Opus education team
Ms. Reyna graduated from Pasadena City College in 2020 with an Associates in Music while studying flute as her primary instrument under the direction of Boglarka Kiss. She has been a participating member of the Pasadena City College Chamber group and the orchestra Symphony under the direction of maestro, Henry Shin during her time at the college. She has also taken several Music Education courses at the Bob Cole Conservatory of Music at Cal State Long Beach and has studied under John Barcelona and Darrin Thaves. Reyna’s musical interests were sparked through integrating herself in the music ministry at her church at the age of 14 playing the flute in various choir groups and special religious events. Years later she undertook the role of music director for the English youth choir at her church.
Reyna recently started teaching beginning piano lessons at her home to young children and adolescents in her community and enjoys doing so. Her love for the piano was discovered and grew during her time at Pasadena City College where she took all available piano courses offered.
Reyna focuses on fostering an engaging and thought provoking learning environment for her students where they are welcome to be themselves. Through musical curiosity, creating healthy practice habits, and exploration of the foundations in music whilst creating a safe space for students to express themselves through the music they create, Reyna strives to form well rounded musicians.
During her time off Reyna enjoys training her personal dogs. Reyna speaks English and Spanish.
Reyna Antonio
Flute, Piano
With his roots in rock and metal, Mr. Rodrigo started learning guitar at his middle school’s rock band class and taught himself throughout high school. He then went on to study jazz under Mike Scott and Joe Jewell at Fullerton College before transferring to Cal State LA to earn his Bachelor’s in Music in Jazz Performance. While at Cal State LA, Rodrigo was fortunate enough to study under Dave Askren, Dr. Jeff Benedict, and Dr. James Ford (trumpet player for Michael Bublé, Justin Timberlake, and the Monk Orchestra) as well as perform with Ryan “Papa” Porter and the late Jeff Clayton.
Due to studying music at the college level, Mr. Rodrigo was exposed to many different types of music and, as a result, has become a versatile guitarist able to play rock, metal, jazz, funk, neo soul, fusion, and much more. For the past 5 years, he has been able to use his versatility to help students of all ages reach their goals and learn the music/songs they want to learn on both electric and acoustic guitar. Mr. Rodrigo also teaches beginning piano to students looking to learn piano for the first time. He brings all the lessons and wisdom he has accumulated from his teachers to his students in order to push them to better themselves, celebrate the little wins, and to never be hard on themselves.
Mr. Rodrigo is an aspiring performer who has played for private events, weddings, restaurants, and is currently playing guitar for an up and coming band, Proto Sky
Rodrigo Barrera
Guitar, Piano
From the age of sixteen, Mr. David Benitez knew he wanted to be involved in music in any capacity. Having found a real passion for learning music through his experience in marching band during his high school years, Mr. David made the decision to pursue a career in music. Once he did, he has had many amazing experiences in music from performing, creating and teaching it.
Mr. David has played in many genres of music such as jazz, rock, blues, funk, country, pop and R&B. He has been invited to play at the Houston Rodeo, played across Texas with the Conrad Johnson Orchestra, has travelled all across the United States and Mexico with his group Shaddai, has played in various music venues in Houston, and has been producing music for Skybound Entertainment.
Mr. David received his Masters of Music from the University of Houston under the tutelage of Noe Marmolejo and Mike Wheeler and received his Bachelors of Music from the University of St. Thomas under the guidance of Dr. Malcom J. Solomon. For the last ten years he has taught in many music schools across the greater Houston-Galveston area, started a guitar camp for kids at the University of St. Thomas in 2009, helped start a music program for the Archdiocese of El Paso, and has taught many students ranging from pre-K to 70 years old, both privately and in large ensembles.
Without his many teachers’ knowledge and generosity, Mr. David wouldn’t be the musician and teacher he is today. His teachers gave him the confidence and tools to pursue music. He hopes to instill that same passion in his own students, to help them along the way, give as much knowledge as he can, and instill in them the confidence to succeed not just in music but in any venture they put their focus on. Mr. David makes the effort to work with his students and make specific teaching plans for their individual needs while also making the lessons fun.
Mr. David speaks both English and Spanish fluently.
David Benitez
Guitar, Piano, Ukulele, Bass
Mr. Francis Cassol is a drummer and guitarist originally from Porto Alegre, Brazil, and has been teaching drums and guitar for over 15 years. He has experience teaching students of all ages and also has had a professional career in music as a drummer.
