piano

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Quynh Le

Piano Teacher, graduated from the prestigious music conservatory, Cleveland Institute of Music, studying under Dr. Daniel Shapiro. She is currently a Doctoral of Musical Arts (PHD) candidate at the Claremont Graduate University, currently studying under Dr. Grace Fong and Dr. Jenny Kim. With 15 years of piano performance experience, Quynh Le has studied with renowned teachers around the world, in countries such as France, Italy, and Costa Rica. Throughout her years of study, she has also worked as a piano teacher and teaching assistant helping young pianists progress in their piano studies and love for music. In Cleveland, she assisted Music Therapists at Music Settlement, playing piano for special needs adults and children. Ms. Le has always had a continuous passion to try to inspire everyone around her with music. Ms. Le is is a MTAC/CM/ABRSM Royal qualified teacher, and helps prepares her students for their yearly piano exam.

Sarah Chung

Piano & Voice Teacher, received her Master’s Degree from Sungshin Women’s University in South Korea. She received her Music Education Certificate from Ewha Women’s University. Ms. Chung received her Orff-Schulwerk Certification from Villanova University in Pennsylvania. She is also a Yamaha Certified Group Music Teacher. During her studies, she was a Teaching Assistant at the University. During her college years, she participated in Music Masters’ Courses at Aida Music Academy in Italy. She was also invited to the prestigious Young Artist Music Festival from Youngsan Art Hall in South Korea. After graduating, Ms. Chung opened her own music studio in South Korea, before moving to the US. Her teaching philosophy is similar to a quote by Lang Lang, “The piano is a mirror to the soul; it captures every emotion and reflects them in melody. I believe that learning music is the refined tool of how to put out our inner thoughts.” Ms. Chung is a MTAC/CM/ABRSM Royal qualified teacher, and helps prepares her students for their yearly piano exam.

Diana Oki

Ms. Diana Oki, Piano Teacher, has both a Bachelors & Masters Degree of Music in Piano Performance from California State University, Long Beach. She has been teaching piano for over 25 years in both private and group settings with children, youths and adults. She teaches classical, jazz piano arrangements, pop, rock, ballads, ragtime and Christian worship. Besides teaching piano, she is an accomplished piano accompanist and has performed in church worship services, weddings and funerals. As a piano teacher, Ms. Oki focuses and customizes each student’s lesson in meeting their musical needs and in accomplishing their goals. It is for the student to enjoy the process as they learn to play the piano. Her motto is that every student learns and finds the joy in practicing the piano and sharing their music with others through their own performance. Ms. Oki is a MTAC/CM/ABRSM Royal qualified teacher, and helps prepares her students for their yearly piano exam.

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Anne McClain

Piano teacher, received a Bachelor of Music degree in Piano Performance and Master’s degree of Divinity from Chicago College of Performing Arts & American Conservatory of Music. Mrs. McClain is an award-winning pianist serving Los Angeles and Orange County as a Piano Instructor, Musical Theater Director and Director of Worship. Mrs. McClain has been teaching for over 40 years, and has a passion in teaching, performing and directing a vast array of musical styles including Classical, Jazz, Blues, Christian, Adult Contemporary, Musical Theater and more.

Dr. Minhee Bae

Piano teacher, received a Bachelor of Music degree in piano performance from Ehwa Women’s University in Korea and Master’s and Doctoral degree (Doctor of Musical Arts) from the University of Texas at Austin-Butler School of Music with a specialization in piano performance. Dr. Bae performed many recitals including a DMA Chamber Recital and DMA Solo Recitals at Bates Recital Hall inside the Butler School of Music. Dr. Bae has been teaching for more than 15 years including her faculty experience at the School of the Arts in Singapore. Dr. Bae has a passion for teaching and has been teaching a great number of students with various backgrounds – from international students to US students with various ethnicities. Dr. Bae is a MTAC/CM/ABRSM Royal qualified teacher, and helps prepares her students for their yearly piano exam.

Kallen Meyer

Piano Teacher, graduated with a Bachelor's and Master's degree at California State University of Northridge, studied with Dr. Dmirty Rachmanov and Professor Mark Richman. He is currently pursuing his Doctorate of Musical Arts in Piano Performance at Claremont Graduate University and studying with Dr. Jenny Kim. Living in Ventura, Kallen has been studying piano for 20 years. He has performed in music festivals and events in Ventura County. In 2013, Kallen has attended a Summer Music Camp in Warsaw Poland and invited again the following year. Along with Mr. Meyer’s performing accolades, he is a teaching assistant at Claremont Graduate University and teaches private lessons in the Ventura County & OC area. He is also a MTAC/CM qualified teacher, and helps prepares his students for their yearly piano exam.

