Our Staff

Jake Hartge is a dedicated music educator, pianist, and multi-instrumentalist with over a decade of experience working with students of all ages and skill levels. He holds a BFA in Piano Performance and Musical Direction from Columbia College Chicago and brings a warm, adaptable teaching style that emphasizes individual growth, musical confidence, and joy in […]

Lilian Danner is a classically trained vocalist with background in performing in styles such as opera, jazz, musical theatre, and pop. With a B.A. in Classical Vocal Performance from North Central College and a lifetime of singing in production, ensembles, and individually she honors the importance of vocal health and her teaching philosophy is centered […]

Coloratura soprano Nini Marchese, praised for her “bright, supple soprano” (San Diego Story) performs widely in operatic,concert, and ensemble singing. Teaching since 2016, she is thrilled to be a part of each of her student’s musicalexploration and expression. Her teaching philosophy is rooted in Bel Canto technique, which offers a solid foundation inbreath support and […]

Caitlin received her Bachelor’s of Music Degree in classical vocal performance from the Boston Conservatory at Berklee and has a background in musical theater and vocal jazz. Caitlin began studying piano and voice at age nine, igniting a lifelong passion for music and performance. She is also well versed in music theory and enjoys composing. […]

Sam is a Violinist and Audio Engineer from Indianapolis, Indiana. He studied audio engineering at Azmyth School of Music Technology in Indianapolis, while also teaching Violin since 2017 in and around Central Indiana. Sam has been playing the Violin since 2011 when he got started in Middle School, attending every after-school music club he could […]

Mark Payton is a seasoned percussionist and educator with a lifelong passion for drumming. After expressing a keen interest in rhythm as a young child, he started private instruction as a percussionist in junior high and continued throughout high school. Inspired by a cassette tape featuring the powerful sounds of Drum & Bugle Corps, Mark […]

Michael Ross brings a fun and nurturing environment to piano instruction. Having over 20 years of experience with all ages, he enjoys bringing the joy of music into students’ lives. “I want my students to learn how to play piano and be proud of their accomplishments.” Michael studied with Richard Wilson and Todd Crow at […]

An Aurora, Illinois native, Mandy Duran teaches Choir and General Music at Washington Middle School in the West Aurora School District. Graduated from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign with a BME in Choral Music Education, Mandy is an avid lover and life long learner of music. During the summers, she dedicates her time vocal […]

Emily Liu grew up in a musical family. She was influenced by her father’s flute playing and her mother’s singing when she was a child. A pleasant music environment has cultivated her passion for music, and her enthusiastic and optimistic personality. Emily earned a master’s degree in music education from Illinois State University and a […]

Cassandra is violist and violinist from Indianapolis, Indiana, and is the principal violist with the Fox Valley symphony orchestra. She completed her master’s degree in music at Butler University studying viola performance with Richard Auldon Clark, while performing her duties as the Graduate Assistant to the BSO and principal viola. She also composed a string […]