Our Educators

Our teaching staff of 12 full-time, music degreed teachers are full-time employees – earning a full-time salary and receiving health and retirement benefits – which creates a supportive, family atmosphere. Students can be assured of being placed with the most appropriate teacher since our teachers do not compete for students. The entire faculty works as a team with the best interests of each student in mind.

Larisa Morozova

Larisa was born in the former Soviet Union and received her Master’s Degree in Music from the Byelorussia State Conservatory in Minsk. As she furthered her career, she became the Director of the Piano Department at a leading music school where she oversaw 600 students and 30 piano teachers. Each year, Larisa enters numerous students into district and regional contests, many of whom have won and gone on to compete on the state level. A member of Missouri Music Teachers Association (MMTA), Larisa has taught private piano lessons at our school for 15 years. She accepts serious students who are committed to practice. Call (314) 469-0077 ext. 14 or

email.

Mort Melman

Mort received a Bachelor of Arts in psychology from the University of Missouri and received his MBA from Lindenwood. Mort is currently pursuing a Master of Arts degree in music with an emphasis in performance and pedagogy at Webster University. In addition to working on his Master’s Degree and teaching, Mort practices the art of Aikido and performs guitar at events and parties. He is an adjunct professor in guitar at Meramec Community College and also teaches in the Oasis program. Mort has been with us for 12 years and teaches private guitar lessons. Call (314) 469-0077 ext. 17 or email.

Jana Vorvick

Jana received her Bachelor of Arts in Music Education from Luther College in Decorah, IA. Locally, Jana has sung with the St. Louis Chamber Choir and the American Kantorei which performs the concert series “Bach at the Sem.” With the added role of motherhood, Jana currently sings professionally upon request, schedule allowing, for various venues throughout the St. Louis area. Jana is a member of NATS (National Association for Teachers of Singing) and currently teaches the Beginning Piano class, as well as private voice and piano. Jana has been a member of the faculty for 12 years. She accepts voice students ages 16 and above. Call (314) 469-0077 ext. 11 or email.

Sharon Strope

Sharon has a Bachelor of Arts in Music with an emphasis in vocal performance from Greenville College. Sharon is actively involved in her church and volunteers with various organizations in the community. She joined our faculty 10 years ago, teaching private piano and voice lessons and classes for several years. As a class teacher, Sharon restructured the current curriculum for the Beginning Piano Classes. She is also a registered, trained teacher with Music Together®. Currently, Sharon fills her days as the office manager and teaches classes for young children and GLEE, Jr. including select private voice students. Call (314) 469-0077 ext. 13 or email.

Marsha Medley

Marsha received her Bachelor of Music in piano performance from the University of Missouri and her Masters of Music in piano performance from Miami University. She is trained as a pianist but has worked as an organist for 25 years. She has directed vocal choirs and bell choirs for nine years and a church orchestra for three years. Marsha is a skilled composer and arranger and has taught piano privately for many years. She was listed in Who's Who in American Education in 2005 and 2006. She is a also a member of Broadcast Music, Inc., Missouri Music Teachers Association and American Guild of Organists. Marsha has been with us for 8 years and teaches Beginning Piano classes and private piano lessons. Call (314) 469-0077 ext. 28 or email.

Yulia Rife

Yulia received her Bachelor of Arts in Piano from the former Soviet Union where she worked as an accompanist and teacher for 14 years. She then continued teaching in Israel for three years before moving to St. Louis where she has been teaching piano for the past 13 years. She is a member of the Missouri Music Teachers Association (MMTA) and has a number of students who compete on the regional and state levels each year. Yulia has been with the school for 8 years and teaches private piano lessons. She teachers serious students who are committed to practice. Call (314) 469-0077 ext. 21 or

email.

Jamie Graham

Jamie is a graduate from Truman State University, where she earned a Bachelor of Arts in Music with an emphasis in voice. As a full-time student she was active in various ensembles, including Frankin Street Singers, Cantoria and Unversity Chorus. Jamie also studied piano at Truman State and received much experience through accompanying music students. Jamie has been with us three years, teaching Beginning Piano classes, private voice and piano lessons and GLEE. Jamie accepts voice students ages 14 and up. Call (314) 469-0077 ext. 15 or email.

Matt Safley Matt received a Bachelor of Music in Piano Performance from Truman State University. While at Truman, Matt participated in many ensembles, which include Concert Band, Wind Symphony, Franklin Street, and Cantoria. He was Cantoria’s principal accompanist for four years and accompanied many student, primarily voice, in college. He also took private lessons in trumpet, voice, and composition. Matt teaches private voice and piano lessons as well as the Beginning Piano class. Call (314) 469-0077 ext. 18 or email.

Laura Falls

Laura is a graduate from the University of Northern Colorado, where she earned a Bachelor of Music Education degree with a certification in K-12 teaching and an emphasis in piano. Laura was active in the university's top choir and symphonic and marching bands during her time at UNC. She maintained her own private studio of voice and piano students throughout college, along with accompanying several voice students. She teaches private voice and piano lessons, Music Together® and the Voice classes. Call (314) 469-0077 ext. 29 or email.

Sandra Alexander

Sandra received a Master's Degree in School Psychology from San Francisco State University and a Master's Degree in Music (emphasis on Composition) from Vermont College. In addition to working as a School Psychologist with emphasis on special education, she taught music and basic academic skills and found that music education greatly enhanced the self-esteem of her students. Her musical history includes piano, organ, clarinet and choral music, both classical and popular. Two of her choral compositions were performed by a women's singing group. Sandra also studied MIDI (Musical Instrument Digital Interface) and produced two CD's of her own music. She is a Harmony Road certified music teacher and offers music education to children needing adapted curriculum and specialized teaching. She also teaches through intermediate piano students and composition. Call (314) 469-0077 ext. 16 or email.

Adam Bock

Adam received his Bachelor of Music in Composition from Webster University, with an emphasis in voice and piano. An active musician since age 13, Adam has been a part of countless vocal ensembles ranging from classical concert choirs to small acapella groups, vocal jazz to barbershop. He has been writing, singing and playing piano with a local rock band, Riverton, for about 6 years and recently lent his administrative talents to the Kirkwood Community Theatre program, where he served as Music Director. He was employed at Kirkwood by the very same director with whom he spent his teenage years performing musicals at Notre Dame High School. Adam currently performs with the Ambassadors of Harmony and a local church choir, and does a great deal of composing on his own time. Adam teaches voice, piano, composition, theory and jazz studies. He is a specialist in chording, jazz chording and accompaniment styles for singers. Adam teaches private lessons and small classes. Call (314) 469-0077 ext. 12 or email.