Pianist, Organist, Vocalist, Percussionist and Choir Director for various churches, conferences, schools, bands, and events along the east coast for the past 20+ years. Has 15 years of teaching experience teaching all ages in all styles. Specializes in music composition and places a strong emphasis on building a solid musical foundation that can carry over to all instruments.
Rayna has been playing piano since childhood and recently finished her degree in classical piano from Towson University. She has studied both classical and jazz piano, as well as some percussion including mallet instruments and steel pan, guitar, and ukulele. She enjoys sharing her love of music with her students, and helping them challenge themselves and succeed.
Shelley received her Bachelor of Science in Music Education from Hyles-Anderson College and an Associate of Science in Music Education from the College of Southern Maryland and has been teaching private piano lessons since 2004. She enjoys teaching all ages and skill sets. Specifically, her students will learn theory, ear training and repertoire. The goal is for her students to not only learn how to play piano, but to enjoy playing piano as well!
Griffin J. is a multi-faceted actor, vocalist, and educator based in the Washington, D.C. area. A graduate of Howard University’s Chadwick A. Boseman College of Fine Arts (BFA Musical Theatre, Spanish minor), he blends the worlds of theatre, jazz, and poetry through his rich bass-baritone voice and emotionally grounded storytelling. Griffin currently teaches voice and piano at Mike’s Music and performs with Tea Around Town D.C., a touring jazz experience celebrating local artistry.
Gabriel is finishing up at the UMBC, majoring in Music Technology. He has experience performing and playing a wide range of genres on the piano, including pop, R&B, jazz, classical, and more. His interests include wrestling, sewing, and music production (of course). Lessons will include learning music theory, repertoire and a wide variety of musical basics that can be carried over to any instrument.
Described by Los Angeles Philharmonic violinist Suli Xue as demonstrating “exceptional talent, a great enthusiasm in music, and a high level of determination,” Magdaline K. is an American-born Russian/Belarusian cellist and pianist from Whittier, California. Raised in a household that valued music and creative expression, she developed an early passion for performance and a belief that music serves as a powerful means of connection, storytelling, and shared human experience.
Her artistic voice has been significantly shaped through international study, particularly in Spain. In 2025, she studied with renowned cellist Lluís Claret in an international masterclass, an experience that broadened her musical perspective and deepened her commitment to music as a universal language. She will continue this artistic trajectory as a participant in the prestigious Keshet Eilon Mastercourse in Altea, where she will engage with an international community of young musicians dedicated to artistic excellence and cultural exchange.
A dedicated and versatile artist, Magdaline has performed throughout Southern California, the East Coast, and Spain as a soloist, chamber musician, and collaborator, earning multiple first-place gold medals in ensemble competitions in California, Boston, and Washington, D.C. She is a First Prize winner of the 2024 Charleston International Music Competition (Summer 2024) and has developed a growing artistic presence through both traditional concert performance and interdisciplinary collaborations.
In 2024, she appeared as a soloist with the Synesthesia Sinfonietta, performing the West Coast premiere of Chad Rehmann’s arrangement of “O Holy Night.” She has also performed at venues including Royce Hall, Warner Bros. Studios, Fred Kavli Theatre, Broadway West, Glass Slipper Palace, LA Theatre, and Candlelight Concerts, experiences that have shaped her collaborative and performance-driven artistic identity.
Equally committed to innovation and collaboration, Magdaline has led her own chamber ensembles and formed a wind ensemble to perform the Gulda Cello Concerto under the baton of Isaiah Castro, exploring repertoire that bridges classical, jazz, and popular traditions. Her work beyond the classical stage includes collaborations with artists such as Mike Sabath and Haley Joelle, as well as appearances in music videos including Being Human (2023), Dumbstruck(2023), Memory Lane (2024), and Sullivan Grace’s “2805” (2025), further reflecting her interest in cross-genre artistic expression.
Magdaline is currently pursuing a Master of Music degree in Cello Performance at the Peabody Institute of Johns Hopkins University under the mentorship of Amit Peled. During her undergraduate studies, she studied cello with Dr. Marek Szpakiewicz and piano with Dr. Éva Polgár and Professor Mark Gasbarro, graduating Cum Laude.
With a Bachelor of Music from the University of Maryland, College Park, Sara L. has been teaching piano for 15+ years. Trained in classical music from a young age, Sara has won first place prizes in numerous prestigious competitions at state, national, and international levels. She was also featured on Piano Grand! A Smithsonian Celebration of the 300th Anniversary of the Piano on PBS alongside legends such as Billy Joel, Diana Krall, and the Labèque Sisters. Sara has performed with the National Symphony Orchestra at the Kennedy Center and with various other orchestras and chamber groups.
Besides piano, Sara learned to play the violin from an early age and has been part of the Maryland All-State Orchestra and Tri-County Orchestra in the past. She teaches all levels of Violin and Piano here at Mike’s Music.
Pat has been teaching piano, organ and keyboard for over 40 years. Can teach all levels in classical as well as contemporary. Pat has her degree in education.
