Our Teaching Artists

What is a teaching artist?

Teaching artists are simply teachers that practice what they preach. Each one of our teachers is not only experienced in arts education and the pedagogy of their discipline, but actively participates in the creation of art within their discipline. Our teachers perform in professional ensembles, lead worship in their churches, sell art to national conglomerates, and perform with their own students. With no further ado…

Richard Altenbach - Violin

All Levels
Cost per Month: $161 (weekly half-hour lessons) Register here.
A sought-after Hollywood Recording Musician for 25+ years,  A-List Violinist, and Principal for Danny Elfman, Richard has participated in over 1000 film scores with such composers as John Williams, Hans Zimmer, James Horner, Howard Shore, James Newton Howard, and the two late greats Jerry Goldsmith and John Barry.
Richard received his Master of Music Degree from University of Illinois where he graduated magna cum laude under the tutelage of Sergiu Luca. Formerly 1st Violinist of the Los Angeles Chamber, LA Opera, Joffrey Ballet, and Houston Symphony Orchestras, he has also served as Concertmaster of the Mozart Camerata, Associate Concertmaster of the Omaha, Berkeley, and Hollywood Bowl Orchestras, and member of the Fontenelle String Quartet. Richard performs currently as Concertmaster of Auburn Symphony and InConcert Sierra. He has been featured locally as a chamber musician and as soloist for Music in the Mountains, inConcert Sierra, and the Apollo Arts Ensemble.
He presents two popular seminars at theatres, colleges, and other teaching venues: A Century of Music in Film and Home Studio Recording on a Budget.
Richard and musician/singer wife Dawn are the proud parents of a very musical young son Bren.
http://www.richardaltenbach.com/

Spencer Ansett - Calligraphy

Classes for students of all ages.
Spencer was born and raised in Spokane, WA and has always had a creative and competitive streak. Calligraphy seems to combine the two of those for him as there is always room to improve and refine the letter forms. Spencer first tried calligraphy in the 5th grade during an art class at The Oaks and ever since then has pursued it as a creative outlet. He started his own business doing custom calligraphy, greeting cards, and artwork in 2020.
After graduating from The Oaks in 2011, he earned his bachelor’s degree in Business Management from Whitworth University and was a left handed pitcher on the baseball team for 4 years there as well.
Spencer currently lives in Spokane with his wife, Jessica, and their two children, Ellory and Paxton.
www.spenceransett.com

Marissa Dunn - Piano

(Marissa’s studio is currently full; register to join her waiting list.)
Intermediate–Advanced Students — 5th Grade & up
Cost per Month: $133 (weekly half-hour lessons)
Mrs. Dunn holds a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Music, Piano Performance and Piano Pedagogy from Washington State University. She has performed as a solo artist in recitals, with the Washington/Idaho Symphony, and as an accompanist to collegiate choirs. She is an active member the Spokane Chapter of the Music Teachers National Association where she acts as Chair of the State Recitalist Competition.
Marissa has maintained a private piano studio for 15 years with an emphasis in classical education ranging from beginners to advanced. Aside from classical music, Marissa has enjoyed playing on church worship teams for the past eight years. She has a love for music and a desire to develop well rounded, skilled musicians, who can use their gifts for His glory. Marissa and her husband Brandon live in Spokane Valley with their three children.
 

Nursulu Dyikanbaeva - Piano

All Levels
Cost per Month: $133 (weekly half-hour lessons) Register here.
Nursulu Dyikanbaeva has played the piano since the age of six. From 1983 to 1994 she studied under Igor Litunenko at the Kyrgyz Republic Special Musical School named after M. Abdraev. Then from 1994 to 2002, she studied in the Piano Performance Master Program and later in the Postgraduate Program at the Kyrgyz National Conservatory of Music under Vitaliy Zhelobkov, who is a descendant of Ukrainian piano tradition. In 1996 she won 3rd prize at the Kyrgyz Republic National Piano Competition. In 1999 she won 1st prize at the Youth National Piano Competition. In 2000 she won 2nd prize at the “Musician of XXI Century” International Piano Competition (Kazakhstan). In 2008 she participated in the IV International Piano Competition (Almaty, Kazakhstan). She has performed in South Korea, Kazakhstan, and Austria. She has performed as a soloist with National Broadcasting Company Orchestra, Bishkek Municipal Orchestra, and Chui Chamber Orchestra. Since 1998 Nursulu has been teaching students from various cultures. She was a Piano Instructor at several musical schools and a Senior Accompanist and Chamber Music Instructor at the Kyrgyz National Conservatory, Kyrgyz State University of Culture and Art. Since 1996 she also has been a worship musician and a church choir accompanist.
In 2018 Nursulu moved to the United States with her family. Now she teaches music and performs as a soloist and a chamber musician in the Spokane and Coeur d’Alene areas.

