Music, Theatre and Art Instructors

Heather Parks
Studio Owner/Private Piano Instructor
Heather
Heather was four years old when her fingers first touched the piano. She started playing because her family had inherited her grandmother’s piano. She discovered she could play by ear as she began to play tunes that she heard at church and on the radio without music. The first tune she played was one that she had learned at church - "Blessed Assurance". Thus began her musical journey and from that point forward her parents saw to it that she received formal instruction in her piano studies. The piano became a huge part of her identity and she felt special when she sat at the piano. Heather began playing on a Wurlitzer console piano and a Hammond organ and at the age of 11 began playing for church, school, weddings and other special events. While in high school she competed in a regional competition and won the second-place trophy for original piano arrangement and piano performance. Her music instructors have included Bruce Greer, Stephen Neilsen, renowned pianist of the well known piano duo-Ovid and Young, Margaret Wells, and Alan Oldfield.
Heather most admires J.S. Bach and Frederic Chopin for their brilliant compositions, and Franz Liszt, Bruce Greer, and Dino Kartsonakis for their piano performances. Her favorite musical group is the Piano Guys.
Heather has performed in St. Petersburg, Russia and at numerous recitals and public events, solo piano concerts, accompanying choirs, and has performed Handel's Messiah on a harpsichord with the Creekwood Christian Choir. She was the lead church pianist and choir accompanist at Temple Baptist Church of Flower Mound, TX for 8 years, and was the lead pianist, choir accompanist, worship leader, and praise band leader at Creekwood Christian Church. She has accompanied numerous UIL events for LISD and Denton ISD schools.
Heather has produced the album "Sacred Passion", a collection of original piano solo material, which is available on iTunes. Her latest project is producing music videos that exhibit her solo piano works of art and they are currently being released on YouTube.
Heather started teaching piano lessons in high school by mentoring a few younger students, taught students while studying music in college, and then founded New Song School of the Arts (then known as New Song Piano Studio) in 1999. Heather’s award-winning students have consistently received one pluses (superior ratings) from festival and piano competition judges, received sonatina festival trophies and all star trophies, and have been awarded student scholarships,
Heather’s favorite pieces to play are her original arrangements and compositions, and she enjoys singing the songs that she has written. Her personal practice goal is 2 hours daily (10 hours weekly) and she plays the piano nearly every day of her life. Her practice routine is: sightreading - Bach, Chopin, Gershwin, Handel and many other composers; Jazz study (she regularly studies Jazz to keep her arrangements and compositions colorful); arranging/composition - spend time working on her own original material; songwriting - writing her own lyrics and tunes; and literature learning - regularly learning new works of literature.
Heather wants to be remembered as someone who worked daily to reach her fullest potential in every area of life; someone who took the musical talent that God blessed her with and multiplied it exponentially; someone who, through hard work, good character and discipline, inspired others to strive to reach their fullest potential; someone who passed on a passion and love for music to their students; someone who honored God and blessed others; and someone who built a legacy that touches lives for years to come. Her goal is to live a life full of purpose and make a difference in the world around her. She is most passionate about reaching her fullest potential, exposing her material so it can bless, ministering to and inspiring others, seeing her students succeed in their learning, and seeing them love music for a lifetime.

Alex
Guitar Instructor
Alex
Alex Hand graduated from the University of Nevada, Reno in 2011 with a degree in jazz guitar performance. While touring in 2014 with Los Angeles singer, Jessica Fichot, Alex performed at the Midwest Gypsy Swing festival and Montreal’s Francofolies festival. He studied traditional Balkan music in Bulgaria in 2015 and lived in the San Francisco area for six years, performing and teaching. Currently based in Dallas, TX, pursuing a master’s degree in jazz performance from the University of North Texas, Alex’s current project explores the common ground of influence between rock and jazz with folk music of Eastern Europe. The Alex Hand Band released a full length album in 2018 called Traders of the Lost Arts, and another in 2019 called The Fast Crusade, both available on iTunes, Spotify, Bandcamp, CD Baby and more.

Altynay
Piano Instructor

April
Guitar Instructor
Wes
April Seals was born in Dallas, TX, and grew up in Plano, TX. April began her undergraduate studies at Collin College in guitar performance under the guidance of Dr. Fernand Vera. April transferred to Oklahoma City University after being awarded the M. Petree Music Memorial Scholarship in 2015, where she earned her BM with an emphasis on guitar performance in 2017.
While at OCU, April studied under Dr. Lynn McGrath, Dr. Stephen Lochbaum, and Matthew Denman. She then went on to serve as the Graduate Teaching Assistant to Dr. Stephen Mattingly at the University of Louisville, where she received her Master’s of Music in the spring 2020.
April has received recognition from multiple festivals and competitions including first prize at the Brownsville Guitar Festival in 2016 and prize winner and honors from the Guitar Foundation of America Symposium, Mountain View Competition, Collin College Competition, Young Artist’s Showcase at Collin College, and the Hill County International Ensemble Contest. Currently, April is pursuing her Doctorate at the University of North Texas.

Ashley
Piano/Voice Instructor
Ashley
Ashley Traughber, Soprano, is a native of Houston, Texas. In 2019, she received her Bachelor of Music in Vocal Performance from McNeese State University. In 2012 she attended the University of Houston where she sang in multiple productions at the Moores School of Music. Credits include The Magic Flute,The Italian Straw Hat and Moscow, Cheryomushki. In 2012 she premiered the Houston Grand Opera song cycle, Pieces of 9/11 by Jake Heggie. While attending the High School for the Performing and Visual Arts, Ms. Traughber participated in productions such as Simply Grimm at Lone Star Lyric Music Festival and Sondheim’s A Little Night Music as Mrs. Nordstrom. In 2012 she was the first place winner of the On Your Way- Classical Voice Competition.
Ms. Traughber was also a part of the prestigious Houston Grand Opera High School Voice Studio in 2012. Ms. Traughber made her musical debut as Kate in Legally Blonde with Fort Bend Theatre. She then went on to take on the role of Irene in Footloose, Hattie in Kiss Me Kate, Waitress in Rock of Ages and Johanna in Sweeney Todd. In 2019, Ms. Traughber competed in the National Association of Teachers of Singing- Southern Region in 2019 where she won first place. Ms. Traughber is a recipient of the Juliet Hardtner Endowed Music Scholarship. She has also been featured as a soloist for Mozart’s Coronation Mass, Handel’s Messiah, and Haydn’s Lord Nelson Mass.
Ms. Traughber has taught privately for over four years. She loves teaching voice and piano to children as well as adults of all ages and levels. Her teaching style can be best described as loving, caring, and passionate. Her success as an educator is largely due to her ability to communicate well with her students. Ms. Traughber is currently pursuing her Master of Music in Voice Performance at the University of North Texas. She hopes to continue to inspire young musicians as much as they inspire her.

