Sheila Vail
Piano
A native of Minneapolis, Minnesota Mrs. Vail earned both her Bachelors and Masters degrees in Piano Performance at the world-renowned Peabody Conservatory of Music in Baltimore, Maryland, where she was a student of Leon Fleisher.
Mrs. Vail is a US Ambassador for the RCM Certificate Program and speaks nationwide on the benefits of the program for students and teachers. She is also a member of the RCM College of Examiners and travels throughout Canada and the US hearing exam candidates at all levels.
A well established and highly respected teacher of Piano for over 40 years Mrs. Vail enjoys working with students at all levels.
Active in the RCM Certificate Program her students have won
at all levels including Regional and National Gold medals.
Peter Oehrtman
Piano
Peter Oehrtman received his Bachelor of Music degree at Bowling Green State University and his Master of Music in Piano Performance from the University of Cincinnati College Conservatory of Music. Peter is an active member of the Music Teachers National Association and has served in official roles on both the District and State levels. He was also the Assistant Director of the Indian Springs Academy from 2018-2022.
An experienced and skilled teacher he brings excitement and creativity to lessons infusing a Classical program with newer and modern styles! Skilled at preparing students for the RCM Certificate Program he teaches both Practical Piano
and theory subjects.
Christina Tan
Piano
Pianist-Composer Christina Tan holds a Doctor of Musical Arts in Piano Performance, Theory cognate from the University of Cincinnati’s College-Conservatory of Music. At CCM, she earned her Master’s and Bachelor of Music degrees while on various scholarship awards and teaching assistantships. Her teachers include James Tocco, Eugene & Elizabeth Pridonoff,
Frank Weinstock, and Béla Siki.
Christina’s students have been national and international level award winners in solo, chamber and composition competitions. Equally at home with both beginning and advanced levels, her intrinsic desire is to impact a student’s life by developing a lifelong passion for learning in a stimulating while nurturing environment. It is the supreme joy of awakening the wonder of creative expression, heightening aesthetic awareness and growth in others that fuels her passion for her calling as a teacher of music.
Inna Terekhov
Piano
Born and raised in Kishinev, Moldova, Mrs. Inna Terekhov came to the US in 1990. Her professional degrees include a Bachelors and Masters degrees in Piano Performance, a Masters degree in Accompanying, Chamber Music and Piano Pedagogy from and the Music College of Kishinev and the State Conservatory of Music Moldova, USSR. Her post graduate studies include Piano Pedagogy from the Gnesin Music Institute of Pedagogy, Moscow.
Mrs. Terekhov is also a Certified Suzuki Teacher of Piano.​
Her reputation as a professional teacher of piano throughout the Cincinnati area is superlative. Praised by her students for her dedicated and inspiring teaching, Mrs. Terekhov has prepared numerous students for professional careers in Music, but her mission serves to create passionate musicians. She strives to instill a love for piano and overall appreciation for music through the beauty and breadth of the classical repertoire.
Rodrigo Vasconcelos
Piano, Theory, Harmony
Rodrigo Vasconcelos holds a Master of Arts degree from Campbellsville University and a Piano Performance degree from the University of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. His teachers include Jefferson Johnson (UK, Choral Conducting), Rosana Lanzellote (Harpsichord), and the pianists Allan Hersh, Linda Bustani, Stella Caldi, and Wesley Roberts. A professional teacher of Piano for 25 years, Mr. Vasconcelos seeks the holistic musical and artistic development in his students through constant exposure to a variety of musical styles, improvisation,
musicianship and repertoire.
He also welcomes adult students in an engaging and inspiring exploration of the musical literature. Mr. Vasconcelos serves as music director for the Our Lady of Visitation School, Grades 4-8. He is also a member of the RCM College of Examiners and hears RCM exam candidates at all levels. At the Indian Springs Academy, Mr. Vasconcelos teaches Piano, Theory, Harmony and History and welcomes students of all ages and at all levels of study.