Tobin Eyestone - Choir & Voice

All levels — 5th Grade & up
Cost per Month: $115.50 (weekly half-hour lessons) Register here.
Tobin Eyestone received a Bachelor of Arts in Music with an emphasis in vocal and choral pedagogy from Whitworth University in 2011. During his time there he also studied acting and dance extensively. In spite of his training and passion for performance, Tobin’s true heart was for education, and he went on to earn a Master’s Degree in Teaching in 2015 from Whitworth. From 2017 to 2022, he was the Director of Choral Music at Mt. Spokane High School where he also served as musical director for several theatre productions, and offered voice lessons to many of his students. From 2018 to 2020, Tobin sang tenor for Spokane Kantorei, a local professional choir under the direction of Dr. Tim Westerhaus. As a member of the group, he performed in notable works such as Bach’s Mass in B Minor, Vaughan Williams’ Dona Nobis Pacem, and Handel’s Messiah.
Tobin believes strongly that a foundation of classical vocal instruction is crucial to the success of singers in any style of music. Only with proper training will each student’s voice gain access to the full breadth of musical expression, which is foremost. Tobin believes that expressive, authentic performance has the power to break down barriers, open pathways for Christ’s love, and change lives with the Truth.
Mr. Eyestone serves as Conservatory Director, and conducts the Regis Cantores Men’s Choir.

John Gardner - Horn, Trumpet, & Trombone

All Levels — 6th Grade & up
Cost per Month: $115.50 (weekly half-hour lessons) Register here.
John has a degree in trumpet from Tennessee Technological University, as well as an MA from The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary. He has decades of experience teaching private brass lessons, and has performed with numerous professional ensembles, such as the Southern Stars Symphonic Brass and Music City Swing.
John is a transplant to Spokane, where he serves as the Worship Pastor at Faith Bible Church. Prior to taking this position, he served churches in Tennessee for 20 years, including a 12 year stint as the founder and administrator of the Stevens Street School of Performing Arts, a Christ-centered private arts academy. He is an avid arranger of music for church choir & orchestra, and is the author of Systematic Hymnology, a new children’s choir curriculum designed to teach the doctrines of our faith through the songs that we sing. John and his wife Laurie have three children at the Oaks, and are tremendously happy to call Spokane Valley their home.
 Mr. Gardner also teaches the Masterworks Masterclass symphony preview series.

Kathy Gentili - Flute

All Levels — 5th Grade & up
Cost per Month: $105 (weekly half-hour lessons) Register here.
“Sing to Him a new song; play skillfully with a shout of joy.” Psalm 33:3
Kathy grew up on Air Force bases throughout the continental United States, Hawaii, and Guam. She attended Oral Roberts University, where she studied flute and earned a Bachelor of Music Education degree in 1977. Kathy also has extensive Orff Schulwerk training and certification, in which there is an emphasis on teaching musical concepts through active participation.
Kathy has enjoyed playing flute, piccolo, and recorders since her youth. Her teaching experience includes K-8 general music and band in several Spokane area schools, private preschool+ homeschool music classes, and numerous private flute students. She also taught music at Classical Christian Academy in Coeur d’Alene during its inaugural year in 1995.
Mrs. Gentili taught elementary music at The Oaks for 13 years, from 1998-2011. She regularly integrated biblical and historical content with the teaching of singing, recorder, percussion instruments, and creative movement. While at The Oaks, Mrs Gentili, composed weekly Bible memory melodies for Grades 2-6, first in the NIV and subsequently in the NKJV. She also composed/adapted and recorded the musical arrangements for the school’s History Songs.
Kathy has enjoyed playing flute in church worship teams and numerous orchestral settings. She has played in The Oaks’ musicals, and has been a long time participant in the Project Joy (Senior) Orchestra – either on flute or timpani. She has also directed handbell choirs.
Kathy and her husband, Don, have four adult daughters who all attended The Oaks. There are 11 grandchildren (and counting…), two of whom will be attending The Oaks K/3 this fall.

