Jill Alonzo
   
Jill Alonzo 's expertise is manifested in a wide variety of areas, including the language arts, piano, and math disciplines. She graduated Summa Cum Laude from Azusa Pacific University with a degree in Psychology, and is currently pursuing two Masters degrees at Fuller Theological Seminary.
She is fluent in Spanish and has developed her language skills from over 8 years of rigorous study, including four months of residence in Costa Rica, and travels to Guatemala, Mexico, Cuba, and Nicaragua. Her knowledge of the language is complemented by her understanding of various cultural idiosyncrasies and norms.
She is a gifted pianist and has served as an accompanist for multiple choral performances. Jill exhibits a high level of patience and personal investment. With a special talent for children, her energy is contagious and creates a positive environment for the learning experience.
 
Matthew Borba has been teaching private violin lessons for over eight years. His academic experience includes a Bachelor Degree of Music and emphasis in Violin Performance for the University of Southern California. Matthew regularly performs for various orchestral concerts, including the USC orchestra, and has received six musical awards from multiple competitions.
His musical expertise also includes the art of directing. He has served at the Suzuki Violin School of Davis as the String Chamber Orchestra director, where he has also regularly performed as a talented accompanist.
Matthew specializes in the traditional pastime of Old Time Fiddling, and also specializes in both Appalachian and Irish/Scottish genres. His balance of both professional musical methods and his flexible and encouraging approach to teaching the violin enhances his students.
Matthew Borba
 
Daniel Brummel
Daniel Brummel joins the academy with a BA in Music Composition from the University of California, Los Angeles.  To build his musical skills, he particiapted in the California summer school for the arts and the Los Angeles County High School for the Arts.He has participated in rigorous musical study in theory, guitar performance, voice, piano and composition.   Along with previous instructing experience, Daniel has scored multiple pieces for short films.  In addition to his musical training, Daniel is a highly competent math tutor, who received a perfect score on the SAT math section.  Daniel is a committed educator who seeks to give back to his local community through music.  He teaches piano, voice, guitar, composition, and math.
 
Chris Curzon holds a Bachelor of Science degree from Harvey Mudd College in Claremont and a Masters of Art in music from Azusa Pacific University. He has a broad professional career both in business and music and is a greatly skilled teacher of piano, voice, cello, and math. His passion for teaching is evident in the high level of personal investment he has with his students.
As a gifted communicator, Chris successfully teaches all levels of music and math. Students who study with him are fortunate to experience his dedication and commitment, as well as his deep knowledge of multiple subject areas. Chris greatly desires to see his students achieve and will employ personalized techniques to promote his student’s success.
Chris Curzon
 
Jason Diaz
Jason Diaz has been a private instructor of both guitar and piano lessons for the past three years. He joins the Joe Ferrante Music Academy with a Bachelor Degree from Azusa Pacific University in Guitar Performance and Commercial Arrangement.
Jason is pursing a career as a singer/songwriter and pro-vocalist/guitarist and is the current leader of his band entitled Kaleo. He has been trained in jazz, blues, pop and contemporary rock, and is skilled in electric, acoustic, and classical guitar.
Jason offers his talent, education, and enthusiasm to create a holistic learning environment for every student. He instructs his students both in musical techniques and artistic methods, emphasizing a well-rounded approach to musical development. His high level of patience is greatly helpful for the musical learning experience.

