Our Teachers
Otilia Calinn
Ting Ke, a classical pianist, performer and teacher with a deep love for music. Ting was born in China. She started her piano journey at the age of 5, and her passion and talent for the piano was evident from the start. At age 9, she was admitted to Beijing's Central Conservatory of Music majoring in piano performance. Ting has studied with various teachers in China, and has received master classes from numerous prestigious pianists. After Ting moved to Houston, she started to study with Dr. Tali Morgulis, and went on to receive a Bachelor degree in piano performance at University of Houston Moores School of Music. Ting’s performances are nothing short of captivating. Her ability to communicate emotions through the keys is inspiring, leaving audiences moved and entranced. Ting has a diverse repertoire that spans Baroque, Classical, Romantic, and 20th-century compositions. As a piano teacher, Ting is known for her patient and encouraging teaching style. She is committed to guiding you on your musical journey with enthusiasm and expertise.
Kyle Conley
Kyle Conley was raised around music from early childhood and began learning blues guitar at the age of 9 under the tutelage of his grandfather, R. E. Conley. Kyle has since performed in various orchestras, bands, and musical projects across many genres for the better part of twenty years and continues daily to deepen his understanding of music theory, guitar theory, and technique.
Dedicated, creative, and enthusiastic, Kyle loves any opportunity to pass on the knowledge he has gained and has poured his heart into teaching guitar to people of many different ages and skill levels. With an emphasis on setting goals and building good habits, Kyle enables students to build a positive relationship with their instrument that they can continue to develop for the rest of their lives.
Dr. Calvin Lee
Dr. Calvin Lee, violin teacher, musician, educator, and orchestral conductor, joined the Department of Cultural and Creative Arts from Education University of Hong Kong in 2014. A native of Hong Kong, Dr. Lee is Post-doctoral Fellow of Violin Instructor, Music Theory, Music History, Orchestral Conductor and Music Education Researcher at The Education University of Hong Kong. He received his Bachelor's and first Master's degrees from the Hong Kong Polytechnic University. He continued his studies at the Education University of Hong Kong, receiving a Master of Arts and a Ph. D. in Music Education. Other than conducting instrumental class to his students, Dr. Lee gives public lectures and adjudicates all types of music events at the community level. As a musician father, he has been invited to share his parenting experience in a television program. Further, Dr. Lee has been invited to adjudicate in numerous music competitions and he has always been committed to promoting music education.
Ms. Christina Chan
Ms. Christina Chan has recently moved from Hong Kong to Houston. She has over 20 years of piano teaching experience and has taught students of all ages and levels in Hong Kong. She holds a Trinity's Associated (ATCL) and Licentiate (LTCL) music performance diploma from Trinity College London. She also holds a Master of Philosophy from the Chinese University of Hong Kong. Apart from her teaching work, Christina is often invited to be the adjudicator in different music competitions and involved in music education research on special needs children. She actively offers her students the chance to participate in competitions and festivals. Her students always achieve outstanding results in examinations of the UK Royal School of Music.
Ellen Johnston
Ellen Johnston is a Texas born classically trained violinist, pianist, teacher, and performer. She first started the piano at the age of six and picked up the violin at age nine, and has been teaching and performing for well over a decade. She went on to study at Loyola University, New Orleans, on a music scholarship where she studied violin with Nadja Salerno-Sonnenburg and Amy Thaiville. Ms. Johnston concentrated her studies in chamber music and solo performance, as well as college-level piano. In 2019, she graduated Summa Cum Laude with a Bachelors in Music Performance. Ellen has performed with the Romero Quartet, the Loyola Strings orchestra, and the Chamber Orchestra of Music In the Mountains. She has taught all age ranges of students and believes music is an essential part of education. During her time in New Orleans, Ellen worked with the Greater New Orleans Youth Orchestra to spread her love of music to the community and taught privately. She now resides in Houston, Texas, where she continues to teach and perform.
Dr. Marie Borillo
Dr. Marie Borillo has been teaching piano for 20 years, with students, beginners to advanced, ranging in age from 4 to 70 years old. Among these include local competition winners and participants in the Royal Conservatory of Music examinations, while some students have chosen to continue their music education at the collegiate level. Marie received her DMA in Piano Performance from West Virginia University, studying with James Miltenberger. Her former teachers include Penelope Cecchini, John Couch, James Douthat, Tim Shafer, and Christine Kefferstan. She also studied piano pedagogy under the tutelage of Connie Arrau Sturm. Marie is an active member of the Music Teachers’ National Association and has adjudicated area piano competitions and festivals.
Sevil Jabiyev
Sevil Jabiyev discovered her passion for music at an early age. She began studying Piano at the age of 7 and ever since could not imagine her life without playing piano. Upon graduating as valedictorian, Sevil enrolled in Saint Petersburg Gertsen University and continued her study of piano and vocal. Sevil graduated with a Bachelor degree with honors and began her teaching career at the same time studying Master's in Piano Performance, which she completed with distinction in 2017. She participated in various Chamber music festivals and competitions and won first places in International Music Competitions in Italy and Russia. Sevil teaches piano and vocal. She is known for her piano performance style, finding an individual approach to every student and her patience in working with both kids and adults. Her students have enjoyed great success in passing ABRSM theory and piano exams. Sevil is looking forward to guiding you on your music journey.
