Dr. Jonathan Edward Mann, piano
Jonathan earned a Bachelor’s and Master’s Degree in Piano Performance from Indiana University Bloomington under Dr. Karen Shaw and a Doctoral Degree in Piano Performance from the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music under James Tocco. He has held faculty positions at the University of Idaho, State University of New York, Fredonia, the San Francisco Conservatory of Music, and the Brevard Music Center. A Steinway Artist, Dr. Mann has published for Clavier Companion and currently serves on the faculty of Indiana Wesleyan University.
Maria Mann, piano
Passionate, dedicated, and a fervent advocate of music education, Maria enjoys a dynamic teaching career that has taken her across the United States. Originally from Orange County, California, Maria graduated from California State University, Long Beach and joined the California's Association of Professional Music Teachers, serving as Treasurer and State Honors Auditions Chair. She currently serves on the board of directors of Indiana Music Teachers Association and regularly participates as an AIM examiner. Maria began her musical education at age five with piano lessons, then violin lessons at age ten. Maria has been teaching students as young as 3 years for over 15 years.
Brianne Flanagin, voice/piano/guitar
Brianne is a graduate of Indiana Wesleyan University where she studied voice and earned a degree in Choral Music Education. During her time at IWU, Brianne participated in numerous ensembles including Chorale, Wind Ensemble, Chamber Choir, Pep Band, and Orchestra. As a part of Chorale, Brianne toured throughout the USA and Italy.
Brianne is certified to teach PreK-12 Music and teaches at Croninger Elementary, a part of Fort Wayne Community Schools. She is also a part-time vocal artist for Heartland Sings as well as a member of the Indiana Music Educators Association (IMEA) and the National Association for Music Education (NAfME). Brianne’s passion is to make music a medium through which students are able to develop socially, emotionally, and academically. She looks forward to helping students discover their voice and passion for music!
Elizabeth Kim, cello
Elizabeth Lee began her cello studies with Metta Watts and Thomas Kraines when she was ten in Philadelphia. From winning competitions to performing with orchestras, she has appeared in well-known venues including the Weill Recital Hall at Carnegie Hall, Verizon Hall at the Kimmel Center, the Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts, and the Seoul Arts Performing Center. A chamber music enthusiast, Elizabeth won a top prize at the Lyric Music Society Chamber Competition and traveled to Jamaica to coach workshops, perform concerts, and teach masterclasses. She was accepted as a fellow at the Dali Quartet International Music Festival, won a top prize in the concerto competition at Music in the Mountains in Colorado, attended Chautauqua Music Festival as a scholarship recipient, and spent summers at Green Mountain Chamber Music Festival and Texas Music Festival. She performs full time with the Fort Wayne Philharmonic and can also be seen playing regularly with the Kentucky Symphony Orchestra, Springfield Symphony Orchestra and Southwest Florida Symphony Orchestra. Elizabeth graduated cum laude with a bachelor's degree in cello performance studying with David Cole at Lynn University and received her master’s degree with Alan Rafferty at the Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music..
Laura Mergy, violin
Laura Mergy is a violinist currently earning her bachelors degree in Music Technology at Purdue Fort Wayne. Since the age of four, she has become well versed in violin through Suzuki method and has completed Suzuki teacher training units 1-4. She regularly performs as a member of Purdue Fort Wayne's Orchestra and Chancellor's String Quartet. While utilizing classical music in her teaching, she also loves to fiddle around with other genres, such as bluegrass and contemporary. When not teaching, she performs music for weddings, church, funerals, and anywhere else that violin music is needed! Laura is excited to be teaching at Fort Wayne Music and Tutoring and hopes to encourage a love of music in all her students
Alyssa Anzelmo, voice
Alyssa Anzelmo is a senior vocal performance major at Purdue University Fort Wayne graduating in 2023. She has been singing her entire life, but has received training the last ten years. Alyssa has performed in many different capacities throughout her entire career. She has had lots of experience in musical theatre during high school and has performed operatic roles like the The Queen of the Night in The Magic Flute and Gretel in Hänsel and Gretel. Even though Alyssa is classically trained, she enjoys singing and teaching a variety of styles of music. Recently, Alyssa has found a great love for teaching and has become a voice teacher. She plans to continue studying music and vocal pedagogy as she carries on in her studies.
Esther Coplin, flute/piano
Esther is a graduate of Indiana Wesleyan University where she studied flute performance. While she was in college she was able to travel internationally to Europe and Canada for music festivals. She also took several wind band tours through the United States including a trip to perform in the Indiana Purdue Fort Wayne Wind Ensemble at Carnegie Hall. These experiences broadened her understanding and appreciation both for music and the lovely people who create it. Esther has taught private lessons since her sophomore year in high school while working alongside her older sister, a seasoned local music educator. Currently she teaches piano and flute at Fort Wayne Music and Tutoring. Her personal projects include performing with a local jazz quintet and taking flute lessons with Sarpay Özçağatay, who teaches at Berklee College of Music. When not engaged in her musical endeavors Esther enjoys eating delicious food, exploring new places and spending time with friends and family.
Edith Coplin, piano
Karl Rast, guitar/ukulele
Music has been a part of Karl’s life from his earliest years. He began singing in church choirs and moved on to the Fort Wayne Children’s Choir. He became interested in guitar and has been playing for nearly 14 years. He has years of live performance and has worked extensively in recording. Karl is currently pursuing a degree in classical guitar as a performance major. His musical interests span from classical and jazz to rock.
Christina Trowbridge, piano
Christina Trowbridge has been playing the piano since the age of four. She loves learning new things related to music and is always curious to learn about new instruments. She has a Bachelors degree in piano pedagogy and also enjoyed singing in choir and playing the flute in band while in college. Christina is a nationally certified teacher of music in piano through MTNA. She has taught piano lessons throughout college and loves when kids understand a concept that has been hard for them. She hopes to help students find a love of music in their lessons.