Sam - Piano, Guitar, Drums
Sam has been keeping the beat since being inspired by his dad's rock playlist featuring Nirvana and Pearl Jam. In order to join his brother's band, he not only learned piano and guitar, he took up the drumsticks, too. With a passion for all things percussion, he's mastered the art of teaching drumset in various styles, from rock and jazz to hip-hop and Brazilian rhythms. Sam's musical journey took him from high school in New Hampshire to the vibrant streets of New Orleans, where he studied Jazz Performance at Loyola University. There, he honed his skills in music theory, improvisation, and, of course, jazz piano. This multi-talented musician has graced the stages of legendary New Orleans venues like The Howlin' Wolf and Tipitina's. Now, he's rocking the Philadelphia music scene with bands like Stella Stella and Margot Texas. His musical connections have flown him to Asheville, NC, to record Margot Texas's self-titled LP at the prestigious Drop of Sun studio. In addition to performing and recording, Sam has been teaching individual lessons and ensembles for almost a decade. When he's not making music, he loves shooting hoops, diving into video games, and penning poetry. Sam teaches piano, guitar and drums for the school.
John - Piano, Guitar, Voice
John's love for music ignited at just three years old, when he attended his first opera, Carmen, at the Washington National Opera. His formal training started with piano lessons and singing in the church choir, leading to his role in the Maryland Boy's Choir and his first operatic performance as Amahl in Menotti's Amahl and the Night Visitors at age eleven. Inspired by musical theatre icons like Gene Kelly, John pursued this genre throughout high school before returning to classical music at Catholic University, where he graduated with a Bachelor of Music in Vocal Performance. John has performed with prestigious orchestras, including the Washington National Opera Orchestra and the Budapest MÁV Symphony Orchestra. A highlight of his career was singing Verdi's Requiem at the Kennedy Center. Locally, he can be found performing at Candlelight Theatre, Cumberland Theatre, and the Ritz Theatre. In addition to his performance career, John strums away on guitar while leading music enrichment classes for infants and toddlers in Philadelphia. He has participated in educational outreach performances, such as Mozart's Magic Flute for elementary students. He is in the process of writing his first musical for a Murder Mystery Comedy performance company, showcasing his creative flair. Outside of music, John is a competitive strongman and powerlifter. John teaches piano, guitar and voice for the school.
Jameson - Piano, Guitar, Voice
Jameson's early start in music included everything from The Beatles to Beck and set the stage for his future career. His journey began at age thirteen with piano lessons, and soon blossomed into a passion for songwriting. Jameson honed his craft at prestigious institutions, earning a B.F.A. in Musical Theater Performance from Pace University and an M.F.A. in Music Composition from NYU Tisch. His education allowed him to master various genres including pop, rock, and classical. A performer at heart, he has graced stages from 54 Below in NYC to the Boston Symphony Hall and he co-founded the folk/rock band Brig Aurora. His original musical "The Gardener" showcased his talents at the Chain Theatre. You can regularly find him acting and performing on stage at New Light Theater company. As an educator, Jameson brings enthusiasm and creativity to his teaching. He has taught students of all ages through private lessons, rock camps, and Baltimore Music Company. His camp counselor days included choreographing an unforgettable dance to "Kung Fu Fighting," proving that learning can be both fun and dynamic. When he's not teaching or performing, you might find him playing pick-up basketball or diving into a gripping thriller novel. Jameson teaches piano, guitar, and voice for the school.
Kana - Piano, Guitar, Voice, Violin
Kana credits a glockenspiel as part of an "ethereal" early experience of music for igniting her journey. At age nine, she picked up the violin and quickly fell in love with it, eventually rising to concertmaster in the Delaware County Youth Orchestra and even playing Carnegie Hall as a young violinist. Her high school years were a whirlwind of musical exploration, from singing in a cappella groups to studying jazz voice at Walnut Hill School and even taking lessons with the incredible violinist Yayoi Numazawa from the Philadelphia Orchestra . After earning a Bachelor’s degree in Music Production and Engineering from Berklee College of Music, Kana is now on a mission to create a safe and supportive environment where students can explore their creativity without fear of making mistakes. As an engaging mentor, Kana spent time spent teaching one-on-one lessons in violin, piano, and music technology throughout her school years. Kana’s wide-ranging teaching expertise spans voice, violin, piano, guitar, ukulele, music production, and mixing, with a special focus on pop, rock, jazz, and R&B. When she’s not teaching or creating music, Kana’s passion for learning spills over into hobbies like cooking, sewing, and volunteering. Kana teaches piano, voice, violin, guitar and ukulele for the school.
Rebecca - Piano, Guitar, Voice, Ukulele and Songwriting
Rebecca's arrival on the music scene began with full-costume, living room recitals and pretend radio broadcasts. It wasn't long before her parents set her up with piano, voice and musical theater training. With a M.A. in Music Education from Teachers College at Columbia University, a B.A. in Linguistics from Haverford College, and additional certifications in Kodály and the Modern Band Method, Rebecca brings a unique blend of academic rigor and creative flair to her teaching. Her diverse skill set includes classical and contemporary voice, piano, guitar, and songwriting. As a certified music teacher and former Americorps volunteer, Rebecca went on to become the founding music teacher at a Queens elementary school where she built a comprehensive music program for over 500 students from the ground up. Beyond teaching, Rebecca is an active folk-pop singer-songwriter and has served as a songleader for various Jewish community programs. Her summers are spent honing her craft at songwriting retreats led by folk icon Dar Williams, keeping her teaching fresh and relevant. When she's not involved musically, you might catch her running along the Schuylkill River Trail or challenging friends to a game of Bananagrams (despite always losing). Rebecca teaches piano, guitar, voice, ukulele and songwriting for the school.
Katy - Piano and Ukulele
Katy's musical journey began with the melodies of her mother's classical piano and father's flamenco guitar. It wasn't long before she discovered her true passion in songwriting and ignited her lifelong passion for music! Katy's musical education spans from childhood lessons to college jazz studies. With a Bachelor's degree from Susquehanna University, her unique blend of studio art, photography, and music has shaped her into a multi-faceted artist and educator. Katy brings a unique combination of jazz and classical piano styling to her passion for songwriting on the ukulele and keyboard. Working with young children as a nanny and camp counselor, Katy's musical tastes range from Ludovico Einaudi to Sabrina Carpenter. Her accolades include a Music Performance Scholarship and a grant for her innovative "Unfinished Art Project," which combined music, visual arts, and mental health advocacy. Katy has performed at notable venues like Blue Portland Maine jazz club and Mayo Street Arts. Her proudest achievements include her solo concert in Florence, Italy that incorporated her photography and a masterful transcription of Nina Simone's "Love Me or Leave Me" piano solo. Now a member of the Philadelphia music scene, Katy is excited to bring her passion for jazz, photography, songwriting, and art history to a new community of budding musicians. When she's not caught up in the musical moment, you may find her at the John Heinz National Wildlife Refuge or working on her home cooking. Katy teaches piano and ukulele for the school.
Andrew - Piano, Guitar, Bass, Ukulele, Saxophone
Andrew's musical adventure began in third grade with the violin, but it was eventually the saxophone that stole the show. Since then, he has been jamming on a variety of instruments, including bass, guitar, and piano. Just like the video games he enjoys, music is all about leveling up your skills and having fun while you do it! A proud graduate of Neshaminy High School, Andrew earned his Bachelor of Science in Music Education from Millersville University. His college courses included Elementary and Middle Level Methods, Conducting, and Music History, which have armed him with all the tools to turn his students into star musicians. Andrew’s teaching journey has taken him to several schools, including Aspira Bilingual Cyber Charter School and First Philadelphia Charter School. He currently teaches elementary music full time at The Delcroft School and leads their school choir. On the performance side, Andrew has played with the PMEA 2015 State Wind Ensemble and has rocked out at iconic venues like the Trocadero. When he’s not inspiring students or performing, you can find him hanging out with his adorable cat, Chop, or immersing himself in video game soundtracks. Andrew teaches piano, guitar, bass, ukulele and saxophone for the school.
