Cole Thein (Music 2023) Is Blending Music and Math in Oregon

August 5, 2025

The last week of June, Perpich Arts High School was alive with dozens of students, 6th grade – 10th grade, who were on campus for Perpich Arts Summer Camp. Perpich faculty offered outstanding arts experiences with Beginning Guitar, Drawing Crash Course, Camp Literary Magazine, Introduction to Screenprinting, and Introduction to Relief Printmaking. In addition to faculty, we also welcomed a Perpich alum as an assistant instructor for Beginning Guitar. Cole Thein (Music 2023) supported Bob Frey as the students learned a handful of chords and strumming patterns.

Cole Thein (Music 2023)

“It was great to have Cole work with me during this summer’s guitar camp,” said Bob Frey, Social Studies Instructor. “He did a fine job connecting with the students and sharing his knowledge, skill, and experience. Cole volunteered his time because he wanted to ‘give back’ to Perpich, which I think is both admirable and a cool example of how many of our alums feel about Perpich. It was my pleasure to work with Cole and I am grateful for his time and effort!”

Cole is currently in college at Willamette University in Oregon, majoring in math and minoring in music. He has joined a modern/indie/math rock band made of other students at Willamette called Harness and they plan to release a lot of music soon. In addition to school and music, Cole enjoys exercising, chess, videogames (Counter Strike 2, Super Smash Brothers Ultimate), and practicing guitar. He was back home in Minnesota for the summer and will start his junior year in the fall.

Perpich – How did you learn about Perpich?
Thein – “I learned about Perpich through my mom. She posed the idea to me after she saw my rapid development and increasing interest in the guitar and music in 10th grade; I had played since I was about 6, but did not take to it seriously until then.”

Perpich – What was the experience of attending Perpich like for you?
Thein – “My experience at Perpich was wonderful. It was a great place for me to further develop my academics and college-readiness alongside my musicality. The student body and faculty there were super warm, inviting, and helpful and I was able to flourish into what many would call an advanced guitarist. I continue to remember my time at Perpich fondly (especially my music teachers James Allen and Kevin Hohlstein) and use what I learned there in my artistic journey. I suspect I will continue to use what I learned far into the future.”

Perpich – Can you see connections to your arts high school experience and your current work?
Thein – “Regarding my current work, I suppose my current work would be a college student and maybe a musician, if you count playing around campus. With regard to my college life, I think I gained valuable experience and understanding of the LGBTQ+ community and other minority groups within this school as they represent a high portion of the student body. This has been very helpful in navigating post-secondary life as the world is changing and more people are making it known that they identify this way, especially as I may not look like an ally even though I very much am. With regard to my music career with the band, I think, by far, the biggest thing that has carried over from Perpich would be my ability to play and create music effectively with other people. This largely stemmed from ensemble work.”

Perpich – Are there any people or experiences that were particularly important that you’d like to mention?
Thein – “I have already mentioned James Allen and Kevin Hohlstein for their influence on turning me from a boy who played the guitar into a musician. I would also like to shoutout Amy Burge (Math Instructor) for fostering my interest in mathematics, a field which looks likely to be my professional one. The most fun experiences I had there were playing in the concerts; working for months mastering and writing songs to be able to do one of the most important and meaningful things you can do as a musician: perform and bring joy, entertainment, and a good time to people.”

Perpich – Is there anything you’d like to share with us that we didn’t ask?
Thein – “The last thing I can think of is restating that I am in a band now (harness_music on insta) and the music we make is really, really good. All the members of the band are quite talented. We have like 9 fully fleshed out original songs with many, many more to come. We will release soon, we have just been busy with college.”

Cole Thein (Music 2023) grew up in Minnetonka, Minnesota and attended Wayzata High School before attending Perpich.