PIANO Donald Dillard, Michael Farnsley, Tanisha Nelson, Mila Ovsankin, Deb Sanfilippo, Dennis Schade, Kirk Tamura, Anna Turkova
STRINGS Matthew Leung, Tim Lessler
WOODWINDS Margaret Collar, Anthony Urbina, James Vaughan
BRASS Craig Hirotsuka
PERCUSSION Peter Wallack, Brietta Greger
GUITAR Jason Keiser, Juliana Tarter
VOICE Robin Costa, Adam Lee
CLASSES & CAMPS Nancy Whitecar, Nick Patton, Peyton White, William McNamara, Kiren Balakrishnan, Nakoa Urbina
DIRECTOR Chantelle Urbina
TEACHING ASSISTANTS / ADVISORY BOARD / SUPPORT / MEMORIAL GALLERY
Margaret Collar (she/her) Flute, Piccolo
- Music Education and Flute Performance from California State University Fullerton
- Has taught group keyboard, preschool music, flute and piano at many local schools
- Has performed with Fullerton Civic Light Opera and Orange County repertory Theater
- Students are known to receive high scores and honors at youth competitions and performances
- Trained in CPR & First Aid
Robin Costa, Voice
- Bachelor of Music degree in Vocal Performance from the University of California, Santa Barbara
- Master of Arts Degree in Music from San Jose State University
- Master of Science Degree in Communicative Disorders from San Francisco State University
- Currently works as a Speech-Language Pathologist for Cupertino Union School District
- Has sung as a member of the Opera San José chorus, and performed with Lamplighters Music Theatre, San Jose State University Opera Workshop, and Ohlone Chamber Orchestra
- Has been teaching voice lessons at The Music School since January of 2006
Donald Dillard (he/him) Piano
- Awarded a Philadelphia Board of Education scholarship to West Chester University, West Chester, PA, where he majored in Piano and Voice
- Graduate studies at Westminster Choir College of Rider University, Princeton, NJ
- Has received numerous awards and accolades, including an honorary Doctor of Music from the National Association of Negro Musicians for his various contributions to music
- Active composer of over 100 works for chorus, instruments, piano, organ and voice. His music has been performed throughout the United States and in Europe, including a premier performance at New York’s Carnegie Recital Hall
- Has been a choral director and teacher of music on all levels, including positions as instructor of music theory, aural activities and music appreciation
- Is married to concert pianist Yoko Nagashima-Dillard
- Orchestral works performed by Detroit Symphony, Grand Rapids Symphony, Atlanta Symphony, Cincinnati Symphony, Delaware County Symphony and Orchestra Society of Philadelphia.
Michael Farnsley (he/him) Piano, Pathways, Adventures, Camps, Accompanist
- Bachelor’s of Music from the Conservatory of Music at University of The Pacific in 1998
- Completed a Music Therapy internship in Hayward
- Began working at The Music School in January 2000
- Accompanist for The Music School’s Singing Children and Entertainers, as well as the choirs at Mountain View High School and Oak Elementary
- Symphony, Delaware County Symphony and Orchestra Society of Philadelphia.
Brietta Greger (she/her) Percussion
- Bachelor of Music degree in classical percussion performance from Chapman University
- Master of Fine Arts degree in percussion performance from California Institute of the Arts, with a specialty in North Indian classical tabla
- Two consecutive fellowships at Nief Norf contemporary chamber music festival
- Coaches percussion for Blue Devils Wind Symphony and multiple local schools
- Over 16 years experience performing drum set and percussion with community, regional, professional, and touring musical theater companies
- Frequently performs with San Francisco Philharmonic, Monterey County Pops, original indie-folk band Rosewater, rock cover band Will Rees Band, Berkeley Playhouse, Berkeley Repertory Theater, Korsa Musical Theater
- Alumni of the Music School
Craig Hirotsuka (he/him) Brass
- Studied music at Foothill College, graduating with his AA in 1997
- Has been teaching music in the Bay Area for over twenty-five years, including band, private lessons, and marching bands
- Teaches private trumpet lessons at The Music School
- Professional photographer
- Manager and co-owner of West Valley Music Mountain View
Jason Keiser (he/him) Guitar, Ukulele, Banjo, Strum Class
- Bachelor of Arts in Bluegrass, Old-Time, & Country Music Studies from East Tennessee State University, Class of 2018
- Studied, recorded, and has collaborated with legendary bluegrass guitarist and original member of The Tony Rice Unit, Wyatt Rice.
