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Education

Jacob received an MA in Performance and Music Education and a BA in Trumpet, Piano and Conducting from The Gnesin Academy of Music (Moscow, Russia). Founded in 1895, the Gnesin Academy of Music is one of the world's leading music schools. 

Performing and Teaching Experience

Jacob received an MA in Performance and Music Education and a BA in Trumpet, Piano and Conducting from The Gnesin Academy of Music (Moscow, Russia). Founded in 1895, the Gnesin Academy of Music is one of the world's leading music schools. 

Teaching Philosophy

Learning to perform music develops many skills in a student. In her book, “Prelude to Music Education,” Joanne Erwin outlines five main values of learning music. She writes that "music affects people intellectually, emotionally, physically, personally and socially.” My approach to teaching music varies depending on the individual student and the style of music they are interested in, keeping in mind their goals and intentions. Because music is a performing art, I strongly encourage both young and mature students to perform publicly. For this reason I organize several performing events throughout the year. 

At CSMA

Jacob joined the CSMA Music Faculty in 1994. He teaches private piano and trumpet lessons, as well as Brass Ensemble classes and workshops. He also prepares students for the ABRSM exams in both piano and trumpet.

Education

Master of Music, Voice, University of Texas, Austin; Bachelor of Music, Voice, Vanderbilt University.

Performing Experience

Lead and Supporting Roles with Opera Santa Barbara, West Bay Opera, Livermore Opera, Stockton Opera, Pocket Opera, Townsend Opera Players; Solo Recitals

Teaching Experience

Private Voice Studio since 1999; University of Minnesota, Minneapolis; Myriad School of Music (San Mateo).

Teaching Philosophy

I teach in a supportive, encouraging environment. I believe healthy, beautiful singing comes from breath support and pure vowels. Students build confidence as their ability improves and singing becomes easier and more enjoyable.

Hobbies

I love being in nature, reading, trying new food, and traveling.

Education

Carrie Campbell received her Bachelor of Music in Music Education from the University of Georgia and earned her Master of Music from Yale University.

Performing and Teaching Experience

Carrie Campbell grew up in Clemson, SC as part of a musical family.  With two music professors as parents it’s no surprise that she started playing the piano at age 5 and the horn at age 11.  After graduate school Carrie moved to San Francisco and immediately began freelancing with area orchestras and teaching throughout the Bay Area.  Carrie has played with several award winning chamber ensembles including Elektra Winds and QUADRE-The Voice of Four Horns as well as keeping busy freelancing throughout the Bay Area.  She is currently the Music Theory/ABRSM Coordinator at CSMA and teaches privately at her home.

At CSMA

Carrie joined the CSMA Music Faculty in 2003. She teaches Theory classes.

Education

Carmen studied classical percussion with Anthony Cirone at San Jose State University and Latin/Jazz styles with Scott Morris, Vince Lateano, Alan Hall, Louis Romero, and Daniel Sabanovich.

Performing and Teaching Experience

Carmen has taught all styles of percussion for over 18 years. She leads the Listen Here Jazz Ensemble and is the drummer for Mal Sharpe’s Big Money in Jazz Band.

Teaching Philosophy and Approach

"I teach all styles of drumming, but I try to match the student with the style that they love. It’s that love of music that will push them to try harder, reach farther and become a true musician. My students have the opportunity to learn how to read, write and transcribe drum charts as well how to maintain and tune their drums. I teach my students how to play along with recordings and encourage them to join a band or ensemble so that they can experience the joy of music from the start."

At CSMA

Carmen teaches drums and percussion at CSMA, and is the drumset instructor for CSMA’s School of Rock Workshop.

Education

Shain Carrasco started playing cello at age six, and later went to the North Carolina School of the Arts for both high school and college. While in North Carolina, Shain studied cello with Robert Marsh and Marcy Rosen (of the Mendelssohn String Quartet). He moved to San Francisco in 1999 and began his studies at the San Francisco Conservatory of Music. While at the SF Conservatory, Shain studied cello with Jean Michel Fonteneau (of the Ravel String Quartet). He also took both Cello Pedagogy seminars and childhood developmental psychology classes geared toward music education.

Shain received a Masters Degree from the SF Conservatory of Music in 2002.

Performing and Teaching Experience

Shain performs continuously throughout the Bay Area as a Principal Cellist of the Oakland Opera, and frequent freelance Symphony player for the Berkeley, Monterey, Santa Cruz, Stockton, and Modesto Symphonies and the Reno Philharmonic. Shain enjoys playing all over California and has performed in festivals throughout England, France, Spain and Italy.

In addition to performing, Shain has enjoyed teaching cello for several years, both privately and through public and private schools and festivals.

At CSMA

Shain joined the CSMA Music Faculty as a private cello instructor in 2005.

Teaching Philosophy and Approach

Shain enjoys sharing the love of music with his students, and seeks to develop his students' technique, musicality, enthusiasm, and appreciation of cello.

Education

Born in Taipei, Chin-Fei Chan started her musical journey at the age of 5 with piano lessons and flute lessons after she turned 8. In 2009, she moved to the bay area after completing her Doctor of Musical Arts degree in flute performance from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign (UIUC). Her teachers include Alexander Murray, Jonathan Keeble and Dennis Helmrich (piano accompanying) at UIUC. She has also studied in master classes as a performer with Peter-Lukas Graf, Michel Debost, Robert Aitken and Alain Marion. Aside from music, she finished a 3-year training program for the Alexander Technique through the Urbana Center for the Alexander Technique and became a certified teacher in 2005.

Performing and Teaching Experience

An active performing artist, Chin-Fei has been performing on both the flute and the piano as a soloist, chamber musician and piano accompanist within the United States and Asia.  As a music instructor, she has over 10 years of experience teaching both instruments. She was on the faculty of UIUC Unit One Music Program and Illinois Summer Youth Music, having taught private lessons, coached chamber music rehearsals as well as accompanying faculty and student recitals. In addition, Chin-Fei has accompanied live dance performances and has extensive experience working with dancers and musicians on the Alexander Technique.

At CSMA

Chin-Fei joined the CSMA Music Faculty in 2010, she teaches flute and piano lessons.

Teaching Philosophy

Chin-Fei loves sharing her passion for music and dance through teaching and performing. “You have to have fun and enjoy when you play!”

Education

Sabrina Chen earned her BA in Performance and Music Education from Taiwan Normal University and her MM from San Francisco Conservatory; she received a scholarship from both institutions. She has studied with Adolph Baller, Nathan Schwartz, Laurette Goldberg, and Timothy Bach.

Performing and Teaching Experience

Sabrina's teaching experience includes private lessons, theory lessons, working as a choral director and choir accompanist, and a trainer for the Certificate of Merit and ABRSM exams. In addition to CSMA, Sabrina has worked at the Los Altos Adult School and Tsai-Hsing High School. She performs throughout the Bay Area and is an active Music Teachers Association of California member.

At CSMA

Sabrina has been a piano instructor at CSMA since 1991. Her special interests are in music theory, dictation, sight-reading, and music history. She has extensive experience in performance psychology, helping students prepare for exams, recitals, and ensemble playing.

Teaching Philosophy and Approach

As a teacher, Sabrina affirms that "learning is fun" and a "solid foundation is essential for a fulfilling education. The balance between challenge and satisfaction is the core value of my studio, propelling the student to grow the inner desire and responsibility to achieve their best potential."

Education

Alison earned a Diploma in Violin Performance from the Longy School of Music in Cambridge, Massachusetts.   She also studied psychology and music at Oberlin College Conservatory of Music. She holds a BA in psychology from Oberlin.  Her violin teachers andchamber music coaches include Valerie Vilker-Kuchment, Blanche Moyse, Stanley Ritchie, Eda Mazo-Shlyam, Daniel Stepner and Andor Toth.

For Suzuki teacher training she has worked with Cathryn Lee and Mihoko Hirata. She had a most memorable summer in Japan joining a teacher training class with the founder of the method, Dr. Shinichi Suzuki.

Performing and Teaching Experience

In addition to her work at CSMA, Alison teaches privately at the Allegro Violin Studio, which she founded. She previously taught group and private lessons at the Yew Chung International School in Mountain View.  At an earlier time she taught violin privately in Cambridge, MA.

She has performed in the Oberlin Conservatory Chamber Orchestra, the Longy Chamber Orchestra, the Harvard-Radcliffe Orchestra and at the Brattleboro Music Festival.

At CSMA

Alison joined CSMA in 2006 and teaches Suzuki violin.

Teaching Philosophy and Approach

“I believe that through the study of music the whole child can blossom. A child can become a sensitive, kind and strong individual. Along the lines of Suzuki philosophy he or she learns patience, mastery, self-awareness and the invaluable skill of listening.

My violin teaching focus is on young beginners and their parents, who become closer to their children through this challenging joint project. It is a joy to make even a small impact on the lives of the families I work with through this wondrous process.”

Personal

Alison lived in Japan for seven years.  She worked in US-Japan relations as foreign affairs manager at the Kunitachi College of Music and then in PR at Mitsubishi Electric Corporation. Her most challenging musical endeavor at that time was conducting rehearsals in Japanese for the company-wide Socio-Tech String Orchestra.  She was their first conductor. For four years Alison served on the Board of Directors of Theatre of Yugen in San Francisco.

In Sunnyvale she has been a volunteer music teacher through Music for Minors and parent coordinator of after-school music programs.

Her current hobbies include Tai Chi, square dancing and gardening. Alison has two children who both play instruments. Raising them has made her a compassionate parent.

Education

Petra Clark attended Indiana University, Bloomington, Indiana, where she received her Bachelors Degree in Music Performance for cello. She studied with Fritz Magg and Tsuyoshi Tsutsumi.

Performing & Teaching Experience

Petra has been a member of several orchestras in Indiana, as well as the Tenerife Symphony Orchestra, Canary Islands.

She has also worked in arts administration for the University of Chicago, Orchestras Live! (London), and the Boston Early Music Festival.

As well as teaching private cello lessons, Petra coaches string orchestra classes at Graham Middle School in Mountain View. She co-leads the Performing Arts Class for Arts Focus at Stevenson PACT School in Mountain View and is a substitute teacher for the Mountain View Whisman School District.

Petra has taught at the British School of Chicago, which is where she first experienced the ABRSM exams. She helps her CSMA students prepare for these exams.

Also a certified Kindermusik teacher, Petra has taught early childhood music classes.

Teaching Philosophy

"When students build on a solid technical foundation, they are able to successfully create the music that they feel inside. I enjoy helping my students make their cellos sing!"

At CSMA

Petra joined CSMA in the Fall of 2009. She teaches cello and assists Anthony Doheny with the Jr. and Advanced String Ensemble classes.

Hobbies

Petra also has two sons who are students at CSMA. One plays the cornet and the other is a percussionist. On some days when they are all practicing, there is quite a lot of noise at her home!

Education

Kaye DeVries holds a BA in Music and Psychology from Chapman University. She has studied with Zo Hau Rosnay, Edna Garrabedian, and Caterina Micieli.

Performing and Teaching Experience

With over thirty years of experience teaching private voice, Kaye has been a choral director for fifteen years. Kaye performs with the San Francisco Opera, the San Jose Symphony and Opera, the Marin Opera and Symphony, the Portland Opera, the Carmel Bach Festival, the Oakland Symphony, the Modesto and Fresno Symphonies, and in community concerts for Columbia Artists.

A well-known Bay Area singer, Kaye has been a finalist in both the Metropolitan Opera and San Francisco Opera auditions, and has performed throughout the United States, Europe, the Middle East, Asia, and South America.

At CSMA

Kaye is the Program Manager for CSMA's Music4Schools program. She has been a vocal instructor at the Community School of Music and Arts since 1991, teaching private lessons to teens and adults. She runs summer camps & worshops such as Broadway Bound and Train for American Idol. Kaye also teaches in-school music classes at Huff School in Mountain View.

Teaching Philosophy and Approach

Kaye's personal teaching philosophy is rooted in her belief that everyone can sing. She says, "It is a matter of discovering the student's personal voice and developing it by working on technique and through various styles of music."

