Robbie - piano, voice, trombone
For Robbie, music has always been the cornerstone of his life. Between his opera singer father and music educator mother, young Robbie frequented the opera and was enrolled in classical piano lessons by the age of 6. He was hooked and joined the school choir and band. He continued his piano study, taking both classical and jazz piano lessons with multiple instructors. By high school, Robbie was traveling Europe with his church choir, riffing in the Jazz band on trombone, and playing lead musical theater roles including Tevye from Fiddler on the Roof. Robbie went on to Mansfield University as a Music Education major, taking a variety of music and pedagogy courses as well as teaching a roster of private students. Ever inspired by his father, Robbie’s passions gravitated towards voice study, and he soon found himself pursuing a masters degree in Vocal Performance at the esteemed Binghamton University on a teaching assistantship. Here he developed his own voice as well as his pedagogy. He spent his days singing, winning and placing in various NATS competitions and serving as a Resident Artist at the Tri-Cities Opera. He also enjoyed teaching private lessons and beginner voice classes, as well as preparing students for recitals and collegiate juries. Robbie can often be found on stage, whether with The Philadelphia Chorus or with operas in roles such as Figaro in The Marriage of Figaro and Papageno in the Magic Flute. When he’s not performing or teaching for the school, he enjoys spending time in nature be it kayaking, hiking, climbing or running. Robbie teaches piano, voice, and trombone 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.
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.
Kyle - piano, guitar, ukulele, voice, drums, electronic music
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 electronic music 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.
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.
Oznur - piano, voice
Oznur’s mother would tell you that she always knew Oz would be singer. She made this prediction when Oz was just a toddler, soulfully singing “You Are My Sunshine.” Today, with degrees from some of the country’s top music programs, recognition from numerous vocal competitions and performances with world-renowned opera companies, her mother can confidently say she was right. Oz's musical path began when she joined her school's chorus, followed by immersing herself in drama, musical theater, and plays. In middle school, she decided to take her musical studies even further and auditioned for the prestigious Baltimore School For the Arts, securing a spot for the high school through a highly selective process. There, she began formal vocal training, along with piano lessons. This began a pattern of serious music studies in top programs. For college, Oz went on to pursue her Bachelor of Music with a minor in music theory at the acclaimed New England Conservatory of Music, where she graduated with Academic Honors. She then continued her studies with a Master of Music degree in opera performance from the University of Maryland Opera Studio. Along the way, Oz collected a number of awards and performed with opera companies such as The Hungarian State Opera, Washington National Opera, Annapolis Opera, Washington Concert Opera, Opera Neo and Mobile Opera. She also learned that she loved to share her passion for music through teaching. She has taught private voice and piano lessons, and lessons with the International School of Music. In her words, she loves “giving back by teaching music and inspiring students all over the world.” When not singing, playing or teaching, Oz loves reading, cooking and baking vegan goodies. She teaches piano and voice for the school.
Benny - piano, voice, guitar, ukulele, songwriting
Benny’s creativity transcends scores, stages, and screens. Like many musicians, her journey began with piano lessons in elementary school. She was enthralled by the instrument and stuck with lessons throughout her childhood- no summers off here! While piano was Benny’s primary musical outlet, she quickly expanded her musicianship with guitar, ukulele, and formal voice lessons. Her commitment to music study earned a scholarship to attend St. Olaf college to complete a Bachelor's degree in Film Writing: Script and Score. Eager to explore new creative horizons, she went on to earn her MFA in Musical Theatre Writing from NYU Tish. All the while, Benny continued composing, taking piano and voice lessons, and finding new and novel ways to get creative. While Benny's primary canvas for musical composition remains the piano, she’s also taken home the Audio Verse Award for Best Vocal Composition, taken the stage with an original piano/voice composition at 54 Below in NYC, and wrote and directed an off-broadway musical. Benny's professional experiences include roles spanning from choir director and Improv Theater and Performing Arts teacher to TV production assistant. When she’s not writing her next big hit or teaching for the school, Benny can be found enjoying a video game or working on her next screenplay. Benny teaches piano, voice, guitar, ukulele, and songwriting 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.
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.
Nick - piano, voice, guitar, ukulele
Nick’s musical journey was inspired by his mother, a professional singer who encouraged him to perform in church and school talent shows. At age 8, he added piano lessons to his musical pursuits, which he continued to study for years while also participating in school choirs and musicals. As time for college drew near, it was clear that Nick wanted to pursue music. He attended Millersville University, where he pursued a BSE in Music Education. While there, he also competed in NATS (National Association of Teachers Singing) competitions, receiving accolades (including a first place win) in the chapter and regional contests. After graduating, he continued his academic journey at Shenandoah University, earning a master's degree in Vocal Pedagogy, specializing in Commercial and Contemporary Music. His love for teaching began when he gave private music lessons to Shenandoah’s undergraduate acting majors, which he evolved into his own studio of private music students before ultimately joining the Meridee Winters community. Nick's musical expertise includes piano, voice, guitar and ukulele and extends to a wide range of styles, including classical, musical theater, pop, jazz, blues, and rock. In his free time, Nick enjoys playing ultimate frisbee and spending time with his feline companion, Ziggy. Nick teaches piano, voice, guitar 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.
