Christina started taking guitar and piano lessons at age eleven. During high school, she furthered her classical guitar studies at Wittenberg University with Lawrence Pitzer. Following high school, she studied piano with Robert Ruckman at Sinclair Community College. Christina completed her undergraduate degree at the College-Conservatory of Music, University of Cincinnati, in classical guitar performance under the direction of Clare Callahan. She has also studied in master classes with Oscar Ghiglia, Judicael Perroy, Michael Partington, Gaelle Solal, and Marc Teicholz.Christina currently resides in central Ohio, where she regularly performs for art festivals, historical societies, and many other events. Christina currently teaches guitar, piano, and ukulele through the Center for Musical Development Preparation Department at Wittenberg University. She is also the founder of Elements Music Studio in Springfield, OH.Christina has enjoyed teaching lessons consistently to all ages and levels since 2011. She has a passion for sharing her love of music and for helping others find fulfillment on their own musical journey.
Lilly Gaertner started taking piano lessons at the age of five. She has explored trying new instruments and other forms of music ever since. She studied Music Education at Wittenberg University with a focus in piano and received her Bachelor of Music Education degree in 2022. Lilly also teaches general music and beginning band, orchestra and choir at Snowhill Elementary in Springfield, Ohio. She enjoys using her piano skills to accompany and perform for various events in the surrounding community. Lilly has a passion for teaching all people about the beauty of music and loves to help inspire her students to be creative and expressive through music making.
Savannah Niarchos is a dancer and soprano vocalist from Miami, FL. Her musical journey began with the Frost School of Music’s youth program, where she learned piano before picking up the violin when she was twelve, and voice when she was 17. Her dance experience covers a variety of styles ranging from ballet to tap to hip hop. Savannah has recently graduated from Florida Gulf Coast University with a Bachelor of Arts in Music and a Minor in Interdisciplinary Studies this May. While in university, she performed in several venues with her colleagues in the Classical and Jazz music styles; with one performance involving her tap dancing to Take The “A” Train by Louis Armstrong. Savannah is passionate about teaching voice and piano because it gives her the opportunity to share what she loves with others; in hopes of awakening that same love in them. Music gave her a voice when she thought she had been silenced, and it empowers her through the friendships she has made along the way. Savannah hopes to share this blessing with anyone looking for the same journey.
Janice Adams began playing violin at age 11. Her desire to make music her career became apparent in high school. She earned her Bachelor of Music Education from Miami University, Oxford Ohio. She took violin lessons from Elizabeth Lane, Miami University, Andrew Lisko, Capital University, and John Smarelli, former concert master of Springfield Symphony Orchestra. Janice played in the Springfield Symphony for many years. Janice furthered her music skills by taking cello lessons from Dr. Daniel Kazez, Wittenberg University. She taught music in public and private schools for 32 years. Since 2017 Janice has been teaching private lessons on violin, viola, and cello through the Center for Musical Development at Wittenberg University. Janice lives in central Ohio with her husband. Her hobbies include gardening, jigsaw puzzles, reading historical fiction, and travel. Janice loves sharing her passion of music through private lessons.
Brent Eresman is a performer and private teacher in woodwind music in the Springfield, Ohio area. He is a member of the Mason Symphony Orchestra and has played with Opera Columbus, the Dayton Philharmonic Orchestra, the Dayton Opera Orchestra and the Springfield Symphony Orchestra. He has also been a part of scores of musical theater productions with Human Race Theatre, Wright State University, Clark State University, Wittenberg University, Sinclair College and University of Dayton, as well as many local community and high school productions. He is also a member of the Hauer Swing Band and has played with numerous other jazz ensembles throughout the area. He has taught privately for many years and is now accepting new students on the following instruments:Clarinet: beginner through advanced Saxophone: beginner through advanced Flute: beginner through intermediate
When Janet was a child, she wanted to play the guitar. Her parents started giving her lessons when she was 7 years old, which she continued consistently. Janet’s first guitar was a 3/4 size and she remembers someone in the waiting room asking her if she played the violin. “NO!, she said, it’s a GUITAR! When Janet was 12, her guitar teacher had her playing in a big band with guitars playing all the harmony horn parts. One day, he said someone new was coming and there was a BIG space divided in the center of the room. A person carrying a whole set of drums was coming in and setting them up. When the students started playing with the drummer, she was very impressed with the sound. Her next venture was to convince her mom and dad to give her drum lessons. Finally, after a year of begging Janet added drum lessons to her weekly music program. Because she was the only girl in town playing the drums, she was invited to play in a professional all female Cabaret Band, which played all the standards of jazz; a group called “The Debutantes” and she worked with them for several years. Janet learned how to read Big Band Charts and play shows. She was asked to play with many of the local professional groups around town playing jobs at Wedding Receptions, events at WPAFB, and various other paying engagements. Janet started teaching private guitar lessons when she was just 16 years old and that is why she says, “Learn Young, Remember For Life,” because if you get proficient at something, you can help someone else learn how to do it and make some money in the meantime! Janet studied two years at Wright St. UN in music education after graduating high school as most talented and in the honor society. During Janet’s 3rd year, she was blessed to attend Berklee College of Music in Boston to study applied drums, at which time she was invited to be the drummer in the Roy Meriwether Trio. Janet’s path since then has been to further her playing and performance abilities which took her to Los Angeles and San Francisco, California, where she played in L.A. recording studios, jazz clubs, began writing songs, forming and playing in many original music groups under the name of Tony’s Hotel. Tony’s Hotel was one of the original Punk Drummers in a band called Noh Mercy. When Janet returned to Ohio, she continued to play and write in the original music scene, forming bands and playing solo and putting together small group jazz gigs. She has been teaching guitar and drums continuously during her later years and really enjoys helping people learn how to play their instrument. Janet hopes that she can be of some assistance in helping you as well, as each of her students is a much appreciated blessing to her. Janet is thankful for anyone taking the time to read this bit of information about her musical journey.
