Teacher Bios

Strings | Guitar | Piano | Voice/Choral | Winds

(Bios are alphabetized by the teacher's last name.)

Magdolna Berezvai, Violin

Magdolna Berezvai was born in Hungary, and began studying violin at age 8 with Szokolay Balint. At 12, she was admitted to the prestigious Franz Liszt Music Academy in Budapest. From there she began an international teaching career, in Hungary and Australia, where she lived for several years. Her students won top prizes in many different competitions, including first prizes in the national Zathureczky violin competition in Hungary, and the International Georg Philipp Telemann Violin Competition in Poland.

She also managed students' musical careers, organizing performances for them in England, Israel, Slovenia, Italy, Poland, Lithuania, France, Switzerland, Germany, Arab Emirates, Austria, and Greece, as well as Australia and Hungary. Along with teaching, Magdolna composes and arranges music. Her hobby is playing world music, particularly traditional Greek music. Magdolna has two children, Andoni, an actor, and Claudia, a violinist.

Melodee Fernández, Voice

Melodee Fernández is active as a private voice instructor, lecturer at College of the Canyons in Valencia, and a performing vocalist. She specializes in Spanish art song and delivers lectures on zarzuela at various institutions, including L.A. Opera. She is a teaching artist for Guild Opera and has taught at Cal State Los Angeles, USC, and Mount St. Mary's College.

At the South Pasadena Strings Program, she enjoys teaching private voice lessons in all styles of music (musical theater, pop, rock, and opera) to both children and adult, and directing the children's choir.

Awards/Honors

One of 16 teachers selected, LA County Professional Artist Training Program, LA County Arts Commission
Recipient of the Joaquín Rodrigo Award, "Música en Compostela" (Spain)
Semi-finalist, Metropolitan Opera National Auditions
Featured soloist, Bilingual Foundation of the Arts
Member, NATS and AGMA

Past Performances

Director, Goyescas, Lyric Opera of Los Angeles
Director, La Verbena de la Paloma, Cal State LA
Soprano, as Paloma, El Barberillo de Lavapiés, Santa Barbara Grand Opera
Soprano, as Susana, La Verbena de la Paloma, Center Stage Theater
Backup, for singer/songwriter Linda Perry, Benefit concert by Christina Aguilera
National tour of Spain, Opera Cómica de Madrid
Soloist, Comedy Central, Sit Spin, Pacific Symphony, Westchester Symphony, Zoo District Theatre, and Steve Allen Theatre
Operas

Hand Maiden, Turandot, Opera Pacific
Nedda, I Pagliacci, Intimate Opera
Medea, Teseo, Opera Theatre of Lucca, Italy
Pamina, The Magic Flute, Golden West Opera
Nella, Gianni Schicchi, Music Academy of the West
Susanna, The Marriage of Figaro, USC Opera

Education

Music Academy of the West, Santa Barbara
Master of Music (voice), USC
Bachelor of Music (voice), USC

Tina Gavlak, Piano

A long time SPSP parent and former student of piano, Ms. Tina comes to the Strings Program with a background in teaching both private and public schools levels Pre-K through 6th grade.

Having 3 small children of her own, she understands the importance of introducing music early using proper techniques as well as sharing the joy of music and keeping it fun! Tina started teaching KinderPiano Ãƒâ€šÃ‚Â® in 2008 and continues to add her creativity to this ever evolving popular class. "I love teaching the young children and sharing in their excitement when they learn something new", says Tina.

Karen Hall, Cello

Karen Hall began playing cello in 3rd grade after her parents finally gave up on her becoming a pianist! By the time she reached high school, Karen was involved in her school's symphonic and chamber orchestras; in the Port Angeles Symphony Orchestra; in a string quartet, and she played for various church and community activities.

Throughout high school, Karen traveled with her various groups to state and regional competitions. In 2004, she qualified for state competition in solo performance, and in ensembles. She placed first in Large Ensemble at the 2004 Washington State Solo and Ensemble competition, and third in Chamber Ensemble with her string quartet at the 2004 Gresham Orchestra Festival. In 2005, she performed at Carnegie Hall with the Port Angeles High School Symphonic Orchestra.

Karen continued her education at Azusa Pacific University, graduating in 2009 with a bachelor of arts in Cello Performance. While in school she participated in the university choir and orchestra, in a pop group called, Celebration,and in chamber music. During her senior year, Karen played co-principal for the US premiere of Esa-Peka Salonens piece, Stockholm Diary; and she was principal for the west coast premier of Steven Stuckys piece, Jeu de Timbres, including a master class with the composer. In 2009, she was selected as a winner of the APU Concerto Competition and returned as a soloist the following season to perform the Kol Nidre by Max Bruch.

