Amabile School of Music logo Amabile School of Music

Faculty

Meet the teachers behind 18 years of Amabile.

Over 30 instructors across both campuses — hand-picked, performance-tested, and trained at conservatories and universities around the world. Many have been with us for years.

Piano faculty

Teresa Yu

Teresa Yu

Founder & Director

Piano

Teresa Yu is the Founder & Director of Amabile School of Music in San Francisco and Moraga. She started piano at age 5 and trained in Taiwan, Japan, and the US, winning first prize at the New England Piano Teachers Association, the San Francisco Young Pianists Competition, the Berkeley Piano Club Competition, and the Mu Phi Epsilon Competition. As the winner of the San Francisco Conservatory of Music's Concerto Competition, she performed Saint-Saëns Piano Concerto No. 2 with the Conservatory Orchestra. She has performed with Symphony of the Redwoods and Redwood Symphony, in masterclasses with Mstislav Rostropovich, Leon Fleisher, Richard Goode, and Murray Perahia, and at the Kennedy Center as part of the Conservatory Project. She holds a Master's Degree in Piano Performance and the Artist Certificate in Chamber Music from the San Francisco Conservatory of Music.

Miriam Tayler

Miriam Tayler

Piano Faculty

Piano

Miriam is a classical pianist, teacher, and young composer pursuing her undergraduate degree at the San Francisco Conservatory of Music. She teaches piano to students from age 4 to adults. Her piano solo “Nostalgy” won the special “Golden Rose” prize, and she has performed Schumann's Papillons, Granados' Allegro de concierto, and works by Skoryk and Kosenko. She encourages students to play repertoire across all genres and makes music theory an essential component of every student's education.

Raul Quines

Raul Quines

Piano, Guitar & Voice

Piano, Guitar & Ukulele, Voice

Raul Quines is a composer and singer-songwriter whose primary instruments are piano, guitar, and voice. He earned a Bachelor of Music in Piano and trained in Composition at the Manhattan School of Music, plus a Master of Art in Ethnomusicology from Hunter College. He taught Composition, Music Theory, and Ear-training at the Manhattan School of Music Preparatory Division. His released works — including “Music for Lamentation,” “There's A Bridge,” “Lilac Wine,” “Mesmerized,” and his debut EP MOONS & ARCHES — are available on streaming platforms. “Each music student has a unique voice,” he says.

Hilary Thompson

Hilary Thompson

Piano, French Horn & Voice

Piano, French Horn, Voice

Hilary holds a Bachelor of Arts in Music from UC Santa Cruz with an emphasis on piano and performance. She has taught piano privately and at the San Francisco Community Music Center for over 24 years, and was a church music director in Point Richmond. In 2007 she picked up French horn and now plays in the Community Women's Orchestra and several concert bands. She offers an individualized approach tailored to each student's learning style and loves fostering enjoyment of music-making by encouraging students to help select repertoire.

Albert Vargas

Albert Vargas

Piano Faculty

Piano

Mr. Vargas has been playing piano since age 7. He's currently pursuing a bachelor's in Mathematics Education with a minor in Music, and has been teaching and tutoring across San Joaquin, Alameda, and Contra Costa County for 9 years. His true passion is piano, plus helping students with Math, English, and Music.

Monica Chan

Monica Chan

Piano & Voice

Piano, Voice

Born and raised in Hong Kong, Monica is an experienced music educator with a Bachelor's in Music Education from The Education University of Hong Kong, ABRSM grade 8 piano, ABRSM grade 5 vocal singing, and 13 years teaching in public elementary and middle school. She has coached students for ABRSM piano examinations to excellent results and led public performances. Fluent in multiple languages.

Taylor Compton-Phelps

Taylor Compton-Phelps

Guitar, Piano, Bass, Drums & Ukulele

Guitar & Ukulele, Piano, Drums & Percussion

Taylor is a versatile guitarist and dedicated music educator with over eight years of teaching experience. Originally from Knoxville, Tennessee, he holds a Bachelor of Music in Studio Music and Jazz from the University of Tennessee. He's taught students of all ages and skill levels across guitar, piano, bass, drums, and ukulele — from jazz combos to rock bands. His teaching philosophy emphasizes patience, curiosity, and joy.

