At Golden Echo Academy, our faculty, equipped with extensive performance experience and pedagogical expertise, is committed to providing personalized and high-quality music education for all levels—from beginners to aspiring professionals. Whether you're a child starting your musical journey, an adult revisiting an old passion, or an intermediate looking to polish your skills, our courses are designed to boost confidence, creativity, and technical proficiency in a supportive environment.
Piano and Theory Teacher, Dr. Zhao began her musical journey at the age of 4 with formal piano training, laying a strong foundation for her future in music. She pursued her academic studies at Xi'an Conservatory of Music, where she studied under the renowned composer Mr. Han Lankui and earned multiple awards. She continued her education at California State University, Northridge, earning a Master’s degree under the guidance of European composer Dr. Marinescu and Dr. Kirov, founder of the Orkestar band and a noted composer/pianist. She later completed her Doctorate at Claremont Graduate University under the mentorship of Grammy-nominated American composer Dr. Boyer.
With over 9 years of teaching experience, Dr. Zhao is a member of both the California Musicians' Association and the American Composers Forum. She is also the founder and director of Goldenecho Academy, which she established to bring her vision of comprehensive and student-centered music education to life. Through Goldenecho Academy, she has established a distinguished and forward-thinking institution dedicated to fostering artistic excellence, where students of all ages and skill levels are empowered to achieve their full musical potential in a supportive and academically rigorous environment.
Sonja Krenek
Voice Teacher and Opera Singer, Sonja Krenek holds degrees in Vocal Performance from UC Irvine, the San Francisco Conservatory of Music, and the Boston University Opera Institute. She has performed leading roles across the U.S. with companies such as New York City Opera, Pacific Opera Project, Opera North, and Opera Vermont. Favorite roles include Mimì (La bohème), Micaëla (Carmen), Leïla (Les pêcheurs de perles), and Tosca.
She has been recognized by prestigious competitions, including The Gerda Lissner Foundation, The Giulio Gari Foundation, and the Loren L. Zachary Society. With over a decade of teaching experience, she offers private voice lessons for all ages and levels, specializing in healthy technique that supports opera, musical theater, jazz, and pop styles. Her students benefit from a personalized, intuitive approach shaped by years of professional performance and elite training.
Piano and Theory Teacher, Ms. Zhang is a pianist recognized for her musical insight, refined technique, and thoughtful interpretative approach. She is currently pursuing the Doctor of Musical Arts degree in Piano Performance at Claremont Graduate University in California, where she studies under Dr. JennySoonjin Kim. She holds a Master of Music degree in Piano Performance from Illinois State University and a Bachelor of Music degree from the Shenyang Conservatory of Music.
Ms. Zhang has appeared in numerous solo recitals and orchestral performances. She has collaborated with ensembles including the Illinois State University Symphonic Orchestra and participated in multiple concert tours. Her artistry has been recognized with awards such as the Gold Prize at the 2021 Musicale Fall Music Festival. In the summer of 2024, she presented and performed at the Vienna Masterclass (Wiener MusikSeminar) at the University of Music and Performing Arts Vienna (MDW – Universität für Musik und darstellende Kunst Wien). In 2024, she was also nominated to perform at the Wiener MusikSeminar International Music Festival in Vienna. In 2025, she performed Edvard Grieg’s Piano Concerto in A minor, Op. 16 with orchestra at Claremont Graduate University’s Centennial Concert, held at Mabel Shaw Bridges Hall of Music (Little Bridges).
Ms. Zhang stands out as a dedicated musician and educator, continually seeking to inspire and educate through her music. She currently teaches private piano lessons and prepares her students for CM & ABRSM Royal Exams.
Drum and Music Production Teacher, Mr. Anthony is a versatile musician and educator with a strong background in performance, recording, and music production. He received his Bachelor of Arts degree in Music from California State Polytechnic University, Pomona, where he studied Recording Technology and Music Production. During his studies, he developed proficiency across multiple genres, including Hip-Hop, Jazz, and Salsa, and actively collaborated with musicians from diverse musical backgrounds.
Following his academic training, Mr. Anthony established his own home studio, where he recorded local Hip-Hop artists and worked on a variety of collaborative projects. His recordings were featured on the Local Spotlight Hour on X-103.9. In addition, he operated a mobile DJ business, providing music services for weddings, corporate events, and private parties.
Mr. Anthony is also an active content creator, producing video edits and sharing drum cover performances on platforms such as YouTube and social media. With a passion for both music and education, he is dedicated to helping students develop their skills in drumming, recording, and digital content creation. He strives to inspire each student to grow artistically and reach their full potential.
Doris Li
Piano teacher, Doris Li, is a dedicated instructor with strong training in both performance and pedagogy. She studied at the College of the Central Conservatory of Music (CCOM) under Associate Professor Tong Wei and earned her official Teaching Certificate from CCOM.
With more than eight years of teaching experience, Doris helps students build a solid musical foundation while developing expressive performance skills. She creates individualized lesson plans based on each student’s personality, learning pace, and goals, ensuring a supportive and motivating learning atmosphere.
In addition to technique, Doris emphasizes complete musicianship—ear training, rhythm skills, and music appreciation. She encourages students to think independently, express emotion through music, and develop a lifelong curiosity for learning. Through patient, structured guidance, Doris aims to help every student grow in confidence, make steady progress, and experience the joy of music as a meaningful part of their lives.
Evelyn Duran
Violin Teacher, Ms. Evelyn Duran is a dedicated violin instructor with a lifelong passion for music. She began her musical journey with the piano as her first instrument and discovered her love for the violin in the fourth grade. Since then, music has been at the heart of her life. Ms. Evelyn has actively performed in a variety of settings, including school and church events, and has collaborated with private ensembles. Her early experiences helped shape her commitment to musical excellence and community engagement through performance.
Currently pursuing a Bachelor of Arts in Music at the University of Redlands, Ms. Evelyn also teaches string instrumental group lessons for young students. She is committed to helping students develop strong technical foundations and personal confidence in their playing. Her teaching philosophy emphasizes both skill development and the joy of music, with the belief that music is an essential and enriching part of life.
Vocal and Piano Teacher, Ms. Jingling is an experienced music educator and vocal performer with over a decade of teaching experience in piano, voice, and choral music. She has successfully guided students in various music competitions and in preparation for conservatory and music program admissions, demonstrating a strong commitment to student achievement and artistic development.
Ms. Jingling integrates innovative teaching approaches into her instruction, including the Orff Schulwerk and Dalcroze Eurhythmics methods, fostering a dynamic and engaging learning environment. Her teaching emphasizes both technical foundation and musical expression, tailored to students of different ages and levels.
She is currently pursuing the Doctor of Musical Arts degree in Vocal Performance. As a dedicated educator, Ms. Jingling is passionate about inspiring creativity, confidence, and a lifelong appreciation for music. She combines solid technical training with a deep love for both musical artistry and education, helping each student reach their full potential.