Our Instructors

Music teaching was my full-time job with no less than 50 students per week. Some of my students participated in the annual music exams administered by the Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music (ABRSM). After residing in Saudi Arabia for seven years, I decided to go back to my home country in the Philippines to pursue a degree in Music Education at the oldest Pontifical Catholic University in Asia. Teaching has been my passion and I continue to learn more about classroom teaching approaches and methodologies. I earned my Bachelor’s degree in Music Education with a major in Piano and a minor in Voice, with recognition for having graduated with honors “Cum Laude.”

After graduation, while pursuing my graduate studies, I taught high school music and music theory at the conservatory of music for incoming freshmen students. I also formed a music ensemble, directed the glee club, taught private piano lessons, and volunteered in apostolic work in my community church by handling the music ministry, wherein I was a regular pianist and choir master during masses, as well as director of a children’s choir for under-privileged youth. I was also a member of a competing choir that represented the country in international choir competitions.

I moved to the United States in 2008 and began teaching piano and voice lessons in Orange County. I am an active member of the Music Teachers Association of California (MTAC).

Suzanne Cleveland

I began my piano studies at the age of six, taking piano lessons through the age of 16. During my childhood in New York, I was a participant in the New York State School Music Association (NYSSMA), which granted me the opportunity to play two carefully chosen piano pieces and to be scored on my overall performance.

After moving to California in 1992, I nurtured my love for piano by learning to play in a leisurely manner along with weekly piano lessons. During my college years, while studying at the University of California Santa Cruz, I took music theory courses to gain a more in-depth understanding of music.

As an adult, I utilized my piano background to teach piano to children ranging from 4 years old to 10 years old, successfully taught students how to read music, and organized recitals for their friends and family. I also received my Bachelor of Arts in Elementary Education with an emphasis in mild/moderate Special Education from San Diego State University.

I love working with children and making those personalized connections to help them achieve their goals. I believe that every individual learns in their own way and in their own time. I live in Mission Viejo with my husband, two teenaged children, my grandmother, my cat Harley, and my toy poodle Gemma.

Denny Frayne

I grew up learning to play piano and read music as a child. I took some private lessons, but mostly learned from my Dad! As a teenager, my interests shifted to guitar, particularly rock ‘n roll and blues music. A lifelong friend inspired dreams of being a band together, and we played the video games Guitar Hero and Rock Band for hours on end.

In high school, I participated in band and choir, including playing guitar in the SMCHS Marching Band. These were unique and interesting experiences that introduced me to playing and singing professionally in an ensemble or group of musicians. Then I played guitar in the LHHS Jazz Band This was a highly memorable experience of learning and exposure to what felt like a new world of musical expression. I became a section leader for choir in my senior year.

The year after I graduated high school, I attended Northern Arizona University, where I met several of my closest musical colleagues to this day. My first experiences creating original music were both unexpected and plentiful upon joining my first band, which we called Brannen Ave, which was the name of the street in Flagstaff, Arizona where we rehearsed music every day. Since then, I have completed two years of Applied Music focusing on Jazz Guitar at Saddleback College. I also seek any opportunity to make music recreationally or professionally, including piano, guitar, and singing, and I have been recorded for independent projects such as the original tune, Mantis, on which I am featured playing bass guitar. I also sang in the choir at Saddleback College. The opportunity to sing unashamed among other singers is one not to be traded.

I enjoy teaching guitar, bass guitar, and piano. I am working toward my certification in the Presto! Piano Magic curriculum, and I am assisting my Dad in opening and growing the Dennis Frayne Music Studio in Laguna Niguel.