About Opus11

Founder, Principal Instructor

Piano and Voice Instructor

A graduate of Yaroslavl State University in Music and International Languages, Ms Natia discovered that her true passion in life is sharing her love of music with children of all ages! She has been teaching early childhood music classes for over 10 years, and is excited to help discover and realize musical potential in every child.

Voice Teacher

Piano Teacher

Piano Teacher

Karina Grigorian is originally from Tbilisi, Republic of Georgia and was raised in a family of musicians. She has a tremendous passion for music, has been playing since the young age of six, and holds a degree in piano pedagogy from Tbilisi State Conservatory. Karina moved to California in 1997 and has been working as a piano teacher and as an accompanist for over 25 years. Karina has significant experience in teaching children and adults of all ages. She’s very passionate about teaching piano and works closely with each student to create a customized learning plan, establish a strong musical foundation, while making sure the process is fun end engaging. Over the years her students have competed and won top awards in multiple competitions including the Youth Focus competition and the US Open competition. Karina is a certified Suzuki teacher and is a member of American College of Musicians. During the academic year, her students participate in Guild Auditions.

Strings Teacher

Jill Hirsh is a graduate of San Jose State University where she earned her BM in Music Performance. Jill is a versatile multi-instrumentalist; having performed in a wide variety of ensembles on multiple instruments, she is fluent on cello while also plays violin and viola. Recently, she performed with SJSU’s Symphony Orchestra as principal cellist and on viola, with Disrupt New Music Ensemble on violin and cello, and with Mariachi Oro Azul on violin while also playing local gigs and events. Originally from Southern California, she had performed in multiple countries before the age of 13. For the past six years, Jill has been active teaching strings throughout the South Bay; during the summers she works as cello faculty at Cazadero Music Camp where she instructs cello masterclasses, orchestra sectionals, and the cello choir and mariachi ensembles. Jill’s extensive knowledge of string pedagogy and experience teaching all ages uniquely qualify her to be a string educator.

Voice, Ukulele, Guitar, Piano, and Trumpet Teacher

Cruz Gonzalez is a general music teacher for a TK- 5th grade performing arts school in San Jose, he holds a Bachelor of Music degree in Music Education from the University of the Pacific. Cruz has spent the past two decades performing as a musician in various musical setting such as; orchestra, marching band, concert band, symphonic choir, chamber choir, and in cover bands playing at restaurants and wineries. He plays guitar, piano, trumpet, and ukulele and will be offering lessons and classes for those instruments. Cruz is currently completing his American Orff Schulwerk Association certification through San Jose State University.  He uses Orff Schulwerk techniques in teaching his general music classes and was voted “Teacher of the Year” by his colleagues in 2022.

Piano and Voice Teacher

Marie is a music instructor and producer, specializing in vocal performance, music theory, piano improv, & composition. She has a Bachelor of Music in Vocal Performance, is ProTools certified and earned a Vocational Certificate in Music Recording & Production alongside her bachelors degree.  Her lessons are student-centric, emphasizing classical foundation in all fields, while striving to direct lessons according to students’ unique ambitions.  Strong stage presence, deeper understanding of blending & breath support, and a sharper ear for intuitive learning are all skills you can expect to develop with Marie.  Song motivated lesson plans, and making music in every lesson are tenets she holds near and dear.  Most of her free time is spent writing and producing songs working in Logic X and ProTools.  Raised in a bicultural household, she speaks french fluently and much of her time growing up was spent pursuing artistic avenues of music and poetry.

Piano, Guitar, Violin & Voice Teacher

Tristen began studying and playing music at a young age. She has studied music since 2006 in many areas including piano, concert band, marching band, choir, and trombone. She continued her trombone studies all throughout high school and college. Tristen is a graduate of the University of Mississippi with a Bachelor’s of Music degree with an emphasis in music education. She enjoys working with younger students and learning more about music daily. Tristen believes that music is a crucial part of life and that music-making should be available to all students regardless of age and ability level. She is eager to teach her passion to students!

Violin Teacher

Matthew Chun Hoi Leung has been teaching violin in the San Jose Area (Santa Clara County) since 2014. Leung earned the Grade 8 Distinction of the Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music and received the Grade 8 Merit of the Hong Kong Schools Music and speech Association Music festival in 2009. Leung was a violinist in the Metropolitan Youth Orchestra of Hong Kong from 2005 until 2009, led by conductor Ray Tsoi and studied with Tony Yeung. He also performed in the Hong Kong Cultural Centre and the Hong Kong City hall. Leung graduated from San Jose State University with a Music BA degree in 2017, where he studied with violinist Diane Nicholeris and Dr. Sarah Jones.

Leung is also served as a hymn pianist in several churches including New Life Church of Cupertino, Crosspoint Chinese Church of Silicon Valley, Bridges Community Church of Fremont and Loving Grace Church of Cupertino since 2014.

Percussion Instructor

Anthony Mora Is a professional drummer from San Jose, California. He has studied technique under Symphony Silicon Valley’s Principal percussionist Galen Lemmon, as well as theory and musicianship under Dr. Paul Setziol, earning him his music degree. Anthony has experienced playing live music in genres ranging from jazz, to orchestral, to metal and continues to study drums and percussion today.

Piano and Voice Instructor

Piano Teacher

Charlotte Parque has been playing the piano since the age of 5, and has studied with various instructors in the Bay Area, including Haggai Niv and Machiko Kobialka. She has completed the highest level of the Certificate of Merit program in piano, and has competed and placed in local competitions, such as the United States Open Music Competition.
She holds bachelor’s degrees in Psychology and Music from Santa Clara University, where she studied classical piano with Hans Boepple.
Charlotte has experience teaching both group music and private piano lessons. She is excited to share her passion in music with students of all ages and ability statuses!

