Krescendo Music Academy

🎼 Meet the Teachers🎼

Alexandra Pitocchi, an active pianist and teacher, was born in Massapequa, NY. Starting at a young age, she developed a deep love for classical music and found the piano to be a great source of solace and self-expression. As an educator, Alexandra believes in the importance of fostering intrinsic motivation and giving each student the tools to become independent and confident musicians.

Alexandra began teaching piano during her undergraduate studies at the Crane School of Music, where she earned a Bachelor of Music in Piano Performance with a concentration Pedagogy. Here, she was able to gain extensive experience working closely with students of various ages and levels, allowing her to become familiar with a wide of array of repertoire and method books. While at Crane, Alexandra studied solo piano with Dr. Paul Wyse and piano pedagogy with Dr. Kathryn Sherman.

Alexandra also holds a Master of Music in Piano Performance and Pedagogy from Westminster Choir College, where she graduated with distinction. As a graduate assistant, she taught private piano lessons at Westminster Conservatory as well as group piano classes. During her time at Westminster Choir College, Alexandra completed internships under the guidance of Phyllis Lehrer and Betty Stoloff, focusing mainly on teaching in a group setting. She has also performed in master classes with prestigious pianists such as Lori Sims and Thomas Otten.

In addition to an extensive teaching career, Alexandra is an active soloist and collaborator and works regularly with vocalists. She has performed at multiple venues, including Weill Recital Hall at Carnegie Hall, Snell Theater (Potsdam, NY), Helen M. Hosmer Concert Hall (Potsdam, NY), and Williamson Hall (Princeton, NJ).

🎼Meet the Teachers🎼

A graduate of Mannes School of Music (MM in piano performance 2021) and Florida State University (BM in piano performance 2018), Christopher Banka has won numerous awards for solo and chamber piano. Chris has performed in more than 100 recitals, concerts, and master classes, including at the International Keyboard Institute & Festival, Kinhaven Music School, Meadowmount School of Music, the Princeton Festival, and Weill Recital Hall, Carnegie Hall. In 2020, Chris was selected to represent the state of New Jersey in the MTNA Young Artist Piano Competition. He is currently studying piano with Vladimir Valjarević and Adrienne Kim; previous teachers include Read Gainsford and Joel Hastings.

My teaching philosophy is to instruct my students in a manner that garners a deep love of music. From this love comes a strong desire to learn, listen, practice, and perform. Understanding that a student is an individual with a unique set of strengths and weaknesses is crucial for this. Musical development is a lifelong journey. As a teacher, it is my job to help a student find their own artistic path. This creates an enjoyable, fun, and exciting learning environment that fosters a love for music.

🎼Meet the Teachers🎼

Oboist Angela Park completed her DMA in Oboe Performance and minored in Music Theory and Music Education from the University of Southern California. She received her Master's from Yale University and her Bachelor's from the University of Texas at Austin. She is an active performer and educator in the Los Angeles and DFW area. She is currently on faculty at Occidental College, Mount Saint Mary's University and Tarrant County College teaching oboe, music theory, music appreciation, and music research. Her primary teachers include Allan Vogel, Joel Timm, Marion Kuszyk, Stephen Taylor, Rebecca Henderson, and Donna Schmidt.

TEACHING PHILOSOPHY:

I am an experienced oboist and a teacher and I have been teaching since 2009. As an instructor, I believe the foremost importance in teaching and learning music is to encourage one to engage with their inner expressiveness, and to give personal freedom in music so that one develops their own sense of musicality. It is a rewarding experience to share my musical experience with students, and I hope to continue cultivating musicians and to help in their musical journey.

🎼Meet the Teachers!🎼

Violinist Yuyu Ikeda debuted at the age of ten as a soloist with the Bellflower SymphonyOrchestra, and has since then performed with the Ueno Orchestra in Japan and the Orchestra Collective of Orange County. An avid orchestral musician as well, Yuyu has performed with the New World Symphony, New York Classical Players, and the Pacific

Music Festival Orchestra where she served as concertmaster. Yuyu has also collaborated with many interdisciplinary artists and ensembles in New York City. Recently, she performed in a multimedia production with award-winning theatre group RenGyoSoh, and a showcase of Bach and Ysaye with dance and narration alongside members of the String Orchestra of New York City. At Juilliard, her quartet was invited to perform in Juilliard’s “Focus!” festival for contemporary music.

