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M. Riccardo "Leónida" Boeretto - VIOLIN, VIOLA, CELLO
Days Available: Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays M. Riccardo "Leónida" Boeretto received the Bachelor Degree in Violin at the prestigious "B. Marcello" Conservatory of Music in Venice (Italy) and was immediately active as a violinist, solo violinist, and concert master in various orchestras and chamber ensembles. In 2005 began his career as conductor at the same time as the creation of the Veneto Philharmonic Orchestra in which he was the Artistic Director and the Conductor until 2019. With the same organization he organized and produced courses and master classes for young musicians and opera singers with the aim of creating activities and opportunities for the training of new generations, collaborating with important artistic institutions such as the Fondazione Teatro la Fenice in Venice (Italy). He has also collaborated with some of the most important music schools in Venice (Italy). Thanks to his experience as a musician and as a music teacher and trainer, he has developed a personal musical educational path in which the main characteristics are the joy of making music, expressiveness and interpretation also through the promotion and organization of ensemble music for young musicians. |
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ELENA BOWES - Piano
Days Available: Tuesdays, Wednesdays Elena Bowes was born and raised in Russia where she studied at the Zheleznodorozhniy Music School in Moscow for seven years. She currently holds a MBA degree from Moscow and a Bachelor’s degree in piano from the University of New Orleans. For the last twenty-five years, she has been instructing students of all ages and levels in piano. She can assess student’s skills and musical knowledge during the initial meeting and provide appropriate instruction in music theory and instrument technique so that students can progress toward their musical goals. Elena Bowes actively participates in recitals, concerts, and works with several music directors in religious organizations in the area. She is a member of the National Federation of Music Clubs and the Music Teachers National Association. |
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Arlim Chishi - Piano
Days Available: Wednesdays, Fridays, Saturdays Arlim Chishi is from Nagaland in Northeast India. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Music from Patkai Christian College and is pursuing a Master of Music in Church Music with a voice concentration at New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary. She has taught piano for more than ten years and enjoys working with children of all ages. Arlim has also served as a music director, accompanying and leading church choirs, and currently sings on the worship team at St. Bernard Church in Chalmette.Days Available: Wednesdays, Fridays, Saturdays |
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Vickie Dinh - PIANO
Days Available: Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays, Fridays Victoria “Vickie” Dinh is a Marrero, LA native. After graduating from the Academy of Our Lady high school, Vickie briefly studied radiology at Holy Cross college before realizing that she could not ignore her true passion: Music. She then went on to earn her BA in Music Studies from the University of New Orleans in 2019 after completing a senior piano recital featuring pieces by Mozart, Chopin, Debussy and more. Vickie has been around music since a young age. She was a part of the Chim Non “Young Birds” group at Mary the Assumption Church where she learned to read and write music. The group had many opportunities to perform during special holidays throughout the year. Eventually, Vickie started taking piano lessons at the age of seven. By the time she was eleven, she was accompanying masses with her dad. Currently, she is the accompanist at Saint Joachim church where she started the youth choir and at Saint Lê Thị Thành church. Vickie understands that students are busier than ever and while practicing at home is still an important aspect to learning any instrument or skill, Vickie creates an environment where students can thrive at their own pace. She believes in building a welcoming space for students to express their creativity. |
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Jason Fernandez - Guitar
Jason Fernandez is a Lafitte, Louisiana native and graduate of Southeastern Louisiana University, where he earned a Bachelor of Music in Music Performance with a concentration in classical guitar. At Southeastern, Jason studied classical guitar under Patrick Kerber and jazz under Dr. John Madere. His classical studies included the study of technique and repertoire associated with Fernando Sor, Mauro Giuliani, Matteo Carcassi, and Leo Brouwer, as well as works by Johann Sebastian Bach, Federico Moreno Torroba, and Francisco Tárrega. He also performed in Southeastern Louisiana University’s Classical Guitar Ensemble, Jazz Combo, and Advanced Jazz Combo.
Jason began teaching guitar during his junior year of college, providing private lessons through a local music store as well as independently in students’ homes. He has worked with students as young as six, teaching both beginner and intermediate players across a range of musical interests and experience levels.
