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Please click on the teacher's name for a short biography and explanation of teaching styles. If you are interested in contacting one of our private teachers, please call The Music Store at (480) 831-9691 and speak to a member of our staff, or email us at info@the-music-store.com with your name, phone number, and instrument or teacher you are inquiring about, and we'll have one of our teachers contact you!
Private Teacher Biographies Camille Tierney (Voice) - Tuesday/Saturday Camille has been singing opera and classical music professionally for the past 15 years. She has earned both a Bachelor's degree from Carnegie Mellon University and a Masters degree from the New England Conservatory of Music in Vocal Performance. She has sung throughout the United States, most notably in the New York City Opera National Company and Lyric Opera of Chicago. Locally she has sung with the Phoenix Symphony Orchestra and Arizona Opera. As a teacher, Camille helps singers of all ages and abilities strengthen their voices and develop confidence in performing.
Robert Wright (Voice) - Friday/Saturday Robert Wright is an Arizona native who is currently completing an advanced degree in Music at Arizona State University. His collegiate education began at Chandler-Gilbert Community College where he was cast as Papageno in Mozart's Magic Flute, before receiving a full scholarship to ASU. While at ASU, Robert appeared in productions of Elixir of Love, The Garden, and Ghost Voices. In addition to musical theatre, Robert sings professionally for weddings and church events. He is passionate about teaching, believing the human voice to be the most challenging and uniquely magnificent of all instruments.
Kelly Pearson (Piano) - Tuesday/Wednesday/Thursday/Friday Kelly graduated Cum Laude from Wartburg College in Waverly, Iowa with a degree in Piano Performance. Her awards include the prestigious Meistersinger Piano Scholarship, various district and statewide Teacher's Association awards, and she was named as Regent Scholar at Wartburg College. In 2000, Kelly moved to Arizona and began teaching at The Music Store. She is a member of the Music Teachers National Association, Arizona State Music Teachers Association, the Phoenix Music Teachers Association, as well as the East Valley Music Teachers Association. She has served in various positions in the local associations and her students regularly participate in sponsored performing opportunities. Currently, she is in the process of becoming a National Certified Teacher through MTNA. Kelly's love of music and positive attitude provides a welcome learning environment for students of all ages.
Tom Young (Piano, Sax, Flute) - Monday/Tuesday/Wednesday/Thursday/Friday/Saturday Tom is a graduate of the renowned Berklee School of Music. For the past 20 years, he has enjoyed a diverse career as a soloist, band leader, theater conductor, studio musician, music teacher, and composer. Tom teaches Jazz, Classical, and Popular styles. He uses the TEY music method for instruction "Blending Tradition with Innovation."
Marla Flannagan (Flute) - Tuesday/Wednesday Marla has been playing the flute for over 22 years and has been teaching for 10 years. She earned her Bachelor's Degree in Flute Performance at ASU where she played in several performing groups and had a successful professional Flute and Guitar Duo. She has studied with several world-renowned flutists in America, Canada, and Europe giving her a wide-range of teachable knowledge. Marla's true passion is teaching and she is committed to providing her students with the essential tools to become great musicians. More information is at her website, www.flannagansflutes.com.
Monica Sauer-Anthony (Flute, Recorder) - Tuesday Monica began her flute studies at the age of 12 in Tempe, AZ and received a Bachelor's and Master's degree in Flute Performance from Arizona State University. As an orchestral musician, Monica has performed with the Mesa Symphony, New Mexico Symphony, Santa Fe Symphony, Opera Southwest and the Chamber Orchestra of Albuquerque. As a chamber musician, Monica is a member of Red Mountain Winds and the Passport trio. Monica has been teaching flute and recorder for over 13 years privately and serves on the faculty at Arizona School for the Arts.
Susan Yuen (Oboe) - Friday Susie graduated Summa Cum Laude with a degree in Music Education from Maranatha Baptist Bible College in Watertown, WI. She has been playing oboe for 13 years. Susie has performed with the Maranatha Symphonic Wind Ensemble, the Maranatha Orchestra, and the Maranatha Chamber Singers during her four years of college. While touring with the Maranatha Chamber Singers, she had an opportunity to sing as well as accompany the choir on piano and oboe. She also traveled throughout the West for tour summer as a school representative with an ensemble. Susie is Director of Bands at Tri-City Christian Academy, where she also teaches oboe and piano privately. She has studied oboe extensively and enjoys passing her knowledge onto the next generation of oboists.
