Meet our Teachers!
“Our teacher has amazing classroom management and a great base of understanding music. She has clearly taught music for years.”–Redeemer Lutheran
Ariel Catanyag hails from the Bay Area and is a recent graduate of San Francisco State University. She is passionate about singing, enjoys exploring different vocal styles, and plays a variety of instruments, including flute, drums, and guitar. Ariel has experience working with children in both church and school settings as well as in after-school programs. She is excited to share her love of music with young students.
Charlene Chang-Grafilo began playing cello as a child and earned and a BM in Cello Performance from the University of California, Los Angeles, and an MM in Cello Performance from the San Francisco Conservatory of Music. She has performed with several Bay Area ensembles (e.g., the Stockton Symphony, Sacramento and Santa Cruz Symphonies) as well as symphonies in Southern California. Charlene currently maintains a private studio of cello students.
Nancy Lai is a pianist, trombonist, and music educator with over 10 years of experience. She earned a BM in Taiwan and a Master's in Music Education from San Jose State University. Nancy has performed with various ensembles and symphonies in Taiwan and the Bay Area, including as a community member at Standard Symphony Orchestra. As an educator, she teaches general music at elementary schools in the Bay Area and offers private and group lessons for piano and trombone students of all ages and levels. She is currently pursuing a single-subject teaching credential in music. Nancy is passionate about inspiring her students to explore their musical potential and creativity and strives to foster a lifelong love of music in her students.