Music Instructors - Georgetown, Texas

Brenda Bedell

Brenda has over 50 years of experience teaching the piano privately and in groups. Since she was a little girl, it was her lifelong ambition to share the gift of music with others. Her Master Teacher, Ann Gipson Houser, directed Brenda’s course to provide music education to the community. Mrs. Houser developed the Student Teacher Program for advanced piano students, beginning at age 16, to learn the art of teaching piano lessons. Brenda also provides this opportunity for advanced piano students to participate as student interns under the oversight of their master teacher. Brenda has also developed a variety of lesson formats that include private lessons, group ensembles, and engaging music theory for her students. Brenda believes all lesson formats require variety, artistry, rhythmic accuracy, commitment to excellent technique, and a genuine passion for the heart of music. As the Music Director of Dolce Music Studio, she desires to create an atmosphere that will motivate each student to not only play music but to love making music!

Lauren Coltharp

Lauren Coltharp is so excited to start teaching at Dolce Music! She is a graduate of the University of Mary-Hardin Baylor, and has a Bachelor’s of Music in Music Education K-12. During her time at UMHB, she was a part of One Voice and Concert Choir, was President of the Collegiate Texas Music Educators Association, tutored students in Music Theory, and performed in several musicals. This is Lauren’s 4th year teaching private lessons. She will also offer a monthly Voice Ensemble Enrichment class to give students the experience of multiple voices. In her free time, Lauren loves playing with her dogs, spending time with her family, singing, and making latte art. She can’t wait to help you make beautiful music!

Doniahl Afshar

Doniahl Afshar is a guitarist, composer, and a graduate of Columbia College Chicago, where he earned a degree in Music Composition. He is known for his distinctive style, referred to as Fasdom Music, which fuses musical traditions from around the world with contemporary techniques, creating a sound that is both innovative and deeply expressive. Born in Los Angeles and raised in Iran, Doniahl’s musical journey began in a rich cultural landscape that continues to influence his artistry today. He returned to the United States in 2016, initially settling in Austin, Texas—a city that has played a central role in his personal and musical development and still feels like home. Over the years, Doniahl has attended master classes with respected musicians from around the world while drawing inspiration from everyday encounters with local artists. He believes that every musician, regardless of fame or status, has something meaningful to offer if you’re willing to listen. Doniahl’s wide-ranging background includes fingerstyle guitar, ethnic music, composition, orchestration, screen scoring, and interdisciplinary collaboration with dancers and other artists. To Doniahl, music is more than a skill—it’s a way of being. “There are countless lessons out there about living in the moment,” he says. “But music doesn’t just teach it. Music is living in the moment—enjoying each second of life as it unfolds.”

Katie Ash

Katie Ash has been playing the harp since she can remember! She was initially taught by her mother and played together with her mom at her first wedding when she was three. Katie received a Bachelor’s Degree in Education with a Minor in Music from Howard Payne University. She went on to earn a Master’s of Science in Educational Administration from Pensacola Christian College. She currently serves as an elementary teacher and loves teaching others. In addition to the harp, Katie also enjoys playing the piano and the flute. She has played the harp at weddings, banquets, care centers, and many church and private events. Katie enjoys playing music in her church and additionally serves through leading children’s musicals and working with the music ministry. Katie believes that music is a gift from heaven and can be used to bless and minister to others.

Jack Daniel

Jack was fortunate to have a mother who was the first accredited female band director in Louisiana. At the age of 13, his first drum set instructor was Joe Morrelo (drummer for Dave Brubeck) and then Roy Haynes (drummer for Miles Davis and others) when he attended the first Ludwig Percussion Symposium. Jack toured Europe with the All Student’s Band USA, at the age of 15, and performed with various bands throughout southern Louisiana. After attending LSU in Baton Rouge, he performed with the Baton Rouge Symphony and various circus and rodeo bands. He currently drums with John Pierre and the Zydeco Angels, Paul Klemperer Jazz Quartet, the modern Rock Band Relative Circle, and the World Music Band Suburban Beat. Jack is excited to teach percussion as well as vocals at Dolce as a Master Teacher and performer. He also directs intro group percussion classes each year as an elective for our summer camp music tours.

Robert Davis

After attending Temple University, Robert received his Master of Music Education and was a part of multiple instrumental and vocal ensembles, including performing in a Grammy award performance/recording of Carl Orff’s Catuli Carmina with Eugene Ormandy and the Philadelphia Symphony Orchestra. He has taught orchestra and band from fourth grade through College, including a ten-year stint as a High School Band Director. Staying active playing and conducting large and small ensemble events, he continued to teach at Austin Community College for 12 years while working at Dell. He is devoted to teaching all ages and levels of woodwind students in various school districts. As a Dolce instructor, Mr. Davis will offer instruction for saxophone, clarinet, and flute. He believes in using many avenues to inspire and motivate his students while actively demonstrating effective and beneficial playing techniques during each lesson. Bobby is available for virtual or in-person lessons.

Wendy Dewerse

Wendy is an experienced music teacher, pianist, singer, mom of five, and grandma of three. She earned her Bachelor of Music Education from John Brown University and holds her Texas Teaching Certificate for PreK through 12th grade music. Over the years, Wendy has taught piano and voice lessons, led children’s choirs and worship bands, directed musicals, and taught elementary music in Round Rock ISD and Georgetown ISD. She believes it’s most important for children to LOVE music and to have FUN while they learn! Wendy is accepting private or group piano and voice students on Tuesdays.