Stefanie Gardner (Clarinet) - Monday/Saturday Stephanie is completing a Master's Degree in Clarinet Performance at Arizona State University, where she also received a Bachelor's Degree in Clarinet Performance. She is the winner of the ASU 2007 Concerto Competition and will be a featured soloist with the ASU Wind Symphony. Stefanie is currently a student of the world renowned virtuoso, Dr. Robert Spring. She has performed in master class with Larry Combs, the Juilliard Quartet, the Eroica Trio, Eddy Vanoosthuyse, Marie Picard, Maurita Mead, and Jorge Montilla.
Bill Humbert (Trumpet) - Monday/Wednesday Bill Humbert received his Bachelor and Master of Music in Education degrees from Arizona State University and is currently the Director of Bands at Glendale Community College in Glendale, Arizona. Prior to his appointment at the college, Mr. Humbert was the Director of Bands at Chandler High School in Chandler, Arizona.
Gustavo Camacho (French Horn, Beginning Trumpet) - Saturday Gustavo received his Masters degree in Music Performance from Arizona State University where he studied with Dr. John Ericson. He is currently completing a Doctorate of Musical Arts at ASU. Gustavo has played with the Las Cruces Symphony in New Mexico, the Musica Nova Orchestra in Scottsdale, and is currently assistant principal with the Mesa Symphony Orchestra. Gustavo's chamber music experience includes the Southwest Brassworks, the Herberger Woodwind Quintet, and Phoenician Brass, of which he is a founding member. Gustavo has been the Horn Teaching Assistant at ASU, and is also the Brass Instructor at the Arizona School for the Arts.
Kyle Barentine (Drums) - Monday/Tuesday/Wednesday/Thursday/Friday Kyle teaches percussion and drumming techniques at The Music Store. He specializes in beginning to intermediate instruction with an emphasis on band and orchestra students. Kyle has been teaching privately for 12 years and has extensive playing experience in marching, orchestral, and popular music. Kyle worked with and taught at the University of South Carolina, and worked with Garfield and Spirit of Atlanta Drum and Bugle Corps in the late 1980's. He is the recipient of the Most Outstanding Percussionist in the state of South Carolina. Kyle continues to play professionally with the nationally recognized group, The Swingtips.
Erin Lanus (Violin, Irish Fiddle) - Monday Erin has been studying music for over 19 years, including 10 years of classical violin and 6 years studying Traditional Irish Fiddle and Irish Step Dance. She has studied with some of the fiddlers from the show "Lord of the Dance" including a 12-time All Ireland fiddling champion. She has performed with numerous local bands and at many festivals and venues in both Arizona and California. In addition to her music background, Erin has a Bachelor's degree in Psychology from Arizona State University and also has experience working with very young children and children with special needs. She has been teaching for over four years and specializes in very young beginner, adult beginners and Irish fiddling.
Heather Gill (Violin, Viola, Cello) - Saturday Heather teaches at The Music Store as well as in her Gilbert home studio. She earned a Music Education Degree at Arizona State University and teaches Strings in the Gilbert Public Schools. As a performer, Heather has played in Chamber Ensembles and Symphony Orchestras at Texas Tech University and ASU and also performs in her Emotional Strings Quartet. She is a veteran of the Metropolitan Youth Symphony, as well as the Regional and All State Honor Orchestras and is able to help students prepare for those experiences. As an instructor, Heather teaches violin and viola technique and repertoire through classical and fiddle styles. She combines note reading with playing by ear to allow students to reach optimal musical growth and success.
Jamilyn Richardson (Violin) - Monday/Tuesday Jamilyn is completing her Masters degree in performance at Arizona State University where she is a student of Dr. Katie McLin. She started her education/performance training at Northern Arizona University where she studied the Suzuki method of teaching with Louise Scott and Karin Hallberg. As a performer, Jamilyn has been a member of the Flagstaff and Tempe Symphonies and also performs with the ASU Symphony Orchestra, as well as the Musica Nova Orchestra of Scottsdale. Jamilyn has been teaching privately for the last six years and teaches students of all ages.