Ashley Tran

Piano teacher Ashley Tran graduated from University of California, Santa Cruz with a Bachelor of Arts degree in music with a piano performance emphasis, having studied with Mary Jane Cope; and is certified in Recording Technology from Citrus College. Theory, composition, and production are her specialties as she's composed for short films and worked for film industry composers such as Michael A. Levine and Graham Reynolds. Classically trained, Tran has since expanded to a variety of styles including folk, pop, contemporary, rock, and musical theater. Though piano is her primary instrument, Tran also has experience in clarinet, vocals, guitar, ukulele, hammered dulcimer, gamelan, and various percussion. Music with its history, mechanics, expression, and ability has been a lifelong fascination of hers that she continues to explore with teaching and studying everyday. She is determined to share this love of music with her students. Tran is an ABRSM Royal qualified teacher and helps students prepare for the yearly exam.

Wenqing Zhang

Piano Teacher, Ms. Zhang is a pianist with a rich blend of performance and teaching experience, currently pursuing a Doctor of Musical Arts (PHD) at Claremont Graduate University mentored by Dr. Jenny Soonjin Kim. Wenqing holds a Master’s degree in Piano Performance from Illinois State University and a Bachelor’s from Shenyang Conservatory of Music receiving first-class scholarships at every educational institution attended. Her talent has been recognized with awards, including the Gold Prize at the Musicale Fall Music Festival in 2021. In addition to solo performances, Ms. Zhang has a strong background in accompaniment, working with ensembles like the Illinois State University's Treble Choir and Symphonic Orchestra participating in several tours, as well as collaborating with violin and voice studios at Shenyang Conservatory. Ms. Zhang stands out as a dedicated musician and educator, continually seeking to inspire and educate through her music. She currently teaches private piano lessons and prepares her students for CM & ABRSM Royal Exams.

Xi Xie

Piano Teacher, is currently working on her Doctorate of Musical Arts (PHD) in Piano Performance at Claremont Graduate University mentored by Dr. Jenny Soonjin Kim. Ms. Xi Xie comes from Wuhan, China, where she received her Bachelor’s Degree in Piano Performance at Wuhan Conservatory of Music in 2018, and Master’s Degree in Piano Pedagogy at University of South Carolina in 2021. She has worked as a music teacher different Music Schools in China and South Carolina. She participated in Amalfi Coast Music Festival at Napoli, Italy in 2017, gave presentations at Music Teacher’s National Association (MTNA) Collegiate Chapters Piano Symposium at Muncie, IN in 2020, and MTNA 2021 Virtual conference in 2021. She currently teaches private piano lessons in the OC area, and helps prepares her students for CM & ABRSM/Royal exams

Dr. Jieun Kim

Piano Teacher and a native of Korea, Ms. June Kim has graduated Dongduck women’s University (BM, Piano Performance) and completed her graduate studies at New York University Steinhardt, earning a Master’s degree in Piano Performance and Advanced Certificate in Music Education, where she was an adjunct faculty member. Since studying to NYU Steinhardt in 2007, she has worked to expand her repertoire, performing as collaborative pianist and as a soloist on the Subway Series (in conjunction with Colombia University), An Evening of Chamber Music at the Black Box Theatre, The Interstudio Showcase at the Frederick Loewe Theatre. Ms. Kim is currently pursuing the Doctoral Music of Arts (PHD) in Piano Performance from Claremont Graduate University, studying with Assistant Professor of Practice Dr. Jenny Soonjin Kim. Ms. Kim is a MTAC/CM/ABRSM Royal qualified teacher, and helps prepares her students for their yearly piano exam.

