About Us
A Little bit About Us
Our Mission
At The Music Institute of Roseville, we believe in the power of community and the joy of learning. We foster a welcoming environment where students of all ages can grow, develop their skills, and explore their passion for music. Our Student Centered approach means that you get to learn at your own pace, and that every lesson is tailored to your individual journey, emphasizing respect and honesty in a supportive atmosphere. We celebrate every musician’s path, from beginners to seasoned players, ensuring that everyone feels at home while pursuing their musical dreams.
A Music Institute Like No Other
At the Music Institute of Roseville, we believe that music should be accessible, enjoyable, and tailored to each individual’s goals. Whether you’re a beginner just dipping your toes into the world of music, an intermediate player overcoming a plateau, or an advanced musician ready to break through to the next level, we’ve created a space where everyone feels welcome. Our approach is centered on flexibility and community, allowing students of all ages to learn at their own pace. We’re not about rigid, high-pressure performances or intense competition. Instead, we focus on cultivating a fun and supportive environment where you can explore your instrument, get personalized guidance from experienced teachers, and grow on your own terms. We pride ourselves on being a place that’s honest, no-nonsense, and focused on what matters most: your enjoyment and progress in music. Whether you’re here for casual lessons or serious advancement, our skilled teachers are ready to help you achieve your goals, all while having a great time.
Meet Our Team
Andre
Andre has been singing since he was five years old. He studied voice at the conservatory of Music in Kansas City with Ann Delauney. He returned to finish his music degree and received a Bachelor of Arts from Jessup University. Andre is a classically trained vocalist with experience in many types of musical genres. He has sung back up for several artists including Oleta Adams as well as Martha Wash. Andre has also won several music competitions including, The Concerto Aria competition, Superstars 2,000, as well as McDonald’s Gospelfest. He has experience singing in several types of ensembles from Jazz to Gospel as well as Classical.
Annika
Annika is a violinist who has had a love for music most of her life. She began taking violin lessons at the age of 7 and has been able to use the skills she learned while playing in school orchestras and in her church. In Portland, Oregon, Annika was able to be a part of her church’s youth and adult full orchestras while also having the opportunity to play solos and be a part of small instrumental ensembles. Since moving to Sacramento, Annika has been able to continue participating in the orchestra at the church she attends here.
While she finds it very important for students to focus on the fundamentals as they learn to play the violin, she also wants to make sure that her students have a love for music. She wants to learn what her students’ interests are so that they will enjoy what they play.
Antonio
Violin, Viola, Guitar, and Ukulele
Antonio has been playing violin since he was 2 years old and has since ventured into many other facets of music. He grew up internationally and played with many orchestras and studied with many teachers in countries such as Spain, Belgium, Japan, and Thailand. Antonio is a third generation Suzuki student, and a fourth generation Jascha Heifetz student. After graduating from Jesuit High School and attending American River College here in Sacramento, he continued to play violin with local artists and groups and began teaching. At his first teaching job, Antonio experienced the joys of other instruments and began playing guitar. Within a couple years, he had formed a band, played many shows across the Sacramento area, and even went on a west coast tour. Now, Antonio spends his free time at his own studio in Rancho Cordova finishing his album and recording new songs, and performing locally!
Gordon
Gordon has been a professional music instructor for over 25 years, teaching all styles of music from rock to country, classical to jazz. He’s taught a variety of students from beginner to advanced. He also works with special-needs students, including those with autism, learning disabilities and emotional or anxiety disorders. Gordon provides instruction on many instruments and designs his curriculum to fit the particular needs and goals of each individual student. He is uniquely qualified to teach performance, as well as technique, having toured around the United States and in several other countries around the world as a backup musician for such well-known artists as Chubby Checker, Peter Noone of Herman’s Hermits, Ronnie Montrose and Sha Na Na.
Halina
Halina Muller has been teaching piano to children and adults since 2000. She has a very encouraging manner that promotes confidence in even her youngest students. Her clear expectations enable students to reach their unique potential. Halina was born in Sacramento, CA, and started taking piano lessons at the age of 7. She learned clarinet in Junior High and played in the Oakmont High School Marching Band. She started singing in church choirs at the age of 12 and has sung in a variety of choirs since then including high school Madrigals and concert choirs. She now has a B. A. in Music from Humboldt State University and is a member of the Music Teacher’s Association of California (www.mtac.org). She is authorized to provide instruction through MTAC’s Certificate of Merit program. Halina currently has around 40 private students and has been with the Music Institute since 2010. In addition to teaching, Halina also enjoys playing the piano for her church.