Alby - Piano, Guitar, Production
Alby’s musical journey began in a home filled with music and concert outings, sparking a love for song from an early age. Starting with piano lessons at six years old, Alby developed a sharp ear for music, later adding studies in guitar and bass, and exploring genres like R&B, Rock, Indie, Acoustic/Singer-Songwriter, and Jazz. His formal training at Millersville University’s Tell School of Music further sharpened his skills with courses in instrumental beats, production, and songwriting, under the guidance of mentors such as Jarret Churner and Rusty Banks. Alby’s versatile teaching approach is rooted in both his academic experience and his vibrant career as a gigging musician. He has performed at notable venues like Phantom Power and Zoetropolis, hosted open mics for local up-and-coming musicians, and worked with notable local acts such as Cal Black, Sir Dominique Jordan, and Jon Bolds. Alby also enjoys the production side of music and can frequently be found working in studio sessions around the greater Lancaster and Philadelphia areas. When not teaching, performing, or in the studio, Alby enjoys building and working on guitars, painting, hiking, and trying new and unusual foods. He teaches piano, guitar, and production for the school.
Lauren - Piano, Voice, Guitar, Viola
Lauren is a dynamic musician and board-certified music therapist whose diverse background spans classical music, punk rock, and creative art collaborations. Her first instruments were guitar and viola, and by high school she was immersed in music, determined to become a "cool, punk rock female guitarist." This passion led her to earn a degree in Music Therapy from Queens University of Charlotte, where her studies included voice, piano, and percussion, alongside continued training in viola and guitar. In recognition of her achievements, Lauren was awarded the university’s Outstanding Student Award in Music, graduated Summa Cum Laude, and was inducted into the school’s Noble Fellows (a lifelong academic fellowship associated with the university). During her clinical training, Lauren worked with children with autism, ADHD, behavioral disorders, and developmental disabilities, and she continues to stay updated through continuing education for her MT-BC certification. Lauren has shared her gifts of music and compassion with people of all ages, spending several years as a music therapist in a hospice setting. Her creative achievements go beyond therapy and teaching—she has performed with her punk band at South by Southwest and at venues throughout the East Coast. Lauren is also a visual artist, creating works that can be performed as musical compositions which are showcased at galleries across the region. When not teaching or creating, Lauren enjoys hiking, traveling, and spending time with her cats, Pesto and Toasty. She teaches piano, voice, guitar and viola for the school.
Bryn - Piano, voice, ukulele
Bryn is a dynamic music instructor with deep roots in the musical world, thanks to a family legacy that includes a father who is a piano teacher and a mother who is a music therapist. Bryn's musical studies started at the young age of four when he eagerly convinced his dad to start giving him piano lessons. With a solid foundation in classical music, Bryn has also explored other instruments and genres, adding voice lessons, ensembles and choirs to his musical studies, as well as picking up ukulele and oboe and performing in several bands. For college, Bryn followed in his mother’s counseling footsteps, earning both a bachelor's and a master's degree in social work from Temple University and graduating Summa Cum Laude. While his time as a social worker has been fulfilling, Bryn deeply missed music and is currently earning his second bachelor’s degree – this time as a classical piano performance major at Community College of Philadelphia. This unique blend of music and social work equips Bryn with exceptional skills in understanding and nurturing the developmental needs of his students. In addition to studying and teaching piano, Bryn sings with Philadelphia Voices of Pride choir and recently participated in the GALA Choruses Festival, showcasing his commitment to both performance and community. Outside of music, Bryn enjoys science fiction and spending time with his spirited dog, Augie. Bryn teaches piano, voice and ukulele for the school.
Avi - Piano, voice, ukulele, guitar, drums, songwriting, production
Avi is an accomplished musician and songwriter whose musical journey began at age six, when they started writing their first songs. At age eight, Avi began guitar lessons, and by twelve, they were already experimenting with music production, mastering tools like Garageband and composing original pieces. Along the way, they added choir and piano to their musical pursuits, making it clear they would follow this path into higher education. This led them to Temple University, where Avi earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Music Technology and Interdisciplinary Studies. Following Temple, Avi spent a year with AmeriCorps, which provided the opportunity to bring their musical knowledge into the classroom. They landed at Frankford High School, where they taught general music and small group instruction for grades 10 through 12. Their curriculum included DJ lessons, guitar, piano, drums, and vocals, serving over 40 students with diverse backgrounds and learning needs. Beyond teaching, Avi has an independent artist project and has independently written, recorded, produced, mixed, and mastered their music, amassing over 4 million streams on Spotify. Their performance credits include sharing the stage with acts like Jane Remover at the Pitchfork Festival and performing at top venues such as the Beachland Ballroom. When not teaching or writing music, Avi channels their creativity into painting, stop-motion animation, and learning new dance moves. Avi teaches piano, voice, ukulele, guitar, and drums for the school.
Ryan - Piano, guitar, ukulele, voice
Ryan’s love of music began in preschool when a visiting guitarist performed a song that had everyone dancing and freezing in place. Ryan was convinced that the performer was a true "rock star from the radio," and that moment lit a musical spark. Starting piano at age three, their musical journey expanded quickly—picking up violin, trumpet, guitar, and voice along the way. By high school, they focused on piano and guitar, paving the way for a career in music. When it came time for college, Ryan attended Duquesne University in Pittsburgh, where they majored in Music Business and Technology. They then transferred to Temple’s esteemed Boyer College of Music, where they completed their degree with a B.S. in Music. Between the two universities, Ryan honed their instrumental skills while taking courses in conducting, world music, music technology, theory, jazz arranging, pop songwriting, and more. With a deep understanding of diverse musical genres, Ryan’s teaching spans jazz and classical piano, acoustic and electric guitar, voice, songwriting, and ukulele. They also enjoy incorporating their knowledge of music production and DAW software for students eager to explore the technical side of music. In addition to their musical experience, Ryan has teaching experience as both a private music instructor and as a mentor for the Challenger Program, where they worked with and planned activities for children with special needs. As a musician active in Philadelphia’s DIY scene, they play in several bands, including their emo rock/pop project Deltacommagreen and their punk band New Galena. Outside of music, they enjoy chess, skiing, and spending time with their two cats, Chicken and Noodle.
Sam - piano, voice, guitar
Sam is an accomplished musician who aims to pass his lifelong love of music on to each of his students. His love of music started in the family living room, where he tinkered with the piano and learned to play by ear. Over the years, Sam learned piano, saxophone, guitar, and ukulele, turning a childhood passion into a lifelong journey. A serious music student, he was a member of the VA All-State and All-County Choirs, earned top scores in AP Music courses, and even attended the renowned Berklee School of Music for a program on jazz improvisation. While still in high school, he used his musical knowledge to help other students and discovered his love of teaching along the way. The school’s music director didn’t have time to give the ensemble’s many students individual guidance, so Sam would coach and mentor his classmates to help them learn their performance music as well as scales, chords, rhythm and many other music theory topics. Currently studying at Temple University majoring in mathematics and computer science, Sam continues his instrumental musical studies and is an active member of Temple's a cappella group, Broad Street Line. He believes “music is the best way for someone to connect with the rest of the world” and is excited to be able to help foster his students’ unique relationships with music. When he's not teaching, Sam enjoys skateboarding, solving crossword puzzles, and cheering on the Eagles. He teaches piano, voice and guitar for the school.