Rupali Sharma

Rupali Sharma

Piano Faculty

Piano

Rupali is a versatile pianist and instructor with over a decade of experience teaching pop, rock, and classical to students ages 4 to adult, including students with dyslexia, chronic illness, and autism. Many of her students have stayed with her for years. Her teaching covers ear training, music theory, sight-reading, and solid technique. She holds a Bachelor's Degree in Music from San Francisco State University.

Sarah Jaegers

Sarah Jaegers

Piano, Clarinet & Saxophone (online only)

Piano, Clarinet & Saxophone

Originally from Holland, Michigan, Dr. Sarah Korneisel Jaegers teaches piano, clarinet, and saxophone at Amabile. She earned her DMA from The Ohio State University, MM from Michigan State University, and BM and BA in Spanish from Iowa State. Her dissertation focused on Turkish classical clarinet repertoire. She believes each student has a unique voice and creates a fun, welcoming studio that engages students and inspires joy and creativity.

Fiona Cheng

Fiona Cheng

Piano Faculty

Piano

Originally from Hong Kong, Fiona is a pianist and a singer. She started piano at 12 and completed her ABRSM grade 8 exam. She holds a Bachelor of Music from San Francisco State University and a Master of Music Education from Holy Names University. Fiona sings in the San Francisco Choral Society and the San Francisco City Chorus. Her teaching focuses on music theory, piano technique, and musical expression.

Matthew Gaspar

Matthew Gaspar

Piano Faculty

Piano

Matthew started piano at age 5. After graduating from UC San Diego with a degree in General Biology, he discovered his joy in piano teaching and has pursued it for 14 years. He guides students ages 5 and above to discover the fun of playing the piano by focusing on a solid foundation of note reading, rhythm, and finger and hand positions, and constantly building students' confidence.

Renata Norcia

Renata Norcia

Violin, Viola & Piano

Violin & Viola, Piano

A Berkeley native, Renata studied with Rafael Bronstein (a student of Leopold Auer) at the Manhattan School of Music. She freelanced and played on Broadway with tours in FL, VA, and CT, then moved to Amsterdam and toured the world for 3 years with the Heidelberger and Köln chamber orchestras. She freelanced across Holland, Sweden, and Norway, and taught violin, viola, and piano at Vestby and Hobøl Cultural schools for 21 years before returning to the Bay Area.

Audrey Wu

Audrey Wu

Cello & Piano

Cello, Piano

Audrey began studying piano and cello at age 5. She has performed in concerts and competitions around the world — Taipei, New York, Beijing, Hong Kong, Osaka, Vienna, and Frankfurt — and is currently pursuing her Bachelor of Arts at UC Berkeley. She understands the challenges of performing in front of an audience and aims to help her students build both confidence and artistry.

Eli Eckert

Eli Eckert

Guitar, Drums & Piano

Guitar & Ukulele, Drums & Percussion, Piano

Eli has been teaching guitar, drum, and piano lessons in the Bay Area for the past 14 years. He fosters joy for playing music that students will carry with them for life, and creates an enjoyable, encouraging, appropriately challenging atmosphere. He's also a songwriter and instrumentalist who has co-founded several bands, recorded multiple albums, and toured throughout the U.S. and Europe.

Kylie Pavlik

Kylie Pavlik

Piano & Bass

Piano

Kylie is a working artist and musician living in the Bay Area. She began piano at age 5 and has continued for over twenty years — trained in classical piano, music theory, and sight reading. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Art Practice and a Bachelor of Science in Psychology from Saint Mary's College of California. Her teaching emphasizes creative expression and experimentation as a means of developing personal style.

