Meet Our Teachers
Rachel Siegel (She/Her)
Voice & Piano
Rachel has taught a wide variety of in-person and virtual voice and piano students ranging in age, skill level, and musical interests. Her students have been selected for collegiate music programs, leading roles in theatrical productions, solos in choral performances, and placements in NJ All-State Chorus and the South Jersey and Central Jersey region honors choirs.
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Rachel received a Bachelor of Arts in Vocal Performance from Brandeis University followed by a Master of Arts in Teaching in Music Education from The University of the Arts. Her passion for choral conducting grew stronger as she participated in several workshops under the tutelage of various master teachers at Westminster Choir College, The Princeton Festival, and the Sarteano Choral Conducting Workshop in Tuscany, Italy. Throughout the course of her career as a music educator, she has continued to serve as an active member of American Choral Directors Association, National Association for Music Education, and Music Teachers National Association.
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Before establishing Acoustix Music Studio LLC, Rachel's professional identity was predominantly defined by her full-time music teaching position in the Cherry Hill Public School District for sixteen years. She taught elementary general music and chorus for grades K-5 for the first five years before pivoting to the Choral Director position at Cherry Hill High School West. During her eleven years at the high school, she co-facilitated an award-winning choral program, directed four curricular choirs and two extra-curricular a cappella groups, and served as Vocal Director for the school's productions of The Wedding Singer, Grease, and In the Heights. Other Vocal Director credits include Oklahoma (Mainstage Center for the Arts), Annie Jr. (Cherry Hill Township Youth Summer Theatre), and Kiss of the Spider Woman (Brandeis University).
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In addition to running a full studio, Rachel serves as an adjudicator and workshop facilitator for the Mercer County Teen Arts Festival in the Vocal Music category. She also teaches music classes at Beth Chaim Preschool and JCC Abrams Camp.
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As a lifelong musician and music educator, Rachel continuously strives to create meaningful learning opportunities and prioritize individualized connections through her passion for music to stimulate intrinsic motivation beyond the parameters of her studio.
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Nathan Schwed (He/Him)
Voice & Piano
Nathan is an avid choral music educator and conductor whose performance highlights include concerts across New York, Pennsylvania, and New Jersey and in venues including the Alice Tully Hall at Lincoln Center, the Verizon Hall at the Kimmel Center, and at NJPAC.
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Currently pursuing his Bachelor of Music Degree with a concentration in Choral Music Education at The College of New Jersey, Nathan sings in the College Chorale and holds a Choral Librarian/Manager position. He studies voice with Dr. Brandi Diggs and piano with Dr. Tomoko Kanamaru at TCNJ and is the Choral Conducting Fellow for the Princeton Boychoir of Westrick Music Academy. Nathan serves as a Peer Tutor for the Music Department and is Vice President/President-Elect of the American Choral Directors Association collegiate chapter at TCNJ. He is also an active member of the National Association for Music Education collegiate chapter.
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As a teacher, Nathan strongly believes in the importance of music education and the impact that it has on the cognitive growth and development of students. He enjoys providing a musically rewarding, exciting, and fun experience for all of his students!
*Available in Mercer County, NJ year-round
Alex Farah (They/Them)
Voice, Piano, Guitar, Ukulele
Alex is an avid music lover dedicated to growing as a musician and educator. Their journey started at a young age, learning piano and singing at school and in honors choirs. Shortly after, they began to learn ukulele and guitar independently in addition to various wind instruments in their middle school band. Their theatrical roles have included Diana Morales (A Chorus Line), Sandy Cheeks (SpongeBob: The Musical), Penelope Pennywise (Urinetown), and Adele in Westminster Opera Theatre’s production of Die Fledermaus.
Alex currently studies voice with Margaret Cusack at Westminster Choir College of Rider University and is pursuing both a Bachelor of Music in Music Education and a Bachelor of Music in Voice Performance. In addition, they sing with the Westminster Choir, the Westminster Symphonic Choir, and the Westminster Concert Handbell Choir. Alex serves as President of Rider University’s treble a cappella group, President of the American Choral Directors Association Collegiate Chapter of Westminster Choir College, and Vice President of the National Association for Music Educators Collegiate Chapter at WCC.
As an educator, Alex encourages their students to stay true to themselves, to feel confident in their individual voices both in and out of the studio, and to always remember the joy of making music!