Jason believes music lessons should give students both a strong foundation and the freedom to develop their own musical identity. His teaching emphasizes proper technique, music theory, consistency, and steady progress, while also leaving room for creativity and exploration. Improvisation plays an important role in his lessons because it allows students to express themselves, trust their musical instincts, be present in the moment, and ultimately become more musical in the way they listen, respond, and play. Above all, Jason wants his students to enjoy making music and feel comfortable developing their own sound. |
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Dr Candice Holley - Piano
Days Available: Tuesdays, Wednesdays Dr. Candice Holley, a native of Louisiana, began piano lessons at the age of three. Candice earned her Bachelor of Arts in Music Studies and Master of Music in Piano Performance from the University of New Orleans, where she graduated magna cum laude and summa cum laude, respectively. In 2019, she completed her Ph.D. in Fine Arts with a concentration in Musicology from Texas Tech University. Her dissertation, which contains over 600 pages, won the Outstanding Dissertation Award in the categories of Humanities and Fine Arts. Dr. Holley has served as a both private piano instructor and music history faculty member at Delgado Community College and the University of New Orleans. In addition to her academic pursuits, she trained as a professional ballerina, served as a classical ballet instructor and is a certified Pilates instructor. |
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DR CHIA-HSING LIN - Piano
Days Available: Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Fridays, Saturdays Dr. Chia-Hsing Lin has received his Doctor of Musical Arts from University of Cincinnati, College-Conservatory of Music. Currently, he is a piano instructor at Lafargue Music School and a Piano Faculty member at the University of New Orleans Music Department. Dr. Lin is the winner of the International Arlington Competition, the OMTA Piano competition, the Taipei Philharmonic Piano Competition, the First Taiwan Concerto Competition, and the Taiwan National Piano Competitions. Dr. Lin’s performance activities include Moisés Kaufman's"33 Variations", a Broadway Hit and recipient of 2014 New Orleans Big Easy Awards. In addition, a fundraising concert for Blackwater Methodist Church Choir to perform at the Lincoln Center in New York, the Ogden Museum of Southern Art performance, French Quarter Festival, Bach Around the Clock Marathon Concert at Trinity Church, the Saint Louis Cathedral performance, Deutsches Haus performance, Snug Harbor performance, WWLTV (CBS affiliates) performance, an opening concert of the autumn season in the Arlington Philharmonic Concert Series, Music 2007 Festival, Grandin Festivals, Chicago Flute Club Competition, Indiana State University 43rd Contemporary Music festival (Midwest premier of a new Piano Concerto by Judith L. Zaimont, Composer and Guggenheim Fellowship Recipient), 2011 CCM Bassoon Concerto Competitions as well as the Dame Myra Hess Memorial Concert Series in Chicago, broadcast live on WFMT. He has performed as soloist with the Central Philharmonic Orchestra in Beijing, the Taipei Philharmonic Orchestra and Chorus, the Taiwan National Symphony Orchestra, the National Institute of the Arts Chamber Orchestra, the Arlington Philharmonic Orchestra, and Indiana State University Music Band. |
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PAM MURPHY - PIANO, VOICE
Pam Murphy is a New Orleans–based jazz vocalist, pianist, music educator, and vocal performance coach with decades of experience as both performer and teacher. Originally from California, Pam studied classical piano at Pease Conservatory and CSU Sacramento where she earned Bachelor and Master of Arts degrees,, jazz piano at the California Jazz Conservatory in Berkeley, and popular styles — pop, funk, and reggae — at Musicians Institute in Hollywood. Her performance background spans church musician, popular-music bands, the California jazz circuit, and extensive live and studio work, including commercial music for television and radio. Pam now performs as a jazz vocalist on Bourbon Street and Frenchmen Street, as well as at clubs and private events throughout the city. As a piano instructor, Pam works with students of all ages and skill levels. She offers comprehensive classical instruction in technique, music theory, reading, and musicianship, while also recognizing that many students want a more direct path to playing the music they love. For those students, she uses an accelerated, practical approach built around major and minor scales, triads and inversions, chord qualities, lead sheets, and chord charts — giving students a strong musical foundation while helping them begin playing recognizable music early and develop fluency in the genres that inspire them. As a vocal performance coach, Pam emphasizes learning through singing and performance. Instruction is individualized around each singer's voice, goals, and musical interests. Coaching includes singing essentials such as intonation, ear training, breath support, projection techniques, range expansion and vocal health. However, Pam’s performance level coaching expands the focus to include stage presence, phrasing, song and key selection, microphone techniques, improvisation, scat singing, and development of the ears and vocabulary to enhance the musical conversation between singer and instrumentalists on stage. Pam's teaching philosophy is grounded in the belief that experience is the most powerful teacher, yet recognizes the importance of a quality instructor who understands that no two learners are alike. She combines high-level musical knowledge with clear, accessible instruction and real-world application — helping students build a repertoire, perform with confidence, and integrate individual skills into genuine musicianship. |