Strings

Min Lee

Cellist, and Native to Korea, Ms. Min Lee started playing the Cello at the age of 12. At the age of 14, she was accepted to Sunhwa School of Arts where she continued her studies in music concentrating on cello performance until the age of 19. During her years at Sunhwa, she also participated in various competitions and orchestras in Korea.  Ms. Lee competed in the Young Vision Artists competition receiving 2nd place, Hanil University competition receiving Grand prize, Seoul-Incheon Times competition receiving 1st place, Seoul University competition receiving 1st place, and Sun Hwa Ensemble competition receiving 1st place. She performed as a soloist with the Seoul Symphony Orchestra when she was 19.  In 2005, she moved to the US and participated in The Brentwood-Westwood competition receiving 1st place and she performed with the Brentwood-Westwood Symphony Orchestra, and later that year also performed with the Amici Orchestra. Ms. Lee obtained her Bachelor's Degree in Music Performance at CalArts (California Institute of the Arts). She focused on studying baroque and contemporary music during the period of time and studied under Erika Duke-Kirkpatrick and Allan Vogel. Ms. Lee also works with various artists like Mary J. Blige, Judith Hill, Korean Popera singer Tae Kyung Im, and Judy Collins etc. She was the director/instructor of Los Angeles Amatuer Cello Ensemble, a guest member of Los Angeles Doctors' Symphony Orchestra, and a member of Jopa string quartet. Ms. Lee is currently a section cellist of Santa Maria Symphony Orchestra, Opera San Luis Obispo, Lompoc Pops Orchestra, and San Luis Obispo Symphony Orchestra. She has been teaching students in cello/ensemble performance for over 20 years. 

Michael Ljungh

Cellist and Teacher, from Irvine, California. Mr. Ljungh earned his Bachelors of Music in Cello Performance from NYU. He also earned a dual Master's Degree in Cello Performance and Suzuki Pedagogy from the world reknown, Cleveland Institute of Music, studying under Richard Weiss. Mr. Ljungh is the Assitant Principal Cellist for the American Youth Symphony in Los Angeles. He has peformed with many different symphonies and orchestras all across the US, including Bakersfield Symphony, Canton Symphony Orchestra and Firelands Symphony Orchestra. Mr. Ljungh has toured the world and had the honor of performing in great halls including Carnegie Hall, Sydney Opera House, Severance Hall, and annually at the Walt Disney Concert Hall the past few years. He has been teaching students of all ages for over 10 years. Many of his students audition for prestigious orchestras in SoCal and music schools under his tutelage. Mr. Ljungh’s teaching philosophy is creating a fun environment, but finding the student’s voice & tone in the cello.

Cristian Contreras

Violin, Viola Teacher Mr. Cristian Contreras is a young and accomplished violist from Glendora, CA. His main goal is to improve the lives of others through means of performing and teaching. He recently graduated with a Masters in Viola Performance from the Peabody Institute of the Johns Hopkins University and also holds a Bachelors in Viola Performance from the Bob Cole Conservatory of Music at CSU Long Beach. His studio professors include violists Choong-Jin Chang and Jason Bonham. While studying at Peabody, Cristian won a two year fellowship with the Fairfax Symphony, a professional orchestra in the greater Washington DC area. He has also received positions and opportunities to perform with Symphony in C, National Orchestral Institute, The Colburn Orchestra, Miami Music Festival, and American Youth Symphony. Cristian was also one of the founding members of HEXTET, a premier chamber ensemble at the Peabody institute dedicated to performing works for string sextet for communities in Baltimore. Additionally, Cristian holds over seven years of private teaching experience, having previously taught violin and viola at Irvine Art and Music as well as Mike’s Music in Ellicott City, Maryland. Cristian’s teaching style is very technique oriented but also places an importance on learning solo repertoire to showcase technique. He aims to plant a seed of conviction into each of his students to practice thoroughly and to improve their art.

Benjamin Her

Benjamin Her is a cellist & cello teacher based in Orange County, California, studying under cellist Bongshin Ko. Upon receiving a Performance Scholarship Award, Benjamin continued his music education at the California State University of Fullerton School of Music and has performed in Masterclasses and concerts with renowned cellists such as Michal Kanka, Alexander Suleiman, Annette Cleary, Tsuyoshi Tsutsumi, and more. He has performed large symphony works by famous composers with the CSUF Symphony Orchestra, varying from Haydn, Beethoven, Tchaikovsky, Stravinsky, John Williams and performed in prestigious concert halls such as the Cerritos Performing Arts Center, Segerstrom Concert Hall, and Carnegie Hall. In addition to teaching cello in both private and scholastic settings, Benjamin works as a freelance musician, performing in churches, weddings, and open venues. When away from his cello, Benjamin likes to go outdoors with family and try new foods all throughout Southern California. He is also an avid percussionist and loves to learn and play different instruments.