When in Brazil, Mr. Francis was a drum instructor for 10 years at Bateras Beat, where he taught drums to students beginner to advanced. He taught several group classes at elementary schools and high schools in Porto Alegre.
In 2017, he received his Bachelor of Arts in Music Education from Instituto Porto Alegre in Brazil. In 2018, he received his Associate of Arts in Drum Performance from Musician’s Institute in Hollywood and was the recipient of two scholarships - the ‘Musicianship Scholarship’ and the ‘International Musicians Merit Scholarship’.
Along with his teaching career, Mr. Francis has been a very active performing musician for the past 20 years. He recorded three albums that were released worldwide with his band Scelerata. He did five Brazilian tours (50+ shows) as Paul DiAnno’s (former Iron Maiden’s lead singer) official drummer, from 2009 to 2014. In early 2018, he performed with America’s Got Talent winner Bianca Ryan. He also used to play live every week with his Top 40 rock band, Street Flash. He is currently performing with LA based artists Saul Losada and Worldwide Panic.
His intense performing career culminated with a five-page interview in Brazil’s edition of Modern Drummer magazine and a Paiste Cymbals endorsement. Mr. Francis is also endorsed by Urbann Boards Drummer Shoes and C. Ibañez drumsticks.
As a music educator, Mr. Francis believes that music makes a huge impact in people’s lives. It goes beyond learning and playing an instrument or singing. It has also to do with self-confidence, self-esteem, improving social and motor skills and bringing people together.
Mr. Francis speaks English and Portuguese fluently, and has a very good knowledge of Spanish.
Francis Cassol
Drums, Guitar
Noah Celaya
Piano, Voice, Ukulele
Tiah Gina
Voice
Cosmopolitan, engaging, and patient, Lu teaches piano, music theory. Lu earned her Master’s degree in Music Education from Mississippi College and her Bachelor’s degree in Musicology from Southwest University for Nationalities in China. Lu has helped many students to pass the ABRSM examinations in Music Theory and Piano Performance. Lu relies on her international experiences to enhance her teaching methods. She believes in working towards specific musical goals and mastering solid technique as the foundation of great musicianship.
Lu Jiang
Piano
Ms. Migiwa is a piano teacher with years of experience teaching piano to children and adults, and to students of all musical levels. She most recently was a piano instructor at the Hollywood Arts Academy, where she taught piano and music theory.
Ms. Migiwa was born and raised in Japan and started playing piano at the age of four. In high school, she started studying classical piano at Musashino Academia Musicae and stayed there for 7 years, eventually receiving her Bachelor of Music degree as a Piano Performance major.
After her college music education in Japan, Ms. Migiwa moved to the United States to attend Los Angeles College of Music (formerly known as LA Music Academy) to study Composition for Visual Media. She graduated on the President's Honor Roll, and earned her Associate of Arts degree in Music Production. After graduating, she worked as an intern and assistant composer at Christopher Young's music studio in Los Angeles.
Currently Ms. Migiwa plays piano weekly in a worship band. She enjoys playing piano and has great passion to inspire others as a piano teacher. She teaches both in English and Japanese.
Migiwa Kashiwa
Piano
Hikari Kikuchi graduated from California State University Fullerton with a Bachelors in Kinesiology. She began music at the age of 5, learning piano under the instructions of Ms. Akiko Hasunuma, the president of the Piano Teacher’s Music Guild for more than 12 years. Focusing mostly on classical music, she has performed in many music festivals over California and studied music theory while completing the Certificate of Merit Program to an advanced level. She intends to earn her Masters in Music in the next few years.
Besides piano, Hikari has more than 10 years of experience playing trombone. She competed in marching band tournaments such as the SCSBOA and has performed in many jazz band festivals. She continued her musical passion through college by participating in the University Band.
Hikari has an appreciation towards music for its ability to express emotions while building other characteristics such as confidence, patience, and discipline. She hopes to inspire her students and build a safe space for students to express themselves musically. She is fluent in both Japanese and English.
Hikari Kikuchi
Piano, Trombone
Jinette began playing the violin at age 9 in her hometown of Commack New York. At Age 13 she was the youngest member of the Long Island Youth Orchestra based in Merrick New York. While attending Commack High School Jinette also played with the Dowling College Symphony and gained a wealth of knowledge on a wide variety of orchestral music and solo works.
Jinette went on to receive her bachelor's in Music Education with an emphasis in violin and voice performance from the University of New Hampshire.