Personal

Beyond music, Kaye is interested in beekeeping, gardening, cooking, and travel. She has been to over fifty-three countries. She is a native of Los Angeles and a current resident of Cupertino.

Education

Ilya Dimov attended the Nadezhdin School of Music in Tashkent, Uzbekistan, where he took an advanced music curriculum including piano, solfeggio, and music theory. He received his BA with honors in Music Theory and Composition from Khamza State Music College in Tashkent. He received his MA in Composition from the Tashkent Conservatory of Music, where he studied with Professor F. Yanov-Yanovsky.

Performing and Teaching Experience

Ilya is a published composer with 22 years of experience in writing instrumental and vocal music of various genres, including symphony and chamber orchestra, various chamber music ensembles and solo pieces. His compositions have been performed at various festivals of contemporary music and at concerts in the United States, Tashkent, Moscow, Israel, Belgium, Germany, and Zagreb.

Ilya has taught piano, music theory, jazz and improvisation, and composition since 1983. Some of his music theory students have been accepted to Julliard and Eastman Schools of Music based on his coaching.

At CSMA

Ilya joined the CSMA Music Faculty in February 2005. He teaches private piano lessons and workshops in composition. He can also prepare students for exams and auditions. He has prepared students for conservatory and university music programs, and has extensive experience in enhancing students' playing and composing at all stages of development.

Teaching Philosophy and Approach

"There was a man who was lost in New York City and was late for a concert at Carnegie Hall. He asked the first man he met, who happened to be Rachmaninov, how to get to Carnegie Hall. Rachmaninov responded: 'practice, practice, and practice.' I think this sums up my philosophy on becoming a musician.

"I would like to help my students learn to love music. I enjoy introducing young souls to the wide world of music: to different styles and genres. I strive to teach my students the highest possible levels of technical ability in order for them to discover and incorporate new musical concepts."

Personal

"I enjoy composing music for movies, cartoon films and theater. I like creating music arrangements for chamber ensembles, band, symphonic and chamber orchestra. In my free time, I enjoy improvising. I also play tennis, ping pong, and go swimming."

Education

Margarita Dimov began her studies at Ouspenskiy's Music School for Gifted Children in Tashkent, Uzbekistan, where she took classes in violin, solfeggio, music theory, harmony and piano and studied with Associate Professor Nathan Mendelssohn. She received a Bachelor of Arts with Honors from the Khamza State Music College in Tashkent, where she studied with Professor V. Youdenitch (a well known teacher and performer and whose students have won many prestigious international music competitions). She attended Master Classes with Oleg Krysa and Igor Bezrodny (renowned concert violinists). Margarita also studied for three years in the Master's of Music Program at Tashkent University.

Performing and Teaching Experience

Margarita was the Associate Concertmaster at Russia's Tashkent Theater of Music and Comedy in Uzbekistan for 10 years. She has been a distinguished performer in various chamber orchestras in Israel and the US. She has taught the violin for more than 20 years, both privately and in the classroom, to students in Russia, Israel, and the US.

At CSMA

Margarita joined the CSMA Music Faculty in February 2005. She teaches private lessons and workshops in violin playing. She can also prepare students for exams and auditions. She has prepared students for conservatory and university music programs, and has extensive experience in enhancing students' violin playing at all stages of development.

Teaching Philosophy and Approach

"I pride myself on passing on the love of music and teaching my students all that I know and love about the violin. I enjoy watching my students perform their recitals with the professionalism and musicianship that I strive for them to possess."

Personal

"I enjoy raising my kids and watching them grow. I enjoy singing, dancing, painting on silk, and making flowers from any kind of material. I have specialized knowledge of textiles from a past life in fashion design. I enjoy traveling and learning new languages as well."

Education

Alla Dobrish completed her undergraduate and graduate studies Summa Cum Laude from the College of Music in Beltsy, Moldova, and her postgraduate studies in Piano Performance and Accompanying from the Kishinev State Conservatory in the former USSR.

Performing and Teaching Experience

A teacher with more than thirty-five years of experience, an active adjudicator of Certificate of Merit exams, and a competition judge, Ms. Dobrish also has extensive accompanying and performance experience and is a Director of the State Board of the Music Teacher's Association of California.

At CSMA

Alla has been a piano instructor and staff accompanist at CSMA since 1991.

Teaching Philosophy and Approach

Ms. Dobrish's teaching includes analysis, history, theory, ear-training, and sight-reading, along with repertoire and technique. She also teaches piano duets and chamber ensembles for interested students. She offers both the ABRSM and the MTAC Certificate of Merit exam, and she prepares students for competitions.

Of music and teaching, Ms. Dobrish states, "Musical learning is a cooperative effort among teacher, student, and parents, leading to an understanding of a uniquely universal language. I believe that the need for music is an important part of the human experience. My goal is to create well-rounded musicians and stimulate a life-long pleasure in making music."

Personal

Born in Odessa, Ukraine, Ms. Dobrish currently resides in Pacifica, CA. Beyond piano, performing, and teaching, she enjoys reading books, attending the theatre and concerts, and spending time with family and friends.

Education

Anthony received his Doctor of Musical Arts degree from Stanford University, his Master of Arts in Music from the University of Iowa, and a Diploma in Music from the Sydney Conservatorium in Australia.  He has been a student of Charles Treger and Robert Miller.

Performing and Teaching Experience

Anthony has performed as a violinist in annual chamber music concerts, entitled “Anthony Doheny and Friends” in San Francisco; with distinguished former students and colleagues; and in numerous faculty solo recitals and chamber music performances at both the University of Melbourne and Monash University, at Queensland Conservatorium and throughout Australia.  He has made frequent broadcasts for the Australian Broadcasting Commission and appeared in concertos with the Queensland Symphony Orchestra, the Conservatorium Symphony Orchestra and other orchestras in Australia. On his most recent trip to Australia, Anthony performed for broadcast the Tartini Concerto in D minor with a string orchestra. He also launched a new CD of his piano compositions at the Steinway House in Brisbane.

Anthony’s recordings include “Soul of the Viola,” featuring original compositions for viola and piano, intended to fill gaps in the relatively small repertoire for the viola; also, “Timeless Song,” featuring original compositions for voice, violin, and piano.

Anthony has toured Hawaii, Canada and the United States as a member of the Australian Aulos Ensemble, and he has made concerto appearances with the Kansas City Philharmonic Orchestra.

Anthony has also performed as a pianist and piano accompanist.  He is highly regarded as an accompanist and duo-sonata pianist.  Additionally, Anthony has conducted the Queensland Conservatorium Symphony Orchestra and a string orchestra for very young players in Palo Alto, which went on to become the Super Strings training orchestra of the Palo Alto Chamber Orchestra.

Currently Anthony is a Lecturer in Violin at Stanford University.

At CSMA

Anthony joined the CSMA Music Faculty in 2007. He teaches private violin and viola lessons as a Distinguished Teacher.

Teaching Philosophy

“I have always tried hard to help my students realize the joy of making and being involved in music. I hope that music and its attendant joy will be an important part of the rest of their lives, regardless of whether music is a career or an avocation.”

Education

Mary Drake received her Bachelor of Science degree in Music Education, K-12, from New York University and participated in the CCNY Study Abroad Program at the Conservatorio di Musicia G. B. Martini in Bologna, Italy.

Performing and Teaching Experience

Mary has experience teaching in the Music4Schools and Kodaly Programs, and working as Choral Director at Castro Language Academy in Mountain View.

At CSMA

Mary has been a member of the CSMA Music Faculty since 2000. She has served as accompanist for the Peninsula Children's Chorale, keyboard instructor, and Music Program/Recital Coordinator. Mary currently teaches piano to children and adults from beginner to intermediate levels, conducts piano workshops, and she serves as the accompanist for Peninsula Children's Chorale.

Teaching Philosophy and Approach

"I include in my curriculum ear training, sightreading, singing, and movement, especially with the young beginners. My philosophy of teaching is to impart strong fundamentals of piano basic skills, technic, and theory in an atmosphere of structure, patience and enjoyment, which prepares students for the next level."

Personal

Some of Mary's special interests and activities include genealogy, choral and solo singing (mezzo-soprano), and dancing the Salsa/Cha Cha.

Education

Svetlana Elenkova, piano teacher and accompanist, earned her MA in Piano and Pedagogies with honors from the Academy of Music and Dance Arts and studied with Rada Stambolova and Professor George Kanev. She also took master classes with Prof. Kamenikova in Weimar, Germany.

Performing and Teaching Experience

Svetlana has over twenty years of teaching experience. She was on the staff of the Academy of Music and Dance Arts and the San Jose Cleveland Ballet, and is a current staff member at San Jose State University and faculty member at Stanford University. Svetlana has twenty-five years of performance experience and gives one to three performances annually. She has played in recitals, for choral groups, singers, and ballets. She is particularly interested in playing classical music and teaching music theory and history.

At CSMA

Svetlana has been a member of the CSMA Music Faculty since 1997.

Teaching Philosophy and Approach

With her strong teaching background, Svetlana believes that, as a teacher, it is important to inspire within her students a "personal motivation for growth and perfection, desire for higher goals, and excellence in performance on recitals; to build a complete understanding of playing music (composer, style, structure, and harmony)." The result of this, she says, "is a unique music personality with high self-confidence."

Personal

"I love all art forms, nature, people, animals, food, and life!"

Education

Klara Frei earned her Master’s Degree in Piano Performance at The City of Basel Music Academy in Switzerland (Musik-Akademie der Stadt Basel).

At the Moscow Tchaikovsky Conservatory, she earned her Post-Graduate Certificate in Piano Performance with Professor Evgeny Malinin, distinguished student of the legendary Heinrich Neuhaus.

In addition, Klara was awarded the prestigious USSR Ministry of Culture Scholarship for her achievements in concert performances. While a young student at the Kyrgyz National Conservatory, she won First Prize at the National Piano Competition.

Performing and Teaching Experience

Klara taught piano for over 15 years in Switzerland, France and the United Kingdom before relocating to San Francisco Bay Area. She has applied many different approaches to teaching music, including the Kodaly and Dalcroze methods, with exceptional results.

Klara has many years of experience preparing students for ABRSM Grades 1-8 exams. Under her tutelage, students in London passed auditions and won acceptance to the junior department of three of the top musical institutions in UK: Royal Academy of Music, Royal College of Music, and Guildhall School of Music and Drama.

Klara Frei has performed in Europe including Switzerland, Czech Republic, France, UK and Russia, both as a soloist and an ensemble player. In partnership with her husband, pianist maestro Temirzhan Yerzhanov, she has recorded a CD and frequently performs in concerts.

Teaching Philosophy and Approach

Klara believes each child is a unique individual who needs a nurturing, friendly and stimulating environment. Every child is capable of achieving his or her full potential with the right teaching approach.

Over the years, Klara has developed her own unique way of teaching piano, combining the best of Russian and European methodologies and traditions. Her child-friendly teaching approach and well-structured lessons, customized to meet each individual student’s needs, have proven very successful in maintaining students’ enthusiasm and enjoyment of music.

Personal

Beyond piano, Klara enjoys studying child and adolescent psychology.
She loves opera, art-house films, figure skating, the Art Nouveau period, and spending time with family and friends.

Education

Angela received her BA in Music from Brevard College and her MM in Vocal Performance from Wichita State University.

Performing and Teaching Experience

Angela has taught voice since 2005, both privately and in class settings. She has experience teaching private voice lessons, musical theater classes, camps, and piano. She has taught all ages—3-year-olds to continuing education adults. Angela actively performs classical, musical theater, jazz, folk, and sacred repertoire in a professional setting.

Teaching Philosophy and Approach

“I’m passionate about helping students build their vocal knowledge and skill set, and more specifically, in accessing and enjoying their individual and unique instrument. Singing (and singing lessons) should be joyful, empowering, and goal oriented. Facilitating others in finding and building their voices is such a gift!

“I customize strength, ear training, and sight reading warm up's for each student, and choose challenging, enjoyable repertoire according to skill level and joint goal assessment. I welcome diligent practicing, precocious children, and engaged parents.

