About Brooklyn Musical Arts
Founded by the graduates of the Manhattan School of Music, Brooklyn Musical Arts offers highly individualized private piano, violin, viola, cello, guitar, winds and voice lessons for all ages and skill levels.
Brooklyn Musical Arts prepares students to take part in the Associated Board of the Royal School of Music (ABRSM) and the New York State School Music Association (NYSSMA) Music Examinations. Since its establishment, hundreds of students have taken and successfully passed both examinations. Some of whom reached utmost distinction and obtained outstanding results, the highest level of achievement. In the past years, students from Brooklyn Musical Arts were invited to perform in the High Score Concert in the Queens Library Auditorium as a result of receiving the highest score in New York City in both piano and flute exams. In addition, many students have earned full score in the highest level of NYSSMA piano examination, and were chosen to perform at the New York School Teacher Conference in Albany, New York.
In addition to their merits and achievements, many of Brooklyn Musical Arts’ students have passed the piano, string, and vocal entrance auditions of Mark Twain Intermediate School for the Gifted and Talented, Fiorello H. LaGuardia High School of Music & Art and Performing Arts, and Kaufman Music Center Special Music High School, hence being offered admissions into these distinguished institutions. In November 2017, Brooklyn Musical Arts’ student Andrew Chen and Maggie Ma won the Concerto Competition of LaGuardia High School, and performed with the LaGuardia High School Orchestra in the spring concert season of 2018.
Also, actively involved in chamber music, students from Brooklyn Musical Arts have been selected by the Chamber Music Program of the New York Youth Symphony to perform at Carnegie Hall, Symphony Space, and the Juilliard School.
Brooklyn Musical Arts’ students also participated in distinguished artists’ master classes, such as, prof. Jeffery Cohen, Dr. Joanne Polk, Nelita True, Lev Natochany, and Joel Kronsnick. In addition to master classes, students from Brooklyn Musical Arts have competed and won many international and national piano competitions, which include Steinway Junior Piano Competition, Ithaca College Piano Competition, David D. Dubois Piano Competition, New York Concert Festival Concerto Competition, Chopin International Piano Competition, American Protégé International Competition of Romantic Music, Bradshaw & Buono International Piano Competition, International Young Artist Piano Competition in Washington D.C., Hong Kong Asia Piano Open Competition, Taishan City Piano Competition in China, American Youth Talent & Art Contests, Vita Youth Talent Show, New York Music Competition, NYSSMA Piano Showcase, New York State Music Teacher Association (NYSMTA) NYC Piano Competition, and the LaGuardia High School Concerto Competition. Their achievements were reported in the Sino Vision of New York, the World Journal Newspaper, and the Sing Tao Daily.
Brooklyn Musical Arts’ students have been accepted into the Juilliard School Pre-college division, Manhattan School of Music College & Pre-college divisions, Eastman School of Music, and New England Conservatory of Music.
Our team of experienced instructors provide personalized instruction in a wide range of instruments and styles, from classical piano to rock guitar. Beyond technical instruction, we foster a supportive and inspiring environment that encourages collaboration, self-expression, and a deep appreciation for music. Our state-of-the-art facilities are equipped with the latest technology to enhance the learning experience, and we offer numerous opportunities for students to perform in recitals, competitions, and other events to showcase their talents.
~ Contact us today to schedule a trial lesson and to learn more about our programs! ~
Our Programs
We offer a variety of programs, including private lessons, group classes, and workshops.
Our comprehensive curriculum covers a wide range of musical disciplines, including piano, guitar, violin, drums, vocals, and more. We offer individual 1-on-1 lessons tailored to meet the needs, goals and preferences of students of all ages and skill levels, from beginners to advanced musicians.
In addition to lessons, we offer various performance opportunities, recitals, and studio classes that allow students to showcase their progress and build confidence. We believe that performing in front of others is an integral part of becoming a well-rounded musician.
Our Alumni
Our instructors are all experienced and accomplished musicians who are passionate about teaching music. They bring a wealth of knowledge and expertise to their students and work closely with each individual to help them achieve their goals.
About the Teachers
John Smith
Anna Louise Anderson
Music Director and Piano Instructor:
John Smith is an accomplished musician and the Music Director at our music school. With over 20 years of experience in music education, John holds a master's degree in music and specializes in classical piano. As an esteemed piano instructor, John incorporates innovative teaching methods and ensures a well-rounded musical education for his students.
