Piano

Teaches in: English

Isabella (Bella) M. is a dedicated musician and teacher seeking to share the joy of music around her community and with motivated students.

She had a multifaceted introduction to music at a young age, being involved in choir, school musicals, and playing clarinet in band. However, piano would end up being her true musical love. Between the stylistic versatility and wide range of repertoire, Bella felt she finally found the perfect instrument to be an outlet for all her creativity, and that would allow her to be a lifelong learner.

Since starting piano, she has played in a wide array of venues, in a diversity of styles, with various different ensembles, including Jazz. This includes at churches, at dance studios, in public, and even for private home showings. As a collaborative and chamber musician, she has played with voice, wind, brass, and string players.

Bella completed a Piano Performance degree at NAU under the study of Dr. Silvan Negrutiu. Under Dr. Tiantian Liang, she has also earned the Piano Pedagogy certificate.

She has received masterclasses/lessons with internationally recognized performers and teachers, including Dr. Jeffrey Swann and Dr. John O'Conor.

Voice, Piano, Guitar, Music Theory, and Music Fun Time

Teaches in: English & Spanish

Carlos B.T., a Mexican tenor from Chihuahua, holds a bachelor's degree in music education (voice emphasis) from the University of Texas at El Paso. He earned a master's degree in Voice Performance & Pedagogy in May of 2023 and is currently pursuing a doctoral degree in Vocal Performance. Carlos excels in art song, particularly in German and Spanish, and has received several awards and voice scholarships. He has performed as a guest soloist for the Mount Desert Summer Chorale in Bar Harbor, Maine, the ASU Concert Choir, Arizona Masterworks Chorale, and several other professional choirs in the Phoenix metropolitan area. Beyond performing, he teaches voice, piano, and guitar and he is dedicated to elevating musical artistry and education through performance and pedagogy.

Carlos B.T., Tenor

El Paso Opera Artist Ambassador | Music Educator | chill dude

D.M.A. Voice Performance | Arizona State University

Music Theory Pedagogy Certification | Arizona State University

Piano, Acoustic Guitar, Bass Guitar, Electric Guitar, Ukulele, Harmonica, Banjo, Mandolin, and Voice

Teaches in: English

Dan started his life-long music career with piano lessons at age 8. He switched to acoustic and electric guitar at 13 and he ultimately picked up electric bass at age 15. He sang in his high school choir and took private vocal lessons. Dan pursued his music studies at Drake University, where he earned his B.A. Degree, and continued his music studies at Mesa Community College. He has studied both classical music theory and jazz. He was inducted into the Iowa Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, and he is currently a local Phoenix Coordinator for Nashville Songwriters Association International (NSAI) and he teaches songwriting lessons. Dan’s annual trips to Nashville have inspired him to learn banjo and mandolin. He teaches multiple string instruments, including guitar, bass, ukulele, banjo, mandolin. He also teaches piano, and folk and blues harmonica. Dan currently plays bass with a local rock and country band, and he also plays bass on a worship team in Goodyear. Dan’s studies in Child Psychology and Social Psychology make him uniquely qualified to teach young students and students of all ages.

Violin, Viola, and Piano

Teaches in: English & Chinese

Iris is a violist and dedicated music educator currently pursuing her Doctor of Musical Arts in Viola Performance at Arizona State University, where she serves as a Teaching Assistant and teaches undergraduate viola students.

She earned her Master of Music degree from the Peabody Institute of Johns Hopkins University, where she also completed a concentration in Violin/Viola Pedagogy and taught pre-college students through the Peabody Preparatory. She received her Bachelor of Music degree from Arizona State University on full scholarship.

With extensive teaching experience ranging from young beginners to university students, Iris has taught through the Peabody Preparatory, Arizona State University's String Project, Northwood Elementary School, and Arizona State University. She is passionate about helping students build strong technical foundations while fostering confidence, creativity, and a lifelong appreciation for music. Her teaching emphasizes healthy technique, thoughtful practice habits, and expressive music-making tailored to each student's individual goals.