Belle
Piano/Voice Instructor

Bette
Voice/Musical Theatre Instructor
Bette
Bette is a graduate of University of Texas Austin, with a degree in Music Education, Voice Principal. She also holds a Master of Arts Degree in Choral Conduction from University of Texas San Antonio. Bette has 35 years of experience in private vocal instruction, music teaching, and choir directing in Texas Public Schools from Pre-Kindergarten through High School ages.
With regard to private instruction in voice, Bette has taught private lessons to all levels and ages. In her private lessons, her teaching develops the student in areas such as vocal technique, solfege, sightsinging, audition preparation, stage presentation, commercial gig prep, musical theatre, etc. Bette’s goal is to develop the student’s vocal abilities with a balanced approach. She takes the student’s interests into consideration while also introducing them to repertoire styles that will broaden their capabilities. Bette desires for her students to be well rounded musicians, ready for any opportunity that may come their way. Over the years, her former students have gone on to become music teachers themselves and one recently went on to explore a New York Broadway role.
With regard to her school teaching she has prepared students for regional choir, all state choir, and solo competitions, musical theatre roles, etc.
Bette also has an extensive dance background that includes being an officer in the Kilgore College Rangerettes. She has directed, produced, and choreographed music programs and musical theatre shows for schools and churches in the Houston and San Antonio areas. She has served as choir director for churches in both cities as well.
During her career she has directed or co-directed productions such as: Calamity Jane, Guys and Dolls, Oklahoma!, Brigadoon, Carnival, Seven Brides for Seven Brothers, Annie, Company, Mame, and Amahland the Night Visitors. Her choirs have won University Interscholastic League awards and she has had numerous students in region choirs and All-State choirs.
After retiring, Bette began to write children’s musicals with a friend from her UT Austin days. One of those shows Circus Train was performed at Artsview Children’s Theatre in Longview, Texas.
Bette and her husband Luke reside in the Argyle area where she continues to work in the music industry. Bette and Luke have a son, Matthew, who lives in Dallas.

Catherine
Piano/Voice Instructor

Celia
Piano Instructor
Celia
Celia is originally from Fort Worth, TX. She began private piano lessons through TCU Music Prep at the age of 6 and was classically-trained from age 9 through high school graduation by Mr. José Antonio Cubela of Cubela Piano Studio. Her teaching lineage extends all the way back to Beethoven and includes many other notable pianists and composers, such as Franz Liszt. Throughout her years of study, she competed all over the metroplex and garnered a number of accolades, including 1st place in the UTA Fall Keyboard Contest Concerto Division and 2nd place in the Fort Worth Civic Orchestra’s Young Musicians’ Concerto Competition in 2017 and 2018, respectively. She also was selected as a finalist in the 2018 TASO Juanita Miller Concerto Competition and regularly received 1st-3rd place in the Fort Worth Music Teacher Association Piano Solo Contest. Aside from her classical studies, she has played the piano in church, at weddings/funerals, and in her high school’s Jazz/Rock Ensemble. Celia’s favorite composers include Chopin, Mendelssohn, Haydn, and Beethoven.
Throughout her middle and high school years, Celia’s love for music began to expand far past the piano. At the age of 10, she took up the guitar and started practicing singing and songwriting. She also began learning the ukulele in 9th grade and thoroughly enjoyed the simplicity, beauty, and innocence of the instrument. Along the way, Celia also discovered a passion for musical theatre. She participated in the school musical every year in high school, and in 2018, she won a Betty Lynn Buckley Award for Best Supporting Actress in a Musical and a Dallas Summer Musical Honorable Mention for Best Leading Actress for her role as Gertrude McFuzz in Seussical. She was also actively involved as a section leader in her school’s choir and show choir, receiving gold medals at solo and ensemble and being named to the all-state choir. All of these experiences have instilled in her a deep and well-rounded appreciation for all styles and genres of music and the vast opportunities for healing and self-expression that it provides.
Celia is currently studying music therapy at Texas Woman’s University as the Chancellor’s Endowed Scholar for her class and hopes to apply her passion for music and wellbeing in a way that provides healing and creative expression for many different populations. She is an officer and a peer mentor in the Honors Program, a worship leader for Sigma Phi Lambda, a Christian sorority on campus, and a member of the TWU Concert Choir, with whom she recently performed at TMEA. Celia is very honored to be teaching at the New Song School of the Arts and hopes to instill in her students a love and appreciation for music that will last a lifetime!

Christian
Musical Tech/Music Production

Ciana
Violin Instructor

Clarissa
Violin Instructor

Daniella
Piano and Voice Instructor

Emily
Violin (Suzuki and Traditional)/Viola Instructor
Emily
Emily began playing the viola when she was twelve years old when she joined the orchestra program at her middle school. She immediately grew a passion for music and knew she wanted to be a musician for the rest of her life. Ms. Emily currently attends the University of Texas at Arlington where she is studying Viola Performance with Catherine Forbes. Ms. Emily has also attended competitive music festivals in Canada, New York, and Oregon where she studied with various world-renowned instructors from prestigious schools like the New England Boston Conservatory and Eastman School of Music.
Fortunately for Ms. Emily, she shares her passion for music every week through her professional career as a performer and a teacher. She performs with every ounce of energy and elegance for every event and hopes to inspire her students to love and care for music as she does.

Esme
Piano Instructor
Esme
Born and raised in a diverse and multicultural background, Esme Wong is a Malaysian classical pianist who marked her solo debut at Trinity College of London Awards and Concert at the age of 12. She has enjoyed a career in a wide range of repertoire, ranging from early music to contemporary music in Asia, Europe and the United States. Through her unique educational experience at United World College as a Davis Scholar, she is inspired by global social movements and has participated in community work in Southeast Asia and Balkans region. Please find a recent article highlighting Esme’s community engagement project on Asian culture awareness: dentonrc.com/entertainment/music/denton-pianist-records-duets-to-delight-listeners-and-showcase-asians-during-pandemic/article_31e3d543-c1b1-5f0b-9ed7-72127370d576.html
Esme began her musical adventure at the age of 4 under the guidance of her mother, Sabrina Tnay. She was awarded the Diploma Licentiate at Trinity College of London (LTCL) at the age of 14. She was the pianist of Malaysian Philharmonic Youth Orchestra (MPYO) at the age of 16, where she began to develop her love for chamber music. In the following year, she was the only Malaysian to receive the Davis United World College Scholarship to study chamber music with one of the pioneer piano trios, Trio di Trieste, in Italy.
Esme recently joined the Nashville Opera in their 2020 Mary Ragland Emerging Artist Program as the music director of Opera ON TOUR! production and Opera Out Loud Scenes Program. Esme was the Assistant Conductor of the production of Rossini’s La Cenerentola as well as Mozart’s Le Nozze di Figaro at the Red River Lyric Opera. Furthermore, she was invited to join the faculty of Druid City Opera Workshop at University of Alabama as the music director for opera scenes.
Esme has performed as soloist with Fort Dodge Symphony Orchestra and toured with Luther College Symphony Orchestra for a three week residency at Vienna and performed at Kulturzentrum Oberschützen, Stadtsaal Stockerau, and the prestigious Konzerthaus Vienna. Past appearances include performance of Augusta Holmes’ song cycles at Music by Women Festival, coaching and world premiere performance of Robert Beasers’ choral work and Vit Zuhar opera Coronide under UNT Czech Music Festival, vocal piano collaboration with Dallas Puccini Society, Voces Intimae, and SongFest. Furthermore, she enjoys vocal collaborative works and loves working with living composers. She was fortunate to work with internationally renowned coaches and living composers including Graham Johnson, Martin Katz, Margo Garrett, Susan Youens, Kayo Iwama, Alan Smith, Jake Heggie, Libby Larsen and Tom Cipullo during her fellowship at Colburn Conservatory and University of North Texas.
Esme is a staff pianist of Texas Woman’s University who holds a M.M. in Collaborative Piano from University of North Texas and a B.A. from Luther College.

