Beverly Bigam ~ Piano:  Mrs. B is the founder of Music Maker Workshops.   Music Maker's began in 1995 as a small mobile teaching facility that taught music workshops.  Soon she found herself dreaming of having a music studio.  Absolutely loving to teach and wanting to share with even more people she began hiring talented teachers to help.  Eventually the studio was born full of talent, excitement and lots of love.  Mrs. B feels as if the studio is really an extension of her family.  She is living her dream. Now she is proud to have a place where she can offer a variety of programs, lessons, camps, and workshops for all ages and ability levels. 

 “We are the music makers, and we are the dreamers of the dream." 
 Arthur William Edgar O'Shaughnessy 

Christine Heaps ~ MT-BC Music Therapist- Board Certified, & Piano: Originally from Oklahoma, Christine received her Associate of Arts degree from the University of Arkansas at Fort Smith and her Bachelor of Music Therapy degree from Southwestern Oklahoma State University. Christine first moved to the Phoenix area in August of 2005 and has been teaching piano ever since. Her music therapy experience includes providing services, especially adaptive music lessons, to children with developmental disabilities as well as group music therapy services for young adults in a day program and older adults in an Assisted Living community. Most recently, she completed her Kindermusik Educator training and looks forward to teaching her first Kindermusik classes in January.
  

Kendra Allen ~ Piano:  Ms. Kendra has been playing piano for over ten years.  Her favorite style of music is jazz however, she enjoys teaching classical, pop, and blues as well.  She is attending Desert Vista High School as a Senior this year.  She has a passion and desire to share her talent with her students and teach them all about music.  She believes that there is never an end to knowledge one can gain through music and how to play the piano.  She wishes to help and encourage her students towards reaching their goals and be as much of help as they need along the way.

Joe Bondly ~ Guitar:  Joe started playing the guitar at the age of twelve and formed his first band at the age of thirteen.  After high school Joe moved to California to pursue his goals in playing, writing, and recording music.   By the age of twenty three Joe had recorded albums with three bands and played session guitar on various projects ranging from jazz to rock and metal.  In the past five years Joe has attended several music institutions such as the Musicians Institute in Hollywood California where he learned from such artists as Paul Gilbet and Lenny Widegren.  Now he lives in the Phoenix area teaching and recording guitar as well as playing with his band.   

Bronwyn Carlblom ~ Piano & Flute:  Bronwyn has been playing piano and flute for over 20 years. In High School, she was a member of the Arizona All State Orchestra, Band, and Choir. In college, she studied Flute Performance under the renowned Jim Walker at the University of Southern California.  She has had a wide variety of musical opportunities, including the chance to play at Carnegie Hall in New York City and even premiere an Orchestral Opus with Mike Einziger of the rock band Incubus. Bronwyn teaches group and private piano and flute lessons.  Her love of all things music gives her the passion and desire to help children experience the beautiful world of music and help them become the best musicians possible.

Lysa Cohen ~ Strings, Piano and Guitar:  Ms. Lysa  has over 20 years experience in violin and has studied under some of the leading violinists in the Southwest. She has developed several performing arts programs and is currently the Director of String Orchestra and Guitar at a local private school. In addition to the violin, Lysa also teaches viola, cello, piano and guitar to all age groups in private, semi-private or group instruction. 

Mandy Cooke ~ Voice & Piano:  A life-long lover of music, Mandy Cooke began singing and playing in elementary school and continued into middle school and high school.  At Hamilton High School in Chandler she was a member of the Regional Choir all four years and a member of the Arizona All-State Choir for three years. She earned her BM in Voice Performance from the University of Arizona where she was a student of Dr. Kristin Dauphinais. She has studied voice and piano privately for 10 years at the high school and collegiate level and enjoys singing and playing in a variety of styles and genres. She loves to sing and play in the styles of jazz, pop, classical, and musical theater. She has experience performing on stage in musical theater productions as well as with choral organizations. Mandy loves teaching music to a wide range of ages and wants nothing more than to help every one of her students develop their own musical talents and find the joy of music that she has found in her life.

Matthew Cox – Drums, Piano, Saxophone, Guitar:  Matt has his Bachelor of Arts in Music from Arizona State University. During his time at Arizona State University Matt was involved in various ensembles ranging from jazz to Javanese Gamelan. He has an appreciation for music of all forms regardless of origin or genre. Matt first became involved with music at the age of 9 by means of private piano and saxophone lessons. Throughout his school years Matt has always been involved with the band or orchestra. While in high school Matt began his study of percussion as a member of the drum line as well as the school’s percussion ensembles. Matt likes to incorporate different elements into his lessons depending on what meets the students’ needs best. A strong foundation in reading music and basic music theory is important but the incorporation of popular music helps to keep students interested. Matt’s main goal is to maintain his students’ interest in continuing their music education regardless of what means they choose.