“As a classically trained singer, I appreciate that particular training style, and apply a solid, comprehensive technique to a vast variety of styles and repertoire. I feel students should be well rounded in their musicality.”

At CSMA

Angela joined the CSMA faculty in 2011.

Education

A native of Taiwan, Amy Hsieh began studying the cello at the age of seven with Lana Hsiung. After she came to the United States in 1992, Ms. Hsieh continued her studies at Walnut Hill School, LaGuardia High School of Music & Art and Performing Arts and Juilliard Pre-College. In 1996, as a student of Ardyth Alton, she entered the Juilliard School, where she received her Bachelors degree and was a recipient of the Gluck Fellowship and the Elise and Walter W. Naumburg Scholarship. After receiving her Master of  Music from Manhattan School of Music in May 2002, she was accepted as a scholarship student to the Doctor of Musical Arts program at Boston  University, where she studied with Michael Reynolds. She fulfilled all the  requirements for the Doctor of Musical Arts degree in 2007.

Performing and Teaching Experience

An active chamber musician, Amy has performed throughout the United States, Europe and Taiwan. She has given numerous performances as a soloist and chamber musician, including concerts at the National Concert Hall in Taiwan, at prestigious venues in New York City such as Lincoln Center’s Alice Tully Hall and the Weill Recital Hall at Carnegie Hall. She has been a prize winner of the Lincoln Center Chamber Music Society’s Young Artists Competition in 1994 and in 1996. In April, 2002 she gave her New York Debut Recital at Carnegie Hall’s Weill Recital Hall as the winner of Young Artists Cello Award of the 2001 Artists International Competition. As the founding member of Nuance Chamber Ensemble, Amy was invited by the Formosa Chamber Society to perform at Weill Recital Hall in March, 2004. She has toured with the Nuance Chamber Ensemble in New York, Boston and Taiwan since 2002.  Her recent performances in 2007 include a solo recital at Taiwan’s National Concert Hall and summer concert tour in Taiwan with the Nuance Chamber Ensemble.

In addition to performing, Amy has over 10 years of teaching experience.

At CSMA

Amy joined the CSMA Music Faculty in 2008. She teaches private cello lessons.

Teaching Philosophy

Amy says, “Learning music should be a fun task!”

Education

Mihail Iliev started playing bassoon at age 14. He graduated from the State Academy of Music in Bulgaria, with a BA in Music and has studied with Marin Valchanov.

Performing and Teaching Experience

Mihail played in the Bulgaria National Symphony Orchestra as principal bassoon for 22 years and has performed internationally. He was also the second bassoon/contrabassoon with Teatro Lyrico in France. Mihail has been a TA and Professor of Bassoon at the Bulgaria Academy of Music. He is currently principal bassoonist for the Mission Chamber Orchestra and a piano instructor at the Palo Alto Girls Club. Mihail has recently founded a new chamber ensemble, the New Millenium Quartet.

At CSMA

Mihail has worked at CSMA, giving private bassoon and accordion lessons and working in facilities, since 2002.

Teaching Philosophy and Approach

Miahil's ultimate goal as a teacher is for his students to become better than him.

Personal

Mihail has lived in the United States since 2000. He is especially interested in classical music.

Education

Music School Director Emeritus Nicholas Isaacs earned an MA in Mediaeval History with additional studies in English and Philosophy from St. Andrews University, Scotland where he was also awarded the Annual Sawyer Memorial Prize for Music. He later gained his Performance Diploma from the Guildhall School of Music and Drama in London; while in London he studied piano with Edith Vogel and as a vocal accompanist participated in master classes with Gerald Moore and Pierre Bernac. Awarded a full scholarship through the English-Speaking Union for graduate studies in USA, he completed his Masters and Doctoral degrees in harpsichord and piano performance in 1986 at Stanford University, where he also won the 1980 University concerto competition.

Performing and Teaching Experience

Dr. Isaacs has performed frequently as solo and ensemble pianist in concert series and festivals in London, Edinburgh, Cardiff and throughout the UK and in the San Francisco Bay Area. Also active as a conductor of choral/orchestral performances in the UK and locally, he is currently pianist/organist at Bethany Lutheran Church, Menlo Park. His professional teaching experience includes a wide range of subjects – music history, music theory and analysis, aesthetics, coaching and conducting ensembles, world music survey, as well as piano instruction. He has been faculty member at Santa Clara University, Foothill College, and United World College of the Atlantic College, Wales, as well as being guest lecturer in the UK, USA and Canada. As a teacher and administrator, he has extensive experience in curriculum development with the International Baccalaureate and the Music Teachers’ Association of California and has received recognition from the Council for the Arts in Palo Alto (Mid-Peninsula) and Santa Clara County Board of Supervisors.

At CSMA

Isaacs joined CSMA in 1985. As CSMA’s first full-time Music School Director, he developed the Music School program from a fledgling private lesson group of 100 students to its present enrollment of approximately 1200. With the creation of free classes for private lesson students (Core Curriculum), support and special interest classes for enrichment (Workshop Weeks) and partnership with Stanford University Lively Arts and CSMA Faculty to present significant concert offerings free to the community, he assembled a music curriculum that rivals many colleges in its scope and quality, matching the outstanding new Finn Center facility and supporting CSMA’s philosophy of “Arts for All.” Following his retirement in 2010 on his 25th anniversary as Music Director, he continues to teach piano, perform in Tateuchi Hall concert series and participate in the ongoing planning of CSMA’s music programs.

Watch a video tribute to Dr. Isaacs

Teaching Philosophy and Approach

“There is no greater pleasure or benefit in life than involvement in making music. Early development of skills and knowledge will enhance this immeasurably. I believe all lessons should be productive and enjoyable. Both teacher and student need clear goals, whether modest or ambitious, and for school-age students the family should be involved in influencing or following the student’s progress, motivation and level of commitment. Daily practice is essential for a student to make the best of their talent and at the same time fluctuations in progress are a natural part of the learning cycle. Listening to music and learning about music history and theory are vital ingredients in a musical education. Exams are useful markers and motivational tools, though not essential unless the student has more professional ambitions. Above all, the student should bring enthusiasm and love of piano/music to their lessons, and the teacher should provide skilled guidance, challenge, and encouragement along the way.”

Education

Janet Johnson was told by her parents that she learned to read from the church hymnal, both words and music, at the age of two. Music was ever present in her life. She completed her Bachelor’s degree in Viola Performance under Erika Eckert at the University of Colorado, and also studied Violin Performance and Suzuki Pedagogy with Bill Starr. Ms. Johnson relocated to Los Angeles, where she earned her Master’s degree in Viola Performance while studying under Jerry Epstein at California State University, Long Beach. At that time, she also completed her teaching credential.

Performing and Teaching Experience

After Janet received her teaching credential, she established a strings program in the Compton public schools. Ms. Johnson was then recruited to be the Director of Strings for Lutheran Schools in Fort Wayne, IN, where her program quintupled in size in the first three months. Since relocating to the Bay Area three years ago, Ms. Johnson has taught strings to over 1000 elementary students in 20 public schools, starting over 400 violinists in one district alone. She has performed extensively on both violin and viola with orchestras such as the Redlands Symphony, the Henry Mancini Orchestra, the Asian-American Philharmonic, the Symphonic Jazz Orchestra, and the Fort Wayne Philharmonic, in addition to touring performances with such greats as Diana Krall, Mannheim Steamroller, and Oscar Peterson.

Teaching Philosophy and Approach

“I believe that teaching music should be an interactive process. Students in my classrooms will develop critical thinking as I ask them to evaluate their own performances. They will utilize creative problem-solving strategies when they must suggest solutions to their own difficulties. As the teacher, I am always there to offer my own descriptions and proven solutions; however, it is important that regardless of their level, my students are paying attention to their own progress. I will provide the solid foundation from which my students will springboard into life-long learning.

“I have the highest expectations for all students—that they meet their natural ability and strive to surpass it. For some this means performing at a top level, composing songs and being self motivated to practice. For others, holding the instrument in the correct position is considered a triumph. And for many, meeting their ability means performing at a middle level, being reminded to practice, and being encouraged to do so by the promise of a new piece or a reward. Whatever the student’s ability, I expect all to try their best when in a lesson or performing in an ensemble, and I am empathetic to all levels. When my ensembles perform a concert, and I can hear that they have performed at their best, and I can see that they are pleased with their own performance, then I know I am doing my job—to not only educate, but to foster enjoyment of music. I hope that most, if not all, of my students find a life-long appreciation of the joy of making music and the ability to appreciate the music of their surroundings.

“I know that my persistence and creativity will continue to be tested by time and new situations, and I am committed to always finding what is best for the students. I am dedicated to continuing my education, keeping my teaching at the forefront of music pedagogy. Additionally, I plan to continue professional performance with my teaching career, for my love of music education is intertwined with my love of performance.”

At CSMA

Janet joined CSMA in 2011. She teaches private violin and viola lessons, as well as the Intro to Violin class.

Personal

When she is not teaching or performing, Janet may often be found wandering the streets or local trails with her camera, in search of the perfect photo. She is a semi-pro photographer, designs and knits jewelry, and volunteers with local rabbit rescue groups. Janet spends her down-time at home, with her own rescue rabbit, Virgil.

Education

Jim Kassis, a percussionist, received his BA in Music from San Jose State University. He has studied under Tony Cirone, Jack VanGeem, and Alfred Kanwisher.

Performing and Teaching Experience

Jim has taught privately and at the National Guitar Workshop and Soundsation Jazz Camp. Jim has extensive Bay Area ensemble experience, performing with the CA, San Jose, San Francisco, Monterey, and Santa Cruz Symphonies; Opera San Jose; the California Shakespeare Festival; the American Musical Theatre of San Jose; Gene Harris; and the Cabrillo Music Festival.

At CSMA

Jim teaches drums and percussion at CSMA, where he has been a member of the Music Faculty since 1992.

Teaching Philosophy and Approach

Jim's philosophy is that playing music is all about having a good time. "unless you don't practice. And the more you practice, the more fun you will have!"

Personal

A native of Boise, Idaho and current resident of Oakland, Jim is a Green Bay Packers fan and Greek food enthusiast.

Education

Nicki Petruzzella Kerns holds a B.M. in piano performance from Dominican College of San Rafael (now Dominican University of CA). She studied piano with Robert Shultz, Robert Hagopian, and Sylvia Jenkins. She also studied organ with Dr. Sondra Soderlund, double bass with Steven D'Amico and voice with Maria Greco and Bella Resek.

Performing Experience

Nicki’s first job out of college was playing piano at Nordstrom.  She performed with the Redwood Symphony as a pianist, piano soloist and bassist from 1987 to 1998.  She also performed at Max's Opera Cafe for 18 years, most of that time as their music director.  Nicki has worked extensively as a freelance pianist and bassist, performing at countless weddings, parties, musical theater productions and other events.  Some of the more notable people she has "serenaded" as a cocktail pianist include Ronnie Lott, most of the SF Giants, William Hewlett, Chelsea Clinton and even then-Vice-President Dan Quayle.  She also appeared at Nicolino's Restaurant in Sunnyvale as an accompanist for their opera singers.  She has accompanied many high school choirs including Aptos High School, with whom she performed at Lincoln Center. 

Currently Nicki is the music director/organist at St. Andrew's Episcopal Church in Ben Lomond, CA, accompanist at Bethany University in Scotts Valley, the keyboardist in The Raytones (a children's blues band), and a member of the national touring company of "Oh, Mr. Sousa!"

Teaching Experience

Nicki taught at CSMA from 1988 until 2000, and has accompanied many voice recitals and workshops here since then. She is a teacher with the acclaimed early-childhood music program Music Together and also maintains a home studio. Nicki is a member of the Music Teachers Association of California (MTAC).

At CSMA

Nicki taught piano at CSMA from 1988 through 2000. She rejoined the music faculty as a piano teacher in 2011.