- Studied with Ardeshir Farah of legendary fusion guitar music band, Strunz & Farah.
- Masters of Music, San Jose State University, Class of 2020
- Professional guitarist, multi-stylist, composer, recording artist, & Band Leader of professional Bay Area New Acoustic Music string band; The New Acoustic Collective.
- Specializes in string instruction and is a multi-instrumentalist specializing in Guitar, Mandolin, Tres Cubano, Banjo, & Ukulele.
- http://www.jasonkeisermusic.com/bio.html
Diane Keller (she/her) Accompanist, Class Substitute
- Bachelor and Master of Music degrees in Organ Performance and Pedagogy
- Active member and former dean of the San Jose Chapter of the American Guild of Organists
- Organist at First United Methodist Church of Palo Alto since January 2015
- Has worked as an accompanist for numerous groups in the Bay Area since 1999
- Began teaching at The Music School in 1999
Adam Lee (he/him) Assistant Director, Musical Play, Adventures, Kaleidoscope, Voice Class, Strum Class, Voice
- Bachelors of Music in Music Education from Westminster Choir College
- Performed with New York Philharmonic, Philadelphia Orchestra, Princeton Symphony Orchestra
- Sang on professional choral CD’s: Lumina by Westminster Kantorei, Silence Into Light by Westminster Williamson Voices, and Sunrise Mass by Westminster Williamson Voices
- Has directed and sung with numerous choir ensembles
- Previously served as Sunnyvale Presbyterian Church Director of Children’s Ministry
- Sings with the Mission Peak Chamber Singers in Fremont
- Trained in CPR & First Aid
Tim Lessler, Violin
- Studied at The Music School from age 4 to 14, and returns as an instructor after previously teaching here a decade ago.
- While pursuing his law degree at Vanderbilt University, he continued intensive violin and fiddle training. He has studied under top teachers in both Nashville and the Bay Area for more than two decades.
- Former principal second violin and president of the South Bay Philharmonic community orchestra.
- Professional performing fiddler/violinist with country and Americana groups throughout the Bay Area.
- Encouraging, student-focused teacher who works with ages 7 through adult, helping students build strong technique, musical confidence, and a lifelong love of playing.
Matthew Leung, Violin
- Graduated from San Jose State University with a Bachelor of Arts in Music in 2017
- Performed in the Metropolitan Youth Orchestra of Hong Kong, including performances in the Hong Kong Cultural Centre and Hong Kong City Hall
- Has served as a traditional and contemporary hymn pianist for Crosspoint Chinese Church and New Life Church of Cupertino since 2014
- Fluent in Mandarin and Cantonese
William McNamara (he/him) Classes, Kaleidoscope, Strum Class
- Bachelor of Arts in Ethnomusicology from UCLA, including studies of traditional singing in the Irish language and North Indian classical music
- Sings and plays piano, melodica, and tin whistle
- Contributes to The Music School’s supplementary units
- Began working at The Music School in 2025
- Also works at Stanford’s Lane Medical Library
Tanisha Nelson (she/her) Piano, Bassoon
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Currently pursuing Bachelor Degree in Music Education at San Jose State University
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Performs in San Jose Stare Wind Ensemble,
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Involved with Chamber Music of Silicon Valley led by Dr. Ray Furuta
Mila Ovsankin (she/her) Piano
- Was raised in a musical family in Moscow, Russia, where her grandfather was a professional violinist at the age of 17 and her father was a performing musician, teacher and Mila’s piano teacher
- Multi-linguist, who graduated in Music Education at the Moscow Music College
- Has taught music to children for 20 years in 3 different countries
- Fluent in Russian and Hebrew
- Trained in CPR & First Aid
Nick Patton (he/him) Assistant Director, Adventures, Kaleidoscope, Group Piano, Spotlight Theater
- Bachelor of Music in Vocal Performance from Notre Dame de Namur University, Masters of Education from National University
- Taught High School Choir and AP Music Theory for five years at California High School in San Ramon, CA
- Has performed throughout the Bay Area in Musical Theatre, Opera, and Operetta, along with Featured Vocalist and Soloist performances
- Started at The Music School at 7 years old in Singing Children
- Plays a wide variety of instruments, but is known for his stylings on random percussion instruments (especially the cajon!)