Ethan
Guitar/Ukulele Instructor
Ethan
Originally from Washington D.C., Ethan Ditthardt is currently living in the Dallas Fort Worth area where he teaches privately, is a freelancer, and plays in a notable pop-rock group, The Polarity. Prior to studying jazz, Ethan was an accomplished and promising prospect in the classical guitar community. He studied with Professor Robert Guthrie at Southern Methodist University while in high school and has received numerous accolades and awards including the grand prize in the Beatty Music Scholarship Competition in Washington D.C. While studying under Davy Mooney at The University of North Texas, Ethan was a member of the seven time Grammy nominated One O’clock lab band under the direction of Alan Baylock, where he’s had the opportunity to play with jazz greats such as Carmen Bradford (Count Basie), Kirk Whalum, Melissa Aldana, and Kenny Werner (with Johannes Weidemuller and Ari Hoenig).

Grace
Sax Instructor
Grace
As a woodwind doubler, music educator, and performer, Grace Frarey is an up-and-coming jazz musician of numerous capabilities.
Grace’s passion to learn has led to her participation at many summer music programs. From studying with some of the country’s top jazz artists at the New York State Summer Music Festival to learning classical technique at the Eastman School of Music’s Summer Saxophone Institute, Grace has experience in both the classical and jazz genres. Grace has continued this path of learning through internships with Rockport Jazz Workshop, Tritone Jazz Fantasy Camps, and the Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra Education Department.
Grace won the 2016 Finger Lakes Symphony Orchestra Concerto Competition with the Glazunov Saxophone Concerto, and received the 2016 Xerox Rochester International Jazz Festival / Eastman School of Music Jazz Scholarship. She also has participated in the George Reed Jazz Foundation Competition, the 198th Army Band Competition Solo and Group, and was awarded an honorable mention in the 2015 Rochester Philharmonic League Youth Competition.
Her passions and recent projects include performances in the Dave Rivello Ensemble at Rochester’s Fringe Festival since 2017, Eastman’s New Jazz Ensemble, and The Grace Frarey Trio, as well as performing in the pit orchestra for Geva Theatre. Grace earned bachelor's degrees in Applied Jazz Saxophone and Music Teaching and Learning with acclaimed saxophonist Charles Pillow and educator Dr. Christopher Azzara from the Eastman School of Music.

Hannah-Beth
Piano & Theatre Instructor
Hannah
How could a cartoon program possibly inspire a child’s dream career? Yet, so it was for Hannah-Beth. During an episode of Tom & Jerry, in which Tom plays the role of a concert pianist, seven-year-old Hannah-Beth announced her resolve to play the piano. Her proposal was not only approved, but eagerly supported by her loving family. As her skills strengthened, Hannah-Beth realized her vocation to equip future students for success through music. Eleven years after her initial resolve, Hannah-Beth earned a scholarship to study music at John Brown University.
During her collegiate years, Hannah-Beth invested diligently in her music, choral, and theatric potential. Her consistent dedication in piano earned recognition through the Harrison Wilharm Music Scholarship and the Zimmerman Memorial Piano Scholarship. Her artistry was further refined through masterclasses taught by professional pianists such as Joel Fan and Alex McDonald. She passed on her skills to others by teaching private piano lessons through JBU’s Community Arts Academy. In addition to her development as a pianist, Hannah-Beth grew in choral leadership. Beginning as an alto section leader, Hannah-Beth accepted increasingly challenging positions, completing her final year as the president of JBU’s Cathedral Choir. Her servant-hearted leadership was commemorated by the University through the Cathedral Choir Service Award. Theatrically, Hannah-Beth performed a variety of roles, including Mrs. Higgins in Pygmalion, Annie Cannon in Silent Sky, Marmee in Little Women, and Elinor Dashwood in Sense and Sensibility. Her acting skills equipped her to direct Draw a Lion and to stage manage a student-production of Everything is Wonderful. By graduation, Hannah-Beth acquired skills and leadership not only in piano, but also in her passions for choir and theatre.
With three years of teaching experience, Hannah-Beth seeks to cultivate hardworking students who strive for excellence. She believes that students’ success depends upon partnership between the teacher, the student, and the family. She trains students, not only to embrace, but to overcome challenges. Whether through piano or theatre, Hannah-Beth hopes to inspire students to love learning, practicing, and pursuing their skills. As a performer, Hina has been invited as a flute soloist to perform with the Vietnam National Symphony Orchestra, the Hanoi Philharmonic Orchestra, the Vietnam Opera & Ballet Orchestra, the Hanoi String Orchestra, the American-Vietnamese Connection Music Festival Chamber Orchestra, and the Danish “Hafnia” Chamber Orchestra. She has taken part in several recording sessions premiering works by the American Grammy-award-winning composer Michael Daugherty with the University of North Texas Wind Symphony, conducted by the legendary conductor, Professor Eugene Migliaro Corporon. She also won second prize at the Maverick Flute Solo Competition in Texas in the U.S. that focuses on contemporary works. She was a member of the Pacific Music Festival Orchestra in Japan while studying at the Hanoi Conservatory and was flute principal of the Hanoi Philharmonic Orchestra. She has performed hundreds of concerts in Vietnam and at international music festivals in Japan, France, Germany, the United States, England, Denmark and Sweden.

Brenno
Piano Instructor

Jack
Guitar/Ukulele/Beginner Piano Instructor
Jack
Jack carries with him a love for music and a passion for learning. Originally from Omaha, Nebraska, Jack now lives in the Dallas-Fort Worth area. A student at the prestigious University of North Texas College of music, he has studied jazz guitar under Noel Johnston, Paul Metzger, and the renowned faculty in the division of jazz studies. He performs as a guitarist widely in the Texas music scene playing jazz, R&B, blues, pop, country, and worship music. Also an avid songwriter, Jack spends a lot of time writing, and recording original music from his home studio. Prior to moving to Texas, he was heavily involved in the Omaha music scene where he got his start. At 18, his band was chosen to represent the blues Society of Omaha in the international blues challenge in Memphis, Tennessee.