Teaching Philosophy

Nicki believes that everyone can learn to play piano to some degree and that music should be a stress reliever, not a stress inducer. She believes her role as teacher is to provide the skills necessary for a lifetime of music making.

Personal

In addition to music, Nicki loves to sew, cook, bake/decorate cakes, ballroom dance, garden, spend time with friends/family and entertain.  She enjoys speaking Spanish and tourist Italian.  She is the mother of a twelve-year-old girl and eight-year-old boy and has been married for sixteen years. 

Education

Jin-Hee Kim received her BM in vocal performance from Seoul National University and her MM and DMA from the University of Minnesota.

Performing and Teaching Experience

Jin-Hee has won many competitions including the Schubert Club Competition, Minnesota National Association of Teachers Competition, Art Song Festival Competition, Bay Area NATS Competition, and the East Bay Opera League Competition. She was also a finalist in the National Opera Association Competition and performed with the San Francisco Lyric Opera. Her favorite musical experiences including performing the roles of Lucia in Lucia di Lammermoor, Euridice in Orfeo et Euridice, Micaela in Carmen, Cio-Cio-San in Madam Butterfly, as well as the title roles in Rigoletto and Amahl and the Night Visitors.

Jin-Hee has given numerous recitals in Seoul, Minneapolis, St. Paul, Irvine, San Francisco, and throughout the Bay Area. She is a faculty member at Pacific Union College and West Valley College.

At CSMA

Jin-Hee teaches private voice lessons and has been a member of the CSMA Music Faculty since 2000.

Teaching Philosophy and Approach

"My pleasure comes from hearing my students learn and improve-and from having them enjoy their music."

Education

Kathe Kuehl received her BA in Music from Florida State University and Oral Roberts University, and her MA in Music from CSU Hayward. She studied with Albert Tipton at Florida State University, Jan Daily in Tulsa, OK, and most recently with Roberta Brokaw at CSU Hayward. Kathe has taken master classes with Jean-Pierre Rampal and Michel Debost. She studied German at the Goethe Institute in Berlin and is bilingual in English and German.

Performing and Teaching Experience

Kathe lived and taught flute in Germany for 17 years as a faculty member of Musikschulen in Koengen, Wendlingen, and Kirchheim. She performed regularly in faculty concerts as a soloist and in various chamber music ensembles. She was a member of Schwaebisches Kammerorchester, Trio Animato (2 flutes and piano), and Kuehl/Scholl Duo (flute and guitar).

Kathe is currently a member of the Sunnyvale Presbyterian Church choir and a frequent flute soloist.

At CSMA

lessons, and currently also directs the Woodwind Ensemble and Flute Choir.

Teaching Philosophy and Approach

“I welcome all ages of students, from 9 years through adult, and all levels of ability. Previous musical experience is very helpful, but not necessary. Students must be willing to practice daily, be committed to learning, and demonstrate enthusiasm for the flute. It is my desire to awaken the joy of music in my students, instill in them a solid musical foundation by teaching the classical flute repertoire, and encourage them to develop the skills to play the flute well and confidently, and to have fun in the process.”

Personal

Kathe especially enjoys outdoor sports, including hiking, swimming, skin diving, horseback riding, and flying. She has both private pilot and FAA aircraft dispatcher licenses. She has traveled extensively in both America and Europe. In addition to teaching, Kathe has worked as an aircraft dispatcher, flight operations analyst, and for Verne Q. Powell Flutes in Maynard, MA.

Education

Rich Kuhns attended Foothill and DeAnza Colleges, where he studied musical performance, music theory, voice and Spanish. He performed with the Madrigal Choir and Foothill College Big Band and Jazz Sextet. His private piano studies were with Karyn Lee and Mark Levine.

Performing and Teaching Experience

For more than 15 years Rich has been teaching beginning through advanced jazz keyboard performance, composition, theory and arranging to private students. In 2001 he was the California Arts Council Artist-in-Residence at Monta Vista High School in Cupertino, where he coached jazz combos and taught beginning improvisation and interpretation of pop music. Since 2002 he has been a periodic advisor to student jazz combos for the Stanford University Jazz Department. He is also an advisor to the Big Band rhythm section in the College of San Mateo Jazz Department.

Rich has wide-ranging performing experience, which includes a long-time gig as house keyboardist for Hornblower Dining Yachts in San Francisco and many recordings and TV/film scores. He currently performs with numerous jazz groups, including Soul Sauce, Trio Paradiso, Joe Craven and Friends, Claudia Villela/Ricardo Peixoto Group, and the Pit of Fashion Orchestra.

At CSMA

Rich joined the CSMA Music Faculty in February 2005. He teaches private lessons in jazz studies for piano and accordion, as well as jazz piano workshops and beginning to intermediate jazz theory classes.

Teaching Philosophy and Approach

"I've been a professional musician for more than twenty years. I use my own personal joy in studying and performing music to motivate my students. A study of jazz styles can lead in many directions. Once the area of interest is established with the student we can pursue the possibilities. I strive in my teaching to open creative channels using a variety of means. I am currently accepting only students with previous training in music reading, chord building and scales."

Education

Hermann Lara earned a Bachelor’s of Music from the Berklee College of Music in 1996 and graduated magna cum laude with studies in Professional Music emphasizing performance, arranging and composition.   Professionally, he has studied saxophone with Bill Pierce (Kevin Eubank’s group and an Art Blakey’s Jazz Messenger), Joe Viola (famed saxophone instructor), George Garzone (the Fringe) and briefly with famed improv instructor, Jerry Bergonzi.  He has studied flute with Matt Marvuglio, Marta Salazar-Rodriguez and Paul Renzi (NBC Orchestra under Toscanini and lead for 50 years with the SF Symphony).

Performing and Teaching Experience

He’s worked nationally with salsa legends Lalo Rodriguez, Paquito Guzman, Hector Rey and Pedro Arroyo. Locally, he’s worked and recorded with Stymie and the PJLO, Fito Reinso, Amelia Ray, JL Stiles, Tito y su Son de Cuba, and performed at many of the area’s local nightclubs, restaurants and festivals. Recent work has included working with local theatre companies such as Ray of Light and the Palo Alto Players performing in such musicals as Cole Porter’s Anything Goes, The Wiz, The Rocky Horror Show and, most recently, Pete & Keely. Hermann has been on staff at the New Mozart School of Music in Palo Alto since 2005 as an instructor and now joins CSMA to expand his reach as an instructor.

At CSMA

He teaches privately on saxophone, flute and clarinet, and particularly enjoys getting students started or introducing them to jazz improvisation. He also teaches interpretative styles in Brazilian music, afro-Caribbean styles connected to Cuba, Puerto Rico and Latin America and American styles such as jazz, R&B and blues.

Teaching Philosophy and Approach

Learning comes from being fully engaged and consistent. Little steps yield big results. I work with my students to be the best they can be and to be diligent in their pursuit for excellence.

Personal

Hermann dedicates his time to being a father, a business consultant at a prominent software firm in SF and playing music as much as he can. He continues to work on advancing his professional career as a musician through recording, composing, and performing. He’s an avid music collector and volunteers as President of the Wallenberg Community Foundation, with Villa Sinfonia and is a San Francisco Chapter Leader for the Berklee College of Music Alumni group.

On January 31, 2011, Hermann celebrated the release of his debut CD, New Mission. The CD is available on iTunes, Amazon, CDbaby and directly from Hermann at these websites:

http://hermannlara.com
http://myspace.com/hsax

Education

Chinh Le received in Bachelor's of Music Degree and Artist Diploma from Indiana University's School of Music. He has studied with Yuval Yaron, Joseph Gingold, Henryk Kowalsky, and Nelli Schkolnikova.

Performing and Teaching Experience

Chinh is a current member of the Symphony Silicon Valley, Opera San Jose, the San Jose Chamber Orchestra, and the Santa Cruz Symphony, of which he is the Associate Concertmaster. He is also the former director and conductor of the Saigon Chamber Ensemble and the founder of Pacific Music Academy. He has performed solo and chamber music throughout the US, Asia, and Europe.

Chinh has over fifteen years of teaching experience with both individuals and ensembles.

At CSMA

Chinh joined the CSMA Music Faculty in 1991. He teaches private lessons and chamber music. Chinh does not take beginning students. He prepares students for auditions and the ABRSM exams, and he strongly recommends that his students participate in recitals at CSMA.

Teaching Philosophy and Approach

"Everyone can learn music. One can reach full potential by active listening and performances and sound teaching."

Personal

Chinh, a native of Vietnam, came to the US in 1980. He is especially interested in rearranging music for string orchestra. He enjoys taking his two children on tour when he plays out-of-town concerts.

Education

Thutam Le studied violin with Vietnamese teachers at the Saigon National Conservatory of Music, from which she graduated in 1976. She received a degree in English from Vietnam University and earned her AA in Accounting from Foothill College.

 

Performing and Teaching Experience

Thutam played violin in the Orchestra of Saigon National Conservatory of Music. She plays violin and sings in dancing clubs and festivals, and has recorded music for film scores in Saigon City, San Jose, and Washington, D.C.

In addition to teaching at CSMA, Thutam teaches violin privately in her home.

At CSMA

Thutam joined the CSMA Music Faculty in 1997 as a private violin teacher.

Teaching Philosophy and Approach

As a teacher, Thutam uses the “A Tune a Day” series by C. Paul Herforth, the Suzuki Series, Kayser’s Etudes, “Fundamental of Violin” by F. Haas, Mazas' Etudes, and scale exercises by Carl Flesch. Thutam has prepared students for membership in the El Camino Yourth Symphony and California Youth Symphony. She also prepares students for the ABRSM exams and Merit Scholarship auditions.

Thutam believes that “listening and playing music can comfort and bring happiness to people. Therefore, I’d like to see a lot of people get involved in music.”

Personal

Student recital photos are posted at the website listed below.

http://picasaweb.google.com/thutam.le

Education

Rachel Lee earned Bachelor of Music (BM) in Korean music and piano performance at Seoul National University in Korea, a Bachelor of Professional Studies (BPS) in Audio Recording Technology at Five Towns College in New York, and Master of Music (MM) in Music Technology at New York University in New York.

Performing and Teaching Experience

Rachel has performed numerous recitals in piano and Geomungo (a Korean String instrument. She has participated in recording sessions, and she worked as a junior producer at Tiki Recording Studio in Glen Cove, New York. She has also worked as a music producer, director for church choirs, and piano/organ accompanist.

Rachel has taught music performance and other music subjects for 15 years. Her teaching experience includes private lessons and music classes at schools and churches. Her teaching areas include piano performance, music theory, music history, ear training, and sight reading/singing. In New York, she taught and prepared students for the music assessment exams given by NYSSMA (New York State School Music Association. She is a member of Music Teachers Association (MTAC) in California and prepares students for CM (Certificate of Merit) and ABRSM (Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music) exams. 

At CSMA

Rachel joined the CSMA music faculty in 2007. She teaches the Intro to Keyboard classes, aural training, and private piano lessons. She is an accompanist for Adventures in Singing and Peninsula Children’s Chorale.

Teaching Philosophy and Approach

"I value music as a comprehensive educational-vehicle. A teacher should encourage students to explore music and guide them in expressing feelings and joy from understanding music, while they improve techniques and skills. I believe that music enriches our life, and students can build strong knowledge of music and techniques when they enjoy learning. A good teacher helps students keep motivated and succeed.  The individualized approach for each student is essential."

Education

Evgenia earned her BA in Music at Klaipeda Conservatory of Music and her MM in Music (Piano Instructor and Accompanist) from the Lithuanian Music Academy in Vilnius.

Performing and Teaching Experience

A renowned teacher with a passion for art history, Evgenia has performed as a piano soloist in concert halls throughout Russia, Lithuania, and Estonia, has played in a faculty performance at Herbst Theatre, and has participated in a "Bach Marathon" at the Community Music Center in San Francisco.

Evgenia has more than 30 years of teaching experience. Before coming to the US, she worked as a piano teacher and accompanist in Vilnius, Lithuania and St. Petersburg, Russia, for 17 years. She has also taught at the Music City Academy in San Francisco and currently teaches at the Community Music Center in San Francisco.