Julian Felix

Julian began cello in the sixth grade, playing with the beginning orchestra at Kealing Middle School. During and after the pandemic Julian attended Austin High School, and became principal cellist there for two years. Julian joined the Austin Youth Orchestra at 17, playing pieces such as Tchaikovsky’s Symphony No.6 and Dvorak’s Symphony No.9 “New World”. While there, he learned privately under Mr. John Walters. Julian has experience teaching both privately and in large groups, having lead Austin High’s cello section at their annual Orchestra Camp. Julian is now a college sophomore at Southwestern University and is currently studying with Mrs. Hai Zheng-Olefsky, Professor of Cello at Southwestern. Outside of cello, Julian enjoys hiking, dog sitting, graphic novels, and writing. He plans to go to law school after his undergraduate studies. Despite this Julian has a passion for the cello, and can’t see his future self without it.

Jacob Dycus

Jacob has joined the Dolce faculty, teaching percussion, ukulele, and guitar. He acquired his Bachelor’s Degree in Music Education at ULM in Monroe, Louisiana. He has served as an Assistant Band Director in the public school and is an experienced private instructor. His passion for teaching is to witness his students learn the music they love while building character and accomplishing their goals. He believes learning to play an instrument is a wonderful discipline, and his goal is to provide an engaging and interactive learning environment for his students. Jacob has implemented this teaching style in our intro classes during the popular Summer Camp Music Tours. He believes this includes providing the tools for success by teaching technical skills, musical concepts, and music theory with a foundation of rhythm! Jacob is now accepting students on Tuesday afternoons at Dolce.

Micah Ee

A proficient pianist and singer, Micah is a graduate of the University of Mary Hardin-Baylor with a Bachelor of Arts in Music. While in college, he performed with vocal and instrumental ensembles including One Voice, Concert Choir, Jazz Band, Wind Ensemble, and Opera/Musical Theater. He also served as Vice President of the Collegiate Texas Music Educators Association at UMHB and regularly tutored music theory. As a pianist, he enjoys performing in recitals, churches, and weddings both as a soloist and a collaborative pianist. Micah has been teaching private lessons since 2019 and loves to work with aspiring musicians of all ages and experience levels.

Tavia Ewen

Tavia Ewen has 25 years of experience playing and teaching the violin. She pursued a violin performance degree from the University of North Texas on a full scholarship and has studied privately and in masterclasses with teachers from the Oregon Symphony, University of North Texas, UT Austin, New England Conservatory, and other internationally recognized artists. Tavia is frequently called upon to teach and perform in the Austin community. She currently holds a position in the first violin section of the Austin Civic Orchestra.

Stephanie Goehner

Stephanie has had a love for music for as long as she can remember. She grew up singing with her family at home and in church. At her Mema’s house, she listened intently as her grandmother played the piano and taught her notes and chords. As she got older, she started learning to read hymnals and listen to her mom sing harmony, eventually harmonizing pretty well herself! Her sisters and mom all played the flute, so Stephanie joined in, taking up band, dance, church, and school choir, piano lessons, and voice lessons as well. In her senior year of high school, she taught flute and played in the church band. While attending Baylor University, she sang in the women’s choir and currently sings with the church‘s praise and worship team. Sharing the gift of music isn’t a job but rather a joy for Stephanie, and her creative style is evident. She loves to lay the foundation for beginner piano students, adding an element of singing to the lesson format and providing essential tools to put a song in their hearts! Dolce is excited to announce Stephanie as a certified Music Together® teacher leading Mixed-Age classes on Wednesday, Thursday, or Friday mornings from 9:30 to 10:15. These classes are the perfect beginning to prepare children for Little Mozart Piano group or private lessons designed for ages 4 to 6.

Hannah Gripp

Hannah is a passionate violinist, educator, and artist. She began her study of the violin at the age of seven and, since then, has been a winner of multiple competitions including the ASTA Arizona Solo Competition, the Phoenix Youth Symphony’s Young Musicians’ Competition, and the NAU Academy Orchestra Concerto Competition (resulting in the opportunity to solo with the orchestra). As a freshman at Northern Arizona University, Gripp was selected as a winner in NAU’s concerto competition, resulting in a solo concerto performance with the NAU Symphony Orchestra. In the spring of 2018, she soloed with the White Mountain Symphony Orchestra as a winner of their Solo Competition. She has performed in multiple orchestras, including the Flagstaff Symphony Orchestra, Symphony of the Southwest, Arizona Philharmonic, the Arizona State University Symphony and Chamber Orchestras, and the NAU Symphony and Chamber Orchestras. During her time at NAU, Gripp performed as the concertmaster of both the NAU Symphony and Chamber Orchestras. A native of Arizona, Gripp has been privileged to study with numerous instructors and professors who have deeply impacted her musical career there. She received her Master of Music Performance degree at Arizona State University as a student of Dr. Katherine McLin. Before that, she graduated from Northern Arizona University with a Bachelor’s Degree in Violin Performance, where she was a student of Shelley Rich. In addition to performing, Gripp is passionate about teaching the violin. An experienced instructor in both private and group lessons, she seeks to inspire the joy of the gift of music in all her students, while facilitating a rich musical experience for them. Hannah holds a Certificate in Suzuki Pedagogy for the Violin. She had the privilege of studying under renowned Suzuki pedagogues Dr. Karin Hallberg and Dr. Louise Scott. Hannah is dedicated to serving her church and community with music. She has been playing the violin in church bands for over a decade and loves to share her talents with others.