Born and raised in South Charleston, Ohio, Jacob is a multifaceted individual who has made significant strides in the entrepreneurial, business, and music worlds. At 26 years old, he has already established himself as a dynamic force in various fields. Jacob holds a Bachelor's degree in Music Education with a focus in Classical Vocal Studies from Wright State University, where he was recognized with high honors. His journey in music began at the age of 16, but it wasn't until at the age of 20, that he truly started honing his craft, immersing himself in the music environment. Currently, Jacob is an integral part of the family band, AfterRain, collaborating with his wife and father-in-law. Together, they have performed at numerous local venues, captivating audiences ranging from intimate gatherings to large-scale out-of-state festival shows attended by thousands. During his academic years, Jacob showcased his leadership skills as the choir director president in high school. He was assistant director of Southeastern High School's musical "Happy Days", and taught K-12 students during his college tenure. In addition to his passion for music, Jacob is a driven entrepreneur. He works as a pharmacy technician for one of the top pharmaceutical companies in the nation while simultaneously running his own marketing business with his wife. Together, they empower and mentor other local entrepreneurs, providing them with the tools and guidance needed to generate additional income and achieve their goals. With a blend of musical artistry, entrepreneurial spirit, and a commitment to learning, Jacob is driven by giving back to his community and helping the younger generations find their full potential.
Shortly after being born at a very young age, Stephen Gaynier began his musical journey studying piano with his Mama Gaynier and violin with Martha Gardner, student and daughter of renowned violin pedagogue Valerie Bobbett Gardner.Homeschooled in Charlotte, North Carolina, Stephen was that weird kid who jammed to Beethoven while his friends thought Beyoncé was all the rage.After completing the obligatory growing-up phase, he had the opportunity to study music at Cedarville University with a few of the Gem City’s finest, including composition under Dr. Austin Jaquith and violin under Carlos Elias—all while mastering the fine art of procrastination.Now living in Fairborn, Ohio, Stephen has survived short careers in logistics, office management, and music publishing; yet despite life’s changes, two pursuits have remained constant: growing his family’s marketing business and sharing the gift of music through teaching violin.Stephen is thrilled to join Elements Music Studio in 2025, where he hopes to inspire love for music and belief in life’s limitless possibilities.
Mason Ritchason is an American composer and musician with a highly diverse musical background. He holds a B.A. in Music from Wittenberg University, where he studied trumpet and composition. As a trumpeter, Mason has played in Symphonic Bands and Jazz Ensembles and participated in several chamber ensembles. He has presented Junior and Senior recitals, among other solo performances. Since starting his compositional journey in late 2022, Mason has premiered four original works. Mason's approach to music and style is deeply artistic. The intensity of joy, ecstasy, and hysteria are dominant in the sounds he strives to produce, as well as mystery, uncertainty, and interest in the unknown. Influenced by punk and metal genres as well as jazz and modern classical, synthesis of life and music is ingrained in his music. With a passion to share his love for all music, Mason is excited to be part of the Elements Music Studio, where he will put three years of music education studies to use. All deserve the chance to learn and experience the joys of music!
Soraya McKay has been involved in music throughout her whole life, starting with piano at 5 years old. This evolved into a dedicated pursuit of cello, voice lessons, various choirs, jazz band, chamber/opera ensembles, and performances in musicals. Throughout all of this, her love for singing became her strongest passion, leading her to pursue a Bachelor of Arts degree in Music at Cedarville University. Here, she is currently studying vocal performance and open music studies under Professor Beth Porter. Soraya also recently released her first original single in January of 2024, using songwriting skills to create a new vibrancy of melodic structure to modern music through the influences of classical music, soft pop, and jazz. Outside of music, some of Soraya’s hobbies include thrifting, hiking, painting, spending time with friends, decorating, and creating new ideas. She strives to bring encouragement into each of her students lives by helping them set achievable goals, providing opportunity for growth, and boosting confidence through voice technique. She is so excited to be assuming this vocal teaching position at Elements Music Studios in August!