Our Teachers

Christy Campos is a mezzo-soprano who studied voice in San Diego for ten years under Wendy Kallen and the Uselman-Klein Vocal Studio, performed lead roles in numerous musical productions, and was often a solo artist in various concert settings. She has extensive experience directing children’s choirs, large-scale youth musical productions, and taught for Sing, Move, and Play Music Academy and Hope Music School in San Diego. She has been trained and certified through two internationally known early childhood music education programs and believes that everyone is musical! It is her hope that she can help her students discover their unique musical voice and encourage a lifelong love of making music.

Alexa Rybinski has a Bachelors of Music in Vocal Performance with emphasis in Opera/Musical Theater and a minor in Viola Performance from Capital University Conservatory of Music. She has performed with most of the Columbus professional and regional theaters. Favorite roles include: First Date (Casey), The Wild Party (Kate), Spring Awakening (Wendla), Shrek (Fiona), Little Women (Jo), Cabaret (Sally Bowles), Rodgers and Hammerstein’s Cinderella (Cinderella), Seussical (Gertrude), Into the Woods (Baker’s Wife), Hairspray (Penny), and Nunsense (Sister Amnesia). Alexa also works as a costumer around Columbus and has played in the pit for many musicals. Alexa has taught all levels of voice, violin, and viola private students for over 10 yea...

Nico Linik has been performing in Columbus for years. Outside of his main projects Cellar Dwellar and Dairy Family, he seeks to play in as many styles, genres, and groups as he can. He has an intense passion for all things music, and he understands how important community and encouragement to learn are to someone's growth as a musician. Nico has played a part in putting together virtual festivals throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, hosting open jams that bring musicians together, and running a revered house venue and artist collective. He is always trying to improve and hopes to push himself and his students to be the best musicians they can be.

Kiffy Kokal is a music teacher with a passion for helping students explore their musical abilities. With a BA in Voice from OSU, Kiffy specializes in teaching voice, guitar, and drum set. Kiffy's extensive experience includes performing regularly as a tenor section leader in the choir at First Community Church and as the drummer in the contemporary band. Additionally, Kiffy plays percussion and drum set for various choirs and show choirs in the Columbus area. Kiffy is proud to be a multi-instrumentalist and enjoys the different nuances involved in making music in different ways. Kiffy happily teaches students of all ages, including kids, adults, and early learners. Lessons with Kiffy are available in Dublin and Lewis Center.

Cynthia Lopez Olaya teaches voice and beginner piano with over a decade of experience teaching students of all levels and abilities. She earned a B.M. in Vocal Performance from OSU and a M.M. in Opera Performance from Boston Conservatory. Her philosophy is focused not only on the growth of a student’s musicianship but also on fostering growth physically, emotionally, socially, and mentally through a safe learning environment. Her holistic approach is collaborative; it meets the students where they are at in life and provides curated tools specific to the individual student’s goals. She teaches musical theater, pop/contemporary, and classical styles. When she is not teaching she is performing nationally with professional companies

Originally from Madison, Wisconsin, Jaryn Danz is a violist and teacher in the Columbus area. She believes that everyone can have fun learning an instrument, so she prioritizes positive reinforcement and humor in lessons. Jaryn holds bachelors and masters degrees in music performance from the University of Wisconsin Eau Claire and the University of Colorado Boulder respectively. She has recently performed with the Worthington Chamber Orchestra, the Newark-Granville Symphony, and the Columbus Children's Theater. In her free time, she does a lot of knitting.

Meet Jodie-Lee Hostetler, a Dublin-based music teacher with 8 years of experience. Armed with a Bachelor of Music degree in Piano Performance and a passion for voice, she has performed as a piano soloist and piano ensemble at the the University of Montana. Jodie-Lee works with students of all ages, from early learners to adults, in both solo and group settings. Her goal is to nurture her students' love for music and build their confidence in playing for others. With Jodie-Lee, learning music is not just about hitting the right notes but also about enjoying the journey.

Meet Djuana Ross, a passionate music teacher with a bachelor's degree in music from the University of Dayton. Her dedication to learn music was cultivated and grew exponentially at Stivers School for the Arts during her high school years in Dayton, Ohio. With over 14 years of teaching experience, Djuana has taught band, choir, group piano, and private piano to more than a thousand students. She specializes in teaching early learners, kids, teens, and adults in Gahanna. Her laid-back teaching style creates a fun and engaging atmosphere for students of all ages. Join Djuana's music classes to unlock your musical potential!