Hannah
Hannah is a music enthusiast dedicated to nurturing a love for music in her students. She strives to help them achieve excellence in their instrument of choice and ingrain core values like discipline and confidence in music. Hannah prioritizes proper instrument technique and educates her students on the history, composers, and periods behind the music they learn. Hannah’s musical journey started in elementary school, where she played the ukulele and toured Maui and the Island of Hawaii with her school’s ukulele club, Na Kamali’i O Iliahi. She began playing cello at eleven and grew to play with various orchestras, worship teams, and musical groups throughout her career. She is pursuing a Bachelor’s in Music with a Music Education credential at Jessup University. Hannah is also a cellist in the Auburn Symphony and leads worship at Way of Grace Bible Church in Rancho Cordova.
Jeremy
Jeremy Paz is a drummer, percussionist, and educator. Having spent his youth in various bands and early adulthood earning his B.A. in Music from Jessup University, Jeremy has nearly 20 years of experience performing in a wide array of music genres — Rock, Metal, Pop, Jazz, R&B, Contemporary Christian Music, and more. In addition, he has experience tracking drums in recording studios for a number of artists and music groups in Northern California. As a professional musician, he is passionate about equipping drummers with the tools necessary to kickstart their music career; as an instructor, he is committed to guiding his students in honing their skills and thinking outside the box; and as a drumming fanatic, he is an advocate for each student to discover and celebrate their own unique voice on the drums and to build a lifelong relationship with their instrument.
Jennifer
Jennifer Rustad has been involved in music for as long as she can remember and received her B.A. in Music from Jessup University in 2021. Not only has she sung in choirs and played piano since elementary school, but Jennifer has also picked up several other instruments along the way, including guitar, ukulele, pipe organ, and accordion. Being a multi-instrumentalist, Jennifer has years of experience playing, singing, and recording in many different performance groups: Vocal Jazz ensembles, classical and contemporary choirs, instrumental groups, and worship teams.
Jennifer also has several years of experience working in special education and teaching students with different disabilities. Her goal is to help each student not only grow their passion for music but also develop the proper skills to confidently and effectively use their instrument(s) to express themselves.
Kathrine
Kathrine (Bamfield) O’Leary is a classically trained Soprano with a bachelor degree in Music (B.M. Vocal Performance ‘08) from CSU Sacramento and a Master degree from Boston Conservatory (M.M. Vocal Performance ‘10). Her beginnings in music were with Suzuki Piano in 1995 and she has been playing piano ever since, adding formal voice lessons in 2001. Her formal voice training is in Classical and Opera, but her beginnings and first love was Musical Theater. She loves helping students find their passions in music and teaching that the best way to improve their skills in any instrument is by learning how to learn. As a homeschooling mother of 4 she finds new ways to reach children every day at home. She continues to find her own musical outlets through her job as the lead soprano and assistant choir director at St. Luke’s Episcopal Church in Auburn as well as through the (very) occasional local theater programs.
Manuel
Manuel Ojeda is an accomplished piano teacher. He has over 50 years of teaching experience and has been with the Music Institute of Roseville for over 10 years. He has a passion to help motivate students to reach their maximum potential. His approach is to coach students to reach for what they desire in music. Some students want to pursue being a professional musician or teacher. Others want to perform as a passion and yet others want to write their own music. Developing character, pursuing the amazing journey of music, and becoming successful is Manuel’s goal for each of his students.
Monica
Monica has spent most of her life around music. Her music education officially began when she started taking piano lessons at age 9 and then started playing electric bass at the age of 12. She spent most of her high school years learning jazz bass and music theory, while picking up other instruments for fun; such as guitar and violin. Later, she took up activities like singing, songwriting, composing, and producing music. Monica is a graduate from Jessup University where she performed with the University Choir & Orchestra group and received her B.A. in Music. She has also had experience playing in worship teams, jazz bands, and rock bands. Performing and teaching are her greatest passions. For Monica, the most important aspect of teaching music is to make it a fun and enjoyable experience for students. She desires to help students accomplish their own individual musical goals while making it an enriching experience along the way.