Jacob
Piano/Guitar/Songwriting Instructor
Jacob
A “gifted performer with formidable technical skill” (Theatre Jones Journal), American pianist Jacob Nydegger’s “smooth, elegant power brings memories of that great pianist [Van Cliburn]” (Fanfare Magazine). Nydegger’s debut album with Toccata Classics record label received widespread acclaim and was placed on the Classical New Releases: Spotify Picks Playlist in 2018. In addition to commercial recording success, Nydegger has been a top prizewinner in multiple competitions including the 2019 Weatherford International Piano Competition, the 2018 Kuleshov International Piano Competition, the 2018 Scionti Piano Scholarship Competition, the 17th annual Petroff Piano Competition, and the ‘Art of Piano’ and ‘Artist of the Year’ categories of the 2018 International Great Composers Competition. In 2017 he performed the Grieg Piano Concerto with the Colorado College Festival Orchestra, and in 2019 he performed and presented in Malaysia as Lecturer-in-Residence of International Music House Kuching and guest artist at University Malaysia Sarawak. Nydegger is currently staff pianist at Texas Woman’s University and has established himself as a highly sought after chamber musician, having performed with David Ying of the Grammy-award winning Ying Quartet and having worked with internationally renowned vocal coaches Margaret Singer, Alan Smith, Darryl Cooper (San Francisco Conservatory), and Margo Garrett (Juilliard). Jacob is studying with Joseph Banowetz at the University of North Texas and also has worked with pianists Roy Howat, William Wolfram, and Van Cliburn gold-medalist Jon Nakamatsu. Upcoming engagements include a second recording with the Toccata Classics record label, featuring the piano music of eminent Dutch composer, Leo Samama.

Jamila
Piano/Organ Instructor
Jamila
Jamila began playing the piano at the age of 5. Her oldest sister was pursuing her dream of becoming a professional pianist and she inspired Jamila and guided her first steps in piano playing. The first tune she learned to play was “The Sick Doll” from the Children’s Album by P. I. Tchaikovsky. She also plays the pipe organ and the harpsichord. Both of her parents played musical instruments as well.
Jamila holds a Doctor of Musical Arts degree from the University of North Texas, majoring in Organ Performance with a minor in Music Theory under the supervision of Dr. Lenora McCroskey. She received her Bachelors and Masters degree in Music Theory and Organ Performance from Azerbaijan State Conservatory under Dr. Tahira Yagubova. Jamila has a Performing Organist Licentiate Diploma from the Associated Royal Schools of Music, and a Diploma from the Conservatory of Amsterdam where she was a student of renowned Professor Jacques van Oortmerssen. She also studied with world-recognized musicians including Andrea Marcon of Italy; Jean Boyer, Naji Hakim and Michel Bouvard of France; and Hans Ola Ericsson of Sweden.
Jamila loves classical music and regularly attends Dallas Symphony Orchestra concerts. She enjoys playing music from the Baroque Era. Jamila majored in organ performance and most admires J.S. Bach because his music is considered the best for organists for its technical command, artistic beauty, and intellectual strength.
Jamila has taught music lessons for over 30 years and is passionate about public performance and the learning process. Visit her website for more information and videos of a few of her organ performances -www.jjavadovaspitzberg.com.

Jordan
Acting Instuctor

Justin
Drums/Guitar/Piano/Songwriting/Acting/Film Instructor
Justin
Justin Labosco is a multi-instrumentalist and actor who started his creative journey at 10 years old. Starting on drums Justin played in marching and jazz band through his school (Liberty Christian) and played live shows in multiple rock bands as a drummer. At 16 Justin joined the band at Fellowship Church and played with them until his mid 20’s. During this time Justin also learned to play guitar, piano, bass and sing. Justin than began to pursue a music career as a lead singer/ songwriter of a pop rock band which he continues to tour with and release albums. To date Justin has played hundreds of live shows, has been featured on 10 albums and has written and recorded hundreds of songs.
On top of his music career Justin also has a degree in Acting Performance from KD College and has been a professional actor on the stage and in front of the camera since 2010. Doing everything from lead roles in musicals at Dallas Theatre Center to feature films to national commercials.

Kayton
Trombone Instructor
Kayton
From an early age, music played a prominent role in Kayton’s life. Her mother was a pianist and flutist, so Kayton began studying piano at a young age before switching to the trumpet at the age of 11.
She is now studying Music Education at the University of North Texas with a trumpet concentration, where she marches in the Green Brigade marching band and has played in the Brass Choir and Concert Band.
She holds a deep-seated passion for teaching in addition to music, and holds a lot of energy and excitement for new opportunities to share those passions
She also enjoys learning about music theory and the effects of music on history, psychology, and society at large, which all color her teaching style with her students.
When she isn’t teaching, practicing, or studying, you can find her running the Green Brigade social media accounts, making drinks at Starbucks, roller skating, or learning any new instrument she can get her hands on!

LaNell
Piano/Early Childhood Music Instructor
LaNell
A transplanted Chicagoan, LaNell recently celebrated 30 years as a music educator. She has taught private piano lessons since 1988, coaching numerous competition and festival winners. In addition, she served as youth director at the American Community Church in London, England, leading the student music department. She has also been a faculty member and curriculum specialist at Chicago’s acclaimed Old Town School of Folk Music.
LaNell is a former editor at Clavier magazine, and wrote all the content for Piano Explorer, its companion student magazine. In this role, she enjoyed interviewing numerous artists…from Van Cliburn medalists to award-winning composers and educators. Additionally, LaNell is a seasoned arts administrator, previously holding positions with the Ravinia Festival in Highland Park, Illinois; the Chicago Symphony Orchestra; and Dallas Chamber Music Society.
LaNell studied piano at the University of Evansville and University of Tennessee. She performed at Illinois Music Teachers Association (IMTA) and Music Teachers National Association (MTNA) conferences, as well as participated in numerous masterclasses. She is a certified Harmony Road instructor, receiving her training under the program’s founder, Jan Keyser. Although she instructs students of all ages, LaNell has extensive experience teaching very young children, and champions discovering the world of music in early childhood.
In addition to teaching, LaNell is a church musician, and is a soprano in the Prestonwood Choir (Plano). She also consults for a music education software application company in Dallas. When not working, practicing, or performing, you can find LaNell watching sports (especially college football and basketball), and spending time with her dogs Kramer and Farley.

