The Maclay Music Academy (MMA) under the direction of Aaron Seiler, Maclay String Orchestra program, offers students over 80 private half-hour sessions each week. For beginning through advanced students, grades 1-12, the MMA provides professional instructors on the Maclay campus for violin, viola, cello, and piano. Check back for additional classes/instruments that will soon be offered. To register, click the button below, select the musical instrument/instructor, and then choose your desired lesson time.
Our Instructors
Noah Hayes
Cellist Noah Hays, a native of Jacksonville, Florida, began his musical studies at the age of 10 and gave his solo debut at the age of 15 performing Tchaikovsky’s Rococo Variations with the JSYO Philharmonic. He later appeared as a soloist with the Jacksonville Symphony performing Shostakovich Concerto No. 1. Noah has had the opportunity to work with some of the greatest artists and teachers of modern times in masterclasses - including Alisa Weilerstein, Colin Carr, Hans Jensen, Richard Aaron, Natasha Brofsky, Clive Greensmith, Matt Haimovitz, and Johannes Moser. Equally at home playing in ensembles, he is a section cellist with the Tallahassee Symphony Orchestra and the Northwest Florida Symphony Orchestra and has been principal cellist of many student and festival orchestras. Noah has played a wide variety of chamber music under the guidance of many world-renowned coaches, including members of the Jupiter and Ying String Quartets. He is an alumnus of the Bowdoin, Masterworks, and Green Mountain festivals, and was also one of two cellists selected nationally to perform in the precollege masterclass at the 2020 ASTA conference in Orlando. Currently a student of Professor Greg Sauer at Florida State University, he previously attended the Cleveland Institute of Music, earning full merit scholarships at both institutions. Noah is grateful for the mentorship of Dr. Nick Curry and Sabrina Krisberg, his teachers before college. He plays a fine contemporary cello and bow on generous loan from the Virtu Foundation.
Jose Serrano
José A. Serrano is an upright bass player and pedagogue in the classical and jazz disciplines. He has a Master’s degree in Jazz Performance from Florida State University and has been a part of Tallahassee Youth Orchestra’s faculty for over 4 years. Drawing upon over two decades of mastering the upright bass, José is not just a seasoned player, but also dedicated to sharing his accrued knowledge through technique, theory, and improvisation. His commitment to fostering deep understanding, coupled with a passion for musical expression, shapes a comprehensive and engaging learning experience for students at all levels in a large variety of genres.
Nina Yim
Nina Yim graduated summa cum laude with a Master's degree in Piano Performance & Pedagogy at Florida State University. She grew up in Hong Kong and has performed in China, Italy, Croatia and the United States. As an award-winning pianist, Nina has toured with the St Olaf Orchestra in Summer 2022, placed first in both the 2021 Thursday Musical Young Artist competition and 2020 Schubert Club’s Bruce P. Carlson Student Scholarship competition. Aside from her passion for piano pedagogy and commitment to support people on their journey to find joy and accomplishments in music, she is also obsessed with her orange tabby cat, Tangii. With a deep conviction that music learning should be a dynamic and encapsulating full-body experience, it is her mission to disperse joy along with knowledge and independence to students through her teaching.
Jean-Luc Cataquet Santaella
Jean-Luc Cataquet Santaella a Puerto Rican violinist and teacher, began studying the violin at the tender age of four with Martin Goldman. He has also had the honor of studying with Elena Sherbanesco, Ramonita Leandry, Dianne Pinner, Dr. Brandon Ironside and Dr. Francisco Caban. He has also performed for renowned violin pedagogues and performers such as Paul Kantor, Lucie Robert, Dr. Nicholas Hatt, Gabriel Lefkowitz, and David Kim. Jean-Luc Cataquet Santaella was the first prize winner of the XXIV Conservatorio de Música de Puerto Rico Concerto Competition. In addition to his passions for solo and orchestral repertoire, Jean-Luc Cataquet Santaella is an avid chamber musician and has had the privilege of being coached by members of the Velox Quarett, the Ezra Duo and the Verona Quartet. He is currently pursuing his master’s degree in Violin Performance at Florida State University College of Music under the tutelage of Dr. Shannon Thomas and attending festivals to further develop his training.