- Trained in CPR & First Aid
Rachel Rosenberg (she/her) Office Substitute
- Started at The Music School at 2 years old in Musical Treats and took classes through high school
- BA in Linguistics from the University of Pittsburgh
- Has worked at The Music School, in classes and in the office, on and off since 2011
- Trained in CPR
Deb Sanfilippo (she/her) Piano, Class Substitute, Music & Art Camp
- Grew up in Bloomington, Indiana, where she received piano instruction from Wally Hornibrook, a professor at Indiana University
- Graduated from Fremont High School in Sunnyvale
- Received her degree from Santa Clara University
- Has been teaching at The Music School for over thirty years
- Has written and directed student operas at Stockelmeir Elementary School
- Started a new music program for grades 1-5 at Noddin Elementary in San Jose
- Has served as president of the Music Teachers’ Association of California, Santa Clara County Branch, and is the Recitals Chair for Improvisation and the Regional Chair for Composers Today at the state level
- Trained in CPR & First Aid
Dennis Schade Piano, Accompanist
- Bachelor of Music – Piano Performance, Western Washington University, Bellingham
- Bachelor of Science – Electrical Engineering, University of Wisconsin, Madison
- Master of Science – Mechanical Engineering/Manufacturing Systems, University of Wisconsin
- Still active in Bio-Process Equipment & Controls Engineering with Thermo Fisher Scientific
- Experienced in choral conducting, pedagogy, the recorder family, and accompanying
Kirk Tamura (he/him) Piano
- Graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Music from San Jose State University in 1992
- Active performer, jazz piano
- Gigs at the Tabard Theater and other local events and venues
- Trained in CPR & First Aid
Juliana Tarter (she/her) Guitar, Bass, Ukulele
- Bachelor of Arts in Music in Guitar Performance from San Jose State University
- Style is very versatile, ranging from classical and jazz, to indie rock and metal
- Has been performing lead guitar and backing vocals with original band Crimes of Passion for over 10 years, and has opened for many major artists including the Doobie Brothers and Steve Miller Band
Anna Turkova (she/her) Piano
- From Riga, Latvia
- Graduated from the Odessa Conservatory of Music, and has a Master’s degree in Art
- Worked in Riga-Latvia as a piano teacher and Concertmaster at Elgava’s Music College
- Elected President of MTAC Golden Gate branch since 2018
- Students consistently place well in piano competitions
- Works full time in San Francisco
- Started working at The Music School in 2002
- Speaks Ukrainian and is fluent in Russian
- Trained in CPR
Anthony Urbina (he/him) Saxophone, Sound Engineer
- Majored in Music Business & Administration at the University of the Pacific Conservatory of Music, with a concentration in Alto Saxophone.
- Has been supporting Music School events as sound and audio engineer since 2000
- Has been teaching at The Music School since 2009
- Works a full-time management job, and as a sound engineer for school productions, local rock bands, and community events
- Fluent in Spanish
- Trained in CPR & First Aid
Chantelle Urbina (she/her) Director, Singing Children, Entertainers, Spotlight Theater, Summer Musical Theater
- Bachelor’s of Music in Education, Vocal Concentration from University of the Pacific Conservatory of Music
- Began working at The Music School in 1991
- Serves on the Board of Directors for the Santa Clara Chorale, having previously worked as Business Manager and Concert Manager
- Has worked as clinician and program support for Mountain View High School Choirs and local middle school choirs
- Trained in CPR & First Aid
James Vaughan (he/him) Woodwinds
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Currently pursuing a Bachelor’s of Music Education at San Jose State University
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On track for a Master’s in Teaching and credential
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Plays saxophone, flute, and clarinet in a variety of styles
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Involved with SJSU Jazz Orchestra, Afro-Latin Jazz Ensemble, Jazz Combos (Jazz small groups), Wind Ensemble, Symphonic Band, and Symphony Orchestra and peer senior recitals.