Karen has done several west coast tours, as well as performing in Canada, Korea and Brazil. She also plays in several musical theater pit orchestras, and with the Lake Avenue Church Orchestra.

Suji Kang

Cellist Suji Kang was born in Seoul, Korea in 1987. At age ten, she moved to America with her family and began to play the cello. She received her bachelors degree in music from California State University Northridge then received her masters degree at University California Los Angeles. In high school, she was the pricipal cellist of the orchestra and also played in the school's award-winning jazz ensembles. She competed in many jazz festivals with big bands and combos and received soloist awards. While attending CSUN, she was the pricipal cellist of the University Symphony for three consecutive years, and was a member of the prestigious Goldberg Honors String Quartet. She also received the following awards and scholarships during her undergraduate studies including: Dean's list, Fellowship Arts Council Music Scholarship 2006-2009, Music Department Scholarship, and Associated Students Scholarship. Most recently, Suji won the UCLA All-Star Concerto Competition where she performed Popper Requim for Three Cellos with Orchestra accompanied by the UCLA Philharmonia. In 2004, she attended the California Summer Music Festival, and in 2007 she attended Aria International Summer Academy on a full scholarship. She performed with the Colburn Orchestra da Camera from 2003-2004 and has also performed around Los Angeles with ensembles such as Young Musicians Foundation Debut Orchestra and El Dorado Opera Orchestra. She also played in master classes for Alexander, Boromeo, Rossetti, Vilnius, and Henschel string quartets, Trio di Parma, Mihai Tetel, and Ovidiu Marinescu. She has also studied with Antonio Lysy, Diane Roscetti, Irene Sharp, Mihai Tetel, Richard Andaya, David Aks, Ben Wyatt, and Timothy Loo. Suji is passionate about teaching.

Leanna Lam

Award-winning Australian pianist Leanna Lam has been studying piano since she was six years old. From age eight, her teacher was Margaret Hair. At 11, Leanna was chosen to perform Mozart's "Coronation Concerto" with the East-West Orchestra in Sydney, Australia under conductor Henryk Pisarek. Leanna attended Roseville College in New South Wales on a full music scholarship. Leanna has won numerous music prizes, awards and honors. In both 2003 and 2005, she won the "Theme and Variations" Outstanding Pianist Award in Sydney, Australia. In 2006, she won most of the Open Sections at the Sydney McDonalds Arts Challenge and she was one of 3 students to be singled out by the Cultural Council. She has performed in master classes with world-renowned pianists such as John Perry (from the U.S.) and Marc Durand (Canada). In May 2006, she had a private master class with Gary Graffmann (U.S.). Leanna has competed in the ABC Symphony Australia Young Performer's Award on three occasions. On all occasions, she has proceeded to the State Finals; in 2006, she performed with the Adelaide Symphony Orchestra in the National Finals. In January 2007, Leanne travelled to the U.S. to perform and participate in lessons and master classes with John Perry at the Colburn School of Performing Arts in Los Angeles. She was the overall winner of the 2008 Werner Baer Memorial Award. In August 2008, she won the audience prize in the Bad Bertrich International Music Festival as well as all the open sections and the scholarships at the Galston District Eisteddfod. In August 2010, she attended the Orford Music Summer Festival in Canada, where she participated in the program for six weeks under the tutelage of John Perry, Richard Raymond, Maneli Pirzadeh and Jacques Rouvier. Leanna holds two Australian musical diploma certificates, an A.mus.A (Associate in Music, Australia), and L.mus.A (Licentiate in Music, Australia.) She is currently studying for her Bachelor of Music Degree at the Colburn School in Los Angeles, under professor John Perry.

Amy Martens, Flute, Piano

Having grown up in a musical family, Amy is no stranger to the stage. She began piano at age 4, and flute at age 8 under the tutelage of her mother. She performed in countless recitals and several church programs during her childhood. In high school, she continued her private studies in flute, had the opportunity to perform in district and country honor bands, and was a member of the Young Artists Symphony Orchestra in the Bay Area. In college, she studied with Teri Mason Christian, played principal flute in various musical ensembles, and attended master classes with renowned flutists Sir James Galway and Ransom Wilson. Her favorite experience was to solo with a small orchestra on tour in Italy in the summer of 2007.

Amy now teaches privately, performs in the Corona Symphony Orchestra, and freelances around Los Angeles.

Education

Master of Music (Flute performance), Azusa Pacific University
Bachelor of Music (Flute performance), Azusa Pacific University

Lucas Martinez, Guitar, Composer

Lucas Martinez is a guitarist, composer, and instructor at the South Pasadena Strings Program. His study of the guitar began under classical guitarist Carl Bernstein, a former student of Andres Segovia. Lucas went on to graduate from the USC Thornton School of Music with a Bachelor of Music in Studio Jazz Guitar performance. At USC, he studied under world-renowned musicians and composers including bebop/jazz guitarist Bruce Forman, flamenco guitarist Adam del Monte, and classical guitarist James Smith.

