Meet Our Music Instructors
Our instructors have
a passion for teaching and hold advanced degrees in music. With flexible
scheduling and convenient payment plans, private lessons at Chelsea Center
for the Arts are a terrific way to build your music skills.
Contact our instructors directly for availability and
scheduling ... and then contact the CCA office
to register.
 Alex Anest
Guitar, Lap Steel and Mandolin
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“I concentrate on teaching the common threads running through
diverse musical styles, and am dedicated to teaching the concept of quality,
so that a student can take what they learns and apply it to any style
of music, sometimes even outside of music.”
Alex Anest is a professional guitarist who has been teaching other people
to play since he was fifteen years old. He holds a degree in Jazz
Studies from Bowling Green State University. Alex excels
at teaching and playing all styles of music, especially American Musical
Genres such as Rock, Blues, Folk, Jazz, and Country.
As a performer, music has taken Alex all over the country and the world,
from touring in Switzerland with Kevin Meisel & The Ragged Glories
in 2004, 2005 and 2008 to playing stateside with his wife Naomi and Gas
For Less. He has also appeared on numerous CDs and a few movie
soundtracks. Alex takes students of all ages and enjoys teaching reading,
theory, and improvisation.
 Rebecca Appert
Violin/Suzuki Violin
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Rebecca | Registration
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Rebecca Appert is known as a dedicated performer and teacher. She
has played with many local orchestras in the area including the Ann Arbor,
Saginaw Bay, Battle Creek, Jackson, Kalamazoo, Adrian, and the Southwest
Michigan Symphony Orchestras.
Rebecca has been actively teaching Suzuki and traditional
violin lessons for the past eight years, and received her Bachelors degree
in Violin performance from the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory
of Music. She also did two years of graduate work with
Piotr Milewski there as well. For her Suzuki pedagogy training,
Ms. Appert studied with both Pat D’Ercole and Martha Shackford.
She also has extensive experience playing for opera
and musical theatre genres, as well as recording studio experience with
various types of music such as rock, jazz, Celtic and folk, in voice
and violin.
Currently she works at the Shar Violin Shop in Ann Arbor
as an Instrument and Bow Specialist, while maintaining a small studio
in Ann Arbor.
 Lester Castellana
Piano
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“I am happy and qualified to teach all ages and all levels
of piano and musicianship. Though all people are different, I work
carefully with each student to mould a course of study that matches their
needs, interests, age and talents.”
Lester Castellana is a professional instructor of piano with over 20
years of performing, accompanying, and teaching experience. He
has a B.M. in piano performance from the Crane School of Music (NY) and
an M.A. from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Lester
has two further years of performance studies completed at Ithaca College
and is currently a doctoral candidate (at large; ABD) from UNC in musicology. His
instructors include Joseph Licotta (Julliard), Gary Busch (Manhattan
School of Music) and Phiroze Mehta (Royal Schools of Music, London).
As a performer, Lester has appeared in hundreds of recitals as soloist
or with orchestras, chamber groups, instrumentalists and singers. In
addition to private instruction, he has taught keyboard techniques at
Ithaca College, aural skills and music theory at UNC, and a variety of
individual classes in music history, theory, and appreciation. He
offers similar courses at the CCA.
Lester is an active member of the following professional organizations:
National Music Teachers' Association, Michigan Music Teachers' Association,
Ann Arbor Piano Guild and the American Musicological Society.
 Colleen Flynn
Theatre
Colleen Flynn is a graduate of Temple University’s
School of Communication and Theater with a focus on Acting and Directing.
She has been a working actress living in Chicago until 1995 when she
moved with her family to Michigan. Since then she has worked as a Stage
Manager on many productions for Center Stage Jackson and Summer Stage
Jackson. She is currently Stage Manager and Director’s Assistant
for the Grass Lake Performing Arts Center, where she also founded and
moderates the Grass Lake High School Drama Club. She is married to Randy
Sabo, who grew up in Chelsea. She is the mother of three teenagers, all
who are active in local theater. In her spare time, she performs lead
vocals for a local band and coaches young actors.
 Lisa Hinz-Johnson
Voice
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Mezzo-Soprano Lisa Hinz-Johnson is the co-founder of CCDA, as well
as its Director of Music. As a private voice instructor, Lisa’s
students are consistently placed in the country’s top music schools,
and her high school students continue to earn highest ratings at voice
competitions and festivals.
Lisa received her Bachelor of Music Degree in Voice Performance
from Viterbo College, and her Master of Music Degree in Voice from the
University of Michigan. She is a double award winner at the Metropolitan
Opera Auditions, and is a 6-time First Place Winner of the National Association
of Teachers of Singing voice competition. Also, recipient of the
Jessye Norman Award for Voice, Lisa was named Wisconsin Singer of the
Year in the NATS Artist Awards competition. She has performed throughout
Europe and the United States, and has sung numerous operatic roles including
Cherubino, in The Marriage of Figaro, the Mother in Amahl and the Night
Visitors, and Carmen, under the baton of conductor Hugo Jan Huss. Lisa
served as Professor of Voice at Adrian College, and has taught private
voice and piano for over 20 years. Healthy singing habits and techniques,
along with varied and vocally appropriate repertoire are the focus in
private lessons. An accomplished pianist, Lisa also serves as coach
and accompanist to all of her voice students. She enjoys teaching students
from age 12 through adult.
 Beth Kirton
Violin
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Violinist Beth Kirton joined the CCA faculty in 2006. She holds
degrees in violin performance from the University of Michigan and Carnegie
Mellon University. Beth is a member of the Michigan Opera Theater
in Detroit, and has performed or been a member of the Sarasota Opera,
Pittsburgh Opera, the Lake George Opera, New World Symphony Orchestra,
Florida West Coast Symphony, the Ann Arbor Symphony and many others. She
also maintains a private studio in Ann Arbor.