Voice faculty

Raul Quines

Raul Quines

Piano, Guitar & Voice

Piano, Guitar & Ukulele, Voice

Raul Quines is a composer and singer-songwriter whose primary instruments are piano, guitar, and voice. He earned a Bachelor of Music in Piano and trained in Composition at the Manhattan School of Music, plus a Master of Art in Ethnomusicology from Hunter College. He taught Composition, Music Theory, and Ear-training at the Manhattan School of Music Preparatory Division. His released works — including “Music for Lamentation,” “There's A Bridge,” “Lilac Wine,” “Mesmerized,” and his debut EP MOONS & ARCHES — are available on streaming platforms. “Each music student has a unique voice,” he says.

Hilary Thompson

Hilary Thompson

Piano, French Horn & Voice

Piano, French Horn, Voice

Hilary holds a Bachelor of Arts in Music from UC Santa Cruz with an emphasis on piano and performance. She has taught piano privately and at the San Francisco Community Music Center for over 24 years, and was a church music director in Point Richmond. In 2007 she picked up French horn and now plays in the Community Women's Orchestra and several concert bands. She offers an individualized approach tailored to each student's learning style and loves fostering enjoyment of music-making by encouraging students to help select repertoire.

Monica Chan

Monica Chan

Piano & Voice

Piano, Voice

Born and raised in Hong Kong, Monica is an experienced music educator with a Bachelor's in Music Education from The Education University of Hong Kong, ABRSM grade 8 piano, ABRSM grade 5 vocal singing, and 13 years teaching in public elementary and middle school. She has coached students for ABRSM piano examinations to excellent results and led public performances. Fluent in multiple languages.

Megan O'Brien

Megan O'Brien

Voice Faculty

Voice

Megan is a classically-trained soprano with experience leading song in churches across the United States and at European festivals. She earned her Bachelor of Arts in Vocal Performance from the Benjamin T. Rome School of Music at Catholic University of America and continued her studies in New York with the Amalfi Coast Music Festival. She has been a member of the St. Patrick's Cathedral (NY) choir, the Baltimore Symphony choir, and recently led the men's Catholic choir at San Quentin Prison.

Tamara Haskin

Tamara Haskin

Voice (online only)

Voice

American Soprano Tamara Haskin made her international stage debut in 2009 in the title role of Verdi's Aida at the Macedonian Opera, and has since sung close to 100 performances of Aida and other verismo roles across the U.S. and Europe. She earned her Bachelor of Music in Vocal Performance at Wichita State, with Master's work at the Philadelphia College of Performing Arts. She lived in Paris and Berlin for 16 years and speaks French and German. Her teaching combines vocal technique with vocal coaching in a fun, positive, nurturing environment.

Cello faculty

Audrey Wu

Audrey Wu

Cello & Piano

Cello, Piano

Audrey began studying piano and cello at age 5. She has performed in concerts and competitions around the world — Taipei, New York, Beijing, Hong Kong, Osaka, Vienna, and Frankfurt — and is currently pursuing her Bachelor of Arts at UC Berkeley. She understands the challenges of performing in front of an audience and aims to help her students build both confidence and artistry.

Violin & Viola faculty

Renata Norcia

Renata Norcia

Violin, Viola & Piano

Violin & Viola, Piano

A Berkeley native, Renata studied with Rafael Bronstein (a student of Leopold Auer) at the Manhattan School of Music. She freelanced and played on Broadway with tours in FL, VA, and CT, then moved to Amsterdam and toured the world for 3 years with the Heidelberger and Köln chamber orchestras. She freelanced across Holland, Sweden, and Norway, and taught violin, viola, and piano at Vestby and Hobøl Cultural schools for 21 years before returning to the Bay Area.

Zachary Uzin

Zachary Uzin

Violin & Viola

Violin & Viola

Mr. Uzin started violin at age 5. He graduated from Sokolovky's Musical College in Gomel, Belarus in 1977 and taught violin at Gomel's Tchaikovsky Music School from 1975-1983, where his students placed in many competitions and festivals. He worked as concertmaster of violins at the Gomel Philharmonic Chamber Orchestra. After moving to the United States in 1989, he has continued to teach violin and also performs as a guitarist with The Best Russian Music Band and The Caesar's Empire Jazz-Rock Band.