Sharmilia Jayatileke
Sharmila started playing piano at the age of 9 and was classically trained throughout the years with ABRSM and Trinity College Music with Practical and Theory. She has a General Certificate of Education with Western Music and is licensed by Musikgarten . She has 10 years experience teaching piano from Elementary to High school students . She is passionate about teaching piano and loves watching her students progress.
Alexandra Garza
Alexandra Garza has been a classically trained pianist from five years of age and has continued to improve her performance level. She has graduated from Stephen F. Austin State University with a Bachelor’s in Music Education and a Master’s in Piano Pedagogy. During her studies within the piano pedagogy program, she has taught at the music prep division, taught class piano to undergraduate music students, performed studio, duet, and solo recitals, and has accompanied vocal and instrumental soloists. She had her students perform at local festivals and recitals and is also a member of TMTA and MTNA. She studied piano performance at Stephen F. Austin State University during her undergraduate and graduate studies with Dr. Andrew Parr and Dr. Minhae Lee. In addition, she studied piano pedagogy with Dr. Mario Ajero, an active member and presenter of TMTA and MTNA.
Dr. Yen-Yu Shih
Mezzo Soprano, Dr. Yen-Yu Shih is a multi-talented musician who in addition to being an accomplished vocalist and pianist, has served as stage manager and producer for a wide variety of musical productions including music festivals, musical theaters, operas and concerts. Her performance experience is extensive, having worked with several philharmonic orchestras and chamber groups and as a guest soloist to even more. After completing her degrees, she served as faculty at the Sierra Music Academy, Sacramento, and held her own voice and piano studio in Pasadena(CA). She has offered professional vocal clinics, private lessons and group classes to students, choirs, musical theaters, churches and schools throughout her teaching career. In 2010-2012 she established and served as the music director of National Taiwan University Alumni Chorus, South California, which performed several choir concerts under her direction. In 2012 with her husband, Dr. Ding-Shyue Yang and the family, she relocated to Houston(TX). She accepted the position of Music Director for the CAMA Chorus in 2017.
Jungae Lee
Jungae Lee was raised by her father, a music professor and pastor at the Korean Baptist Theological University. She was exposed to music from an early age, starting on the violin when she was 7 years old, but she was fascinated by the sound of the piano and soon transitioned to piano. Music runs in her family. Her younger brother earned a Master’s in Music from Sofia University and plays contrabass. He is currently Vice-Chairman of the Seoul National Symphony Orchestra in South Korea. Jungae majored in Piano Pedagogy and received her Bachelor’s degree from Wichita State University. She has over 20 years teaching experience and has taught a wide range of students, from beginners to advanced piano students. She believes that music has the power to heal the mind and restore enjoyment. Her teaching style was strongly influenced by Professor Paul Reed and Dr. Sylvia Coats, who taught her that anyone can access and enjoy music.
Linda Tai
Linda Tai was born and raised in Taiwan. She completed her undergraduate studies in vocal performance under the direction of Professor Yan-Ling Chen at Shih Chien University. She is currently studying her master’s degree at the University of Houston, majoring in Piano Collaborative, with Professor Timothy Hester. Tai has expertise teaching a range of age groups, from five-year-old children to adults, and her mission is to help students discover their musical potential and grow to love and appreciate classical music. Students can build their confidence and independence via methodical study and discipline practice. Tai has been studying music since childhood and hopes to connect with the world through music. In 2011, she was sent to Don Bosco University in El Salvador through the Taiwan International Cooperation and Development Foundation to serve as a music volunteer for the Ministry of Culture, offering music courses to students for further study.
Sonny Lund
Sonny Lund is a professional Guitarist that was born and raised in Houston. He currently travels across Texas to perform music with various artist. His interest in music began at the age of 9 when he decided to become a part of his elementary school’s (Macgregor Elementary) guitar program. Since then, he continued his formal training through private lessons for 6 years under the direction of Joe Carmouche, Roberto Guinea and Steve Steele. Sonny utilizes techniques that he has acquired throughout his career to ensure that his students receive the best instruction possible.
Lilian Teresita Pérez
She began her musical studies at the age of 8 in the specialty of choral singing at the Benny Moré School of Art in Cienfuegos, Cuba. In 2004, she embarked on her pedagogical journey after obtaining titles as Choir Director, Singer, and Professor at the National School of Music in Havana, Cuba. As part of her professional life, she also earned a Bachelor's degree in Social Communication from the University of Cienfuegos "Carlos Rafael Rodríguez," Cuba. This academic foundation has complemented her artistic aspirations, providing a comprehensive understanding of communication that enhances her ability to connect with students and audiences alike. Lilian Teresita has become a versatile and accomplished professional, capable of delivering engaging and comprehensive music education. Currently, she is involved in music education in different areas of Houston. Her ability to impart knowledge in Spanish, her native language, adds additional value to her teaching, facilitating a connection with Hispanic communities.
Chavely Sanchez
Chavely Sanchez discovered her passion for music at an early age. At the age of 7, she began studying violin at the Professional Music School in Matanzas, Cuba. Upon graduating with higher level honors, he began working in the prestigious Symphony Orchestra of his city and also teaching violin classes to children between 6 and 15 years of age. Enthusiastic, talented and hard-working, for her, teaching violin is more than a job, it is her passion. She loves to share knowledge. For her, music positively influences self-esteem, communication skills, stress management and creativity. Her students are her priority. It teaches them to know and love their instrument and prepares them for their future.