Piano, Voice and Guitar

Teaches in: English

Jalyn is an award-winning performer and recording artist, songwriter, and music producer. With fifteen years of experience teaching beginning and advanced piano, beginning and advanced voice, beginning guitar, and songwriting, Jalyn enjoys working with people of all ages: young kids, teens, and adults. Creating a space where students feel comfortable taking risks, making mistakes, growing, and taking pride is something she is very passionate about. We laugh a lot but get a lot done!

Jalyn loves figuring out what makes each student tick. She will find out what your goals are, along with your unique learning style, strengths, and weaknesses, and then customize a learning plan just for you! With a Master's degree in Music and a background in psychology and communication, Jalyn excels at teaching traditional and non-traditional students alike. Which includes people with learning disabilities and special needs, gifted and accelerated learners, self-taught musicians, tone-deaf singers, people who play other instruments or are advanced-level musicians, and older beginners.

Guitar, Piano, Bass, Mandolin, Violin, and Music Theory & Composition

Teaches in: English

Jeff is a multi-instrumentalist with over twenty years of experience studying, playing and singing across a wide array of genres, from classical and jazz to pop and rock, and even barbershop. His teaching draws on a deep love of music theory, composition, and harmony to help students understand not just how to play but, when interested, why the music works the way it does.

His teaching spans the full range of musical development - from young beginners taking their first steps to adult students rekindling a lost love, and even students crossing from one genre to another. He's especially passionate about building structured, thoughtful curricula that meets each student where they are, so that every lesson moves them towards confidence and real musical fluency.

Piano, Voice, Saxophone & Music Fun Time

Teaches in: English

Joshua G. is an American lyric tenor from Sawyerville, Alabama. Known for his brilliant tone and musical versatility, he has graced various classical and non-classical stages alike. Recently, Giles earned a Master's Degree in Performance from Arizona State University and accepted a graduate assistantship which tasked him to teach and officiate studio seminars.

He is also a 2025/26 Arlyn M. Brewster Education Teaching Artist and Performing Ambassador for Arizona Opera. Giles has been coaching and teaching the musical styles of theatre, gospel, pop, and classical repertoire since 2016. Joshua strives for authenticity and freedom of expression in performance by fostering an atmosphere of empathy and confidence within his students.

Piano

Teaches in: English, Finnish, and Russian

Russian-American Concert Pianist, Composer, and Teacher

Began playing piano at age five and was composing original works by age six. She got her first music diploma at age twelve! Larisa has a Master’s Degree in Music Education Composition & Piano from the Russian State Pedagogical University in Saint-Petersburg. She spent six years in Helsinki, Finland teaching students piano and exciting audiences with her performances throughout Europe.

Led by her desire to increase her diversity beyond classical music, Larisa visited Florida, in 2004, she subsequently moved to the United States and in 2008, moved to Arkansas, where as a Pianist and Teacher of the First North Arkansas Music School - Ovation Music Academy, she inspired her students to become life-long.

She continues composing for the Piano and Violin, including Orchestral and Chamber works. Four of Larisa’s CDs are a compilation of beautiful melodies written throughout her adventurous life. Her heart-felt performances always inspire, encourage and uplift.

In August 2018, Larisa relocated to Phoenix, where she is working as a pianist for The School of Ballet Arizona, and as a Piano Teacher at Prestige Music Academy where she shares love and joy through her music and faith.

Piano and Voice

Teaches in: English

An accomplished vocalist, pianist, and educator, she brings 17 years of piano expertise and a lifetime of vocal performance to her students. She is currently completing her degree in Music with an emphasis in Voice and Musical Theatre, building on an elite foundation that includes the Arizona All-State Honor Choir, the Phoenix Children’s Chorus, and numerous regional accolades. Her extensive stage experience features leading musical theatre roles such as Morticia in The Addams Family, Anna in Frozen, Clarissa in Little Women, and Cinderella in Into the Woods.

