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Ms Anna (Piano), is the founder and managing director of Piano Forte Music and Art Academy. She graduated from Thornton School of Music, University of Southern California in 2019 with Honors (Cum Laude), Piano Performance major. Ms Anna studied with Dr. Stewart L. Gordon and Dr. Peter Green. She is awarded Professional Piano Diploma for qualification as an accompanist, ensemble performer, instrumental performer and teacher from Musical College after A. Babajanyan in Yerevan, Armenia. Ms Anna has participated in many piano concerts, competitions and performed as a soloist both in Armenia and United States. She is a member of Music Teacher's Association of CA (MTAC) and Golden Key Association; USC Chapter. Ms Anna is a recipient of many prestigious awards and scholarships, such as Dean's Honor List for academic achievement, Dick Charles Memorial Scholarship and Helen Nern Memorial Scholarship, Alicia Thorp Scholarship, Markrouhi Jamgochian Scholarship and Jane Knecht Scholarship for academic excellence, Honorable Mention Certificate for Sonata/Sonatina Competition by MTNA, Musical Honorarium for concert dedicated to 100th commemoration of Armenian Genocide, 1st Prize recipient of Senior Piano Performer by Armenian Allied Arts Annual Competition, The Best of Show and "Most Promising Talent" by Armenian Allied Arts Annual Competition, Second Prize recipient of Piano Honor's Competition by CAMPT. With a huge desire of giving the best knowledge, Ms Anna focuses on each student’s needs, abilities and tailors each lesson accordingly. With the professional response she teaches beginners to professionals.
Ms Elizabeth (Piano), is a highly experienced and dedicated piano instructor with over 20 years of teaching expertise. A gifted musician from an early age, she began her formal musical training at just four years old, quickly demonstrating exceptional talent and passion for the piano. She received her professional education in Yerevan, graduating from the prestigious Romanos Melikian State Musical College (commonly known as Spendiaryan Music School) and later from the renowned Komitas State Conservatory of Yerevan. Her strong academic foundation, combined with years of performance and teaching experience, has shaped her into a well-rounded and highly effective educator. Teaching has always been Ms. Elizabeth’s true passion. Over the years, she has guided numerous students toward musical excellence, many of whom have successfully passed the Certificate of Merit exams through the Music Teachers' Association of California. Her students regularly participate in seasonal recitals and recording projects, gaining valuable performance experience and confidence. Ms. Elizabeth takes a personalized approach to instruction, carefully tailoring each lesson to the individual student’s needs, goals, and abilities. Her comprehensive teaching style incorporates essential musical elements such as ear training, sight reading, and music theory, ensuring a balanced and in-depth education. She is committed to creating a supportive, inspiring, and structured learning environment where students of all ages and skill levels can thrive. Whether working with beginners or advanced pianists, Ms. Elizabeth strives to cultivate not only technical proficiency, but also a lifelong appreciation and love for music.
Ms. Katharine holds a Bachelor of Arts in Music Breadth Studies from California State University, Northridge, where she combined her passion for music with studies in child development. This unique academic background allows her to thoughtfully adapt her teaching approach to suit students at different developmental stages. She teaches both piano and voice, working with students of all ages to build strong fundamentals in technique, musicality, and confidence. Ms. Katharine has taught voice at Palmdale School of Music and internationally at the Immanuel English Fusion Camp in the Czech Republic, where she led vocal warm-ups, coached ensembles, and taught harmonies. In addition to her vocal expertise, she enjoys guiding piano students through foundational skills, effective practice habits, and creative expression. With over a decade of involvement in church music ministry and youth programs, Ms. Katharine brings patience, enthusiasm, and a deep love for music into every lesson. She strives to create a positive and encouraging environment where students feel motivated to grow and express themselves. Her goal is to inspire confidence while nurturing each student’s unique musical voice.
