Faculty - Pleasanton Academy of Music

Alexander LazarevFounder & Piano Instructor

Alexander Lazarev is the founder of the Pleasanton Academy of Music and the Music Through The Centuries International Music Competition and Festival.

Tatiana Kubatina Founder & Piano Instructor

Tatiana Kubatina is a pianist and experienced piano instructor with a strong background in the performing arts industry.

Yulduz AbduraimovaPiano Instructor

My life has always been an ode to the piano, a melody that has resonated throughout my existence, shaping my path and defining my purpose.

Jacob Elliot SicatVoice & Piano Instructor

Born and raised in the Bay area, Elliot Sicat has performed for audiences for over 15 years.

Anthony AndersonTrumpet, Tuba, French Horn, Baritone, Euphonium, Trombone & Piano Instructor

Anthony Anderson is a brass as well as beginning piano instructor, teaching trumpet, trombone, French horn, tuba, baritone, euphonium and piano.

Emily HarveyPiano Instructor

From a young age, Emily love for the piano has been a constant source of joy, and she is eager to share that passion with her students! Over the past 15 years

Aidan HoganCello, Violin, Double Bass & Piano Instructor

Aidan Hogan is a professional cellist and music instructor from Milwaukee, Wisconsin. After beginning with the piano at age 6, Aidan began to take cello lessons at age 8.

Johan QinViolin, Viola & Piano Instructor

Johan began playing the violin when he was 5 and achieved early success as the concertmaster of Foothill High School. He served as the concertmaster for 3 years.

Dilara Jafarova SwainPiano Instructor

Dilara Jafarova Swain embarked on her musical journey at the esteemed Baku Musical College, where she earned her associate degree.

Ian JensenGuitar Instructor

Ian Jensen is a talented guitarist hailing from San Ramon. With a passion for music that knows no bounds, Ian has developed his skills to perform in various venues

Vivian NguyenPiano Instructor

Vivian Nguyen is an accomplished pianist who began playing the piano at the age of four. She has been featured as a piano soloist with the Temple Hill Symphony Orchestra and has garnered top prizes and scholarships in prestigious local, national, and international competitions.

Maya BalachandranViolin, Viola, Cello & Piano Instructor

Maya Balachandran is a skilled musician with 18 years of experience in playing the violin, viola, piano, and cello. She pursued her bachelor degree

Debra KnoxPiano, Guitar & Vocal Instructor

From an early age, Debra has studied and performed professionally as a pianist, guitarist, vocalist, and actress, with a passion for sharing the gift of music and creativity with her students and their families.

Connor MoenClarinet, Saxophone, Piano & Guitar Instructor

Connor has always shared a profound connection with music. His parents, recognizing the importance of music in their children’s lives, initiated piano lessons

Elina KhusniyarovaViolin, Viola & Piano Instructor

Elina, born in Russia, hails from the Republic of Kalmykia, Elista. At age 7, she moved to Moscow, joining the prestigious Central Music School of Tchaikovsky at Moscow

Anastasia PonomarenkoPiano And Voice Instructor

Anastasia is a multi-talented musician with a passion for piano and singing. She embarked on her musical journey at the age of six and has been dedicated

Karl KundmannSaxophone And Clarinet Instructor

Karl has been making music for 22 years. He started playing alto saxophone in 6th grade, but soon made the switch to baritone because he wanted to play

Chris AschmanTrumpet And Steel Pan Instructor

Trumpeter and multi-instrumentalist Chris Aschman enjoys a multi-faceted career as a performer, educator, studio musician, and arranger.

Aimee ShawPiano & Voice Instructor

Aimee Shaw was born and raised in Northern California in a musical family. She fell in love with the piano and began taking lessons at the age of four.

