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Meet our Piano Teachers

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Reid Turner has extensive piano performance experience in classical, jazz, latin jazz, rock/alternative, accompaniment roles, and more. With a background of percussion performance and composing music for indie video game projects, Reid possesses a unique rhythmic improvisational style and creative flair. He graduated with degrees in Musical Arts and Economics from the University of South Dakota in 2013, then obtained his Juris Doctorate from the University of Iowa in 2018.

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Sarah Baldus holds an active Iowa Teaching License with K-12 Music endorsements. She graduated with a BA degree in music education from Iowa State University in 2009. She began teaching instrumental music in Iowa Schools in 2010. She is a firm believer in putting the “fun” into every students’ musical education. As a professional musician, Sarah has performed with small ensembles, bands, and orchestras throughout the state of Iowa, as well as, touring Europe with the ISU Wind Ensemble.

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Hayley Graham graduated from the University of Northern Iowa in 2015 with degrees in clarinet performance and public relations. She then went on to complete her master's degree in music therapy at the University of Iowa in 2017. Currently, Hayley is a board-certified music therapist who enjoys working with people of all ages and abilities. She has experience teaching and performing on a variety of instruments, including clarinet, voice, piano, and guitar. Hayley believes in creating space for joyful exploration and expression through music.

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Marek Szmyrgala gives piano and guitar lessons. Originally from Poland, Marek graduated from Guildhall School of Music and Drama. He then moved to Boston and worked with music and business before moving to Iowa to open the Music4life studio.

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Zoraida Oyola Rebaza is an avid artist and teacher, often performing with regional orchestras.. Originally from Peru, Ms. Oyola Rebaza came to Iowa to study music at the University of Iowa and graduated with a Doctor of Musical Arts degree. She served as the violon/cello teaching assistant and leader of the University Symphony Orchestra and Chamber Orchestra.

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Originally from the Dominican Republic, Laura Canelo Cohen, began her musical studies at the National Conservatory of Music of Santo Domingo. Ms. Canelo Cohen graduated with honors from Columbus State University where she obtained a Bachelor degree in music performance, and holds a Masters in Contemporary Music from the University of Valencia. She obtained her Doctorate in Musical Arts in Flute Performance and Pedagogy at the University of Iowa with a focus in Orchestral Conducting and Jazz Studies. 

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Sam Hoying has had a passion for music his entire life. He began playing piano, oboe, and singing Bass/Baritone at a very young age. Sam has years of experience teaching all three instruments and currently is a student at the University of Iowa. At the University, he is in involved in the Voice, Opera, and Oboe studio. Sam also arranges and is involved in the University’s Tenor Bass A cappella group. Sam is looking forward to helping others find joy through music.

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Sevima Dozo started playing piano when she was 7. Originally from Europe, she finished Elementary music school, Music High School and then she graduated from the Academy of Music with degree in Music Education in Sarajevo, Bosnia. After college she got married and moved to Iowa and she has been teaching piano last 5 years.  She believes that every kid has a unique perspective of music and her goal is to help them on their journey to find the beauty of piano melody!

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Aaron Schultz is originally from Cedar Falls, but moved to North Liberty in 2005. Aaron has over 12 years of piano experience. In addition to piano, he also plays and teaches saxophone. He graduated from Liberty High School with achieving honors in music and is currently attending Kirkwood.

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Ethan Dix, from Cedar Rapids, is a graduate of The School for Music Vocations (SMV) where he studied piano, bass, voice, arranging, and songwriting. During his tenure at the SMV, he won two Downbeat awards as an instrumentalist and songwriter, frequently performed with the faculty
rhythm section as a choral accompanist, jazz pianist, and singer. Ethan has taught at the SMV vocal jazz camp where he led community songwriting workshops with high school singers, in addition to being a private piano and
theory tutor. Ethan’s journey with music has been very exploratory and he believes that there is not one set path for success. If it brings you joy, you’re doing it right.

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