Piano and Theory Teacher, Dr. Zhao began her academic journey 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, obtaining 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 then completed her Doctorate at Claremont Graduate University, with mentorship from Grammy-nominated American composer Dr. Boyer. Dr. Zhao, with over seven years of teaching experience, is a member of both the California Musicians' Association and the American Composers Forum. She offers private lessons in piano, composition, songwriting, music theory, and aural skills for children and adults, using innovative teaching methods that have been recognized and praised by numerous students and parents for enhancing overall musical abilities.

Vocal Teacher, Emmaleigh Irish is a professional vocalist and performer, whose passion for performing spans over a decade. Ms. Irish holds a Bachelors in Fine Arts with an emphasis in Musical Theatre from California State University, Fullerton. Here, she pursued extensive training in singing, acting, and dancing. She has had multiple opportunities to work with industry leading artists, such as Erika Henningsen, Vincent Rodriguez III, and Josh Grisetti. She has displayed her performance experience in a myriad of musicals, workshops, and vocal recitals. She offers group and private lessons in vocal performance. With her lessons, she hopes to assist students in understanding their voices on a more scientific basis, citing specific vocal mechanics in relation to vocal production. This teaching method allows students to develop a functional understanding of their unique instrument. It is Ms. Irish’s hope that she may facilitate students in achieving their distinctive individual goals and support them in their growing love for singing!

Piano and Theory Teacher, Ms. Zhang is a pianist with a rich blend of performance and teaching experience, currently pursuing a Doctor of Musical Arts (PHD) at Claremont Graduate University mentored by Dr. Jenny Soonjin Kim. Ms. Zhang holds a Master’s degree in Piano Performance from Illinois State University and a Bachelor’s from Shenyang Conservatory of Music receiving first-class scholarships at every educational institution attended. Her rich performance experience was demonstrated by a series of successful solo recitals. Her talent has been recognized with awards, including the Gold Prize at the Musicale Fall Music Festival in 2021. In addition to solo performances, Ms. Zhang has a strong background in accompaniment, working with ensembles like the Illinois State University's Treble Choir and Symphonic Orchestra participating in several tours, as well as collaborating with violin and voice studios at Shenyang Conservatory. In 2024, Ms. Zhang was invited by the Wiener MusikSeminar International Music Festival to hold solo recitals in Vienna. 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 Teacher, Mr. Alfred is a globally acclaimed drummer known for his extensive career, which includes touring and performing with international artists. Most notably, Mr. Alfred was the drummer for Pakistani superstar Atif Aslam, performing on stages worldwide for over 6 years. His versatile style spans rock, pop, and fusion, and he’s collaborated with renowned artists such as Mizmaar, Fuzon, Usman Riaz, Zoe Viccaji, and the late guitar virtuoso Amir Zaki. Mr. Alfred brings years of teaching experience from various studios as well as his own SPAARK Academy, where he taught foundational drumming skills, groove techniques, and advanced performance techniques. A lifelong drummer since the age of eight, Mr. Alfred’s passion shines through in his teaching as he inspires students to find their unique rhythm and voice. He draws influence from legendary drummers like Simon Phillips, Dave Weckl, and Dennis Chambers, emphasizing the value of dedication and humility. At Golden Echo Academy, Alfred is excited to share his wealth of experience with the next generation, helping them grow both as musicians and as individuals.

Guitar Teacher, Mr. James Grover is a highly skilled and versatile guitar instructor with a rich musical background. His passion for the guitar began at a young age, inspired by legendary bands such as AC/DC, The Beatles, and Led Zeppelin. Over the years, Mr. James has toured and collaborated with numerous renowned artists. These include Kevin Eubanks from The Tonight Show with Jay Leno, George Benson, Robert Sarzo and Rudy Sarzo from Queensrÿche, and Vinnie Moore from UFO and as a solo artist. He has also worked with Prescott Niles from The Knack, Walter Stocker from The Babys, Steve Vai, Scott Page from Pink Floyd, and Bjorn Englen from Yngwie Malmsteen and DIO, among many others.

Mr. James comes from a deeply musical family. His father was a multi-instrumentalist who played guitar, harmonica, and organ, and his aunt was a concert violinist. In addition to his teaching career, Mr. James is also a skilled guitar luthier. He has crafted custom hand-made guitars with meticulous care and precision. He further honed his expertise by studying Guitar Technology at Palomar College in San Marcos, CA.

Piano teacher, Ms. Nevada Valdez is a pianist born and raised in the Los Angeles starting her passion of music at the age of 8. From elementary through high school, Nevada’s life was centered around music; she honed her discipline and technique in this formative period, , cultivating a deep appreciation for classical music. During her collegiate studies, Ms. Valdez expanded her musical expertise to include piano and vocal, actively participating in diverse ensembles such as Jazz Big Band, Treble Chorus, Jazz Combos, Songwriting Ensemble, Vocal Jazz, and Pop/Rock Band. She is currently pursuing a Bachelor’s Degree in Music at California State University, mastering her piano performance. 

Ms. Valdez's core teaching philosophy centers on instilling a deep passion for music in students. She emphasizes building strong musical skills while fostering a love for music that extends beyond the classroom. By combining structured learning with opportunities for creative expression, she ensures that each student feels both challenged and inspired, nurturing their growth as musicians and individuals who carry the spirit of music with them.

Violin teacher, Ms. Michelley Murphy is a violinist born and raised from Akron Ohio with a strong musical background in teaching and performance, currently pursuing a Masters in violin Pedagogy at the University of Redlands. She is mentored by Samuel Fischer. Ms. Murphy currently holds a Bachelors degree in Music Performance from Kent State University where she was on scholarship. She was recognized for an award from Festival Del Lago in Ajijic Mexico for chamber music. She additionally has taught in high schools and middle schools, where she prepared many students for solo competitions and graded performances. She also holds a great amount of experience from teaching private violin lessons from ages 5-86. She is currently teaching lessons at the university of Redlands privately, and for a program called String Project where she teaches a group of students that play violin, viola, cello and bass. In her lessons, she focuses on a strong technical and aural foundation for her students. Ms. Murphy hopes to help each and every student achieve their goals and become the best musicians that they can be.