Maraj P.

(Violin, Piano and Voice) Maraj began playing the violin at the age of 3. She studied at the Suzuki School of Music while taking private lessons with Patricia Reiter. From the age of 6-10 years old, she was considered one of the youngest beginning members of the Dearborn Youth Symphony. She also had the opportunity to study with DSO (Detroit Symphony Orchestra) violinist, Hai Xin Wu, and DSO Romanian-born violinist, Marion Tanau.

At 14, Maraj joined the Detroit Civic Symphony Sinfonia, (the third mini version of the DSO) and quickly worked her way up to the Detroit Civic Orchestra, the most advanced and well renowned student/adult orchestra. Maraj has been teaching since the age of 15 and continues to help her students advance and achieve their goals, receiving high awards in competitions and acceptance into music schools and orchestras. She also has experience in voice training and beginner piano.

Maraj is currently finishing her music and education degree at Oakland Community College. Her past is full of wonderful opportunities, playing for the Governor at fund-raisers and for diplomats from both Africa and France. Recently, she began a group of collaborating musicians called Unnoted.

David R.

(Piano) David R. is a former K-12 Band, Orchestra, Choir, and Piano Teacher, teaching at the Winans Academy of Performing Arts (Detroit), Hanley Academy (Hamtramck), and Madison Academy (Flint). He began playing piano at the age of six, string bass at age 11, and guitar at age 16. David holds the equivalent of a Bachelor's Degree in Music Education from the University of Michigan - Flint with piano as primary instrument. He played piano in the MSU Jazz Band and UM-Flint Jazz Band. He plays pop/rock, classical, ragtime, and jazz.

David composes and performs pop/rock songs. He was also the composer for two children's poetry books set to music, "A Little Bit of Nonsense" and "Great Lakes Rhythm and Rhyme" by Denise Rodgers.

David encourages students to learn music they are interested in and have fun with lessons, while also making sure that they have strong sight-reading and ear training skills, and a solid classical background.

George M.

(Piano) George has been teaching as a certified Suzuki piano instructor for the past 20 years and has taught all ages including adults. The Suzuki approach emphasizes acquiring musical reading skills as a language based approach (music is another language to be acquired) and involves the parents in the teaching process. He not only teaches classical but also jazz, ragtime and popular music styles. He also teaches a chord-based approach to learn the piano and to read music notation. This helps the student understand music and helps improve their sight-reading skills. George also leads two different churches in the metropolitan are and currently uses a range of styles in accompanying these services.

Donna L.

(Piano, Guitar) Donna inherited a love for singing and playing music from her mother. When she was nine, she served as accompanist, while her mother led the choir. Six years later, in Michigan, Donna began attending a Detroit conservatory, where she intended to continue her studies in piano and viola. Unfortunately, she and her piano teacher were porrly matched which interupted her studies for nearly 20 years. During that hiatus, she earned a BA and teaching certificate at the University of Michigan (Ann Arbor). She began playing guitar and then started a career derving church communities as worship leader and accompanist playing guitar, piano and keyboard. She loves leading congregational singing, accomanying either solo or as a director of worship bands and ensembles.

Donna has taught piano and folk-style guitar for 30 years and has worked successfully with students of all ages. She teaches children, adults and persons with special needs, using traditional methods and creative approaches geared to student abilities, needs and interests. She teaches paino note reading, along with chord based techniques, using formal lesson books and supplemental materials, including guitar lead sheets, from wich she teaches rudimentary piano improvisation.

Donna enjoys giving her students the experience of ensemble work, often accompanying their piano-playing on guitar.

Jacqueline K.

(Piano) Jacqueline has 20 years piano teaching experience. As an early beginner herself, she specializes in younger students, but has taught beginners as old as 75. She has also worked extensively with special needs students, those with autism or learning disabilities. When not teaching, Jacqueline spends her time accompanying in several local school districts, including Troy, Chippewa Valley and Utica. She also does free-lance work accompanying for local community theatres.

Michael S.

(Guitar) Michael began playing guitar at the age of 14 after being inspired by the sound of the guitar. He has an eclectic style and his influences span all genres of music.

At the age of 20, Michael joined the band Swimclub. During his short stint with the band, he helped compose, record and release their EP.

After being involved in a number of projects throughout the Detroit area, Michael began studying classical and Jazz guitar with Robert Gallagher at Schoolcraft College. He is currently working on his BA at the Detroit Institute of Music Education in addition to teaching full time. His passion for the instrument and his desire to see his students excel make him an excellent instructor.