As a global performer, she has toured internationally, singing at iconic venues like the Sydney Opera House and La Sagrada Família. Closer to home, she has performed the National Anthem for MLB games, the NASCAR Championship, and regional ceremonies, and regularly plays piano and sings for jazz bands and private events across the Valley. Maggie also currently serves as the Music Director for North Central Performing Arts.

As a dedicated educator with six years of teaching experience at Prestige Music Academy, she works with students from Pre-K through adulthood. Her lessons span beginner to intermediate levels across classical, jazz, and contemporary styles, incorporating sight-reading, sight-singing, music theory, and music history. Dedicated to nurturing the "whole student," she uses diverse techniques to ensure music is a fun, cohesive, and lifelong part of her students' lives.

Violin, Viola, and Piano

Teaches in: English, Arabic, German & French

Mohamed-Aly F. (Dr. Mo), Composer Biography American-born Egyptian violinist and composer Mo started piano and violin at ages 5 and 7, and moved on to play professionally and compose original music in his teens.

After having completed his Bachelors and Masters degrees in violin performance and composition in Canada, Mo performed in Egypt as soloist and member of the Cairo Symphony Orchestra in 2010, which has premiered many of his orchestral pieces.

In addition, Mo has earned his doctorate in music composition from Arizona State University with a dissertation in the field of electroacoustic music composition and performance.

Piano

Teaches in: Armenian, English, Georgian, & Russian

Naira is an active member of the Phoenix Music Teachers Association (PMTA) and has taught piano lessons for the past 17 years. She attended the Russian Music School and Music College, and she has extensive experience working with students of all ages, and at all levels, as well as those with disabilities.

Naira's philosophy of teaching piano is to help students enjoy playing the piano and learn the proper techniques to achieve their goals. The students will learn to read and interpret any music by themselves so they can enjoy playing what they want to play their whole lives. Her students have participated in the Phoenix Music Teachers Association festivals, competitions, recitals, rehearsals, and other performance opportunities.

Click here to see one of her students performing at a PMA recital.

Piano, Guitar, and Ukulele

Teaches in: English

Randy started his musical journey in 2005 when he began playing guitar. He has been teaching guitar and piano since 2022. He’s played in heavy metal and punk rock bands at bars/clubs as well as solo recitals for classical guitar. In 2020, he earned the Special Talent Award for Guitar at ASU: a special scholarship given to a student once per year. He graduated manga cum laude from ASU as a music therapy major in 2024.

Guitar, Ukulele, Piano, Voice, Drums, and Bass

Teaches in: English

Sandy has been teaching music lessons for 16 years, starting with guitar and shortly thereafter adding piano, voice, drums, and bass to her repertoire. She has much experience with public performance in college and church choirs, guitar ensembles, and city events.

Sandy enjoys songwriting and growing in her creativity. She raised five children and is comfortable working with students of all ages, including special needs. She is passionate yet patient and dedicated to the growth of others.

Sandy has degrees in both music and humanities.

Drum set, Marching Band Percussion, Music Production, Piano, and Music Theory

Teaches in: English

Sebastian is a multi-instrumentalist and music producer, who has been playing music around the valley for over 15 years. He graduated from Arizona State University with a degree in Popular Music, concentrating in music production and audio engineering, while having previously spent two and a half years majoring in Drum set Performance— giving him a well-rounded foundation in both the creative and technical sides of music.

Sebastian has experience playing and performing drum set across a wide range of musical genres and ensemble settings, with a primary focus on pop, R&B, neo-soul, jazz fusion, and electronic music. His versatility as a drummer has taken him to perform in both live and studio environments.

In addition, Sebastian has extensive marching percussion experience, playing tenor drums with the Sun Devil Marching Band Drumline and Breakthrough Indoor Percussion Ensemble. Beyond his instrumental background, he has developed hands-on skills in audio recording, editing, mixing, and mastering while interning in multiple recording studios and producing for both others and himself.