 
Allyson Salinger Ferrante is a PhD candidate in USC's Department of Comparative Literature and is writing her dissertation on Caribbean literature. She has taught many semesters of USC's intensive writing course for first year students. She has a BA in English from Skidmore College and a MA in Comparative Literature from USC.
Allyson teaches a variety of courses within the language arts discipline, including Creative Writing, English language, Literature, Composition, and Italian. She highly enjoys encouraging students' talent and implementing techniques that address each person's individual needs.
As evident in her last name, she comes from a long line of prominent writers. Allyson is devoted to teaching and sharing her passion for literature, culture, and language with students.
Allyson Salinger Ferrante
 
 Viridiana (Viri) Franco
   
Viri is an experienced and versatile musician who began her music studies at age eleven. She immersed herself in public performing groups including marching band, wind ensemble, symphonic band, jazz band, orchestras, a saxophone quartet, and percussion ensemble.
She served as a private saxophone instructor via the Azusa Conservatory of Music, and graduated in 2005 from Azusa Pacific University with a degree in Music Education. She has her California Teaching Certificate, and is currently pursuing her Masters in Education degree, while additionally teaching in the Azusa Unified School District as an instrumental instructor. Her musical performance tours have included trips to Thailand, Brazil and Mexico.
As a Spanish tutor, Viri is fluent in all levels of Spanish, including both reading and writing. Viri is a dedicated educator, and brings techniques to each lesson that wonderfully encourages and motivates students.
 
   
With a BA degree in Music from Azusa Pacific University, Andrea Hamilton is a singer/songwriter with 2 CDs, and holds an active performance career. She is also a regular at many recording sessions in the Los Angeles music scene.
Andrea has many years of experience in private music instruction and tutoring with children of all ages. Drawing from experience gained from working as a nanny, Andrea is able to encourage children in their musical pursuits with support and care. She brings a technical approach to each lesson, but adds the insights of performance objectives with each student.
Andrea's specialties include musical theory and composition, sight-reading, musical arranging, and improvisation. She has had extensive training in theory and Jazz piano.
Andrea Hamilton
 
Linus Lau

Linus Lau holds a B.A. in Music from Santa Clara University with an emphasis in piano performance and composition, as well as a Masters degree from the University of Southern California.  Linus has been a private instructor for nearly 15 years, and has intstructed students from all ages, including collegiate level lessons.  In addition to his professional teaching experience, Linus has served as an assistant orchestrator for a West Bay Opera.  Additionally, he has composed a number of pieces for both films and opera productions.  He holds a membership to the Music Teacher's Association of California, and has completed commissions from the San Francisco Conservatory and Santa Clara Univeristy.  His composositions can be heard on numerous USC and Champman films in addition to commercial spots for www.current.tv.  For the academy, Linus teaches piano, composition, brass instruments, and screenwriting.  In additional to working at the academy, Linus teaches Film at Long Beach City College.
 
   
Dan Levin holds a Masters of Music in Composition as well as a Bachelor of Music from Indiana University School of Music.  He is an accomplished performer, composer, and arranger.  His skills are multi-faceted and include jazz, improv, and classical piano, as well as saxophone, clarinet, musical theory, composition and song writing.  Additionally, he tutors in English and creative writing.
Dan has much experience teaching by working as a private instructor for over seven years, and was an associate instructor in music theory at Indiana University for two years.  He also received multiple awards and honors from various competitions including the San Francisco Song Festival American Art Song Competition.
While able to offer instruction to students of all ages, Dan is especially talented in encouraging those students who may be more timid.  He is also gifted in explaining more complex concepts into practical and understandable terms, allowing all students to grow in their musical knowledge.
Daniel Levin
 
Meghan McGovern

Meghan holds a B.A. degree from Azusa Pacific University in Vocal Performance.   She is an accomplished singer, pianist, actress and has years of study in Italian, French and Spanish, and tutors in English/Essay writing.   She has been in over 50 musical productions, and her role in Disney's "Princess Diaries" and "Rent" (the movie) gave her additional movie experience.  Her energetic teaching style focuses on motivation, self-discipline and allowing music education to be fun.   Her gift in expressing music is imparted to each student, and many have achieved wonderful performance skills.  Because of her stage experience, Meghan is also able to add musical theatre techniques to those students interested in stage performance.  Meghan teaches voice, piano, Italian, Spanish and English/Essay writing at the academy.

