Violin/Basic Piano

Katherine Gray is a Suzuki-certified violin teacher and professional performer with over 20 years of experience. Originally from Santiago, Chile, she earned her Bachelor of Music from the Universidad de Chile before completing her Master of Music in Violin Performance and Artist Diploma at Duquesne University on a full scholarship.

She performs with the Westmoreland Symphony Orchestra and Butler County Symphony Orchestra and has appeared at international music festivals throughout Latin and North America.

Katherine’s lessons blend the proven Suzuki Method with strong classical training, creating a supportive environment where students of all ages can build confidence, develop their skills, and enjoy making music.

Viola

Tainé García Olea is an accomplished educator and professional violinist and violist with international experience. Originally from Santiago de Cuba, she earned her Mid-Professional Level Degree from the prestigious Amadeo Roldán Conservatory and is currently pursuing her Bachelor of Music in Viola Performance at Duquesne University.

She performs as a substitute violist with several regional ensembles, including the Wheeling, Butler, Washington, Westmoreland, and Johnstown Symphony Orchestras. She was a violist of the National Ballet Orchestra of Cuba, she won second place in the Britcham Music Competition and has collaborated with prominent artists like Frank Fernández and Julissa Arce Rivera.

Alongside her performing career, she remains deeply committed to teaching. She taught students of all ages at the Manuel Saumell Elemental School in Havana and currently she continues guiding her students to become expressive, technically proficient musicians who convey a message of love through their artistry. Outside of music, she enjoys exploring new places on her scooter and dancing with friends.

Cello

Alyssa Baljunas is a Pittsburgh-based cellist blending classical and non-classical music. She began cello at age 10 and earned a Bachelor of Music from Duquesne University in 2024, studying with Pittsburgh Symphony Adam Liu. She performs with the Akron, Youngstown, NEPA, and Erie Philharmonics. In 2025 she toured with Ukraine’s Odessa Orchestra World of Hans Zimmer US/Canada tour. She explores jazz and improvisation, including 2022 Clazz Festival in Italy with Crispin Campbell. She composes, arranges, and loops using Boss RC-500, developing original projects. As a teacher, she tailors lessons to each student’s goals, flexibility and creativity. Outside music she enjoys plants, running, and the Pittsburgh Half Marathon three times.

Piano

Maikol Perez Gomez began his musical journey in 2012 as a saxophonist at the Manuel Saumell Elementary Conservatory of Music in Havana, Cuba. By 2014 he was double majoring in saxophone and piano, graduating with honors in 2017. He later studied at the Amadeo Roldán Conservatory and the Superior Institute of Art of Cuba, earning his bachelor’s degree. He has served as a piano faculty member, accompanist, and ensemble coach, working with instrumentalists and the orchestra conducting department under Guido López-Gavilán.

As a performer and educator, he emphasizes musical meaning, context, and creativity across all genres, encouraging students to think beyond technique. His approach integrates cultural study, literature, and expression to deepen understanding. He has won multiple national and international awards, including competitions in the U.S., Mexico, and Cuba. Maikol is fluent in Spanish and English, studying Italian, and currently pursues a full-scholarship piano performance degree at Duquesne University under Dr. Kevin Lee Sun.

Guitar/Bass Guitar/ Ukulele

Miguel Martínez is a musician and engineer based in Pittsburgh, PA. Originally from Venezuela, Miguel grew up in a family of self-taught musicians and bards. He discovered a love for Latin American folklore and rock-and-roll at a young age, training in classical guitar and voice, bass guitar, and percussion throughout his life.

After moving to Miami in 2014, he recorded and performed with famous Venezuelan musicians, Frank Quintero and Carlos Puchi.

In 2022, he moved to Pittsburgh for his engineering career, later joining the Mariachi International de Pittsburgh, the first of its existence as a year-round active Mariachi band in the city and surrounding areas.

Outside of music, Miguel enjoys various electronics, home and auto improvement projects, and visiting with his many friends and family members around the country.

Flute/Voice

Montse Briceño is a Spanish flutist and dedicated music educator with over 15 years of teaching experience in Europe and the United States. She brings warmth, creativity, and European musical tradition into every lesson, making music learning inspiring, structured, and joyful for students of all ages and levels.

She teaches beginners through advanced musicians, helping students feel supported as they build confidence, explore mistakes, and grow at their own pace. Her approach is rooted in European pedagogy, combining technical foundations with imagination and expression through her Four-Step Method: strong fundamentals, musical understanding, creative expression, and confident performance.

Montse incorporates games, movement, mindfulness, and technology to keep lessons engaging. As an active performer in Europe and the U.S., she connects real-world experience to her teaching. She believes music should develop confidence, discipline, and self-expression while helping each student discover their own voice.

Clarinet/Saxophone

Jorge is a dedicated Colombian clarinetist active since 2005, with extensive orchestral experience and a strong commitment to music education. His artistry has been recognized with honors including the Gold Medal With Distinction (Netherlands, 2017), the Antonio Nariño Medal of Merit, and the Orden Policarpa Salavarrieta. He has performed with ensembles such as the Orquesta Sinfónica Nacional de Colombia, Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra, YOA Orchestra of the Americas, North Carolina Symphony Orchestra, and the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra, collaborating with conductors throughout his career. Since 2006, he has taught music with a balanced approach that combines technical mastery and creative expression. Outside of music, he enjoys Colombian coffee and exploring cafés Pittsburgh.

Oboe/English Horn

Justin Carson is a Pittsburgh-based oboist, woodwind specialist, and educator born in Pittsburgh. He performs as a substitute oboe and English horn with the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra, Wheeling Symphony Orchestra, and Johnstown Symphony Orchestra, and appears with regional orchestras, theater, and church ensembles. He owns PureBark Double Reeds, an online handmade oboe reed shop, serves as Secretary of the West Hills Symphonic Band Board, and maintains a private studio. A graduate of Pittsburgh CAPA 6-12 and Carnegie Mellon University, he studied with Cynthia Koledo DeAlmeida and will pursue a Master of Music in 2026 with Scott Bell. He enjoys board games, video games, Disney, husband and dogs Bucky and Rudy.