Evgeny Grechko - cello

All Levels
Cost per Month: $133 (weekly half-hour lessons) Register here.
Evgeny Grechko has played the cello since the age of eight. He obtained a Bachelor of Music Degree from Kyrgyz State Musical College in 1995. Then in 2000, he graduated from the Cello Performance Master Program and later Postgraduate Program at the Kyrgyz National Conservatory of Music (class of Professor Zenona Slenzak-Begaliev). Later he obtained a Master’s Degree in Symphony and Opera Conducting (classes of Asankhan Dzhumakhmatov and Alexander Georgiev). In 2003 he participated in the Carnegie Hall Fellows Program at New York studying chamber music with Michael Stern, Paul Hersh, Ian Swensen, and members of the St. Lawrence Quartet.
Evgeny performed as a conductor with the National Broadcasting Company Symphony Orchestra, Bishkek City Symphony Orchestra, Karaganda Symphony Orchestra (Kazakhstan), and Coeur d’Alene Symphony Orchestra. He has participated as an ensemble member and soloist in concerts at Carnegie Hall (NY), University of California San Francisco, Istanbul City Concert Hall, Kyrgyz National Philharmonic Hall, Kyrgyz National Conservatory Concert Hall, Kyrgyz Opera and Ballet Theatre. From 2011 to 2018 he had been conductor of the State Chui Chamber Orchestra. In 2018 he moved to the United States with his family. 
Now he leads Orchestra and Choir at Pilgrim Slavic Baptist Church in Spokane, plays for the Coeur d’Alene Symphony Orchestra, and performs in the Spokane and Coeur d’Alene area.

Samuel Jenkins - Violin & Viola

All Levels
Cost per Month: $115.50 (weekly half-hour lessons) Register here.
Samuel received an MM in Composition from Houghton College (Houghton, NY), mentored by violinist Soo Yeon Kim. Prior to Houghton, he graduated Magna Cum Laude from Eastern Washington University with a BM in Composition, instructed in violin by Julia Salerno.
Samuel has performed as a violinist in over fifty orchestral concerts, playing with the Spokane Youth Symphony, the Eastern Washington University Orchestra, and the Houghton Symphony Orchestra. He additionally has performed in college musicals and operas, including Gilbert and Sullivans’ Pirates of Penzance and Mozart’s Cosi fan Tutte. He has played violin on worship teams for over ten years and recently performed with Pilgrim Slavic Church’s volunteer orchestra.
In addition to the violin, Samuel learned the viola while getting his bachelor’s in music and went on to perform with the Eastern Washington University Orchestra and various college chamber groups. A 2016 Oaks graduate, Samuel is excited to help Oaks students grow as musicians. Outside of the Oaks Conservatory, he is a teacher’s assistant at VoiceWorks music studio.
While at Houghton College, Samuel tutored students in music theory and composition. He participated in NYU’s “2021 BMI TV and Advertising Scoring Workshops” and was one of the nationwide winners in the “TIME 2022 Composition Festival.” He currently gives private lessons in composition and music theory.
Samuel also conducts the Primary Strings Orchestra.
https://www.samueljenkinsmusic.com

Josh Krell - Guitar & Ukelele

All Levels
Cost per Month: $178.50 (weekly half-hour lessons) Register here.
Joshua is a professional guitar instructor, songwriter, and producer in Spokane Valley. His musical journey started early when his mother put him in drum lessons at age two. Joshua’s love and passion for guitar and songwriting began while leading worship in his family’s church at age 10. He released his first worship album at age eleven and has written and produced seven more albums of original music over his career. When his family moved to Spokane, Joshua helped his mother build up, train and oversee a band of musicians as well as sound and tech crews at Fourth Memorial Church where his father pastored.
Joshua received a degree in Audio Engineering and Music Production from Spokane Falls Community College. While in school Joshua interned with Mortimore Productions, a local commercial Audio and Video production house. He also worked on numerous projects with the Fox Theatre, the Bing Crosby, Amplified Wax Recording Studios, Crabwalk Recording Studios, and Spokane Recording Studios.
Joshua began his teaching career in 2015, and has built a very high in-demand guitar teaching studio averaging 70+ clients a week. Since 2015 he has taught over 1,300 students privately of all ages and has coached over 100 students through writing and producing their music. Joshua has also recorded on and produced hundreds of songs, demos, and full-length albums for artists and songwriters across the country in Christian and secular settings. Additionally he has worked with various churches across the Inland Northwest, including both established churches (Lifecenter Church & Valley Real Life), and church plants aiding them in their Sound and Tech needs.
Joshua lives in Spokane Valley, WA with his golden retriever puppy, Pippin, and serves in worship and sound at Legacy Church in Liberty Lake.
 

