Teacher Bios

Rosa Maria is  originally from Venezuela and has been teaching music for over 40 years. She received her Bachelor of Music (B.A.) in Piano

Manhattan School of Music – New York, NY Bachelor of Music Education (B.A.)

Pedagógico Experimental Libertador – Barquisimeto, Venezuela Master of Arts (M.A.) in Chamber Music – Piano Hunter College, City University of New York – New York, NY Her career has taken her from working with the National System of Youth and Children’s Orchestras of Venezuela (El Sistema) to collaborating with the Miami Music Project

in Florida. She is passionate about teaching piano and music because She believes that music is a

powerful tool for social transformation. Through music, children can develop discipline,

creativity, and emotional expression while cultivating values of deep spiritual and human significance.

Introducing music at an early age offers children the opportunity to grow in intellect,

sensitivity, and cultural awareness. Music not only shapes their artistic abilities but also

nurtures their character and worldview.

Her greatest purpose as an educator is to inspire every child to enjoy learning the piano and to integrate music into their daily life as a lifelong source of joy, expression, and personal growth.

Melanie has been performing, writing and teaching music for over 20 years. Having grown up in Pennsylvania, since the age of 8, her deep love of singing was shaped and nurtured by the incredible talents of those who shared the same passion. She graduated from Kutztown University of Pennsylvania  with a degree in Music Education with an emphasis in vocal physical pedagogy. After graduation, she worked with various opera companies throughout the USA including the Dallas Opera, Fairbanks Opera and the Metropolitan Opera. Her training covered many different vocal styles ranging from jazz/blues to classical operatic style. Her specialty is in utilizing unique and innovative ways to engage the entire body as its own instrument, allowing for the differences in every person's physique to be used to the advantage of creating its own perfect and healthy vocal development. 

*Melanie is currently in Portugal, working with a non-profit organization, and is teaching strictly online until her return to North Carolina. She is accepting new students, high school age or older, who are interested in having, or who are needing a flexible lesson schedule.*

With a background in music therapy and over 10 years of cello-teaching experience, Jennifer brings a compassionate, holistic, and person-centered approach to cello instruction. Jennifer holds a degree in music therapy from Elizabethtown College and has been a board-certified music therapist for 6 years. She has  experience providing music therapy to older adults in senior care, adolescents to older adults in inpatient psychiatric settings, and school-aged children in academic settings. Her music therapy background  informs every lesson with a deep understanding of how music can enhance emotional, cognitive, and physical well-being. This unique perspective helps students not only grow technically on the cello, but also develop a genuine connection to the music they play.

Throughout the past decade, Jennifer has worked with adults as well as young students, from beginners to advanced players, guiding them through the technical and expressive aspects of the cello. In lessons, students can expect to focus on both musical technique and personal expression, with an emphasis on fostering creativity, patience, and self-confidence.

Whether you're seeking a new meaningful emotional outlet later in life, hoping to refine your current cello skills, or wanting to set your child up for successful cello playing in school, Jennifer is committed to helping each student reach their musical goals in a supportive, flexible, and encouraging environment. 

Outside of teaching, Jennifer works at a senior living facility nearby providing engaging and creative musical and non-musical activities. She also loves animals (especially dogs!), fantasy movies and books, video games, and gluten-free food. She lives in Raleigh with her husband, Noah, and their rescue dog, Emmett. 

Cindy is a retired teacher who taught orchestra for 35 years and has played violin for 52 years.  Born in Louisiana and raised in Houston, Texas, she has a Bachelor's in Music Education from the University of North Texas.  She taught in the Victoria and Carrollton-Farmers Branch school districts in Texas, and the Wake County and Onslow County Public Schools in North Carolina.  During her 17 years teaching in Wake County, she played in numerous semi-professional and community orchestras before pausing to raise two children.  Since returning to the Raleigh area after retirement, Cindy has joined the Raleigh Community Orchestra where she is concertmaster. 

Switching to teaching private lessons has been fun, and an easy transition from teaching orchestra in the classroom. Focusing on helping one student at a time master the violin or viola is very satisfying, and having time to get to know them is special.  Cindy also plays viola and piano, and enjoys reading, walking, camping, and traveling to Europe!

Stephanie  attended the University of North Carolina at Greensboro and North Carolina State University and graduated with a B.A., cum laude.  For many years she has performed as a violinist in the area. She has been a member of the Tar River Symphony, Durham Symphony Orchestra, Raleigh Symphony, and Raleigh Civic Symphony, as well as others.