At CSMA

Evgenia joined the CSMA Music Faculty as a piano instructor in January 2004. She teaches private lessons, conducts workshops, and prepares students for the ABRSM exams.

Teaching Philosophy and Approach

Evgenia believes that "talents are not born but made." She says, "I believe that teaching piano helps people of different ages to awaken interest in classical music and through that, to better understanding of the beauty of the world. Music helps develop the ability of better listening and hearing to the heart, to the world, to each other. Practicing helps children develop a sense of rhythm and perspective in thinking, which can be applied in many spheres of life and science."

Evgenia accepts students at all levels, from young beginners to college level.

Education

Daniel started taking lessons on clarinet at age 9 and added saxophone at age 10. During his high school years he studied clarinet with Don Carol from the S.F. symphony, Bill Menkin, and Michael Corner, saxophone with Mary Fettig, Mel Martin, Burt Corelli and Rory Snyder. From 1988-90 Daniel attended U.S.C. as a music major where he studied privately with clarinetist Yahooda Gilad, classical saxophone with Doug Masek and jazz with Bob Sheppard. In1991 he transfered to the Berklee College of Music in order to focus more on jazz performance. At Berklee he studied privately with George Garzone, Bill Pierce, Joe Viola, Jerry Bergonzi, Hal Crook and continued studying classical clarinet with Peter Cokinias. He graduated magna cum laude in 1994. After leaving Berklee Daniel continued his education with Victor Morosco on saxophone, clarinet and flute. Presently Daniel is studying classical Indian music with Satish Gadagkar.

Performing Experience

While in high school Daniel performed with his own classical wind quintet, jazz combo, the California Youth Symphony, the Monterey Jazz Festival Big Band, the All State Wind Orchestra, and the All State Jazz Band. He moved to New York in 2000 and formed "The Hub," an avant garde jazz trio, that toured extensively in Europe, Japan and the U.S. from 2000-04. He moved back to the Bay Area in 2005 and has been performing with the Fil Lorenz Jazz Orchestra, the Contemporary Jazz Orchestra, Funky Buela, The Avatar Ensemble, the Marcus Shelby Jazz Orchestra, the Ernie Smalls Jazz Orchestra, Chester Smith, Donald Bailey, and the Wind Up Trio.

Teaching Experience

Daniel began teaching privately in 1991 and has continued ever since. Some of his students have played in All State and County Honor Bands. He helps his students to develop a strong foundation on their instruments as well as in music in general. He has a flexible approach, tailoring the lessons to the needs and interests of each student. His primary goal as a teacher is to help others to express themselves through music and gain a deeper appreciation of music in general. He encourages his students to enjoy playing music every day and to listen.

At CSMA

Dan joined the CSMA Music Faculty in 2010. He teaches private saxophone and clarinet lessons.

Education

Rob Malkin graduated with a BA from UC Berkeley. In addition to studying music at De Anza College, Foothill College, and Cal State San Jose, he has studied privately with Mark Levine and Rebeca Mauleon (piano) and Bud Dimock and Grant Geissman (guitar).

 

Performing and Teaching Experience

For over a decade Rob has performed with the Santa Cruz-based Latin bands Charanga Nueve and Broken English. In 2004 he formed his own band, Latin Lingo, which played extensively in the Santa Cruz and San Jose area. They released their first CD in 2006. Rob also performs in a duet with vocalist Leti Candelaria.

Rob has also worked as a paid transcriptionist for the music departments at Cal State San Jose and Cabrillo College.

Rob teaches guitar at a number of studios in the south Bay Area

At CSMA

Rob joined the Community School of Music & Arts in 2008. He teaches group and private lessons in acoustic and electric guitar.

Teaching Philosophy and Approach

For beginners Rob’s first goal is to instill in his students a positive and personal attachment to music that will stay as part of their lives forever. For all his students he believes in a well-rounded curriculum of theory, ear-training, and exposure to a number of genres.

Education

Corey McVicar earned his musical education at the Sydney Conservatorium of Music of the University of Sydney, and the Peabody Conservatory of Music of The Johns Hopkins University. Postgraduate piano studies followed in both Germany and France. The various artists with whom he has worked include Ann Schein, Yvonne Lefebure, Leon Fleisher, and Murray Perahia.

Teaching and Performing Experience

Corey McVicar served on the faculty of the Peabody Conservatory of Music of the Johns Hopkins University and the Peabody Preparatory for 23 years. He also held an adjunct piano faculty teaching position at Columbia University in New York. Mr. McVicar has given piano master classes at the University of Sydney and in several locations in Bangkok, Thailand.

Described as a “truly poetic and exhilarating” pianist by the Sydney Morning Herald, Corey McVicar has performed worldwide. He has appeared extensively throughout his native Australia, including notable performances at the Sydney Opera House and Sydney Parliament House; he has also given concerto performances with the Sydney and Queensland Symphony Orchestras. Other international performances include solo recital and concerto engagements in Singapore at Victoria Hall; the American University and Goethe institute in Bangkok, Thailand; in Saint Germain En-Laye, France; and throughout Asia for the Pacific and Orient Corporation.

In the United States, Mr. McVicar has given recitals at venues such as the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts; Carnegie Weill Recital Hall in New York City and Strathmore Hall Music Center in North Bethesda, Maryland. His solo and chamber music performances have been heard on radio stations in Australia, France, and the United States. Most recently Mr. McVicar's concertizing has included numerous chamber music collaborative performances and appearances with international artists in Southeast Asia and in the U.S., including tours of the Midwest and several East Coast cities. In 2011 he released two CD recordings with cellist Alicia Ward.

Mr. McVicar has had successes in numerous solo competitions such as the New York Frinna Awerbuch International Piano Competition, the Liszt International Piano Competition (Italy), and the Yale Gordon and Dan Saslov Piano Competitions in Baltimore, USA.

At CSMA

Corey McVicar joined the piano faculty in 2011. He teaches private lessons in his studio.

Teaching Philosophy and Approach

“As a teacher I have the joy of providing students with a solid musical foundation, guiding them to strive toward excellence and assisting with their development in becoming independent artistic musicians.”

Education

Muza Mdzinarishvili received an M.M. in piano accompanying from the San Francisco Conservatory of Music, and a B.M. and M.M. in piano performance and pedagogy from Tbilisi V. Sarajishvili State Conservatory of Music, Georgia. She also holds a diploma with honors in piano performance from Tbilisi D. Arakishvili Musical College.

Performing and Teaching Experience

Throughout her career, Muza has distinguished herself as a soloist, chamber musician and collaborative pianist. She has performed at the Course International de Musique, Switzerland; at the University of North Carolina Chapel Hill; as a concerto soloist with San Francisco State University, State University Symphony Orchestra, and Tbilisi State Symphony Orchestra; pianist in ensemble for workshop presentation of the commissioned work Crysallis by C. Suprynowicz, Berkeley West Edge opera; and for performance in a production of Menotti's opera “ The Medium” at SFCMC.

Muza served on the piano faculty at a 10-year Experimental Musical School of the Tbilisi State Conservatory of Music, Georgia, where she received a first category for excellence in teaching and at the Z. Paliashvili Georgian Musical Gymnasia for Gifted Children. She serves on the piano faculty at San Francisco Community Music Center, where she is also a faculty advisor for the Adult Certificate program. In 2010 she was a coach for the piano-duo at the Summer Chamber Music Workshop at Crowden School, Berkeley. Muza has successfully prepared many students for the ABRSM exams in piano and music theory with distinction and merit.

In addition to her teaching and accompanying career, Muza is the current president of the CAPMT, East Bay Chapter, where she creates inspiring programs for young musicians. Teacher‐ student collaboration project: the recital featured two of her advanced students and herself performing piano concertos with San Francisco State University Symphony Orchestra. Her co-developed past programs include: “A Musical Journey Through the Centuries,” a lecture-recital series, and piano duos recitals featuring 4-hand, 6-hand, and 8-hands piano works.

Teaching Philosopy and Approach

“As both a performer and a teacher, I believe learning an instrument (piano) should be fun, challenging and inspiring. My approach is based upon the individual student’s skill level, abilities, interests and goals. In my teaching, I incorporate traditional theory concepts, selected solo repertoire to suit students' interests and abilities, and piano duos that encourage the student to improve their ensemble playing skills and give a valuable opportunity for students at every level to make music together with other peers and the teacher. Teacher-student collaboration is extremely inspiring and has a vital role in the students’ musical development and growth.

“I believe that a well-rounded musical education is important no matter what age or skill level. It is vital to reach out and inspire our future musicians.”

At CSMA

Muza joined the CSMA Music Faculty in 2011. She teaches private piano lessons.

Education

Hazelle Miloradovitch earned her Bachelor of Music with Distinction from Eastman School and her Master of Arts with major in music from Stanford University.

Performing Experience

Hazell is currently Principal Violist, Livermore-Amador Symphony, and formerly Concert Master of the Livermore-Amador Symphony and Stanford University Symphony Orchestra. She makes frequent appearances in chamber music ensembles and as recital accompanist.

Teaching Experience

Hazelle is an instructor of harpsichord, Notre Dame de Namur University, Belmont, CA; a lecturer in viola de gamba, Stanford University, University of CA, Davis; and teaches at Lone Mountain College, San Francisco. She has been a string evaluator for the Music Teachers' Association of California (MTAC) Certificate of Merit program for many years. Hazelle has more than 50 years private teaching experience on the Peninsula for all age. She has international experience teaching in viola de gamba for the Viola de Gamba Society of Great Britain and conducting summer chamber music workshops in France for the Federation Sportive et Culturelle de France.

At CSMA

Hazelle has been teaching private lessons in violin, viola and piano at CSMA since 1987.

Teaching Philosophy

"To make a lasting friendship with every student who comes to my door in the hopes that they will always enjoy music throughout their lives."

Education

B.M. in Vocal Performance from University of California, Irvine, Cum Laude, 2006 . M.A. in Vocal Performance from San Jose State University, 2010.

Professional Experience

Sara has been working as a freelance singer, vocal coach, and stage manager since 2006 in Southern California and the Bay Area.

Teaching Experience

Sara has been teaching private voice, elementary, and intermediate piano lessons since 2001 in Southern California and then in the Bay Area. She also teaches Kodaly and choruses to several elementary schools in the Mountain View Whisman school district and Los Altos district.

At CSMA

Sara started her collaboration with CSMA in 2010 teaching several music theory classes. She is also a faculty member in the Music4Schools program teaching Kodaly and choruses to over 250 children in grades 1-6.

Teaching Philosophy

"Music can improve ones' IQ, attention span, hand-eye coordination, focus, and creativity! Every one of my lessons is designed to serve the needs of each individual student. I enjoy teaching and I make sure to have a great time while working my students."

Website

saramoravej.com

Education

João (John) Neves learned percussion growing up in Brazil. In the US he studied flute with Salvatore Amato, first flutist with Yale Symphony. From 1982 to 1986 he attended the Jazz Studies Program at Foothill College under the direction of Dr. Terry Summa.

Performing and Teaching Experience

João has performed as percussionist / flutist with Corpo Santo, Brazuca, Viva Brazil, Peter Spitzer Trio, and Samba Pagode. He presently plays with Bossa Deep Groove and Sambosseros  Jazz.

At CSMA

João Neves has been a member of the CSMA Music Faculty for more than 20 years, teaching, jazz combos, jazz improvisation classes, jazz flute, Brazilian percussion and digital arts. At CSMA João (John) is the Jazz Program Coordinator and Tateuchi Hall Technical Manager.

Education

Prisca Pan received her M.M. from the San Francisco Conservatory of Music, where she was a recipient of the prestigious Vincent Constantino Scholarship. She has continued her studies with many other prominent piano teachers. She received her B.A. in Music—Piano Performance at UCLA.

