Originally from the Dominican Republic, Dr. Milton Fernández, D.M.A., is a concert pianist, educator, and the Founder and Co-Director of Nuance Music Studio. His artistic work centers on classical performance as a space for cultural dialogue, placing the established piano canon in conversation with the historically underrepresented Ibero and Latin American repertoire that shaped his own musical formation. He began his musical studies at an early age, earning his Bachelor of Music in Piano Performance, summa cum laude, from the Conservatory of Music of Puerto Rico, before continuing his studies in the United States with a Master of Music and Performance Artist Certificate from Stephen F. Austin State University. He later completed a Master of Music in Arts Administration and the Doctor of Musical Arts in Piano Performance from the University of Oregon.

An active performer on national and international stages, Fernández has appeared in solo and collaborative performances across the United States, Latin America, and Europe. His recent engagements include recitals in Raleigh, North Carolina, featuring works by Ginastera, Schumann, Soler, Liszt, and Villa-Lobos, and a return engagement at Stephen F. Austin State University with a program spanning Romantic and 20th-century repertoire. In 2026, he appeared in recital at the Tulsa Performing Arts Center.

His international work includes participation in the global commemoration of Beethoven's 250th anniversary, presented by the Goethe-Institut of Germany and Mexico, first in collaborative recital with pianist Nathalie Fortin, and later returning to close the celebration with one of Beethoven's final sonatas. As a concerto soloist, Fernández has performed with ensembles including Camerata Washington Heights and Camerata Mozart Caribe, with appearances in both the United States and the Dominican Republic, including a guest soloist appearance at Aaron Davis Hall in New York City under Maestro Carlos Andrés Mejía Zuluaga, performing Górecki's Concerto for Piano and String Orchestra.

He has presented solo recitals at the National Theater of Santo Domingo and the Capilla de los Remedios, with programs featuring Beethoven, Schumann, Soler, Albéniz, Ginastera, and Saint-Saëns, alongside collaborations in chamber music and vocal-instrumental repertoire. His artistry has been recognized with induction into Pi Kappa Lambda, the American honor society for musicians, and his artistic lineage reflects a distinguished pedagogical tradition, having studied with Andrew Parr, Claire Wachter, and Dean Kramer, the final student of Vladimir Horowitz.

Music education is a family legacy for Dr. Fernández. His mother and grandmother founded Estudio Dina, one of the most prestigious music academies in the Caribbean and a member of the Asociación Latinoamericana de Conservatorios y Escuelas de Música (ALCEM), which has been shaping musicians for 40 years and remains active today. This multigenerational tradition of personalized music education is the foundation on which he built Nuance Music Studio, first established in North Carolina before expanding to its Tulsa location.

At Nuance, Dr. Fernández has developed a tailored curriculum designed to deliver consistent, high quality results across all students and instruments. A core part of his role is training and mentoring the studio's instructors so that every teacher can deliver that curriculum with the same standard of excellence. He teaches piano students of all ages and levels, from young beginners to pre-professional and advanced musicians, and offers instruction in both English and Spanish. His teaching approach combines kinesthetic and aural methods, with a focus on healthy technique, musical confidence, and a genuine love for the instrument, drawing on years of performance experience and a deep belief that music education builds not just technical skill, but curiosity, discipline, and a lifelong connection to music.

For his full performance biography and upcoming concerts, visit 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. 

Dr. Andrea Fultz is an accompanist, teacher, and musician. She has received her Bachelor’s of Science in Music Education from Minot State University (Minot, ND), Master of Music in Piano Performance from the University of Missouri (Columbia, MO), and Doctor of Musical Arts in Piano Performance and Pedagogy from the University of Oklahoma (Norman, OK). As a freelance musician, she played for many renowned artists and groups. 

Most recently, she collaborated with the OAKE organization in several capacities: as the Mixed and Women’s Choral Accompanist for the National Conference, playing for the summer levels trainings, and working/accompanying alongside teachers at National conferences and workshops. She has also been the pianist at the Kammermusik Chamber Festival in Sante Fe, NM, Dakota Chamber Music Festival in Minot, ND, and was the accompanist for the Raise Your Voice campaign through the Tulsa Opera. 

She has also worked with soloists and large groups with many organizations including the Classical Music Festival (Austria), New York Summer Music Festival, University of Oklahoma, Rose State College, Northeastern State University, University of Missouri, Tuttle Public Schools, Blanchard Public Schools, Deer Creek Public Schools, Coweta Public Schools, Oklahoma Master Chorale, and First Baptist Church-Norman. She lives south of Broken Arrow on their family farm with her husband Daniel and their son.