Peter Park

Acoustic/Electric Guitar & Ukulele Teacher, received his formal musical training from Rutgers University where he graduated with a Bachelor’s Degree. He later subsequently received his Master’s Degree from California Institute of the Arts. Peter has won numerous awards for his specialty in Jazz Studies and has recorded on countless CD’s and records. Peter has taught music at all levels starting from K-12, to adult classes, ensembles and private lessons. With experience with teaching students with disabilities, such as autism and blindness, that provided Peter deeper understanding and sensitivity to instructing with patience and care. Peter emphasizes the importance of instilling love for music in students, at the same time allowing them to integrate more technical aspects of it. Currently, he divides his time teaching and working as a freelance guitarist.

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Ryan Cheung

Violin, Viola, and Piano Teacher, holds Bachelor & Artist Certificate degrees in Violin Performance and Music Education at Azusa Pacific University, where he studied with Dr. Alex Russell, Miko Hori, & Min Jung Park. In 2012, Cheung received the Recital Diploma of ‘Associate Trinity College London’ (ATCL) in violin with distinction. Cheung is currently serving as a violin, viola, and piano teacher at multiple music schools and studios in Southern California. He is also a member of the Sterling Ensemble, where he records and performs as a vocalist. Ryan is currently working on his Master’s in Choral Conducting at USC.

Kay Kim

Violin teacher, Ms. Kay Kim received a Bachelor of Music degree with emphasis in violin performance from Kangnam University and came to the United States while studying for the Music Business Master Degree in Korea. She has been teaching for more than 15 years include her directing experience the music part at Zion Presbyterian Church Youth Academy in San Jose. Ms. Kay has years of performance experience with the SF Korean Symphony Orchestra and La Mirada Symphony orchestra. She teaches violin privately and enjoy helping her student’s music journey. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with her children and likes workout.

 Woodwinds & Brass

 

Dr. Melody Wan

Flute Teacher, Dr. Yuh-Jiun Melody Wan is an accomplished soloist, chamber musician and educator. Most recently, she served as the Visiting Assistant Professor of Flute at the University of Louisiana, Lafayette (2022–2024) and previously held the position of Flute Lecturer at Southeastern Louisiana University. An award-winning musician, Dr. Wan has earned first place in Taiwan Music Competition, the Louisiana Flute Society Young Artist Competition, the NOLA Chamber Music Festival, and the CSU Summer Arts Festival. She is the founder and flutist of the Vermillion Duet, a clarinet and flute duo that held the Digital Artist Residency with Chamber Music America. As an orchestral musician, Dr. Wan performs regularly with the Rapides Symphony Orchestra and Opera Louisiane. Dr. Wan has performed extensively across Asia, North America, South America, and Europe. She is also a sought-after speaker, having given lectures and performances at numerous conferences, including the National Flute Association Convention. Dr. Wan holds a Doctor of Musical Arts from Louisiana State University, as well as a Performance Diploma (Diplôme Supérieur d'Enseignement de Flûte Traversière) from the École Normale de Musique de Paris Alfred Cortot. She also earned her Master of Music degree from the Bob Cole Conservatory at California State University, Long Beach, and a Bachelor of Music degree from the University of California, Santa Barbara.

Dr. Tamara Vaughn

Dr. Tamara Vaughn is a nationally recognized trumpet performer and educator located in Orange County, California. She regularly performs with the Disneyland Band in Anaheim, California, and can also be found performing in chamber ensembles, orchestras, wind ensembles, military bands, and in musical theater productions throughout the country. Additionally, Dr. Vaughn has achieved musical success in numerous competitions, including the International Women’s Brass Conference, the International Trumpet Guild Conference, and the National Trumpet Competition. With over ten years of teaching experience, Dr. Vaughn has had the opportunity to instruct students of all ages and skill levels, most recently as Trumpet Instructor and Brass Chamber Music Instructor in Leander Independent School District in Cedar Park Texas, as well as serving as Assistant Instructor at the University of Texas at Austin. Dr. Vaughn is eager to bring her teaching experience to southern California and to help foster a strong work ethic along with a lifelong passion for music. Dr. Vaughn completed her Doctorate of Musical Arts in Trumpet Performance at the University of Texas at Austin under Ray Sasaki and Marie Speziale. Previously, she completed her Masters in Trumpet Performance at Baylor University under Wiff Rudd, Mark Schubert, and Alex Parker. Prior to this, she received her Bachelors of Music in Trumpet Performance from the Florida State University under Christopher Moore.