 
   
Erin Rametta is a gifted musician with a Bachelor degree in Music from Columbia College for Women with emphases in piano, voice, and theory.  She teaches a variety of subjects at the academy including voice, piano, guitar, Dulcimer, PreK classes, English, and Math.  Her repertoire encompasses a wide variety of musical genres, including Jazz, rock, classical, and Spanish-style guitar.  As an artist, she also instructs basic design and drawing at the academy.
Erin comes to the academy well qualified with previous experience as a private music instructor.  One of Erin's most prominent strengths that positively affects her students is her ability to present musical concepts very creatively.  She is able to customize her teaching plans to adapt to the learning style of each student. Her cheerful attitude and passion of music education is directly evident in each of her lessons.
Erin Rametta
 
Mateja Schuck

Mateja holds a BA in Music from Santa Clara University, where she was also able to work as a private theory instructor, diction coach, as well as an accompanist and voice coach for the university's musical theatre's students.  She has extensive training in the classical opera genre and has received various awards for her performances, including "Outstanding Achievement in Opera" in 2006. 
In additional to her musical skills, Mateja has been trained in linguistic studies and is musically proficient in such languages as Spanish, German, Italian, Russian, Slovenian, and Swahili.  With a minor in English, she is also available to instruct creative writing, grammar, and essay construction.  Mateja is passionate about teaching others and enjoys fostering progress with all of her students.
 
Karen Spurney is a top pianist and graduate of USC's Thornton School of Music's prestigious piano program, where she was a Resident Honors Student and the keyboardist for the USC Wind Ensemble. Karen made her orchestral debut when she was 12 years old after winning the Southwestern Your Music Festival Competition. She is a regular prize-winner in music competitions and most recently won the CAPMT Sonata College Division and MTAC Solo Division Competitions.
Karen loves all types of music, but when it comes to performing and teaching, she is partial to classical piano. She is currently pursuing her Masters in Education and is a gifted communicator, committed to musical excellence in each of her students.
Karen Spurney
Hubie Wang
Hubie Wang graduated from the respected Berklee College of Music where he concentrated in guitar studies including performance, arranging, and songwriting.  In additional to his musical degree, Hubie holds a B.S. in Business Administration from the University of California, Berkeley and received the honor of being his class' Commencement Speaker.  Hubie has had experience in freelance work and is proficient in various styles, including rock, r&b, jazz, and classical genres.  He has also received a number of awards, including a Professional Music Achievement Award from the Berklee College of Music and an Honorable Mention in the Billborad World Song Contest.  In addition to teaching guitar, Hubie is able to instruct mathematics, piano, composition, and songwriting.  His fun teaching style is effective with children of all ages.
 
Josh Weekley earned a B.A. degree in music education from the University of Alabama, Birmingham in 2003, an institution known for its high caliber music department.  His major instrument of guitar is demonstrated in his ability to play all styles, including classical, pop, rock, modern rock, jazz, blues and country.  Josh is an accomplished bass guitar player, as well, and his skills on the drums and piano allow increased insights into how the guitar interfaces in the all-important combo setting.
Additionally, Josh brings extensive teaching experience, having  taught many hundreds of students over the last few years.  His easy style and approachable personality enhance his skills as a communicator and his passion for private music education.  Josh is an active professional guitarist and recording artist in the greater Los Angeles area, and loves modeling performance techniques to all of his students.
Josh Weekley
 
Ericka Wueschner
Ericka Wueschner holds a Masters degree in Music from the prestigious Juilliard School in New York City, as well as a BA from Luther College.  Previous to joining the academy, Ericka accrued 10 years of performance experience in New York City.  During this time, Ericka performed in a variety of well-known venues and has also been the recipient of a number of honors and awards.  She also has taught voice for many years to students of all ages.  Ericka also possesses strong skills in piano and language studies, including German, Italian, and French.  Not only is Ericka able to instruct a student in technical skills, she also enjoys instilling a sense of confidence and support in each student.  She strives to foster each students best musical and personal potential by creating a positive environment.