*Available in Mercer County, NJ September-May
Lucas Heredia (He/Him)
Piano & Voice
Lucas graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Piano and a minor in Voice Studies from Westminster Choir College, where he is currently working towards completing his Masters degree in both Sacred Music Piano and Choral Conducting. He has performed at several prestigious venues and events, such as Carnegie Hall, The Princeton Festival, and the National Association of Negro Musicians national convention in Dallas, Texas. Lucas is known for his passion for all topics in music as well as teaching music. His students have studied a wide range of classical, musical theater, and pop music and have performed at various theaters, including the Rutgers Mason Gross Theater and Villagers Theater.
*Available in Mercer County, NJ year-round
Briseis Muñoz (She/Her)
Voice & Piano
Briseis is a mezzo-soprano voice student at Westminster Choir College, where she is studying private voice with Bryan Hymel while pursuing degrees in Music Education and Vocal Performance.
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Briseis has played several leading roles on stage, such as Adelaide (Guys and Dolls), Cinderella (Cinderella), and Morticia Addams (The Addams Family). In addition, Briseis participated in the Arizona All-State Concert Choir with some of the highest sight reading and solo scores in the state. She has received multiple awards and scholarships for excellence in classical voice performance, demonstrating her dedication and skill in both solo and ensemble settings.
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Briseis aims to help her students develop their full musicianship potential by focusing on the fundamentals of music literacy and providing resources for continuous progress.
​*Available in Mercer County, NJ September-May
Blue Colacchio (They/Them)
Voice & Piano
A lifelong musician, Blue has had the joy of teaching both voice and piano since receiving their Associate's degree in Music from Bucks County Community College, where they studied classical singing in Italian, Spanish, French, German, and Early Modern English. During this time, Blue discovered their love of music theory and apprenticed as a conductor for the college choir - skills they now utilize as vocal director for musical theater productions.
In addition to classical music, Blue has years of experience in rock, pop, musical theater, and jazz genres. They perform as a professional vocalist for corporate events and religious services and recently had the pleasure of making their off-Broadway debut as the diabolical Iris in the new musical, Moram Mortem. Blue is passionate about songwriting and has been producing their own electronic pop music for several years. They have also worked in the artistic world as an actor, makeup artist, model, video editor, and live sound tech.
Blue’s goal as a music educator is to inspire their students to be creative and well-rounded musicians, whether they are preparing for an audition or simply taking lessons for fun!
*Available in Hopewell and Pennington, NJ year-round
Alivia Nawrocki (She/Her)
Voice, Piano, Violin
Alivia’s musical journey began at a very young age as a choir member of the First Presbyterian Church of Moorestown, through which she had the opportunity to tour Denmark, Germany, and Sweden in 2015 and 2019. In addition to singing, Alivia has studied piano and violin for several years.
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Alivia is currently pursuing a Bachelor of Music Education degree at Westminster Choir College of Rider University, where she studies voice with Robin Leigh Massie. She is involved in numerous musical organizations on campus, including Noted A Cappella, the National Association for Music Educators Collegiate Chapter, the American Choral Directors Association Collegiate Chapter, and The Gail Bierenbaum Leadership Council.
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Alivia’s goal is to not only share her love of music with others, but also to show young minds all of the joy that music has to offer. She provides a safe, supportive learning environment for all her students and could not be more thrilled to embark on this new chapter of her professional life.
*Available in Mercer County, Camden County, and Burling County, NJ year-round
Ana Klarmann (She/Her)
Voice, Piano, Ukulele
Ana has been singing in choirs for much of her life, including All-County Choir, Tri-County Choir, and 2023 Maryland All-State Choir. She has also played the ukulele and piano for several years.
Ana is currently studying Music Education at Westminster Choir College with a primary concentration in Voice and secondary concentration in Piano. She is an active member of Noted A Cappella, the National Association for Music Educators Collegiate Chapter and the American Choral Directors Association Collegiate Chapter. In addition, Ana plays piano for the youth concerts at her home church in Maryland.
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Ana is very excited to help her students grow as musicians and develop their musical knowledge to their fullest potential!