Ann Lin Baer
Violin
A Cincinnati native, Ann Lin Baer attended the University of Cincinnati College Conservatory of Music Preparatory Program studying both piano and violin and graduated magna cum laude from the New England Conservatory of Music. Ms. Baer was an Associate Violinist with the Columbus Symphony Orchestra for 15 years, has been an active member of the Dayton Philharmonic Orchestra since 1995, and since 2002 is the second violinist in the Dayton Philharmonic String Quartet. She is a former member of the Lancaster Festival Orchestra, and has performed with the Cincinnati Chamber Orchestra, the West Virginia Symphony Orchestra, and the Ohio Valley Symphony.
Ms. Baer has been teaching violin students in the Mason area since 1995 and was also an artist in the School Partners with Artists Reaching Kids program in Dayton for 14 years. Having had Cincinnati area teachers who were inspiring musical and personal role models, Ms. Baer strives to create for her students the many joyful experiences in the study of playing the violin.
Polina Bespalko
Piano
Polina Bespalko earned her Masters degree from the Moscow Conservatory, and her Artist Diploma and Doctorate of Musical Arts at the Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music. Described as an “amazing virtuoso” by the world-renowned Nikolai Petrov and having a “complex, vigorous and demanding energetic attitude at the piano” by Brazilian newspaper Correio Brasilense, Dr. Bespalko is rapidly establishing herself as one of piano’s brightest stars. Currently a full-time professor of Piano at Xavier University in Cincinnati Dr. Bespalko also serves as the Director of the Xavier University Music Series. She continues to maintain an active performance profile with numerous domestic and international engagements. In 2023 she was appointed
to the piano faculty at CCM.
Dr. Bespalko’s preparatory teaching schedule welcomes a limited number of students Level 4 and higher and will include RCM Certificate Program preparation. As a teacher, Dr. Bespalko is an advocate and champion for all developing artists and her motto is to help every student to find and develop their unique voice.
Luke Coan
Violin, Viola
A native of Cleveland, Ohio, Mr. Luke Coan earned his Bachelor of Music in Violin Performance at the University of Cincinnati College Conservatory of Music. His teachers include Won-Bin Yim, Ioana Missits, Peter Otto, and Mark Dumm of the Cleveland Orchestra. An active chamber musician he has coached with the Ariel String Quartet and the Cavani String Quartet.
A committed professional teacher, Mr. Coan has been teaching since high school. He is an active and passionate teacher working with students at all levels. He is a patient, committed and creative teacher who consistently inspires his students to achieve their potential and enjoy their musical journey.
Anna Katrina Aguiar
Cello
Originally from Park Ridge, Illinois, Ms. Aguiar earned her Bachelor of Music in cello performance from St. Olaf College, where she studied with David Carter. It was there that she became interested in Early Music and also started playing the viola da gamba. She went on to complete her Master of Music and Artist Diploma degrees from the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music, studying with Yehuda Hanani, Lee Fiser, and both the LaSalle and Tokyo String Quartets. Ms. Aguiar has been an active performer and teacher in the Cincinnati area for many years. She served as Principal Cello of the Kentucky Symphony Orchestra for twelve years, and performed with the Cincinnati Symphony and Chamber Orchestras
as well as the Dayton Philharmonic.
As an educator, she is a certified Suzuki teacher and a skilled professional teacher who inspires her students
to enjoy reaching their highest potential.
Eve Warner
Violin, Viola
Violinist Eve Warner is a graduate of Cincinnati Country Day School and Miami University, where she graduated magna cum laude with a degree in Violin Performance. Mrs. Warner is an MTNA Certified Teacher of the Violin and RCM Certified Advanced Specialist on Violin. An active Examiner in the RCM College of Examiners she is also an OMEA Solo & Ensemble Adjudicator and holds memberships in ASTA, MTNA and NAfME, and serves on both the OSTA board and SW Chapter of OMTA.
