Teacher Bios
Strings | Guitar | Piano | Voice/Choral | Winds
(Bios are alphabetized by the teacher's last name.)
Lacey Ammar, Violin
Lacey began her violin studies at the age of four. Throughout her youth, she won and placed in numerous competitions and was the youngest concertmaster of the All City Children’s Orchestra, and Youth Symphony in her home state of Utah.
At age 12, Lacey toured Poland and the Czech Republic and soloed on national television. Lacey graduated from the University of Southern California’s Thornton School of Music on scholarship where she studied with Margaret Batjer, concertmaster of the Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra, and world-renowned soloist and teacher, Hagai Shaham. Lacey comes to South Pasadena Strings Program highly recommended and excited to work with such talented young musicians. She knows the importance of discipline and detail in studying the violin and will be an invaluable factor in guiding children on their way to success in the world of music.
Yi-Ting Chen, Violin
Yi-Teng recently earned her Master of Music and Artist Diploma from Yale University.
Beginning her musical journey at an early age, she was the youngest recipient of Taiwan's prestigious Chi-Mei Foundation scholarship. At 14, her Julliard recital was well received with praises from The Village Voice of her "spiritual, elegant, and sensitive playing". She went on to win a contemporary music competition and performed at Alice Tully Hall in Lincoln Center.
She is now a founding member of Le XYZ Trio, which recently toured France. She also participates in Elemente Quartet, which serves the community to bring music closer to all audiences and presents educational and charity concerts throughout Japan.
Education- Doctorate, University of Southern California, Thornton School of Music, CA (in progress)
- Master of Music and Artist Diploma, Yale University, School of Music, CT
- Pre-College, The Julliard School, NY
Ryan Duffy, Viola
Ryan Duffy studied under Donald McInnes and Pamela Goldsmith at USC. Throughout his career, Ryan has performed with musical artists as diverse as Yo Yo Ma, Itzhak Perlman, Tom Jones, and Patti LaBelle.
Ryan currently freelances in the Los Angeles area with various orchestras such as the Riverside Philharmonic and the Torrance Symphony. In addition to teaching privately at the South Pasadena Strings Program, he teaches with Education Through Music in Los Angeles, an outreach program that brings music into disadvantaged elementary schools.
When not playing the viola or teaching, he enjoys hiking, traveling, and the company of animals.
Education- Master of Music, University of Southern California, CA
- Bachelor of Music, University of Southern California, CA
Alicia Emerson, Piano
Alicia has been teaching piano and voice at South Pasadena Strings Program since 2008. She began learning piano at age 5 and studied privately for more than 13 years. She graduated with honors from California State University, Northridge with a Bachelor of Music degree in voice. She has worked professionally as a singer with Opera A La Carte in Los Angeles and as the Director of Handbell Choirs and Youth Choir at Oneonta Congregational Church in South Pasadena.
Education- Bachelor of Music (voice), California State University, Northridge CA
Melodee Fernández, Piano, 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
- 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 ’n 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
- 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® 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.
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
Michael McTaggart, Guitar
Originally from Los Angeles, Michael started playing the guitar at the age of 9. At 11, he was invited to audit and participate in graduate level classical guitar classes and recitals under professor James Smith at the University of Southern California, which proved to be an enriching experience and it exposed him to high caliber musicians.
During high school, Michael’s performances included The Monterey Jazz Festival, Playboy Jazz Festival at the Hollywood Bowl, Eagle Rock Music Festival, USC Jazz Festival, and at the Duke Ellington Big Band Competition at Lincoln Center (NYC).
He also represented the Thelonious Monk Institute for Jazz as a jazz ambassador for a tour with legendary saxophonist Bobby Watson. During this tour, he performed shows at Minnesota’s infamous Dakota Club and facilitated clinics/master classes to high school students in the area.
Most recently, during the summer of 2007, McTaggart helped envision/promote/organize/produce a sold-out fundraiser/performance event for the NAACP at the Pasadena Jazz Institute. The program was headlined by the Umoja Quartet (McTaggart’s ensemble) and included performances by guest artists with whom McTaggart had the opportunity to share the stage with including John Clayton, Barbara Morrison, Nolan Shaheed,, Zhane Musa, Dwight Tribble, Nick Mancini, and other world renowned musicians.
Awards- Full Scholarship, Berklee Summer Performance Program, Boston - studied theory, ear training, jazz ensemble.
- Gold Medal, NAACP ACT-SO Competition, for original film "My Everything" - about a jazz musician trying to balance everyday life with his passion for music.