Barbara Schaefer

Barbara Schaefer

Violin & Viola

Violin & Viola

Barbara began Suzuki violin at age 5. A native Texan, she holds a Bachelor of Music from Indiana University and a Master of Music from the San Francisco Conservatory of Music. She performs actively with many Bay Area ensembles and is a member of the Fresno Philharmonic and the Santa Rosa Symphony. Her teaching combines pedagogy from the Indiana University String Academy, the Paul Rolland method, the Orff Approach, Alexander technique, and Suzuki training.

Guitar & Ukulele faculty

Raul Quines

Raul Quines

Piano, Guitar & Voice

Piano, Guitar & Ukulele, Voice

Raul Quines is a composer and singer-songwriter whose primary instruments are piano, guitar, and voice. He earned a Bachelor of Music in Piano and trained in Composition at the Manhattan School of Music, plus a Master of Art in Ethnomusicology from Hunter College. He taught Composition, Music Theory, and Ear-training at the Manhattan School of Music Preparatory Division. His released works — including “Music for Lamentation,” “There's A Bridge,” “Lilac Wine,” “Mesmerized,” and his debut EP MOONS & ARCHES — are available on streaming platforms. “Each music student has a unique voice,” he says.

Taylor Compton-Phelps

Taylor Compton-Phelps

Guitar, Piano, Bass, Drums & Ukulele

Guitar & Ukulele, Piano, Drums & Percussion

Taylor is a versatile guitarist and dedicated music educator with over eight years of teaching experience. Originally from Knoxville, Tennessee, he holds a Bachelor of Music in Studio Music and Jazz from the University of Tennessee. He's taught students of all ages and skill levels across guitar, piano, bass, drums, and ukulele — from jazz combos to rock bands. His teaching philosophy emphasizes patience, curiosity, and joy.

Elias Lozano

Elias Lozano

Guitar & Bass

Guitar & Ukulele

Elias is a seasoned music educator with years of teaching experience — a decade of guitar and bass playing under his belt and four years of live performance experience in venues across the Bay Area. He's served as a performance program music director, honing his ability to inspire and develop budding musicians. His teaching is rooted in real-world experience: technique plus performing with confidence and passion.

Eli Eckert

Eli Eckert

Guitar, Drums & Piano

Guitar & Ukulele, Drums & Percussion, Piano

Eli has been teaching guitar, drum, and piano lessons in the Bay Area for the past 14 years. He fosters joy for playing music that students will carry with them for life, and creates an enjoyable, encouraging, appropriately challenging atmosphere. He's also a songwriter and instrumentalist who has co-founded several bands, recorded multiple albums, and toured throughout the U.S. and Europe.

Ryan Gordon

Ryan Gordon

Drums, Saxophone & Bass

Drums & Percussion, Guitar & Ukulele

Ryan is a multi-talented musician and instructor who has been playing instruments since age 3, with formal training on alto saxophone, drum set, piano, electric bass, guitar, ukulele, and upright bass. As a professional musician, composer, and producer, Ryan has worked with five Grammy winners, currently scores The Bad Shepherd, and is a recipient of the SF Arts Commission 23/24 grant for a 13-piece big band double album.

Matt Funamura

Matt Funamura

Trumpet, Guitar, Bass, Ukulele & Mandolin (online only)

Trumpet, Guitar & Ukulele

Matt is a trumpeter, guitarist, composer, arranger, and multi-instrumentalist raised in the Sierra Nevada Foothills. He picked up his first guitar at age 6 and trumpet at 8. He earned a Bachelor of Performance from Berklee College of Music. Matt has performed with Angelique Kidjo, Ingrid Jensen, Tiger Okoshi, Gamble & Huff, and many others, and currently plays with the North Beach Brass Band. He teaches trumpet, guitar, bass, ukulele, and mandolin.