John - piano, guitar, songwriting
You know that catchy tune on your favorite TV show? John likely wrote it - his ghost writing compositions have been featured on Disney, CW, reality TV shows, movies and more. Inspired by his mother's piano playing, John began his musical journey with piano lessons at age 7. Eager to become a cool teen, he then picked up the guitar and began exploring live performance. After finishing school locally in Media, PA, John spent a semester studying at Berklee College of Music before going on to graduate from the San Francisco Art Institute with a BFA in Performance/Video Arts. John’s musical education extends beyond formal schooling. His diverse experience spans blues, soul, funk, jazz, and cabaret, honed through years of performance and mentorship by blues artists and film composers. He’s spent his life developing a wide range of skills including composing, arranging, and music production. His score for the documentary, “Daughters of the Curved Moon” won Best Feature. He leads his own band, Honey Pie Jones, and has performed in various notable venues, including the Philly Fringe Fest with the Bearded Ladies Cabaret. As a teacher, John draws from his rich experiences to inspire and nurture students' musical talents. His approach combines technical proficiency with creative expression, making lessons both educational and enjoyable. When he’s away from his instruments, John enjoys cooking and entertaining, painting and drawing. John teaches piano and guitar for the school.
Olivia - piano, voice, guitar, bass, songwriting, production
Olivia's journey in music began long before she hit the professional stage; it was ignited by her childhood passion for singing and creating. From penning poems to performing in cabarets, her early love for the arts paved the way for her formal training at 16 under the guidance of Toni Marie Palmertree, where she studied voice and Jazz Performance. At Temple University, she further honed her skills in Media Arts with a focus on music production, all while deepening her musical abilities in piano, voice, and guitar. Olivia's nights were often spent strumming her guitar, leading to a profound connection with the instrument. After graduating in 2018, she committed herself to a full-time music career, crafting both intricate compositions and catchy pop songs. She can be found anywhere from Philly Folk Fest to DIY basements spaces performing both as the solo act Olivia Love, and with the bands Present Tense and Lovenotes. Passionate about teaching, Olivia finds fulfillment in guiding young musicians to discover their unique paths and express themselves through music. When she's not teaching or performing, Olivia enjoys crocheting her own clothing, blending creativity across different mediums. She teaches voice, guitar, piano, bass, and audio engineering for the school.
Hugh - piano, guitar, bass, voice, drums
Hugh grew up in a musical household, with fond memories of improvising on the piano alongside his singer father, while his classical pianist mother looked on. This playful approach to music has shaped Hugh's teaching style, making lessons both fun and educational. His musical education began with church and school choirs and continued with 11 years of classical piano lessons, mastering pieces from Chopin to Bach. He also explored guitar, saxophone, and digital music production, honing his skills in Logic Pro over the past eight years. At Drexel University, Hugh expanded his studies to include vocal training and guitar, and performed with the Mediterranean Ensemble, showcasing his versatility across various musical traditions. Hugh's academic achievements include a Bachelor's in Entertainment and Arts Management from Drexel University, where he received the Founder's Scholarship and the Westphal Portfolio Scholarship, and was a two-time Dean's List awardee. His dedication to music was recognized with both Superior and Excellent ratings at the Constance W. Murray Piano Festival for ten consecutive years, and the National Guild of Piano Teachers’ Diploma. Beyond his impressive credentials, Hugh's teaching philosophy is rooted in making music accessible and enjoyable for all students. He brings a wealth of real-world experience, having opened for notable acts like Flo Rida and performed at iconic venues such as Milkboy Philadelphia and the Bowery Electric in New York City. Hugh's current projects include recording, producing, and performing with his band, as well as playing bass for local Philly DIY bands. When he's not composing the next big hit or teaching budding musicians, you might find Hugh hiking trails, shooting hoops, or engaging in his self-proclaimed "foodie" adventures around Philadelphia. Hugh teaches piano, voice, guitar, bass and drums for the school.
Jake - piano, guitar, violin, viola, bass, music production
As a Haverford native, Jake’s music journey has brought him full circle, from the Empire State to Pasadena and back home. It began with 6 year old Jake begging his parents for violin lessons. He was soon enrolled in a local classical conservatory and showed early promise on the instrument. His teacher (a former viola professor at Juilliard) encouraged him to add on viola, and the rest is history. He stuck with his violin and viola studies and excelled, winning a solo performance spot in the competitive Philadelphia International Music Festival that culminated in his performance of the Brahms' Viola Sonata in Eb major. Ever eager to learn and grow, Jake added guitar and piano to the mix. His passion for performance led Jake to earn seats in the Empire State and Pasadena Youth orchestras before heading off to University of Chicago to pursue a degree in Biological Sciences. Throughout his scientific studies, he continued to be heavily involved in his music education playing in multiple chamber ensembles and taking a variety of music courses on music history, composition, music production and piano. Following graduation, Jake’s journey took him to DC, where he taught a full roster of students on violin, viola, piano, and guitar. He filled his evening playing in the local rock and funk scenes on guitar and bass. Now back in his old stomping grounds, Jake spends his days teaching for the school, biking around Valley Forge, and attending Sixers games. Jake teaches piano, guitar, violin, viola, bass, and music production for the school.
Catherine - piano, voice, viola, ukulele, music production
For Catherine, music is a way to excel and tap into her nerdy side. She began piano lessons at 6 and hit the ground running. She had a natural talent and soon was competing at local piano festivals throughout her schooling - her childhood piano studio even re-named an award in her honor due to her diligence and commitment to music. Combining her love of music and competition, Catherine joined the school orchestra and auditioned successfully for James Madison University’s Spring String Thing sight reading orchestra. Ever eager to learn as much as possible, she added voice and ukulele to the mix. After years of singing musical theater ballads and practicing vocal technique, Catherine was off to the College of William & Mary where she joined the university choir and the school a cappella group - The Accidentals. Her skillful singing was recognized, and she was awarded the Carl A. Fehr Choral Scholarship for multiple years of her studies. Catherine thrived in the collegiate music scene and served as historian and social chair for the university choir as well as the acapella director – she found joy in conducting, planning gigs and tours, arranging, and even recording and publishing albums for the group. As a Dean’s List student, she studied music production alongside her Bachelors degree in Sociology, taking a variety of courses in ethnomusicology, music theory, computer music, film scoring and more. When she’s not producing video game soundtracks or teaching for the school, Catherine spends her days crocheting, playing Minecraft and Roblox, and maintaining her 600+ day Duolingo streak. Catherine teaches piano, voice, viola, ukulele and music production for the school.
Brendan - piano, guitar, ukulele, drums, saxophone, songwriting, vocal coaching
Brendan has certainly come a long way from his elementary school days, subjecting his family to the serenade of squawks from a fledgling saxophonist. Since then, he’s developed into a mega-multi instrumentalist studying drums, piano, guitar, and voice to name a few. His talents were quickly noticed by his school, earning him a seat in the high school marching band as a middle schooler. Brendan's musical momentum continued in high school playing bass and piano in the jazz band, marching band, and pit ensemble. He was hand picked to sing in the select choir and vocal quintet. He excelled across the board, leading the school drumline and successfully auditioning for the competitive All-state and All-Eastern NMEA mixed choirs. In addition to being recognized for his singing and playing, Brendan is quite the composer. His choral composition was selected and performed with Brendan as the conductor. Music continues to be an important part of Brendan’s life. He’s served as a church pianist for nearly a decade, sings in the Wilmington Opera Choir, and writes and performs his original music with his band, Horizens. When he’s not performing or teaching for the school, Brendan can be found photographing nature, obsessing over geography and adding to his collection of colorful, eclectic clothes. Brendan teaches piano, guitar, ukulele, drums, saxophone, songwriting and coaches voice for the school.
