Sarah Garin has been teaching students of all ages to play the violin for over 20 years and is
excited to begin teaching at the Lewis Music Studio! Sarah received a Bachelor of Music degree
from the Pennsylvania State University, an Artist Diploma in Violin Performance from Duquesne
University, and a Master’s Degree in the Art of Teaching from the University of Pittsburgh.
Sarah is an adjunct violin instructor at Washington and Jefferson College and has a violin studio
in her home in Mt. Lebanon. She is a member of the Wheeling Symphony Orchestra and an
active freelancer in the Pittsburgh area. Sarah has performed with Barry Manilow, Marie
Osmond, Andrea Bocelli, and others. When she isn’t teaching or playing her violin, Sarah
enjoys playing with her 6 year old son, Adam, and their dog, Scooter.

Kirsten Heibert is a singer/songwriter and multi-instrumentalist.  Originally from Wexford, Heibert spent the last 8 years performing and teaching all over the country.  She is an accomplished vocalist and recording artist, proficient in a wide variety of vocal styles.  Heibert began studying classical voice and opera at a young age, and eventually earned her Bachelor’s Degree in Theater Performance at Point Park University.  As an instrumentalist, she studied piano and music theory with a private instructor for many years, and taught herself how to play the guitar.  She has taught students at various studios in Pittsburgh, Cleveland, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, and NYC.  She specializes in music theory & songwriting. Her work as a recording artist can be found under Paging Doctor Moon on all platforms.

Piano, Guitar, Voice. Devon Jackson started his journey in music when he was just 7 years old. During that time, he has studied and played various styles of music. Devon had the pleasure of studying under the retired head of the piano at Indiana University of Pennsylvania, Dr. James Staples. He has also studied under Dr. David Ed from Sewickley as well as Charles Wilson. Devon minored in music at IUP, and played various recitals and concerts through out his college life. He is currently the Pianist for the band Escaping Destiny.

Alex Kenrick is an active professional guitarist and instructor based in the Pittsburgh area, a transplant from his native Oklahoma.  Beginning his classical music studies during his collegiate years at the University of Oklahoma and achieving his Bachelor’s degree under the instruction of Larry Hammett, Kenrick’s fierce determination in producing quality artistic sound, matched with his love for ensemble settings and exploration of diverse musical genres led to his establishment among central Oklahoma’s local musical theater, operatic, and chamber ensembles as the go-to guitarist for productions. Performing in combos, bands, and orchestras for such shows as Avenue Q, Bonnie and Clyde, Grease, Meet Me in St. Louis, Ragtime among others, Kenrick has built an expertise in ensemble performance and fluency in many styles of music.

Alex Kenrick achieved a Master’s Degree in Classical Guitar performance studying with Grammy-winner and internationally-sought teacher Jason Vieaux and his colleague Colin Davin at the Cleveland Institute of Music, and regularly performed with the Cleveland Opera Theater, Western Reserve Playhouse, and other theater companies during his time in Northeast Ohio. During the 2021 academic year, Alex Kenrick was selected to give masterclass instruction to students attending University of Maryland – Baltimore County as a part of the InterPlay partnership, offering collegiate level instruction to undergraduates in the guitar program. Kenrick is currently pursuing a Doctorate of Music Arts under the tutelage of Julian Gray at the Peabody Institute of  Johns Hopkins University, while also performing regularly with theater companies around western Pennsylvania- most recently performing Anything Goes with Stage 62.

Tom is a composer and pianist from Pittsburgh, PA. From a young age, Tom was fascinated with music and began to take piano lessons at the age of 7. Piano lesson quickly developed into many diverse interests, and Tom began to branch out into learning to play guitar, singing in a choir, and writing original music. Tom began performing music professionally at 14, and has continued to perform ever since in various styles such as jazz, big band, rock, pop, and classical. Tom earned a Bachelor’s of Music from Duquesne University in 2014, and had the pleasure of studying with such eminent musicians as Rob Kurth, Jeffery Turner, and Lynn Purse. Tom believes that music is for everyone, and that with the right attitude, anyone can achieve their goals.