Lara
Piano Instructor
Lara
Ms. Lara Ruzevic is an international concert pianist and pedagogue. Her career has taken her to Croatia, Slovenia, Italy, Austria, Slovakia and the US.
Active as a chamber musician and a collaborative artist, Ms. Ruzevic has been on faculty of numerous music festivals, such as: The Upbeat Summer Music Festival, Croatian String Teachers Association Music Festival, Texas Cello Academy, UNT Summer String Institute, etc. She collaborated with such artist as Dora Schwarzberg, David Grigorian, Gustavo Tavares, Eleonore Schoenfeld.
Ms. Ruzevic holds her degree in Piano Performance from University of Zagreb Academy of Music, and Master of Arts Piano Performance degree from California State University Fresno. She was mentored by many distinguished pianists such as Leon Bates, Jean-Philippe Collard, Rudolf Kehrer, Arbo Valdma, Elena Richter, Pavica Gvozdic, Melita Lorkovic, Dorde Stanetti, Andreas Werz.
During 29 years of teaching, Ms. Ruzevic has taught in Music schools in Europe and US, teaching students of different ages and levels. She has found that each student has his/her unique strengths and weaknesses, requiring a unique approach for each individual. Most students need, more than anything, to be taught how to play their instrument in a natural, relaxed and balanced way. Further, one of the most important goals in teaching is to challenge students to understand not only the creative process of playing/practicing their instruments, but also the art of communication through musical expression. Realizing that music is a language, is the key to the artistic growth.
In order to achieve this goal, students need to learn the foundation of the piano artistry, and how to practice in an effective and a productive way.
Recognized as a dedicated and a successful teacher, Ms. Ruzevic has judged numerous events for the Denton Music Teacher Association, and has given workshops in Piano Performance at the Kinder High School for the Performing and Visual Arts.
Presently, Ms. Ruzevic resides in Denton, TX with her husband Nikola Ruzevic and their three children. She maintains an active private studio, is accompanist at St. Mark Catholic Church, teaches at New Song School of the Arts, accompanies for Denton ISD students and ensembles, and frequently performs with UNT music faculty and students.

Lori
Piano Instructor

Misty
Acting Instructor

Monika
Piano/Harp/Early Childhood Music Instructor
Monika
Monika is from Estonia and she started playing recorder and piano at the age of 7. Her mother inspired her to play music, because she loved to listen to classical music and play piano herself.
Monika is a professional and experienced pianist, harpist, and woodwind instrumentalist. She was awarded first price twice in The National Competition for young wind players in Estonia and the special award for the most creative young artist in Estonia.
She has performed at the Boston, Utrecht, Valencia and Barcelona Early Music festivals with the consort The Royal Wind Music and toured with various chamber music groups all over the Europe and Asia. She has performed on TV in Europe and Asia. She has also played in the Dutch National Opera and the Estonian National Theatre.
She holds a Bachelor and Master degree with teaching certificate from The Royal Conservatory of The Hague in Early Music and is currently working on her postgraduate degree in harp with Dr. Jaymee Haefner at UNT with the related field in music education.
Monika has a passion for Italian 16-17’th century repertoire and French 18th century music. She also admires the composers like, Debussy, Rachmaninoff, Tchaikovsky and Chopin.
She practices approximately 5 hours per day. She begins with exercises to warm up, progresses to sight-reading new repertoire and then working on memorizing pieces, technique and musical lines.
Monika would like to be remembered as a caring, kind and inspiring person who is passionate about music.

Nabeel
Guitar Instructor
Nabeel
Influenced by his father who used to play the classical guitar, Mr. Zuhdi began his classical guitar study at age of Eight. At age of Sixteen he was awarded the grade of Excellence in guitar performance at Solhi al-Wadi Institute of Music from which he graduated in 1997. During college years, Mr. Nabeel taught the guitar at all levels and ages while maintained his performance activity. In year 2003 he won the Moyen-Guitare lère Mèdaille Ascendante competition at the National Conservatory of Jordan in collaboration with the Conservatoire National de Region Ville de Boulogne-Billancourt, France. In 2017, he earned his master’s degree (MM) from the University of North Texas in Guitar Performance.
Mr. Zuhdi is experienced in developing finger-style guitar techniques for beginners and advanced students within constructive project-based and goal-oriented framework. Based on research, Mr. Zuhdi believes that effective, systematic, and short task-specific strategies are crucial in acquiring skills, and this learning process should be based on pedagogy that takes performing arts health concepts into account, such as practicing while minimizing stress and strain. Mr. Zuhdi approach to teaching is of an interdisciplinary nature that borrows principles and models from strongly established disciplines such as sport psychology, and biomechanics. Mr. Zuhdi is an active performer, and has over fifteen years of guitar teaching experience.

Nate
Drums/Guitar/Beginning Piano Instructor
Nate
Nate has been teaching drums, guitar, and trombone for over 15 years, first starting on drum set 24 years ago, learning both drum set and trombone from teachers at the University of Connecticut while in elementary school. He graduated with honors from Wesleyan University in 2008 with a Bachelor’s degree in music. Nate is currently in his third year of doctoral studies pursuing a PhD in Ethnomusicology at the University of North Texas, with research focused on African traditional and contemporary music.
Nate offers a balanced mixture of teaching styles, stressing the importance of reading music notation while valuing the development of a musical ear. Nate tailors lesson plans to the interests and abilities of the individual student, challenging the student to make noticeable progress while maintaining a fun and positive environment.

Nic
Cello Instructor
Nic
As a cellist, Nic Buck has been teaching and performing in the Denton area since 2013. In high school, he studied the cello with Prudence McDaniel at Blinn College, then continued on with Eugene Osadchy at the University of North Texas, from which he received his Bachelor’s in Performance in 2018. There, he helped premiere new works by composers such as Grant Carrington, Cade Leinbach, and Alex Buehler, and was a member of the Ginastera String Quartet, which won first prize in the 2018 UNT Chamber Music Competition.
He teaches at the New Song School of the Arts in Lantana, TX and at public schools in the north Texas area. His teaching style is straightforward and emphasizes kinesthetic awareness and slow practice, taking the student through one element of playing at a time until it is mastered.