A native of Taiwan, Prisca grew up in Singapore and started studying piano at the age of four. She entered Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts at the age of seven and secured 2nd place in Hong Kong’s fifth international piano competition at the age of 10. At age 14, she obtained the Advance Certificate from the Associated Board of the Royal School of Music During the summer of 2004, she earned a scholarship that allowed her to participate in prestigious piano master classes in Germany and Portugal, the Russiche Schule, SIPO and Beijing International Music Festival and Academy.

Performing and Teaching Experience

In 2008 Prisca was invited to give her debut performance in the Museu de Arte Murilo in Juiz de Fora, Brazil as part of the 18th Curso Internacional de Musica Scala Festival. She has also performed in the United States, Singapore, Hong Kong, Germany, Portugal, and China. Prisca is a recipient of numerous awards from the Music Teachers’ Association in California in the Panel competition and honor branch concerts. She continues to expand her spectrum of music performance.

Prisca has maintained a private studio since 2007and has taught part-time at Orchepia Music Education.

At CSMA

Prisca joined the CSMA music faculty in 2011. She teaches Intro to Keyboard classes and private piano lessons.

Teaching Philosophy and Approach

Prisca believes firmly that music education should be something enjoyable. She has dedicated herself to customizing lessons according to the students' needs and is always eager to work with each student to discover his/her individual path in music.

Education

Guitarist/vocalist Ruth Parry graduated from Berklee College of Music in Boston. She then continued private guitar studies with several well-known instructors. Ruth received her teaching certification at Arizona State University.

 

Performing and Teaching Experience

Ruth has performed for over 20 years in a variety of venues and recording projects. She has worked as a songwriter, composer, and arranger in a variety of musical styles and contexts, including the independent film Jerome by JET Productions, and has performed with Peruvian musical greats David Pinto (bassist and music director for Susana Baca), and former members of Peru Negro, Marina Lavalle and Lalo Izquierdo. Ruth has arranged multiple guitar quartets that have been published digitally. She leads her own trio, Sound Anatomy, and works with many artists in the Bay Area.

Ruth has taught both guitar and bass guitar at the Napa School of Music, Village Music School in Pleasant Hill, String Letter Music School in San Anselmo, and as an independent teacher.

Ruth is co-author of the guitar instruction book, "The Beginner's Guide to Guitar," and is a regular contributor to Acoustic Guitar magazine, where her contributions include online video lessons.

At CSMA

Ruth joined the CSMA music faculty in 2011. She teaches private guitar lessons and introductory guitar classes.

Teaching Philosophy and Approach

My goal is to create a safe environment for the student that's engaging and fun. The learning process is designed to build confidence and stimulate growth, gauged by a student's individual abilities and interests. As a student grows in confidence, he or she is encouraged to stretch beyond self-imposed boundaries and discover new plateaus of technique and self-expression.

Coming soon.

Education

Elizabeth Poole received her Masters of Music from the University of Maryland School of Music where she studied with Bradford Gowen. She holds her Bachelors in Music from James Madison University where she was twice awarded first place in the School of Music Concerto Competition.

Performing and Teaching Experience

Elizabeth teaches at the Community School of Music and Arts and teaches privately in Palo Alto. She was awarded first place in the Virginia Music Teachers Association Competition and has performed in masterclasses for Andre Michel Schub and Andre Watts.  A native of Norfolk, Virginia, Elizabeth served on the piano faculty for the Academy of Music where she frequently performed. In spring 2005, Elizabeth was a semi-finalist in the International Russian Piano Competition held in San Jose, California.

At CSMA

Elizabeth joined the CSMA music faculty in 2004. She teaches private piano lessons.

Education

Richard Roper received his Bachelor's degree from the San Francisco Conservatory of Music, his M.M. from Yale School of Music, and his D.M.A. from the University of Maryland. As a Harriet Hale Woolley Scholar, Dr. Roper spent a year studying and performing in Paris.

 

Performing and Teaching Experience

Committed to arts education, Dr. Roper has served on the faculties of the University of Maine, and the Washington, D.C. Youth Orchestra, and currently teaches for the San Francisco Conservatory of Music Preparatory/Extension department, the Community School of Music and Arts, and as trumpet instructor at California State University Stanislaus. Along with teaching, he stays busy performing frequently with many Northern California ensembles. In addition, he has studied and performed at the Aspen Music festival, the Music Academy of the West, and the Norfolk Chamber Music festival. His major teachers include Chris Gekker, Allan Dean, Mario Guarneri, Antoine Cure, and Raymond Mase.

At CSMA

Dr. Roper joined the CSMA Music Faculty in 2004. He teaches music theory and aural training.

Education

Adam Roszkiewicz began his guitar lessons at age seven and began performing at age twelve. He received his BA and MA in Performance from the San Francisco Conservatory of Music. During his studies at SFCM he received three departmental awards for outstanding achievement in guitar performance. He has studied with Gregory Coleman, John Schneiderman, David Tanenbaum, Marc Teicholz, and others.

Performing and Teaching Experience

Adam began playing the guitar at age 7, inspired by Mississippi John Hurt, Tom Petty, and his father's shiny new Fender Stratocaster. Now based in the Bay Area, Adam performs classical, bluegrass, folk and new acoustic music on guitar, mandolin, and mandocello. Adam has performed at the Icicle Creek music festival in Washington, the Mozart festival in San Luis Obispo, and the Hardly-Strictly-Bluegrass festival in San Francisco's Golden Gate Park. Adam is a member of the Modern Mandolin Quartet, and performs regularly with the group Jimmy Chicken-Pants, and singer-songwriter AJ Roach. He has earned his undergraduate and graduate diplomas in music performance from the San Francisco Conservatory of Music, where he studied with David Tanenbaum and Marc Teicholz. In March 2005, he made his Carnegie Hall debut, performing guitar duets with Santiago Gutierrez.

At CSMA

Adam joined the Music Faculty at CSMA in 2002. He teaches private guitar lessons.

Education

Mark Russo, professional musician, performer/writer, and teacher, graduated from the Berklee College of Music in Boston with a BA in Applied Music, Woodwind Performance. He plays a variety of instruments, including flute, saxophone, clarinet, and oboe and has studied with Joseph Viola, Andy McGhee, and Frank Foster. Mark has done classical studies with Sal Amato, NBC Orchestra, NY; James Matheson, SF Opera; and Joan Butterfield, Dallas Symphony.

Performing and Teaching Experience

Mark has toured with Vic Damone, Mel Torme, Albert King, and Albert Collins and has performed with world-class tenor Pete Christlieb from the Tonight Show, Barry Manilow, the American Musical Theatre, and TheatreWorks of Mountain View. He has also played with the San Jose Civic Light Orchestra, the Full Faith and Credit Band, and various big bands. Mark has produced two Christmas albums on the M&M Productions label, as well as three Swing CD compilations. He is an active performer in classical, jazz, and blues.

At CSMA

Mark has been a member of the CSMA Music Faculty since 1991. He teaches clarinet, saxophone, and oboe. Mark also teaches beginning through advanced jazz improvisation, jazz rhythms, styles, and sight reading skills.

Teaching Philosophy and Approach

My approach as a teacher, performer, and role model is to promote a good foundation and understanding of wind instruments. I focus on reading music, tone production, and developing patience when practicing and performing.

Website

Visit www.theclassycats.com for more info about Mark and his music.

Coming Soon.

Education

Axel Schmitt holds a Doctor of Musical Arts Degree from UCLA, where he was a student of Prof. Vitaly Margulis.

Performing and Teaching Experience

Dr. Schmitt was born in Germany where he received his first piano lessons at age eleven. At age 16, he won the national German piano-competition "Jugend musiziert" with the highest possible score against more than 3,000 competitors. He is the prize-winner of numerous other piano competitions including first prize at the Los Angeles Liszt Competition (1996 and 1998.) He has performed as a concerto soloist, recitalist, and chamber-musician throughout Germany, France, Switzerland, Austria, Italy, Hungary, Russia, and the United States.

Highlights of Axel Schmitt's performances include his concerts at the Liszt Museum in Budapest, Hungary in 1999, at the World Piano Pedagogy Conference in Las Vegas 2002, his performance of Rachmaninoff's second Piano Concerto with the UCLA Philharmonia Orchestra in the same year, and the concert at the International Conservatory Week in St. Petersburg in Russia in 2003. In 2007, he performed Beethoven's Emperor Concerto for a sold-out audience in Germany and received rave-reviews from the press.

Dr. Schmitt is very successful and sought after as a piano teacher in the San Francisco bay area where he works with students of all ages and levels. He also serves on the faculty of several music schools and academies and is a staff pianist at West Bay Opera. He is a member of the Music Teachers' Association of California and the Music Teachers National Association.

Education

Cellist Irene Sharp has been acclaimed internationally for her teaching. She has given master classes for American String Teachers Association (ASTA), European String Teachers Association, Australian String Teachers Association, and the Suzuki Association of America.

Performing and Teaching Experience

Although based in Northern California, Ms. Sharp has worked with students in New York, London, Salzburg, Hamburg, Sydney, Tokyo, and Taipei. Currently on the faculty of the Mannes College of Music, she has also served on the faculty of the Meadowmount School for Strings, the Bowdoin (Maine) Summer Music Festival, and Indiana University's String Academy.

Ms. Sharp is Artistic Director of California Summer Music, a festival for young string players, pianists, and composers. She has been an invited speaker at the national meetings of the Music Teachers' National Association and the Music Educators' National Conference, and has given numerous teacher workshops worldwide. In 1992, Ms. Sharp received an award for her teaching from ASTA. She collaborated with the late Margaret Rowell, and performed in Pablo Casals' master class in Berkeley, California.

Education

Originally from Russia, Nina Shekhtman has studied piano performance, teaching, and accompanying. She earned her BA at the College of Music, Irkutsk in Russia and her MA at the State University, Vinnitsia in Ukraine. In addition, she has taken master classes at Kiev State Conservatory and Moscow State Conservatory.

Performing and Teaching Experience

Nina has worked as a piano teacher and accompanist at music schools and colleges in Russia and the Ukraine. In addition to teaching at CSMA, Nina teaches in a private studio. Nina has performed regularly in faculty recitals as a soloist, in duo, in chamber music concerts, and as an accompanist, as well as in numerous music festivals and competitions.

At CSMA

Nina teaches piano lessons and chamber music at CSMA, where she has been on the Music Faculty since 1999. She regularly prepares her students for the ABRSM exams.

Teaching Philosophy and Approach

Nina believes in providing an "individualized method to each student" and seeks to cultivate in her students "a strong knowledge of music theory and history, and an emphasis on musicianship and ensemble-playing."

Education

Karen Sremac received her Performers Certificate and Master’s of Music in clarinet from the Eastman School of Music, where she studied with Stanley Hasty. She was the only clarinet student accepted into the master’s program that year. She received her Bachelors of Music in clarinet from USC, where she studied with Mitchell Lurie.

Karen also studied clarinet extensively with David Breeden, Don Carroll and David Neuman of the San Francisco Symphony and Rosario Mazzeo of the Boston Symphony.

Performing & Teaching Experience

Karen has been the principal clarinetist of the Santa Cruz County Symphony since 1990. She also performs regularly with the Violeto Trio and arranges music for the unique combination of violin, clarinet and cello. Karen performs on all the clarinets: Bb, A, Eb, basset horn and bass, and on saxophones: soprano, alto and tenor.  She has performed in many orchestras including the San Francisco Ballet and Opera, San Jose Symphony and now Symphony Silicon Valley, San Jose Ballet, Carmel Bach Festival, Midsummer Mozart, Heidelberg Germany Festival and West Bay Opera. She has performed under the batons of many great conductors including Michael Tilson Thomas, Leonard Bernstein, Eric Leindsdorf, and Herbert Bloomstedt.

Karen has also been honored to perform as soloist with many groups including the Rochester Philharmonic, Santa Cruz County Symphony, Master Sinfonia, Palo Alto Symphony, Redwood Symphony, and in Europe with the Daniel String Quartet.

Karen has enjoyed teaching privately since 1985. Some of her students have gone on to play in symphonies and/or teach in universities. One year, despite the seemingly impossible odds, the only two clarinetists from throughout the United States to be chosen to perform as members of the National Youth Orchestra at Carnegie Hall were both from Karen’s studio. Karen has previously been on the faculty at the College of Notre Dame, Belmont, and the Santa Clara University.