Gabriel Helal

Gabriel Helal is a classically trained pianist who is enthusiastic about teaching beginner piano with a creative format designed to motivate the student. He also performs in a band, and plays many other instruments, including drums, bass, and guitar making him a great fit for teaching enrichment and summer camp groups. Gabriel is also proficient in improvisation and songwriting techniques. He is accepting students now on Mondays or Thursdays at Dolce Music in Georgetown. He will also be teaching during our Dolce Music Summer Camp tours giving piano intro classes.

Kaytlin Gonzales

Kaytlin Gonzales has been singing and playing the piano for as long as she can remember. Her mother through homeschooling taught her how to read music about the same time she started to learn how to read. In 2016, she earned her bachelor’s degree in music education at Freed-Hardeman University. She originally intended the major to help her knowledge and experience grow in teaching piano lessons, but grew a passion for helping those in the public school system. After college, she worked at a Title I elementary school in Houston, teaching Kindergarten through 4th grade Music to a student body of about 900 children. This experience showed her that she needed to continue with the one on one scene if she were going to make the bigger impact. Kaytlin has been teaching private piano lessons for 9 years, since she was in high school, and is striving to grow along with her students every day. She has worked with beginner and intermediate students from young child to adult, including special needs children. She strives to instill a joy in and a love of music in every student through her classes that will stay with the student for the rest of their lives no matter where the journey of life takes them. Kaytlin is available online only.

Erica Jermain

Erica first began her fine arts journey at the age of 3 with dance lessons. She then started her piano studies with Brenda Bedell at the age of 5 with a commitment and dedication to music ever since. She continued her musical growth by participating in choir, theater, flute, and piccolo throughout middle school and high school to enhance her music education. Erica was also part of the varsity dance team at Georgetown High School; she was able to hold various leadership positions within the organization and eventually served as captain during her senior year in 2019-2020. Erica first began teaching piano under Brenda Bedell’s instruction at age 15 as part of the Student Teacher Program. After completing her internship, Erica now teaches as a Master Teacher on Sunday afternoons using a hybrid format of in-person and online instruction. She currently attends the pharmacy school at The University of Texas at Austin, but she continues her passion for fine arts in her free time. Erica has made the statement, “It doesn’t feel like a job when you do what you love!”

Curt Jones

Curt Jones, originally from Calhoun, Louisiana, has been playing guitar since the age of 12 and performing shows since he was 15. In 2012, he moved to Nashville, TN, where he met his duo partner and future wife, Hannah. They formed the duo known as Curt & Hannah. Their achievements include winning the Lagrange, Texas Texaco Country Showdown in 2014, featuring on the TV show “Celebrity Undercover Boss” with Darius Rucker on CBS, and winning the Texas Country Music Award for vocal duo of the year in 2018. In 2020, they were featured on American Idol. Curt has opened for artists such as Tracey Lawrence, Randall King, Gloriana, and William Clark Green. For the past 10 years, he has been teaching guitar to students ranging from 10 years old to adults, covering beginner to advanced.

Ernesto Lopez

Ernie is currently a senior at the University of Mary Hardin-Baylor (UMHB), where he is majoring in Music Education. He plays the piano and percussion. In addition to his studies, Ernie serves as an instructor at Salado Conservatory, Dolce Music Studio in Georgetown, and Bell County Music Studio. He is also the piano accompanist for the Belton Independent School District (BISD) and serves as the Percussion Masterclass Instructor for Killeen Independent School District (KISD). Additionally, he accompanies Georgetown Independent School District (GISD) and Temple Independent School District (TISD) as needed. This upcoming season, Ernie will be on the Temple Symphony Board, where his primary goal is to raise funds to establish a youth symphony and to introduce classical music to younger generations. He has performed at various venues across the country and participated in numerous music festivals. Throughout his journey, Ernie has studied with and been mentored by some of the leading teachers and musicians in the industry. He is currently accepting new students on Saturday mornings at Dolce Music Studio.

Marianna Kazarian

PROFESSIONAL MUSICIAN, PIANIST, AND PIANO INSTRUCTOR
Native of Tbilisi, Georgia, Marianna has lived in the United States for three decades. As a
passionate admirer and practitioner of classical music, she uses the
best European and North American Methods in her teaching format. Throughout her professional journey, she
has taught students of all levels and ages, who soon became inspired with a deep love and appreciation for music.
Her decades-long experience as an instructor helped her gain a solid basis for proper
adaptation of her methods to the rhythm of each student. This provides the development of the necessary
qualities to meet personal goals. Marianna’s students usually graduate among the top in exams and competitions.
Some have received a distinction for outstanding work from the San Francisco Conservatory of Music
and were awarded a Gold Medal from various Music Competitions and auditions in the Bay Area, CA. Now in
Georgetown, TX, Marianna plans to become a member of the American College of Musicians, allowing her to
invite interested students to participate in the yearly National Guild Auditions.

Thomas Lawrence

Thomas Lawrence has studied piano for fifteen years and returns to Southwestern University in the Fall of 2025 as a senior piano performance major. He will receive a Bachelor of Arts degree in both music and economics in Spring 2026 and was recently awarded the prestigious 2025 Delta Omicron Foundation grant. Thomas is a performer of the classical and jazz repertoire, and his musical studies have included solo recital work, accompaniment, and performance of the trio repertoire as a pianist. He has also studied voice in private lessons and now sings for multiple choirs professionally. As a pianist, his professional projects have ranged from keyboardist in a stage musical pit orchestra to solo incidental music for university events. Thomas plans to attend graduate school for a Master of Music. He is accepting students on Wednesdays, Saturdays, or Sundays.