Roland SaynGuitar And Piano Instructor

Roland is an accomplished guitarist with a B.A. in Jazz Guitar from SF State University. His methodical approach to teaching has proven successful in his guitar lessons

Gleb GolosovPiano And Flute Instructor

Gleb Golosov, a native of Togliatti, Russia, has had a lifelong connection to the arts. He studied at the Togliatti Conservatory and graduated from it.

Angelina GutiérrezPiano Instructor

Angelina Gutiérrez, Ed.D. has multiple degrees in Piano performance, English studies, Theology and Education. Starting her piano studies at 4 years old

Soyoung NamPiano Instructor

Soyoung Nam loved playing piano from a young age as her mom was a piano instructor. She started developing her skills in Sunhwa Art Middle/ High school

Chris MeederGuitar, Ukulele, Piano And Drums Instructor

Chris Meeder graduated Arts Guitar/Recording Arts from Musicians Institute in Los Angeles. With a strong focus on the fundamentals

Anna GroshevaPiano Instructor

Anna Grosheva, a piano virtuoso and seasoned musician hailing from Kazan. Her lifelong passion for the piano began at a young age, culminating in her graduation from a prestigious music school where she excelled in piano performance. Eager to expand her musical horizons, she also honed her flute-playing skills, adding an extra dimension to her artistry.

Varya MilinderPiano and Vocal Instructor

Ms. Varya Milinder was born in St. Petersburg, Russia. She graduated from Rimsky-Korsakov College of Music majoring in Piano Performance and holds a Theater

Noah WollPiano And Vocal Instructor

Noah Woll is a pianist and vocalist. Since the age of 7, he has taken piano and voice lessons, which would lead to the discovery of musical theater.

Farida NelsonPiano, Voice, And Guitar Instructor

Farida Nelson possesses Master Degree in piano performance and pedagogy. She graduated Baku Music Academy (Baku, Azerbaijan) in 2010.

Tyler CraigGuitar, Bass And Ukulele Instructor

Tyler Craig is a guitarist and music educator who lives in Livermore, California. He grew up in a musical family where he began learning at the age of 12.

Yekaterina AfonasyevaPiano Instructor

Yekaterina Afonasyeva began her piano studies at “Lyadov” Children’s Music School No.15 in Moscow,Russia. In 1995, after completing high school and music school

Eric DannewitzClarinet, Flute, Sax & Recorder Instructor

Eric Dannewitz is an accomplished teacher and musician with more than 17 years of woodwind teaching experiece, 20 years of professional playing

Ashley BowersViolin, Viola, Cello & Piano Instructor

Ashley has distinguished herself as a teacher, soloist, musician and orchestral performer. Shehasdedicatedherlifeto teaching children and adults alike

Robert ZuromskiPiano Instructor

Robert Zuromski M.A. – Robert carries three degrees: A.A. in music studies, B.A. in Piano Performance, and an M.A. in Piano Pedagogy. A passionate professional

Alec SloanePiano, Guitar, Mandolin & Composition Instructor

Alec Sloane is an American composer, singer-songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, and educator based in the San Francisco Bay Area, California.

Linli WangPiano Instructor

Linli Wang is a Chinese-born American pianist and educator in the San Francisco Bay Area, California. She currently serves as a pianist at the San Francisco Ballet

Elena ErmilovaPiano & Voice Instructor

Elena Ermilova, a seasoned piano and voice instructor with over 25 years of teaching experience, brings a wealth of knowledge and passion to her students.

Ian CraigPiano And Cello Instructor

Ian Craig is a pianist and cellist who lives in Livermore, California. He grew up in a musical family where he began learning piano at the age of five from both his mother

liya-ledyaevaPiano & Voice Instructor

Liya Ledyaeva was born in Siberia, Russia, began her musical education at the age of 4 in the special musical class for young talents. Ledyaeva began her studies

Daniel ShermanDrums And Percussion Instructor

Daniel Sherman is a drummer / songwriter / producer and middle school / high school ministry leader from Livermore, California. He’s lived in Livermore his whole life, and found his love for music in band class at East Avenue Middle School.

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