At CSMA

Karen Sremac joined the faculty at CSMA in 2008. She teaches private clarinet and saxophone lessons.

Teaching Philosophy

Karen really enjoys the challenge of finding new ways to teach an understanding of the instrument and the expression of music. She strongly believes that each person learns in a slightly different manner, and therefore creates custom practice plans for each individual based on their goals and how they best learn. She strives to meet each musical and technical challenge with just the right approach for that person for that time in their development, thereby building their self-confidence and enjoyment of music.

Website

www.karenclarinet.com / www.weddingtrio.com

In the Words of Others

“Karen is the best teacher ever! When I switched to alto saxophone and struggled in band class, I started taking lessons with her. She covered everything from embouchure to rhythm to posture! I got much more confident in band class and got A's on all my playing tests! And taking a lesson with Karen was always tons of fun... she would make up acronyms to remember things, like 'WFTDB,' or 'Wait For The Down Beat'! Karen has a fun, creative, and very effective teaching method that will help any student, from beginning players to even the most advanced.” (student)

“Karen is a wonderfully gifted and encouraging teacher.  She combines an obvious love of music with the ability to communicate clearly and effectively with her students. She helps students experience a real sense of accomplishment and to have fun while doing so.” (student)

“…performing the haunting smooth wind solos woven throughout the Sinfonia, Sremac in particular was quite striking in her performance, playing with obvious feeling and depth, the notes of her clarinet rising above the orchestra, then melting back into the body of work almost imperceptibly.” (Santa Cruz Sentinel)

“…Clarinetist Karen Sremac a most successful graduate of the Eastman School of Music (USA) was impressive in her warm, all but immaculate tone and her extremely sensitive feeling for sound. These qualities are particularly invaluable in this composition, (Brahms Quintet), for the clarinet here is not only dominant melodically, but also has accompaniment tasks to fulfill.” (Rhein-Neckar-Zeitung)

Education

Pianist Hye-Won Souh, born in Seoul, Korea began studying the piano at the age of 3 with her pianist mother, Jung-Hee Lee. After getting accepted to Ye Won School for the Arts as one of the most distinguished students, she came to the United States to further her studies at the age of 15.  Souh continued her education at Walnut Hill School for the Arts and the prep school division of New England Conservatory of Music in Boston.  She has received a Bachelor's of music degree in piano performance with honors from New England Conservatory of Music and Master's of music degree from Seoul National University. Among her teachers and coaches are Kwi-Hyun Kim, Choong-Mo Kang, Sylvia Chambless, Randall Hodgkinson, Jonathan Cohler, Laurence Lesser and Nicholas Kitchen, as well as members of Borromeo string quartet. She also has taken master classes with Murray Perahia, Boris Berman and Alfred Brendel.   

Performing and Teaching Experience

“So warm, deep and heavenly…a charming musical intelligence combined with a brilliant and fabulous technique”  
– Benzamin Zander, principal conductor of Boston Philharmonic Orchestra

As a soloist, Souh won top major competitions in Korea and she was a prize winner of the Massachusetts State Teachers Association Competition, New England Conservatory YPO Concerto Competition led by Benzamin Zander and Brahms Association International Competition. As a chamber musician, Souh's piano trio won first prize at the Gala Chamber Music Festival Audition and gave numerous chamber music concerts in Boston. As a collaborative pianist, she was the accompanist of the New York Metropolitan International Competition and on the staff accompanist of the New England Conservatory of music prep school division.  

An Active performer Souh has given numerous recitals in Asia and the U.S. In Korea, she first drew national media attention in 2003 and her solo recital at Kum-Ho Art Hall was presented by Young Nam Broadcasting System. Also in the U.S. she has performed in such halls as Jordan Hall, Williams' Hall, Elliot Hall and Keiter Performing Arts Center.     

Souh has had over 15 years of teaching experience with all levels and age groups. Her lessons incorporate analysis, theory skills, history and technical facility and repertoire studied is selected to suit students’ interests and abilities. Recently, she has prepared her students for conservatory and university music programs and many of them successfully have been accepted to Peabody School of Music, Royal Academy of Music in England, New England Conservatory of Music and Seoul National University based on her teaching. Souh joined the music faculty at CSMA in 2010 and teaches private piano lessons. She also maintains her own private piano studio in San Jose.

Teaching Philosophy

Souh believes great teaching should be inspiring and relevant.  She loves to build in an element of fun and adventure to help her students explore the joy of making music.

Christina Stein has a background in music from the San Francisco Conservatory of Music. She has taught music and movement classes for young children for several years, and also has a thorough knowledge of brass instruments and music theory. Christina enjoys exposing young children to the joys of music making!

Education

An alumnus of Harvard University, Mr. Steinberg sings and plays flute and piano. He has studied voice with Terence Kelly and flute with William Watson.

Performing and Teaching Experience

Mr. Steinberg is on the faculty of the Festival of American Fiddle Tunes and is the founder of Hillbillies from Mars and Tierra Vieja. He was the program director of "Sierra Swing" for eight years and co-host of What's for Dinner?, a radio talk show concerned with food and cooking. Mr. Steinberg has taught choral arrangements at dance and music festivals, teaches private flute and piano lessons, and teaches at dance and choir workshops at music and dance festivals across the country, all in addition to performing at them.

At CSMA

Daniel, founder and director of World Harmony Chorus, has been a member of the CSMA Music Faculty since 1999.

Teaching Philosophy and Approach

Making music accessible to everyone is Mr. Steinberg's personal commitment. He believes that "anyone can participate in music, regardless of age, experience, or natural ability." He sees music-making "as an essential element of community-building" and asserts that "an awareness of the traditional music of other cultures helps to bring about a better understanding of the world and, ultimately, promotes world peace."

Personal

Special interests of Mr. Steinberg include digital audio software, Venezuelan music, Zimbabwe, French music and dance, cooking, and gardening.

Website: www.instantharmony.com

Education

Lisa Sueyres received her Bachelor of Arts in Music with an emphasis in Vocal Performance from the University of California, at Davis, graduating with both a Department Citation for Outstanding Undergraduate Accomplishment in Music and a Faculty Award for Outstanding Accomplishment in Musical Performance.

Performing and Teaching Experience

Lisa currently studies voice with Baker Peeples, and has worked with conductors such as José Luis Moscovich, John Kendall Bailey, and Jeffrey Thomas. Her most recent appearances include her performance of up and coming composer Noah Luna’s Landscapes and Silly Songs at the San Francisco Conservatory of Music, and her solo from the Bridesmaid’s Chorus of West Bay Opera’s production of Der Freischütz, which was hailed by the San Francisco Classical Voice as “ably showcas[ing] one of many charming Germanic folk elements in Weber’s score…providing evidence of the strength of the West Bay Opera choral ensemble.”

When she isn’t onstage, Lisa enjoys teaching elementary music theory at CSMA. She is passionate about deepening her students’ understanding of music and is often pleasantly surprised that she can learn as much from them as they can learn from her.

At CSMA

Lisa is the Music School Asssitant. She also teaches Music Theory and Singing for Beginners classes at Finn Center.

Personal

In her spare time, Lisa enjoys attending performances of all genres, going to the beach, baking, and spending time with friends and family.

Education

Sally Terris holds a BA in Music (voice) and Physics from Dartmouth College and an MM in Musicology from University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. She is also a registered recorder teacher with the Suzuki Association of the Americas. Sally has studied recorder with Judith Linsenberg, Mary Halverson Waldo, Katherine White, and Marion Rubinstein, and has taken workshops/master classes with Frances Blaker, Patrick O’Malley, William Starr, Drew Minter and others.

Performing and Teaching Experience

Sally has taught classes, private lessons, workshops and camps to students of all ages (3 to 80+) both at CSMA and in Mountain View elementary schools. In addition, she had extensive teaching experience in graduate school and has given workshops for parents about integrating music into their children’s lives.

Sally currently is a member of Recorder Journey, a trio that performs repertoire from all eras and cultures, with a particular interest in medieval, contemporary and non-Western music. She is also a singer, specializing in music from the medieval through baroque eras.

At CSMA

Sally has been on the CSMA Music Faculty since 1990. She developed the Music Theory Program and was Music Theory Coordinator from 1996-2006. She was also the director of the CSMA Suzuki Institute for Recorder from 2005-2007. She has taught theory (classes and private), recorder (classes and private, traditional and Suzuki), Musicianship for Singers, Music Explorer, and Back to the Baroque summer camp. She currently teaches recorder and Suzuki Recorder and is the Merit Scholarship Ensemble Coordinator. She is also the Faculty Advisor for the CSMA Early Music Minstrels.

As a faculty member of CSMA’s Music in the Schools Program from 1990 to 2010, Sally taught 3rd through 5th grade music (Music4Schools and recorder) at local elementary schools. In addition to teaching, Sally was responsible for teacher training and curriculum development, and was the co-author of the Music in Action book series Music of the US and Understanding Cultures through Their Music. She continues to mentor Music in the Schools teachers.

In 2007 Sally received CSMA’s ArtSalute Outstanding Music Teacher award.

Teaching Philosophy and Approach

"My students work at their own pace, in a warm, encouraging environment, with a curriculum tailored to their needs and interests. I emphasize musicianship, correct technique, healthy posture, musical expression and the development of listening skills. I encourage participation in theory classes, recitals, workshops, Suzuki group classes, Suzuki Institutes, ABRSM exams and ensemble playing.  I believe that music education gives students tools that reach far beyond playing an instrument, including body awareness, the ability to solve problems and learn new skills by breaking tasks down into small steps, the confidence to appear before large groups with poise, and the willingness to listen to and work with others.”

For her private recorder studio, children ages 3 to 6 are required to follow the Suzuki Recorder Method (for which additional information is available in the office or by contacting Sally Terris at sterris@arts4all.org); children ages 7 and up and adults may choose between Suzuki and traditional methods, or follow a combination of both.

Performing & Teaching Experience

Performances with jazz musicians including Smith Dobson, Jessica Williams, Larry Vuckovich, Eddie Henderson, Sonny Simmons, Mark Levine, Joe Henderson and Tootie Heath. Concerts with pop acts including Bobby Rydell, Julius LaRosa, Rita Moreno, Anna Maria Alberghetti, Pete Barbutti, Jim Baily, Jerry Vale, Diahann Carroll and Frankie Laine. Styles and types of music performed professionally include Greek, Persian, Jewish, Hungarian, Vietnamese, swing, blues, ragtime, classical, rock, soul, and even bluegrass. Musical Theater credits include "Stardust," "By George," and "Camelot."

Perry has taught at Stanford Jazz Workshop, San Jose State University, and the San Jose Jazz Society.

Philosophy

"Music is a wondrous thing; like all creative endeavors it works on many levels. It can provide entertainment and escapism from life's stresses, this alone is a great value. Even more, music can uplift the heart and soul, refresh and renew. Music can reflect intellectual depth and emotional honesty, nobility and passion, the whole range of the human experience. My deliberate choice is to work with the positive range of musical values."

Education

Dawn has a Masters of Music Degree from the New England Conservatory of Music with academic honors and distinction in flute performance. 

Professional & Teaching Experience

Praised by the SF Opera Center for her beautiful flute sound, and the Sacramento Bee as "...powerfully evocative" and "ethereal", Dawn has been Principal Flute with the Monterey Symphony since 1990 and performs regularly as principal and section flute with the SF Ballet and Opera Orchestras.  She has been a member of the Carmel Bach Festival Orchestra for more than nine years.  Dawn has performed as soloist with the New Century Chamber Orchestra, the Carmel Bach Festival Orchestra, and the Monterey Symphony.  She has toured the US as Principal Flute with the San Francisco Opera's Western Opera Theater Orchestra.  Additionally, Ms. Walker has taught early childhood music for more than 10 years..

At CSMA

In addition to teaching flute lessons, Dawn is the Preschool Program Coordinator at CSMA.

