Mage Music Studio

• Master of Fine Arts in Music Performance & Composition from • California Institute of the Arts • Bachelor of Jazz Music Studies from Vancouver Island University • Apple Certified Macintosh Technician • Nationally Certified Teacher of Music • Royal Conservatory Certified Teacher • Member of the American Federation of Musicians • Member of the Music Teachers National Association • Active Teaching Artist in the Ventura County Arts Council’s Artists in the Classroom program​ • Teach Music Online Certified Online Music Teacher

I have been ambitious in writing and performing my whole life. In my early years I studied classical piano in the Royal Conservatory of Music (RCM).  Through those RCM studies I entered my compositions in national songwriting contests and won second place in Canada Music Week. I attended university for music, immersing my life in my music passion. I obtained my bachelor’s degree in Jazz Studies (Vancouver Island University) and went on to achieve my Master’s of Fine Arts in Music (California Institute of the Arts).

I teach students who already have the PASSION for music.  I work with students who have goals such as learning how to read music, preparing for talent shows, taking music lessons as part of their home-schooling music curriculum, writing and recording their own songs, and I also teach in public schools.  I am currently teaching at Antelope Valley College.

In December 2022, I served as an adjudicator for the National Association of Teachers of Singing Cal-Western auditions. I got to hear 13 talented singers and provide them with valuable feedback to help them grow and succeed. Then I found out that two of my own students made it into the semi-finals! 🤩 (Update: one of them made it to the finals and was awarded Second Place! 🏆) 

In April 2022, one of my youngest students (6 years old) received Second Place in the Music Teachers’ Association of California Composers Today State Contest for her piano composition. She had been taking piano and voice lessons for just over a year. In addition, I also achieved Third Place in the teacher advanced composition category for my song “Wistful.”

In 2019-20 one of my piano students achieved the Celebration of Excellence for the Royal Conservatory of Music for the Southern California Region...TWICE!  :) His family and I are so proud!  This designation is reserved only for students who receive 93% or higher on their examinations.  It took only four months in between each exam for him.

Make sure that you ask many questions and be sure that you select a professional who is credentialed (has a music degree or other teaching credential), and that you are comfortable with the demeanor and personality of the instructor. A dedicated private music teacher who is committed to teaching will often be a member of a music teachers association; I highly recommend that you check if the teacher is part of organizations such the Music Teachers National Association or a state organization for music teachers. If you are a parent or guardian of the student it is important that you have the opportunity to sit in during your child's lessons. It is important that the teacher is able to communicate with both you and your child on things like practice and progress. Don't be afraid to ask for a background check verification!

What instruments do you teach?
How long have you been playing?
What are your specialties/genres?
What age groups do you teach?

Are you Nationally Certified by the Music Teachers National Association?

⭐️ For more questions, I recommend that you refer to the article "Choosing a Music Teacher" by the Music Teachers National Association.