Bárbara Santiago
Bárbara Santiago is a violinist originally from Gurabo, Puerto Rico. She has participated in various orchestral and chamber music festivals including Green Mountain Chamber Music Festival and Emerald Coast Chamber Music Festival, where she had the opportunity to perform for renowned pedagogue Paul Kantor. Bárbara Santiago was the first prize winner of the XXI Conservatorio de Música de Puerto Rico Concerto Competition. She holds a Bachelors of Music in violin performance from the Conservatorio de Música de Puerto Rico and a Master of Music in violin performance from Florida State University. Since 2016, she has performed with different orchestras and is currently a member of the Tallahassee Symphony Orchestra. Bárbara Santiago is currently pursuing her Doctorate of Music in violin performance at Florida State University and is a Graduate Assistant of Dr. Shannon Thomas.
Mikayla Kreider
Mikayla Kreider is currently a PhD student in Piano Pedagogy at Florida State University. With an MM in Piano Performance from the University of Florida, Mikayla is a seasoned performer. In addition to solo performances in the US and Ireland, Mikayla is an experienced collaborative pianist, and appeared with the UF orchestra, choirs, and graduate string ensemble during her master’s degree. Her teaching career began during her undergraduate studies in her home state of Ohio, where she taught lessons at the Fairlawn School of Music for three years, and she has continued teaching privately ever since. Mikayla is committed to providing a patient and engaging learning environment that is tailored to each student’s needs and interests. She guides students in fostering a love of music while also developing technical and theoretical skills that will provide a basis for lifelong music learning.
Bianca Lupsha
Bianca Lupsha is a highly experienced musician. She has been collaborating for almost 2 decades with the FSU College of Music, FSU School of Theater, and more recently with the Tallahassee Young Actors Theater. Originally hailing from Romania, Bianca started her piano studies in her home country, received a scholarship and moved to the US in 2001 to pursue a Master's in Piano Performance at Bowling Green State University, in Ohio. Furthering her academic pursuits, Bianca moved to Tallahassee in 2006, where she earned a second master's degree in Opera Coaching at Florida State University. Since 1998, Bianca has been dedicated to private piano instruction, finding special fulfillment in teaching beginner students. Her pedagogical philosophy revolves around establishing a robust foundation through joy and enjoyment of the work, aiming to instill a lifelong passion for music. Bianca disguises the difficulties that come with learning a musical instrument through playful and rewarding lessons. She incorporates diverse elements into her teaching methodology, encompassing singing, rhythm exercises, and music theory alongside piano technique. This leads to happy students who are well set up for a life-long passion for music.
Kali Henre
Kali Henre is a junior studying instrumental music education at Florida State University. She has been playing violin for 8 years and has given violin lessons to elementary and middle school students in the past. Kali has also been a judge for the North Florida String Festival and is currently the Vice President of the American String Teachers Association chapter at Florida State University.
Dr. Jennifer Teng
Dr. Jennifer Teng is a well-accomplished musician and educator, specializing in Flute Performance, Orchestra Conducting, and Piano Performance Collaborative. She holds a Doctor of Musical Arts (DMA) degree from the University of North Texas, Upon graduation, she accepted the role of Assistant Professor in Flute, Chamber Music, and Orchestra Conducting at the University Putra Malaysia in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, and served as the Music Director for the University Symphony Orchestra. During her tenure, she received invitations to perform with the National Symphony Orchestra and Symphonic Wind Orchestra, performed in Malaysia, Taiwan, Singapore, and U.S.A. As a Flute soloist, she performed at venues such as the Steinway Historical Roadshow, National Theater, Sunway University, Dallas Steinway Hall, Lewisville Lake Symphony International Chamber Music Series, American Wind Symphony Orchestra, Yale University International Festival of Arts & Ideas, and Manchester Music Festival in Vermont. Dr. Teng achieved distinction as the winner of the UNT Concerto Competition, and was a semifinalist of the Piccolo Artist Competition at the 36th Annual National Flute Association Convention in Kansas City, MO. In her capacity as UNT Flute and Chamber Music Teaching Fellow, Dr. Teng’s commitment to excellence in teaching and mentorship is evident in the success of her students, many of whom have secured music teaching positions nationwide.