Janet Lynn

Janet is a vocal coach for commercial music and a professional singer/songwriter/musician/producer. She is an Austin Native and grew up with musician parents, with music always being a part of her life as long as she can remember. She’s been known to say, “Music chose me, I didn’t choose it.” Janet has been singing professionally since the age of 5 and is a Six-Time Award Winning singer, including Achievement Awards, and being honored by the Texas Music Hall of Fame, Western Swing Hall of Fame, plus being honored by Texas Governor Abbott for the Lifetime Achievement in Music. She was signed to Columbia Records at age 14. She honed her craft singing with several well-known Texas bands. She has led her band for many years when female bandleaders were rare. She has three #1 singles to her credit in the Texas/Oklahoma/Louisiana region. She worked in Nashville for ten years, and after returning home to Texas, she started her own teaching business, Get Your Act Together, using her combined skills as a vocal and life coach. With the support and help of her husband, award-winning musician, Brent Wilson, they began teaching kids’ bands, which grew into Mom Bands and Family Bands. She believes music should always be fun, even though it’s hard work, and a family that plays together stays together! As a Vocal Coach, Janet meets each student where they are, working on vocal pitch, phrasing, breathing, and microphone technique, as she prepares her students for live performance. She works with children, adults, duos, bands, and coaches professional singers preparing to record in a professional recording studio. She is a published songwriter, which helps her bring a special skill set to vocal coaching, singing, and performing, including music theory and the Nashville Number System, which is a musical charting process used on most stages and studios now, including National TV shows, The Voice and American Idol, are also being taught at Berklee College of Music in Boston. Janet has 25+ years’ experience. She is happy to be at Dolce now!

Anna Martens

Anna began playing the piano and cello at age five, starting cello with Dr. Bruce Wood and in the STELR Suzuki program. She joined the Youth Orchestras of Lubbock at age eight and was the 2020 Concerto Competition winner. She is now a sophomore at Southwestern University and is currently studying with Mrs. Hai Zheng-Olefsky, Professor of Cello at Southwestern. Previous instructors include Jeffrey Lastrapes, Professor of Cello at Texas Tech University, and Eleanora Lopez in Amarillo. She has attended Texas Tech University’s Band and Orchestra Camp and the Green Lake Chamber Music Festival in Wisconsin. Anna enjoys chamber music and, during quarantine, was fortunate to play Dvorák’s “American” quartet with her sister, Naomi, and two TTU students, coaching and performing outdoors under the guidance of Annie Chalex Boyle. Anna has taught with her family at their Summer Fiddle Camp in Lubbock and has been teaching private lessons for the last three years, in Lubbock and at Southwestern. Outside of music, Anna enjoys tennis, coffee, and being outdoors! She is inspired by her sister, Naomi, a violinist who has set a great example in many different areas of life.

Growing up in Kharkiv, Ukraine, Alena Kamchatna began studying piano at the age of six. As a child, her talent led her to participating in many regional competitions and music festivals. She took her talent to the next level by attending a specialized musical school during her teenage years. From 2008-2013, Alena earned her bachelor’s and master’s degrees in music performance from the Kharkiv National University of Arts. Then, after receiving a full scholarship, she spent the next three years earning her dual master’s degree from the International Anton Rubinstein Academy in Dusseldorf, Germany and in La Spezia, Italy. Since she began studying, Alena has also accumulated six years of teaching piano to students of all ages and skill levels. She has studied and performed with numerous famous musicians in Ukraine, Germany, and Italy. After graduating from Anton Rubinstein, the academy offered her a job to stay as a piano teacher in their pre-college program. Alena’s main teaching philosophy focuses on studying classical music, but she also enjoys experimenting with piano interpretations of modern pop music. She is available for virtual lessons only.

Marty McAllister

Marty McAllister is an experienced piano and voice teacher of 40 years. She graduated from the University of Texas in Austin with a degree in Music Education with principal in voice, and began studying piano at the age of 5. Marty has created personal studios of up to 60 students in three cities, Dallas and Austin, and a small town in Oklahoma. She has many talents which include being a writer, an artist, and enjoying the interaction of the arts. Marty expresses her delight in her new home in Sun City, Georgetown and excited to be a part of the faculty at Dolce Music Studio.

Patrick McAndrew

Patrick McAndrew is an experienced drummer who attended the Musicians Institute where he was educated by some of the best instructors in the world. After school he moved to Central Texas to pursue his career as a professional musician. Since then he has recorded on two studio albums and toured with bands that are signed to major record labels. Patrick also practices daily and believes that every drummer is born a student and dies a student, the learning never stops. Patrick’s teaching styles and techniques vary for each student. He is a very patient instructor but pushes each student to achieve their goals. He states, “I know every student learns differently, so each student gets a custom lesson plan that meets the way he or she learns”.

Andy McKay

Andy McKay has 50 years of experience playing trumpet as a solo and group performer. Since a young age, music has played an important role in Andy’s life, and his enthusiasm for music appreciation is palpable and infectious. He believes music education isn’t only about learning to play an instrument, but rather a pathway to learning life skills. Andy began formal music education at the age of 12, continuing through an active high school and college performing career. He studied music at Stephen F. Austin University and performed there with several ensembles, including concert bands and jazz bands. He has performed with numerous bands throughout Texas and Louisiana and currently enjoys leading an 18-piece band, “Not Past 11,” in the Georgetown and Austin area. Andy enjoys working with students from beginner to advanced, teaching and improving their technical skills, rhythm, music reading skills, and music theory foundations. As a Dolce instructor, Andy delights in helping his students set and achieve goals and celebrates their successes, big and small. He has an inspiring and effective approach to working with all ages and skill levels. Andy is available to teach all levels of trumpet students, as well as other brass instruments, depending on skill levels. When he’s not playing his trumpet, Andy enjoys RV travel, cruises, working on his 100-year-old historic home, hiking, and spending time with his wife and 3 children.

