At the Soltani Music School, it is important to us that all of our instructors are good people first. You’ll be working with a team of professionals at the top of their field, but also people who will welcome you like family.

We welcome families and students of all ages and abilities. We work to inspire creativity, build confidence, and foster a lifelong love and appreciation of music while growing friendships, strengthening families, and enriching our community.

Strings

Angelica Pereira

Violin Instructor

Angélica Pereira is a Colombian-born violinist whose career spans orchestral, chamber, solo, and studio performance. She currently serves as Assistant Principal Second Violin of the Oklahoma City Philharmonic and second violinist of the CRUSA String Quartet. Pereira has performed in notable events including the United States National Anthem at the Oklahoma City Thunder vs. Memphis Grizzlies game (2025), the OKM Music Festival, the Oklahoma Haydn Festival, and national and international tours with the Orchestra of the Americas to Mexico, China, Panama, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Nicaragua, Guatemala, and Belize. She has also taken part in high-profile productions such as The Who, Andrea Bocelli, Il Volo, and Michael Bublé in concert. Her recording work includes Grammy-nominated and award-winning projects for NAXOS, AaronLazar (Broadway for ALS), Gabriela Montero’s Latin Grammy-winning album Ex Patria, Julian Lennon’s Jude, and numerous film and television scores, including the movie Family Camp and PBS’s Celtic Woman 20th Anniversary. Pereira is a prizewinner of multiple competitions, including the Oklahoma City University Concerto Competition, the Oklahoma Community Orchestra Young Artist Competition, and the Ladies Music Club of Oklahoma City Competition. Her honors include the American Federation of Musicians Charles McDaniel Youth Award, The Journal Record Achievers Under 40, NextGen Under 30 Oklahoma in the Arts, and the State of Oklahoma Citation of Recognition for Outstanding Music Artist. A passionate educator, Pereira has taught privately for over a decade and served as Lead Teaching Artist with El Sistema Oklahoma, faculty at the Oklahoma Conservatory of Music, and a coach for award-winning chamber ensembles. She holds three degrees from Oklahoma City University—a BM in Violin Performance, an MM in Violin Performance, and a BM in Music Education—each time earning Summa Cum Laude.

Chazlen Rook

Violin and Fiddle Instructor

Chazlen Rook is a multi-genre violinist and private teacher. She holds a B.M. in String Performance from the University of Central Oklahoma with minors in Historical Performance and Humanities, and spent a semester abroad studying ethnomusicology at the University of Southeastern Norway. She is now pursuing a Master of Music in Jazz Studies at UCO with an emphasis in music production. Ms. Rook performs with a diverse array of ensembles, including the Stringsmen OKC string quartet, Oklahoma Baroque Orchestra, Kintsugi Mob, Enid Symphony, OU Avant-Garden, and her chamber music crew of fellow musical adventurers. As a private teacher, Ms. Rook brings the energy—crafting lessons that challenge, empower, and inspire. Her goal is to unlock students’ musical confidence and cultivate creativity and beauty, one epic practice session at a time.

Scotty Scott

Violin, Viola, and Fiddle Instructor

Scotty Scott, a violist based in Edmond and Oklahoma City, is a highly accomplished educator and performer. He earned his Master’s Degree with High Honors in Instrumental Performance from Oklahoma City University (OCU). During his undergraduate studies, Scott was fortunate enough to receive a full tuition talent scholarship, which enabled him to attend OCU. As a sophomore, Scott was selected to join the Graduate String Quartet, a position he held throughout his undergraduate and graduate studies. Scott has had the privilege of performing with various orchestras and opera companies, including the Oklahoma City Philharmonic, Wichita Symphony Orchestra, Wichita Grand Opera, Symphony of Northwest Arkansas, Lawton Philharmonic, Fort Smith Symphony, and Vergilius Chamber Orchestra. Currently, he holds the Principal Violist position with the Oklahoma City-based Painted Sky Opera Company. In his free time, Scott enjoys engaging in activities such as painting, reading, and spending time with his three beloved dogs: Benji, Luna, and Baron.

Miguel Moreno

Violin Instructor

Miguel’s journey with the violin started when he was seven years old. Originally from Panama, he performed with the National School of Music and a renowned music festival in Panama as concertmaster led by students from Oberlin Conservatory. After finding his passion for music, he worked to pursue a degree in Violin Performance at Oklahoma City University. After graduating in 2021 from OCU, he started his masters in Performance Studies at Baylor University. Recently he has performed as a substitute with the Oklahoma City Philharmonic, Lawton Symphony, and is a member of the Signature Symphony in Tulsa. In the past, he has performed at the Texas Music Festival, with the Waco Symphony, and multiple masterclasses led by artists like Tessa Lark, Chee-Yun Kim, Sheryl Staples, Benjamin Schmid and Dr. Kristen Yon. Now, he free lances and teaches in Oklahoma City, and works every day to become a violinist his younger self would be proud of.