Gabrielle Hightower graduated from the University of Central Oklahoma in December 2024 with a bachelors in Music Education. She has been singing ever since she could talk. During middle school and high school she participated in several honor choirs including COCDA and Allstate. 

Gabrielle received superior ratings at district and state solo and ensemble competitions. As for her teaching experience, she has been helping students achieve different goals for about 5 years. She is excited to help aid even more students throughout their vocal journeys.

Kendal Malilong is a passionate music educator with many years of experience in teaching and working with young children. Kendal has collaborated with local musicians, studios, orchestras, and schools, gaining hands-on experience in both instructional and performance environments. A multi-instrumentalist, Kendal plays violin, viola, and cello, bringing a well-rounded approach to string education and inspiring students to develop confidence and a love for music.

Jenny Grossman is an accomplished teacher and professional pianist of more than 10 years who is passionate about teaching piano and music composition. Jenny has a proven track record of working with students with Special Needs, including those with Autism, ADHD, Cerebral Palsy and Gifted and Talented students. 

Jenny's concert-level composition "Tvoja Pjesma" won the prestigious #1 Nevada Silver State Award in 2018. In addition to earning an Associate of Arts in Music from Truckee Meadows Community College, Jenny completed an advanced, intensive 4-year private mentorship of piano performance and composition under Dr. James Winn, former Director of Piano Performance at University of Nevada, Reno (UNR).

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.

Max is a professional guitar player from Tulsa, OK who has a passion for teaching students. He has 20+ years of learning and playing guitar himself. From performing in rock bands to hip-hop/R&B groups, Max is glad to share what he has learned with his students. 

Music Credits: -The Lonely Hearts- High School Rock Band -Jazz Band- TSAS and Edison High School. -Blacker Sabbath- Black Sabbath Tribute Band -Johnny Polygon- Rapper/Hip Hop Artist -Ayilla- R&B Artist Featured on Johnny Polygon track: "Last Black Rockstar" feat. Max the Axe Found on Spotify and Apple Music.

Beth Chedester has taught piano for 38 years, teaching all styles and genres, from the Classics to Pop to Praise and Worship. She has a bachelor's degree in Music Education with an emphasis on Piano from West Virginia University, and has continued her music education through grad school, mentorships, and specialty classes. 

Beth is experienced in teaching all ages, from young children to senior adults. She uses traditional teaching materials, but has also created lesson books and theory books for all ages. Beth's Keyboard Ensemble music, written for 3 - 9 players on keyboard, is published with Ogilvy Music. Not only does she teach piano and keyboard ensemble, but theory and music composition as well. 

Beth is known as a challenging but fun teacher. She is especially gifted in helping students who have been discouraged with piano to learn to love it again.

Matthew is an accomplished singer and actor, originally born and raised here in Tulsa, OK, and is thrilled to work with anyone who wants to discover their voice and learn about the joy of music. 

With over 10 years of formal voice training, including a BFA in Musical Theatre from Wichita State, and, most recently, a Master of Music in Vocal Performance from NYU, he is equipped and excited to work with students on their vocal goals and give them the tools to sing not only easier but smarter. 

As a performer, he was most recently seen in the Hawaii Performing Arts Festival production of Into The Woods (The Baker). Other favorite credits include Anything Goes (Moonface Martin) and The Little Mermaid (Ursula). In high school, Matthew was selected for the Honors Performance Series Choir at Carnegie Hall and was one of the first students ever chosen for the Kristin Chenoweth Broadway Bootcamp during its inaugural year; he still interns for the camp during the summers. In 2020, he was a NATS finalist, placing 5th in the West Central region in the Upper College Music Theatre division. Matthew has also performed at several renowned venues in NYC and was selected to perform in Times Square during Earth Day 2024.

As a musician, Dustin has been playing music since 2008, starting out on Trombone and Tuba. He has performed in Jazz, NuFusion Jazz, Afro-Cuban Jazz, Funk, Rock, Progressive Metal, RnB, Hip-hop, Orchestra, Wind Band, English Brass Band, Brass Quintet, Brass Quartet, Brass Duet, Solo, Collegium, as well as a Gamelan Ensemble. He has been working as a solo artist, studio musician, and hirable bassist for local artists in the Tulsa Area. 

Dustin studied Music Composition and Theory at Santa Fe University of Art and Design, Columbia College Chicago, Henderson State University, and University of Tulsa. He has taught Bass Guitar, Guitar, Tuba, Trombone, and Euphonium. Due to his classical/jazz background, his teaching philosophy emphasizes incorporating music theory and ear training to develop musical skills.