Piano, Recorder, and Voice Instructor

Marina Nikiforov has been teaching music for eighteen years. She has worked with students of a wide range of ages: from 6 to 66. She is a certified Waldorf teacher and has taught music to grades 1-8. The experience gave her a unique perspective on the different stages of child development, and the intellectual and creative needs associated with each stage. This influences her choice of musical material and assignments.

Marina has been studying music since she was 6 years old. She continues to broaden her knowledge of musical styles and performing arts genres, which include ensemble playing, historical dancing, classical opera, and musical theatre. She is passionate about bringing this whole spectrum of musical experiences to her students.

Piano Instructor

Karinda’s love for music began at 5 years old, when she first joined a children’s choir. After that, music became a daily part of life. Piano, choir, theory, and composition were all included in her high school and college education. She was classically trained under Susan Nguyen in the Certificate of Merit Program, and she graduated from Bethany University with a degree in teaching music.

Karinda has been teaching piano lessons since high school, supplementing her other professions as a Math and Science teacher and Communications. Her passion is helping children and adults discover a love for music and developing both artistry and excellence in their musicianship.

Guitar, Ukulele, Bass, Voice, Production Teacher

Piano Teacher

Piano & Voice Instructor

Nadia Sokolov is a performer and a voice/choir/piano teacher with more than 10 years of teaching experience. Nadia studied at State Music Gnessin College as classical singer, took private vocal coaching over 5 years with soprano Jane Randolph at San Francisco Conservatoire, and has finished her Music Education Bachelor at SJSU School of Music and Dance. In addition to her teaching experience in both Moscow and California she is an active performer, currently singing at the Sunnyvale Russian Theater since 2018, and with SJSU Opera Theater since 2019.

Nadia’s teaching philosophy to help students realize their talents through performing and singing with a holistic and natural approach. She focuses on full body breathing, vowel and breath alignment, releasing muscle tension, and the mastery of clear and crisp diction.

Piano & Guitar Instructor

Ryan Trujillo, a highly respected bassist and versatile music educator from the South Bay, has been shaping the musical landscape through his extensive professional experience and academic achievements, including bachelor’s and master’s degrees in jazz studies from San Jose State University earned in 2018 and 2022, respectively. With over a decade of experience performing as both a bandleader and sideman with local and international artists, Trujillo is known for his virtuosic skill, deep groove, and expressive improvisation. As an educator, he is committed to nurturing students of all ages and skill levels with a curriculum tailored to each individual, covering a wide range of styles such as jazz, classical, pop, rock, funk, R&B, hip hop, and Latin. Trujillo offers instruction on a variety of instruments including upright and electric bass, guitar, piano, ukulele, drums, and Afro-Latin percussion, employing a teaching style that is clear, structured, relaxed, and fun.

Piano Instructor

Alla Nagornaya holds degrees from Poltava Music College and Kharkiv Institute of Arts, specializing in piano pedagogy and collaborative performance. From 1991 to 2022, she served as a Senior Teacher at Alushta Music School in Crimea, while also working as an accompanist for the string ensemble “Virtuosos of Partenit” and the Crimean Tatar ensemble “Guller.” Alla has been recognized as “Best Accompanist” at international competitions, won a Performance Mastery Diploma among piano teachers in Crimea, and her students have received numerous awards at international contests. She has also led masterclasses and served as a jury member in international piano competitions.

Piano Instructor

With over two decades of experience in both the violin and piano, Jee has dedicated 23 years to the violin and 21 years to the piano. Her extensive background includes 9 years of teaching students ranging from preschoolers to high schoolers. Jee has had the privilege of training under Juilliard graduates, competing and participating in regional orchestras, serving as 1st chair during her educational years, and earning a scholarship to the prestigious Interlochen Arts Academy summer camp. Jee’s teaching philosophy is rooted in patience and empathy, viewing music not merely as a pastime, but as a transformative tool for personal growth. She is committed to guiding students through both their musical and personal development, believing that the lessons learned through music extend far beyond the practice room. Through her instruction, she aims to nurture not only talented musicians, but well-rounded individuals.

Piano Instructor

Mezzo-soprano Brennah Kemmerly is a performer and educator based the South Bay Area. Born and raised in the northern part of California’s Central Valley, Brennah began singing in her elementary school’s choir at the age of 8. She continued to sing throughout high school, joining a local community choir and beginning her private voice studies at the age of 15. Brennah went on to earn a BFA in Vocal Performance from Notre Dame de Namur University under the tutelage of Debra Lambert, Daniel Lockert, and Elizabeth Neff. While attending NDNU, Brennah performed numerous roles, including Olive in The 25th Annual…, Martha in The Secret Garden, and Mrs. Segstrom in A Little Night Music. After graduating NDNU Brennah began teaching elementary school classroom music and continued to perform with companies including South Bay Musical Theatre and Los Altos Stage Company. While performing with SBMT, Brennah discovered an affinity for dialect work. She has gone on to expand her performing expertise into dialect coaching, helping actors to hone their accent skills for shows includingMurder on the Orient Express (Palo Alto Players), Mary Poppins (South Bay Musical Theatre), and The Turn of the Screw (Town Hall Theatre Company). Brennah has been a frequent chorister at Opera San Jose since 2019, and performed in the role of Paggio inRigoletto. As a voice instructor, Brennah focusses on foundational singing, helping students to develop the basic techniques needed to sing in any genre of music. These techniques include breath support, placement, tone, and vocal awareness, with the goal being to develop the voice with the flexibility to cross into any genre: musical theatre, opera, art song, pop, and jazz. As a working performer in musical theater and opera, Brennah offers a practical and actionable approach to both auditions and performances.