Our Instructors
Our instructors are equipped with decades of musical and artistic experience and provide our students with their best quality of instruction.
Allyn Gharbi
I was fascinated with music, art, and dance from a very young age. My mother recognized my passion and supported my desire to pursue further training in these areas. My music education consisted of performance on piano and classical guitar. I went on to obtain a BA in Music Therapy and a Masters Degree in Music Pedagogy and Psychology from Immaculate University.
Today, I have 35 years of experience teaching piano and guitar. I utilize many different teaching methods. I tailor these to my students in order to effectively serve their needs. Additionally, I have experience catering to students with varied abilities. I have worked with children who are struggling with ADD, ADHD, Autism, Depression, and Anxiety Disorder. I focus on technique, sight-reading, music theory, and the art of performance. I strongly believe that proper music education will give a strong foundation to a student's musicianship and performance ability.
My students have been trained to take various national and international music exams such as Trinity College, ABSRM, Piano Guild (American College of Musicians), West Chester Piano Competition Program, and the Philadelphia Classical Guitar Society Festival. My students have the opportunity to achieve their music goals and see the rewards of their hard work. Above all, I am dedicated to my student and delighted to share my knowledge and passion with them.
Jerry Rubbo
As a young child in the early 1950’s, I was given crayons and coloring books by my parents. I would save drawings I did in grammar school since I felt I had accomplished something creative which made me feel good. However, it wasn’t until around the age of ten that I became more interested in art, while watching Jon Gnagy’s “Learn to Draw” TV show. Following his explanations and pencil strokes, I would try to duplicate his composition, which was typically three-dimensional landscape. Psychologically I gained a thrill and a sense of pride after completing a drawing. I said to myself that I was able to do this and it made me happy. As I grew older I began to study the history of art and visited all the art museums in the Philadelphia area. During that time, I watched Bill Alexander and Bob Ross on their TV painting shows which taught the “wet into wet” technique. This spurred me to create my own works of art.
Behdad Moghadassi
Behdad is a celebrated guitarist, composer, and teacher. He studied at Tehran University where his talent was quickly recognized, leading to performances with the Symphony Orchestra, the Bahman Symphony Orchestra, and the Tehran Chamber Orchestra. He was also a professor at the Tehran Azad University. After immigrating to the United States in 2000, Behdad continued his career, performing and teaching. He is most sought after for his master classes. Behdad has performed and been interviewed on WHYYY, Philadelphia’s Broadcasting Station. He is also active with the Classical Guitar Society of Philadelphia.
Danni Lyu
Danni Lyu is an experienced and talented piano teacher, who is comfortable with teaching different ages and skill levels. She has taught in both China and the United States. She got her Bachelor's Degree with a specialization in music education from the Shenyang Conservatory of Music. She continued to get her Master's Degree in Music Education at the University of Delaware.
Danni uses a variety of teaching techniques to make lessons fun! She develops individual lesson plans and curriculum for each student. In order to develop a strong foundation for their learning, Danni helps students understand music theory and sight-reading. She coaches students to take examinations such as the ABSRM, Guild, Music Major College Entrance Exam, and so on. Danni also prepares her students to perform live on stage. She has an extensive repertoire and is a specialist in teaching students with learning difficulties.
Suren Moghadassi
Suren Moghadassi started his formal education in classical music at the age of six. First, he undertook training in classical piano from his mother Allyn Gharbi. He continued his education under his father, Behdad Moghadassi. Suren has performed at the Philadelphia Classical Guitar Society on many occasions, as well as, Nelly Burman's School of Music. He has also collaborated on a workshop that discussed the works of Nikita Kushkin and modern contemporary jazz music.
Suren is a member of the Classical Guitar Society and the College of American Musicians Piano Guild. As one of the original instructors of the Glen Mills Music & Arts Center, Suren strives to offer students the same opportunities that were offered to him in the hope of creating a brighter future for younger generations.
Gigi Kaloustian
Gigi Kaloustian is an artist and a designer with an inherent passion for technical
drawing. She practiced drawing consistently throughout her entire life and even received special training from master contemporary artist Eric Fischl. As a mother and teacher, she has an instinct to nurture her students’ creativity. She is a highly skilled drawer and painter and is capable of sharing her technique with students of all ages and experience levels. She trains her students with the intention to transform them into masters.
She has bachelor's degree in Fine Arts and a master's degree in Product Design from the University of the Arts. She utilizes her educational background to foster her students’ observational and problem solving skills when creating art.
Audriene McConico
I come from a musical family and started formal lessons at age 5. I became a church musician at age 12 and a choir director at 16. I attained a B. S. in Music Education from Wiley College (Marshall,Texas) and M. Ed in Special Education from the University of South Alabama (Mobile).
I am a member of Mu Phi Epsilon Professional Music Sorority. I have taught piano and voice lessons and been an events musician in addition to teaching music and special education in private and public schools. I am patient with students and adapt to each one’s learning style and skill levels. I enjoy helping students bloom and grow in musical skills, developing their talents.
Nini Chen
Born in a family of pianists, She graduated from the Basel Conservatory of Music with a major in piano in Swissland . She has taught piano for 30 years, and the students she taught have won some competition awards. She is the judge and regional chairman of the National Piano Grading Examination.
Hongdou Ge (Vera)
Hongdou Ge started her first piano lesson at six and has continued playing piano ever since. She earned her BA in Piano Performance from Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota in 2017 and her Master’s Degree in Piano Pedagogy from Temple University in 2019. She currently studies the Taubman Approach with Robert Durso in Philadelphia.
As a teacher, Hongdou has five years of teaching experience with both younger students and adult students. She is a very patient teacher who loves to share her musical thoughts and knowledge with her students.
Larry Gibs
Growing up in Yeadon, PA I began taking drum lessons & playing in the elementary school orchestra. In Junior and Senior High School and initially in college I took percussion lessons from Alan Abel, associate principal percussionist of the Philadelphia Orchestra. During this time and shortly thereafter I played with a number of school and local bands.
While in Vermont, I was the percussionist for The Take Five Jazz ensemble. The ensemble played many musical genres, including jazz, pop, rhythm & blues, as well as Latin music. The band performed at many venues throughout Northern Vermont. In addition to the ensemble, I played cajon and djembe with local bands.
I currently reside in Garnet Valley, PA and have a passion for music, providing my percussion knowledge to beginners and more advanced students. In terms of percussion instruction, my focus is teaching percussion rudiments and stick control to beginners, as well as an introduction to the drum kit. For more advance students the focus is on drumming techniques, intermediary grooves, shifts & meters. I have a strong commitment to personalized instruction that engages and challenges students at all levels.