Through his years of development as musician, Lucas has learned the importance of teaching and sharing knowledge and experience, and the importance of passing on music to future generations just as his instructors have done for him. As a result, he has cultivated a patient, thorough, and exciting teaching style influenced by the instruction he has received. He works well with students of all ages and skill levels, including children discovering music for the first time.

Education

Bachelor of Music (Studio/Jazz Guitar performance), University of Southern California, 2008
New Mexico Highlands University, Concurrent Enrollment, 2002-2003

Genres: Flamenco, Classical, Jazz, Rock, Pop, Blues, Contemporary/Modern styles

Joseph Mendoes, Cello

Joseph Mendoes started to play the cello at the age of 9, in his local public school music program. He began private lessons at age 11, and studied with Doris Savery for the next three years. In high school, he studied at the Colburn School of Performing Arts with Richard Naill, with whom he also began his first lessons in chamber music. He was a member of the Colburn Chamber Orchestra and the principal cellist of the Claremont Young Musicians Orchestra during high school.

Mendoes performed in master classes with Orlando Cole and Heinrich Schiff, and was a prize winner at the SYMF (Southwestern Youth Music Festival) competition. After high school, he attended the University of Southern California (USC) Thornton School of Music on scholarship. He studied privately with Ronald Leonard, and studied chamber music with Peter Marsh, as a member of the Camden String Quartet. In 2003, the Camden Quartet won the Chamber Music Award at USC, and the following year, they won First Prize in the Peninsula Music Festival Competition.

Mendoes graduated from USC in 2004, with a bachelor's degree in Cello Performance. In 2008, he was selected to participate in the prestigious Naumburg International Cello Competition. Since 2007 he has been a faculty member for The Viola Workout, a summer program in Crested Butte, Colorado. He is currently a member (Assistant Principal) of the San Bernardino Symphony and the Riverside Philharmonic. He continues to study the cello privately with Dr. Richard Naill.

Cassandra Nickols, Piano

Cassandra Nickols, pianist, began studying music at age 3. She completed her doctorate in musical arts in piano performance at the USC Thornton School of Music, studying under Bernadene Blaha. At her commencement in May, 2010, she was named the most outstanding graduate from the Thornton School of Music. Her doctoral degree includes academic and elective fields in Music Education, Keyboard Collaborative Arts, and Electro-Acoustic Media. Which she studied with Dr. Sheila Woodward, Kevin Fitzgerald, Dr. Alan Smith, and Dennis Thurmond.

While pursuing her doctoral degree, Cassandra was a Studio Teaching Assistant of the Keyboard Studies Department. She also won first prize in the CAPMT Romantic Music Festival in May 2005 and was a finalist for the American Music Awards New Music Award in 2003 with the band Relax to Paris.

Cassandra recognizes the importance of versatility in music and utilizes her knowledge of different musical backgrounds in her teaching and performing. She enjoys playing all styles of music. She has been in high demand to accompany singers, instrumentalists, and musical theatre troupes since she was a high school student. Her performances and musical experiences range from solo piano recitals to rock concerts to pit orchestras to movie recordings. She was the keyboardist/ bassist/ vocalist in the rock band Relax to Paris for six years through her high school and undergraduate schooling and has recently taken pleasure in performing Greek music on keyboard and accordion.

Education

Doctor of Musical Arts, Piano Performance, USC
Master of Music, Piano Performance, USC
Bachelor of Music, Piano Performance, USC

Geoff Osika, Bass

Geoff Osika, a native of Long Island, NY, started learning the double-bass at age 15 and soon was accepted as a pupil of the former Principal Bass of the New York Philharmonic, John Schaeffer. Three years later, he was awarded scholarships to attend the Julliard School as well as the Curtis Institute of Music. He chose to attend Curtis, from which he graduated in 1990, having studied under former Principal Bass of the Philadelphia Orchestra, Roger Scott. Duane Rosengard of the Philadelphia Orchestra and Leigh Mesh of the Metropolitan Opera Orchestra were also big influences on his development as an orchestral player.

Mr. Osika's orchestra career has taken him from the Hong Kong Philharmonic to the Orquesta Sinfonica de Galicia in Spain and the Oregon Symphony Orchestra. He also taught for four years at the Hong Kong Academy for the Performing Arts. While there, he introduced and developed a bass repertoire class where he taught all the bass students symphonic repertoire and audition preparation. Mr. Osika joined the CSULA String Program in 2005.

