From the Living Room to LA

Music found me early. I sat down at the piano at age four and something clicked. By the time I was a teenager I had picked up guitar, started writing songs, and was spending every free moment making music.

In college at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, I studied Open Music Studies with concentrations in Piano and Music Technology. Being recognized by The Daily Illini for playing piano around campus became my motivation for choosing a music degree and reminded me how public, familiar songs could turn piano from a private discipline into something people actually gathered around. I graduated in May 2020 with a BA.

Along the way, I founded Renaissauce Records as a creative home for production and collaboration. I taught through Guitar Center from 2017 to 2024 in Champaign and Palmdale, working with kids, adults, beginners, and returning players before deciding to go independent.

After graduation I made the move to Los Angeles. Now I produce, mix, master, and teach independently full-time. Every day is a chance to learn something new and help other people find their sound.

Daily Illini article screenshot featuring Thaddeus Arndt playing piano around campus
Featured by The Daily Illini for playing piano around campus at the University of Illinois.

Timeline

Key moments along the way.

2002

First Notes

Started playing piano at age four. Music became the constant through everything else.

2008

Picked Up Guitar

Added guitar to the repertoire as a teenager. Songwriting and band projects soon followed.

2016

Founded Renaissauce Records

Launched a creative home for music production, collaboration, and mentorship. Started teaching private lessons.

2016 - 2020

University of Illinois

Studied Open Music Studies with concentrations in Piano and Music Technology at UIUC. Graduated May 2020 with a BA.

2017 - 2024

Guitar Center Instructor

Taught through the Guitar Center lesson program in Champaign, Illinois and Palmdale, California, working with students across age groups and skill levels.

2020

Graduated & Moved West

Earned BA in Open Music Studies and made the move to Los Angeles to pursue music full-time.

2024 - Present

Independent Lessons in Los Angeles and Online

Producing, mixing, mastering, and teaching independently full-time. Building Renaissauce Records and helping students create music early.

Academic Background

🎓

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

BA, Open Music Studies

Concentrations: Piano, Music Technology

Graduated May 2020

Want to Work Together?

Whether it's lessons, production, or just a conversation about music, I'm always happy to connect.

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