Anna Louise Anderson
Anna Louise Anderson
Vocalist and Pianist:
Anna Louise Andersson hails from Southern Sweden, where her musical journey began. From a young age, she showcased her talents by singing, playing the clarinet, viola, and piano, actively participating in various groups, choirs, and bands. After completing her High School Music Program, she ventured to London, delvin
Vocalist and Pianist:
Anna Louise Andersson hails from Southern Sweden, where her musical journey began. From a young age, she showcased her talents by singing, playing the clarinet, viola, and piano, actively participating in various groups, choirs, and bands. After completing her High School Music Program, she ventured to London, delving into the music scene as a studio and lounge singer. In 2006, she was accepted into the Applied Music Program at Santa Monica College, where she honed her skills in the performance program for two years before
transferring to the renowned New School for Jazz and Contemporary Music in Manhattan. Under the tutelage of esteemed mentors like Bernard Purdie, Junior Mance, Charles Tolliver and Jimmy Owens, Anna flourished. During her time at the university, Anna Louise performed regularly in and around New York. Following her graduation in 2011, Anna relocated to Stockholm, where she founded her quartet, Anna Louise & the Fellas. Together, they offered a distinctive fusion of her original compositions andinnovative covers, culminating in the release of the EP "Tiger Loose" in 2015. During her stay in Stockholm, Anna Louise engaged in numerous musical collaborations, such as the South African group “Madiba Jazz Orchestra” and collaborations with African, Latin American, American, and Brazilian artists in Jazz, Bossa Nova, Funk, Soul, as well as traditional Swedish Music. As a composer, band leader, and soloist, Anna Louise has graced stages worldwide, performing with Jazz Big Bands and various musical ensembles. Her talents have been showcased on television and prestigious events, including gatherings at the Swedish embassy in Washington D.C., performing for distinguished guests such as Supreme Court Justices and ambassadors, and at the South African Embassy in Stockholm.
Takeo Sakashita
Takeo Sakashita
Pianist:
Theodore Alvano
Takeo Sakashita
Pianist:
Shun-Yeen Hoi
Pianist:
A native of Malaysia, Shun-Yeen is a graduate of the Manhattan School of Music with a Master’s degree in Classical Piano. He is the winner of several prizes including the Manhattan School of Music Fuch’s Chamber Music Competition, 2nd prize at the Kuleshov International Piano Festival and Competition, 3rd Prize at the Steinway Yo
Pianist:
A native of Malaysia, Shun-Yeen is a graduate of the Manhattan School of Music with a Master’s degree in Classical Piano. He is the winner of several prizes including the Manhattan School of Music Fuch’s Chamber Music Competition, 2nd prize at the Kuleshov International Piano Festival and Competition, 3rd Prize at the Steinway Youth National Competition Malaysia, among others. As an undergraduate student he graduated magna cum laude from Missouri State University with his Bachelor’s degree in Piano Performance and a minor in Philosophy. In 2018, he was awarded the Presser Scholarship in recognition for being the most outstanding student in the music department and was elected into the Pi Kappa Lambda music honorary society by the Zeta Beta Chapter of Missouri State University. Apart from solo projects, Shun-Yeen has performed with numerous singers and instrumentalists in duo and chamber recitals. His duo partners have been winners of the Missouri State University Annual Concerto Competition, Raffles International Competition in Singapore and a finalist of the Stony Brook Concerto Competition. He also collaborated in a project rediscovering and premiering unpublished music written by composers including Rose O’ Neill, James Fahy and Will James with works dating as far back as the 19th century. In 2019, he made his concerto debut performing Liszt’s Piano Concerto No.1 with the Sedalia Symphony Orchestra (Missouri, USA). In that summer, he also performed the Grieg Piano Concerto with orchestra while participating in the Musicfest Perugia Music Festival (Perugia, Italy). His primary instructors include Jeffrey Cohen, Dr. Wei-Han Su and Chong Lim Ng.
Charlena Li
Pianist:
Charlena grew up in New York City and is an enthusiastic instructor with both technical proficiency and artistic expression. For over seven years, she has taught children music as well as other subjects and is passionate about nurturing young talents. She has successfully guided many students for their first recitals and led many
Pianist:
Charlena grew up in New York City and is an enthusiastic instructor with both technical proficiency and artistic expression. For over seven years, she has taught children music as well as other subjects and is passionate about nurturing young talents. She has successfully guided many students for their first recitals and led many to win prestigious music competitions. In 2020, she was a Second Place Winner of the American Protégé International Competition of Romantic Music.
