Welcome to Ann Arbor Music Academy, your premiere Ann Arbor Music School!
Welcome to Ann Arbor Music Academy, your premiere Ann Arbor Music School!
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Marla Moore boasts a vibrant history spanning a decade as a seasoned musician and voice instructor. A proud alumnus of the University of Illinois, she earned her master's in voice performance, a foundation that fueled her passion for the stage in musicals and bands. However, as time went on, Marla found her true calling in education and mentorship. This passion steered her towards growing a successful personal studio and eventually starting the Ann Arbor Music Academy, where she continues to inspire and cultivate young musicians every day.
Lucas Martins is a violinist with an international background and lifelong passion for teaching violin and chamber music. Holding a Doctorate in violin performance, his academic journey spans North and South American institutions. Lucas is dedicated to sharing his Brazilian cultural and musical heritage, having recorded three CDs, and performed in multiple solo recitals featuring works by Brazilian and Latin American composers. Lucas’ teaching focuses on positivity, clarity, and individual connection. Tailoring a lesson and practice plan for each student, he fosters long term growth through an engaging and welcoming environment where each student is encouraged to develop their technical and musical abilities. As a student, you can expect to have a planned, and carefully set, long term progress plan along with clear and objective short-term practice goals.
Larry Roy Sumner Jr. is a singer, songwriter/composer, multi-instrumentalist, music educator, music director, and band leader from South Central Michigan. He gave his first public performance at age three and has been making music ever since! He currently serves as the Minister of Music at United Peoples Community Church, the Music Director for the Concord Area Players, a teacher at the Ann Arbor Music Academy, and leads his own band, B!G L & CODE BLÜ. He also plays with the Jack Pine Savages and Mixed Flavors. A huge fan of musical theatre, Larry has served as the vocal director/pit orchestra conductor for a variety of shows including Bloody Bloody Andrew Jackson, Balancing Act, The Drowsy Chaperone, Spring Awakening, Shrek the Musical, The Sound of Music, The Addams Family, The Music Man, Fiddler on the Roof, and many more! Larry Teaches Jazz Piano/Keyboard Techniques, Guitar, and Bass.
Whitaker Finberg's musical journey began at a young age, inspired by his brother's songwriting and band tours. Although he started with the cello, Whitaker's true passion lay in the guitar and songwriting. Self-taught initially, he dove deep into formal music education, spending time at the Chicago College of Performing Arts studying jazz guitar. Yet, Whitaker's drive for live performances and songwriting brought him back to Michigan, where he toured with several bands and released multiple records. Teaching guitar at an Ann Arbor music store, he discovered a profound joy in mentoring aspiring musicians. After a brief stint in the recording gear industry, Whitaker established his own home studio, Square Lake Sounds. Partnering with the renowned Ann Arbor Music Academy, Whitaker is eager to guide students in realizing their unique musical visions.
Lilly Hunwick is a singer, violinist, and pianist currently studying Choral Music Education at the University of Michigan. She found her passion for performing at a young age and has been involved in musical theatre, plays, and concerts throughout her education. She loves inspiring others and helping them grow! With a passion for musical theatre, pop, Jazz, and classical repertoire, she hopes to share this passion and inspire students. Lilly has played numerous roles in musicals including Donna in Mamma Mia, Baker’s Wife in Into The Woods, Katherine Plumber in Newsies, and more! She has participated in three solo competitions and earned 1st place in each one, as well has scored at the highest level at MSVMA Solo & Ensemble. Lilly aspires to help students become comfortable exploring their instruments as they grow into young performers. She believes that the best stories are told through music, and she wants to help students tune into this special talent in lessons and through practice.
Philip Rinke studied double bass for over two decades now. An accomplished bass player, Philip studied music education at Eastern Michigan University and was the principal bassist of the EMU symphony orchestra his entire time there. Philip has a passion for music theory and excelled in advanced theory coursework. Philip has taught numerous double bass sectionals to schools such as Ann Arbor Skyline High School, DCO, Saline high school, and more. Philip was also selected as Skyline high school’s regular bass instructor for their summer orchestra camp at Interlochen. Philip enjoys staying active and playing many gigs which include playing in musical theatre pit orchestras, jazz ensembles, and with the Dexter Community Orchestra. Philip is also a wealth of instrument knowledge having spent quite a bit of time working in violin and guitar shops.
Samantha Steinbacher is a singer/songwriter, worship leader, and music educator. She studied classical piano at Eastern Michigan University and has been teaching people of all ages for a decade now. Samantha regularly writes, records, and performs her own indie/pop music while weekly leading worship at her church. She has a passion for turning emotions into art, whether it is creating her own music or capturing the beauty in someone else’s. Her favorite part of teaching is forming a connection and relationship with each individual student while helping them achieve artistic skill and expression. She enjoys teaching classical, pop, rock, and contemporary worship music (whatever the student or parent prefers!) all within a fun and kind lesson atmosphere.
Carlos Taboada is a composer, producer, saxophonist, & pianist. He has premiered works in Ann Arbor, MI and Dallas, TX, and he has uploaded original music, film scores, and saxophone covers online. Carlos has performed saxophone with the U-M Jazz Ensemble and Ann Arbor’s Big Band Theory. A Wolverine at heart, Carlos Taboada holds a BM in Composition and a BFA in Jazz Studies from the University of Michigan and is currently pursuing an MM in Composition at U-M.
Thommy Long is a Mesa, Arizona native and is here in Michigan obtaining his Master of Music in Vocal Performance at the University of Michigan. At UofM, he’s performed the roles of Uncle in Puts’ Elizabeth Cree, Betto di Signa in Puccini’s Gianni Schicchi, and Mars in Offenbach’s Orpheus in the Underworld. Before Thommy moved to Michigan, he graduated from Northern Arizona University in Music and Psychology in 2021. In the summer of 2021, Thommy traveled to Kandersteg, Switzerland and studied at the Berlin Opera Academy. Here he received intensive operatic training, as well as performed the roles of Frank in J. Strauss’ Die Fledermaus and Betto in Gianni Schicchi. Though, Thommy’s musical and singing ability does not end at opera, Thommy has recently performed the role of Gomez Addams in The Addams Family Musical, as well as performed in many other musicals in his youth. Thommy has a love for musical theatre, as well as pop and all other genres. He believes that obtaining a strong foundation of proper vocal production will allow you to sing in any style with ease. Thommy also plays the piano, a bit of the guitar, and has a history of playing the cello. He loves primarily singing and playing the piano on his own. He can easily incorporate playing an instrument while singing in his teaching if that is something that is wanted in the student’s development.
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