Patrick is a seasoned musician from Columbus, Ohio, with 17 years of experience in various music styles. He holds a degree in Jazz Studies/Guitar Performance from Capital University and has studied with renowned musicians like Stan Smith, Zakk Jones, and Tom Davis. His musical influences range widely, from Frank Zappa and King Crimson to Miles Davis or Joni Mitchell. Patrick has played in diverse ensembles and bands, including big bands, jazz combos, and his own bands such as Crabswithoutlegs, Silvia Mori, and Intercurrents. Patrick has won many awards for his performances and compositions. He values musical connections with students and colleagues, and has a strong passion for Jazz, Funk, Progressive Rock, and Metal music.

Cade is a passionate and dedicated teacher and musician from Columbus, Ohio. Having picked up the guitar at 14, Cade began learning the instrument through self-teaching via YouTube; however after growing stagnant in their education, they seeked out private lessons eventually studying guitar, vocals, and music composition at Leppanon Music Academy for 6 years. During this time, Cade formed a prog-rock band & now has performed at venues such as Newport Music Hall, The Subterranean, and others in New York City, Chicago, ect. Cade has now taught guitar to over 50 students since 2019, with the primary goal to explore the individual student's specific interests with their musical journey and push them to new achievements in their skills

Kendall Baver is an alumni of Capital University, having studied Jazz Studies with an emphasis in guitar. Kendall has been playing guitar since he was 11, has been gigging around the Columbus scene since he was in high school, and has touring experience across the Midwest and Northeast US. Kendall’s main genres of expertise are rock, jazz, metal, reggae, and funk, while also having a lot of experience in classical style guitar. He has 5 years teaching experience in Columbus at several studios and to all age ranges in situations ranging from 1 on 1 to classroom settings.

A music education major at Otterbein University, I have had experience working the Musicologie summer camps, teaching private string lessons, as well as numerous hours in placements in public schools located in the Westerville area.

Avery has 15 years of piano experience primarily in classical music, as well as big band and trio jazz ensembles. Avery studied piano performance for a year at university before transitioning to the pre-med track and obtaining a Neuroscience degree from OSU. Avery has recently jumped back into the world of music and is currently a pianist for the Columbus BalletMet.

Originally from Bolivia, Rosa Balderrama is an accomplished cellist, pianist, and dedicated music educator. Rosa holds undergraduate and graduate degrees in Music Performance. In addition to her primary focus on the cello, she has received piano lessons at the collegiate level, further enriching her musicianship and versatility as an educator. As a passionate educator, Rosa has served as a Graduate Teaching Associate at Ohio State, where she instructed Aural Skills I and II, Music Theory I and II, and Applied Cello courses. Her teaching philosophy emphasizes individual attention and tailored instruction to meet each student's unique needs and foster their musical growth, helping them become the musicians they aspire to be.

My name is Conor, I'm a multi instrumentalist specializing in reed instruments. On top of playing Saxophone, Clarinet, and Flute I also sing with the Columbus Maennerchor and have an ever growing collection of instruments. When I'm not making music I'm often listening to music in my plant room surrounded by my own little jungle of plants that I take care of.

I have been playing drums/percussion since age 5. My family used to travel in a southern gospel quartet. In middle school I began orchestral arrangements and percussion. In 9th grade I played snare drum in marching band and became heavily influenced by rudiments. I expanded into jazz, pep, orchestra and all forms of percussion. Even taking music theory classes in 11th and 12th grade. After high school I played in various different bands country, jazz, blues, rock, soul, gospel, and experimental. I believe in the joy of experimenting and the experience of creating music not only personally but with and for others as well.

Aaron Pearson is a teaching artist based in Columbus, Ohio. Aaron has worked with students at various levels as a graduate teaching associate at The Ohio State University. He also serves as a viola instructor with the Columbus Cultural Youth Orchestra, where students perform music from a variety of musical genres. Aaron has performed in numerous ensembles in the Midwest and southern regions of the United States and is an active freelance performer in the Columbus area. He earned his Bachelor of Music in viola performance from the University of North Carolina Greensboro.

Nicole Savastuk is a passionate and experienced music educator specializing in piano and voice. With a bachelor’s degree in Music Education and several years of teaching experience in both public schools and private settings, she brings a blend of structured technique and joyful creativity to every lesson. Nicole is trained as a classical pianist, with a special love for expressive repertoire like Clair de Lune and Chopin’s Ballade No. 1. As a former high school choir director, she’s well-versed in guiding students of all ages and experience levels, always aiming to build confidence, musicality, and personal connection to the music.

I have 15 years of experience in childcare and am skilled in vocals, flute, recorder, and some guitar and ukulele. I am a singer/songwriter in a folk duo with my husband. Music makes me feel like myself and I love sharing the joy of music with children and adults!

A pianist from Dayton with a Bachelor of Arts in music performance from Ohio State University, I have been teaching private lessons intermittently for a few years. I perform with various groups in Central Ohio, most notably Crabswithoutlegs. I have experience in a wide range of musical styles, although jazz has been the main focus of my study, and I am passionate about discussing and teaching a variety of genres.