David - piano, voice, guitar, ukulele, drums, songwriting
David's musical journey began at a restaurant of all places, where he was awestruck by a pianist’s rendition of the Vince Guaraldi favorite “Linus and Lucy”. Little did he know, he would one day become a frequent performer at that very restaurant himself. On the way home that night, little David begged for piano lessons, and the rest is history. He soon began classical piano lessons and starred as a Peter Pan lost boy in his first musical. By high school, he dove into jazz piano study, played percussion in band, sang in the school choir and frequented the musical theater stage in lead roles including Curly in Oklahoma. All the while, he continued to flex his musical muscles, adding guitar, ukulele and drums to his talents. When it came time for college, David decided to lean into this musical momentum, attending University of the Arts where he graduated with a Bachelor’s degree in Musical Theater and Songwriting. During his studies, he took every opportunity to perform, including playing his original songs at open mics, starring in a variety of roles including Quasimodo in the Hunchback of Notre Dame and even singing in the American Music Abroad Choir Gold Tour. Post graduation, David has balanced a full performing and teaching schedule. He’s shaping young minds by day and providing a great night out at the Howl at the Moon Dueling Pianos show. His creativity shines as part of the indie duo band "I Found You!" and co writer of the musical "Red & Black." When he isn’t teaching music or writing his own, David enjoys eating delicious food, watching Philly sports, writing comedy scripts and playing golf. David teaches piano, voice, guitar, ukulele, drums and songwriting for the school.
Kyle - piano, guitar, ukulele, voice, drums, songwriting
Creating music and inspiring young minds has always been Kyle’s life purpose. He received his first guitar for Christmas as a young child and immediately began writing his own songs - a passion he would continue throughout his life. In high school, he joined Mt. Carmel youth orchestra and fell in love with the upright bass, playing at venues including the Kimmel Center and the Clef Club. Ever eager to create, Kyle began playing with other musicians at his local church, songwriting with friends, and picking up as many instruments as possible. He attended Temple University, entering as a Classical Guitar major and graduating with a Bachelors of Music Education. While there, Kyle studied piano, guitar and songwriting alongside his education coursework. He continued making music with others in the classical guitar ensemble, University Singers and a competitive acapella group. For the past seven years, Kyle has been an elementary school music teacher by day and active musician by night. His band, The InGlorious, has taken the stage at venues all around Philadelphia including Brooklyn Bowl, East Falls Theatre and Ardmore Music Hall. Outside of the music realm, he enjoys watching anime, playing pickleball, and hitting the gym. Kyle teaches piano, guitar, ukulele, voice, drums and songwriting for the school.
Morgan - piano, guitar, voice, ukulele, songwriting
A songwriter at heart, Morgan was destined to share her music in classrooms and on stages. Beginning with a strong foundation of piano and voice lessons throughout her childhood, Morgan quickly fell in love with creating her own music. As a teen, she bonded with her father through guitar lessons and songwriting. At the same time, she participated in the school band on saxophone and sang both in the school choir and competitively, earning a chair in the district, regional, and even all-state choir. She starred in her school's productions of Legally Blonde, Rent, and Theory of Relativity. Adding to her musical accomplishments, Morgan attended the prestigious Berklee College of Music on a full ride, following greats like John Mayer and Esperanza Spalding. While there, she experimented with songwriting, production and vocal harmonies, ultimately graduating with a Bachelors of Music in Songwriting and a minor in Psychology. Morgan's musical expertise spans beyond lessons - she’s an early childhood music instructor and musical theater director. In the moments she doesn’t fill with music, Morgan can be found crocheting her latest outfit or pet sitting in the neighborhood. Morgan teaches piano, voice, guitar and ukulele for the school.
Matt - piano, guitar, bass, drums, production
From the time he was a baby, regularly rocked to sleep on the bandstand, Matt’s life has been molded by music. With a family full of artists and walls lined with records, he would spend countless hours grooving to new sounds. When he first started piano lessons, he was drawn to taking music beyond the page and was constantly making up his own tunes. It was then that his parents decided to gift him a tape recorder to save his distracted musical doodles. Matt carried his passion for songwriting to his high school Music Technology Class where he was challenged to write, produce, perform, and record his own original songs. He found that he felt the most free when bringing his ideas to life, and after releasing some songs that reached thousands of people around the world, he was driven to study Music Industry at Millersville University. Here he honed his craft while adding guitar, bass and drums to his musical studies. Following graduation he applied his skills in songwriting and production to education; helping students in various Philadelphia school communities access their creative voices while serving as an Artist Year Fellow. He then continued his work as a teaching artist with the Ensemble Arts Philly program #Phillybeatz, guiding students through the basics of beatmaking. In between lessons, Matt still finds time to release his own songs spanning multiple styles and genres. Outside of the studio, you might find him catching up on classic anime, hunting shiny Pokémon, practicing his latte art or meticulously editing TikToks. Matt teaches piano, guitar, bass, drums and production for the school.
Reema - piano, guitar, voice, cello, ukulele
Coming from a family with a string quartet’s worth of musicians, Reema has made it a lifelong goal to cultivate music in others. She began her journey as a cellist taking one-on-one lessons and shining in the school orchestra. On her own time, she mastered performing every video game theme she could get her hands on. Reema soon found herself thinking, “Why be in one ensemble, when you can join them all?” She was soon an active member of the school choir and band, while adding mallet percussion and voice to her repertoire. She excelled across the board, taking on the roles of section leader and chamber musician. In Muhlenberg College, Reema explored the tech world while keeping music an active part of her life. She took lessons on voice, piano, guitar and cello. Her time in guitar lessons was pivotal, and Reema vowed to bring the same student-centered experience she received to her own students. Reema's passion for working with kids led her to spend her summers at Lavner Camps teaching technology and coding to kids. She also found time to create her own music, competing in the campus “Riff-Off” before graduating with a BA in Computer Science with a Music Minor. When she’s not teaching, she can be found writing, drawing, gaming, and jamming with friends. Reema teaches piano, guitar, voice, cello, and ukulele for the school.
Jordon - piano, percussion, ukulele
From the early days of her first piano lessons, Jordon discovered she had quite the knack for music. Knowing she wanted to immerse herself in her school’s renowned music program, she added marimba and vibraphone lessons to stay ahead of the curve. Hard work led to early success as she was chosen to represent her elementary school as the sole percussionist in the district band. She went on to earn a seat in the all-state band for multiple years, both individually and as part of her school's competitive percussion ensemble. All the while, Jordon continued her private piano study exploring music by greats including her all time favorite composer Debussy. In addition to excelling musically, Jordan did well academically, finishing high school Magna Cum Laude while being selected to play in the wind ensemble and advanced wind symphony. In college, her musical outlet came as a keyboardist for an indie funk band. She enjoyed spending summers touring and sharing her music across the midwest and then went on to graduate with Honors in her Media Studies and Sociology double major at University of Wisconsin Stevens Point. Jordon has also always had a passion for outreach, volunteering as a “Big” in the Big Brothers, Big Sisters program and serving as an Americorps member. When she’s not teaching or volunteering in the community, she enjoys making art, watching movies, exploring nature, and supporting live music. Jordon teaches piano, percussion, and ukulele for the school.
Deirdre - piano, guitar, ukulele, violin, mandolin
For Deirdre, teaching music runs in the family. Her mother was a touring musician and successful piano teacher, so Deirdre was just a toddler when she began lessons. By age 5, she was a multi-instrumentalist, adding on Suzuki violin training at the Wilmington Music School. She also continued to study piano seriously with several well-respected teachers such as Sarah Parker and Lotus Cheng. Throughout her high school years at Mount Pleasant, Deirdre was an active member of the school orchestra and choir, earning accolades such as a Superior Plus rating at the DSMTA Solo Festival and an invitation to perform at the Honors Recital at the University of Delaware. Deirdre’s teaching experience includes a previous studio roster of 25 students and teaching prowess in the areas of classical and contemporary piano, violin, guitar and more. She also received mentorship in education from her mother. Deirdre is passionate about helping students find their individuality through music and her favorite part of teaching is “when a student fully dives into music and it breaks them out of their shell.” As a performer, Deirdre has taken the stage at a variety of venues, including the Nomad jazz bar, Bellefonte Cafe, Finnegan’s Pub, Philadelphia Folks Fest and the Arden Fair. She enjoys connecting with the local music community and is part of a rotating group of musicians who collaborate and play gigs. As Deirdre puts it, she’s “always looking to meet new creative people to jam with and to expand my musical perspective.” When not teaching or playing music, she enjoys gardening and cooking (she was once a head chef.) Deirdre teaches piano, violin and guitar for the school.
