As a child from a non-musical family, I stumbled upon classical music quite by accident. In fact, I was inspired by the main character of my favorite Disney movie: Basil of Baker Street from "The Great Mouse Detective." In my efforts to emulate Basil I gave my parents no rest until they agreed to let me start taking violin lessons. After quickly deciding to switch to cello (so that I could sit down in my lessons), I fell in love with the sound and vocal expressiveness of the instrument and the rest is history. I attended the nationally ranked Alabama School of Fine Arts in Birmingham, AL and received my undergraduate degree at the University of Louisville in Kentucky. I received the highest music award for graduating seniors from both my high school and the University of Louisville. I went on to earn my master's degree in music performance from DePaul University in Chicago where I played with several local orchestras.

My love of teaching began at a nationally recognized...

Lydia graduated summa cum laude from the University of Music Pedagogy in Eastern Europe.

In addition to her Bachelor of Music in Music Education, emphasis in Piano Performance, in 2008 she took a one year-duration Advanced Training in Contemporary Piano Pedagogy at the Teacher’s Training University in Russian Federation (equivalent to Master Program in the U.S.A).

In 2012 she took Piano Pedagogy classes in Louisiana State University and enjoyed that experience very much.

Although her teaching style is rooted in classical music and classic piano pedagogy, Lydia enjoys exploring contemporary piano teaching methods and incorporates them in her lessons. She immerses her students in many styles of music, teaches them the music theory, sight-reading, and how to play piano both by notation and by chords. Her approach teaches students to "hear" everything that is going on in a piece and feel the different harmonic lines intuitively.

-Bachelor of Music in Music Education,...

Maria Elise T. is a native of New Orleans, Louisiana. She completed her Bachelor of Music degree while on music scholarship at Baylor University, and received a Master of Music in Vocal Performance at Louisiana State University, also with the reward of a music scholarship. While at Baylor, she studied with renowned voice teacher and pedagogue Dr. John Van Cura. She learned much of her teaching style during her time spent with Dr. Van Cura. She teaches a very thorough base for singing incorporating efficient, healthy breathing and posture. Maria uses her artistry and creativity to cater to the specific needs and learning specifications of each student, vocalists and pianists alike.

Maria spent 2 consecutive summers with Des Moines Metro Opera. She has performed many roles, most recently the Sandman with Opera Louisiane. She has also performed Mimi in La Boheme, the title role in Vanessa, La Contessa in Le Nozze di Figaro, and the title roles in both Floyd’s Susannah and...

Mr. James C. is a native of Detroit, Michigan.
Relative to education and music education experience, James is a graduate of Southern University (B.M.E), Boston University (M.M) and is currently pursuing his Doctorate from Capella University (Ph.D). As a result of his continued study and training in music education, James utilizes various teaching methods and classroom management strategies including those of Dalcroze, Kodaly, Orff, and Suzuki.
James is certified to teach instrumental music in the states of Michigan and Louisiana. Currently, James is director of bands at Southern University Laboratory School in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. In addition to his teaching duties, James also serves as Master/Mentor teacher for students teachers in the music education program at Southern University. James has served as adjudicator of instrumental music festivals and clinician at various music seminars throughout the United States.
In addition to his extensive music training at...

Bass/Guitar instructor w/ 15 years of teaching experience and previous member of a national touring band. Students who study with me will learn the basics behind playing music and how to set and accomplish personal goals in addition to learning how to play in a band to put their musical knowledge to use.

Since 2004 I have dedicated both my undergraduate (Parkland College, Illinois State University, Bradley University) and graduate (Southern Illinois University) studies to music performance and pedagogy, focusing on classical guitar. The majority of my teaching experience comes from a three-year Graduate Assistantship that I held while at Southern Illinois University, which included teaching the guitar to music and non-music majors in group and private settings. Outside of my responsibilities as a Graduate Assistant, I taught the guitar to children in group and private settings, and served as a juror for student guitar performances at both grade school and college levels. As a performer, I have experience as both a soloist and a chamber musician. These experiences have provided me with unique insights about practice habits, avoidance of performance-related injury, and managing performance anxiety. My teaching and performing experiences have yielded an approach to music education...