn’t sure if I was capable of teaching students in an online setting, but I learned how to Zoom and realized the piano and guitar can sound pretty decent through the computer,” she said. “It was a little bit of an adjustment, but I learned to adapt and I want to continue teaching more online lessons to connect with more people.”

Through her networking in the talent industry, some of Mack’s students have gone on to perform for the Milwaukee Repertory Theater, First Stage, The Fireside, Schauer Arts and Activities Center, Kids From Wisconsin and the Cedarburg Cultural Center. Some of her students have also gone on to study music and acting at the college level.

“My ultimate goal as a teacher is to foster a lifetime love for music and acting in each student and for them to enjoy the process of learning,” she said. “Lessons should be something that each person looks forward too and I want to be a supportive example.

“I place a strong emphasis on innovative thought, individual though and the creative process. I want to have a nurturing environment.”

Mack said her favorite types of music to teach are jazz and blues. She helped introduce the music history of Grafton’s downtown Paramount Plaza and served as the chairman for the International Walk of Fame Committee. 

“I think jazz is the most intellectual type of music, and you have to love blues if you live in Grafton,” she said, noting she unofficially named her home the Grafton House of Blues.

To continue her mission of nurturing talent, Mack said, she relies on donations through Arts Wisconsin, a community cultural development organization that supports independent teachers and artists.

“I’ve come to the realization that I volunteer and donate 80% of my time and I get paid for 20% of my time,” she said. “Arts Wisconsin has helped me continue my dream. I don’t know what I would be able to do otherwise.”