Peyton
Piano/Voice/Guitar Instructor
Peyton
Originally from Northeast Tennessee, Peyton fell in love with music at a very early age and started playing piano at the age of ten. Her love for music only grew as she got older. She began singing and playing piano for her church. In high school, she was a substitute piano, voice, and guitar teacher at her local arts center. She continued teaching a few young students throughout college as well.
Peyton recently graduated from the University of Tennessee with a Bachelor’s of Arts in Psychology with a minor in Music and Culture. She is currently pursuing her Masters in Music Therapy at Texas Woman’s University.
For the past four summers, Peyton has had the opportunity and privilege to be a counselor at the Fresh Air Home, a camp for underprivileged children in Tybee Island, GA. At the Fresh Air Home, she led music with all campers and worked primarily with six to eight year-old girls. She has always loved kids and is grateful to be able to continue to share her passion for music through teaching

Rachel
Piano/Voice Instructor
Rachel
Promising young jazz vocalist, Rachel Azbell seeks to put her own stamp on the standards while
paying homage to the inspiring women that have come before her. Her classic, sultry tone is particularly inspired by jazz greats Ella Fitzgerald, Sarah Vaughan and Nancy Wilson. Initially a classically trained pianist, Rachel fell in love with jazz at the age of 16 through her grandmother, who was a pianist and saxophonist. She is now a professional vocalist and a leader in vocal jazz education, striving to create opportunities and a sense of community for young vocalists in the central Ohio area. In partnership with Jazz Arts Group, Rachel piloted the Columbus Youth Jazz Vocal Lab, a tuition-free program for middle and high school vocalists to explore their solo jazz
voice and expanded upon this curriculum to include a weeklong summer camp. As a private vocal instructor, she has extensive experience teaching both contemporary and classical styles to middle, high school and college-aged students
Originally from Lancaster, OH, Rachel is currently residing in Denton, TX, where she is working towards a master’s of music in jazz studies at the esteemed University of North Texas, under the direction of Jennifer Barnes and Rosana Eckert. There, she has sung in the distinguished UNT Jazz Singers and currently serves as a teaching fellow for the vocal jazz area, teaching private lessons and courses in jazz studies.To learn more about Rachel’s upcoming performances, listen to her music or learn more about voice lessons, please visit her website at rachelazbell.com.

Rebekah
Flute, Piano & Early Childhood Music Instructor
Rebekah
In her hometown of Indianapolis, the performing arts had always been a fundamental part of Rebekah’s life. Her mother was a piano teacher, so Rebekah began studying piano at a young age but switched her focus to flute when she was 11 years old. Rebekah earned her Masters degree in flute at the University of North Texas, under the direction of Dr. Mary Karen Clardy. In 2019 she graduated from North Park University of Chicago with a Bachelors of Music Performance, summa cum laude, where she studied with Dr. Ellen Huntington.
During her academic career, she has been a part of many large and chamber ensembles. At UNT she performed with the Wind Symphony and Baroque Orchestra, several chamber groups, and was the sole-flutist in the opera’s production of Gluck’s Orfeo ed Euridice (2021). She had the opportunity to solo with both of North Park’s choirs, perform Chaminade’s Concertino with the concert band (2019), and the Stamitz Concerto with the orchestra (2016). During her junior year
(2018), she was featured on the orchestra’s performance of the cantata Ich habe genug by J.S. Bach, playing the traverso, or the one-keyed Baroque flute. Rebekah has placed first in North Park’s annual Chamber Ensembles Competition with “Duo Lumina” (2017) and in the Performance Awards (2018). Also in 2018, she was honored as a Presser Scholar.
Rebekah has a passion for teaching young students in an exciting and encouraging manner, while providing a strong foundation of technique and music theory. She currently teaches flute lessons for Gainesville ISD, private piano lessons, and is excited to be a part of NSSOTA’s team!
When Rebekah is not teaching or practicing, she takes portrait photography, plays with her two puppies and spends time with her husband. Soli deo Gloria!

Rita
Musical Theatre/Voice/Acting/Beginner Piano Instructor
Rita
Rita Powers is a long time, well known Dallas area professional singer and performer, who has been the opening act for some of the world’s greatest entertainers, such as “B.B. King”, “Lily Tomlin”, “The Platters”, “The Nitty Gritty Dirt Band”, “Rosemary Clooney”, and “The Four Tops”, among others. Rita presently sings with several bands, leading her own band, “Rita Powers and Standing Ovation, The New Fab Duo, plus, RP & Harmony. She has been a guest vocalist with several big band orchestras and other bands including: The Les Elgart Orchestra, Moondance Orchestra, The Upswing Orchestra, The Cal Lewiston Orchestra, The Richland College Jazz Band and (Excursion), the UTD Jazz BandRita Powers is a long time, well known Dallas area professional singer and performer, who has been the opening act for some of the world’s greatest entertainers, such as “B.B. King”, “Lily Tomlin”, “The Platters”, “The Nitty Gritty Dirt Band”, “Rosemary Clooney”, and “The Four Tops”, among others. Rita presently sings with several bands, leading her own band, “Rita Powers and Standing Ovation, The New Fab Duo, plus, RP & Harmony. She has been a guest vocalist with several big band orchestras and other bands including: The Les Elgart Orchestra, Moondance Orchestra, The Upswing Orchestra, The Cal Lewiston Orchestra, The Richland College Jazz Band and (Excursion), the UTD Jazz Band.
Rita was a Theatre Arts teacher for 19 years at Marcus High School (16 of which she was department head). She taught all levels of Drama, Musical Theatre, Production, Costumes & Makeup and Tech Theatre. In addition to directing hundreds of musicals and plays at Marcus, she has recently directed musicals such as Mary Poppins at the famed Rockwall Summer Musicals and The Fantasticks at Lewisville Community Theatre, to name a few. Rita’s extensive experience on stage includes starring musical roles in numerous professional and community theatre productions, including Gypsy, Mame, Hello Dolly, Annie, Man of La Mancha, and many more.
Ms. Powers possesses a Masters Degree in Theatre Arts from the University of North Texas, where she graduated #1 in her class with a 4.0 GPA, a Bachelor of Arts. in Music Education from The University of Texas at Dallas (cum laude) and an Associates Degree in Arts and Sciences from Richland College.
She formerly served on the board of the Dallas Summer Musicals Guild and judges for the DSM High School Musical Awards and University Interscholastic League (UIL). Rita is also a published author of “Directing The Fantasticks” and several articles and minor publications.
Although Rita loves singing and performing, she is dedicated to teaching and mentoring students in the Arts. Rita Powers, has worked for the past five years as a University Professor of Education and University Supervisor for student teachers in Theatre Arts.at TWU (Texas Woman’s University) She has also taught private voice/music/piano and theatre and musical theatre students from her home studio for many years.
Rita lives in Argyle with her husband George White, three-time EMMY Award winning director/editor, NBC Network News (retired).

Robert
Violin Instructor
Robert
Robert is a violinist living in Denton, TX. Originally from North Carolina, he holds degrees from UNC Chapel Hill (B.M.) and UNC Greensboro (M.M.). His teachers include Richard Luby, Nicholas DiEugenio, and Fabian Lopez. While in North Carolina, he performed with several orchestras and chamber groups, and gave recitals throughout the state.
Robert is now pursuing a D.M.A. degree at the University of North Texas, in the studio of Julia Bushkova.
When not practicing or teaching, he enjoys spending time with his wife, Lauralee, watching hockey, and riding roller coasters.