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.
Lauren - piano, voice, guitar, 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.
Riviera - piano, voice
Riviera attributes his lifelong passion for music to the exceptional educators he encountered in high school. These music experiences inspired him to follow in their footsteps. After more than a decade’s worth of private lessons on voice, piano and guitar, Riviera counts musical theater, pop, jazz and classical as his favorite genres to teach. After completing his first degree in mathematics, Riviera is furthering his education at Temple University, double-majoring in computer science and music. He first discovered the joy of teaching when tutoring his peers in their math studies and now inspires students in piano and voice study. In addition to his teaching, he shines as the tenor section leader at the Church of the Good Samaritan in Paoli, and performed with Chanticleer for Nico Muhly's premiere of "Beauty of the Day." When Riviera isn’t teaching or performing, he finds joy in gaming, both through video games and tabletop adventures with friends. Riviera teaches piano and voice 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.
Vincent - piano, voice, drums, songwriting
From the Lehigh Valley to the stage at Carnegie Hall, Vincent made it his mission to share his love of music. He honed his skills at Lehigh Valley Charter High School for the Arts, concentrating in Voice and studying subjects including AP music theory, vocal tech, musical theater, and songwriting, while also mastering piano and voice. As a performer, Vincent shines in both his rock cover band and as a solo artist, playing venues across the state. He has graced Carnegie Hall with a touring choir during one of his crowning musical achievements performing John Rutter’s “Requiem” under the baton of the composer himself. Vincent's boundless enthusiasm and diverse experiences make him an exceptional guide on any musical journey, inspiring students and parents alike. Outside of performing and teaching, Vincent enjoys going to concerts, watching movies with friends and family, board games and playing with his dogs. Vincent teaches piano, voice, drums and songwriting for the school.
Carrie - piano, voice, french horn, electronic music
Carrie’s love of music took her across the U.S., to Beijing, Shanghai, and Seoul and to play a show with Sonic Youth’s Thurston Moore in Massachusetts. She has played piano since Kindergarten and in her mind, has always loved music. Over the years, she added horn, voice, and electronic music skills and explored classical, jazz, pop, opera and more. Carrie holds a B.A from the University of Vermont and completed her MFA in Interdisciplinary Arts at Mills College with a focus in Electronic Music and Recording Media. Carrie received several awards, including the Graduate Music Alumnae Scholarship and the MWC Fellowship in Composition, allowing her to attend Mills College on a full ride. Carrie is an accomplished performer in various ensembles including her piano performances with the Mills College Music Improvisation Ensemble and an active solo-performance schedule. In addition to being on stage, Carrie is versed in front of house sound and studio recording. When she’s not teaching or composing, she loves playing cards with friends, cooking, gardening and being outside. Carrie teaches piano, voice, French horn and electronic music for the school.
Love - piano, voice, guitar, ukulele, drums, songwriting, music therapy
Music is healing, music is growth, music is Love. As a Board Certified Music Therapist (MT-BC) and lifelong songwriter, Love has a passion for helping people through music. They’ve presented their research internationally at music therapy conferences and have grown a thriving practice, TheyLoveThem, where they specialize in Gender Affirming Music Psychotherapy and their own method of expressive music journaling. Love has taught students of all ages to express themselves through songwriting and improvisation both in the music therapy realm and through music lessons. Love’s own bond with music blossomed early in life when they started taking classical piano lessons. A natural sight reader, they progressed quickly and soon added on formal voice lessons where they explored classical, jazz and music theater singing. Eager to learn as much as possible, they picked up guitar, ukulele, drums, banjo, mandolin, violin, theremin, and even hammered dulcimer! All the while, Love continued to hone their piano chops, voice and more earning a Bachelors at Montclair State University and a Masters at SUNY New Paltz. Love is also a seasoned performer, gracing stages across the country from their undergrad days with Montclair State University’s jazz choir, through grad school with Rise Choir Philadelphia and beyond as the solo act TheyLoveThem. Love has released six separate albums with a seventh in the works. When they’re not in sessions, teaching, or writing and performing music, Love enjoys sipping tea, sampling local honey, and studying astrology. Love teaches piano, voice, guitar, ukulele, drums, and more for the school.
