“Amelia has grown so much as a piano student in the almost three years she has been with CHMA”  – Theresa D.

The staff at Chestnut Hill Music Academy have either university music degrees or professional performance experience.  Each teacher is carefully chosen and screened for their ability to teach, inspire and connect with children and adult students. They have all  undergone both a PA Criminal Background Check and a Child Abuse Clearance. Since each student is totally unique, at CHMA teachers are empowered to use their intuition and experience to create a unique learning environment to suit each child’s interests, temperament and learning style.  Our goal is to choose just the right match for each student from our diverse staff.  Each teacher is encouraged and supervised to be flexible and creative in their approach. In collaboration with parents we design a unique personal teaching plan to keep each child growing, inspired and engaged.

Mickey Leone – Director and Guitar Teacher – CHMA Director Mickey Leone has been working with children and music for over 3 decades. He founded and co- directed Soundstage School of Music for 9 years before moving on to CHMA.  A professional musician since the age of 14 when he began playing drums in rock bands. Over the years he has studied guitar, piano, voice and fiddle with various private teachers. His musical influences run from blues to country to jazz standards to southern rock.  A native of the area, Mickey first started teaching music privately in the mid 1980’s.  In 1995 he founded The Chestnut Hill Guitar School where he taught hundreds of students over the years.  In addition, he was the Montgomery County director of Makin’ Music the interactive parent-tot program from 1998 to 2010.  Mickey also holds a Master’s Degree from Chestnut Hill College in Counseling Psychology with special training in play and music therapy for children.   Mickey personally chooses and supervises all teachers.

Elle Gyandoh – Voice, Flute, Piano

Elle has been deeply involved with music since the age of 8, when she began her study of the flute. Within the next few years she found her voice and started acting in her school theater, especially in the Musicals.  In middle school she began writing songs and performing at local clubs and coffeehouses. By high school she had worked her way to First Chair Flute all the while continuing her singing and songwriting. At Temple University she played in the Marching and Concert Bands. Today she leads her own band, as singer and flutist, performing Soul, Jazz, Funk, Pop, & R&B.  She also is vocalist for a successful wedding/corporate band performing at many large venues throughout the area. Elle has a passion for working with children and she brings that to her teaching, With an M.A. in School Counseling, she is on staff at an Elementary School, where she facilitates a music club. Elle is also a volunteer with WXPN’s Musicians On-Call Program, singing at the bedsides of sick patients, many of them children. As a teacher Elle works to help each student get the most from the experience whatever their goals might be.  According to Elle  “confidence is the key ingredient in successful performance. When working with a teacher first you need to build trust, Once trust is established, anything is possible”

Henry Farcus  – Piano, Electric Keyboard

Henry is a long time friend and musical collaborator of Mickey Leone, the school director. He has performed with Mickey since they were both teenagers playing in various bands and music ensembles. Henry began studying piano at age 7 with private classical lessons so he has a deep background and excellent skills. His interests transitioned to rock, blues, folk & pop music and he started playing with bands at age 13 ultimately going through the evolution of dance club bands, original music groups, touring cover bands, full-on R&B bands, solo piano performance, duos and trios. Throughout his experiences he took a special interest in electronic keyboards  becoming familiar with their sound textures and programming capability.

Henry earned his BA and majored in Communications at Temple University  ultimately working on staff for the college, supervising the Film Sound & Editing facilities. He’s spent many years as the director and chief instructor for American Music Institute of Pa. The workshops he presented taught students to play songs by ear, using a shorthand method and a few simple ideas and techniques. A skilled improvisor, arranger and ensemble player he is able to show his students how to use their playing in a variety of situations.   Henry believes that when in a group, listening to what others are playing is a crucial skill for all musicians. He is pleased to share his love of music with the youngest students as well as adults at all levels.

Elizabeth Basoff – Violin, Piano

Elizabeth began Violin and Piano lessons in Los Angeles at the age of 6. She was accepted at the Curtis Institute of Music in Philadelphia when she was twelve years old and took masterclasses with world-renowned soloist Ruggiero Ricci in Palm Springs. She continued her studies with the highly acclaimed teacher, Boris Kuschnir in Vienna (Austria) and after in East Asia.