Drums & Percussion faculty

Ethan Lin

Ethan Lin

Assistant Director

Drums & Percussion

Dr. Ethan Lin earned his Master of Music in Percussion Studies from NYU and a Professional Studies Diploma from the San Francisco Conservatory of Music, where he studied with the SF Symphony's principal percussion Jack Van Geem. He earned his DMA in Percussion Performance at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. Recently he was invited to perform Steve Reich's Six Marimbas with members of the San Francisco Symphony at Davies Symphony Hall. His teaching philosophy: make music enjoyable at all times, and help students feel the joy and peace music brings.

Taylor Compton-Phelps

Taylor Compton-Phelps

Guitar, Piano, Bass, Drums & Ukulele

Guitar & Ukulele, Piano, Drums & Percussion

Taylor is a versatile guitarist and dedicated music educator with over eight years of teaching experience. Originally from Knoxville, Tennessee, he holds a Bachelor of Music in Studio Music and Jazz from the University of Tennessee. He's taught students of all ages and skill levels across guitar, piano, bass, drums, and ukulele — from jazz combos to rock bands. His teaching philosophy emphasizes patience, curiosity, and joy.

Eli Eckert

Eli Eckert

Guitar, Drums & Piano

Guitar & Ukulele, Drums & Percussion, Piano

Eli has been teaching guitar, drum, and piano lessons in the Bay Area for the past 14 years. He fosters joy for playing music that students will carry with them for life, and creates an enjoyable, encouraging, appropriately challenging atmosphere. He's also a songwriter and instrumentalist who has co-founded several bands, recorded multiple albums, and toured throughout the U.S. and Europe.

Ryan Gordon

Ryan Gordon

Drums, Saxophone & Bass

Drums & Percussion, Guitar & Ukulele

Ryan is a multi-talented musician and instructor who has been playing instruments since age 3, with formal training on alto saxophone, drum set, piano, electric bass, guitar, ukulele, and upright bass. As a professional musician, composer, and producer, Ryan has worked with five Grammy winners, currently scores The Bad Shepherd, and is a recipient of the SF Arts Commission 23/24 grant for a 13-piece big band double album.

Clarinet & Saxophone faculty

Sarah Jaegers

Sarah Jaegers

Piano, Clarinet & Saxophone (online only)

Piano, Clarinet & Saxophone

Originally from Holland, Michigan, Dr. Sarah Korneisel Jaegers teaches piano, clarinet, and saxophone at Amabile. She earned her DMA from The Ohio State University, MM from Michigan State University, and BM and BA in Spanish from Iowa State. Her dissertation focused on Turkish classical clarinet repertoire. She believes each student has a unique voice and creates a fun, welcoming studio that engages students and inspires joy and creativity.

French Horn faculty

Hilary Thompson

Hilary Thompson

Piano, French Horn & Voice

Piano, French Horn, Voice

Hilary holds a Bachelor of Arts in Music from UC Santa Cruz with an emphasis on piano and performance. She has taught piano privately and at the San Francisco Community Music Center for over 24 years, and was a church music director in Point Richmond. In 2007 she picked up French horn and now plays in the Community Women's Orchestra and several concert bands. She offers an individualized approach tailored to each student's learning style and loves fostering enjoyment of music-making by encouraging students to help select repertoire.

Trumpet faculty

Matt Funamura

Matt Funamura

Trumpet, Guitar, Bass, Ukulele & Mandolin (online only)

Trumpet, Guitar & Ukulele

Matt is a trumpeter, guitarist, composer, arranger, and multi-instrumentalist raised in the Sierra Nevada Foothills. He picked up his first guitar at age 6 and trumpet at 8. He earned a Bachelor of Performance from Berklee College of Music. Matt has performed with Angelique Kidjo, Ingrid Jensen, Tiger Okoshi, Gamble & Huff, and many others, and currently plays with the North Beach Brass Band. He teaches trumpet, guitar, bass, ukulele, and mandolin.

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