 Linda Marshall
Piano
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Linda earned her Bachelor & masters degrees in music education and
choral conducting, with emphasis on piano performance and accompanying from
the University of Kansas. She is a member of the Piano Teachers Guild in
Ann Arbor and seeks to inspire her students with lifelong love of music.
 Nathan Peters
Violin
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form for Nathan
“My teaching approach is eclectic including Suzuki
based and more traditional materials and methods.”
Nathan received
a Bachelor's in Violin Performance from U of M in 1992, Master's
in Viola Performance from U of M in 1993, and his MI Teaching Certi-fication
from U of M in 1999.
Nathan attended teaching and conducting workshops at University of
Michigan, University of Iowa, Ohio State University, and Michigan State
University. He holds beginning Suzuki certification from Stevens-Point,
WI and Orff-Schulwerk certification from Madonna University.
Nathan is in his 17th year teaching private violin and viola lessons and
10th year teaching strings in the Chelsea public schools. He
directed a honorary performance of the Chelsea 8th Grade Orchestra at the
Michigan Music Conference in January, 2008, in Grand Rapids, Michigan and
regularly performs with the Chelsea Chamber Players and the North School
Strings. Nathan has also performed with the Michigan Opera Orchestra,
the Toledo Symphony, the Ann Arbor Symphony, the Lansing Symphony, and
the Flint Symphony. His teaching approach is eclectic including Suzuki
based and more traditional materials and methods.
 Susan Schreiber
Violin and Viola
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form for Susan
"I am a 'traditional, Franco-Belgian School' teacher
and enjoy teaching music appreciation, music theory and fluent music
sight-reading along with instrument performance. I try to nurture
a true love of music in each student along with playing skills."
Susan started violin lessons at the age of 7. She toured Europe at age
16 with the Musical Youth International String Quartet. Susan graduated
from Michigan State University with degrees in Violin Performance and Music
Education having studied with Walter Verdehr and Vladimir Avramov. While
pursuing a graduate viola performance degree at Arizona State University,
she performed with the Arizona Opera Company as principal violist, the Tucson
Symphony, and the Aspen Festival Orchestra where she studied with Rolf Persinger.
She held positions as violist in both the Phoenix Symphony and the Grand
Rapids Symphony. Susan performed for 6 years with the Goettinger Symphonie
Orchester in Goettingen, Germany as principal second violinist and concurrently
was the violist with the Samuel String Quartet and was principal violist
and faculty member of the American Institute of Musical Studies in Graz,
Austria. Susan performs regularly with several orchestras in Michigan and
Ohio, including the Ann Arbor Symphony, Toledo Symphony, Adrian Symphony
and Flint Symphony. She performs frequently with the Arbor String Ensemble
as both violinist and violist and is an instructor at the Chelsea Center
for the Arts. She also does commercial recording work including backup on
CD’s, television and radio commercials and has a private violin and
viola teaching studio in Ann Arbor.
![[Photo: Dave Sharp]](images/bio_dave-sharp.jpg) Dave Sharp
Guitar Bass
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Dave Sharp is a professional bassist and bandleader, and specializes in teaching upright bass, electric bass and guitar. He holds a teaching degree from the University of Michigan, and has over 15 years of teaching experience. Dave’s lessons focus on rhythm, technique, music theory, creativity and improvisation. He enjoys teaching students of all ages and adapts his method of instruction to maximize learning and enjoyment for individual students.
As a musician Dave has toured the U.S. and Japan and has appeared with his jazz quartet at the Detroit International Jazz Festival, the Lansing Jazz Festival and southeast Michigan venues including the Firefly Club, Baker’s Keyboard Lounge, Cliff Bell’s and The Ark.
 Tara Vesprini
Violin, Viola, Cello & Bass;
Music Together
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form for Tara
“I am most passionate about early childhood music education and
Music Together classes! I look forward to helping parents learn to create
a rich musical environment at home. In addition to Music Together classes,
I teach new or 1st year string students in private or small group lessons. Students
will explore folk fiddling and other alternative music styles in addition
to a standard Suzuki based curriculum.”
Tara Vesprini holds Bachelors of Music degrees
in Cello Performance and Certification in Primary and Secondary Music
Education from the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor. She is also
trained in Suzuki and Music Together methods. Tara has 11 years
teaching experience in Michigan and New Jersey.
![[Photo: Robin Woodward]](images/bio_robin-woodard.jpg) Robin Woodward
Bella Voce
Robin Woodard holds a Bachelor of Music Education from Grand Valley State University. She has taught vocal music both independently and at public schools in Washington, Connecticut and California, as well as private voice and piano (Pre-k - 8). Robin really enjoys sharing her love of music with late elementary through middle school age, as well as preschool aged children.
 Jacqueline Wright
Flute
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form for Jacqueline
“I have experience in teaching students of all ages and abilities,
from youth and adult beginners through college aged students.”
Jacqueline Wright holds Bachelors of Music degrees in Flute Performance
and Music Education from the University of Rhode Island as well as a
Master of Music degree in Orchestral Conducting from the University of
Florida. She has performed and conducted in national and international
venues, including the 2006 and 2007 National Flute Association Annual
Conferences, Burgos (Spain) Chamber Music Festival and London Conducting
Workshop. Jackie has performed in the summer flute schools of William
Bennett (2007) and Trevor Wye (2008). Her conducting teachers have
included Ann Danis and Raymond Chobaz and her flute teachers have included
Susan Thomas, Kristen Stoner, Jeff Zook and Amy Porter. Jackie
is currently working towards a second Master of Music degree, in Flute
Performance, at the University of Michigan.
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