PrivateStringslessons atCincinnati Music Academy

Dr. Gustavo Carpinteyro-Lara

Suzuki & Traditional Cello

Being a Suzuki parent, Gustavo Carpinteyro-Lara knows that patience, love and dedication to his own son, are the best way to nurture him. As a teacher, he believes that any student has a high level of learning potential; however it is the responsibility of a teacher to guide and help every student to pursue and achieve his/her goals no matter how small or big they are. His teaching focus on making student the best cellist can be, and guide the student to the most comfortable, intelligent and balanced way to master skills. Teacher and student should work together and the teacher will help the student understand how cello playing works through a combination of cello technique, the student’s physical abilities, the laws of physics and gravity; and music itself.

Sam Happeny

Suzuki & Traditional Cello

Samuel Happeny has been teaching cello since 2016. His students range in age from four to adults, but he has particular experience in teaching beginner level children. In order to bring out the maximum potential of the student, Samuel believes that it is the duty of the instructor to tailor their teaching method to the needs of each individual. Samuel graduated from University of Cincinnati’s College-Conservatory of Music with his bachelor’s in Cello Performance. Other than teaching, Samuel is a very active cellist, recording for Cincinnati hip hop groups and award winning movie scores. Most recently Samuel toured with the Eagles in Florida for their 2022 tour, and has performed with and is on the sub list for the Venice Symphony. Samuel is Suzuki Certified in books 1 and 2.

Hannah MacNeal

Traditional Violin & Viola

Piano

Hannah MacNeal is a multi-instrumentalist who has been professionally teaching violin and viola since 2016. In the past, she has worked worked with MYCincinnati and Cincinnati Strings, leading group classes and teaching violin, viola, guitar, and piano. She has experience teaching students from the age of three to retired folks, and she works under the belief that music is truly meant for everyone. Hannah has a bachelor of Music in Viola Performance from the University of Cincinnati’s College-Conservatory of Music (CCM).

Ally Oakes

Double Bass

Suzuki & Traditional Violin, Viola

Ally Oakes has been teaching violin and viola professionally since 2018. Ally has also worked with the New Horizons Orchestra since 2020 and has experience teaching general music and orchestra as a public school teacher. Ally teaches beginning to advanced level students and has experience teaching from age 5 all the way through students in their 90s. She has a bachelor of Music in Music Education from the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music (CCM).

Jennifer Picard

Suzuki & Traditional Violin, Viola

Jennifer approaches every student as an individual, and finds enjoyment in learning more every day how to make music accessible and fun for each student. Teaching both violin and viola in both Suzuki and traditional teaching styles, Jennifer has 14 years of teaching experience. The feeling of having an instrument placed on your shoulder for the first time is something Jennifer hopes every child has the chance to experience. Jennifer nurtures the idea that music should always be fun, and loves to teach her students songs they want to play from movies or songs they know.

Dan Qiao

Suzuki & Traditional Violin, Viola

Suzuki Strings

Dan Qiao has enjoyed a vibrant career as a concert violinist and chamber musician performing in concerts around the world, including in China, Germany, France, Poland, Netherland and the USA. Ms. Qiao has performed as a solo and chamber musician at such prestigious festivals as the Beijing Modern Music Festival( Beijing, China), Baroque Summer Festival (Cincinnati, OH), Mostly Modern music festival (Saratoga Springs, NY), Euro Music Festival (Halle, Germany), Rencontres Musicales Internationales des Graves (Bordeaux, France), and the Jubilee International Music Course (Opole, Poland), Lunigiana International Music Festival (Italy), Brevard Music Festival (NC, USA) and Splendor Summer Academy(Amsterdam, Netherland). She played chamber music recital with legendary violinist Maxim Vengerov at Rencontres Musicales Internationales des Graves in 2019. She also played in Carnegie Hall and Lincoln Center (NYC).

Matt Wiles

Bass Guitar

Double Bass

Matt has been teaching professionally since 2008. Specializing in bass guitar, upright bass, and music theory, Matt teaches students of all levels from beginner to professional. Matt’s curriculum emphasizes the development of a diverse knowledge of musical styles (jazz, rock, pop, and beyond) and concepts (music reading, theory, improvisation, etc.) while tailoring to the individual goals of any student. At the CMA, Matt’s students will also have the opportunity to perform recitals in a live band setting with both their peers and professional players.