Lessons

Lydia Bianchi (piano) started playing piano at age 7 when her parents discovered her tendency to sing in the shower. She has always had a fondness for all genres of music and appreciates how learning piano at a young age has fueled her current musical endeavors. While other instruments have become important tools in her songwriting, she still loves playing classical pieces highlighting the beauty of the piano. Through studying developmental psychology at NYU, Lydia connected with other local artists and formed an indie rock band, for which she still writes and records. She loves children and for over ten years has worked with students of many ages in the classroom, the home, and other learning environments. Lydia promotes a positive, encouraging attitude towards music education: she believes part of the magic of learning an instrument is the discipline it teaches but above all her main desire is to instill a love and appreciation for music.

Lydia Michelle Bujok (piano) is a piano teacher, performer, writer, and composer. Classically trained, Lydia began private lessons at the age of five. She was piano accompanist for a children’s choir and her high school choir. Performing solo, Lydia competes annually and was involved in the New Jersey Music Teachers Association Spring Festival Achievement Awards. She was educated in the Royal Academy of Music’s “Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music,” in which she studied complex theory and pedagogy. At the age of 20, Lydia founded her own teaching practice while performing gigs and concerts throughout Philadelphia and the Main Line. Lydia professionally records her compositions and performs live Instagram performances of her improvisations spanning contemporary, classical, pop, and R&B. Lydia has always been dedicated and ambitious in expressing her passion for teaching and performance, striving to make an impact by inspiring her students to love music!

Dr. Christopher Gage (piano, organ) is new to the Philadelphia area, having recently been appointed Director of Music at Overbrook Presbyterian Church, where he conducts the Overbrook Choir, Junior Choir, and Westminster Handbell Choir. He earned his Doctorate in Musical Arts in organ performance from the University of Kansas in 2016, and he holds additional degrees from the Eastman School of Music and the University of Delaware. Chris believes that everyone has the potential to be a great musician and his teaching philosophy is to instill a love of music in his students and to equip them with the tools they need to realize their potential. In particular, he’s an advocate of guided improvisation, which affirms students’ strengths while challenging them to expand their musical horizons. With a background in classical, jazz, and pop, Chris helps students with a wide variety of preferences.

Kathryn Munson (piano) is an undergraduate at Bryn Mawr College pursuing a degree in music and linguistics. While piano is her first instrument, she also sings and plays the clarinet. She’s involved in a number of ensembles in the Bi-College consortium, including the Chamber Singers of Haverford and Bryn Mawr and the pit orchestra for many musical productions on campus. She also directs Bryn Mawr’s official a cappella group, the Night Owls, and in her free time she loves to write arrangements for them to perform. With experience teaching both group ensembles and individuals, Kathryn is committed to inspiring a love for music of all forms in her students, while giving them the strong foundational tools for musical success wherever their lives take them.

James Guglielmo (piano) studied composition with Vincent Persichetti and Joseph Cataldo, classical piano with Clement Pertrillo for ten years, and jazz with Dennis Sandal on the East Coast. On the West Coast he studied orchestration with Albert Harris and conducting with Frederich Zweig. He was the pianist at the Tropicana Hotel in Las Vegas and music director on various cruise ships as well as accompanist for numerous stars including Elvis Presley, Shirley Bassey, Rita Moreno, Henry Mancini, and many others. James is currently studying voice with Jeff Alani Stanfill in New York.

Steven Moyer (piano) is a student currently enrolled at West Chester University of Pennsylvania studying Piano Performance and specializing in classical repertoire. He is under the tutelage of Dr. Robert Bedford who doubles as his Alexander Technique instructor. Steven has had masterclasses with internationally regarded pianist such as Jon Nakamatasu, Sofya Gulyak, and Walter Hautzig. He has performed locally and at numerous universities statewide. He also works as a collaborative pianist with many vocalists, musical theater groups, and orchestras. Steven has a strong emphasis in music theory which plays a role in his teaching. Fundamentally, Steven believes that music learning should be curiosity-driven, active, enjoyable, and emphasize self-expression.

Jack Plumlee (piano, guitar, bass guitar) is a multi-instrumentalist and composer who recently moved to Philadelphia. From a very early age he studied classical piano and learned under Walter Noona throughout middle and high school. In addition he took up rock guitar and bass guitar, spending six years in the school jazz band. Jack attended Wesleyan University where he studied music and graduated with honors in 2021. He’s also interested in the design, construction, and maintenance of musical instruments. For his undergraduate thesis, he hand-built a clavichord and documented the year-long process. Jack has spent the last year studying jazz guitar under Chuck Anderson. Jack’s educational focus is inspired by the discovery and development of his students’ musical interests.

Geert Ruelens (piano) graduated in 2014 with a bachelors in music from Kutztown University where he studied with Maria Asteriadou. At Kutztown University, Geert was heard twice as a soloist with the University orchestra in a performance of Chopin’s Piano Concerto in E Minor and Liszt’s Totentanz. He is a native from Belgium where he studied piano at the Royal Conservatory for Music. Geert is the organist and choir director at Nativity Lutheran Church in Reading, PA, teaches piano lessons and works as an accompanist. Geert is a student of Charles Abramovic at Temple University where he pursues a masters degree in piano performance and pedagogy.

Valerie Whang (piano) is a student at Lower Merion High School and has been playing the piano since she was four. She’s currently studying with Julia Chukinas. She often accompanies the school choir and orchestra, and she plays in the orchestra for musicals. In addition to the piano, Valerie also plays cello and is a member of her chamber orchestra as well as quartet and quintet groups. Valerie loves playing music with other people and is excited to share her love for music.