Cory Fournier (Guitar, Beginning Mandolin) - Monday/Tuesday/Wednesday/Thursday/Saturday Cory has been playing and teaching Acoustic and Electric Guitar for over 20 years. He has played a wide variety of styles with emphasis on Rock, Pop, and Praise and Worship music. Cory's musicianship is largely the result of practical experience, having left music school to tour with a Top 40 group. He does, however, employ his Bachelor's Degree in Psychology on a daily basis, "using immediate gratification (songs) to motivate students into learning what they need to know (theory)." While Cory is capable of providing in-depth study, his philosophy of music leans toward the "less talk, more play!" approach. Cory currently plays in his own acoustic duo and with his church band. His love of music and positive attitude provide a welcome learning environment for students of all ages. Tracy Kimbrall (Guitar, Bass Guitar, Banjo, Mandolin) - Monday/Tuesday/Wednesday/Thursday/Friday/Saturday Tracy has been playing and performing for 20 years and has been teaching since the age of 18. He teaches all styles of guitar, bass and banjo. Tracy is currently working on his Masters degree in Music Education. He is noted for his ability to explain difficult concepts in an easy-to-understand manner. Tracy will show you the right way to develop your musical knowledge and proper technique. "If you learn the musical side first, then any style you learn will come much more easily." Lawrence Petross (Guitar, Bass Guitar) - Tuesday/Wednesday/Thursday/Saturday Lawrence teaches acoustic guitar, electric guitar, and bass guitar. He holds a degree from Musicians Institute's Guitar Institute of Technology in Hollywood, CA. Lawrence has been a professional musician for more than 20 years and has performed a number of different music styles. He has been teaching at The Music Store for 13 years and teaches Rock, Blues, Jazz, Fusion, Country, Funk, Pop, and Classical music styles. Lawrence offers customized, individual lessons for beginning to advanced students aimed at accelerated progress in a fun learning environment. Scott Pearson (Guitar, Bass Guitar) - Monday/Tuesday/Wednesday Scott graduated from ASU with a Bachelor of Music Degree in Jazz Performance. He prides himself on being versatile in any style of music or playing situation and has a method of teaching that provides his students with a complete knowledge of the guitar. After more than 15 years of playing professionally, Scott can still be found performing throughout the week with his cover band "Chris Parker Project", the "Jackrabbit House Band", at Chalice Christian Church, or as a side man with numerous groups throughout the Valley. Scott is currently accepting new students, and regardless of age or ability, his students are encouraged to have fun, learn, and share their music. Jeff Lauffer (Guitar) - Wednesday/Thursday Jeff moved to the Valley in 1997 from Albany, N.Y. He is completing a Bachelor of Arts degree in Jazz Guitar Performance at Arizona State University and can be seen playing with a number of groups in the area including "Jeff Jones and Mosaic", "Subterranean Jazz" and his newly-formed duo, "I Due Briganti". Jeff has over 20 years of playing experience and has been teaching since 1990. He is a well rounded musician and enjoys playing and teaching many styles of music including Jazz, Rock, Bossa Nova, Salsa, Classical and Italian Folk. Mike Hall (Bass Guitar) - Tuesday Mike Hall has been a working musician, sound engineer, arranger, and teacher since 1996. His musical experience includes playing Tuba and Bass with various groups; styles including Classical, Jazz, Dixie Land, Rock, and Hip Hop. Studying tuba under sam Pilafian and Pat Sheridan, he has helped with the production of the popular educational video for band, The Breathing Gym. He has also been the sound engineer in many theater performances and live concerts including the tuba duo Dos Amigos. Currently, Mike is the assistant band director at Marcos de Niza High School and plays bass with the popular R&B band, Crayon Sky. Alden Powers (Guitar, Bass Guitar) - Monday/Wednesday/Friday Alden has been teaching guitar in a private and class setting for over a decade. Alden began his teaching career at an early age, becoming a faculty member at the National Guitar Workshop at just 18 years old. he holds a Bachelor's Degree in Jazz Guitar Performance from the University of Miami (FL). While at Miami, Alden gained a wealth of knowledge by studying with members of the Bee Gees and the Miami Sound Machine. Alden performs throughout the Valley as a solo singer/songwriter and with various rock and Praise/Worship groups. Alden enjoys teaching all levels and styles of guitar and bass. Alden tries to tailor his lessons to best fit the goals of his students, employing a fun method that will provide a lifetime of musical enjoyment. |
