Teachers at The Music Studio at The Music Room
Lauren Whittaker-Piano & Music Together
Lauren Whittaker studied piano with Ina Pihlman of Chatham, New Jersey, and Rachel Goodwin, Music Director of the Ashmont Hill Chamber Players in Boston, Massachusetts. She has also studied the Suzuki Talent Education Program for Piano with Kiki Barley and Sue Vasquez of the Pittsburgh Music Academy.
In addition to piano teaching, Ms. Whittaker has directed both children’s and youth choirs as well as English hand bell choirs for teens and adults at the Church of Christ, Congregational in Millis, Massachusetts. She also acted as substitute (adult) choir director and organist there.
Holding a degree in Music Education (cum laude) from Boston University, Ms. Whittaker taught general music in elementary and junior high school in addition to recorder ensembles and string classes in the Wellesley (Mass) Public Schools. There she also directed elementary choruses in productions including The Music Man, The Mikado, and The Velveteen Rabbit. Ms Whittaker has been certified in Orff-Schulwerk from Carnegie Mellon University and is a registered Music Together teacher.
Gary Stewart-Guitar
Gary Stewart studied classical guitar with international performing and recording artist, John Dearman of the Los Angeles Guitar Quartet and jazz guitar with recording artist Peter Spraque.
In addition to performing throughout the San Diego, CA area and the Pittsburgh, PA area with various jazz and classical artists and groups, Mr. Stewart has also taught jazz and classical guitar in group and private lessons in San Diego, CA and Greensburg, PA.
Kathryn Skemp, Soprano
Kathryn Skemp studied voice at Northwestern University, receiving her Bachelor of Music Degree and at Boston University where she received a Master of Music Degree. In addition to performing with Glimmerglass Opera, Boston Lyric Opera, Chicago Opera Theater, Utah Opera, Aspen Opera Theater, and Madison OPera, she has appeared with the Boston Symphony Orchestra, The Boston Pops, Utah Symphony, and The New Group.
Her many roles include Niad in Ariadne auf Naxos, Lucia in Lucia di Lammermoor, Rosasharn in The Grapes of Wrath, the Strawberry Seller in Death in Venice, Jano in Jenufa, Depina in Cosi fan tutte, Marie in Daughter of the Regiment, Anne Egermann in A Little Night Music, Laurie in The Tenderland, Hero in Beatrice et Benedict, Adele in Die Fledermaus, Madchen in Der Kaiser von Atlantis, and Barbarina in Le Nozze di Figaro.
Ms. Skemp has taught at private studios in New York City, Boston, and Evanston. She is also a registered Music Together Teacher having taught at the West/East Side Music Together Centers for Family Music in New York City. She currently Studies with Julliard Faculty member W. Stephen Smith.
Rana K. Ganjineh, Cellist
Rana Ganjineh studied at Honarestaneh Musigh Mely, a music high school in Tehran majoring in Violincello. She received her Bachelor of Music Education from Duquesne University and has an Artist Diploma in applied music from Duquesne.
Additionally, Ms. Ganjineh has completed Suzuki Training through the Eighth level at the Chicago Suzuki Institute and is expected to complete Levels Nine and Ten soon. She has also studied the Kodaly Method and Solfege at Silver Lake College in Wisconsin.
Ms. Ganjineh has taught both violin and 'cello at the Seton Center Suzuki School of Music, in addition to teaching engagements at the Westmoreland Suzuki School of Music and at the Center for Young Musicians. She has been a 'cellist in the Edgewood Symphony and is a member of the Suzuki American Association and Kodaly Association.