A frequent chamber music performer, Mrs. Warner’s primary professional focus is her career as a professional teacher of violin and viola. Working with all playing levels she is one of Cincinnati’s most well-established and reputable teachers. Mrs. Warner enjoys preparing her students for successful performances year-round including OMEA contests, area youth symphonies, and the RCM Certificate Program. Her students are frequent recipients of local and state awards and RCM State, Regional and National Gold Medals. She has also prepared students for successful careers as professional musicians.
Donald Broerman
Guitar
A Cincinnati native, Donald Broerman earned his Bachelor of Music degree in Classical Guitar Performance at the University of Cincinnati, College-Conservatory of Music (CCM) under the direction of Clare Callahan, graduating Magna Cum Laude in 2013. Starting his early training at the Musical Arts Center in Cincinnati Mr. Broerman also studied with David Case at the University of Oregon (School of Music) as well as Jazz guitar with Mike Denny and Chris Sorenson.
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Donald Broerman is an active composer of music for solo guitar. His original classical and classical crossover compositions have reached listeners in 73 countries on five continents.
Mr. Broerman is the Past President of Greater Cincinnati Guitar Society, as well as a member and guitar adjudicator for the Ohio Music Educators Association. A dedicated pedagogue, Mr. Broerman is an active participant in the RCM Certificate Program, His students have been
recipients of both Regional and National Gold Medals.
Marva Rasmussen
Violin, Viola
Marva Rasmussen is a certified Suzuki instructor and a licensed music educator in the state of Ohio. She received Bachelor and Master of Music Education degrees from the University of Missouri-Kansas City Conservatory of Music, and taught elementary and middle school strings in the Kansas City and Olathe, Kansas public schools.
Since moving to Cincinnati with her family, she has directed the chamber orchestra at Ursuline Academy, and founded the string program at Cincinnati Hills Christian Academy. She has always maintained a full and active studio, where her students have consistently received superior ratings at music festivals, received medals in the RCM Certificate Program, and perform in local student orchestras. An active performer herself, Mrs. Rasmussen can be seen performing around the Cincinnati area in one of the 5 regional orchestras she is a member of, or as
a member of La Chiesa String Quartet.
Houston Tyrrell
Voice
A native of Louisville, KY, Houston Tyrrell earned both his M.M. and B.M. degrees in Vocal Performance at the University of Kentucky. Mr. Tyrrell has performed with various opera companies including Cincinnati Opera, Opera Maine, and Kentucky Opera. A talented conductor, Mr. Tyrrell is the current Choir Director at Venice Presbyterian Church in Ross, Ohio. In addition to his work in the classical music world, he also has professional management for his engagements performing musical theatre and contemporary repertoire. His most recent musical theatre roles include "Lord Farquaad" in Shrek: The Musical, "Aldolpho" in The Drowsy Chaperone, and "Marius" in Les Misérables.
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Though he has an extensive performance career, his true passion is teaching! Mr. Tyrrell understands the tremendous value of an encouraging and committed teacher and the role they play to ensure success in one's educational journey. Using current voice science as the foundation for his teaching, Mr. Tyrrell enjoys helping his students find their voice through sequential and achievable goals, including preparation for local and school productions. In his teaching Mr. Tyrrell places importance on critical thinking and analysis as students establish consistent technique and artistry in their performances. Mr. Tyrrell is also happy to prepare his students for RCM exams to earn national Certificates of Merit in Voice.
Jeremy Collins
Guitar
Originally from Cincinnati and part of a musical family, Mr. Jeremy Collins holds a Bachelors degree from of the Cleveland Institute of Music where he studied with renowned guitarist, Jason Vieaux. His Masters degree in classical guitar performance is from the University of Southern California, Thornton School of Music in Los Angeles where he studied with William Kanengiser. A superlative performer, Mr. Collins has won first prizes at many solo guitar competitions and was also a finalist and prizewinner in the Guitar Foundation of America International Concert Artist Competition in Columbus, GA; the Tennessee Classical Guitar Competition; and the University of Louisville Guitar Competition. An active local performer, Mr. Collins also enjoys composing and performing his original compositions, and creating solo and ensemble arrangements for Guitar.