Sarah - piano, voice, harp
Sarah is no stranger to strings – whether they’re violin strings, piano strings, or even harp strings... Actually, do vocal cords count too? Four year old Sarah dove headfirst into the world of music with violin lessons. It wasn’t long before she added piano lessons to her repertoire, making it her primary instrument through highschool. Junior year, Sarah discovered the enchanting sound of the harp and earned the prestigious position of first chair in the regional orchestra by the following year. Sarah also excelled vocally, earning a seat in both district choir and honors choir. Sarah attended West Chester University graduating Cum Laude with a Bachelors in Music focusing on voice, piano, and Celtic harp. Here she performed frequently in theater and classical choral ensembles, orchestras, and was even the choir president. Beyond her degree, Sarah continues to fuel her passion for music through performances with renowned groups including the Lancaster Symphony Orchestra, Brandywine Pops Orchestra and the Divine Hand Ensemble. She’s graced local stages including the Kimmel Center and traveled internationally performing across Austria. When she’s not performing or teaching for the school, Sarah enjoys expressing herself through reading, writing, and researching musicology. Sarah teaches piano, voice, and harp for the school.
Annie - voice, piano
Annie’s musical adventures began in her third grade classroom, with a teacher who would play for the class everyday. This teacher encouraged Annie to sing “Part of Your World” in a talent show, and Annie instantly felt empowered to pursue music. She began taking voice lessons, where she also learned piano accompaniment and songwriting, and added choir and the viola to the mix as well. In high school she was very involved in the musical theater program in addition to orchestra, choir and show choir. As her passion for music and theater grew, she decided to major in Musical Theater at Millikin University. There she further trained her vocal and piano skills, as well as studied acting, dance, and was even cast in a few operas. Outside of her teaching for the school, she has led group musical theater classes and has been a choreographer for The Springer Studio Youth Theater. Annie’s love of teaching has led her to pursue her PA Music Teaching Certification at West Chester University, where she’s already acquired her Kodaly level 1, Orff level 1, and Modern Band certificates. When she’s not teaching, performing, or developing herself professionally, Annie enjoys hiking, kayaking, paddle boarding, and caring for her collection of houseplants and succulents. Annie teaches voice, piano, and ukulele for the school.
Adam - voice, piano, guitar, 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 photographing local events enjoying the latest Lady Gaga concert. Adam teaches piano, voice, guitar and saxophone for the school.
Ashley - voice, piano, guitar, ukulele, songwriting
When you are the daughter of a piano teacher, music is an essential part of your life. Ashley’s tinkering on the household piano led to taking lessons and starring in theater shows while young. Through her theater journey, she discovered her love of singing. Always looking to grow musically, Ashley added guitar lessons in middle school. She then studied a blend of Vocal Performance, Music Education, and Music Business at Millersville University. She continued private lessons and thrived in her piano pedagogy studies. Her vocal studies spanned all genres including classical, jazz, contemporary, and musical theater. A natural leader and performer, Ashley directed the campus acapella group and performed with the university commercial rock bands, marching band and chorale. She participated in several vocal competitions, taking first place twice at NATS competitions in the Jazz category. When she’s not rocking out at local venues or teaching for the school, Ashley enjoys painting, puzzling, and snuggling her eight cats. Ashley teaches voice, piano, guitar, ukulele, and songwriting for the school.
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.
Tiffany - piano, voice
Long before earning her Master of Music degree, or becoming an award winning vocalist, Tiffany was a toddler in love with music (specifically, the Wizard of Oz). She didn't wait long to dig into her passion – by elementary school she was performing in several choirs, taking piano lessons, and learning the double bass with her school orchestra. She was even able to consider herself a touring musician through her work in the elite professional children's choir, Kinderchor at Otterbein. Throughout high school, Tiffany continued to enjoy playing piano and participating in vocal and instrumental ensembles. She also used music as a way to give back, spending her summers as a volunteer performer at the local nursing home. For her higher education, Tiffany headed to Ohio University where she received her Bachelor of Music Degree and earned several scholarships for music and voice. She was also awarded the honor of performing the National Anthem for her graduation ceremony. Her musical education did not end there; Tiffany headed to Texas Tech University to receive her Master of Music degree, once again earning several scholarships for her music and vocal talents. During her undergraduate and graduate studies, she also built her teaching skills by taking pedagogy classes, completing a Teaching Assistantship and being a rehearsal leader. Tiffany continued performing through college and beyond, garnering key roles in several regional theater productions. When not performing or teaching, Tiffany loves spending time in nature and making her own soaps. Tiffany teaches piano and voice 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.
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 teaches piano, voice, guitar, ukulele and songwriting for the school.
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.
Brendan - *Lead Teacher: voice, guitar, 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.
*Our lead and master teachers earned their positions through longstanding records of high performance within the school. Learn more here.