Ingrid Lavoie - Ballet & Ballroom Dance

All Levels and Ages
For details and prices of our dance offerings CLICK HERE.
Ingrid doesn’t remember a time when she was not dancing. She recalls as a young child connecting dance with all things joyful and beautiful, and later in her life came to see that joy as a direct gift from God. Ingrid began her studies of dance at the age of four in her home country of Germany. Her early training included ballet and lyrical, followed by jazz, modern, and contemporary dance through her teen years. She found her passion in ballroom dancing and danced to the gold star amateur levels of the ADTV (German Dance Teachers Association).
Since coming to the United States, Ingrid has enjoyed sharing her love for dance in many diverse settings, from her kitchen floor with her husband and four children to professional settings. These include the Spokane Civic Theatre, Spokane Valley Summer Theatre, Whitworth University, various area High Schools, and The Oaks Conservatory of the Arts, where she has been teaching and inspiring students of dance both as a choreographer and dance instructor. Ingrid holds a degree in education and studied theater and dance at Whitworth University. She is the founder of Harmony School of Ballroom Dance in Spokane, WA, where she teaches ballroom dance, together with her husband Mark. Ingrid is excited to point dancers to the joy and beauty that come from the skillful and creative exploration of dance, and ultimately desires to encourage dancers in the worship of their Creator.
https://www.harmonyballroomdance.com/

Mary Loeffelbein - Piano & Voice

All Levels and Ages
Cost per Month: $133 (weekly half-hour lessons) Register here.
“My love for Jesus is evident in my musical life. He is the reason I sing, play, write and teach music.”
Mary Loeffelbein has been a singer and pianist since early childhood having grown up in a family of musicians: vocalists, instrumentalists, songwriters, and recording artists. Mary’s passion for music and love for God has led her through a career in worship music that has included a wide variety of ministries. In her teens, she travelled and sang with a Christian vocal group. She has performed with a band dedicated to prison ministry and served the church as a worship leader. Mary has recorded albums of her own music with producer and friend Brandon Bee.
Mrs. Loeffelbein has taught piano in her home studio for 34 years, and voice for 24 years. She achieved certification with Music Teachers National Association and also the Washington State Music Teachers Association in both Piano and Voice, and was the Adjudication Chair for several years for Vocal students in WSMTA.
As a voice teacher, Mary has served as a vocal health consultant for recording artists, worked with young vocalists in Italy who aspire to music and worship ministry, taught vocal workshops at schools, churches, worship conferences and various music festivals. Many of her original songs have been selected and aired by podcasts such as Women of Substance, iHeart radio, Music Matters, and many others. Her music can be found wherever music is available for purchase and/or streaming, and she is always glad of the chance to share her song-stories with a new audience who may be able to relate to the realities of life like those that inspire her songs.
“To allow what is difficult to become something beautiful is the utmost calling of the creative artist.” ~Mary L

Emily Sana - Guitar, Piano, & Ballet

Beginning Students
Cost per Month: $115.50 (weekly half-hour lessons) Register here.
For details and prices of our dance offerings CLICK HERE.
Emily Sana graduated from Vanderbilt University with a BS in Human/Organizational Development and Music. She grew up in a musical family and began studying ballet at age three.
Mrs. Sana has instructed in classical ballet and creative movement for the very young in studios including Washington, D.C.’s Capitol Hill Arts Workshop and Ballet Bellevue (WA). She trained under Kathy Thibadeaux of Ballet Magnificat! in Mississippi, and with Mark Spivak and Marta Maduro in Florida. She performed multiples roles with the Jacksonville Symphony Orchestra Nutcracker (Florida) and Jacksonville Ballet Theatre. She danced in a world premiere of Cuban-American choreographer Alberto Alonso’s Prelude et Zapateado set to the music of Ginastera.
Emily began private vocal studies in Florida and sang in vocal ensembles at Vanderbilt’s Blair School of Music (Nashville.) In Nashville she met English choral composer and conductor John Rutter at his choral workshop, a providential meeting in which Rutter personally exhorted Emily to serve by bringing music to others. She took his exhortation to heart, pursuing teaching both music and dance to the glory of God.
Mrs. Sana has performed for ten seasons with the Seattle Symphony Chorale, having sung in world premieres, recording sessions, and full-scale works rarely presented such as Benjamin Britten’s A War Requiem and Berlioz’ Requiem. Her favorite pieces are J.S. Bach’s sacred works St. Matthew Passion and Mass in B Minor and Edward Elgar’s Dream of Gerontius.
Mrs. Sana taught K-8 music and choir at Seattle Classical Christian School and St. Monica Catholic School (Mercer Island.) She and her husband Marshall have two daughters at The Oaks.
 

