Group Piano & Private Piano Lessons

Danelle has been with us for quite some time and we have enjoyed her enthusiastic spirit. She is a teacher that is committed to creating an atmosphere that is encouraging and supportive for all students. With a Bachelor of Arts in Music from California State University and also an Associate of Arts from San Joaquin Delta College, you can find Danelle teaching here at the Academy throughout the week. She is also a member of the Music Teachers Association of California and the National Guild for Piano Teachers. 

 

Beginning Orchestral Instruments
Intermediate and Advanced Clarinet and Saxophone

Chris started teaching music in 1981 after receiving his degree from the University of Pacific,
Conservatory of Music, in Stockton, CA. William Dominik, Patricia Shands, many fantastic UOP Faculty
and “Teacher Friends” have been his past and present mentors. Mr. “S” has been a clinician for state
and local music organizations and a mentor for future Music Educators. He is a member of the National
Association of Music Educators, California Music Educators Association, Music Teachers Association of
California, and the American Federation of Musicians. He currently plays his clarinet in the Pacific
Avenue Clarinets, Valley Concert Band, Stockton Concert Band and various other ensembles in the
Stockton area. He enjoyed many years with the Townsend Opera in Modesto. Chris maintains a private
home studio and teaches at the Modesto Academy of Music and Design. His students perform in
various ensembles and participate in the Certificate of Music Program through the Music Teachers
Association of California.

Beginning, Intermediate, and Advanced Flute

Cheryl is currently employed as a music teacher at Great Valley Academy in Modesto
where she teaches classroom music, ukulele, and beginning string orchestra.  She
received her BA in flute performance at California State University Chico, and an MA in
Music Therapy from University of the Pacific.  She is currently a member of the
Stanislaus Branch of the Music Teachers Association of California (MTAC) and a prepares
some of her students for the Certificate of Merit (CM) program.  Her previous music
teaching positions include elementary band and choir director at Plumfield Christian
Academy, as well as private flute instruction.  She has worked with beginning and
intermediate flute groups through Gottschalk’s music programs.  As a professional
musician, Cheryl has performed with the Stockton Symphony, Townsend Opera Players,
Merced Symphony, Lodi Symphony, Stockton Opera, Stockton Chorale, and Zion
Chamber Orchestra.  She is a member of the American Federation of Musicians, local
#189.  Cheryl enjoys performing flute in her church orchestra at Big Valley Grace
Community Church.

Science, Programming, Technology, Mathematics and More!

Tai has mentored, taught, tutored numerous subjects for grades K-12 and beyond to youth, college age, and seniors in his role as founder of Covenant Heritage Academy Tutoring Services along with his wife, Kathy. After years in Information Technology software, operating systems, applications, and natural and computer languages, he continues to explore technology to make it more fun and approachable for students. Tai says, "Education should be a joyful life-long journey from mystery to steps of knowing facts, walking from discovery to understanding, flying onward from practice to forms of proficiency." His goal is to come alongside students and enable them to supercahrge their learning styles, gain insights, and collaborate with one another make better tools and methods utilitzing beyond the box thinking. Currently, he continues to privately tutor and is excited to bring a new variety of classes to MAMD. 

 

Group Piano & Private Piano Lessons

Margaret was born and raised in Modesto CA. She has been playing piano since she was 5 years old. She studied music at the Modesto Academy through middle and high school.  After high school, Margaret studied music theory and piano performance at Modesto Junior College. She is now working towards her teaching certification through the Music Teachers Association of California, as well as a certification through Harmony Road Music. Margaret has been working at the Academy in the office and teaching piano lessons since 2018. In her free time, Margaret loves to read, play Minecraft, and hang out with her brothers and her baby nephew. 

Group Piano & Private Piano Lessons

Iryna finished her classical music education in Ukraine, where she earned her four year college degree in Music Education. When she moved to the United States, Iryna started off as a private teacher, and slowly found her way to the Academy. She now teaches both group and private piano. Over her 15 years of experience in music education, Iryna developed a sensible approach to effectively teach students to support their interest in learning their favorite songs, as well as challenging them with new music genres and styles. Irya is a member of Music Teachers Association of California and she actively prepares students for Certificate of Merit program.  

Math Tutoring 

Voice, Piano, and Guitar 

Private Piano & Voice Lessons

Private Drums, Piano, and Guitar 

Michael is a multi-instrumentalist with 17 years of experience playing piano, guitar, drums, and bass. He began studying music at age 10, pursuing classical piano for eight years before advancing to study with Pianist and Professor Emeritus Frank Wiens at the University of the Pacific. During his education, Michael participated in various musical ensembles and holds an AA in interdisciplinary studies from San Joaquin Delta College. He continually studies and performs a diverse range of genres including jazz, rock, R&B, pop, hip-hop, metal, and electronic music. Previously, he served as a multi-instrumental instructor at Bird School of Music in San Francisco and performs in various bands across the San Joaquin Central Valley and San Francisco Bay Area. He also works as a classical, jazz, and pop pianist for weddings, restaurant gigs, and special events. He regularly transcribes and composes drum and guitar parts for local rock bands. Michael has a passion for Japanese rock and pop music, studying the language for over 8 years and aiming for the Japanese-Language Proficiency Test (JLPT) N2 level to explore the country’s music further.