Mary Amrhein-May holds a bachelor of music degree in cello performance from Indiana University, Bloomington, IN, where she studied cello with the world renowned performer, Janos Starker, as well as cello pedagogy, the research of movement in music, and additional cello instruction with Dr. Helga Winold. After graduating from I.U., she was selected to be the cellist of the Niles String Quartet in Lexington, KY, from which she holds a masters degree in cello performance. During her time in Indiana, Mary performed with professional orchestras in Evansville, IN, and Columbus IN. In Kentucky, she was a member of the Lexington Philharmonic, principal cellist of the U.K. orchestra, and taught chamber music at the university level. Mary is a Pittsburgh native and came home to Pittsburgh to begin a freelance career and be closer to family. She has performed with several local professional ensembles, including orchestras in McKeesport, Johnstown, Altoona, Westmoreland, Wheeling, WV, Youngstown, OH, and Cumberland, MD. She is the cellist of the Cama String Quartet, the Crystal Strings, and is a regular member of music ministry at St. Louise de Marillac Church. Before having children, she taught extensively at Mt DeChantal Academy in Wheeling and the Jewish Community Center in Squirrel Hill. After reducing her performance and teaching schedules for several years while raising her two children with her husband Charles, she is happy to be re-establishing her orchestral and teaching careers and is excited to be part of the Lewis Music Studio Faculty. Mary looks forward to sharing her love of music and the cello with all of her students and believes playing a musical instrument helps all of us to be better communicators as we work together to make the world more beautiful. In addition to her professional music endeavors, Mary keeps busy as an advocacy volunteer for the Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation and is a panel member of the 2022 Congressionally Directed Medical Research Programs. In her free time, Mary enjoys running, hiking, biking, and spending time with Coda, the wonderful four-legged member of the May Family.

Richy Muckle not only has 20 years of formal teaching experience but also a wealth of experience in performing, touring, studio recording, clinics, and more.  Presently, he is active as a freelance drummer and performs in all styles.  Richy highly endorses knowledge of the rudiments, as it pertains to all forms of percussion.  He teaches all styles of music, in order to prepare students for potential band involvement and performances. Richy believes that a well-rounded drummer should both play and read well!

Russ Pedersen received his undergraduate degree from Duquesne University and his masters degree from Carnegie Mellon University. Both a musician and educator, Russ has performed around the country and in Scotland and Canada with such ensembles as the American Wind Symphony Orchestra, the River City Brass Band, the Westmoreland Symphony, the Washington Symphony, the Edgewood Symphony, the McKeesport Symphony, the Big Easy Jazz Band and the Unity Brass Quintet. Russ has been involved in music education since 1982. Russ’s experience as an music educator includes several years in the Pittsburgh City Schools beginning in 1987. He began work in the Carlynton School District in 1996 as the High School Marching Band and Concert Band Director where he built the program from an ensemble of 35 to over 100. He also taught elementary band, choir, general music and served as music dept head until his retirement in December of 2020. Russ also worked with the Pittsburgh Youth Philharmonic Orchestra as the Prelude Band conductor, brass coordinator for all ensembles and as the music librarian. His most influential teachers include Matty Shiner, Sumner Erickson, Edward Kleinhammer and Arnold Jacobs. Russ makes his home in the South Hills of Pittsburgh with his wife Diane and his two sons Luke and Liam.

Sam has always been fascinated with technology and creating new music which is why he is passionate for music technology! He attended Duquesne University and graduated with a bachelor’s degree in Music Technology. There he studied under many great professors such as Dr. Burke, Lynn Purse, and Thomas Kikta, taking to heart their passion for music, technology, and education. Sam believes music can be a powerful inspiration that can change lives. Music has enabled him to pursue his goals and is a fundamentally important aspect of his life. The reason he teaches is to share music with others and to show his commitment to furthering the understanding of the cultural, personal, and educational importance of music. His aim as an educator is to help the student discover and develop their passion for music in an enjoyable and fulfilling way. He offers lessons for all ages in piano, guitar, music technology, sound recording, music theory, and composition.

Evan Spurlock is a musician from Bridgeville, PA who teaches piano and bass guitar. He originally began playing in his school band when he was 10 and ever since has continued to broaden his musical skills. He picked up piano lessons when he was 13 and is self-taught on the bass guitar. Evan has also taught himself the art of recording and producing. He does freelance mixing and writes and records for his own band. He currently is the snare drum captain in the CV marching band, plays regular piano and voice recitals and gigs, and is the bassist/vocalist/producer in his own band.

Will frequently performs as a substitute cellist in the New World Symphony (Miami, FL), and has performed with The Florida Orchestra, the Wheeling Symphony, the Youngstown Symphony, the Akron Symphony, and the Orlando Philharmonic, under conductors Manfred Honeck, Michael Tilson Thomas, Matthias Bamert, Yan Pascal Tortelier, JoAnn Falleta, among others. He holds degrees in music from the University of Florida and Carnegie Mellon University, where he studied with cellists Steven Thomas, David Premo, and Anne Martindale Williams. At Carnegie Mellon, he earned first prize with his colleagues in the school’s Silberman Chamber Music Competition with an enthusiastically received rendition of Oliver Messiaen’s “Quatuor pour la fin du temps”. Additionally, Will has attended the National Repertory Orchestra, Brevard Music Center, and the Innsbrook Institute Summer Festivals.