Read Dawn's Preschool Program Profile

A Native of Taiwan, Dr. Mika Wang holds a Doctor of Musical Arts degree in Violin Performance from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, where she studied with Prof. Sibbi Bernhardsson of the Pacifica String Quartet.

Violinist Mika Wang began her violin studies at the age of seven. She was honored as the 1st prize winner of the Paul Rolland Memorial Competition in 2006 and received the Foundation for the Chinese Performing Arts Scholarship (Boston) in 2006. She was the 3rd prize winner of the South Illinois Young Artist Competition in 2008, the 2nd place winner of the American Protégé International Piano and Strings Competition (New York) and the finalist of the Kate Neal Kinley Memorial Fellowship Competition in 2011. Additionally, Dr. Wang was the winner of 2009 String Division Concerto Competition at UIUC and appeared as concerto soloist with U of I New Music Ensemble in Krannert Center of Performing Arts in 2010. Other highlights of Mika Wang’s performances including concert tours with Lorin Maazel in 2011 and with Oliver Knussen in 2010, concerts at National Concert Hall in Taiwan, and at the prestigious venues such as Chicago Symphony Orchestra Hall and Hylton Performing Arts Center.

Dr. Wang has toured Taiwan, China, Korea, Australia, England and the United States as a soloist, chamber musician and orchestral violinist. She has performed extensively in many music festivals including: NYU String Quartet Workshop (2006), Chautaugua Music Festival (2007), Great Mountain Music Festival in Korea (2008), Ravania Music Festival (2008), Aldeburgh Music Festival in England (2010), Castleton Music Festival in Virginia (2011) and has received guidance form distinguished violinists such as Igor Ozim, Günter Pichler, Almita Vamos and Nicholas Kitchen. As the founding member of the Bardeen String Quartet, she has been invited to perform at the Indiana State University’s Guest Artist Concert, Monticello Chamber Music Series, and DoCha Chamber Music Festival.

Dr. Wang has more than 10 years of teaching experience and is currently serving as faculty at several music academies and schools at the San Francisco Bay Area, where she works with students of diverse ages and levels. She has taught at the Illinois Wesleyan University and served as the violin teaching assistant at UIUC for three years. She was ranked as “excellent” by her students and received the graduate teacher certificate from the center for teaching excellence of UIUC.

For more info, please visit: http://meifangwang.webs.com

Mika Wang joined CSMA faculty in 2012. She teaches private lessons for violin and viola.

Education

Mary Helen Weinstein holds Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in violin performance from Eastman School of Music, as well as teaching credentials in music and multiple subjects from National University in San Jose. A long-time resident of the Bay Area, Mary Helen has studied violin with Charles Meacham, Zvi Zeitlin, and Virginia Voigtlander Baker, chamber music with Stuart Canin, Gabor Rejto, and Don Weilerstein, and improvisation with Peter Spitzer.

Performing and Teaching Experience

Mary Helen has played with the Rochester Philharmonic, Women’s Philharmonic (as Concertmaster), San Francisco, Oakland, Marin, and Santa Rosa Symphonies. She was a member of the San Jose Symphony for 17 years. She has toured with Chuck Mangione, The Fifth Dimension, San Francisco Ballet, and Western Opera.

Mary Helen currently plays in the New Millenium Quartet and plays jazz with String Thing. She has been a private teacher for many years and works with all ages, including older adults and those with disabilities. She also coaches for youth orchestras, adjudicates, and teaches ensembles.

At CSMA

Mary Helen has been a member of the CSMA Music Faculty since 1998. She currently teaches violin, beginning viola, and the Intro to Violin class.

Teaching Philosophy and Approach

Mary Helen’s teaching style is an individualized approach, emphasizing technique and musicianship, strong rhythmic training, practice strategies, and student choice of music—from classical to bluegrass, and from Charlie Parker to movie themes.

Website

www.mhviolinstudio.com; email mh@mhviolinstudio.com

Musical Samples

• Massonet: Meditation from "Thais"
• Wieniawski: Romance (II) from Concerto No. 2
• Fire on the Mountain, Arr. Smithwick
• All of Me
• Black Orpheus

Education

Craig Whitwell earned his BA in Music at CA State University, San Jose, and his MA in Music at the University of Pennsylvania.

Performing and Teaching Experience

Craig began playing professionally at age 16, covering a wide range of organizations and styles. He has performed with symphony orchestras (Santa Rosa, Santa Cruz, Modesto, Monterey); opera orchestras (San Francisco Lyric Opera, West Bay Opera, Monterey Opera); musical theatre (Theatre Works, Theatre for the Western Stage, San Jose Stage); chamber music (Gabrieli Brass, Whole Noyse (Renaissance); concert bands (San Jose Wind Symphony, Golden Gate Park Band) jazz bands (Touch of Brass, Full Spectrum, Don Piestrup/Studio 6); and shows (Harrah’s Tahoe, Liberace, Charo, Temptations, Natalie Cole).

In 2004, Craig left his 25-year career in software engineering to devote his life entirely to music. Since then, he has held several music teaching positions, including those at University Preparatory Academy in San Jose, Palo Alto Unified School District, and Los Gatos/Saratoga Summer Music. He especially enjoys the 1-on-1 experience giving private lessons.

At CSMA

Craig joined the CSMA faculty in 2010. He currently teaches brass instruments, specializing in trombone/baritone and low brass.

Education

Jim Witzel received his BA in Creative Arts from San Francisco State University.

Performing and Teaching Experience

Jim is a member of the jazz faculty at San Francisco State University and Santa Clara University. His professional experience includes touring the US, Europe, and Asia. He has led his own group in the Bay Area, performing in the Monterey and San Jose jazz festivals. He is a past clinician at the Stanford Summer Jazz Workshop.

Jim has released a solo CD recording, Give and Take, with Joplin and Sweeney Music Co.

At CSMA

Jim has been a member of the CSMA Music Faculty since 1991. He teaches private guitar lessons and jazz combos.

Education

Daniel Wood earned his BA in Music from the University of California, Los Angeles.

Performing and Teaching Experience

Daniel has spent his career off the beaten path as a horn player, pianist, teaching artist and composer. After earning his degree, he worked for a music contractor in Los Angeles. In 1998, he founded the horn quartet QUADRE-The Voice of Four Horns and since then has had the opportunity to work with world-class artists throughout the United States performing over 600 concert presentations.  He produced and composed for QUADRE’s first and second albums, The Voice of Four Horns and Citrus respectively.  Beyond QUADRE, he acts as a teaching artist and music adjudicator for schools in the San Francisco Bay Area. He is certified in DBAE (Discipline-Based Arts Education) and presents lectures on the "Business of Making Music."

At CSMA

Daniel has worked with CSMA since 2000. In 2002, he founded CSMA’s digital arts program. As a current faculty member, he teachers horn, baritone, and music composition.

Teaching Philosophy and Approach

Daniel's personal teaching philosophy is that "every student has a degree of potential on any instrument. It is up to me - as their teacher - to help them discover that potential and take them as far as they want to go along the path of music education. I believe in teaching students to be complete musicians (e.g.: a strong knowledge of music theory, history, versatility in a variety of styles including Jazz, classical, and contemporary) and teaching them to be complete technicians on their chosen instrument (e.g., ability to play throughout their instrument's range, strong sense of rhythm, sense of phrase, dynamic contrast, etc.). I stress musicality and stage presence in my methods and expect commitment in return when warranted. Ultimately, it is my responsibility to teach my students how to be their own best teacher."

Education

Temirzhan Yerzhanov attended the famous Central Music School in Moscow. He went on to earn his MA in Piano Performance from the legendary Moscow Tchaikovsky Conservatory under Professor Mikhail Voskressensky. While still a young student at the Conservatory, he launched his performing career by winning the First Prize and Gold Medal at the XIth International Robert Schumann Piano Competition 1993 in Zwickau, Germany, one of the most respected in the world.

Performing and Teaching Experience

Temirzhan Yerzhanov was a Piano Faculty member for four years at the Moscow Tchaikovsky Conservatory. “Temirzhan’s brilliant talent, ability to inspire and motivate students, his broad knowledge and sensitivity to students’ needs and goals helped him to become an accomplished teacher,” noted his Professor Mikhail Voskressensky. Many of Mr. Yerzhanov’s students have won top prizes at prestigious international piano competitions such as The Queen Elisabeth in Brussels, The Tchaikovsky in Moscow, Viana da Motta in Macau, AXA in Dublin, and Alessandro Casagrande in Terni.

Since his relocation to the San Francisco Bay Area, Temirzhan has successfully combined his performing career with teaching activities. His students have appeared in many local festivals and have won gold medals at the US Open Piano Competition. Temirzhan has successfully prepared many students for the ABRSM Grades 1-8 exams in piano. He has presented master classes internationally, including Yantai University (China), West Washington University, Clara-Wieck-Gimnasium (Germany), schools, colleges and conservatories in Russia and Kyrgyzstan.

As a performer, Temirzhan Yerzhanov has toured in Germany, Russia, France, Italy, Switzerland, Czech Republic, USA, United Kingdom, China and India. He has soloed with many orchestras including Moscow Radio, Tchaikovsky Symphony, Zwickau Philharmonishes, Sacramento Philharmonic, San Luis Obispo Symphony, Vogtland Philharmonie and The Symphony Orchestra of India, working with such conductors as Vladimir Fedoseev, LotharSeyfart, Johannes Wildner, Michael Morgan, and Jiří Malát.

He has appeared in prestigious venues such as London’s Wigmore Hall, Berlin Konzerthaus, Leipzig Gewandhaus, Moscow Tchaikovsky Conservatory, Dresden Sempergalerie, Paris Salle Gaveau, New York Carnegie Weill Recital and Merkin Halls, Moscow and St. Petersburg Philharmonic Halls. Mr. Yerzhanov has been featured on live broadcasts, in studio recordings and talk shows of Deutsche Radio Berlin, Hong Kong Radio, BBC Radio, Radio Free Europe, Radio Russia, Capital Radio Sacramento, Orpheus Radio. He garnered much praise for his CDs of Schumann (RCD label) and Prokofiev works including World premiere of Classical Symphony (Con Brio Recordings).

A diverse musician, Mr. Yerzhanov has collaborated with many instrumentalists and opera singers of international acclaim such as Michael Collins (clarinet), VaskoVassilev (violin), Marat Bisengaliev (violin), Elena Kelessidi (soprano) and Melody Moore (soprano).

He was recently awarded with the Honored Title for the Outstanding National contribution in his native country of Kazakhstan.

Teaching Philosophy and Approach

As an active musician himself, Mr. Yerzhanov treats every student as a gifted artist, whether he is a child beginner or adult advanced player. That means when studying a piece of music, an artistic idea is put first, then thorough realization comes next. So repertoire is chosen carefully to satisfy both the artistic task the music calls for and the student’s individual needs in growth.

Mr. Yerzhanov encourages students to stir their imagination, read beyond notes, and through learning music to discover unknown and wonderful worlds.

Reviews and Testimonials

“Temirzhan Yerzhanov truly represents the legendary Russian piano tradition. He displays his talents equally as a prominent pianist and a great interpreter as well as a highly erudite pedagogue.”
               -- Professor Mikhail Voskressensky

“Even the greatest of virtuosos have pointedly avoided it (Balakirev’s Islamei), for as long as I can remember. But when a pianist can pull it off as Yerzhanov did, it's a huge victory. I was not sure if I should merely applaud or drop to my knees to make salaams…That was a memorable event in my life's concert experience.”   
               -- San Francisco Classical Voice, San Francisco

“The beauty of Temirzhan Yerzhanov’s piano tone, not voluptuous, never cloying, yet luminous and firm was immediately apparent as was his clarity of texture…his pianism was unfailingly brilliant.”
               -- Musical Opinion, London

“He is without doubt a rare phenomenon amongst pianists…”
               -- Orpheus International, Berlin

“In the final evening of the festival the audience was astounded: Temirzhan Yerzhanov performed Schumann's F minor sonata spectacularly, with great emotions and virtuosity.”                 
                -- Neva Times, St. Petersburg