Monique McIntosh

Monique has taught at Dolce Music Studio since the doors opened in 2010. Her lessons are tailored around the individual’s pace and learning style using on-and-off-bench activities and technology. Instead of only a private lesson format, her curriculum offers an optional monthly ensemble class with other students of similar age engaging in ensemble play. She also offers lessons in bassoon, beginner drums, beginner ukulele, and flute. Some of her bassoon students have performed at the TMEA Region and State levels as well as received excellent ratings in UIL State Solo & Ensemble Contests. A few of her piano and bassoon students continued with their music education into college on music scholarships. She graduated from Southwestern University with a BS in Education/Special Education. As an avid learner, Monique hopes to pass on the joy of learning through music. Her advanced students are participating in the Student Teacher Program, for which Monique provides training and monthly reviews as their Advising Instructor. Monique enjoys DIY home projects, gardening, walking, spending time with family, and exercising her privileges as a private pilot by flying.

Steve Merson

Steve was born into a musical family in Scotland, UK. He spent his formative years being taught by his father before moving to London to study at the renowned Guildhall School of Music and Drama under Professor David Takeno.
Steve was awarded his Associate of the Guildhall School of Music (AGSM) and went on to the Advanced Solo Studies course for a further year. On completion of his studies, Steve joined the BBC, and two years later he won a position with the world-famous Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, which he held for 23 years. During his career in London, Steve also performed with the London Philharmonic Orchestra, London Symphony Orchestra, and Philharmonia, to name but a few. He has also worked with several internationally recognized conductors. Steve has shared the stage with Yo-Yo Ma, Placido Domingo, Luciano Pavarotti, Jesse Norman, and more. He has been fortunate to have traveled extensively performing at some of the most prestigious concert halls in the world, such as Carnegie Hall, Madison Square Garden, Boston Symphony Hall, Chicago Symphony Hall, and more. Steve has recorded numerous soundtracks for BBC television and films as well as for the big screen, such as The Red Violin, The Ghost and the Darkness, Mad Max 3, Ellis Island, and The Lord of the Rings. Steve now lives in Austin, Texas with his Chicago-born wife Norene and enjoys an active career performing with the symphony orchestras of Austin, San Antonio, Corpus Christi, Victoria, Mid-Texas, San Angelo, Waco, Abilene, Brazos Valley, Temple, Laredo and currently holds the position of principal 2nd violin with the Central Texas Philharmonic.

Lauren Mertens

Lauren is a Music Educator with a wide variety of musical experience. Growing up, Lauren took piano lessons and participated in her church choir. The love and community she found in music led her to join band and play the flute. Lauren earned a Music Education degree from Texas Christian University, where she learned the fundamentals of wind and string instruments. In college, she had many teaching opportunities, including practicum at the elementary and middle school level, private flute instruction, TCU Summer Music Institute Workshops (flute, clarinet, and harp), Guest Artist at Tanglewood ES’s Artapalooza, and student teaching at the elementary and middle school level. During her four years at TCU, Lauren performed with the TCU Wind Symphony (flute), TCU Flute Choir (flute/piccolo), TCU Concert Band (clarinet), TCU Marching Band (flute, piccolo, alto saxophone), and TCU Basketball band (piccolo). After college, Lauren taught as an Elementary Music Specialist at Indian Creek ES in Lewisville ISD. In this role, she planned and delivered general music lessons to students in Pre-K through 5th grade and put on grade-level programs and holiday performances. Lauren is passionate about all avenues of music and loves to share that experience with others. Whether in an individual or group setting, her goal is to inspire the future generation of music-lovers.

David Pencil

David began studying music at an early age, becoming proficient in piano, percussion, and voice by the end of his high-school education. He holds a Bachelor of Music degree in Music Composition from Rice University and a Master of Music degree in Music Composition from the Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music at the University of Cincinnati. David has many years of experience teaching piano, voice, percussion, music composition, and music theory. He is also the Music Director at St. John’s UMC where he leads the church’s Praise Band and bell choir. David has led summer camp and enrichment groups at Dolce with motivating and inspiring results. David is now enrolling students at Dolce Music Studio for piano, voice, and composition.

Portia Lahey Hansen

Portia is a Board-Certified Music Therapist (MT-BC), and is currently furthering her music therapy education as she pursues a Master’s degree in Music Therapy, with an emphasis in counseling. Her philosophy comes from a humanistic approach that focuses on the person as a whole, aiming to help students/clients actualize their potential and reach their goals to become their best selves. She is available for music therapy sessions for persons of all ages. She also holds a graduate level certificate in adaptive music lessons and is available for students that need additional support in learning to play various instruments, including the piano, ukulele, guitar, and/or voice. Lastly, she is passionate about introducing children to music from around the world and teaches Music Together® family music classes at Dolce Music Studio to the next generation of music makers. The musical bond between grownups and their children from this experience is priceless and continues beyond the class! Portia has three young children who keep her on her toes, and a fantastic husband who makes life fun. When she’s not chasing the kids around town for their activities or making music as a family, she can be seen running or biking the San Gabriel Trail.