Ryan
Ryan has been playing the drums since he was 18, and has been involved in the Sacramento music scene ever since. Since starting his musical journey, he has taught himself how to play the drums, guitar, and bass. Along the way he has played for many different bands in many styles, including Indie, Surf, Pop, Rock and Metal. After graduating Ponderosa High School, he attended American River College where he got his degree in music production. Shortly after, he formed his current band, got signed to a record label, and has played on stages big and small across the country. Ryan’s goal is to give students the tools needed to be creative and enjoy the craft of music.
Sierra
Sierra began her musical journey with the Davis Children’s Chorale and Sacramento Children’s Chorus, where a trip to see the Chicago cast of “Wicked” sparked her love for musical theatre. She later earned a BA in Musical Theatre and a minor in Applied Music Theory from the Point Park University Conservatory of Performing Arts. With 15 years of piano experience, Sierra incorporates her love of music theory into both her piano and voice students, encouraging their artistry through a wealth of technical “tips and tricks”. She has performed professionally all over the country, including a national tour with Missoula Children’s Theatre, off-broadway sketch comedy shows, and nominations for regional theatre work.
Sierra offers voice lessons focused on tension-free singing and healthy vocal habits, emphasizing expression and control. Her piano lessons focus on technique and theory, helping students develop confidence and musicality.
Stephanie
Stephanie Bacon has been teaching piano for 25+ years, starting in college and continuing to teach as she raised her three boys. Her teaching career began at the Music Exchange as a Music Director in Newcastle, California for their Yamaha programs. Stephanie would also participate in Crystal Cruise Lines, teaching for Yahama’s “Passport to Music.” Likewise, she obtained her certification as a Music Practitioner, allowing her to play for ill or dying patients in order to bless them with music. Additionally she has taught lessons in her home for 20 years, teaching students young and old alike, open to all who want to seek the gift of music
Through all her years of teaching, she has learned the importance of finding and building upon students’ individual strengths while simultaneously improving their areas of difficulty.
She uses visual, tactile, and auditory senses in developing her student’s musical talent and encourages students to listen to the music they are putting into the room. She believes each student has a unique learning method and strives to find that within each student. Stephanie inspires students to enjoy what they play and to keep positive goals that will lead to musical success.
Tim
Tim started taking guitar lessons in sixth grade, which kickstarted a musical journey that continues to gain momentum with each new aspect of music he encounters. He is a multi-instrumentalist, vocalist, producer, songwriter, and composer, and he is constantly finding new facets of music to integrate into his sense of musicality. He recently graduated from Jessup University, where he studied music production and classical guitar, was involved in multiple choirs and performance groups, and developed a love of teaching and facilitating music for others.
Tim views teaching as an opportunity for both teacher and student to learn from each other, and he believes that those willing to seek growth are bound to surprise themselves with how much they blossom. His goal as a teacher is to foster the creativity, passion, and capability already present in each student and empower them to rise to the challenge of learning new skills and techniques.
Jack
Bass Guitar, Voice, and Piano
Jack Lewis Olson, co-owner of the Music Institute of Roseville, graduated from Jessup University with a B.A. in Music Education. Jack has actively participated as a singer, musician, and leader in several different performance groups in college and more. He has been a musician since he was three years old, taking private lessons in piano, violin, bass, drums, and voice. In school, he grew very passionate about music theory and comprehension, and it has become an integral part of his musical journey. He aspires to make the Music Institute a place that fosters unique experiences, allowing students and teachers to feel encouraged and known in their craft.
Katie
Drawing, Acrylic Painting, and Watercolor
Katie Olson, co-owner of the Music Institute of Roseville, has been singing and creating art her whole life. She began her art education journey at 10 years old with lessons and eventually finding professional art mentors throughout Middle School and High School. In 2019 she received a bachelor’s degree in Visual and Fine Arts from Jessup University and continues learning every day through her own studies. She has had a variety of professional experiences including: working in an art studio assisting on large installations for theme parks and other businesses, leading and organizing six university art shows, teaching private and group art lessons, and doing commissioned artwork for over ten years. Katie is passionate about cultivating an environment for teachers and students to thrive and be successful in the pursuit of their creative dreams.