Ruusamari
Piano Instructor
Ruusamari
Ruusamari grew up in Finland and began playing the piano at the age of four with her mother and continued at a formal school of music a year later. Her entire family has a love for and a very close connection to music. Her great, great grandfather on her mother´s side was the great composer Jean Sibelius and she has a lineage of folk musicians from her fathers side. In Ruusamari’s mother´s family basically everybody plays an instrument. On her father´s side there are fiddle and guitar players. Ruusamari plays the piano, fortepiano, harpshichord, and organ. The piano is her first instrument, the big love of her life. She later chose other keyboard instruments of which the fortepiano she has the closest relationship.
Bach, Beethoven, Brahms, Schuberts, Schumann, Sibelius, and Tschaikovsky are the composers that Ruusamari most admires. Of the great performers she loves Emil Gilels, Pinhas Zukerman, Gil Shaham and Yefim Bronfman to mention a few. Her mentors Vladimir Viardo, Christoph Hammer, and Elvia Puccinelli have been the greatest influence. Beyond classical musicians she loves Led Zeppelin, Bruce Springsteen, Bono, Freddie Mercury, Elvis, Frank Sinatra, and Bill Evans. The first tunes that really awoke her love to music were Mozart’s Andante and pieces by J.S. Bach.
Ruusamari has received two second-place prizes in the Bradshaw and Buono piano competition in NY, NY and the Petroff piano competition in San Antonio, TX. She regularly tours with fellow musicians. She played 40 concerts with Finnish cellist, Jussi Makkonen all aroung the US in 2015. The engagements for the summer 2016 include concerts in Germany, Italy and Finland. Ruusamari has performed and interviewed on radio and television in the US and Finland. She received a NOVA scholarship from the UNT College of Music and Finlandia Foundation Scholarship as a highest ranking applicant.
Ruusamari has artist certificates from the Prague Concervatory, Czech Republic and the Liszt Academy of Music, Budapest, Hungary. Her Bachelor of Music and Master of Music in piano performance is from UNT, class of Vladimir Viardo. She is currently working on her DMA in Collaborative piano performance at UNT with Elvia Puccinelli and Steven Harlos. She also has related field fortepiano studies with Christoph Hammer and Paul Leenhouts. Ruusamari has participated in master classes with Dmitry Bashkirov, Yefim Bronfman, Matti Raekallio, Natalya Antonova, and others.
Ruusamari practices from 2-4 hours every day. She uses warm ups, scales and finger exercises as a part of a daily practice routine. She regularly adds new repertoire and technically challenging spots that require extra time, repetition and new creative way of practice. She has been teaching music since she was 20 years old.
Ruusamari wants to be remembered as an honest, sensitive and passionate musician and a happy and friendly human being. The quote from Goethe – “Music starts where the words end” sums up her passion in regard to her work as a musician and teacher. Her great, great grandfather, Jean Sibelius’ words inspire her to be the best she can be – “Music is for me like a beautiful mosaic which God has put together. He takes all the pieces in his hand, throws them into the world, and we have to recreate the picture from the pieces.”

Sarah
Piano Instructor
Sarah
At the age of 5 Sarah was performing piano and vocal solos. She studied piano and voice with Diane Heonzch, Eloise Paddick, and Sue Miller. While in school she won various piano and vocal competitions. She studied Music Education and graduated from Elim Bible Institute in 2000. After graduation she was a prayer and worship leader at the Caoital Region Prayer and Healing Center. While working at Mercy Cares for Kids and St. Peters Hospital she taught over 150 children weekly with kindermusik and creative instruction. In 2007 she was awarded 1st place winner for the St. Peter’s American Idol
While traveling abroad in Philippians and Taiwan in 2005 she sang in Crusades and ministered in children’s orphanages. Throughout the Capital District in New York she appeared on television and radio programs ministering in Music as well as directed various musical programs. In 2005 she opened Destiny’s School of Music and taught piano and voice throughout the capital region. She has a love for children and worship leading. She desires to see children enjoy their musical studies and grow in their God given talents. She is currently a mom of a precious 5 year old boy and wife to her amazing husband. She is a joy and loves to share the gift of Music to all of her students.

Spyros
Piano Instructor
Spyros
Spyros is a Greek American concert pianist and started to play the piano when he was 9 years old, performing his first solo recital a year later with works of Bach, Mozart and Chopin. Early musical training includes the violin, french horn, music harmony & counterpoint and conducting. Spyros is the recipient of many scholarships, prizes and awards around the world. He has performed recitals in Austria, Germany, Italy, France, England, Czech Republic and Spain. Recent American performances in Texas, Kentucky and Antigua, Guatemala.
He is equally at home with standard repertoire and new music. He enjoys composing, accompanying singers and instrumentalists. Spyros is also a dedicated piano teacher and believes in a healthy and balanced approach between technique and music interpretation. He has taught piano and theory lessons for many years with successful results. Many of his students get the highest ratings in festivals and competitions around the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex.
Spyros has taken lessons and participated in masterclasses and piano festivals around the world with famous pianists and renowned pedagogues such as Misha Dichter, Eliso Virsaladze, Leonid Margarius, Pavel Gililov, Andrej Jasinski, Peter Lang, Rolf Plagge, Daniel Pollack, and Alan Feinberg among others.
He earned his Bachelors and Masters Degrees in Piano Performance & Pedagogy (both summa cum laude) at the Mozarteum University in Salzburg, Austria studying with Prof. George Kern, distinguished pianist and student of the legendary Rosina Lhevinne. Currently he pursues a Doctoral degree in Piano Performance at the University of North Texas with Dr. Steven Harlos.
Spyros Karavias is a member of Pi Kappa Lambda National Music Honor Society, Alpha Chi National College Honor Society, Golden Key International Honour Society, and Music Teachers National Association.

Sydney
Piano, Voice, Musical Theatre Instructor
NAME
Born and raised in Austin, Texas, Sydney has always been an advocate for the arts. While in Austin, he was awarded “Outstanding Musician” from the Kealing Magnet School (2007), “Outstanding Musician” from the McCallum Fine Arts Academy (2011) and “Outstanding Musician” from the Austin Chamber Music Center (2011). He’s performed in various venues around Austin including: The Paramount Theatre, State Theatre, The Frank Erwin Center, the Long Center, The Glimmer of Hope Foundation, weddings, receptions, restaurants, etc. It was during this time that he discovered his passion for teaching. At the age of 15 he started teaching students from his former private instructor’s studio run by Daphne McDole. It was through her studio, the “Keys of Life” program, that allowed him to have various performing opportunities and early experience in teaching children.
Sydney has an earned Bachelor of Arts degree in music education from University of North Texas an artist diploma from Macullum Fine Arts Academy. He is a trained pianist and vocal pedagogue. In addition to being a full time teacher at New Song School of the Arts, other job titles include: Pianist/Accompanist, Conductor, Music Director, Judicator, and Guest Artist. That being said, Sydney has worked with a number of organizations including: University of North Texas (pianist), various High/Middle School (teacher/pianist), Music Theatre of Denton (director/pianist), various theatre companies around DFW (pianist), Booker T Washington (judge), Mansfield Symphony Orchestra (pianist), various churches around DFW (pianist), etc. Since 2016, the bulk of his performing has been Musical Theatre Productions all over DFW including: Mary Poppins, Shrek, Hunchback of Notre Dame, Sister Act, Evita, Patsy Cline, Big Fish, 9 to 5, The Little Mermaid, Little Shop of Horrors, Cabaret, Will Rogers’s Follies, and many more.
Vocal experience includes: Singing in top vocal ensembles at UNT both classical and jazz; performing at Dallas Winspear Opera House; performing at the Denton Arts and Jazz Festival; teaching at various schools and churches around DFW; Performing in various theatre productions around DFW.

