Music Tutor
Working with a professional music tutor is so much more than taking private music lessons – it means finding your inner musician! As a team, we are eager to help you meet your musical goals. Whether that’s a singing, voice-overs, piano, guitar, cello, flute, harp, audio production, or music theory. Many of our music teachers hold advanced degrees and years of experience in their subjects. More than that, they have passion.
Many of our music tutors also have experience teaching and performing a variety of music genres: rock/metal, opera, musicals, show tunes, choir, pop, rap, R&B, country, and more! An experienced music teacher should be able to teach you the skills needed to be good at any genre, and that what we strive to do at Your Lessons Now.
Not sure who to schedule a lesson with? No problem! You can schedule a free consultation with a member of our team to discuss your goals find the right music teacher for you.
Donny Christison
Donny Christison is a classically trained vocalist and educator with a wide range of experience. They received their BA in psychology with a minor in music from Oregon State University where they were a founding member of a capella group Power Chord, performed in the OSU Opera, and toured the world with award-winning Bella Voce and OSU Chamber choirs, all while keeping up in the research lab as they studied how music affects the way humans feel and think. During their research Donny became fascinated by the ways we grow and the physical, social, spiritual, and psychological benefits we gain by training our voices. Moving to Portland, Oregon to receive their Masters in Pastoral Ministry provided Donny with many new opportunities including leading worship bands for summer camps and conferences, singing and acting in independent film, and immersing themself in every corner of the vibrant music scene the city has to offer. Donny started teaching private voice lessons in 2011 and has loved every minute of it. They employ their technical knowledge of the voice and music theory while blending it with their passion for the transformative properties of singing from the heart. Donny’s students most enjoy their ability to support them as they find the unique and powerful voice that lies within and let it shine through.
Donny Christison
Rowanne Atallah
My name is Rowanne, and I have recently graduated in Voice – Performance from Berklee College of Music. Coming from the struggling yet revolutionary country of Lebanon, I have found healing in expression and performance. Finding my voice constituted the foundation of my artistic journey as a singer, dancer and actor. That is why my aim in life is to help others liberate themselves and find their own true voice.
Rowanne Atallah
Oksana Lutsyshyn
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gbvTO8dsKGM Oksana Lutsyshyn was born in the city of Lviv, Ukraine. She began studying music at the age of eight and at twelve she entered the Special Music School in Lviv. Upon graduating from this school, she moved to Moscow, Russia, where she entered the Moscow State Conservatory, completing both her graduate and post-graduate degrees. After moving to the United States, she was Visiting Scholar at the Indiana University School of Music in Bloomington. She is presently on the music faculty at Old Dominion University, where she teaches Piano and Music Theory. She also serves as Artistic Co-Director of the Norfolk Chamber Consort. Lutsyshyn has appeared in concerts as a soloist and chamber musician throughout the former Soviet Union, Europe, the United States, and South America. She gave her New York debut in the Weill Recital Hall at Carnegie Hall and a Chicago debut in the Preston Bradley Hall at Chicago Cultural Center. Locally, she has performed with the Virginia International Arts Festival, Virginia Symphony Orchestra, Ludwig F. Diehn Concert Series, as well as numerous other concert presenters. Lutsyshyn won Second Prize at the Vienna Modern Masters Third International Performers’ Recording Awards Competition. She was also a prizewinner at the William Kapell International Piano Competition in College Park, Maryland. As a chamber musician, Lutsyshyn has performed in ensembles with prominent musicians such as violinists Joshua Bell and Nadja Salerno-Sonnenberg, tubist Harvey Phillips, saxophonist Eugene Rousseau, and tenor James King, among many others. Together with her husband, Andrey Kasparov, she is a founding member of the Invencia Piano Duo, performing nationally and internationally. Lutsyshyn is a prolific recording artist, having worked with the BBC, Vienna Modern Masters, and Contemporary Record Society. But it was her recordings of Hommage à Gabriel Fauré (Hommages musicaux) and piano works by Adolphus Hailstork (Ignis fatuus) on Albany Records that brought her high critical acclaim. The Fanfare Magazine called her touch in Ignis fatuus “perfect,” while the American Record Guide’s review of Hommages musicaux proclaimed: “Hats off to the Kasparov-Lutsyshyn piano duo team for bringing these fascinating pieces to us in their original forms.” She and Kasparov have recently recorded the entire original works by Florent Schmitt for piano duet and duo. In addition to her performing and recording schedules, Ms. Lutsyshyn has taught master classes at many American universities, including Miami University in Oxford, Ohio, Humboldt State University in Arcata, California, and University of Central Arkansas in Conway, Arkansas. Currently, she teaches piano and theory at Old Dominion University in Norfolk, Virginia. She also serves as Director of Music at Prince of Peace Lutheran Church in Virginia Beach.