Conner Redlin

Conner Redlin is an experienced piano and woodwinds teacher of 8 years with a music performance degree in clarinet. Conner expresses the blessing of seeing his students get excited about music they are passionate about as they grow in understanding how all the pieces come together. He always goes the extra distance to give what is takes to bring his students to success in their goal of achievement. Conner is excited to live in the Austin area to join the thriving arts culture. We are honored to have him join the faculty at Dolce offering his instruction on Thursdays weekly.

Konstantin Pavlov

The Russian-American violinist Konstantin Pavlov was born in Russia in a family of a cellist father and a pianist mother. He started his violin studies at the age of six with Professor Vladimir Bobilov, a student of Albert Markov, continuing his musical studies with him until admission to the Tchaikovsky Conservatory in Moscow. Konstantin studied under the mentorship of Professor Alexander Vinnisky, a pupil and follower of the legendary violinist David Oistrakh. Konstantin was an artist member of the Moscow Conservatory Great Hall Orchestra and the Composer Union of the Amadeus Chamber Orchestra. After obtaining his Master’s Degree in Violin Performance and Pedagogy in Moscow in 2003, he joined the Russian National Orchestra under the baton of Mikhail Pletnev, and the Moscow Symphony Orchestra under the direction of V. Ziva. From 2005 to 2013, Konstantin played as assistant concertmaster in the San Luis Potosi Symphony Orchestra and second violin principal at the Zacatecas Philharmonic Orchestra (Mexico). At the same time, he worked as a violin teacher in several schools where he developed and boosted several student winners of national and international competitions. In 2013, he moved to the U.S. and participated in many performances as a soloist and as a member of multiple ensembles. Throughout his career, he has had great opportunities working with the following international, well-known artists: Zubin Mehta, Plácido Domingo, Vanessa Mae, Julia Fischer, Chick Corea, Gennady Rozhdestvensky, Yevgeny Svetlanov among others.

Mattie Reese Boykin-Robinson

Mattie has 50+ years of experience teaching piano privately. Since the age of 3, Mattie began her musical journey under the tutelage of her Master teachers: Mrs. B Love, Dr. William McKamie, and Dr. Roger Keyes. Her Master Teachers directed Mattie’s course to provide piano performance to the community. She competed in several piano concerto competitions and was the winner of the State of Texas Music Educators, concerto division 1971, as well as the Van Cliburn and Irl Allison scholarship, Baylor University. After attending Baylor, she became a Minister of Music at her Dad’s church, Corinth Baptist Church, and a vocalist at the Temple Theatre. Expanded her wings, she moved to Atlanta, GA, and became a member of the music scene, she served as Minister of Music at Israel Missionary Baptist Church, assistant Music Director of the General Baptist Convention of Georgia, member of the Super Choir of Atlanta which performed at Montreux Jazz Festival, Montreux Switzerland. Mattie is excited to teach piano at Dolce as a Master Teacher, offering private and group lessons on Wednesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays.

Gillian Roberts

Gillian is a classically trained pianist from Canada who has been playing for 16 years, receiving certifications from the Royal Conservatory of Music and teaching for the past 7 years. She has performed an extensive repertoire across musical periods from Baroque to Modern, receiving first-class honors. Through her varied experience of training and performances at the Alberta Music Festivals, as well as playing in more casual settings, Gillian has developed a passion for helping students discover the joy of music specific to their interests and goals. She is well-versed in theory and music history, with a special love for improvisation and arranging songs, providing her with the expertise to serve on her worship team. Gillian enjoys inspiring students to explore their creativity. Her teaching format at Dolce provides the opportunity for private weekly lessons with a monthly Enrichment Piano Ensemble in the Dolce piano lab. Whether playing classical repertoire, popular songs, or learning the art of improvisation for participation in worship groups, Gillian enjoys a wide range of musical genres and is eager to share this love with students of all ages.

Jasmine Roach

Jasmine has been playing piano for over a decade, and her passion has continued to grow. She is currently pursuing a Piano Performance Major with a Minor in Music Education, and she plans to continue teaching for years to come. She honed in on expression, sight-reading, and rhythmic accuracy, allowing her students to feel equipped and ready to tackle any musical challenge they desire. Jasmine has experience in worship bands, participating in keyboard and chamber ensembles, as well as solo performances. Her teaching includes Dolce Summer Camp Music Tours, providing an introduction to the piano. Her instruction is tailored individually for her private students, but also inspires growth in rhythmic accuracy and sight reading by providing monthly group lessons for them. Jasmine’s students love her kind yet thorough teaching style.

Michael Ross

Michael hails from the arctic land of Anchorage, Alaska, where he held the position of principal cellist in the Alaska All-State Orchestra for all four years of high school. At the age of 15, he won the Anchorage Symphony youth concerto competition and enrolled in the University of Alaska Anchorage to lead the cello section in their Sinfonia. Mike has poked around the rest of the U.S. a little too, attending the Ithaca Violoncello Institute in NY, and sitting as principal cellist at the Marrowstone Summer Music Festival in WA. Mike has also attended the University of North Texas and Sam Houston State University, where he earned his B.M. in cello performance. Mike is also a skilled pianist, electric bassist, and guitarist in many different styles, and enjoys teaching cello, piano, and guitar students of all ages at Dolce Music Studio. Whether private or in a group setting, Mike is eager to engage his students in a musical journey that will inspire and motivate excellence. His commitment to education at Dolce for the past 13 years speaks volumes regarding his work. He has now moved out of state to assist his aging parents, but he is experienced with online instruction through virtual lessons.