Ms. Elsie’s musical journey began in middle school, where she discovered her passion for both violin and piano. Since then, she has developed her artistry as both a pianist and violinist, consistently performing at her local church and as a member of the West Coast Classical Symphonic Orchestra. Through her work with the orchestra, Ms. Elsie has had the privilege of performing internationally at prestigious venues such as Dvořák Hall in the Czech Republic and MuTh Concert Hall in Austria, as well as locally at Disneyland Park. These experiences have enriched her musical perspective and performance excellence. Ms. Elsie holds a Bachelor of Arts in Early Childhood Education from University of Arizona Global Campus, allowing her to blend strong educational principles with her musical expertise. She is passionate about creating a positive, structured, and inspiring learning environment where students feel supported and motivated to grow. In addition to her teaching, Ms. Elsie is a highly experienced educator and an examiner with the Music Teachers' Association of California, where she prepares students and conducts annual evaluations. Her teaching approach focuses on building strong fundamentals, musical expression, and confidence, guiding each student along their own unique musical journey. She is dedicated to helping students not only achieve technical proficiency, but also develop a lasting appreciation and love for music.
Ms. Kathleen brings a lifelong passion for music and a diverse, well-rounded background in both performance and education. She began her musical journey at the age of six with piano, building a strong foundation that continues to shape her musicianship today. At twelve, she expanded into clarinet studies and has since developed experience across multiple instruments. Her skill set includes upright and electric bass, guitar, violin, and viola, allowing her to connect with students of various interests and skill levels. Throughout high school and college, Ms. Kathleen actively participated in local bands and school music programs, performing regularly and collaborating with fellow musicians. She has also completed extensive coursework in music theory and clarinet, further strengthening her technical and academic foundation. In addition to her performance background, Ms. Kathleen is a dedicated educator with experience teaching private music lessons. She has also worked with special needs children, bringing patience, adaptability, and a compassionate approach to every lesson. Her teaching style focuses on creating a supportive, engaging, and personalized learning environment for each student.
Ms Natalie (Piano) brings a unique blend of passion and expertise to piano teaching practice. With a strong ability to connect with students and 17 years of experience with classical and romantic pieces, Ms Natalie creates an enriching and inspiring learning environment. As a graduate from the University of Southern California with a degree in Architecture, the teacher combines a keen understanding of design principles with a love for music. This interdisciplinary background allows Ms Natalie to approach piano teaching with a creative and structured methodology, helping students grasp complex concepts with ease. The classes are known for fostering both technical proficiency and emotional expression, ensuring students not only learn to play, but also develop a deep appreciation for the craft. In addition to music profession, Ms Natalie is passionate about inclusivity, sustainability, and community engagement. Diverse range of interests teacher possesses helps students create with a well-rounded and culturally rich education. Currently, teacher Natalie teaches in our Marina Del Rey studio.
Ms. Alyssa’s musical journey began over 13 years ago when she first picked up the violin, sparking a passion that has since become a defining part of her life. Over the past decade, she has proudly performed as a violinist with the West Coast Classical Symphonic Orchestra, a respected ensemble in Palmdale known for its commitment to excellence in classical music. In addition to her orchestral experience, Ms. Alyssa has developed a strong passion for teaching and mentorship. For the past three years, she has served as the Beginning Strings Instructor at West Coast Classical, where she has guided and inspired students of all ages as they begin their musical journeys. Her teaching emphasizes strong foundational technique, confidence-building, and a genuine love for music. A highlight of Ms. Alyssa’s performance career includes appearances at prestigious international venues such as Dvořák Hall in the Czech Republic and MuTh Concert Hall in Austria, as well as a recent performance at Disneyland Park. These experiences have broadened her artistic perspective and enriched her approach to both performance and teaching. Ms. Alyssa is deeply committed to nurturing the next generation of musicians. She believes in the transformative power of music education and strives to create a supportive, engaging, and inspiring environment where every student can grow, express themselves, and develop a lifelong appreciation for music.