- Student of the Year, NAACP (Altadena Branch)
- Master of Music, USC, Thornton School of Music, CA, full scholarship, in progress
- Bachelor of Music, Berklee College of Music, full scholarship
- Jazz Music, Los Angeles County High School for the Arts
Rebecca Rasmussen, Voice, Piano
Rebecca Rasmussen has been performing for nearly three decades. She has held the titles of Teacher, Director, Producer, Actor, Singer, Stage Manager, Sound Operator, etc.
She has found consistent employment as an actor on stage and as a singer for houses of worship throughout Los Angeles. She has taught acting and singing for City Hearts (Los Angeles), A Noise Within (Glendale), The Theatricum Youth and High School Shakespeare Summer Camps (Topanga), and now South Pasadena Strings Program.
Honors/Awards- Sophomore Scholar Award in Theater, Occidental College
- Director of "Twelfth Night", "Macbeth", "Love’s, Labour’s, Lost", "The Merchant of Venice", and "Seeds", Theatricum Botanicum.
- Director, "Much Ado About Nothing", Ojai Shakespeare Festival, 2001
- Lead Singer, Oxford University Gilbert and Sullivan Society
- Valley Institute of Theatre Arts, San Jose, CA
- Scottish Youth Theatre, Glasgow, Scotland
- Bachelor of Art, Cum Laude in Theater, Diplomacy, and World Affairs, Occidental College
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’s 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
Marija Lončar Strohm, Piano
Marija Lončar Strohm has a musical career as a concert artist, accompanist, and an educator. Born in Croatia, she started learning the piano at 8, and later expanded her musical training to include voice, organ, and conducting.
In 2006, Marija toured Croatia where she received recognition by music critics and the media throughout Croatia and Los Angeles.
Marija finds satisfaction in educating young people. She has been a private piano and music theory teacher for over ten years. "There is no greater enjoyment than to help young people enjoy learning, encourage them to follow their dreams, and inspire them to achieve their potential", says Marija. She understands the significance of quality education and wants to help students become life-long learners and valuable contributors to society.
Awards/Honors- Award as organist and musician, USC, Thornton School of Music, 2004
- Member, Pi Lambda Theta, 2009
- First Baptist Church, Los Angeles
- Our Lady of the Angels Cathedral, Los Angeles
- Trinity Episcopal Church, Reno, Nevada
- All Saints Episcopal Church, Sacramento
- St. Patrick’s Cathedral, NYC
- St. Thomas Episcopal Church, NYC
- Graduate Certificate studies in Organ Performance, USC, Thornton School of Music, under Prof. Cherry Rhodes, 2009
- California Teaching Credential in Music Education, 2009
- Master of Music, USC, Thornton School of Music, CA, under Dr. Ladd Thomas, 2003
- Bachelor of Music, Conservatory of Music, Belgrade, under Prof. Andrija Galun, 2001
David Takahashi, Cello
David Takahashi has performed with a myriad of ensembles and collaborators in many different styles. As a classical performer, David currently sits as principal cellist of the Torrance Symphony in Torrance, CA, the APU Symphony Orchestra and the baroque ensemble, Les Sauvages Américains. He also performs with the Lake Avenue Chamber Orchestra and the Golden State Pops Orchestra. As a pop performer, David has toured and recorded extensively with artists such as Clay Aiken, Ryan Cabrera and Marco Antonio Solis. He has appeared on screen in a number of feature films and television shows such as The Tonight Show, The View, Jimmy Kimmel Live and Last Call with Carson Daly. When he is not performing, David maintains an active teaching schedule at the South Pasadena Strings Program. Education
- Master of Music (Cello Performance), Azusa Pacific University, 2010
- Bachelor of Arts (Commercial Music), Azusa Pacific University, 2002
Jonathan Thomson, Cello
Jonathan moved to Los Angeles in 2005 from Washington State to continue his studies. He became a member of the YMF Debut orchestra and began recording and performing as a freelance cellist. As a chamber musician, Jonathan has participated in the Fischoff and Coleman chamber music competitions and received instruction from the Kronos, St. Lawrence, Brentano, Lafayette, and Penderecki quartets. He has played in master classes at the Banff Centre under Aldo Parisot and Shauna Rolston as well as in the classes of Raphael Wallfisch, Nathaniel Rosen, and Pieter Wiespelwey elsewhere.
Internationally, he has performed as a soloist and chamber musician in England, Italy, Lithuania, Poland, Ukraine, South Korea, and China. He is currently adjunct professor at Azusa Pacific University and has teaching experience with Education Through Music--LA, multiple private music academies, Diamond Bar high school, and his own private studio.
Education- Artist Certificate, Azusa Pacific University
- Master of Music (Performance), Azusa Pacific University
- Bachelor of Music (Performance), Central Washington University
Strings | Guitar | Piano | Voice/Choral | Winds