Edwin J., born and raised in the suburbs of the Washington, D.C.-metropolitan area, is an active Vocalist and Music Educator. He graduated from University of the Arts in Philadelphia, PA with a Bachelor of Music (Vocal Performance) in 2011 and a Master of Music (Jazz Studies) in 2012. During this time, Jacob honed is vocal skills in Opera, Jazz, Musical Theatre, Pop and R&B, while sill completing a rigorous workload of ear training, sight-singing, music theory, arranging and composition. While at UArts, Edwin was involved in a number of performances. His most notable performances include: Lead in “Does Your House Have Lions” written by Sonia Sanchez, Directed by Johnnie Hobbs (2009), Lead singer in the children’s album "Get Up and Sing" produced by Mike Kennedy (Forge Recording, 2010 Valley Forge, PA), and Singer in Monkadelic Ensemble – Music of Thelonious Monk (Chris’ Jazz Café 2011 Philadelphia, PA). After graduating, Edwin began teaching Voice and Piano at several locations in New Jersey and is currently the Middle School Chorus Teacher at Christ Epsicopal School in Rockville
Justin P. is a pianist and organist based in Baltimore. He serves as the Director of Music and Organist at St. John’s Episcopal Church in Ellicott City, Maryland, where he directs their choral, handbell, and instrumental ensembles, their contemporary band, and coordinates their concert series Music at St. John’s. As a church musician, he has previously served at several churches in the Harrisburg, PA area, and has been honored to play at liturgies led by several bishops including Wilton Gregory and Eugene Sutton.
Justin’s piano students range from complete beginners to those working on intermediate level repertoire. He also has a fondness for working with adults rediscovering their love for music later in life. In lessons, Justin encourages his students to make connections to artistry, technique, music theory, and music history. Many of his students also perform regularly in studio-sponsored recitals.
A native of South River, New Jersey, Justin earned his Bachelor of Arts in 2018 from Elizabethtown College, located near Lancaster, PA, where he studied piano performance, piano pedagogy, and organ. He completed a Master of Music degree in 2024 from Westminster Choir College of Rider University, near Princeton, NJ, where he studied sacred music, liturgics, and conducting. Justin is a member of several professional organizations including the Music Teachers National Association, Anglican Association of Musicians, and American Guild of Organists. He has previously served a four-year term as Secretary of the Harrisburg Chapter of the AGO.
Cynthia M. is a versatile pianist & songwriter, with a background in classical piano, jazz & blues improvisation, and popular/folk music. With 20 years of teaching experience, she tailors each lesson to her student's interests, creating a well-rounded and exciting repertoire to explore. She is a Maryland state certified teacher and a recipient of the Maryland State Arts Council Independent Artist Award.
As a performer, she has graced stages at Columbia Festival of the Arts, This Could Go Boom Music & Culture Fest, Key Women, Pearl Street Warehouse, Kennedy Center Millenium Stage, Black Cat, with commissions performed at Washington Women in Jazz Festival, Gamelan Pacifica, and recordings aired on radio stations: Voices from the DMV, Takoma WOWD, NPR’s WAMU Bandwidth, WERA.FM Live from Arlington, FemChord, DC Music Rocks, KBCS, and Hollow Earth Radio. Her collaborative spirit has led to her appearance on 20 artists’ recordings from across the country, a publishing of 50 sheet music arrangements sold internationally, innovative teaching resources, and a popular YouTube channel.
She studied with esteemed classical piano teachers, Bonnie Litten and Ann Tanabe, and master jazz and boogie-woogie pianists, Debbie Poryes and Caroline Dahl. She is a winner of the Honolulu Symphony Best and Brightest Concerto competition, a recipient of the Jackstraw Artist Residency and Seattle Mayor’s Office of Arts and Cultural Affairs grant, and holds her degree in Music from the University of Washington School of Music.
Kevin A. has been playing music for over 15 years. He graduated in 2014 from McDaniel College with a degree in Music, specializing in Theory and Composition. Kevin first discovered his love for music after learning guitar at age 11, and has since added bass, piano, ukulele, and other instruments to his repertoire. Though he primarily considers rock and alternative to be his favorite music, he has performed and studied a wide variety of styles including jazz, blues, funk, country, and even mariachi. His favorite part about teaching is being able to share his passion for music with others. After teaching at Mike's Music previously in 2015, Kevin is happy to rejoin the Mike's family!
Anna W. has been in the world of music for over a decade. With more than ten years of experience performing on the violin, along with several years of proficiency on the viola, piano, and cello, Anna loves everything about music! She currently is majoring in Aerospace Engineering at the University of Maryland, College Park, and dedicates most of her free time towards her devotion to and love of music. During her high school years, Anna was president of the String Orchestra, as well as the Piano Club. She also had leadership roles in the Music Honor Society and performed in the Pit Orchestra. Anna’s experiences and future reflect her dedication to the art, and her enthusiasm of sharing and helping others explore the culture of music.
Trained in classical music at Ohio University with 38 years of teaching experience, Phyllis provides a well rounded range of musical styles for piano study to help develop the talents and stimulate the interests of students of all ages.
Over 30 years of experience teaching children in various settings, including private lessons, directing choirs, and teaching music classes in schools. Worked as a choir director, organist and pianist in various churches. Master's degree from Catholic Univ, in DC. Native of Korea, speaks both Korean and English. Resides in Howard county with her husband and their 5 children.