Jesse Santos

Jesse Santos began playing drums, bells, and timpani in middle school and continued through high school in Temple, Texas. He participated in the school’s marching band, jazz band, and orchestra. He also competed in District and Region competitions and in the University Interscholastic League Solo and Ensemble. His love of drums led him to join the rock band “Hot Ice” during his senior year of high school. Jesse believes drums are an important part of music, since they are played in almost every genre of music. With over 45 years of experience playing drums, Jesse is looking forward to teaching beginner students about percussion and drumming on the trap set.

Shawn Sanders

Shawn, a Naturalized Texan, began his career pursuing a Doctoral Degree at UT Austin and playing with the Austin Symphony, the Austin Opera Orchestra, the Camilli Quartet, and the Austin Sinfonietta. He also spent some time playing with the Sinfoniorkestern Norrkoping (in Sweden) and the Ibycus Players (in Bangkok, Thailand). He and his cello, Walter, have played gigs in many styles of music, with numerous great artists in countless venues around the world. Shawn is a kind but thorough instructor now teaching cello lessons on Thursday afternoons as well as cello intro classes during our Summer Camp Music Tours.

David Schoo

Dave has been playing guitar for over 20 years and is passionate about sharing his acquired knowledge of the instrument. Living in the Austin area for over 10 years, he has enjoyed playing in original rock bands and cover bands as well as recording and producing various artists in his home studio. Dave’s lessons revolve around helping students learn how to play their favorite music while giving them a foundation of music theory as essential tools for inspiring creativity and finding their voice on the guitar. Lessons are tailored for each individual based on their interests and goals. Dave also uses a curriculum structured for younger students or anyone who is not quite sure where to start. He welcomes all types of musical tastes. Some of his favorite bands/artists include Led Zeppelin, Stevie Ray Vaughan, Jimi Hendrix, Metallica, Stone Temple Pilots, Red Hot Chili Peppers, The Sword, and many more.

Maja Ševo

Maja has received her Master’s degree in Voice Performance at the University of Arkansas. Her Bachelor’s degree (Cum Laude) was received in Music Education and Voice Performance at the University of Arkansas also. She attended Music Elementary and Music High School in her home country of Serbia. Her emphasis was on Piano Performance and Music Theory. Maja has performed in Carnegie Hall, Lincoln Center, and the Opera of the Americas while training with the New York Lyric Opera in 2018 and 2019 and has worked with numerous vocal coaches, conductors, and stage directors there. She also performed in Italy while premiering an American opera with Music Academy International (MAI) and has worked with many coaches, conductors, and stage directors who performed or conducted at the Metropolitan Opera. Maja has worked as a choir director, piano accompanist for soloists and choirs, voice and piano teacher, and is currently working as a full-time music teacher at a public school in Georgetown.

Keeley Spencer

Keeley embraced the violin at an early age, and due to her continued love of the instrument, she committed to continuous private lessons. As time progressed, Keeley came to Dolce with a desire to enroll in the Student Teacher program as an intern violin teacher. Under the direction of Steve Merson, she has immersed herself in private lessons, chamber intensives, and summer Student Teacher Training as well as teaching groups of children in the Dolce Summer Camp Tours. While Keeley continues her education, she has completed the internship for teaching violin. She has had many opportunities to show her commitment and dedication to excellence in guiding her students to success. Keeley strives to create engaging lesson formats for violin lessons, whether private or group classes, to plant seeds that will grow in her students. Keeley is accepting students on Thursdays and Fridays. She has expressed her desire to make it fun, yet her purpose in teaching and performing is to bring glory to God!

Nathan Smith

Nathan Smith is a violinist and violist from Austin, Texas. After graduating from Oberlin Conservatory with a bachelors in violin performance in 2020, he studied viola performance at University of Houston, graduating with a masters in 2022. While attending University of Houston, Nathan was a member of the Tomatz graduate string quartet, with which he studied contemporary works by Lowell Liebermann and Caroline Shaw. After his studies in Houston, Nathan moved back to his hometown of Austin and began teaching. Nathan’s teaching style is tailored specifically to each student individually, and focused on finding a balance between fun and hard work that will ultimately lead to each student’s success. He has experience teaching students of different backgrounds, skill levels, and ages on violin as well as viola, and also has experience coaching string quartets. From this experience, as well as his own studies, Nathan knows firsthand the patient dedication required to teach the tradition of classical music.

Jamie See

Jamie has been playing the violin for 23 years, the piano for 27 years, and singing since she was born. As a child, she grew up in a musical family with a dad who sang, and a mom who was her piano accompanist and maintained a private piano studio. Jamie also learned how to teach a group of children through her mom, who was a Kindergarten teacher. She started studying the violin through the Suzuki method, and soon branched out into old time fiddling and improvisation. She earned a Bachelor of Music Performance in violin in 2010 at Wheaton College Conservatory of Music, and a M.S. from Boston University in Arts Administration. As a performer, she has performed at the national old time fiddle contest: has performed with Sandi Patty: Jim Martinez of Peanuts comic strip and sound track: Christian Howes, the world’s most renowned jazz violinist; and in Korea. She also plays other string instruments, like the viola, cello, string bass and bass guitar. She also performed every weekend at a dinner theater in Boston, combining her love of acting with music. She is a former director of music at various churches, and a former adjunct professor at Eastern Nazarene College (MA). She had her dream job of teaching music appreciation to adult learners who had no music background. She loves to perform and teach music, and express her love for God through creativity.