Oksana Lutsyshyn
Li-Hsin Huang
Li-Hsin Huang was born in Taiwan, where she started her musical training at the age of eight. After earning her Bachelor degree in cello performance in University of Taipei, Ms. Li-Hsin came to the United States to continue her studies at the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music (CCM). She earned her master degree, and currently she is pursuing her doctoral degree at CCM. Her mentors include Ilya Finkelshteyn (the principal cellist in Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra) and Amit Even-Tov (the cellist of the Ariel Quartet). Li-Hsin was the winner of cello concerto competition at CCM, and played Elgar cello concerto with the CCM Concert Orchestra. She also performed in masterclasses for Wen-Shin Yang, Paul Katz, and Steven Isserlis. As an experienced and committed teacher, Li-Hsin has more than 4 years’ professional teaching experience and enjoys working with students at all ages. As a teacher, Li-Hsin seeks to inspire her students to work towards their potential, including beginners, professionals, and amateurs. She nurtures the love of music and emphasizes the importance of good playing techniques within a broad scope of repertoire.
Li-Hsin Huang
Stella Nahm
Dr. Nahm is a professional pianist, chamber musician and respectful teacher in NW Pacific area. She began her serious piano studies at the most prestigious institution in music, arts and dance in Seoul, Korea at young age. She graduated with Pi Kappa Lambda National Music Honor in piano performance at Temple University and earned her Doctorate of Musical Arts in piano performance at University of Maryland at College Park. She also had extensive chamber music study including voice coaching and accompanying under the renowned professors. She was on the faculty of Anne Arundel Community College in Annapolis, Maryland before she moved to Oregon. Since then Dr. Nahm has been associated with many music schools and music institutions where she has served as an instructor and accompanist through out the States. She also served as a choir director and worship pianist for churches. Dr. Nahm has performed widely as a soloist and chamber musician through out her life. She has abundant teaching experiences on piano, chamber music and music theory. She is a member of Music National Teachers Association and her students have won many competitions through OMTA.
Stella Nahm
Ivy Phairchyld
Ivy Phairchyld is an accomplished pianist, storied composer with 17 years of experience, and holds a Vocational Degree in Audio Engineering from The Conservatory of Recording Arts and Sciences.
Ivy has a wide range of experience in audio engineering that includes recording, mixing, mastering, live sound management, and being a producer across multiple genres. She has a great deal of experience in the digital recording space with FL Studio being her main DAW.
Whether you want to learn to play piano, record a band, write and produce your own music, or all of the above, she is happy to help guide you toward your goals!
Ivy Phairchyld
Lauren Rigsby
Lauren is a teacher based out of Oregon. Introduced to a love of music by her mother, she started learning piano around the age of 9. As early as high school, Lauren began teaching piano lessons to students of all ages and levels which sparked an interest in teaching in general. Though she studied piano for a time in college, she eventually decided to pursue a more general teaching degree to allow her to also teach other subjects she loved, like science and visual arts. After achieving a degree in Elementary Education, she went on to become a teacher for several outdoor schools across the country and eventually moved on to managing one here in Oregon. This experience has given her a passion for finding a student”s individual learning style and lifelong learning.
Lauren Rigsby
Kimo Knowles
Kimo Knowles is an artist, engineer and educator. Trained in classical piano and viola, Kimo was awarded first place in the MHCC Northwest Orchestra Festival and a gold medal in the Oregon Bach Festival. Kimo holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts from the School of the Art Institute of Chicago, with a focus in Art & Technology Studies. For over 15 years, Kimo has led and contributed to projects in film, video, new media, dance, folk, punk, classical and ambient music. In the classroom, Kimo draws influence from his studies in philosophy, his piano teacher (a Doctor of Psychology) and a career in K-12 STEM education. Kimo prefers holistic, collaborative and emergent styles of learning, and treasures the relationships of inspiration and respect that make this possible. Kimo is available for lessons in guitar, piano, voice, theory & composition and audio production.