After college Jinette relocated to California and began performing in numerous orchestras across southern California. She also completed her coursework for a teaching credential through the Cal State Fullerton T.E.A.C.H. program. She has taught beginning violin students from age 7 up to age 80. She believes it's never too late to learn the violin. For Jinette playing the violin has brought great joy, opened many doors, and formed long lasting friendships in the Los Angeles music community. As Jinette states "Playing the violin is happiness in motion".
Jinette Martinez
Violin, Voice, Cello, Viola
Steve Ostaszewski is a guitarist, bassist, educator, composer and arranger from the small town of Monroe, CT, where he started playing the guitar at age 12. In high school, Mr. Steve played in the school’s Jazz Big Band where he won awards and scholarships for Jazz competitions.
In 2014, he received his Bachelor of Music in Jazz Performance on Guitar from the University of Massachusetts at Amherst (UMass). During that time, Mr. Steve’s college jazz band performed in multiple Jazz Competitions and won several (individual and group) performance awards. After graduating, Mr. Steve moved to Vermont where he began composing, teaching and getting involved with the Vermont Jazz Center in Brattleboro.
In 2016, Mr. Steve moved to Los Angeles where he began to more actively teach music, play gigs with various bands and cultivate his own musical identity. He is one of the best reviewed guitar teachers in and around the greater Los Angeles area and takes pride in teaching music. Mr. Steve believes the key to musical growth is having a solid foundation of being comfortable with the instrument and simply having fun!
He also is a gigging musician, performing his own music and the music of others including Tito Woods, and has composed music for short films and podcasts. Mr. Steve has experience teaching guitar, bass guitar, piano and ukulele to students of all ages and specializes in teaching beginners to professionals on guitar and bass guitar.
Steve Ostaszewski
Guitar, Bass, Ukulele
Irving Osuna is a drum instructor with years of experience teaching private and group lessons to children and adults throughout Southern California. He is a loving father of two young boys who is passionate about sharing his musical knowledge with the next generation of drummers.
Irving was born and raised in Los Angeles and began playing the drums at the age of thirteen. Throughout his first years, Irving was a self-taught drummer who was focused on learning his instrument by listening to a variety of musical styles and by playing in various bands. Eventually, Irving decided to enroll in a college program and study drum performance.
As a graduate of Musicians Institute with a degree in drum performance, Irving was fortunate to study under some of the world’s greatest drum educators, such as Rob Carson, Chuck Silverman, Jeff Bowders, and Donny Gruendler. In fact, Irving learned and mastered world-renowned techniques that he shares with all of his students.
With over 20 years of experience behind the drum set, Irving is determined to provide his students with all the necessary tools and information that are essential to becoming a modern drummer. Ultimately, Irving’s mission is to guide his students through their musical journey and provide structured lessons and methods that will make the student the best musician they can possibly become.
Irving Osuna
Drums, Ukulele
Christian Perez
Piano, Guitar, Beginning Drums, Beginning Bass
Mr. Evan is a professional drummer currently residing in Los Angeles, CA. He has been playing drums for over 20 years and also plays and teaches guitar. Evan graduated from the University of Louisville in 2006 with a degree in Music Performance, and since 2004 he has taught drum set, classical and rudimental snare drum, and guitar.
While living in Louisville, Mr. Evan was a founding member of Louisville groups Paradigm, The Deloreans, and The Pass. While a member of the fusion rock and jazz group Paradigm, Evan toured across the United States and opened for such groups as the Benvento/Russo Duo, Charlie Hunter, Club D'Elf, and the Lee Boys. Since moving to Los Angeles in 2009, Mr. Evan has recorded and/or played with The Santa Monica Symphony Orchestra, the Sean Stackpoole Quartet, West LA Fadeaway, Jay Stapleton, and June Aja.
Mr. Evan strives to instill the fundamentals of music in his students in a fun, creative, and engaging way. He believes it is important for students to develop the ability to solve musical problems from a place of creativity and positive contribution. If a student can learn to do so early, she can take that ability with her throughout her career.
Evan Pouchak
Drums, Guitar
Mr. Stephen Penafiel was born in Manila, Philippines and moved to Los Angeles when he was one year old. Growing up, he played a handful of video games such as: Kirby, Super Mario Bros., Final Fantasy, The Legend of Zelda, etc. Little did he know, the music in these childhood games would later give him the intrinsic motivation to pursue learning music. He was also influenced by the genres rock and metal. His main musical influences derive from these three genres.