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Luola Seyie - PIano
Days Available: Wednesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays Luola Seyie is a dedicated piano teacher with seven years of teaching experience and a passion for helping students discover the joy of music. She earned her Bachelor of Music in Piano Performance from the Margaret Shishak School of Music at Patkai, Nagaland, India, and is currently pursuing a Master of Music in Church Music, with a concentration in piano, at New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary. Over the years, Luola has taught students of various ages and skill levels, helping them develop their piano technique, musical confidence, and appreciation for music. She believes that every student learns differently and strives to create a supportive and encouraging environment where students can learn, explore, and grow at their own pace. Whether a student is taking their first steps at the piano or looking to strengthen their existing skills, Luola is committed to making lessons enjoyable, meaningful, and tailored to each student's individual goals. |
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DYLAN TORRANCE - GUITAR, UKULELE, PIANO
Days Available: Mondays, Fridays Dylan Torrance is from the New Orleans area. He attended the New Orleans Center for Creative Arts (NOCCA) where he studied with New Orleans greats such as Michael Pellera, Jason Marsalis, Michael Rihner, and Chris Severin. Dylan received his Bachelor of Arts in Jazz Performance at the University of New Orleans. He studied with guitarists Steve Masakowski, Brian Seeger, and Hank Mackie. While attending UNO, Dylan also took instruction on guitar and piano from other great musicians such as Ed Petersen, Victor Atkins, Brent Rose, and many guest artists including Peter Bernstein, Dr. Lonnie Smith, Lionel Loueke, Ron Carter, and many more. Currently Dylan plays around New Orleans in many different groups including Tyler Kinchen and the RIght Pieces, Hector Gallardo's Cuban Jazz Trio, Fraulein Francis' Orchestra, various jazz ensembles, solo jazz guitar settings and more. His students have performed in a wide variety of settings that range from jazz ensembles, classical recitals, rock shows, blues jams, and many others. |
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Linden Uter - Voice, Piano
Days Available: Monday, Wednesdays, Thursdays With a Master's in Vocal Performance and Minor in Piano Performance, Linden enjoys teaching young children and helping people of all ages find their musical potential! Linden is also the music coordinator and organist at St. Francis Xavier Church in Old Metairie. Since her move to New Orleans in 2015, she has been singing and providing accompaniment for weddings and funerals all over New Orleans. Linden also enjoyed dressing up in 1940's military wear, performing as a Victory Belle at the National World War II Museum. |
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Dr Joy Valui - Piano
Days Available: Mondays, Wednesdays, Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays Joy was born and raised in Northeast India. She earned a Bachelor of Arts in Music with a minor in Piano from Patkai Christian College, and a Master of Music in Church Music Education from New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary. In 2025, she completed her Doctor of Musical Arts at the same institution, with an emphasis in Ethnodoxological Studies. She currently serves as a worship leader and pianist at her church in Uptown New Orleans. Joy began playing piano at a young age and served as a church pianist in India for several years. She has extensive experience teaching piano to students of all ages and believes music education plays a vital role in a child’s overall development. She also enjoys teaching adult learners, encouraging them that it is never too late to begin learning music. She is actively involved in music ministry and community outreach, having volunteered in orphanages and village schools in India. She helped establish the music program at Needy Home Academy School in Manipur, India, and continues to volunteer during her annual visits to India. Joy also serves periodically as a judge for music competitions, including the Mississippi Keyboard Festival. Her teaching philosophy emphasizes that each student is unique and that learning music should be enjoyable, combining technical skills with a strong understanding of theory. . |