Violin

ABBY CALLAWAY | violin

Studio Lessons in Nampa | In-home lessons throughout Treasure Valley

Abby Callaway has been studying violin since the age of six and has been teaching violin and viola lessons since 2017. She holds a Bachelor's in Music from the University of Kansas and studied with David Colwell, Carolyn Watson, Noah Geller, and Alice Joy Lewis.

Abby has been classically trained through the Suzuki Method, and with this foundation has been able to participate in quartets, orchestras, competitions and festivals around the world. From recording folk music with local bands, competing with string quartets, or performing Brahms with the Milan orchestra, Abby greatly enjoys the variety that music can bring. Abby teaches that with a strong foundation, you are set up to pursue any aspect of music. She encourages students to try new things, while still teaching the technique, tone, and theory necessary to grow and become a well-rounded musician. Abby loves having a part in nurturing students' love for music and is excited to grow their passion through weekly lessons.

Outside of music, Abby enjoys hiking, paddle boarding, and finding new coffee shops!             

SUSAN STEIN | violin

Studio Lessons in Boise

Mrs. Stein has had a long and varied career in music, as a professional violinist, teacher, and as music director of the San Jose Youth Chamber Orchestra.

A graduate of SJSU with a degree in violin performance, Stein has held tenured posts in the San Jose Symphony, Opera San Jose, and San Jose Chamber Orchestra.  She also performed with Ballet San Jose and is a founding member of the Jasmine String Quartet.  Mrs. Stein has performed in master classes with Franco Gulli, Andor Toth and Helen Dowland.  

Passion for music education has been an enduring motivation throughout her career, leading to the formation of educational programs for the California Youth Symphony,  the San Jose Youth Symphony and SJYCO, as well as teaching and coaching string players from elementary school through high school.  Mrs. Stein recently retired from her post as Music Director of the San Jose Youth Chamber Orchestra after serving in that capacity for 18 years.  

PIANO

Nina Ford | piano

Studio Lessons in Star

Music has been Josephina Ford’s passion for many years, ever since she first started taking music lessons at the age of 5. Music has since then taken an active role in her life, prompting her to become an Honors student at the Music Conservatory of Sandpoint at the age of eleven and to study under renowned pianist Dr. Svetlana Maddox at the age of thirteen. Josephina is an active participant of recitals, adjudications, and concerts. She has participated in multiple local and statewide competitions, most recently winning an award from Boise Tuesday Musicale. 

Josephina lives in Star and enjoys swimming, reading, and learning new languages. 

Piano

ASHLYN BENDORF | piano

Studio Lessons in Northwest Boise

Ashlyn Bendorf has loved music her entire life. She started playing piano as soon as she could reach the keys, taking formal lessons with her mom and dad starting at age four. At age eight she began clarinet lessons and was soon accepted into the College of the Canyons Orchestra and Novae Symphony where she held the principal position. Ashlyn gave her first solo piano recital at age 10, performing the entire collection Two-Part Inventions of J.S. Bach, as well as pieces by Beethoven, Brahms, and Bartok.

Ashlyn has always enjoyed performing and playing in competitions; most recently she was awarded first place for the Idaho FMC Wilson Memorial Award, and was chosen as winner of the Stillman Kelley National Federation of Music Clubs Western Regional Award.

In 2020 and 2021 Ashlyn was a featured soloist with the Los Angeles youth Philharmonic Orchestra. Her performances in the virtual concert series included Mozart and Max Bruch concertos. Most recently Ashlyn was soloist for the world premier of Adam Liptak’s Double Piano Concerto with the LAYPO in a live performance at Walt Disney Concert Hall during the 2023 season.

Ashlyn is currently pursuing a degree in piano performance at Boise State University. When she is not practicing Ashlyn enjoys going on hikes, baking, crocheting, and Irish Dancing.

Flute & Piano

ADELYN BENDORF | flute & piano

Studio Lessons in northwest Boise

Adelyn Bendorf has taken joy in music for as long as she can remember, playing her first songs on the piano at age two. She has participated in numerous recitals, concerts and competitions ever since.  

Adelyn has played flute in both the Santa Clarita Valley Youth Orchestra and the Boise Youth Philharmonic. In January of 2020, she was awarded top flute honors in the West through the Royal Conservatory of Music, and was selected to perform a flute solo in the Celebration of Excellence Recital at USC. That same year she performed as a flutist with the Los Angeles Youth Philharmonic.

Upon moving to Idaho, Adelyn began flute studies with Melanie Keller and in took 2nd place in the Atlanta Flute Competition in 2021.  She also was a first place winner in the Idaho Bach Festival and in Meridian Symphony’s 2022 Concerto Competition, for both flute and piano categories. She won first place in the branch Music Teachers Association Sonatina Festival for piano in the fall of 2022. Most recently she received the top award through Boise Tuesday Musicale, a local organization devoted to the arts.

Adelyn has played in the flute section of the Boise Youth Philharmonic Orchestra.  This past March Adelyn was the featured soloist with the Meridian Symphony, performing Bach’s Keyboard Concerto in D Minor under the baton of Maestro James Ogle.