A passionate educator and outreach artist, Yuyu is a teaching fellow at Juilliard’s MAP program and at Midori and Friends, where her mission is to make music more accessible to underrepresented children around the city. She has also performed in Carnegie Hall’s Link-Up concert series, an educational program to introduce classical music to youth. Yuyu also enjoys bringing her music to hospitals and nursing homes, a project she started in middle school in Japan, and has brought to communities in Oberlin and Massachusetts.

Yuyu holds a Masters degree from the Juilliard School where she studied with Laurie Smukler, and received Bachelor’s in biology and violin performance from the Oberlin

College and Conservatory, under David Bowlin. Previously, she studied with Koichiro Harada and Linda Rose.

Teaching Philosophy

I put a strong emphasis on developing both solid fundamental technique and creative imagination from the early stages of learning violin. This may mean fixing bad habits that could lead to injury, practicing certain body movements that would help develop more variety in sound, and learning things that are not just about the act of playing - for example, the structure of the music, how to read rhythm, interpreting dynamic markings.

🎼Meet the Teachers🎼

Ramilya Saubanova is a musician of profound sensitivity, passion and lyricism. In her artistry, she embodies a harmonious blend of eloquence and simplicity that resonates with audiences far and wide.

Ramilya began her musical journey in 1994 in Nizhnekamsk, Republic of Tatarstan, Russia, where she first touched the keys of a piano at the age of eight. Over the years, she has nurtured her talent, shining brightly in competitions, festivals, and recitals across a multitude of cities, both in Russia and abroad, including France, Switzerland, the USA, and her beloved homeland of Tatarstan.

Ramilya Saubanova is a laureate of international competitions, including the World Vision Music International Competition, where she won the Grand–Prix at the National Level in 2021. In 2016, she was awarded a scholarship from the President of the Republic of Tatarstan, a testament to her outstanding musical abilities. Her recognition extends to the 2019–2022 Clara Asherfeld Piano Accompaniment Award, the 2021–2022 Arabella Leith Symington Griswold Scholarship, and scholarships from patrons such as Mr. and Mrs. Keter, Mr. Sofer, and Mr. Metshin, who supported her in 2018–2020. Ramilya’s gratitude also extends to Laura L. S. Lucas for her role in establishing The Alyne Ludwig–Subock Memorial Scholarship at the Peabody Conservatory, which Ramilya received in 2020–2021.

Ready to finally pick up the guitar? Meet our new guitar teacher Daniel Erdahl!

Teaching Philosophy
When it comes to teaching, my priority is tailoring the lessons to the specific goals of each student. Whether you seek music for fun or have ambitious aspirations, I will provide you with the tools necessary to accomplish your objectives. I believe in teaching through the music that resonates with my students, whether that’s Beyonce, Metallica, Bach, or any other genre. The underlying concepts of music remain the same, and my goal is to ensure that you can play the music you love while also exploring new musical horizons.
My own diverse musical background enables me to teach different types of guitars, including electric, acoustic, and nylon/fingerstyle. I am proficient in classical guitar, blues, bluegrass, rock, metal, jazz, and country.

BIO:
Daniel Erdahl is a seasoned performer and educator with over 25 years of professional teaching experience. He successfully guides students of all ages, backgrounds, and abilities to reach personal goals on their musical journeys. His passion for music and decades of experience in the industry give him expertise in identifying and cultivating the unique needs and aspirations of each student.

Currently based in New York City, Daniel continues to teach and perform regularly. As a father, Daniel's daughter's love for music inspired him to create music classes for toddlers, demonstrating his commitment to sharing the joy of music with all ages.

🎤 Ready to discover your voice and ignite your inner performer? Singing is not just enjoyable; it's a powerful form of self-expression. Our skilled instructors are here to nurture your skills and boost your confidence, no matter your level. Whether you're starting or seasoned, let's achieve your singing aspirations together.

📣 Elevate your singing with virtual lessons from Krescendo Music Academy. Enroll today and find your voice!

Wave goodbye to the music lesson shuffle! Discover ease with Krescendo Music Academy. Our virtual lessons bring music directly to your home's comfort. Exceptional instruction is just a click away, delivered by our esteemed teachers. Gift your child the joy of music, watch their confidence soar, and talents shine.

Unlock their potential with virtual music lessons from Krescendo Music Academy. Enroll today! 🏠

Did you know that making music stimulates your brain uniquely? Experience this magic with Krescendo Music Academy! 🎶 We're here to help you reach your musical aspirations – whether it's honing skills, mastering an instrument, or embracing creativity. Our virtual lessons bring music to your doorstep. Embark on your musical adventure now and unleash the brain-boosting power of music! 🌟