She had the opportunity to study the Suzuki method as a young violinist while focusing on a traditional style consisting of passage-work, intonation, vibrato, sliding, presence and solidity. Elizabeth performed multiple tours in Germany for several consecutive years. She premiered with the Paganini Concerto No. 4 in Germany (live recording released by JPK Musik) and Bruch Concerto in China under the baton of Volker Hartung with the Cologne New Philharmonic Orchestra.

She recorded the majority of the violin score for the documentary, “Paul Mellon: In His Own Words”, which premiered at the National Gallery of Art in Washington.

In 2018 (Germany), she played a newly-written concerto by English composer, Alexander Webb-Mitchell.

Elizabeth also performed as a soloist with the Pacific Symphony Orchestra in an open auditorium holding about 25,000 people. Other notable events include her featuring as a solo artist with the Israel Chamber Orchestra, Feng Yuan String Chamber Orchestra, and Royal Bangkok Symphony Orchestra; performing the Antonio Vivaldi “Four Seasons”, even performing twice at the Kremlin Museum in Moscow.

She became very aware of the importance of Mind-Body connection and took holistic approaches. Elizabeth started learning Yoga from the age of 14 and currently provides Yoga classes. She also volunteers as an artist for the FSP: Fifty Shades of Purple Against Bullying, a non-profit organization that stands for resilience and community support

Rebecca Johnson –  Voice, Piano

Isak Gaines – Piano, Guitar, Saxophone, Clarinet, flute 

Jacob Beilenson – Bass Guitar, Piano, Guitar, Voice, Songwriting

Jacob is a lifelong musician who is eager to share his love for music with his students. Jacob started teaching piano at age 17, working with kids in his own neighborhood. Over the years, he has worked with kids of all ages in his work as a music instructor, tutor, and teacher. His goal is always to make learning fun and to connect with every student. A songwriter himself, he encourages his students to embrace their creativity through music. Last year he led a music production after school program at Boys’ Latin of Philadelphia, where students learned basic music theory and how to write and record their own music.

Jacob received classical training on piano at the Main Line Conservatory of Music, but his interests in music extend across genres. Besides the piano, Jacob sings and plays guitar, bass guitar, and vibraphone. He writes and records his own music at his home studio. You can often see him performing in New York and Philadelphia, as he is involved in a few musical projects.

Mary Loftus – Violin, Piano

Mary Loftus is an active performer and teacher in Philadelphia. She holds a bachelor’s in music from Vanderbilt University, where she obtained a Suzuki teaching certification, served as concertmaster of the Vanderbilt symphony orchestra, and won a graduation award for excellence in string performance. While in Nashville she began performing with the Nashville Symphony, Ballet, and Opera, and recorded soundtracks for movies and video games at Ocean Way Studios. 

Currently Mary is a violinist with the Delaware Symphony and Ocean City Pops, and performs frequently with many other ensembles in and around Philadelphia. 

As a teacher, she aims is to help students build a strong technical foundation so they can more effectively express themselves through music. She wants to share the joy of music and create a fun atmosphere for learning and growth.

Mike Cooper-Guitar

Coming from a very musical family, Mike had the chance to experience music at weekly family gatherings where his father and uncles all played guitar and had sing-alongs. The family was always so happy and had so much fun singing,  Mike discovered the joy of making and sharing music. Mike got his first guitar at age 12 and joined the family band. Guitar and music became his passion.

Mike first performed at a junior high chorus recital after playing for guitar six months. He learned from every guitar player he met. Mike played in bands throughout school and later began teaching guitar. His students ranged in age from seven to forty-seven. During that time, Mike played wherever he could, and began recording at his home studio which he continues today.

Mike plays both acoustic and electric guitars, and has been working with digital audio recording and guitar effects for years. While it sounds great with all the effects and performing, Mike enjoys playing every day at home with an acoustic like the one he started on. Simple, and always available to enjoy.

After a lifetime of enjoying music through playing guitar, Mike understands how important music can be for someone. He loves the chance to share that with his students.