Sam - piano, voice, guitar
Sam’s love affair with music started as a young child, captivated by the melodies their mother and grandmother played on the piano. Sam pleaded for lessons, mom agreed, and they began piano studies in the first grade. Just one year later, Sam was cast in a school musical and discovered another lifelong love: singing. From that point, they were “totally hooked,” and began a dedicated musical journey that included eight years of piano lessons, additional private piano lessons in college, studies on the guitar, and extensive vocal training. Sam began serious voice lessons at 14 and is now a classically trained professional mezzo-soprano. Sam graduated Cum Laude from the prestigious Indiana University Jacobs School of Music with a major in vocal performance and a minor in music education. Their music education studies included courses in pedagogy, conducting and more, as well as classroom experience. Another highlight of Sam’s higher education was spending a semester abroad in Vienna, Austria where they studied and performed in a palace just a few blocks away from where Mozart lived. After IU, Sam further honed their craft with a Master of Music from Bard College in vocal arts. Professionally, Sam has lent their voice to renowned ensembles such as Opera Philadelphia, The Orchestra Now, Albany Symphony Orchestra, and the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra. They are also currently collaborating with a local composer to premiere a new opera. Despite Sam’s classical background, their repertoire includes a wide variety of genres, including jazz, pop, and even Disney tunes. When not teaching or performing, Sam enjoys cooking, baking (including a quest for the perfect cinnamon roll recipe) and spending time with their one-eyed cat, Winnie. Sam teaches piano, voice and guitar for the school.
Anna - piano, voice, guitar, ukulele
Anna is a dynamic music educator whose resume boasts an impressive mix of musical accolades, academic success, teaching experience and a bit of punk rock Shakespeare for good measure. Her path started with piano and guitar lessons, later adding choir to her musical pursuits and earning leadership roles within music honors societies. Her passion for music followed her to college, where she pursued a musical theater degree and studied voice under Professor Perry Brisbon at Eastern University. Her academic achievements include a B.A. in Musical Theater, prestigious scholarships, and more leadership roles as President of both Alpha Psi Omega and the Music Guild. Outside of college, Anna discovered a love and talent for teaching: she has led musical courses in summer camps, coached vocals, and been a music director for youth productions. Her stage experience is equally remarkable, with performances at the Kennedy Center American College Theatre Festival and tours with choral ensembles. (One of her favorite stage moments was playing Lucius in a “female led punk rock adaptation of Julius Caesar” which even allowed her to showcase her instrumental skills with a ukulele solo.) When not teaching or taking the stage, Anna enjoys reading fiction and taking care of her two cats Perry and Winnie. She teaches piano, voice, guitar and ukulele for the school.
Sabrina - piano, voice, ukulele, flute
Long before Sabrina was leading music classrooms or conducting marching bands, she was a 7 year old discovering her love for music and begging her mom for flute lessons. Those lessons would grow into joining school ensembles, learning piano, voice and ukulele, rising to the rank of drum major, and even taking the stage at the Rose Bowl with her school band. When it came time for college, Sabrina realized that the natural pull she felt towards leadership positions and her lifelong love of music could combine into a dream job: music educator. She attended Millersville University, where she graduated Magna Cum Laude with a Bachelor’s degree in K-12 General Music Education and a Kodaly Pedagogy certificate. Sabrina is also currently pursuing a Master's in Curriculum and Instruction, specializing in Social and Emotional Learning. Before joining our teaching staff, Sabrina was a public school music teacher, where she taught general music, choir, and served as an assistant marching band director. She says one of her greatest joys in teaching is “seeing someone have tremendous growth throughout their musical experience. It is so fascinating to see someone not only comprehend music but really excel.” When not teaching, Sabrina enjoys photography, video games, and hanging out with her two musically-named cats (Benjamin Franklin Sinatra, and Koko Melon – named for legendary video game composer Koji Kondo). Sabrina teaches piano, voice, ukulele and flute for the school.
Marquis - piano, voice, guitar
For Marquis, music has always been a means to create and connect. He got his start making music with his church choir, and quickly found that singing was his niche. He dedicated hours to practicing and soon was singing in every choir possible in addition to performing lead roles as Gaston in Beauty and the Beast, Radames in Aida, and Chuck Cranston in Footloose. Lead roles weren’t the only thing Marquis won - he also secured a seat in the prestigious and competitive All South Jersey Chorus. Eager to further his musicianship, Marquis added piano and guitar lessons to the mix. When he went on to Rutgers University, he knew music very much still needed to be part of his life. As he earned both his Bachelors as a double major in Psychology and Spanish and his Masters in Labor Relations Human Resources Management, Marquis sought out ways to stay creative. He ultimately found his community with the Rutgers University Glee Club, where he continued his musical development and performed internationally in England, the Netherlands, and Wales. Post graduation, Marquis has continued to study piano, voice, and guitar taking multiple lessons per week, writing songs, and hitting the stage at open mics across Greater Philadelphia. When he’s not studying music or teaching for the school, he enjoys gardening, walking dogs, and playing Super Smash Bros. Marquis teaches piano, voice, and guitar for the school.
Lindsey - piano, flute, guitar, ukulele
For Lindsey, music is all about growth, exploration, and connection. She idolized her older cousin, so it only made sense for her to pick up the flute in elementary school. Driven by her early success in the school band, she began lessons and asked for a keyboard and guitar for Christmas. She continued study on all three instruments and found her music community in the high school marching band. Ever eager to take on new instruments, she snuck away from the flute section and made her way over to the drum line. Lindsey then attended Kutztown University for her Bachelor’s degree in Music. Here, she continued playing in “every ensemble imaginable,” continued her study of piano and flute, and participated in the professional music fraternity, Sigma Alpha Iota. Working as a behavioral health technician at The Vanguard School post-graduation, Lindsey realized her passion for helping others. Thus, she began work on her Masters in Music Therapy and Counseling at Immaculata University where she’s taken classes including Music Therapy in Pediatric Settings and Music with Diverse Cultures. When she’s not studying and teaching for the school, she enjoys crocheting and curling up with a good book. Lindsey teaches piano, flute, guitar and ukulele for the school.
Roslyn - piano, voice, violin, ukulele
Roslyn’s musical resume is diverse and global, with instrumental skills on piano, voice, violin and ukulele, a master’s level education in music, and performances in venues from minor league baseball games to European cathedrals. Long before her first international performance or vocal scholarship, however, she was an eager 8-year old taking group piano classes and falling in love with music. Soon enough, she had also joined the school orchestra, signed up for violin lessons and started participating in competitions. In high school, Roslyn added voice lessons to her musical studies and began landing principal roles in school musicals. As part of the Utah “Ambassadors of Music” chorus, she traveled through Europe, performing in eight different countries and at several famous cathedrals. At the urging of her voice instructor, she auditioned for voice programs at local universities, resulting in a full scholarship to study music at the University of Utah. There, she continued to improve her skills in voice and piano while also deeply studying music theory, pedagogy, conducting and more. Along the way, she also sang the national anthem for several minor league sports teams such as the Salt Lake Bees, the Salt Lake Monarchs, and the Grizzlies Hockey team. After receiving her Bachelor of Music degree, Roslyn decided to continue her musical education and relocated to Philadelphia where she is pursuing her master’s degree in vocal pedagogy from Temple University. When not playing, studying or teaching music, she likes reading “just about anything,” practicing yoga and trying new foods. Roslyn teaches piano, voice, violin and ukulele for the school.