Kimo Knowles
Anson Brown
Anson Brown started his musical career at Fresno City College where he studied with David Schramm and Dr. Kevin Cooper where he studied classical guitar and started to develop a fondness for historical music. At the University of California, Irvine, he studied the lute and historically informed guitar performance under John Schneiderman. At Irvine, he earned both his Bachelors of Music and his Masters of Fine Arts degrees in 2013 and 2015. He specializes in performance on the guitar and the lute. He also specializes in basso continuo and historical accompaniment from the 16th-17th century. He has extensive knowledge of music theory in modal counterpoint, tonal music, and 20th century music. He also believes that music should be used as a form of communication and outreach to the community. He has performed for charities, group homes, scholarship fundraisers, taught after school programs for underserved communities in Saint Louis. Anson has always thrived in any and all musical communities and strides to help others do the same.
Anson Brown
Christian Scott
Christian Emmanuelle Scott was born in Oakland, CA. After her family moved to Mississippi to homeschool her and her siblings, she completed her undergraduate degree in Music Education at Mississippi College. She subsequently completed her Masters of Music in Choral Conducting at Mississippi College during her first year of teaching at Provine High School in Jackson, MS. As a graduate assistant, she toured the United States with the premier choral ensemble, The Mississippi College Singers, and was a featured soloist at ACDA. During a choral/service-learning trip to South Africa, she taught music and performed with The Singers. Most recently she was the Director of Choral Activities at Copiah-Lincoln Community College in Mississippi. She enjoys making music from all representative genres and helping her vocal/piano students embrace their love of music.
Christian Scott
Denise Brown
Denise Brown, mezzo soprano, has been teaching private voice and piano for 10 years. Denise completed her Master of Music in Pedagogy and Performance at the University of Texas at San Antonio, and is currently a certified EC-12 music instructor. Known for her large vocal range, Denise has been praised for her work with beginning male and female voices of all ages (child to senior), as she is able to model in their own octaves, helping to bring their true voices forward. Her favorite student is anyone who wants to sing, and has worked with many “tone deaf” beginners, who all have learned to sing in tune and give their first performances within several months. Denise has experience with helping students with diagnosed vocal faults, and helping bringing, tired, stressed voices back into vocal health. Her piano students learn to be functional musicians and bold sight readers, whether their goal is to move on to classical works, or just learn to play along with their favorite pop song. Her students are also active in the musical theater community and on the classical stage. Denise Brown performs regularly with the Opera San Antonio chorus, in solo recital, and is music director for her local Episcopal church. Denise Brown is a current member of Texas Music Educators Association and the National Association for Teachers of Singing. She is currently and adjunct college instructor with Alamo Community College District in San Antonio, Tx.
Denise Brown
Janize Ablaza
Janize Ablaza is a songwriter & multi-instrumentalist who originated from the Philippines and emigrated to the United States at the age of 10. She is an alumni of the pop music program at Citrus College – Glendora, California. During her years as a Pop & Jazz vocalist at Citrus, Janize performed a number of live shows with their top Pop Rock ensemble as well as their Big Band Jazz ensemble. Shortly after completing her third year of vocal music study, Janize began writing her own music, formed a band, and started playing live shows all over Southern California. Wanting more music theory training and musicianship skills, Janize then pursued Jazz Guitar & Keyboard skills at Pasadena City College – Pasadena, California. This strengthened her musical knowledge and application as well as her songwriting. Today she sings, plays guitar, and writes music for a Jazz Rock quartet named ‘Xinxin’. Their music can be listened to on almost all music streaming platforms as well as Los Angeles radio stations like KCRW and KSPC. Aside from rocking out – Janize also teaches music privately. Through her creativity and empathy she provides a safe space for her students to be themselves which allows for a more fluid and rich learning environment.
Janize Ablaza
Ty Napierskie
Ty Napierskie (they/them) is a middle school music teacher whose love for music, which started early in their life, blossomed into teaching . They have a BM in Music Education and have years of experience teaching private piano, voice, and guitar lessons. Ty currently teaches choir and guitar at a middle school in Virginia and LOVES learning new instruments.
Ty has been involved in many different ensembles including: playing piano in musicals, singing soprano in select and jazz choirs, playing piano in jazz bands, playing flute in marching bands, playing flute and euphonium in concert bands, and playing piano for solo and accompanied performances.
They also love watching anime and the K-pop group BTS. They saw BTS live in 2019 and hope to see them live again soon. Their other interests include going on hikes, painting, making earrings, and playing with their pet dog and pet rats.