Courtney Floegel- Voice and Piano:  Courtney is a junior at Desert Vista high school.  She has been playing piano and singing for over 7 years. She has enjoyed being a  member of countless choirs, show choirs, and  school plays.  Her favorite music is classical and she  loves singing jazz, country and even rap.  She loves every aspect of music.  Her sweet and comforting personality, and big smile is a welcome to all students.  She hopes to share her passion  and to make learning music a positive experience.  

Annie (Moscow) Gold ~ Master Piano/ Composition: Annie trained as a child to be a concert pianist with David Sokoloff and Marian Zarzecna of the Curtis Institute inPhiladelphia.   She majored in piano performance at Indiana University in Bloomington, Indiana.    After college, Annie moved to Los Angeles with her husband where they became a successful songwriting team, writing for film, television and other recording artists, including Sarah Vaughn, Sister Sledge and Mickey Mouse.  Annie Gold is a performer and composer on the Roster of the Arizona Commission on the Arts.  As a piano teacher, she works with students of all levels and is especially proud of some of her early students who have gone on to become professional musicians.  Her specialty is working with advanced students, as well as “cross-over students”; non-reading musicians who want to learn to read,and classically-trained musicians who want to learn to improvise.   To order her music: www.anniemoscow.com  To contact Annie Directly regarding Lessons:  Annie Moscow <11blocks@melonball.com>

Mike Hinrichs ~ Guitar:  Mr. Mike has been playing guitar for many years and teaches private and group lessons to guitar students of all ages here at Music Makers.  He loves to integrate memorable and fun songs and riffs into his curriculum, asserting that if you enjoy playing something you will learn it much faster.  As somewhat of a tech junkie, as well as being a musician, Mike has turned his home computer into a personal recording studio and can often be found playing, singing, recording, mixing, and tracks.  Some of Mike's original music appears in the kids TV show Sprinkler's Clubhouse (Sprinkler's Clubhouse Episode List).

Amira Jalaghi ~ Piano:  Ms. Amira teaches piano lessons to children & teens of all ability levels.  She has been playing piano for over ten years. Amira primarily plays classical music however enjoys branching off and playing Jazz, Blues, Pop, and modern styles of music.  She spent her high school years at Desert Vista high school and was heavily involved in the music program, participating in Jazz/Madrigal choir, A cappella choir, Arizona Regional Choir, and various musicals. She previously worked within the Kyrene school district.  She currently teaches 5 evenings a week at Music Maker's and has been very successful working with all ages.  Amira is warm and personable and holds high expectations for her students. 

Carissa Klopfenstein ~  Piano, Violin, & Viola:  International instructor and native of central Illinois, Ms. Klopfenstein has twelve years of teaching experience with students ranging in age from four to adult.  Ms. Klopfenstein received her under graduate degree in Music from Thomas Edison State College in New Jersey. A concert violinist and pianist, Ms. Klopfenstein was trained in the Suzuki method, and studied Suzuki pedagogy with Mr. Edward Kreitman, founder of the Western Springs School of Talent Education in Chicago. Following her education, Ms. Klopfenstein spent a year teaching English and music in China before returning to the States and her teaching career in central Illinois. Although classically trained, Ms. Klopfenstein has played bluegrass music since her childhood and has performed at various folk venues as an Irish fiddle player with her band, Turas.  She is a member of the Music Teachers National Association (MTNA). 

Austen Mack- Guitar, Keyboarding, & Drums:  Austin has is degree in Jazz Performance from Arizona State University. While drums and percussion are his primary instruments, he also has years of experience playing guitar and keyboards in his actively recording and touring rock band, Captain Squeegee.  Austen also gigs frequently with various jazz groups around the Valley. in addition to an active performance schedule, he throughly enjoys teaching lessons and workshops. 

Julie Min ~ Master Piano:  Ms. Julie has a Bachelor's degree in Piano Performance from Cal Poly-Slo College.  She specializes in teaching  piano, theory, symphonic band & ear training.  Julie provides a very successful seasonal program, 'Piano Boot Camp'.  Plus she is establishing and organizing our new Master's Music Program.  With all of her talent Julie also comes to each lesson with a warm and caring personality.  She makes great effort to provide appropriate goals for each of her students.  It has been great to have Julie as a full-time teacher with Music Maker Workshops. 