Beth Taylor - Piano

Beginning and Intermediate Students
Cost per Month: $115.50 (weekly half-hour lessons) Register here.
Beth Taylor has been playing the piano since she was 7 years old. She started playing hymns for church services in 6th grade and hasn’t stopped. Beth has accompanied church choirs, school choirs, choir festivals, and several musical theater companies in the Spokane area since 1999. Beth has a BA in Social Science and Education. She taught elementary music at Valley Christian School for several years, and then worked with Child Evangelism Fellowship, a worldwide children’s ministry, for 11 years, which was perfect for her love of God’s Word and kids.
Mrs. Taylor has taught piano intermittently for many years, and is thrilled to be doing more of it with The Oaks Conservatory.  She assists her husband with worship at Mountain View Bible Church in Post Falls. She is passionate about using the many art forms God has given us to worship Him, and prefers doing so through collaborative music. Whether you are a beginning/intermediate student desiring to learn more skills, or want to improve your skills at accompanying vocalists/instrumentalists, or playing for worship, Beth would love to help you in accomplishing those goals.
Beth currently serves as the Staff Accompanist for The Oaks Academy’s Rhetoric Choir and Theatre department. 

Mary Werry - Piano

Beginning Students
Cost per Month: $115.50 (weekly half-hour lessons) Register here.
Mary Werry began piano lessons at age 6. She grew up in large, musical family, where each sibling learned two instruments- Mary chose piano and then oboe.
Mary received a Bachelor of Music in Piano Performance from Washington State University, under Dr. Gerald Berthiaume. She then received a Master of Music in Piano Performance from Florida State University, under Dr. Read Gainsford. Simultaneously while at Florida State, Mary achieved a Board Certification in Music Therapy.
Mary transitioned to the field of healthcare at this point, pursuing a Master of Occupational Therapy from Eastern Washington University. She has worked at Sacred Heart Medical Center as an Occupational Therapist for 13 years.
Mary’s particular musical interest is collaborative performance. In addition to the role of chamber musician and accompanist, she has been a church worship leader for 20+ years, in a variety of cities and churches, and finds the role of facilitating worship to be extremely meaningful.
Mrs. Werry’s husband is a musician as well, with graduate level training in composition and jazz piano. They have one daughter, age 6, who is just beginning her own musical journey. In their spare time, the Werry family loves camping, fishing, cooking, and traveling. Mary recently began taking violin lessons, as part of her lifelong dream to fiddle!
 

Sam Wollenhaupt - Percussion

All Levels
Cost per Month: $115.50 (weekly half-hour lessons) Register here.
Sam Wollenhaupt teaches drum lessons in Spokane, WA. She is an instructor that specializes in beginning and intermediate drum lessons. Sam is passionate about music and helping students attain their goals and musical aspirations. Whether you are a beginning student wanting to learn how to play the instrument, a student preparing for school band, or a drummer trying to learn more technical skill on the kit, Sam is the right teacher for you. She received her B.A. in Music Performance from Eastern Washington University in 1992. She teaches all styles of drumming and percussion and also teaches beginning piano. Sam is a family woman who works great with kids.

Gary Woodroof - Saxophone & Clarinet

All Levels
Cost per Month: $115.50 (weekly half-hour lessons) Register here.
Mr. Gary Woodroof holds a bachelor’s degree in music education from Northwest Nazarene University and an MST in choral conducting from Portland State University. He served as a music pastor for over 40 years and has taught choir, band and orchestra in the Pacific Northwest for nearly 30 years. Gary’s passion is God’s Holy Word and he loves to integrate his love for music and love for Christ into all his teaching endeavors. He taught 6th grade at The Oaks for six years and then starting in the Fall of 2020 Gary transitioned to a full time music teacher. In addition to his role as Orchestra Director for The Oaks Academy, Gary enjoys teaching private lessons for beginning wind players and percussionists in The Oaks Conservatory. Gary is a retired ordained elder in the Church of the Nazarene, after serving multiple churches as Associate Pastor of Worship Ministries.
Mr. Woodroof also teaches beginning brass.

You can help us!
We want to bring staff to The Oaks Conservatory to serve you:

  1. Complete a contact form and tell us what you’re looking for.
  2. Complete a registration form and join one of our waitlists. As soon as we’ve found a highly-qualified teacher, we’ll be in touch!
  3. Tell Artist-Teachers you know about The Oaks Conservatory of the Arts!