Haily - piano, guitar, voice, songwriting
Haily has loved singing for as long as she can remember, and was still in grade school when she enlisted her mom to help transport her to local karaoke venues to perform and compete. She was hooked and quickly picked up piano and guitar. It wasn’t long before Haily was writing and producing her own music. In high school, she added classical vocal studies to her pursuits, largely to prepare for the competitive college audition process. Her work paid off when Haily was accepted to Pepperdine University with a top scholarship to study and perform classical music. At Pepperdine, she combined her passion for music with her affinity for teaching, ultimately earning her Bachelor’s Degree in Liberal Arts for Education with a Music Emphasis. Throughout her undergrad, she studied music intensively – learning vocal technique, theory and theatrical performance as well as studying piano. Haily also toured with the Pepperdine Chamber Choir as a featured soloist, and was recognized at the Redon Music Festival. While she is classically trained, she enjoys singing and teaching all types of music – including R&B, Pop, and Singer/Songwriter styles. When not teaching or making music, Haily enjoys movies, watching football and basketball, playing soccer, yoga, and cooking. She teaches piano, guitar, voice and songwriting for the school.
Lauren - piano, guitar, voice, songwriting
When Lauren is asked what she’s passionate about, she answers “Sound. How it can influence a person, how it heals and how it makes you feel.” When she was young, her parents would play Norah Jones or Natalie Merchant during her bedtime routine and she’s since associated music with comfort, home and serenity. She aims to pass that along through her teaching. Lauren credits much of her musicality to her mentors. From her first voice teacher guiding Lauren through conquering her stage-fright and the basics of accompanying on guitar and piano and writing her own music to Paul Adkins, an opera star who transformed Lauren into a multi-genre artist, skilled in sight reading, jazz, and improvisation. Before graduating summa cum laude from Syracuse University, Lauren was a peer advisor, where she welcomed freshmen and provided guidance to students in the music department. Outside of the classroom, Lauren has played festivals with Sarah Gross Music and Gill with the G, supported Sammy Rae and the Friends, and opened for the band Lawrence. When she isn’t songwriting, performing or teaching, she loves to enjoy nature, support live music, and add to her colorful sneaker collection. Lauren teaches piano, voice, guitar and songwriting for the school.
Michelle - piano, guitar, voice, bass, ukulele, drums, songwriting
As a 7-year-old with a discman and a knack for Guitar Hero, Michelle was obsessed with all things music. Her parents quickly took notice and gifted Michelle her very first guitar and the lessons to go with it. She was a natural, ever eager to progress, and quickly added piano, bass, ukulele, and drums to the mix. It wasn’t long until she was actively performing for her church’s Sunday service. When Michelle decided to pursue a career in music, she found her home at Eastern University where she received multiple scholarships and graduated Magna Cum Laude with her bachelor’s degree in music. During her time at Eastern, Michelle took piano, guitar, and voice lessons and performed in the Wind Ensemble, Pep Band, University Choir, and more. Having developed a passion for songwriting and all things Taylor Swift, Michelle also found herself hitting the studio and exploring recording and audio engineering. Michelle currently serves as the leader of the Mosaic Community Church worship band. When she’s not writing her latest hit or teaching for the school, Michelle enjoys crafting coffees and treats to share with friends. Michelle teaches piano, guitar, voice, bass, ukulele, drums, and songwriting for the school.
Angela - piano, voice, ukulele
From karaoke to live shows, Angela’s family always surrounded themselves with music. It’s no wonder her passion for singing, performing and teaching has led her here. Angela’s music education began in high school with participation in choir and the school’s musical theater program–her favorites include Anything Goes, Bye Bye Birdie and Cinderella. These formative experiences revealed a deep-rooted love for music. Taking voice lessons to hone her craft, she decided to major in Music Education at Temple University. There, she studied classical voice and piano, all the while keeping a place in her heart for contemporary, pop and R&B music. When Angela isn’t studying or teaching, you might find her performing with Temple’s choirs at the Kimmel Center, or singing at weddings and special events. Angela’s one-on-one teaching aims to help her students build their confidence while having fun. Outside of the realm of music, she enjoys baking, reading, movies and traveling whenever she gets the chance. Angela teaches piano, voice and ukulele for the school.
Gabe - piano, bass, guitar, songwriting
Gabe’s first taste of performing ignited a musical passion - he hasn’t looked back since! Growing up in Miami’s melting pot of cultures, Gabe found himself immersed in Jazz, R&B, and Latin music of all kinds. He played sax in the school band, bass in the jazz band, and performed in the community throughout his high school experience. He added piano to the mix and soon found himself earning his Bachelor’s of Music from the University of Miami Frost School of Music. Here Gabe continued to thrive as a performer both with the Studio Jazz Band and the Frost Funk/Fusion ensemble for which he was awarded the DownBeat Student Music Award for best Blues/Pop/Rock Group. During his studies, he traveled to Guadalajara, Mexico to perform for the Jalisco Jazz Festival and teach young students at the Fundación Tónica Instituto de Jazz program. Gabe continued to foster his musical passions at Florida State University where he earned a Graduate Teaching Assistantship and ultimately his Master’s of Music. Through his assistantship, Gabe brought his musical experiences to students of small and large jazz ensembles, private lessons, and a course on jazz history all while maintaining an active performance schedule. Gabe’s musical journey also extends beyond his degrees. He is a member of the Jalen Baker Quartet and is featured on albums including This Is Me,This Is Us. When he’s not teaching for the school or performing both in the community and internationally, Gabe can be found out hiking on local trails or home curling up with a good book. Gabe teaches piano, bass, guitar, and songwriting for the school.
Meredith - guitar, piano, violin, composition, theory
Music has motivated Meredith not only to create and compose, but to achieve her doctorate in composition. Meredith began piano lessons at the age of seven, and shortly thereafter discovered her love of composing. Through her school experience, she explored the world of strings, adding on violin, double bass, guitar, and electric bass. Creating her own music led Meredith to have her pieces performed by her middle school orchestra and to her attendance at Northwestern High School Music Institute as a composition major on double bass. From there, Meredith went on to pursue her Bachelor of Music from Butler University, her Masters from the University of Hartford and finally a PhD in Music Composition at The University at Buffalo. While at Buffalo, she was a teaching assistant for theory, aural skills, and music history to undergraduates, all while maintaining her private roster of piano and composition students. Highlights of her composition career include having her pieces performed by Ensemble Mise-En, Deviant Septet, Parvenue, and Ensemble Linea, and in venues such as at Florida State University, and St. Paul’s Chapel at Columbia University. When she’s not composing or teaching, Meredith enjoys running, painting, and watching the occasional English football game with her guitarist husband. Meredith teaches piano, violin, bass, guitar, and composition for the school.
Avery - piano, guitar, songwriting, production
You name it, and Avery has likely written a song about it! From writing plays and creating accompanying soundtracks as a small child to completing “Write a Song a Day” challenges as an adult, Avery can’t get enough of the creative process. He began piano lessons at a young age, and found himself drawn to experimenting with different genres of music. He spent his days playing in the school Jazz band and his nights tinkering in digital audio workstations. At Westchester Community College, Avery earned his Associates in Performing arts and studied piano, electronic music and recording concepts with composer Carlos Delgado. He went on to Lehman College, studying jazz/classical piano, songwriting, composition, and music production for film scores with composers Michael Bacon and John Corigliano. All the while, Avery expanded his playing chops to guitar, his second love. When he’s not recording his latest Pirate Metal Rock Opera, collaborating with musicians across the country or teaching, Avery can be found in the depths of the gaming world playing on both platforms and tabletops. Avery teaches piano, guitar, songwriting, and electronic music for the school.
