Originally from the Dominican Republic, Milton Fernández began his musical journey at an early age in his home country. He earned a BM in Piano Performance, summa cum laude, from the Conservatory of Music of Puerto Rico, followed by an M.M. and Performance Artist Certificate from Stephen F. Austin State University, an M.M. in Arts Administration, and a D.M.A. in Piano Performance from the University of Oregon. Milton is an active performer on both national and international stages, having appeared as a soloist with the Youth Symphony Orchestra of Santo Domingo, the Camerata Washington Heights, and the Camerata Mozart Caribe. In 2015, he was honored by being inducted into the American Association of Musicians of Honor. He is also a dedicated member of the Music Teachers National Association, the Oklahoma Music Teachers Association, and the Tulsa Area Music Teachers Association. Milton’s artistic development has been shaped by his distinguished teachers, including Andrew Parr, Claire Wachter, and Dean Kramer, the last student of the legendary Vladimir Horowitz.

Sarah is a data scientist with experience in leading teams and solving complex problems. She holds an M.S. in Analytics from North Carolina State University and a B.S. in Biology, B.A. in Global Studies with Distinction, and a minor in Chemistry from the University of North Carolina. As Lead Data Scientist, Sarah develops and maintains a global product used by hundreds of users, utilizing Python, Azure, Agile, and version control. She collaborates with clients of varying technical expertise, focusing on automation and addressing key challenges. Her work includes analyzing large property portfolios to inform investment strategies and building an AI pipeline to analyze documents and store data in SQL.

Colton Hurley is a young pianist marked by an impressive technical command of the instrument and a surprising versatility in his stylistic grasp. He has performed his way from Bach to Bartok, including most notably a thundering performance of Rachmaninoff’s 2nd concerto with the Appalachian Symphony Orchestra in 2024. While studying at Appalachian State University, his alma mater, he played with the jazz bands and combos, sang in the choir and opera, arranged for and led acapella groups, and served the Boone community with his skills via his collaborative work. His approach to teaching is one that identifies technical prowess and the connection of the voice to the instrument as a path towards musical freedom, placing special emphasis on playing by ear (it’s something that can be developed!). He also enjoys bringing the world of classical piano to children by arranging their favorite songs using the technical vocabulary of composers in our Western lineage. He is keen to work with students of all ages and musical backgrounds, and excited to bring the world of piano into your home!

Farida Peña has an M.D. and a master’s degree in music education and music pedagogy. She has worked as a music educator, speaker, international workshop facilitator, and piano teacher for over 25 years, teaching multiple workshops in countries such as the Dominican Republic, Mexico, Puerto Rico, Brazil, and the USA. Farida has been trained in diverse musical methods such as MLT, Dalcroze, Orff, Kodaly, and Dissimilis. Currently, she works with Kindermusik International as part of the product development team and as a bilingual training specialist. Farida has 20 years of experience imparting Kindermusik classes.

Robbie Errico is a pianist and instructor who is devoted to instilling a lifelong passion for music in his students. Inspired by his grandfather, he began piano lessons at age 5 and has since then only continued to pursue his love of the instrument. Robbie aims to foster a well-rounded skill set, including technical training, aural skills, and music theory, but also aims to incorporate these subjects organically within the context of repertoire, building a solid foundation which promotes speed of improvement, flexibility, and retention. Robbie considers music to be an intimately personal part of us, and his mission as a teacher reflects that. Guided by his belief that the biggest strength of 1-on-1 instruction is the ability to personalize every lesson, he makes it a goal to learn what methods work best for each and every student, ensuring everyone is able to make progress and meet their goals in ways that speak to them. Recently celebrating 20 years as a pianist, Robbie studied piano at University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and North Carolina State University, and has performed internationally in music festivals as a soloist, ensemble member, and accompanist in a variety of styles and genres. His experience includes concerto competitions, solo recitals, duets, orchestral and choir works, and accompaniment work for numerous singers and instrumentalists.

Jared is a dedicated music instructor specializing in guitar, bass, and piano. With years of performing and teaching experience, he helps students of all ages and skill levels build strong technique, develop musical confidence, and discover their own creative style. Whether guiding beginners through their first chords, or helping advanced players refine their artistry, Jared tailors each lesson to meet each student's goals, making learning both structured and fun.