One passion of theirs is personalizing lessons to suit each individual student’s need, and they are dedicated to helping their students begin and continue their lifelong musical journey. Currently Ty is based in Northern Virginia, USA.
Ty Napierskie
Nic Brannen
You have an equal chance to find Nic Brannen with camera in hand or at a painter’s studio as you find zir in a practice room. Even though ze has been learning to play piano since zir childhood in Cincinnati, Ohio, Nic’s work often is about finding the beauty in zir subject matter through any means. Nic has been trained as a Jazz Performer-Composer at Cornish College of the Arts. Nic learned that it doesn’t matter what kind of music you want to perform, it is about understanding the context and history behind the music/art you are performing. Whether your thing is French harpsichord pieces or jazz arrangements of Queen, part of the joy of that music is the people and the cultures that fueled that music. There are thousands of ways to interpret a song and yet ze often finds that a student’s personal expression is pushed behind technique. But why is this often rejected in music lessons? Why don”t we put the student before the music in our lessons. It is the job of the music teacher to foster a love and passion for music and we never should lose sight of that goal.
Nic Brannen
Melodi Alper
Melodi Alper is a voice, piano, guitar, and flute teacher from Izmir, Turkey. Her classical music education started at age 5 with solfege training, continued with playing the piano at age 6, and began guitar training at age 10. From an early age her dream was to be a professional pianist! She has studied piano with many great pianists such as Basarcan Kivrak and Basak Goren Han at Armoni School of music. She has also had the honor of playing flute in many formal ceremonies! Since 2015, Melodi has been teaching private lessons with a passion for both music and LGBT acceptance.
Melodi Alper
David Tafone
Levels: all for voice, beginner and intermediate for piano and harp
Genres: classical/opera
David Tafone
David Tafone is a voice, piano, and celtic harp teacher based in the Portland OR area. He has studied at SUNY Purchase and the prestigious New England Conservatory of Music for both his Bachelors and Masters degrees respectively. At the New England Conservatory of Music he studied with the world renown distinguished professor of voice Ms. Carole Haber. He still sings today using the bel canto technique passed down to him from generations of excellent vocal technicians who served and still serve at NEC today. While at SUNY Purchase, he performed in three operas and studied with the head of the department, internationally renown tenor, Jacque Trussel as well as Baritone Thomas Goodheart who is currently the chair of voice at SUNY Binghamton. He began his masters at the Jacobs school of music at Indiana University in Bloomington, Indiana. He studied there under the tutelage of internationally renown pedagogue Dr. Dale Moore. At the New England Conservatory of Music he sang five operas in two years – all leading baritone roles. he has studied basic grammar of Italian, German, French and Spanish. He speaks French and Spanish at an intermediate level. He has also studied years of diction in the languages of French, Spanish, German, and Italian. He is a classically trained pianist as well and is a teacher of the Celtic harp. During his education he accompanied many voice lessons of various singers with various voice types and styles.
David Tafone
Frank Pierce
Frankie is a teacher based out of Oregon. Raised in sunny San Diego, he was introduced to a love of music by his mother and picked up a guitar and began writing songs at 5 years old. In high school, Frankie re-introduced himself to the guitar, and with much dedication and training began leading the jr. high and high school worship bands. After high school, his pursuits of music remained, although constant, more in the background as he began teaching Environmental Education in San Diego. After Instructing students in Environmental sciences and guitar/ ukulele for the past 5 years, his passion to teach remains strong. These experiences have given him a drive to explore, discover, and grow with the world around him.
Frank Pierce
Mari Valverde
Mari Esabel Valverde is an award-winning composer in steady demand across the United States and Canada. Based in North Texas, she sings in multiple professional ensembles and maintains a voice studio. She holds degrees from St. Olaf College, the European American Musical Alliance in Paris, France, and San Francisco Conservatory of Music.
Mari Valverde
Brandon Tuzio
Levels: all for voice, beginner and intermediate for piano and guitar
Genres: any but classical/opera
Brandon Tuzio
Brandon Tuzio is a music instructor based in New Jersey. He began his music education at a young age and eventually graduated from Berklee College of Music as a Voice Principal with a Professional Music Bachelor’s Degree. He writes and produces his own music, as well as composing music for film and video games. Brandon also has an extensive performance background in Musical Theater, performing keyboards and vocals in numerous wedding bands, and being a part of many bands performing original music. As a music teacher, he has had years of experience teaching voice, guitar, piano, bass, and music theory. He truly enjoys getting to know students and what their individual goals are, and works hard to help achieve them.