In senior year of high school, he noticed a student playing the piano at the school cafeteria and was amazed at their ability to play Chopin's "Prelude No. 4 in E Minor. Since that moment, he wanted to further his musical journey by pursuing a music degree and attended Los Angeles City College's (LACC) music program with an emphasis on piano. Once he graduated from LACC, he transferred to California State University Los Angeles (CSULA) to work on his bachelor’s degree, with a focus on music education. After finishing his bachelors, he decided to go back to CSULA to work on his single subject teaching credential.
From December 2016 to January 2023, he had the opportunity to work at a church as a piano accompanist. He was required to play a setlist of music with vocalists for the English and Spanish masses and work with other musicians. Mid-September 2022, he became a private piano instructor at Bloom School of Music and Dance. Whenever he collaborates with students, his focus is their needs, whether that be their well-being or helping them to the next step in their music journey. At CSULA, he was required to take pedagogy classes with different instrument types: woodwind, percussion, strings, and brass. A few instruments that stuck were the clarinet, saxophone, vibraphone, and the trombone. On top of these pedagogy classes, he partook in choir as a tenor singer.
With piano, one of his favorite activities is sight-reading music. Something about producing sounds from written notes on manuscript paper always gave him a sense of excitement. Aside from sight-reading, his favorite styles of music to play are romantic, classical, 20th century, pop, and jazz. Even though he’s adequate with reading traditional sheet music, he’s also proficient with guitar and ukulele tablature. Whenever he plays the drums, he takes more of a feel approach.
Stephen Penafiel
Piano, Guitar, Ukulele, Drums, Bass, Voice
Troy Pryor is originally from Maryland and started playing the viola at the age of five. He is a multi-instrumentalist and plays and teaches piano, guitar, viola, ukulele, drums, and singing. He graduated from the University of Maryland, College Park with a Bachelor's of Music degree in viola performance. He then worked as a music teacher at Harmonic Music Studios in Washington D.C. where he instructed students of all ages and levels.
Mr. Troy spent time as a multi-instrumentalist and backing vocalist playing at various venues and composer festivals, including the White House, the Oregon Bach Festival Composers Symposium, the Kennedy Center, and the 9:30 Club. He started to write and release his own original music in 2014, and currently works as a composer, arranger, and session musician to produce instrumental works and effects for film, television, video games and websites. Mr. Troy now lives and performs in Los Angeles, while also producing for other artists in the U.S. and abroad.
Mr. Troy has experience in teaching pianists, violinists, violists, guitarists, and singer-songwriters of all ages. He also has experience in teaching audio software and music production.
Troy Pryor
Violin, Viola, Piano, Guitar, Ukulele, Cello, Drums, Voice, Pop Stars Band
Mr. Spurgeon has lived in his hometown of Los Angeles his whole life, where he developed a passion for music and piano. He has a Master of Music degree in Piano Performance at Cal State University Los Angeles, and has a B.A. in Liberal Studies with an emphasis in music from Thomas Edison State University.
Mr. Spurgeon has experience teaching piano to all levels and ages, in diverse styles and repertoire. He has taught numerous piano students as a private piano teacher and at various music schools, including Allemande Music Academy, Silver River Music Academy, and Pop Rock Music Academy.
He has performed with other instrumentalists for Junior Chamber music, was selected as a finalist in the 2014 Southern California Junior Bach Festival, and was chosen to perform Mozart’s Piano Concerto in G major K.453 at Bratislava in Europe.
Mr. Spurgeon’s approach to teaching is to help the student understand and internalize the musical idea in every step of the learning process, connecting the physical to the expressive and musical. His goal is to inspire his students to engage in the music making process and think in new creative ways.
Spurgeon Rice
Piano
Maorin Shimizu is originally from Tokyo, Japan. She has been teaching at Opus Music School since 2015.
Ms. Maorin began singing in the choir and taking a private piano lesson at age 8. In high school, she began performing and writing songs in her pop music band. After she studied Business Accounting in the college, Ms. Maorin had worked at Yamaha Music Company and studied Yamaha music method in Japan.
When Ms. Maorin moved to the United States, she studied vocal performance at California College of Music. She also studied a music theory, harmony, piano and voice at Pasadena City College and earned her Associate Degree in Vocal performance. Ms.
Maorin received her Bachelor’s Degree in Music Education with an emphasis in Piano
from California State University Los Angeles.
As a vocalist, Ms. Maorin has performed in countless clubs, restaurants, special events and music festivals in U.S. and Japan. She also released the original album project called “Dance 1.2.3”. As an educator, Ms. Maorin has been teaching at public elementary schools and giving private lessons to all ages in the Los Angeles area.
