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.

Piano, Vocal, and Brass Teacher

Ian Harris is a current San Jose State University student pursuing a double major in Music Education and Vocal performance. Outside of his studies Ian has performed with Andrea Bocelli, Lyric Theater, San Jose State Opera Theater, and Drum Corps International groups such as The Mandarins and Gold Drum Bugle Corps where he played trumpet and euphonium. Outside of performing, Ian teaches private voice, piano, and brass lessons, as well as instructing marching bands.

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.

Piano, Guitar, & Violin Teacher

Tatiana Kuzmina has been teaching music since 2010. She began her music studies age the age of 5, and has studied violin, piano, vocals, guitar, music theory, musical literature, and world art history. She holds 3 degrees in piano, violin, and has earned a Master’s degree in Economics from the International Institute of Economics and Law and a Master’s degree in Civil Engineering from the Kazan State University of Architecture and Construction.
Raised in Russia, Tatiana was a member of symphony and jazz orchestras that toured all over the country. She has always been fascinated by improvisation and selection of melodies by ear. She has abundant experience in teaching private music classes to neurodiverse students of all ages.
As a mother of 3 boys, Tatiana focuses on creating friendly and trusting relationships built upon motivation and inspiration. She always looks forward to guiding her students and celebrating their accomplishments!

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.

Piano Teacher

Rachel began taking piano lessons from her aunt at age 6. Throughout the years, she picked up several other instruments including violin, cello, flute, and guitar. This experience helped her compose her own music. She is very close to her 6 siblings and together they have produced 4 original albums, 2 of which are in Spanish! Her family’s ministry in Mexico allowed her to become a church pianist at 9 and a piano teacher at 11. During her High School years, she was the music director of a small Christian school teaching choir, theory, piano, and orchestra lessons to over 30 students! Rachel received her Associate of Arts in Music in the spring of 2022 and is now pursuing her Bachelor’s in Music Ministries at a college in Santa Clara. She hopes to continue sharing her love of music with those she teaches as she continues her journey!

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.

Saxophone Instructor

Johnny Selmer is a classical saxophonist and music educator living in the San Francisco Bay Area. Featured on NPR Live Sessions and Classical KING FM 98.1 in Seattle, Mr. Selmer holds the alto chair of the award-winning Zelos Saxophone Quartet. Mr. Selmer has performed throughout the United States as both a soloist and chamber musician, including regular recitals at the North American Saxophone Alliance Biennial Conference and the International Saxophone Symposium. Mr. Selmer has earned his MM in Music Performance from San Jose State University in 2021.

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.