Geoff is currently Principal bass with the Long Beach Symphony and the Riverside Philharmonic and is the bassist for The Pageant of the Masters in Laguna Beach. He is also active in the recording industry having played on many motion pictures and video games.

Crystal Rivette, Piano

Pianist Crystal Rivette grew up in Pasadena and began her piano studies with her mother at a young age. Her subsequent primary teachers include Duane Funderburk, Antoinette Perry, Roza Kostrzewska Yoder, and Eteri Andjaparidze.

Ms. Rivette has been awarded top prizes in several California competitions, including the Peninsula International Festival, the Los Angeles Liszt Competition, the Southwestern Youth Music Festival, and has performed as a competition winner with the Brentwood-Westwood and La Mirada Symphony Orchestras. She was a semifinalist in the International Russian Music Competition in San Jose, California, in 2003, and has performed in Atma, home of the Polish composer Karol Szymanowsky in Zakopane, Poland.

Currently on the Adjunct faculty of the School of Music at Azusa Pacific University, Ms. Rivette spent two semesters last year in Heidelberg, Germany, serving as the Resident Life Director and Staff Accompanist, helping develop the School of Music Heidelberg Study Abroad Program. She now teaches keyboard classes on campus in Azusa, is the concert manager of the Goldline Noon Concert Series at Lake Avenue Church in Pasadena, and is an active pianist and teacher in the Los Angeles area.

Education

Master of Music, Piano Performance, DePaul University, Chicago, Illinois
Bachelor of Music, Piano Performance, Azusa Pacific University

Tiffany Rivette, Voice, Piano

Tiffany Rivette holds a Master's of Music in Vocal Arts & Opera from the University of Southern California, as well as a Bachelor of Music in Vocal Performance from Azusa Pacific University. A native of Altadena, California, Ms. Rivette began her musical training in singing and piano at a young age, participating in various groups and ensembles; over the years she has traveled with them to Romania, Armenia, England, New Zealand, and Australia.

Tiffany spent two years at the Los Angeles County High School for the Arts as a voice major and participated in the opera program under the direction of Stephanie Vlahos. Since then, she has enjoyed a wide range of performances, including appearances in the Annual Chapel Series and Goldline Concert Series at Lake Avenue Church, and opera productions at APU and USC.

Ms. Rivette performed in Eric Whitacre's first staged production of his original opera, Paradise Lost, with the Opera Electronica, at CSU Northridge. Other productions include Don Giovanni, The Rape of Lucretia, The Old Maid and the Thief, Die Fledermaus, Getting a Handle on Handel, and various Pops concerts. Ms. Rivette collaborated with colleagues in directing opera scenes and a cabaret show at USC. She is studying voice privately with Dr. Melanie Galloway, and earning an Artist Certificate from APU (on a 3/4 scholarship).

Currently, she teaches voice and piano. In her lessons, Ms. Rivette teaches a strong classical base for breathing and singing techniques, in order to build a foundation that is strong enough to sing any style of music.

Anton Smirnov

Anton Smirnov was born in 1984 in Novosibirsk, Russia. He began his piano studies at age of seven. Since then, Anton has accumulated more than 250 public performances worldwide. In 1997, he was accepted to the Special School for Gifted Children in Novosibirsk studying with Dina Shevchuk. He later entered Novosibirsk Music Conservatory, where he received his bachelor degree in music.

Anton is a prizewinner of many international piano competitions such as the Moscow International Competition for Young Musicians (2001), the Krasnoyarsk International Piano Competition (2001), the Tomsk International Contemporary Music Piano Competition (2004), the Russian Music Competition (2007), the Oberlin Concerto Competition (2008), the Corpus Christi International Concerto Competition (2009) and the Louisiana International Piano Competition (2007). He has also won seven National Piano Competitions in Russia and he has received special talent scholarships from Russian Government. In 2010, he was selected to take part in the Queen Elisabeth Competition in Brussels, Belgium.

Anton has performed with various orchestras as a soloist including the Novosibirsk, Tomsk, and Omsk Philharmonic Orchestras, the Full Symphony Orchestra in San Jose and the Oberlin Orchestra.

He has been invited to many international music festivals including the "International Program New Names" in Moscow and St. Petersburg, the Vladimir Spivakov Festival, the Irkurtsk International Festival and most recently, the Cassalmaggiore International Music Festival in Italy. He has played in master classes for M.Pressler, Arie Vardi, R. Meister, S.Dorensky, N.Boguslavsky, M. Delli Ponti, Baruch Meir, John Perry and many others.

Anton is currently pursuing his Artist Diploma at the Colburn Conservatory in Los Angeles, California, where he studies with Professor John Perry.

Strings | Guitar | Piano | Voice/Choral | Winds