Adam - guitar, piano, voice, saxophone
Sometimes you pick an instrument you love, and sometimes you pick the instrument that’s given to you. For Adam, the saxophone opened the door to his life of music, after he inherited it from a family member. He thrived in his saxophone lessons, earning a seat in the ATSSB All-Region band and jazz band and even the John Phillip Sousa award as a high school senior. All the while, Adam explored several other instruments, adding on piano, guitar, and voice lessons. He then went on to Berklee College of music, initially majoring in saxophone performance. There he dove deeper into his vocal studies, even switching to a vocal major and earning a bachelors degree in Professional Music with an emphasis in songwriting and production. When he’s not teaching for the school, Adam spends his time playing tennis, baking, and photographing local events. Adam teaches piano, voice, guitar and saxophone for the school.
Brandon - piano, guitar, trumpet, euphonium
Brandon’s journey in music started like many children, at his family’s piano but has taken him all the way to the euphonium. A local Ridley High School grad, his time was spent playing the trumpet, the tuba and the piano in concert band, jazz band, marching band, and PMEA district band. He also found time to take part in the choir, theater ensemble and every outside band opportunity imaginable. It’s no surprise Brandon graduated from the Boyer College of Music at Temple University where he continued to seek out group performance opportunities including Wind Symphony, Symphonic Band, and the Tuba/Euphonium ensemble. At university, he took on a section leader role, leading sectionals and coaching his peers. You can still find Brandon performing for Temple basketball games as a member of The Night Owls. When he’s not performing or teaching, Brandon enjoys hiking, traveling, and spending time with his friends and family. He teaches piano, trumpet, guitar for the school and for the adventurous, euphonium.
Steve - guitar, drums, bass, ukulele, piano
Steve has passions for music, teaching, dogs, and hot sauce. Steve’s love of music started at a young age, singing along as his parents rocked out to Iron Maiden and Type O Negative. He began his guitar studies in middle school, inspired by a Slipknot documentary, and in high school participated in every ensemble imaginable, from concert band to jazz band to the school musical. He even took to adapting violin and viola parts himself to participate in the orchestra. Steve’s passion for music took him to University of the Arts, where he was awarded the Catherine T Quaile Memorial Guitar Award during his senior year in addition to a Bachelors in Music and a Masters of Arts in Teaching in Music Education. Steve’s dedication to music education continued into adulthood, teaching music in PAEP’s after school programs, a summer camp in Poland, and in schools in Philadelphia and Chester County. When he’s not teaching, Steve can be found composing and playing guitar for his band People Food, gigging and recording on drums for local bands, and helping beginning bands to get off the ground. In addition to music, Steve also has a passion for dogs and hot sauce - so much so that he created a hot sauce company and named it after his childhood dog, Pickle Monster Hot Sauce. Steve teaches guitar, piano, drums, bass, and ukulele for the school.
Kendal - piano, guitar, bass, ukulele, drums
In addition to the impressive Master of Music in Classical Guitar that Kendal holds from Manhattan School of Music, he also boasts eight years of teaching experience. Kendal discovered his love of music at a young age, driving with his dad and blasting Thin Lizzy and Kiss on the car stereo. He began taking piano lessons at 9, guitar lessons at 11 and expanded his ensemble skills at the School of Rock shortly thereafter. Upon graduating, he pursued a B.A in audio and video recording at Bloomsburg University while continuing his classical guitar studies. During his senior year of undergrad, he performed with and was the president of the Bloomsburg Guitar and Jazz Ensemble. At the same time, he worked as a studio intern for Water Music Recording in Hoboken, assisting in recording sessions for producers such as John Agnello. Kendal was inspired to pursue his masters at MSM with Dr. Mark Delpriora, where he performed in ensembles, duos, and took part in several masterclasses with Elliot Fisk and Manuel Barrueco. Since graduating and moving back to the area, Kendall Writes and performs with his band, Massive Conspiracy. When he isn't teaching or performing, he enjoys playing Nintendo games, watching old B-Movies, and taking hikes around PA. Kendal teaches piano, guitar, bass, ukulele and drums.
Candace - *Online Teacher: voice, piano, guitar
It began with four-part Christmas carols being sung in harmony with her family, and from there Candace’s love of music has grown to take her around the world as a featured vocalist and performer. Candace started piano lessons at the age of six and discovered her love for musical theater productions in middle school. While earning her Bachelor of Arts degree in Music, she won an internship in Hollywood to write and direct a music video featuring cameos by Linkin Park and other national acts. Her talents with piano and voice led her to become an elementary music teacher for six years and to work with adults with disabilities as a Performing Arts director. Since moving on from classroom teaching, Candace has fulfilled her dream of touring the country as a vocalist and performing as a backup singer in NYC. She’s most proud of her solo performance at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas where she was named the 2018 Vocalist Winner. She’s even currently on tour with the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame group The Platters. Candace has performed with numerous bands and tours and is excited to be helping others discover the joy in music while teaching voice, piano and guitar online for the school.
Bill -
guitar, ukulele, drums and piano
When you start whistling tunes at the age of two, you can bet that music is in your future. Bill’s parents raised him on classic rock, and over the years he added percussion, guitar, ukulele and piano to his list of musical abilities. In high school, he lent his talents to ensembles as part of the Upper Darby High School Jazz Band, Drumline, and several bands. While with the drumline, he earned third place nationally for his performance on guitar. His musical successes led him to study music education and classical guitar (as well as business management) at West Chester University, where he also participated in the WCU Classical Guitar Ensemble. Since then, he’s enjoyed performing locally in venues such as the Trocadero and the Upper Darby Performing Arts Center. Bill has been teaching one-on-one music lessons for over 10 years as well as group classes for four years. In addition to music, Bill is a lover of nature and animals, and once raised pigs for the 4H club! He now spends time with his lab/collie mix when not gigging or teaching. He teaches guitar, ukulele, drums and piano for Meridee Winters and has been with the school since 2020.
Zephyr - *Lead Teacher: piano, saxophone, clarinet, guitar, composition
Zephyr considers himself a "lifelong student of music" who began with piano at just four years old. At seven, he announced his intention to play the saxophone, which he promptly began pursuing and continued to study through college. Zephyr has performed throughout the region on both instruments, primarily with the Nakomi band – a traditional African and Highlife ensemble he co-founded in his teens in Upstate New York. He studied music seriously, attending the prestigious Summer Five Week Program at Boston's Berklee College of Music, as well as both the Skidmore and Proctors Summer Jazz Institutes. His passion for learning has led him to add on clarinet, guitar, and a wide variety of instruments to his repertoire. For his higher education, Zephyr graduated from Temple University with a degree in Jazz Alto Saxophone Performance. While there, he had the unique privilege to study piano and sax for all four years with some of the best musicians in their field. In 2016, Zephyr studied abroad at The Conservatorium van Amsterdam in the Netherlands where he "learned to speak beginning level Dutch, made friends from around the globe, and soaked up the culture." He is passionate about music composition and interested in a wide variety of musical genres, including jazz, classical, funk and soul. While Zephyr spends a large portion of his time on music, he also loves to cook gourmet meals, travel, and plan his next adventure in the streets of Philadelphia. He teaches piano, saxophone and composition for the school.
