Private Music Lessons

Mrs. Bennett has had 40 years experience teaching voice. After receiving her M.A. in vocal performance, she taught at the university level in Los Angeles and at Hartnell College. Mrs. Bennett has performed as a soloist with the Los Angeles Philharmonic, the Carmel Bach Festival, and the Roger Wagner Chorale.

Hillét was born and raised in South Africa. She started piano at the age of eight and grew up playing in a trio with her sisters, who play violin and cello. She received a bachelor’s degree in music at the University of Pretoria, South Africa, and a master’s in music at New England Conservatory. In 2007, Hillét moved to the Monterey Peninsula. Hillét loves teaching piano, performing solo, and accompanying other instruments and singers.

Ming Chiann Chou is an accomplished piano instructor with over 20 years of teaching experience. She is passionate about helping students of all ages discover the joy of piano playing. She crafts personalized lesson plans tailored to each student's learning style and goals. As a member of The Music Teacher Association of California (MTAC) since 2006, she has guided many students through the challenges of the annual Certificate of Merit evaluation, spanning from levels 1 to 10. Mrs. Chou believes everyone can learn to play the piano, and she is committed to providing her students with a positive and enjoyable learning experience.

A professional pianist and pipe organist, Mrs. Chung founded and performs in her B4 Noon Recital each spring at the Carmel Presbyterian Church. She has music degrees from Keimyung University in South Korea, the Stattliche Hoschschule for Music in Trossinger, Germany, and the Richard Strauss Conservatory in Munich, Germany. She was a piano instructor in Keimyung University and Georgia Christian University in Atlanta. A member of the American Guild of Organists, she was full-time music director and organist at Post Chapel, West Point. Mrs. Chung has given numerous solo concerts and performed with ensembles and orchestras in South Korea, Germany, and the United States. She is the pianist and pipe organist at Carmel Presbyterian Church. At Santa Catalina School she performs with the Chamber Choir and the Chamber Ensemble.

A founding member of the Monterey String Quartet and a native of Salinas, Ms. Dally studied locally with Louise Vadetsky and joined the Monterey Symphony at the age of 16. She graduated with honors from Mills College, where she studied with Sally Kell, Joan Jeanrenaud, and the Kronos Quartet. Margie maintains an active teaching studio in Carmel Valley and is involved with various educational programs for young musicians.

Ms. Dunsford is a professional violinist and violin and viola instructor. She is the Monterey representative of the Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music, teaching the program from the grade school through the college level. She is a violinist with the Monterey County Symphony, the Monterey Bay Symphony, and the Santa Cruz Symphony Orchestra and is a member of the American Federation of Musicians.

Ms. Faridany holds a postgraduate diploma in piano accompaniment with distinction from the Royal Academy of Music in London, where she studied with Geoffrey Pratley. She has worked with the Carmel Bach Festival, the Monterey Symphony, the Carmel Opera Project, the Pacific Repertory Theater, and the Western Stage.

Mrs. Galindo teaches students of all levels, including those who are preparing for recitals, Youth Music Monterey, the Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music program, and the Certificate of Merit. She is the principal pianist for the Monterey Bay Symphony and often works in local theaters, both in the orchestra and as a conductor. She has a B.S. from the University of the Pacific, a master's in music technology from the University of Newcastle, and an M.B.A. from National University.

Victor Gil received his B.A. in music and recording technology from CSU Monterey Bay. Since 2019, he has taught guitar to students of all levels at Monterey Recreation. He dedicates himself to the classical guitar and the extended-range guitar. Additionally, Victor regularly composes, orchestrates, records, and releases original music on all major streaming sites.

Mrs. Jones has taught at Santa Catalina for more than 20 years and has been a soloist and ensemble member in the Monterey Peninsula area for 30 years. She has extensive musical theater experience and an active private studio.

Ms. Littlepage has taught voice at Santa Catalina since 2002. Her teachers in New York were Marion Freschl of the Julliard School, Martin Rich of the Metropolitan Opera, Franco Iglesias, and Dan Marek. She is a member of the New York Singing Teachers’ Association and has achieved their DVP (Distinguished Voice Professional) Certification. Her voice students have been chosen for many honor choirs and have been finalists in the National Classical Singer competition.

Mr. McNamara is the director of the Monterey Peninsula Academy of Music and a faculty member of Monterey Peninsula College. As a cultural ambassador with the U.S. State Department, he has performed in the Middle East, North Africa, and South America. Mr. McNamara has taught guitar at Santa Catalina since 1988.

Mr. Shannon studied drums and percussion at the University of Northern Colorado and at San Jose State University with the renowned classical percussionist Anthony Cirone. Mr. Shannon’s book, The Rudimental Handbook, helps students develop the hand technique, reading ability, and drum set coordination within many styles of music to develop a deep foundation and understanding of the instrument. He has taught in a variety of academic settings, including master classes with Stanford University and University of California, Santa Cruz.

"It doesn't matter how many hands are on the keys, I make music with my heart."

Since graduating Juilliard, Lisa has performed and toured internationally and appeared as a guest soloist with major American orchestras. After teaching music at Santa Clara University, she opened a music school in Half Moon Bay. A traumatic fall in 2017 shattered her right hand, requiring four surgeries. After two years of playing with her left hand only, she currently performs with one and two hands. Her online courses inspire classical pianists to learn at an accelerated rate with ease and joy. Lisa also records music for pet stress and lives in San Juan Bautista with her agility champion Labrador, Gina.