If you are interested in scheduling lessons with one of our
piano
teachers, please use the email link at the end of the teacher's biography, or call The Music Store at
(480) 831-9691 and speak to a member of our staff.
Alexandra Chea
Alexandra Chea is a classically trained clarinetist residing in Tempe, AZ pursuing her Doctor of Musical Arts at Arizona State University in Tempe, Arizona under the direction of Dr. Robert Spring and Dr. Joshua Gardner where she also obtained her Master's of Music in Clarinet Performance. She has since been immersed and trained in extended techniques and now regularly performs contemporary music and other genres including Klezmer and Jazz. During her undergraduate studies, she studied at Messiah College in Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania, and obtained a double Bachelor's Degree in Business Administration and Music. At Messiah, she studied under the direction of Dr. Stephanie Cramer.
During her time in Pennsylvania, she performed with the Harrisburg Opera Association, Harrisburg Youth Symphony Orchestra, and regularly had gigs in Pit Orchestras doubling on saxophone and clarinet in the area. In the Bahamas, she has played with the Bahamas National Symphony Orchestra and performed as a soloist with the Bahamas Music Academy where she also partially studied the clarinet. In High School, she participated in the E. Clement Bethel National Arts Competition and held the title as the National winner four times from 2013-2016 in the solo woodwind category for her respective age in addition to winning the woodwind quartet (ensemble) category two times in 2015 and 2016.
Currently available for lessons at our teaching studios
Click here for Alexandra's Linktr.ee where you can find links to her website, YouTube channel, and various performances!
Click here for Alexandra's Instagram
Rates: $25/half hour, $50/hour
Lesson Days: Tuesdays, Fridays, and Saturdays
Instruments Taught: Clarinet, Beginning Piano, and Saxophone
Contact: alexandrachea
the-music-store.com
Danielle Cooke
Danielle graduated from ASU with a degree in Jazz Performance in 2008. She then spent 3 years traveling the world working as a musician and music director on cruise ships. After settling back in Arizona, she has continued to work as a professional musician in a variety of different contexts, including playing jazz and top 40 gigs, accompanying choirs, leading praise and worship bands, composing and arranging music, as well as teaching private lessons. She enjoys sharing her love of music with others and helping them achieve their goals.
Currently not accepting new students
Rates: Contact for rates
Lesson Days: Monday/Tuesday/Thursday/Saturday
Instruments Taught: Piano
Contact: daniellecookethe-music-store.com
Marie Guthrie
Hello! I'm Marie and am the owner of 5 Note Fun Music Studio that operates out of the Group Room at The Music Store. I am certified to teach the Let's Play Music, Sound Beginnings, and Presto curriculum.
I received my BM in Music Education from ASU in 2005 in both choral and instrumental music. This means I took a lot of music classes! Cello is my main instrument along with singing soprano, but I took lessons and classes in piano, violin, viola, bass, guitar, woodwinds, upper brass, percussion, conducting, theory, music history and ear training, along with numerous music education classes specific to every age. I love teaching music! It was my pleasure to teach elementary orchestra with Gilbert Public Schools before starting my own family and getting my Masters degree in education (TESOL).
I discovered Let's Play Music when I was looking for a music program for my own children. My oldest daughter started in the program. As I experienced it with her, I knew it was something that I really wanted to be a part of and have in my area! The curriculum was spot on with everything I had learned in college, and it was so much fun! I became a teacher in 2012 and have been teaching ever since. Seeing families experience the joy of learning music together is one of my favorite things!
I am an Arizona native, and currently reside with my husband and 6 children in the southwest corner of Mesa. In addition to teaching Let's Play Music, I play cello with Emotion String Quartet and AZ MCO.
Click here for more info and to sign up for Marie's group classes!
Rates and Lesson Days: Click here for info and sign up
Instruments Taught: Piano and Keyboard
Contact: marieguthriethe-music-store.com
Kelly Pearson
Kelly graduated Cum Laude from Wartburg College in Waverly, Iowa with a Bachelor of Music degree in Piano Performance and has been teaching piano since 2000 at The Music Store. She is an active member of several professional teaching organizations, including the following: East, Valley Music Teachers Association, Arizona State Music Teachers Association, and the Music Teachers National Association. Her teaching philosophy centers around the idea that piano lessons should not only be fun, but should also provide the skills necessary to play piano for a lifetime. Her students participate in recitals, the Arizona Study Program, and utilize technology in the lessons. Kelly's love of music and positive attitude provides a welcome learning environment for students of all ages and abilities.
Rates: $115/month (One 30-minute lesson each week)
Lesson Days: Wednesdays and Saturdays
Instruments Taught: Piano
Contact: kellypearsonthe-music-store.com
Chris Rice
As an experienced musician, teacher and performer on both piano and cello, I love to share music with others. I have performed extensively with my brother, Johnny, in a wide variety of settings all over the U.S. (from Carnegie Hall to Disneyland), and also in Europe. I studied for 12 years in the private studio of Robert Hamilton, Steinway Artist and Professor of Piano at Arizona State University. I have also pursued advanced studies in Europe, with Johannes Kropfitsch, Director of Piano at the Vienna Conservatory, and Stefan Wojtas of the Kraków Conservatory. In addition, I have done extended work with Philip Kawin of the Manhattan School of Music. On cello, I studied for many years with Taki Atsumi, President of the American Cello Congress and Professor at Arizona State University. I have received coaching on cello from many amazing teachers, including Mstislav Rostropovich, and Eugene Friesen, Grammy Award-winning jazz cellist. The things that I have learned from all of these experiences is what I bring to those who I work with in lessons. I enjoy helping students build a love of and interest in music, and I individualize my approach with each student.
I work with students of all ages and levels in my private studio. I have been invited as a guest teacher in classroom settings around the country, giving master classes to students in private music schools and presenting workshops to students at summer music camps.
Website: www.the-rice-brothers.com
The Rice Brothers in Concert - a brief introduction www.youtube.com/watch?v=qSZixbbJlbQ
Rates: Contact for rates
Lesson Days: Thursdays
Instruments Taught: Piano, Cello, and Beginning Violin
Contact: chrisricethe-music-store.com
Ryley Taylor
Ryley is a 2007 graduate from Point Loma Nazarene University, who holds a Bachelor of Arts in Music Education followed by a Masters of Arts in Education from Chapman University earned in 2012. She has been teaching public school music for over 13 years and teaching private music lessons for over 15 years. She is currently teaching music in the Arizona public schools. Additionally, Ms. Taylor travels as a gig performer and performs at churches on the side. Ryley considers it a tremendous privilege to be in such a position to shape and mold the mind of a child, perhaps changing the course of lives forever. Her goal is to inspire her students to use music as a vehicle to delight, discover and express who they are as their very own individual person. She will seek to give them a unique confidence as their eyes are opened to their potential through the power of music. Ms. Taylor is primarily a strings and piano specialist, as well as plays and teaches the flute.
Currently available for lessons at our teaching studios
Rates: Contact for rates
Lesson Days:Mondays and Saturdays
Instruments Taught:Violin, viola, beginning cello, piano, and flute
Contact: ryleytaylorthe-music-store.com
Tom Young
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".
Available for lessons 10am-6pm on weekdays, 10am-3pm on Saturday.
Rates: Contact for rates
Lesson Days: Monday/Tuesday/Wednesday/Thursday
Instruments Taught: Piano, Flute, Saxophone
Contact: tomyoungthe-music-store.com