Kelsey - piano, guitar, saxophone, voice
Kelsey is a multi-instrumentalist, trained educator, and active member of Philly’s DIY music scene. She “can’t remember a time when she wasn’t interested in music,” and began her musical studies with piano lessons at age six, adding saxophone lessons in grade school. Some of her most formative musical experiences happened at Camp Louise in Shickshinny, PA, which she attended yearly. It was here that she learned how to play guitar and bass, and that she first sang in front of a crowd. Kelsey’s positive musical experiences at Camp Louise led her to pursue a career in music education, earning her Bachelor’s Degree in Music Ed from West Chester University, where she graduated cum laude and made the dean’s list. At WCU, Kelsey added to her already extensive list of instruments; she learned and taught flute, clarinet, trumpet, trombone, euphonium, French horn, and more. She also continued to study and play saxophone and piano, and participated in numerous music clubs, including the school’s professional music fraternity for women. Kelsey is a very active in Philadelphia’s music community. She has been performing in original rock bands since she was 16 years old, and has opened shows for Hall of Fame nominees, punk legends, and even a cast member of a hit TV show (Creed Bratton of “The Office”). Currently, she performs throughout the Philadelphia area as a solo singer/songwriter and as the vocalist/guitarist/songwriter for a rock band. Her music has recently been featured on WXPN as well as in commercials. Kelsey aims to giver all of her students “the tools that they need to share what they love to do with the world.” She teaches piano, guitar, saxophone and voice for the school.
Carolann – *Lead Teacher: violin, guitar, ukulele, piano, viola, cello
Carolann has always been obsessed with strings – whether they’re on guitars, ukuleles, violins, cellos, or even pianos. Her first instrument was the guitar, which she received as a gift in elementary school, but it wasn’t long before she was writing pop songs, taking voice lessons, studying viola, and playing in the school orchestra and jazz band. When it was time for college, she attended Susquehanna University on a full ride and majored in Music with a Music Technology minor. There, Carolann participated in the string pedagogy program, teaching weekly seminars in addition to being paired with private students. All the while, Carolann continued to study viola, hone her guitar, piano and vocal skills, and teach group music classes. Her educational experience doesn’t end there; she received her Masters of Multicultural Education degree from Eastern University, was trained in The New Teacher Project's (TNTP) Teaching Fellows Program, and has taught in various school programs. In addition to her work with our school, she is a full time music teacher and orchestra director in Philadelphia. Carolann has brought her musical and educational knowledge to the Meridee Winters School of Music as a teacher on violin, guitar, viola, piano and ukulele since 2014.
Nikki - *Lead Teacher: piano, voice, ukulele
Nikki’s voice has taken her all over – in venues ranging from Carnegie Hall to the Rio Grande. Her journey started in Tennessee, though, where Nikki began piano lessons at a very young age. (Ever the eager toddler, a teacher agreed to take her on as soon as she could “count to five and tell black from white.”) In elementary school, Nikki joined a community choir, and upon graduating from that started an a capella group with some industrious friends. She added private voice lessons to her studies, and continued to study both that and piano through college. For her undergraduate degree, Nikki received an academic scholarship to Union University in Jackson, TN where she earned her BA in Philosophy with a minor in Music and Honors Studies, graduating Summa Cum Laude. She has experience teaching both piano and voice, and is currently working on her music education certification at Eastern University. Nikki has performed in numerous choirs and operas throughout her life, was the female lead in Mozart's Bastienne and Bastianna, and even plays harp. When Nikki isn’t making music, she enjoys hiking and camping (and could give you a few tips on how to build a yurt.) She has been teaching piano, voice and ukulele for the school since 2017.
Kaitlin - *Lead Teacher: piano, voice, guitar, ukulele, songwriting
Kaitlin is a dedicated musician, as demonstrated by her Bachelor’s degree in Music Education and Voice Performance from Westminster Choir College and her Master’s of Music degree from the Cleveland Institute of Music. Her interest in playing and singing began in her youth, but the decision to pursue it as a career came while performing with the Texas All State Choir in High School. This led her to Westminster Choir College in Princeton, New Jersey, where she studied both voice and piano formally, and received a presidential scholarship. At the Cleveland Institute, she continued her studies, earning the Max Berman prize – the school’s largest award for a vocalist, as well as trying her hand at stage-managing. Kaitlin is no stranger to teaching music; for the completion of her Music Education degree, she taught at New Hope High School and Middle School, teaching students grades 6-12. During this time she worked with a large number of choirs, as well as the middle school cast of Grease, and gave both class and private music instruction to students grades 6-12. Her other teaching experiences include teaching music as a volunteer at the Cleveland School of the Arts, the Albert C. Wagner Youth Correctional Facility, and at several elementary and middle schools. As a performer, she’s landed some impressive roles, including Alice Ford in Verdi's Falstaff, Béatrice in Berlioz's Béatrice et Bénédict, Antonia in Les Contes du Hoffmann, and the title role in Handel's Alcina. Kaitlin works in the MW office as our faculty coordinator and and has taught piano, voice, guitar, ukulele and songwriting for the school since 2016.
David – *Lead Teacher: voice, piano, guitar
A born performer, David has graced the stage of many well-known Tri-State area theaters, including the Walnut Street Theater and the Arden Theater in Philadelphia and Candlelight Theater in Delaware. His stage credits have even taken him abroad to places like Edinburgh, Scotland and Beijing, China. David studied music throughout his youth – beginning with the saxophone and voice, and soon adding on the piano and the guitar. His love of music and the performing arts led him to Syracuse University, where he earned his BFA in Drama. (He also has extensive training in the Linklater voice method.) David has several years of music direction under his belt in various local school and music theater programs, and is currently serving as the music director for the Wolf Performing Arts Center. While his musical theater experience is extensive, David enjoys and teaches many genres, including jazz, rock, folk, classical and recording programs like Logic and MainStage. He is a lead teacher of piano, guitar and voice for the school and has been a member of the MW teaching community since 2015.
Brendan - *Lead Teacher: guitar, voice, piano
Brendan grew up loving and listening to his Dad’s records. What he heard inspired him, so he started guitar lessons, formed a band with some friends, and began writing his own songs. Brendan followed this musical path to college, earning his Bachelor’s degree in Music Recording Technology from Lebanon Valley College where he studied both guitar and voice. Though he has a passion for jazz, Brendan loves playing in all different styles – rock, R&B, blues, progressive, and folk. His band, Johnny Action Figure, has performed at top venues in Philadelphia, Nashville and New York, alongside great bands like Wilco, the Get Up Kids, and Apollo Sunshine. Their music has been featured in television shows and commercials on MTV, VH1, and Comedy Central. Brendan currently sings with the Mendelssohn Club of Philadelphia, and they have performed in many notable places including the Mann Center. He is a lead teacher of guitar, piano and voice for the school and has been a member of the MW teaching community since 2011.
Michael - *Lead Teacher: guitar, piano, bass
Michael Campanile has spent the past eleven years teaching, performing, and recording music on both the east and west coasts. A graduate of the Boyer College of Music and Dance at Temple University, he teaches private and group lessons, guitar clinics and online lessons. Michael has helped many students discover music, with lessons ranging from beginners starting guitar to advanced players looking for a more specialized focus, as well as piano and bass students. Recently completing his 10th studio album, "More Songs No One Wanted", Michael is involved in several projects: a local metal band, a rockabilly Sun Records cover act, and various electronic music recordings. He is comfortable teaching all genres, including rock, metal, jazz, folk, improvisation, and composition, as well as electronic music, recording and production. He has recorded/produced with West Coast performer Peter DiStefano (Jane's Addiction), and the notable east coast act Infernal Opera. Some of his favorite musicians include Claude Debussy, Pat Martino, Marty Friedman, and Brian Setzer. When Michael isn't teaching or performing, he enjoys hand tool woodworking, Z grade horror, and anything Dostoyevsky. Mike is a lead teacher of piano, guitar, and bass for the school and has been a member of the MW teaching community since 2009.
*Our lead and master teachers earned their positions through longstanding records of high performance within the school. Learn more here.