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Plays with the band Miss Hits and released an album earlier this year
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Has been teaching privately for over 2 years and regularly work with various schools in the San Jose area running ensemble rehearsals and woodwind sections
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Notable teachers/mentors include Mary Fettig, Dr. Aaron Lington, and Steve Sánchez
Peter Wallack (he/him) Drums
- Has been supporting The Music School for over 20 years
- Studied snare drum and drum set in New York with Joe Vasile, Gary Chester, and Bay Area jazz legend Jason Lewis
- Plays drums for musicals with The Music School, several local high schools, and theater groups, including Sunnyvale Community Players
- Plays every style of music including jazz, big band, funk and punk
Peyton White (she/her) Musical Treats, Music Box, Pathways, Camps, Choreography, Office Assistant
- Graduated from the UC Berkeley
- Has been working at The Music School since 2015
- Loves working with all the students from our two’s in Musical Treats to our teens in Spotlight!
- Works as program support for Mountain View High School Choirs
- Choreographer for The Music School Spotlight Theater and Summer Medley
Nancy Whitecar (she/her) Kaleidoscope, Accompanist
- Graduated from the University of Illinois
- Instructor and accompanist at the Music School since 2015
- Instructor and accompanist with Ragazzi Boys Chorus
- Accompanist with the Fremont High School choral department
- Served as accompanist/assistant director for 20 years with the Beckridge Chorale in Michigan
- Staff member and musical collaborator with several church music departments
- Collaborates with student soloists and ensembles for contests and auditions
- Member Music Teachers National Association
- Serves on the Board of Directors for the Santa Clara Chorale
- Trained in CPR & First Aid
Kiren Balakrishnan (she/her), graduate of Maryland Institute College of Art
Izzy Gottfried (he/him) Wilcox High School, Senior
Andrew Han, Saint Francis High School, Senior
Osinachi Iroaga (she/her) Mountain View High School, Sophomore
Sara O’Connor (she/her) De Anza College
Jasmine Ronquillo (she/her) Saint Francis High School, Sophomore
Ariana Royster, Valley Christian High School, Sophomore
Yushin Shiga (he/him) West Valley College
Keoni Tabor (he/him) De Anza College
Nakoa Urbina (he/him) San Jose State University
TEACHING ASSISTANTS – SUBS
Daniel Choi, UC Berkeley
Aaron Johnson (he/him) San Jose State University
Grayson Kunz (he/him) Pitzer College
Aarush Mahimainathan, Saint Francis High School, Freshman
Tessa Prodromou (they/she) Smith College
Jillian Ronquillo (she/her) University of Washington
Anay Shay, Georgetown University
Ishan Sudhakaran, Homestead High School, Junior
Mira Sumant (she/they) Los Altos High School, Senior
Ruchika Villivalam (she/her) Fremont High School, Junior
Shruti Dixit
Janelle Kishi Ho
Ellen Kitchen
Garrett Kuramoto
Suz McFadden
Charlie Neuhauser
Robin Rosenberg
Karen Filice
Debbie Czyzewski
Jill Denny
Jim Vaughn
Doris Harry, Founder
Doris Harry served as director and teacher at The Music School since its beginnings in 1977 until 2017. Doris earned her Bachelor and Masters of Music at The College-Conservatory of Music, University of Cincinnati in Ohio. She has additional hours in the M.B.A./Arts Administration program at Golden Gate University. Doris began her work in Cincinnati in the 1970’s in research, development, and curriculum writing for Baldwin Music, a company developing pianos for group lessons. Doris has taught students from preschool through the university level. She has made two educational music television series and multiple recordings for children. Her published works focus on music curriculum and songs for children. Doris directed children’s choirs for many years and still does workshops across the country. She continues to write music and record CD’s, and she remains on the cutting edge of music education today.