Dr. Milton Fernández, D.M.A., is a concert pianist, educator, and the Founder and Co-Director of Nuance Music Studio. Originally from the Dominican Republic, he holds degrees from the Conservatory of Music of Puerto Rico, Stephen F. Austin State University, and the University of Oregon, where he earned his Doctor of Musical Arts in Piano Performance. His performance career has spanned the United States, Latin America, and Europe, with appearances alongside ensembles such as Camerata Washington Heights and Camerata Mozart Caribe, a multigenerational commitment to music education that traces back to his family's founding of Estudio Dina in the Dominican Republic (read more on our About Nuance page). 

At Nuance, Dr. Fernández has developed the studio's tailored curriculum and trains and mentors its instructors to deliver it consistently across every student and instrument. He has taught at the university level through his graduate fellowship as well as in private academies, working with students from young beginners to professional pianists. His approach combines kinesthetic and aural methods with a focus on healthy technique, musical confidence, and genuine love of the instrument, and he teaches in both English and Spanish. Learn more about his concert career at miltonfernandez.com.

Sarah Fernández is a Co-Director of Nuance Music Studio, originally from Raleigh, North Carolina. While her background is in data science and technology, her role at Nuance is rooted in a deep commitment to operational excellence and seamless communication between families, teachers, and the studio.

At Nuance, Sarah oversees parent communication, social media, technology infrastructure, and financial operations, ensuring that every family's experience with the studio is smooth, responsive, and welcoming from the very first interaction. She is passionate about leveraging technology to make the studio run efficiently so that teachers can focus on what they do best and families always feel supported and informed. Sarah believes that a well-run studio is the foundation of a great musical experience: that when the behind-the-scenes details are handled with care, students and families can focus entirely on the joy of making music.

Sarah holds an M.S. in Analytics from North Carolina State University and a B.S. in Biology and B.A. in Global Studies with Distinction from the University of North Carolina. In her professional career as a Lead Data Scientist, she works with Python, Azure, and AI pipelines, and specializes in building automation systems, orchestration agents, prompt engineering, and AI powered tools. She uses her technical expertise directly for Nuance's operations and technology strategy and keeps Nuance at the forefront of how modern music studios communicate, operate, and serve their communities.

Having studied piano extensively, Sarah brings firsthand understanding of the student experience to everything she does at the studio. She communicates fluently in both English and Spanish, ensuring that Nuance's bilingual community always feels at home. 

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. 

Colton's 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!

Polina is a singing and piano teacher, performer, singer/songwriter, and educator with over 15 years of teaching and stage experience. She holds a Master of Arts degree with honors from Kyiv National University of Culture and Arts, and her teaching is built on a strong academic foundation combined with modern, student-centered methods. 

Polina's goal is to create a supportive, inspiring, and structured learning environment where students feel motivated and make steady progress, whether they are learning for pleasure, education, or performance. She is a patient, professional, and passionate music teacher, and her approach to teaching music incorporates personalized lesson programs tailored to each students' goals, level, and learning style. She holistically shapes students' music education, developing technique, musicality, rhythm, ear training, and emotional expression. Versed in both modern and classical methods adapted for today's students, she focuses on healthy technique, confidence, and enjoyment of music. 

Born and raised in Miami, Florida, Carlos was exposed to a wide variety of music and musical disciplines from an early age. From being in school ensembles and marching bands to being in metal bands as a teenager, he grew up taking in music in all its forms. In his early adulthood, he moved to Orlando, Florida, where he refined his skills playing guitar for local artists such as Kuya, Antonio Thorton, Dia, and Will May, as well as co-founding a cover group called Gruv.

Alongside his performance experience, he also found a calling in music education. In 2022, he began teaching at The Orlando School of Music, where he taught Piano, Guitar, Bass, and Drums to a roster of over 50 students. As a passionate instructor, he saw many of his students go on to perform in recitals, local groups, and even district talent shows. With his all-inclusive approach to music, he makes sure that whoever is taking a lesson feels fulfilled in their pursuit of the artform. Fast forward to 2026, and he is now planting roots in North Carolina, where he hopes to enrich others through music education and performance.

Farida Peña, M.D., is a Co-Director of Nuance Music Studio. Originally from the Dominican Republic, where she practiced medicine, she brings an interdisciplinary perspective to music education, bridging a scientific understanding of child development with decades of hands-on teaching experience, from neurological development to how young bodies and minds engage with music at each stage of growth. 

For 30 years, she served as Co-Director of Estudio Dina alongside her mother, one of the most prestigious music academies in the Caribbean and a member of ALCEM, a multigenerational philosophy of personalized, community-rooted education she and Dr. Fernández brought to Nuance Music Studio (read more on our About Nuance page).

Dr. Peña has worked in early childhood music education since 2002, drawing on the Kodály Method, Music Learning Theory (Gordon MLT), and the Orff Method to create learning environments that are engaging and developmentally appropriate. She holds a Master's in Music Education and Music Pedagogy and is completing a Master's in Neuropsychology and Education. 

At Nuance, she teaches Kindermusik for ages 0–6 and beginning/intermediate piano, offering a natural bridge between the two, and works alongside Dr. Fernández on curriculum development and instructor training. She teaches in both English and Spanish. For her full professional profile, visit her LinkedIn.

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.

Lucas has loved creating music for as long as he can remember. From playing on pots and pans to taking piano lessons as a child, music has always been a part of his life. His passion for guitar began when he watched his father play Argentinian folk music and teach his older brother a few chords. Inspired, Lucas picked up the instrument himself and has been dedicated to learning and growing as a musician ever since. 

Recently graduated from Elon University with a degree in Music Production, Lucas studied music theory, aural skills, jazz harmony, jazz improvisation, and took private guitar instruction. He also performed in jazz combo ensembles and sought out every opportunity to collaborate and make music with others. In addition, Lucas had the opportunity to teach a small group of middle school students the fundamentals of guitar, helping them develop both their technical skills and enjoyment of music. 

Lucas is passionate about sharing what he has learned with students of all ages and skill levels, and looks forward to helping others discover the same excitement and creativity that music has brought to his life.