Brandon Tuzio
Adrian Soliz
Adrian Soliz is a recent graduate from UTSA (Bachelor of Arts in Music) who has been teaching in the San Antonio area for 3 years now. He has taught all levels of singers, from 6 years old to adults, and many different genres of music. His students have gone out to receive roles in the community theaters and have also won various choral competitions at the regional level. He is an advocate for using science to better understand how the voice works to allow for artists to have much more artistic freedom and expression. Adrian himself has performed with local opera and musical theater companies in the area. His biggest project right now is being the president of the Young Professional Opera Guild. This nonprofit works bring opera to the community through various popup performances and recitals. “My goal as a voice teacher is to create an environment where my students feel safe and secure enough that they can allow themselves to unleash the artist that is in everyone.”
Adrian Soliz
Alexander Reeves
Alexander Michael Reeves (They/He), a former foster kid, who is trans* masculine and disabled (autistic, type one diabetic, ADHD and dyspraxia) is an Actor, Singer, Public Speaker, Advocate, and Playwright. Reeves graduated Cum Laude with a BA in Theatre and a minor in Musical Theatre from Western Kentucky University (2018). During his undergraduate studies he graduated with over 220 credit hours in different areas, including some masters coursework in special education. Reeves studied acting, dance and movement, musical theatre, music theory, vocal and instrumental lessons, autism and inclusion at Western Kentucky University. During his time at Western, Alexander Michael was a member of the honors theatre fraternity, Alpha Psi Omega. Alexander Michael also worked directly with the Kelly Autism Program at Western Kentucky University as an advocate, mentor and consultant for and with the autistic community.
Alexander Michael has taken part in several acting and industry intensives including; The Gaiety School of Acting (Summer 2016), Dublin, Ireland; West End On Demand (Summer 2016), London, England; Rock the Audition w/ Sheri Sanders (2018-2019), Online; and Lights! Camera! Access! Hollywood online Summit (2020). Some of Alexander Michael’s favorite acting roles include; Tigger (House at Pooh Corner), Duke (The Great American Trailer Park Musical), and The Emperor (The Emperor’s New Clothes). Alexander Michael has spoken at several collegiate conferences (Transgender Singing Voice Conference, 2017 and 2019 at Earlham College, College Inclusion Summit, 2019 at Vanderbilt) to advocate for both the Autistic and Transgender communities.
Alexander Reeves
Christi Brekke
Christi Brekke is a musician/producer, singer/songwriter, voice/music instructor, author and advocate currently based in South Texas. A former public-school choir director, music teacher, and church worship minister, Christi has worked with people of all ages and backgrounds on many styles of music and voice. In 1993, Christi’s heavy metal band “Unblessed” wrote and produced their self-titled album. They disbanded a year later. In 2010, they reunited and Christi (still “Chris” in those days) produced their second album, “The Devil’s Fifth,” at her home studio, where she also made records and demos for local bands and singers. She continues to record and produce songs for her YouTube channel. Christi spent almost a decade in music/worship ministry sharpening both her musical and technical skills. In 2004-2005, she recorded each worship service and produced a weekly audio program that was broadcast on local radio. As a high school choir director, Christi led her students to success at regional and state-level singing competitions for both soloists and ensembles. Versatile, experienced and passionate, Christi is dedicated to helping her students succeed.
Christi Brekke
Alexandra Exeter
Alexandra Exeter is a 3rd generation protégé of Claude Debussy, a master of the French Classical technique, boasts 12+ years of experience as a music educator with numerous contest winning students, has directed numerous musicals, and has a Bachelor”s in Piano Performance from Southern Illinois University Edwardsville. She has served as a vocal coach and director for productions of Sweeney Todd, Addams Family, Amahl and the Night Vistors, Into the Woods, as well as performances of the 24 Italian Songs and Arias and other pieces of operatic repetoire. Boasting extensive experience in French and Italian vocal repetoire, training in a variety of generes including rock/pop/metal, has experience in bands and local groups, and has served an instrumental role in several music programs and institutions in both St. Louis Missouri and Denver Colorado. She owned and operated a music store in St. Louis, taught for and served as the music director for the Metro East Montesorri School, served as a music instructor for Flagstaff Academy in Longmont Colorado, as well as several other private institutions including Schmitt Music in O”Fallon, Illinois. Whatever your goals, whether the modification of both the speaking voice or singing voice or even picking up a new instrument, Alexandra can help.