Tara
Voice/Piano/Musical Theatre/Early Childhood Music Instructor
NAME
Tara is an educator and vocalist. Her training and experience have spanned the genres of opera, musical theatre, folk and jazz. A few of her favorite roles she’s played are Hodel in Fiddler on the Roof, Clarice in A Servant of Two Masters, and Jeanette in Barbara’s Blue Kitchen.
Finding her love for classical singing at the age of 14 in West Point, New York, she began training under the guidance of soprano Catherine Flynn. There she sang with NYSSMA (New York State School Music Association) Area All State Choir and in the Boston Music Festival. Both her voice teacher and her choir director, Chris Reynolds had a profound effect on her life as they encouraged her to pursue singing and demonstrated a pedagogy rooted in the joy of music. Tara remembers her voice teacher taking her to see the St. Olaf Choir sing at Carnegie Hall and how it felt to have an educator truly invest in the growth and enrichment of their students.
In college, Tara first studied with Gerald Dolter at Texas Tech University. During her time in Lubbock, she appeared in productions with the Texas Tech Opera, Texas Tech Theatre and Lubbock Moonlight Musicals. She was a soloist for the Texas Tech Jazz Combo, Choral Scholar at First Christian Church and a soprano in the Lubbock Chorale. Under the baton of John Dixon, she toured England with the Summer Choral Institute of St. John’s College, Cambridge University premiering pieces by Eric Whitacre. One of her fondest musical memories is singing beneath the dome of St. Paul’s Cathedral and hearing the long echoes up and down the aisles.
Tara went on to study voice at the University of North Texas with Jeffrey Snider and Inci Bashar, who was named 2009’s Teacher of the Year’ by Classical Singer Journal. While in Denton she was the music director for ‘Alice in Wonderland’ with Denton Community Theatre’s Summer Camp and has appeared in productions with Denton Music Theatre and Denton Black Box Theatre. She is currently the Artistic Director for ‘Cirque du Horror’ composed by local musician David Pierce.
After college, Tara taught voice, piano, aural skills, theory and early childhood music at the Julio D. Perfecto School of Music, a non-profit aiming to make quality music instruction accessible to lower-income students. This project of love furthered her determination to hone her pedagogical skills. She realized she enjoyed teaching as much as performing and loved passing on the excellent technique and the joy of music that had been instilled in her by her teachers.
Tara has also taught English in both Japan and Mexico and is grateful for the musical exchanges and experiences these stints abroad have brought. She was a soloist at the Jozenji Jazz Festival in Sendai, Japan and the first American to play taiko drums in the Mito, Ibaraki Summer Matsuri, a traditional Japanese festival.
Tara now lives with her husband in Denton, Texas. Her current projects include creating life-size puppets for a vaudeville style musical circus, performing with local literary and artist collective ‘Spiderweb Salon’, and writing songs for use in early childhood education.

Tayloir
Guitar, Singing, and Songwriting Instructor
Tayloir
Tayloir Pace is passionate about the art of music and storytelling and the influence it can have on society. She is a singer/songwriter, piano & guitar player, dancer, choreographer and worship leader who recently resettled back in Texas after living and working in NY, NY for the past seven years.
She was born and raised right here in the DFW area and spent most of her childhood at the dance studio. Joining its competitive dance company at age 5, she had rhythm, musicality and hard work instilled within her at an early age and now bears the wonderful fruit of being engulfed in music and movement lessons early-on in life!
Tayloir holds a BFA in Musical Theatre Performance from Southeast Missouri State University where she not only took classes in voice, acting and dance, but also participated in student directing projects as well as student choreography showcases. She went on to work professionally as an actress and choreographer at regional theatres throughout the country. Most notable experiences include performing in Seussical: The Musical as “Sour Kangaroo”, Lend Me a Tenor as “Diana”, Cabaret as “Texas”, and the original Broadway staging/choreography of A Chorus Line as “Diana Morales” (and at a second theatre as “Maggie Winslow”).
Once in New York, Tayloir participated in dance classes at both Broadway Dance Center and Steps on Broadway, taught by notable instructors in the industry including Broadway veteran choreographer and director Randy Skinner. She also received personal instruction from both Broadway leading lady Lindsay Mendez (Dog Fight, Wicked, Carousel) and composer Ryan Scott Oliver while participating in their auditioning and coaching course called Actor Therapy. Tayloir eventually found herself working in the Broadway industry at the well-known ticketing and media giant Broadway.com for five years, specifically for their educational program Broadway Classroom. This job was like going to school all over again for her, having the privilege of sitting in on hundreds of master classes taught by current Broadway performers and artists of every trade. As part of her job she was invited (and thrilled!) to have gotten to attend the majority of Broadway productions each season she was there.
Also while in New York, she picked up guitar and grew as a passionate worship leader, which eventually gave way to becoming a songwriter. Tayloir most recently attended and produced her own music in a virtual songwriting and production course taught by Ryan Tedder of OneRepublic, and continually participates in music and songwriting courses virtually taught by well-known worship leader/songwriter Rick Pino. She believes there is always more to explore when it comes to creating!
Tayloir believes the next generation has the potential to change the world for the better as each moves forward in expressing their unique, authentic sound. She has come to realize that every individual has a story to tell that can help others and considers it an honor to have the privilege of walking alongside each one in order to help them reach their fullest potential!

Tessa
Piano, Voice, Musical Theatre Instructor

Wes
Piano/Beginning Voice Instructor
Wes
Wes is a pianist and vocalist with experience in both the jazz and classical fields. Born and raised in the Chicago area, he has since relocated to Denton to study Jazz Piano Performance at the University of North Texas.
He began to study piano at the age of five, while also singing in (and accompanying for) his elementary school choir. As Wes continued his studies into middle and high school, band director and trombonist Brian Jacobi introduced him to jazz, and he fell in love. He began to take jazz lessons concurrently with classical starting in high school, where he continued to excel in musical endeavors such as chamber choir, jazz band and musical theatre. He took part multiple times in the All-State chorus at the Illinois Music Education Conference, also taking first place in the Composition Contest for his solo piano works.
Currently, you can find Wes performing in groups such as the Three O’Clock Lab Band and the UNT Jazz Singers, along with his own small jazz projects. He has a profound passion for music, which he hopes to impart on his students at NSSOTA.