She has been teaching violin for almost 30 years.  She taught violin and chamber music at the Duke University String School (DUSS) for over 20 years.  During that time, she served as the Assistant Director of DUSS, head of Violin Choir 1 and 2 Ensembles, chamber music coach, conductor of the Concert String Orchestra and acted as Interim Director of DUSS.   For over 7 years, she sat on the board of directors for Triangle Youth Music (TYM) and is now on the TYM Advancement committee, Assistant Conductor of the Triangle Youth String Orchestra, Assistant Conductor of Raleigh Children’s Orchestra (RCO) and violin coach for Leesville High School. 

Her students study a combination of scales, etudes, repertoire and music theory to advance their violin skills.  Lessons are personally tailored to each student’s needs, abilities and goals.  Many of her students play in local youth orchestras and groups such as the RCO, TYM, Mallarme Youth Chamber Orchestra, DUSS and NC Chamber Music Institute.  Her students have performed solos and won solo competitions with the Duke String School orchestras, won awards with the Durham Music Teachers Association, played for NC Symphony Ovations program, attended master classes with the Daedalus, Borromeo and Ciompi quartets, played in the NC All-State Honors Orchestras, and attended summer study programs such as Meadowmount School of Music, Interlochen, Cannon Music Camp, Eastern Music Festival, and NYU Steinhardt, as well as others.  Her students have been accepted to study violin at the North Carolina School of the Arts High School.  Many of her students have gone on to undergraduate music programs and become professional musicians and teachers.

Ms. Natalia teaches beginner and intermediate piano and voice at The Raleigh School of Music. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Music with a concentration in Voice Performance, as well as a certificate in Musical Theater.

With over two years of teaching experience at RSM, Ms. Natalia is dedicated to creating a supportive and adaptable learning environment. She believes every student learns differently, and her teaching style emphasizes equity over equality—meeting each student where they are and tailoring lessons to help them thrive.

Outside of teaching, Ms. Natalia enjoys singing, crafting handmade jewelry from clay and beads, cooking, drawing, and spending time with animals.

Marcelo is a Brazilian/American acoustic guitarist with thirty-plus years experience in performance, teaching, production, and recording, "Best Latin Band Leader 1999" (Atlanta Magazine). He got his B.A. in Music Teaching (UNIRIO, Rio de Janeiro 1994) and his Master in Jazz Studies, M.M. (GSU, Atlanta 1999). He was the Head of Arts Department at OLM School

(Rio de Janeiro, 2001-2020) Assistant Teacher, Brazilian Jazz Combo (GSU, 1999) Assistant Teacher, Brazilian Jazz Guitar (UNIRIO, 1994).

Phil, a graduate of Union Pines High School ('82) in Moore County, North Carolina, pursued his passion for vocal arts through formal training at Mars Hill College ('86), under the tutelage of Dr. William Thomas and Dr. Susan Hensley. He further honed his skills by obtaining a Master of Music in Conducting Performance ('98) from the University of North Texas, Denton, TX, studying under the guidance of Dr. Hal Gibbons and Dr. Mel Ivy. Mullinax's dedication to his craft led him to study Vocal Performance with Ms. Jane Rolandi at Converse College and Conducting Performance with Dr. Robert Burton and Dr. David Keith at Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Fort Worth, TX.

His professional journey saw him perform with esteemed institutions like the Fort Worth Opera, Fort Worth Symphony, and Oklahoma Lyric Theatre, showcasing his talent in notable works including Faure Requiem, Handel Messiah, Bach Magnificat, Schubert Mass in G, and Haydn Creation.

Phil ventured into conducting professionally in 1997 as the Artistic Director of the Fort Worth Men's Chorus, a role he embraced with vigor. He continued his impactful leadership as Artistic Director and Principal Conductor for various ensembles including the Tampa Bay Gay Men's Chorus, Crescendo Women's Chorus, Una Voce: Florida Men's Chorale, and Triangle Gay Men's Chorus, gracing prestigious venues across the United States and Canada.

His commitment to music education led him to become a National Board-Certified teacher, imparting his knowledge and passion for choral and keyboard instruction at renowned institutions such as the Performing Arts High School in Fort Worth, Texas, Pinellas County Center for the Performing Arts at Gibbs High School in St. Petersburg, Florida, and the Academy for the Visual and Performing Arts at Einstein High School in Kensington, Maryland. Phil's extensive teaching career includes notable positions at Wakefield High School in Raleigh, NC, and Heritage High School in Wake Forest, NC, where he nurtured young talents and fostered musical excellence.