Juan Calderon
Guitarist and Composer:
Juan believes in bringing out talents that his students did not know they had, to develop their awareness of the elements of music performance, and to lead them to discover and expand their musical taste by introducing them to different styles of music such as Jazz, Classical, and Rock. And if they already possess a
Guitarist and Composer:
Juan believes in bringing out talents that his students did not know they had, to develop their awareness of the elements of music performance, and to lead them to discover and expand their musical taste by introducing them to different styles of music such as Jazz, Classical, and Rock. And if they already possess a measure of musical ability and taste, he advises and encourages them to develop it to the fullest
Andres Guerra
Guitarist:
Venezuelan composer, arranger and not-so-classical guitarist Andres Guerra is a New York City-based concert artist who aims break down the stigmas of classical music and bring his multi-faceted musical and artistic influences forth to shed a new light on the classical guitar. He has shared the stage and collaborated with a wide
Guitarist:
Venezuelan composer, arranger and not-so-classical guitarist Andres Guerra is a New York City-based concert artist who aims break down the stigmas of classical music and bring his multi-faceted musical and artistic influences forth to shed a new light on the classical guitar. He has shared the stage and collaborated with a wide variety of artists, some of the caliber of Grammy-winning Carlos Vives, Erika Ender (songwriter of “Despacito”), 8th Blackbird, Aida Cuevas, Berta Rojas, Paquito d’ Rivera and the Simon Bolivar Symphony Orchestra of Venezuela.
Jacob Schell
Jacob Schell
Violinist:
Jacob grew up in Charleston, South Carolina, playing in the CSYO before pursuing a music education at the University of South Carolina (UofSC), focusing on early childhood education and orchestral music. Now based in New York City, he teaches middle school orchestra and performs as a violist in the Centre Symphony Orchestra. In
Violinist:
Jacob grew up in Charleston, South Carolina, playing in the CSYO before pursuing a music education at the University of South Carolina (UofSC), focusing on early childhood education and orchestral music. Now based in New York City, he teaches middle school orchestra and performs as a violist in the Centre Symphony Orchestra. In his free time, he writes and performs music with their band and life-long friends, Blue Monday.
Jacob Kelly
Sydney Miyao
Jacob Schell
Pianist:
Jacob Kelly Levitan is an accomplished pianist and educator based in New York City. A graduate of the Mannes School of Music, he has performed at venues across Manhattan, including Carnegie Weill Hall, Steinway Hall, and Alice Tully Hall at Lincoln Center. In 2022, he was featured on WQXR’s Young Artists Showcase (playing Chopin!
Pianist:
Jacob Kelly Levitan is an accomplished pianist and educator based in New York City. A graduate of the Mannes School of Music, he has performed at venues across Manhattan, including Carnegie Weill Hall, Steinway Hall, and Alice Tully Hall at Lincoln Center. In 2022, he was featured on WQXR’s Young Artists Showcase (playing Chopin!) and won Third Prize in the 2022 International Chopin Competition in Hartford, CT. Upon graduating from Mannes, he was awarded the coveted Felix Salzer Techniques of Music Award. He has taught at the Mannes School Preparatory Program, and now teaches in Brooklyn and Manhattan.
Sydney Miyao
Sydney Miyao
Sydney Miyao
Pianist, Vocalist, Composer, Producer:
Sydney Miyao is a passionate pianist, vocalist, teacher, composer, and producer. Originally from Honolulu, Hawaiʻi, Sydney recently graduated from BerkleeNYC with a Master's in Creative Media and Technology, emphasizing Writing and Design for Musical Theater. Sydney has been teaching music since 2021
Pianist, Vocalist, Composer, Producer:
Sydney Miyao is a passionate pianist, vocalist, teacher, composer, and producer. Originally from Honolulu, Hawaiʻi, Sydney recently graduated from BerkleeNYC with a Master's in Creative Media and Technology, emphasizing Writing and Design for Musical Theater. Sydney has been teaching music since 2021 and is passionate about teaching solid technical foundations, ear training, music theory, songwriting, and composition.
Sydney has been active as a keyboardist for both live and recorded sessions, with genres ranging from musical theater to rock to folk. Sydney is also dedicated to education as the Production Manager of the Hawaiʻi Chamber Music Festival. Sydney helps manage the Young Artist Program, which enables young classical musicians across Oʻahu to study classical music in chamber settings.