Catherine Morris -Voice & Piano: Catherine is currently pursuing a Master’s degree in Vocal Performance at Arizona State University. She also studied piano for seven years as a child. Although she received her bachelor’s degree in Anthropology in 2004, she had a passion for singing and decided to pursue a new career path. She completed undergraduate music courses at Chicago Conservatory of Music, studying voice under Mark Crayton and Matthew Chellis. She is now a second year master’s student studying with Dr. Jerry Doan. She has sung professionally with choirs in Chicago as well as with the Arizona State University Choral Union. She has given multiple recitals and has also participated in numerous performances and voice masterclasses. She has a background in vocal pedagogy, which contributes highly to her knowledge of how the voice mechanism works and therefore how to healthily train all types of voices. She has experience in both classical and musical theater styles. Above all, she believes that the most important thing for a teacher to do is to foster a student’s love for music.

Belinda Paige - Voice & Piano: Belinda has been a lifelong musician and music lover.  She began studying piano and voice at a young age and has performed in local, state and university choirs, competitions, and performances.  Belinda received her Bachelor’s degree in vocal performance from Boston University in 2010 under the tutelage of Phyllis Hoffman.  She is currently pursuing a Masters degree in opera performance at ASU and studies with Dr. Jerry Doan.  Her training, studies, and experiences have enriched her understanding of the needs of young singers.  She trains all voices in varying styles with an emphasis on vocal health for young singers, developing good habits, learning music and having fun!  She teaches voice and piano to students of all abilities and all ages.

LT Smith ~ Guitar, Bass, Drums, & Compostion:  Mr.LT graduated from Chicago State University with a B.A. degree (majoring in Music Composition). He served in both the US Air Force and the US Navy. During his military service LT was a professional performing guitarist. He attended the Navy School of Music as a college graduate and subsequently became an instrumental music teacher.  Recently LT retired from the local school district as a music teacher.    We are proud to have such an amazing teacher here at Music Maker Workshops. LT teaches groups, semi-privates & private acoustic, electric & Bass guitar for all ages and ability levels.  Also, he composes music of various genres. e.g.www.ltsmusic.net. 

Kim Steedman ~ Kindermusik & Piano for Preschoolers:  Ms. Kim is our certified Kindermusik Instructor.  She teaches Village,  Our Time & Imagine That classes for babies & toddlers.  Kim, the mother of three young children is proud that Kindermusik welcomes the youngest of children to develop innate musical abilities.   She also provides further musical instruction with theMusic for Little Mozart piano program. Kim is the daughter of Bev Bigam and is a Co-Owner of Music Maker Workshops.  She is a member of the Early Childhood Music and Movement Association.

Shelley Yakubow ~ Kindermusik & Piano for Preschoolers:   Ms. Shelley teaches Imagine That Classes and Music for Little Mozart Piano Lessons.   Shelley has her Bachelor of Education from the University of Alberta.  She has been developing and implementing group piano lessons, camps & workshops for young children for the past 10 years.   She believes that all children learn differently.  Therefore her lessons include visual, audio and kinesthetic activities.  Also Shelley has developed her own successful method to help teach the youngest of students to read music using animal associations, color coding and phonetics.  She is a member of the Early Childhood Music and Movement Association.  Shelley is a high-energy teacher who always looks forward to seeing her students each week.  She is the mother of three children and enjoys spending time with family, camping, movies & Starbucks!

Jason Zarecki ~  Bass, Guitar, Drums, Saxophone, Trumpet, Trombone, Upright Bass, & French Horn:   “Jay” has been playing and singing since elementary school, and today enjoys sharing his lifetime of musical experience and knowledge with others.  Jay Majored in Music Performance at Oswego State University in New York. He has toured the United States and Mexico  with rock and alternative bands. Jay’s been also been involved with barbershop choruses and quartets for over 13 years, and has been a member of various corporate/wedding bands.

Jay has been in bands that have opened for The Specials, The Toasters, Hoobastank, Uncle Kraker, Peter Tork of The Monkees, Vanilla Ice, Gooding, Wheatus, Pensive, and Five Bolt Main. He has performed at many large venues across the country including Southgate House (Cincinnati), The Walnut Room (Denver), The Nick (Birmingham, AL) and also in New York City at Webster Hall, CBGB’s and Shea Stadium.
He’s also done studio work for various artists and his various bands have recorded many albums for independent labels over the years.  

Jay is comfortable teaching a wide variety of musical styles including rock, pop, heavy metal, alternative, ska and swing, and has been teaching music in a classroom environment since 1993.
He and his wife Lisa have a 1-year old daughter, Kiera, who’s already trying her hand at singing and playing…sort of.