 Wanting Chen -Piano

Hi, I’m Wanting Chen, a passionate and professional piano teacher with over 10 years of experience in playing and teaching piano. I specialize in both classical and jazz styles, and I can teach bilingual language as well. I have a Bachelor’s Degree in Piano Performance from Wuhan Conservatory of Music in China, and a Master’s Degree in Jazz Piano from Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama in the UK. I have also received a certificate from the renowned jazz pianist Stefan Karlsson after attending his master class. I have experience in working as a piano performer, teacher in Shanghai and the UK. Currently, I settled down in PA  and working in Chestnut Hill Music Academy. I am skilled in teaching piano to students of all ages and skill levels, from beginners to advanced learners. I tailor my teaching methods to suit each student’s needs and goals, and incorporates music theory and composition into my lessons. Whether you are a beginner or an advanced player, whether you want to play for fun or for exams or auditions, whether you prefer classical or jazz music, I can help you achieve your goals and enjoy playing the piano.

             Marina Kotsios – Piano                                       

• Graduated Gnesin Russian Academy of Music
• Graduated Moscow State Institute of Music named after A.G. Schnittke

Teaching – Music Teacher in Kindergarten in Moscow

• Music teacher at a middle school in Moscow
• Private piano lessons instructor in Moscow

Work – Music Field

• Russian Musical Society. Cultural Agent. in Moscow
• Piano Teacher at a Private Music School in Athens Neo Ionia District (Greece)

1991 in Los Angeles,

Piano teacher at a private music school

• Private piano lessons instructor in different parts of California.
• Composer for film and television in Hollywood

Peter Currie – Drums

Peter is a graduate of Temple University where he earned his BS in Education. He began playing drums in the early 70s and has since graced stages at many festivals (eg: West Oak Lane Jazz Festival- 4x), and venues ranging from the Philly club scene (eg: World Cafe Theater, Electric Factory, NxNW)  to overseas (eg: Nice, France and Monaco). He even played at the Philadelphia Academy of Music. Peter is still a familiar face in the local music circuit, playing extensively in a wide variety of musical units and bands. (notable playing with CHMA Director Mickey Leone for six years) He is currently a member of “RUFF”, an original/cover band that performs locally . He was a founding member of the Philadelphia Blues Messengers who were together for ten years and recorded three albums together. Peter plays guitar, bass, piano/keys with drums as his first instrument. He has recorded on his own and with an assortment of collaborators as a side man and as a composer of his own songs.

Peter loves to work with young musicians. With his students, he emphasizes the crucial role of the drums in any musical unit. His philosophy is simple and strong. “The role of the drummer is similar to that of a conductor in an orchestra. Drums set the rhythm, tempo, and dynamics, essentially hold all the other musicians together. In addition, learning to keep time on the drums is a wonderful foundation for any future musical pursuits”

Kyle Chastulik – Voice, Piano, Guitar, Banjo

Kyle a classical singer, guitarist, and teaching artist from Central Pennsylvania, based in Philadelphia. Kyle, originally from Chambersburg, PA, is proud to call Philadelphia home following completion of their Master of Music degree from Temple University (2023) and BFA from the Indiana University of Pennsylvania (2021). Kyle has been singing since age 12 when performing in school musicals. Very quickly, Kyle became enamored with singing in choir, playing guitar, and music theory/composition. Kyle is a multidisciplinary teaching artist comfortable teaching students of all ages and musical backgrounds through private lessons in voice, piano, and guitar as well as group classes.

Some of Kyle’s performance highlights include leading roles in the operas Le nozze di Figaro, Don Giovanni, and Pelléas et Mélisande, along with chorus appearances with the Philadelphia Orchestra, Opera Philadelphia, and the Princeton Symphony. In concert, Kyle has performed with the IUP Symphony Orchestra, the NotSoLatin concert series, and Opera on Tap Philadelphia. As a singer-guitarist, Kyle is dedicated to performing self-accompanied works for classical guitar and voice as well as performing new works.