 

Brannen Pfister

Woodwinds instructor (teaching Saxophone, Flute & Clarinet), received Bachelors in Music Education from the University of North Florida, and Master Degree in Jazz Studies from Florida State University. With over 10 years of teaching experience, and over 15 years of woodwind performance experience, Brannen Pfister has performed and recorded with renowned artists around the globe, including artists such as Sal Lozano and Wycliffe Gordon, while also recording at Capitol Records in the years 2016 and 2017. Placed Alto 1 in the 2016 All-American College Band, where auditions are held across the entire country, hand picking the best musicians from each region to be represented at the Disneyland Park. Brannen was brought back for the 2017 All-American College Band to lead the new band as its Teaching Assistant, a title only one person can earn each year. Brannen has taught music at all levels starting from K-12 to big bands, small combos, and individual private lessons at the collegiate level. As a woodwind instructor and performer, he teaches privately and tutors big band classes at Santa Fe community college, and performs at Disneyland in their main band attraction, The Disneyland Band

Voice

Katharina Haberl

Voice Teacher, graduated from the prestigious UCLA Herb Alpert School of Music with a Master of Music in Vocal Performance. At UCLA, Katharina performed in front of 20,000 students at Commencement Ceremonies, was awarded the "Award for Outstanding Vocal Performance”, the “Mimi Alpert Feldman Award” and the “Philip Altman Award”. Further, Katharina sang in the GRAMMY-winning recording of The Passion of Yeshua by Richard Danielpour with the Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra under the baton of JoAnn Faletta, awarded for “Best Choral Performance”, and traveled to Miami as part of the Seraphic Fire Young Artist Program. Originally from Salzburg, Austria, Katharina has performed all around Europe and the USA, including Austria, Germany, Italy, Spain, Hungary, Greece, Los Angeles, and Miami.She is currently a Doctoral of Musical Arts (PhD) candidate at the Claremont Graduate University, where she has received the “Ahmanson Award & Fellowship” (2022) and is currently studying with Dr. Camelia Voin. Katharina also holds a bachelor’s degree in Voice Performance from the Conservatorio del Liceu in Barcelona, Spain. During her time in Spain, she had the pleasure of singing alongside acclaimed tenor José Carreras, appearing on Spanish national television. Some of the highlights of Katharina’s professional performing career include singing opera and musical theatre roles, including the role of Musetta in La Bohème with Ópera Cádiz, in Spain in 2021, and the role of “Daniela” in Mentiras – El Musica in Los Angeles, California. Katharina also holds a certificate in Acting and appeared as an actress and singer in several movies, including Harana and Beyond Methuselah. Katharina is also a songwriter and writes her original songs in several languages she is fluent in, including English, Spanish and German. She frequently performs in solo concerts in the LA area. Katharina has 12 years of experience in teaching students from the ages of 6 to 70 in a range of styles, ranging from pop to musical theatre and classical music, based on classical vocal technique. She believes in fostering her students’ individual talents and inspire them to find their own unique voices, guiding them on their artistic journeys.

Hannah Ridge

Voice Teacher, received a Bachelors of Music in Vocal Performance from Chapman University in Orange, California under the instruction of Dr. Rebecca Sherburn. She is currently in the Master’s Program at University of Redlands for Vocal Pedogagy. With 11+ years of classical training, Hannah has performed vocal and choral music with many ensembles including, the Los Angeles Master Chorale Honor Choir, ACDA Honor Choir, SCVA Honor Choirs, VOX Femina Women’s Choir, Chorale Bel Canto, and Chapman University University Choir and University Singers. Hannah recently spent three weeks in South Germany taking part in a program at the Hochschule für Musik in Trossingen to study and perform Romantic Lieder. In addition to Moonlight Music Academy, Hannah also works at Whittier Area Community Church as an Administrative Assistant and Worship Leader with the Junior High Ministry where she works directly with 6–8 graders to assist them in performing and taking their musicianship to the next level. Hannah also performs solo voice music in a variety of styles at gigs throughout the SoCal area, including weddings, funerals, sports events, community events, and fundraising events. Though classically trained, Hannah also takes an interest in contemporary and musical theatre styles. Having many years of experience working with children of all ages and personalities, she believes that learning music should be fun and hopes to help students foster a love and passion for music. Ms. Ridge is a MTAC/CM/ABRSM Royal qualified teacher, and helps prepares her students for their yearly voice exams & competitions.