Veroslav Taskov

Veroslav has appeared all over the world as both an instructor and solo/orchestral performer. Studying piano since age four, he has extensive and complete training in music theory/solfege and, as a developing student, participated in many competitions and festivals in his native Bulgaria. He studied music performance at the National Academy of Music in Sofia, Bulgaria, Lynn University in Boca Raton, Florida, and Scuola di Musica in Fiesole, Italy. He was appointed Solo English Horn with the Bulgarian National Opera in 2007 and went on to win Principal Oboe with the Miami Symphony in 2013. Taskov has performed in over seven countries and 36 states, including performances with such renowned artists as Andrea Bocelli and Plácido Domingo. A devoted teacher for over ten years, he offers a unique and enriching learning environment for his students. Veroslav designs lessons to give all students the tools required to achieve their different musical goals. He is comfortable working with students at all levels, from beginners to those preparing for auditions and competitions, while ensuring a solid music theory foundation.

Ron Tindle

Ron is a versatile musician from Austin, with experience in various cover bands before returning to Austin in 1990. He has a diverse music background and has worked on multiple projects, including a CD with the “Planet Texas Band”, an original Latin Rock project, and solo CDs. Currently, Ron teaches and performs in the Central Texas area, specializing in vocals, guitars, and keyboards. He teaches a wide range of instruments to students of all ages, including piano, guitar, voice, drums, banjo, mandolin, and ukulele. He offers intro classes for many of these instruments during the Dolce Summer Camp Music Tours.

Brian Todd

Brian Todd started on clarinet at age 10. Three years later, a need for a baritone saxophone player in his junior high band led him to change to saxophone, which became his main instrument. The flute was added as another double while he was working on his undergraduate degree. He holds a bachelor’s degree magna cum laude in music education from Southwestern University in Georgetown, Texas, and a master’s degree in music education from the University of North Texas in Denton, Texas. He has also done graduate degree work towards a second master’s degree in jazz studies at California State University, Fullerton, in Fullerton, California. Some of the artists he has studied with include Raymond Schroeder, Robert Seligson, Joe Eckert, Jim Riggs, Jeff Ellwood, and Harvey Pittel. Teaching assignments include public school band directing at Ellison High School in Killeen, Texas, and in Madisonville, Texas. He has also taught adjunct classes in jazz studies and saxophone performance at the University of Texas Permian Basin in Odessa, Texas. Brian has played professionally since the late 1970s. Some of the groups he has performed with include the Gilbert / David Kautz Orchestra, Swingtime, the Republic of Texas Big Band, Nacho Average Jazz Band, Blatz, Not Past 11, and the Ken Ragsdale Orchestra. He has also played for musicals at the Viva Les Arts Theater in Killeen and the Palace Theater in Georgetown. He has also been a musician and staff arranger for Havoc Records and has written a film score for Shadowless Entertainment. He has taught all levels of players, from beginners to college to adults, for the past 43 years.

Brent Wilson

Brent is a Houston Native, an acoustic and electric guitar, electric and upright bass, songwriter, and record producer. Brent’s life changed when his sister took him to the Houston Astrodome to see Elvis Presley perform live in 1970. His love for music began at an early age, as there was always music in the family home. Brent took up guitar at age 12 and bass at 14. Then at age 15, he formed a band with school friends, playing parties, dances, school functions, and store openings. This band won their high school talent contest. Brent was also a member of the school choir in high school, and after graduating, he stayed in Houston and worked two to three nights a week playing music, honing his craft while working a day job in Engineering. In 1986, Brent took the big step and moved to Austin to be lead guitarist and harmony vocalist in an original music band, The Wagoneers. His guitar work created signature guitar lines and intros, and helped create the sound of the first Alt-Country Band M Records, owned by legendary trumpet musician and recording artist Herb Alpert. Brent and his wife, Janet Lynn, lived in Nashville where they performed live in the Nashville Club scene, wrote songs with well-known hit songwriters, toured with various artists, recorded in Nashville’s most prestigious studios, and appeared on radio and television. While in Nashville, Brent took up the upright bass and studied under veteran studio musician Lightnin’ Chance, who played on numerous hit records recorded by Nashville’s biggest stars in the ’50s, ’60s, and ’70s, including The Everly Brothers, Willie Nelson, George Jones, and Patsy Cline. In 2009, Brent and Janet returned home to Texas, and Brent continues to play live in clubs and dance halls around Texas 4-5 nights per week and is a studio musician and producer at area studios during the day. Upon returning to Texas, Brent was led back to one of his favorite things: teaching music lessons. He found he has a gift for teaching young people, and it’s a way to pass down his music knowledge to a new group with a passion for music like his when he began playing guitar as a youngster. Brent is a published songwriter with songs on the radio and in movies.. Brent looks forward to meeting and working with new friends at Dolce and being an addition to the Dolce Music School family.

Liz Wirtz

Elizabeth Wirtz has been playing piano since she was 5 years old and has been a church pianist since she was a teenager! She has been in the Austin area since 1993 when she moved from her home state of Nevada to attend the University of Texas and earned her degree in piano pedagogy in 1995. That year she also married her husband of 25 years, Jeff, and they have two girls: Gabi is a 2020 graduate of Round Rock High School and Madi is a 9th grader at Stoney Point HS. Their family also includes two dogs and three horses. Elizabeth’s career in music continued with teaching and operating her own in-home piano studio and by earning a Masters in Music from Texas State University in 2000. She has always been a free-lance accompanist, playing for many soloists and recitals and competitions. The past decade has included working as faculty at the University of Mary Hardin-Baylor and Concordia University.