Our Staff

Born and raised in New York, Kevin began his musical studies on guitar as a teenager. While attending the State University of New York at New Paltz, Kevin began to take an interest in jazz. He pursued a Bachelor’s degree in Jazz Studies studying with Mark Dziuba, Vinnie Martucci, John Menegon, and Jeff “Siege” Siegel. […]

Born and raised in Japan, Noriko developed a deep passion for music from an early age. She studied classical music at the Yamaha School and later expanded into pop music at the Yamaha Light Music Center in Tokyo. Coming from a musical family, with a father who was a jazz musician, Noriko naturally embraced a […]

Donavan Austin is a trailblazing trombonist, composer, arranger, and educator dedicated to his craft and determined to spread the joy of music throughout society. Hailing from a suburban area of Northampton County, Pennsylvania, where there wasn’t much jazz to be found, his love for jazz and the trombone stems from connections made during his time […]

Justin began his musical journey at age 4, inspired by his Dad’s enjoyment of performing in concert and his Grandfather’s love of music. Justin is a multi-instrumentalist, songwriter and record producer. He recorded and toured with the world-renowned band Lawrence for five years and signed with Warner Bros. Records for the release of their album […]

Julia Wachsmuth is currently studying to be a chorus teacher at Hofstra University with a Music Education major. Voice is her main instrument and her secondary instruments are violin and piano. She has performed in NYSSMA festivals for both voice and violin solos along with SCMEA and NYSCAME choirs. Currently, she is in an a […]

Christina has a Master’s degree in Cello Performance from UNC-Greensboro in North Carolina where she held the graduate assistantship in the graduate string quartet. She has a 2-year background in NYS Music Education from SUNY Fredonia. She has experience in the Classical, Baroque, 21st Century, Pop, Jazz, Old Time/Fiddling, Theatre and Opera settings of string […]

Sara is a vocalist, acoustic guitarist, and songwriter from Long Island that got her start at a young age singing in church, choir and participating in NYSSMA and SCMEA. After a decade of performing experience, Sara currently performs for weddings and other formal and casual events whilst simultaneously writing and recording original compositions. Her focus […]

Rosie Barker is a voice teacher, performer, and passionate music educator with a rich background in musical theatre, rock, classical, jazz, and contemporary pop vocal styles. A proud member of Actors’ Equity Association (AEA), Rosie studied acting through the Meisner technique and graduated from AMDA. She has been auditioning, performing, and working in professional productions […]

Alyssa Rivera has been teaching across Long Island and Queens since 2013, some of those students are still with her. With a passion for music, she studied piano, voice and guitar from a young age. She studied Music Education with a primary in Voice at Westminster Choir College of Rider University, and would continue her […]

Victoria is an accomplished piano teacher with over 15 years of experience inspiring students of all ages to develop their musical talents. She holds a master’s degree in Education, which has enriched her teaching methods and deepened her understanding of music pedagogy. Victoria has helped her students perfect and enhance their technique through recitals, competitions, […]

Thomas Diognardi is multi-instrumentalist, producer, and songwriter from Bethpage, NY. He’s spent the better part of his life performing with various bands, and graduated from the Music Conservatory at SUNY Purchase with his Bachelor’s Degree in Studio Production. Being both a self-taught musician and well versed in music theory allows Thomas to approach lessons and […]

Voice and piano instructor, Jennie Damiano, has been singing and performing since childhood and graduated from LIU Post in 2016 with a Bachelors in Music. As a member of the Post Chorus, Chamber Singers, Long Island Sound Vocal Jazz, and Madrigal Singers, she was given many opportunities to perform on and off campus at venues […]

Mate Marcina is the Music Director and a piano teacher at Grace Music School, where he has been a member of the faculty since 2015. He is an accomplished classical and jazz pianist, an award nominated composer and arranger, and a dedicated educator, who has studied and honed his skills in Europe and the US. […]

Chris Cuvier has been a professional pianist and composer since 1993, and a piano teacher since 1998. He graduated with a B.A. in music and English from Dowling College, and has studied with the world-renowned jazz pianist Fred Hersch. Chris is currently the full-time musical director for Messiah Lutheran Church in East Setauket, where he […]

Izem Gurer was born in Istanbul, Turkey. She started to study piano with concert pianist Birsen Ulucan at the age of eight. She has been prize winner of numerous national and international piano competitions between the years 2012-2020 and she was a semi-finalist in the Epinal International Piano Competition in France in 2017. In 2013 […]

Logan Slansky is a multi-instrumentalist, composer, performer, and educator in the Long Island/New York City area. After receiving his Honors Bachelor of Music in Instrumental Music Education from the University of Delaware in May of 2024, where he graduated summa cum laude, he is currently pursuing a Master of Music in Jazz Performance (Piano) from […]

Shiori Chazono, bassist, pianist, composer, arranger, and piano tuner, is currently teaching at Grace Music School and Kellenberg Memorial High School. Originally from Japan, she studied at the Tokyo College of Music, where she received a Bachelor of Music degree in composition. She received her B.M. from LIU Post in Music Performance and was a […]

New to Grace Music School, music teacher Patricia has enjoyed a varied musical career incorporating teaching and performing, having begun both before entering college. A scholarship student at the Manhattan School of Music and studying violin and piano with professors at that school, Patricia went on to earn Bachelor of Fine Arts, Master of Music […]

Cameron Keym is a dedicated music educator, bringing over 25 years of enriching musical experiences to students of diverse ages and skill levels across the U.S., Europe, and Mexico. With a deep-rooted passion for music education, Cameron emphasizes the importance of identifying each student’s current musical inspiration. His teaching approach revolves around building a solid […]

Caitlin Francis has been teaching voice, piano, and violin lessons at Grace Music School since 2017. She graduated from LIU Post in 2015 with a degree in music education with a focus in vocal studies. While there she was very involved in the jazz groups such as the Long Island Sound Vocal Jazz directed by […]

Naomi Pierro is a singer and actress who grew up on Long Island. She has performed in many different recitals, concerts, musical theater shows, operas, and churches around NY. She has also won various singing competitions, including one at Carnegie Hall. Naomi has been a vocal and piano instructor, as well as a Music Fun […]

Nicki is a piano, voice, and early childhood teacher with an extensive background in classical, jazz and musical theater. Her teaching style revolves around balancing fun and discipline to keep her students motivated and committed while also using music as an emotional outlet. Outside of teaching, Nicki is the co-owner of Drama with your Mama, […]

Sam began to play the piano when he was only three. When Sam was seven, he started his formal training as a vocalist. He enjoys singing and playing a variety of genres including classical, jazz, and country, while simultaneously crafting original songs. Along the way, Sam has performed at notable venues including Citi Field, Madison […]

Frenie Acoba is an actress, singer, and dancer, where she has been involved in theater and entertainment for over a decade. Frenie has performed professionally in the National Tour of “South Pacific” and in the Original Broadway Cast of “Matilda the Musical”. She has also performed in numerous off-Broadway productions such as in “Mother Jones” […]