Galina Corkery

My earliest memories of music were of singing Ukrainian folk songs taught to me by my grandmother. The love of music she instilled in me continued when I was accepted into the Specialized School of Music for gifted children. After 8 years of training, I continue to study Russian piano pedagogy and musicology in the city of Vladivostok, ultimately earning my degree in music education. I began my teaching career in the same institution were my music education began providing instruction in disciplines such as piano, solfeggio, and music theory. My passion for singing lead me to continue my studies in choir conducting at the Primorsky Regional College of Art where I also began my Classical training in voice as a Mezzo –Soprano. It is this foundation in voice and choir conducting which would provide me the opportunity to work with nationally and internationally known conductors and choirs within the United States and Europe. When I moved to the Bay area in 2003, opening a music studio was a natural extension of my life’s work.

Currently serving as the Chairperson for the Livermore Chapter of the National Guild of Piano Teachers Association (NGPT), I provide Master Class Instruction at my Music Studio in Livermore, California. I have prepared many students over the years for the National Guild of Piano Auditions resulting in numerous top talent awards from the Guild as well as High School Diploma’s in Music for my pupils. In addition, I also provide preparation for music colleges, auditions and music competitions such as the United State Open Music Competition.

With over 25 years of teaching and performance experience my aim is to combine the best of Russian and American approaches to music. I believe this approach provides students with a strong foundation in classical music which gives them the freedom to express and explore their own musical interests.

Stuart Frazier

As a professional guitarist with over 50 years performance experience playing rock, folk and solo fingerstyle, Stu has played in a number of groups including his current quintet, Blind Dog, who have been together for 22 years. He is an accomplished solo folk and fingerstyle guitarist and has opened concerts for Murial Andersen, Michael Chapdelaine and Todd Hallawell. Stu was a finalist in the 2009 Livermore Talent Show at the Bankhead Theater. Stu has been teaching beginning and intermediate guitar for 9 years. In addition to teaching essential guitar chords, chord theory and song structure, he includes basic music theory, notation, rhythm, tablature and performance techniques for all students. Intermediate and advanced fingerstyle students are taught through the use of tablature and example with concentration on tone and technique. In addition to guitar, Stu also teaches beginning ukulele.

Helen Orzel

California born Helen Orzel grew up playing piano in a family of classical musicians and studied music in Germany and Serbia. She got her Masters of Music from SJSU and has a fascination with how the brain works while is it learning. After pursuing a very formal music education, she found her passion in playing jazz and funk. She plays at a variety of venues around the bay area and occasionally tours. Helen believes that music is an innately human impulse and the best way to develop it is in a warm and encouraging environment.

Jan Fidelis

Jan Fidelis is a guitarist and composer with a B.A. in Music from UC San Diego, and High Honors awarded by the UCSD Music Department. He is also the recipient of the UC San Diego Music Department’s 2016 Farrel Prize, awarded to the year’s most outstanding graduating senior. He has been playing guitar since the age of 14, and before that he had studied piano for 7 years. Since he picked up the guitar, Jan fell in love with music and the creativity inherent in writing, performing, and teaching music. While at UCSD, he played with the on campus Jazz Ensemble and Baroque Ensemble, and had many of his own compositions performed at the Conrad Prebys Music Center in La Jolla. Although his main instrument is guitar, his compositions focused on more classical instrumentation, including a sextet with flute, clarinet, piano, percussion, violin, and cello. The genres which he practices in both performance and composition include heavy metal, jazz, electronic music, and experimental music.

Patti Leidecker

Patti Leidecker is a professional composer, singer and pianist. She began playing piano at the age of two and half and would later form a trio in high school in which she sang. The trio would go on to perform on live on television as would Patti later on as a solo artist. Patti received her degree in music from Sacramento State University. Patti continues to perform throughout the bay area and in 1996 release a CD of her own compositions. Patti has taught piano and conducted children’s choirs for over 30 years. Her teaching focuses on proper technique, musicianship, and expression, as well as music theory and history.

Janet Alejandra Camacho

Janet grew up singing Mariachi and playing classical piano. She studied music at UC Santa Cruz where she earned her Bachelors of Music in Vocal Performance and Piano. She has experience in different styles of singing: Chamber Music, Choral Works, Baroque/Romantic/Contemporary Opera, Chicano Theater, and as a professional Mariachi Singer. She specializes in huapangos, where she incorporates her classical training in high sustained notes that are common within the style. As a pianist she has performed as a soloist for private events, as well as coached and accompanied other instrumentalists and singers. As an undergraduate, Janet was awarded three Music Department scholarships for her musicianship and was also awarded scholarships through the Arts department due to her achievements. She was a finalist in NATS (National Association of Teachers of Singing) for two consecutive years, and she won 1st place at a university-wide talent show. Since leaving school Janet has performed as a lead in musicals in the Bay Area, as a singer in Northern and Southern California, has appeared as an actress in short films, and has written arrangements for ensembles. In addition to performing and working on projects, Janet also spends her time sharing her love of music with her students.