Additionally, Phil contributed to the musical community by serving on the board of the NC Music Educators Association, assuming roles such as District 11 president and presenter at NCMEA Convention. He generously shares his expertise by mentoring student teachers and new educators, leaving an indelible mark on the choral landscape.

Phil's choirs have graced renowned stages including Disney World, Carnegie Hall, NC ACDA conference, and the NCMEA Music Teachers Convention, earning acclaim for their exceptional performances. His passion for music extends to various church positions as Director of Music Ministries in Texas, South Carolina, and North Carolina, where he continues to inspire through his artistry and dedication.

Dr. Robert grew up in Okemos, Michigan.  He graduated from the University of Arizona in Tucson with a B.A. in English literature.  He next attended the University of North Texas, where he studied both violoncello, with Adolfo Odnoposoff, and musicology, earning a M.M. degree in both fields. After further graduate studies in musicology at Princeton University, he entered the doctoral program at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, where he received a Ph.D. in music in 1992.  His post-doctoral research took place at Villa I Tatti, the Harvard University Center for Italian Renaissance Studies in Florence.

Dr. Robert has played in numerous orchestras in Arizona, Texas, Mexico City, North Carolina, and South Carolina.  He rose to fourth chair in the Greensboro Symphony, where he performed in the Greensboro Symphony String Quartet.  Since 1995, he has taught private lessons in Cary, Jacksonville, and Raleigh, North Carolina, as well as Carrolton and Flower Mound, Texas, beginning with cello, then expanding to violin and viola. In addition to his career as a freelance cellist, Dr. Robert has garnered an international reputation as a music historian, publishing research primarily on music before 1600.  In his spare time, he has composed over two dozen works for community ensembles and students. 

Allen received a Master’s Degree in Piano Performance from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro in 1987. As a student of Dr. George Kiorpes, he was awarded the Dean’s Scholarship and won the University’s Concerto Competition in 1985. His professional career as a soloist and accompanist has spanned the state during which he has worked with churches, soloists, large ensemble, professional and amateur, scholarly and civic. Affiliated groups include the National Association of Teachers of Singing, Duke University, NC State University, UNC-Chapel Hill, Meredith College, Peace College, NC public schools, Durham Chorale, NC Master Chorale, Concert Singers of Cary, Wake Forest United Methodist Church, and the NC Symphony.

Anne Moorman-Smith, founding member, has a Bachelor of Music degree from Louisiana State University and a Master of Arts in Music Education degree from Texas Woman’s University. She had a career as an elementary music teacher having taught at Aldert Root Elementary School in Wake County for twenty-eight years before retiring. In 2011 she was honored to have been selected as the North Carolina Elementary Music Teacher of the Year.

Additionally, Anne has taught private piano and voice lessons and directed children’s and adult church choirs on and off for over fifty years. As a piano and voice teacher, Anne enjoys meeting the needs of every

student by connecting with them and their families, understanding what motivates them, and maintaining effective communication skills. She believes that the most effective teaching includes the teacher, student, and parent, and has an established motivation system to peak the students’ interest.

Erin received her Bachelor of Music in Music Education from Appalachian State University and her Master of Music in Vocal Performance and Pedagogy from East Carolina University. A former elementary school music teacher in Wake County Public Schools, she has taught students since 2005. Ms. Moorman directed an outreach opera for high schoolers at Long Leaf Opera, directed many summer musicals, and has directed opera scenes for East Carolina Opera Theatre. In addition to directing, Ms. Moorman stage managed operas for Asheville Lyric Opera. As a performer, Ms. Moorman has sung with the North Carolina Opera, the Asheville Lyric Opera Company, Opera Company of North Carolina, the East Carolina Opera Theatre, the Appalachian State Opera, and the UNCGreensboro Opera. She has also acted in film and theater. She performed in an opera concert series with Asheville Lyic Opera all over Western North Carolina. She performed the role of Cio-Cio San in Puccini’s Madama Butterfly with East Carolina Opera Theater and Pitti-Sing in The Mikado with the Durham Savoyards. She sang the role of Nedda in Triangle Opera Studio’s I Pagliacci. She believes that anyone can learn how to play an instrument or sing. It is not about talent, It is about commitment.