As an instructor, Kyle prioritizes building students’ creative impulses through an understanding of music theory and improvisational skills. Guitar and piano students will learn not only scales and chords but also how to combine these musical elements to dissect their favorite songs and be able to create their own original music. Voice students learn fundamental skills in navigating vocal registers, smoothness and consistent tone throughout the range, and a strong musical e

Jesica Santino – voice, piano

Originally from New Mexico, Jesica is a Philadelphia-based soprano and teaching artist.  She fell in love with music at an early age, trying out many different instruments including flute, saxophone, piano, and bassoon before deciding her true passion was singing. She believes that everyone can benefit from a music education, and her goal is to make learning fun and accessible.

Jesica received a Master of Music degree at Temple University in Philadelphia (2024), and a Bachelor of Music degree from The University of Tulsa (2019). She has attended multiple Young Artist programs, including  Trentino Music Festival in Fiera di Primero, Italy, Matador Opera Workshop in Lubbock, Texas, and The Institute for the International Education of Students (I.E.S.) Abroad Music Summer Program, in Vienna. She has performed with Temple Opera Theater, The NJ Opera Project, A Modern Reveal, and The University of Tulsa Opera Theater. She has sung opera and musical theater roles including The Queen of the Night in Mozart’s Die Zauberflöte, Barbarina in Mozart’s Le nozze di Figaro, Eliza (cover) in Nico Muhly’s Dark Sisters, Lola in Douglas Moore’s Gallantry, Martha in Friedrich von Flotow’s Martha, Mrs. Fiorentino in Kurt Weill’s Street Scene, and Mrs. Millennium in Hollmann’s Urinetown. She has also performed scenes as Marie in Donizetti’s La fille du régiment, Josephine in H.M.S. Pinafore, and Fiordiligi in Mozart’s Così fan tutte. 

Jesica believes a welcoming and fun approach is the best way to learn. She loves working with musicians of all backgrounds learning any style or genre of music. 

Sam Love – Trumpet, Brass, Piano

Sam is a multi instrumentalist and songwriter that received a bachelors in music from Ursinus College. Playing Piano and Trumpet from a young age and adding guitar, bass and vocals through highschool and college. He played with multiple groups in the Philadelphia Youth Orchestra Organization on trumpet, and now is writing his own music and producing other artists as well as playing trumpet and other instruments in recording sessions for local musicians. Sam was awarded the Robert Rifkin prize for composition at Ursinus. Sam’s parents were both art teachers who influenced him to follow along their path. At Ursinus he also did a minor in Psychology and has an interest in musical education as well as guidance counseling. Sam volunteered with the Philadelphia Young Artists Orchestra to help a new section of young trumpet players get comfortable with the group as well as working with the trumpet section of the summer pops (a music summer camp program at Germantown Academy) helping younger musicians become more confident and better players. Sam strives to develop kids musical abilities while also providing an experience that is entertaining and helps nurture a love for the art.

Allison Smith – Violin , Piano

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Violinist Allison Smith is an adjunct violin professor at Cairn University and teaches music at Sophia Academy. She also performs with several regional orchestras, including holding the principal second violinist position in the Pennsylvania Chamber Orchestra. She has taught private music lessons for nearly a decade and enjoys working with students of all ages and skill levels. She is passionate about sharing her love for music with the next generation of musicians and believes that music is a catalyst for transformation both personally and on a larger scale. Her goal as a teacher is to adapt to the unique interests and needs of each student so that students can thrive, see their progress, and enjoy music-making.

Allison received her B.M. in Music Education from Grove City College (’21), where she studied with Rochelle Agnew and was a 2020-2021 winner of their Concerto Competition. Allison then attended Penn State University (PSU) for her M.M. in Violin Performance (’23), where she was a Graduate Teaching Assistant studying with James Lyon, continuing on to complete a Professional Performance Certificate in 2024. At PSU, she held leadership positions in the university orchestras, received the Creative Achievement Award, and enjoyed frequent collaborations in chamber music both with fellow students and faculty members.

Allison’s most recent endeavors include her work with the Kalmia Piano Trio, performing as concertmaster at Carnegie Hall for CCM artist Lauren Daigle, and premiering new musical works at PSU and Wintergreen Music Festival. She has spent summers at festivals in Chicago, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Virginia, and Idaho.