Life, Music, and the Legacy of Dana Tock

Teachers play a vital role in shaping the lives of their students. Through encouragement and personalized attention, the teacher fosters a safe environment where students feel valued and empowered to express themselves. Few people possess the skill to break through barriers and reach students so profoundly that it alters their paradigm. The teachers who can do that create a legacy as students share memories and lessons they learned—passing down the teachings to others. Sometimes, students are inspired to become teachers themselves. That was the case with Dana Tock. Dana Tock is a beloved figure in our region, both a passionate music teacher and a talented musician. With a warm smile and an inviting presence, she captivates her students with her love for music. Dana is more than just a teacher; she is a mentor who nurtures talent in people of all ages, helping to create lifelong interests in performing music.

Dana's journey with music began at a young age when she remembers wanting to play the harp. "I don't know why the harp," Dana says, "I don't think I even knew what a harp looked like at that age." She was gifted a tiny toy Grand Piano that she loved to play. She found support in playing piano from her aunt, who taught lessons and supported Dana's interest in playing her aunt's piano during visits. Her father, acknowledging the interest, bought a piano from his brother for $50. Lessons would soon follow with her beloved teacher and someone she says is one of her most significant influences, Virginia Marshall. "Virginia Marshall would make arrangements with my father, who couldn't always afford my lessons." "I would go to her house and help dust for an afternoon every week." Dana told me before, confiding in me, "There was never any dust in her home." Dana explains she spent countless hours at her piano working on lessons: "I played for hours until my fingers hurt. I quickly worked through those music lesson books because I loved practicing." Piano lessons led to voice lessons and show choir. That led to a year at Viterbo before she decided to try a career performing music at a venue in La Crosse. She has been with many bands since then. If you have ever seen the band Shock Pocket, you know how talented she is.

She had never given teaching much thought until Dana's mother-in-law, Penny Tock, suggested she teach. Dana says, "It took a little time convincing myself that I could teach. I still had the books from my lessons with Virginia Marshall and the knowledge she gave me over nine years of lessons, and I decided I would try." She immediately had a handful of students she taught using the methods she had learned. She created her teaching style to help the students enjoy their piano time. Having never kept track, Dana can only speculate she has had hundreds of students since she began teaching in 1989.

Dana's approach to teaching is nurturing and friendly. She believes that learning the piano should be an enjoyable experience. Students should certainly learn the fundamentals of scales but have the option of learning and working on music that interests them. She provides time in lessons for the students to pick a song they like and will help them get through parts they find difficult. "It is important to practice as much as possible; keep working on parts that you find difficult even if you have to slow them down," Dana says. "You won't just be able to sit down and play a piece, which can be frustrating for some people." Then she reaches out before her and points at a key on the 100-year-old piano she has been using for lessons. She smiles and tells me, "Practice is key."  Dana recalls a lesson passed on to her: "Have the student sit in front of the piano for thirty minutes each night. Even if they don't play, tell the student to sit there. Eventually, the student will realize that playing will make the time go by faster, and they will begin playing as soon as they sit down."

Joy of music is the cornerstone of Dana's teaching philosophy. She prioritizes cultivating a positive environment, even when progress feels slow, and encourages her students to persevere. When things get too challenging for the student, she believes it may be time to change the lessons to give the student a chance to try something different. She encourages and praises students when they successfully play a challenging piece or improve their technique. Her belief in her students often fuels their progress, helping them overcome self-doubt. She shared a story about a former student who tested out of several music classes at UW Eau Claire thanks to the lessons they took with Dana. You can sense her pride as she talks about her students, and it's clear that they are as crucial to her life as she is to theirs.

Dana's lessons extend beyond the piano bench. She exchanges memories from her music & teaching career that illustrate her infectious spirit. One such memory was being so nervous while trying out for a part in a play that she couldn't stop shaking. Her nerves cost her that part, but she needed to experience this moment as it would be easier the next time. "Moments like these are difficult to get through, but after experiencing them a couple of times, you get used to them, and it becomes easy," Dana said. She then shared a story of performing the National Anthem at a Catbird game as an adult. She stood before  4,000 people, and despite many years of singing in front of people with various bands, she found this challenging. "You may be nervous even when you are used to performing in front of a crowd. But when your nerves relax, these moments are treasures you remember your whole life."

As she continues to teach and inspire students, Dana's legacy becomes more than just a collection of lessons; it transforms into shared experiences and a love for music with her students. Students who walk through her doors leave with more than just piano skills—they carry the essence of Dana's teaching: that music, at its core, is about the joy that comes from performing and creating. Her dedication to the art of music and her students is truly inspiring, making her a treasured mentor and teacher. 

Dana teaches at the Sparta Music Shop, formerly Dana's Music in Sparta. She has 10 students and plans to open up five more spots soon. "I can handle about 25 students before my brain begins to hurt," she says. There is a waiting list for lessons; prospective students can sign up at www.spartamusicshop.com. Her son Joel took over Dana's Music from Dana. I hadn't visited the store for some time and was surprised. Joel has made significant changes to the shop, and I plan to talk with him about the future of the business and his passion for music. In fact, the whole Tock family are incredible musicians, and Dana's husband, Russ, is an accomplished visual artist, too. More will come from the Tock family soon.