PIANO & VOICE

ANNA CHAPMAN | piano & voice

Studio Lessons in Meridian

I have been teaching piano and voice in the Treasure Valley since 2008, and I have been studying music since 1998. I hold a Bachelor of Arts from the College of Idaho in Music Theory and Composition (2010) and a Master of Fine Arts in Music Composition from Vermont College of Fine Arts (2013).

I have developed my own “Hero Academy” curriculum and level tiers to ensure that each of my students receive a firm foundation in both classical and modern music techniques, in music theory, and in different musical styles. I also tailor my curriculum for each student to help them meet their own unique agendas for excellence and enjoyment through playing music. I teach all ages, preschool through adult.

My goals for my students include: growing a lifelong love of music, growing autonomy in the learning and creative processes, instilling confidence through accomplishments, and gaining positivity toward future goals and challenges. My musical focus is to glorify God in everything that I do: teaching, performing, composing, etc. and to use my skills to point people to Jesus as their Savior. Through teaching, I enjoy showing God’s sweet and tough love to my students as they struggle with, but eventually excel in, the disciplines of music.

Through composing, I like to show God’s character, human nature, and their relationships to each other through music, especially in combination with other art forms, such as storytelling, media, dance, theater, film, etc. Through performing, I show, both aurally and visually, the feelings that God has given to us and how He has touched my heart to save me with His unconditional love.

PIANO

Mercy Sorich has been teaching piano for 8 years. She began teaching piano after her own teacher gave her a year of hands-on training. She especially loves working with young students as they start on their musical journey. She feels strongly about giving beginners a good foundation as well as introducing them to numerous styles of music. Mercy continually seeks to improve herself and is currently taking private lessons. When she is not teaching she loves spending time with her husband and two kitties. 

Drums & Guitar

NATE STEIN | guitar, drums, music therapy

Studio Lessons in Nampa | In-home lessons throughout Treasure Valley

Nate Stein is a drummer, percussionist, guitarist, board-certified music therapist, and songwriter who loves anything and everything related to musical expression. Originally from the San Francisco Bay Area, he received a Bachelor’s Degree in Percussion from the San Francisco Conservatory of Music in 2006 and a Bachelor’s Equivalency Certificate in Music Therapy from University of the Pacific in 2009. After earning board certification in 2010, he began providing music therapy services to individuals with a broad range of disabilities.

Nate has over 20 years of teaching experience with students of all ages. He has performed as a drummer and percussionist in various rock bands, church worship bands, and student orchestras. In addition, he has written, recorded, and performed original songs for guitar and voice since 2009, and he enjoys participating in open mics wherever they occur. 

He lives in Nampa with his wife and two cats.

Voice

Andy Maddox | voice

Studio Lessons in Nampa | Virtual Lessons

I am a voice teacher in Nampa, ID and I teach online as well. I do require at least two in person lessons before teaching online.

I have a degree in vocal performance which means that I have, not only, worked on perfecting my own vocal technique, but I also studied the anatomy and physiology of how the human voice is supposed to work and how to correct vocal problems to enhance the already good vocal technique you might have. I can help you to improve your range and your tone as well as teach you to sing more musically and with more emotion so that your singing will captivate other people or just so you can enjoy singing more yourself.

I have taught all levels of ability from 19 students who couldn’t match pitches, who now sing in tune, to someone in the Seattle Opera Company.

While I teach several different styles, (classical, musical theater, pop, some jazz), all singing comes from the same basic principles.

My students perform in high school and local musical productions, opera, open mic nights, and recitals. One of my students went on to be a performer on a cruise ship, while another of my students won the grand prize in the Idaho High School Theater Awards in 2022. He received a 9-day intense program at Julliard, in New York. He now lives in New York auditioning for musicals.

Cello

David Stein has been teaching and coaching cellists, pianists and ensembles for over 45 years. He teaches all levels at his home in the Central Rim area of Boise. His specialties include classical, jazz, and popular styles, with music theory infused into the lessons. As a pianist he has studied with Christian Nilssen, Aiko Onishi, and Marina Grin. His experience includes the following:

• San Jose State University – Staff Pianist – Department of Music & Dance 2006 through 2020

• Private work in Recitals and Studio Accompaniment and Recording (including composing arrangements)– 1976 to present.

• Dance Accompaniment – San Jose State, Stanford. Also played for many professional companies (including ABT, Twyla Tharp) and many private dance schools and companies. Performed and produced 4 Ballet albums which are used at hundreds of dance schools all over the world.

• Choir Accompaniment – Symphony Silicon Valley Chorale

• Church Accompanist – Worship LeaderPalo Alto Children’s Theatre – Music Director 

As a cellist David has studied under Irving Klein, Hiro Kano, David Kadarauch, and Millie Rosner. His experience in cello includes the following:

• Principal Cellist and soloist for Monterey County Symphony

• Santa Cruz Symphony

• Additional substitute work with many orchestras, including Symphony Silicon Valley

• Founding member of “The Jasmine String Quartet” – performances, recordings and events from 1980-2017

• Performed as featured string quartet with John Denver at Mountain Winery