Middle School

Todd Fortier originally hails  from the Midwest and recently relocated to the Bay Area. He holds a Master of Music degree in Vocal Performance from Duquesne University. There he studied under Claudia Pinza, daughter of famed Metropolitan Opera Bass Ezio Pinza. After graduate school, he spent many years in NYC performing in both opera and musical theater. After 8 years, he returned to the midwest and started a soon flourishing private voice studio. He served as Adjunct Professor of Voice at the University of Wisconsin-Parkside for the 2020/21 school year.

Experienced teacher in the Sunset area of San Francisco who also performs regularly.  Students have participated in Certificate of Merit, Royal College of Music test, and National Piano Guild programs.  Students also participate other events in the Bay Area.  

I've been playing alto saxophone for 15 years now. Some honors include: Honorable mention and merit winner in jazz for the National YoungArts Foundation (2015-2016), Runner-up of Portland's PDX Jazz forward Competition (2016) and 3rd place in Vandoren's Emerging Artist Competition (2017), grand prize winner of Eastman Winds' Perform with Mintzer Competition (2016), and winner in saxophone for Yamaha's Young Performing Artist Competition (2018). Played lead alto in Ralph Peterson's GenNext Big Band and recorded two albums (2018-2019).

Private guitar lessons for beginners, intermediate, and advanced players with an experienced, patient, and qualified professional. You will start from the beginning and focus on the fundamental techniques that will equip your fingers to play virtually any style of music with ease.

Stephan believes in a positive and encouraging approach to teaching, one which cultivates an atmosphere of learning and enjoyment while playing the guitar.

Guitar lessons will help you to:

A native of Bulgaria, violinist Dorisiya Yosifova enjoys an active career in music as a teacher and performer. As an orchestra musician, Dorisiya plays as Principal Second Violinist of the Apollo Ensemble of Boston and has also played with the Cape Ann Symphony as Section Player and the Lowell House Opera as Concertmaster. In the recent years, she has appeared in performances as a solo and chamber musician in the Greater Boston Area where Dorisiya was located before her recent move to the Bay Area.

Tara Simon is a professional singer, songwriter and celebrity vocal coach. She became widely recognized as a top finalist on the second season of the X Factor. Her determination and drive to succeed began early. She moved to New York City on her 18th birthday, her sights set firmly on Broadway. When the audition dates for Fame were announced, the creative community in the Big Apple was set on fire with excitement.

Following her solo debut with the San Francisco Symphony, Ilana Blumberg Thomas has appeared across the United States and internationally, including appearances at Tanglewood, the Marlboro Music Festival, the Santa Fe Chamber Music Festival, and the Aspen Music Festival. She is currently in demand as a chamber musician, collaborating with the Left Coast Chamber Ensemble, Earplay, UC Berkeley’s eco ensemble, Ensemble for these Times, and working with Philip Glass and Opera Paralelle last season. As an orchestral musician, Ms.

Brazilian-American countertenor Matheus Coura is quickly gaining attention as a passionate performer of Baroque and Modern repertoire.

Lenora Warkentin received an MFA from UCLA where, in addition to winning a number of competitions, she was a Teaching Assistant for Music History classes and the Wind Ensemble. Her students have performed in the San Francisco Youth Orchestra, Young Peoples Symphony Orchestra, Berkeley Youth Orchestra, Young Peoples Chamber Orchestra, the Santa Cruz Jazz Festival, local theater orchestras, and the Junior Bach Festival.