Ms. Maorin believes that to study music is to develop a flexible personality that is important for living in society, as well as to develop a supple intellect. She teaches students that the experience of music fosters a
strong mind to face any difficulties and a sense of cooperation. Ms. Maorin brings her passion not only to help build students musical dreams, but also achieve their life dreams and goals. She teaches both in English and Japanese.
Maorin Shimizu
Piano, Voice
Growing up in a Christian household, Devin was surrounded by music. At a young age church was his first exposure to music. In his household his sister played piano at an early age and is a member of the Los Angeles Philharmonic Orchestra as a vocalist, and his father was a part of the church choir and a Sunday worship song leader.
Following in his sister’s footsteps his mother decided for him to be involved in piano as well. “Piano was an excellent starting point for me” says Devin. “I had other interest, but felt that percussion (drums) was my niche musically.”From elementary to high school, he was involved in concert and marching band.
Once he graduated from high school, he continued where he left off, and took up an interest in jazz while attending Pasadena City College. While being there he saw himself improve rapidly. They helped him develop his technique, by showing him the tools needed in order to advance. These are the same tools he shares with his students which he enjoys doing.
He graduated from Cal State University of Fullerton with a masters in music performance. Devin believes his passion and education in music has lead him to play with world renown faculty members and talented musicians.
He is an active performer and a member of the band he plays with around Southern California. He also is a sports enthusiast in his spare time, being either on a golf course or basketball court.
Devin Smith
Drums, Beginning Piano
Ms. Justine is a violist from L.A. County. She has been playing the viola for 10 years and is a student at California State University, Fullerton for a degree in Music Education and a minor in Math.
In her childhood Ms. Justine also participated in other performing arts such as dance and theatre, but music has always been her favorite. Ms. Justine now enjoys journaling and reading (and practicing!) in her free time.
Ms. Justine believes that learning music is one of the greatest ways to develop your mind by teaching you to be mindful of yourself, as well as others when playing with friends!
Justine Williams
Viola, Violin, Flute
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Ms. Vargas is a Violin teacher with almost 10 years of experience. She knows how to play a bit of piano as well. She will be graduating high school in 2023 and plans to attend Cal Poly Pomona to finish her studies there.
Ms. Vargas was born and raised in Rowland Heights. She started playing the Violin in 4th grade at Rowland Elementary, then transferred to Oswalt Academy in 5th grade and joined the orchestra there. Once she got to middle school, she joined Rowland Unified School District´s Honor Orchestra, an orchestra needed to enter with an audition. She entered the Rowland High School orchestra once she got into high school and remained in the honor orchestra as well. She has performed at many places, such as banquets at many cities and multiple times at both Disneyland and Knotts Berry Farm.
Ms. Vargas is very passionate about music and the Violin and hopes to be able to share her passion with other students interested in the Violin and teach them everything she knows.
Daniela Vargas
Violin, Piano
Opus Operations Team
Katey is the Office Manager at Opus Music School, where she is in charge of daily operations and the care of students and staff.
Katey grew up in Texas and recently moved to the LA area to finish her degree and broaden her horizons. She has many years of experience in customer relations and child care. She believes in creating an environment for our students that fosters self-confidence, trust, creativity, and acceptance of individual differences.
In her free time, Katey likes to spend her time reading, trying new restaurants and cafes, or checking out different hiking spots in the LA area.
Katey Reed
Office Manager
Cindy is the Facility & Events Manager of Opus Music School and comes from a background of office management in childcare and education. She brings years of professional experience in event planning to Opus and manages all of the events and performance opportunities for Opus students and staff. Prior to Opus Music School, Cindy was the Assistant Director of Joyland Preschool where she managed operations of a preschool and day care center for 14 years.
Cindy’s education includes studying childcare at Los Angeles Trade Tech College. Her passions and interests consist of event planning, floral arrangement, and professional decor skills.
Cindy Hachem
Assistant Office Manager
Jazmine is a member of our front office staff. She brings a rich background in customer service from her roles as a Dental Receptionist and telephone operator for the Department of Public Health. She holds a bachelors degree in Molecular Biology Biochemistry and is currently completing her Master's with the goal of becoming a Pediatric dentist. She is passionate about bringing smiles to the children and fostering a vibrant atmosphere. Outside of work and school she finds joy and creativity in video games, sports, and in the arts.
Jazmine Macias
Front Desk Staff