*Available in Mercer County, NJ September-May
Bobby Mahoney (He/Him)
Guitar, Ukulele, Piano, Voice, Drums, Bass, Trombone, Songwriting, Music Production
Bobby is a singer/songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, recording artist, touring musician, and music instructor/mentor from East Brunswick, NJ. He studied at William Paterson University, where he received a Bachelor's degree in Popular Music Studies and a Minor in Music Management.
Bobby has performed at legendary venues, such as The Stone Pony, Madison Square Garden, The Prudential Center, Bowery Ballroom, and more. His band is currently with Little Steven Van Zandt's Wicked Cool Records and can be seen at www.bobbymahoneymusic.com, along with Williams Honor, Danny Pizza, and various other projects.
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Bobby believes that music should be fun first and foremost, andwhile dedication and hard work are required, music should be an enjoyable, rewarding experience. Whether the student is a complete beginner or a seasoned musician, he loves to help and inspire others along their musical journey.
*Available in Mercer County, NJ year-round
Mariia Protsenko (She/Her)
Piano
Mariia is a passionate and dedicated musician with several years of formal
training. Graduating with Honors from a prestigious music school, she comes from a family of musicians who understand the true essence of bringing live music into the world.
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Throughout her journey, Mariia has participated in numerous competitions and concerts,
showcasing her talent and deep connection to music. As a piano instructor, she teaches both children and adults, focusing not only on technique but also on the emotional depth of music.
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Fluent in Polish, English, Ukrainian, and Russian, she connects with students from diverse
backgrounds, making learning an engaging and accessible experience.
Mariia believes that the key to mastering music is enjoying what you play. To her, music is not only about the notes on the page but also feeling and hearing it in a way that resonates with the soul.
In her teaching methodology, Mariia incorporates interactive games to make learning fun and memorable. She also creates unique reward systems to encourage motivation and
engagement, ensuring that students stay inspired throughout their musical journey. Under her guidance, students not only learn to play the piano but also develop a deep appreciation and love for music.
*Available in Mercer County, NJ year-round
Josh Pikulin (He/Him)
Guitar, Ukulele, Piano, Voice, Drums, Bass
Josh is a highly experienced and versatile musician who has taught for over twenty years. He has performed all over the US and Europe working as a bandleader, musical director, songwriter, producer and recording engineer.
Josh began playing and teaching professionally as a teenager in Somerset County, NJ, performing in rock, blues and jazz bands and learning advanced music theory and composition at a young age. After winning outstanding soloist awards and performing in Disney World and Europe in high school, Josh attended the Steinhardt School of Music at New York University where his understanding of performance, teaching and sound engineering profoundly deepened. Residing in Brooklyn after graduating, Josh built his career in one of the world’s most competitive musical environments, playing in original and cover bands, wedding and high-end entertainment agencies, large orchestras, gospel choirs, jazz fusion ensembles and more. Through his musical adventures, he had the honor of performing with Paul McCartney, Questlove, Jason Mraz and Wu-Tang Clan, to name a few.
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Having taught steadily throughout his career, Josh has instructed over 100 students of all ages throughout New Jersey and New York City, including major label recording artists, film and television actors, and high-powered corporate executives. His students have ranged from preschoolers to the elderly, coming from all walks of life in one of the world’s most diverse communities. For Josh, this experience has only reinforced the universality of music as an innate gift and ability we all possess.
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Josh meets his students where they are at and provides the tools for them to excel far beyond, combining the music that inspires them with a foundation in fundamentals, theory and ear training. Josh knows how to challenge students in fun and accessible ways and make practicing enjoyable and productive. With a bit of guidance, anyone can get results and expand their abilities—it is just a matter of listening to the music within.
*Available in Mercer County, NJ year-round
Bryan McClary (He/Him)
Voice & Piano
Described as a baritone with a "sweetly hued voice with a luxuriant sheen," Bryan has performed a number of operatic roles including Diego Rivera in Frida by Robert Xavier Rodriguez, Sam in Leonard Bernstein’s Trouble in Tahiti, and Le Roi in Massenet’s Cendrillon, for Opera Steamboat, Westminster Choir College, and the Savannah Voice Festival. Other roles include Sander from Zémire et Azor by André Ernest Modeste Grétry, The Second Armored Man from Die Zauberflöte by Mozart, and Thierry and the Jailor in Dialogue de la Carmélites by Francis Poulenc.