A committed and dedicated professional teacher, Mr. Collins has taught master classes, group guitar classes, and private students since 2004 and creates a comfortable and joyful learning
experience for his students at all playing levels.
Lynda Herndon
Violin, Viola
A native of Cincinnati, Ms. Herndon earned her B.S. in Accountancy with Violin Performance and Arts Management minors at Miami University and received her M.M. degree in Violin Performance from Louisiana State University. In December 2020, she graduated with an
MBA from Miami University.
Residing in New York City for fifteen years, Ms. Herndon was the Executive
Director of the Queens Symphony Orchestra. An active performer and teacher, Ms. Herndon was a professional violinist in numerous orchestras across the country, including Baton Rouge and Illinois Symphonies, and
has taught at Conservatories of Music.
At the Indian Springs Academy, Ms. Herndon welcomes students of all ages and at all playing levels. She prepares students for the RCM Certificate Program examinations on request. In teaching both Suzuki and traditional methods, she works to motivate and challenge her students while
guiding them through a joyful musical journey with an active
and inspiring teaching style.
Dan Qiao
Violin
A prize-winning violinist Dan Qiao is completing her DMA degree at the University of Cincinnati College Conservatory of Music under the tutelage of Timothy Lees. An active performer of both solo and chamber music her past performances include Rencontres Musicales Internationales de Graves,
Carnegie Hall and Lincoln Center.
An experienced teacher Ms. Qiao teaches all levels, beginning through advanced, embracing both traditional and Suzuki methods always incorporating secure foundational skills and
efficient practice techniques.
Ms. Qiao’s teaching focus is to inspire her students to excite
their learning and love of music.
Nora Ayvazian
Piano
Nora Ayvazian earned her Master of Music in Piano Performance from the University of Missouri-Columbia under the instruction of the late Jane Allen. As a dedicated teaching professional, Ms. Ayvazian has devoted her career to teaching piano students of all ages and levels. In addition to teaching private piano lessons, she has also taught music theory and music history
in a large classroom setting.
Greatly respected as a Beginning and Elementary Level specialist Ms. Ayvazian’z reputation as a warm and nurturing teacher is respected throughout Cincinnati. As an active participant in the RCM Certificate Program her students have earned more OMTA State Gold Medals of Excellence than any teacher statewide. Ms. Ayvazian welcomes students of all ages and at all levels
Beginning through Advanced.
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Mengle ‘Kristi’ Zhou
Piano, Theory, Music History
Mrs. Kristi Zhou was born in China and received her Bachelor of Arts degree from Shanghai Conservatory of Music, one of the most prestigious conservatory in China, and her Master of Music degree from Boston University School of Music.
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Mrs. Zhou has a wealth of experience teaching piano, music theory, music history and appreciation to students of all ages and levels of accomplishment. An experienced teacher of piano, Mrs. Zhou has also taught in classroom settings from kindergarten through high school, and taught Western music history and AP Music Theory for college preparatory students. Additionally, she has worked with students on choral rehearsals and performances, musical theatre productions, school musical productions
and a variety of other activities.
She is passionate about instilling a love of music in students of all ages and setting a solid foundation in their music education. She believes in developing the whole musician including ear-training, sight-reading, improvisation, composition, theory and creativity as well as superb technical abilities. To see the musical knowledge and appreciation accompany her students throughout their lives gives her the ultimate joy and satisfaction as a teacher of music.
contact us
Academy Location
9690 Cincinnati- Columbus Rd.
West Chester, OH 45241
Tel: 513-779-7070