Mr. Jesse is a dedicated percussion instructor specializing in drums and marimba, working with students of all skill levels—from beginners to advanced musicians. With a strong focus on rhythm, technique, and musical expression, he provides a well-rounded and engaging learning experience tailored to each student’s goals. He has completed extensive private instruction and devoted over six years to the in-depth study of music theory and rhythm, developing a deep understanding of the foundational and advanced elements of percussion. His training allows him to effectively teach complex rhythmic patterns, coordination, and musical interpretation, helping students build both technical proficiency and confidence. Throughout his musical journey, Mr. Jesse has actively participated in school competitions and has performed as a soloist in recitals, gaining valuable stage experience. These performance opportunities have shaped his dynamic teaching approach, encouraging students to feel comfortable and confident when performing. Passionate about education, Mr. Jesse is committed to motivating students to push beyond their limits while enjoying the process of learning. He strives to create a positive, structured, and inspiring environment where students can achieve meaningful progress and take pride in reaching their musical milestones. His ultimate goal is to instill both skill and a lifelong appreciation for music in every student he teaches.
Master Ruben is a highly accomplished and respected chess instructor, recognized by the United States Chess Federation as a Certified Instructor. He holds the prestigious titles of National Master (awarded January 2011) and Original Life Master (awarded March 2015), reflecting years of dedication, discipline, and excellence in competitive chess. With a current rating above 2200, he continues to demonstrate a high level of mastery and consistency in the game. Throughout his career, Master Ruben has achieved remarkable success in numerous tournaments across the country. His accomplishments include championship titles in events such as the Hawaii State Rapid/Open, multiple Antelope Valley tournaments (Winter, Easter, Spring, and Christmas events), Glendale Summer Open, Santa Monica FIDE, Los Angeles FIDE, West Valley Chess Club All Winter Long Swiss, and the Western States Open in Reno, among many others. These achievements highlight not only his competitive strength but also his deep strategic understanding of the game. As an instructor, Master Ruben brings a wealth of knowledge, experience, and passion to every lesson. He specializes in advanced chess strategies, positional understanding, tactical development, and game analysis, helping students build a strong and well-rounded foundation. His teaching style is both structured and engaging, tailored to meet the individual needs and goals of each student. Whether working with beginners learning the fundamentals or advanced players striving to refine their skills, Master Ruben is committed to guiding students toward meaningful progress and competitive success. He fosters critical thinking, discipline, and confidence, empowering students to elevate their game and develop a lifelong appreciation for the art of chess.
Mr. James is a dedicated artist and passionate art educator based in Lancaster. With a lifelong devotion to drawing, illustration, and painting, he has developed his craft through years of disciplined study, consistent practice, and meaningful collaboration with fellow artists. His artistic style and vision have been influenced by renowned masters such as Michael Whelan, Frank Frazetta, Tim Hildebrandt, Greg Hildebrandt, and contemporary artist Jerry Vanderstelt. Drawing inspiration from these influential figures, Mr. James brings both classical techniques and imaginative storytelling into his work. He has trained extensively under multiple instructors at Antelope Valley College, continually expanding his expertise in illustration, portraiture, oil painting, and life drawing. His commitment to growth and artistic excellence is reflected in both his personal work and his teaching. Beyond creating art, Mr. James has discovered a deep passion for education. He is dedicated to guiding students of all skill levels, helping them build strong technical foundations while encouraging creativity and individual expression. His teaching approach is supportive, engaging, and tailored to each student’s unique artistic voice. Mr. James is also actively involved in the local arts community, assisting with weekly life drawing sessions at the Antelope Valley Community Art Gallery. Through both his artwork and instruction, he strives to inspire others to explore their imagination, develop confidence in their abilities, and cultivate a lifelong appreciation for the visual arts. His goal is to pass on the knowledge, discipline, and enthusiasm he has gained over decades of creative practice.