With a Bachelor of Music degree from Westminster Choir College and a Master of Music in Voice Performance from Indiana University’s Jacobs School of Music, Bryan’s recent accolades include receiving an Encouragement Award from the St. Louis District of the Metropolitan Opera’s Laffont Competition. He has also performed in masterclasses with Metropolitan Opera baritone Sherrill Milnes and mezzo-soprano Denyce Graves.
As a teacher, Bryan creates a supportive and encouraging environment where students feel comfortable to learn and grow. Drawing on his studies with accomplished bass Peter Volpe and dramatic soprano Sharon Sweet, Bryan integrates classical techniques with a holistic approach to vocal development. While he is trained in classical singing, Bryan believes that all vocal styles share fundamental principles. With both his piano and voice students, he emphasizes healthy technique, performing with confidence and expression, and developing strong foundational skills and a deeper understanding of music theory.
*Available in Mercer County, NJ year-round
Vince Dizon (He/Him)
Guitar, Drums, Bass, Beatbox, Music Production
Vince has always been a lover of music. Ever since he started singing at the age of 7 and playing multiple instruments at the age of 9, his passion for music only grew stronger. He took voice lessons from his grandfather, guitar lessons from his father, and drum lessons from local teacher Thom Callan. From there, Vince taught himself how to play bass guitar and piano as well as music production skills.
Though he works full-time as a Medical Laboratory Technologist at Cooper University Hospital, Vince continues to strengthen his musical skills in his free time, and he plays lead guitar and sings back up for his band, “Just Us." He also provides beatbox backing tracks for Acoustix Music Studio.
Vince is excited to work with new students who want to build strong musical foundations and enjoys sharing his passion for music with them.
*Available in Camden County and Burlington County, NJ year-round
Owen Dodd (He/Him)
Piano, Saxophone, Violin
Following a musically rich educational experience in high school, where he performed with a wide variety of instrumental and vocal groups and won several outstanding soloist awards, Owen is currently pursuing a Bachelor of Music in Instrumental Music Education and a Certificate of Undergraduate Studies in Violin at Rowan University. He studies saxophone with Noa Even and Violin with Luigi Mazzocchi and performs with the Rowan Jazz Band, Wind Ensemble, Orchestra, and Small Jazz Groups.
As Vice President of Rowan's collegiate chapter of the National Association for Music Education, Owen helps create a positive, supportive community within the Music Department. He also serves as a technician for Pfleeger Concert Hall on campus and has gained additional teaching experience through his role as a substitute teacher at various schools in Camden County, NJ.
Owen's primary goal as a music educator is to improve his students' musicianship skills while providing the opportunity for them to experience the joy of music.
*Available in Camden County and Burlington County, NJ year-round
Carlo Ciliberti, III (He/Him)
Piano, Voice, Organ
Carlo is a classical tenor, organist, and pianist who has been actively involved in music for most of his life. He began working as a choral accompanist at the age of twelve and has served as a church organist for the past two years.
Carlo is currently pursuing a degree in Music Education at Westminster Choir College, the School of Music of Rider University, where he studies voice with Dr. Erica Miller, piano with Dr. James Goldsworthy, and pipe organ with Dr. Michael Diorio. At Westminster, Carlo is involved in several organizations, including the National Association for Music Education and the tenor-bass a cappella group, Soulfege, which is currently producing their third studio album.
Carlo finds deep joy in sharing his love of music with others and strives to create meaningful experiences for musicians of all ages. He is especially passionate about encouraging the next generation of performers and educators, drawing inspiration from the mentors who have shaped his own journey. Carlo looks forward to helping his students discover their passion and purpose through music.
*Available in Mercer County, NJ year-round
Tori Telschow (They/Them)
Voice & Flute
An avid music lover, Tori has participated in a variety of performing ensembles, including marching band, pit orchestra, a cappella groups, and choir.
Currently studying Choral and General Music Education at the University of Delaware, Tori is excited to share their passion for music with the next generation. They have played flute in Marching Band for 7 years, co-directed a cappella groups, and assisted with the Cherry Hill summer music program. At the University of Delaware, they are a member of the Sigma Alpha Iota International Music Fraternity and have traveled with the university's treble choir, University Singers, to Rhode Island to perform for an American Choral Directors Association event.
Tori aims to cultivate a safe, fun environment for their students to explore their own musical abilities and interests.
*Available in Camden County, NJ summers only