Ryan Kyker

Violin, Viola, and Fiddle Instructor

Ryan Kyker, aka Mr. Ryan, is the Assistant Director of Orchestras at Putnam City West High School and an assistant director for OKC Summer Strings. Mr. Ryan enjoys teaching beginners and loves building meaningful relationships with all students. He loves movie scores, playing video game songs on violin and viola, talking about The Lord of the Rings and Pokémon, and most of all, making music fun and inspiring to learn. Mr. Ryan’s philosophy of teaching is inspired greatly by the famous Shinichi Suzuki, “Teaching music is not my main purpose. I want to make good citizens. If a child hears fine music from the day of his birth, and learns to play it himself, he develops sensitivity, discipline, and endurance. He gets a beautiful heart.”

Lauryn Lackey

Violin, Viola, and Fiddle Instructor

Lauryn Lackey is a student at the University of Central Oklahoma with over 10 years of violin experience! Lauryn was the first hired instructor for the Soltani Music School and has been pivotal in establishing the new school location. She is not only a great instructor and musician, but a great person. In her free time, she enjoys softball and hanging out with my family and friends!

Emma Keller

Violin, Viola, and Fiddle Instructor

Emma Keller is a student at Oklahoma City University and has over 10 years of experience on the violin. She works to create a fun and engaging environment for learning instruments and hopes to share her love of music with her students.

Elise Gaymon

Cello Instructor

Hello, my name is Elise! I’ve played cello for over 8 years, and I attend the University of Central Oklahoma, where I also play in the UCO Symphony Orchestra.

Olivia Roberts

Cello Instructor

Olivia Roberts is a senior music major at Oklahoma Christian University, where she is also pursuing a minor in education. She has been studying and performing on the cello since 2014, developing strong technical skills and a deep understanding of both solo and ensemble performance. Throughout her musical career, Olivia has been an active member of a wide variety of large and small ensembles, including orchestral, chamber, and collaborative group settings. In addition to her performance experience, Olivia currently serves as the assistant orchestra director at Oklahoma Christian, where she has conducted the orchestra when needed. Olivia has earned multiple awards through classical solo and ensemble competitions, recognizing her dedication, musical expression, and performance excellence. She has also performed regularly in worship services and with community orchestras, allowing her to engage with diverse audiences and musical styles. Her combined experience in performance, leadership, and education reflects her commitment to both musical artistry and teaching, preparing her for a future in music education and performance.

Piano

Olivia Bodenski

Piano Instructor

Olivia has been Pianist and Harpist for over twenty years, and has been teaching various skills to a wide range of ages for over five years. She believes that anyone of any age can learn to be an instrumentalist, and that the best way to support her students in their journey is to create a positive and encouraging learning environment. She earned her Bachelor of Music from the University of Oklahoma, and in her free time she enjoys creating art, reading, gardening, and spending time with her spouse and cats.

Rachel Darvin

Piano Instructor

Rachel Darvin teaches private piano at Soltani Music School. In addition, she is a collaborative pianist at Oklahoma Christian University and Oklahoma City University, where she plays for vocal lessons, juries, and recitals, as well as OC’s Cabaret. She graduated with her Master of Music in Collaborative Piano from the University of Central Oklahoma in May 2025, where she studied with Dr. Sallie Pollack and received an award for Outstanding Graduate Student. Her undergraduate degree is in Piano Performance with an emphasis in Pedagogy from Oklahoma Baptist University, where she studied with Dr. Michael Dean. She has participated in masterclasses with Alan and Alvin Chow, Abigail Mace, Amy I-Lin Cheng, pianists; Wei Guo and Robert Bradshaw, cellists; and Douglas Knehans, composer. Ms. Darvin had the honor of twice performing with the OBU orchestra in their Concerto-Aria Competition, in 2020 and 2021. She also plays piano for her local church.

Mary Leigh Ochoa

Piano and Voice Instructor

Mary Leigh Ochoa graduated from University of Southern Mississippi with a degree in Music Education, Vocal Emphasis, and a minor in Piano. She began her teaching career in Petal, MS, where she taught music education in grades ranging from 3rd grade to Jr High and High School choral music. After moving from Petal, she taught music education in Metro Nashville Public Schools. While in Nashville, she also presented at various District Teacher Events, at State Music Convention, and was on the team that wrote the curriculum guide for music teachers in grades 1-12. Upon returning to Mississippi, she taught choral music at Madison Middle School , Madison, MS, where her choirs consistently achieved superior ratings at district and state levels. Following her retirement from Madison Middle School, Mrs. Ochoa continued to teach piano and voice privately, and served as pianist at Lakeside Presbyterian Church in Brandon, MS. She and her husband now live in Oklahoma City to be closer to family. She looks forward to getting back to work!

Elizabeth Tan

Piano Instructor

Hello, my name is Elizabeth! I have been playing violin and piano since 2016 and currently attend Santa Fe High School where I also play in the Symphony Orchestra. Being given the opportunity to teach has grown into a true joy and passion of mine. I love helping people discover music and sharing the happiness and connection that music brings to others.

Guitar & Ukulele

Ryan May

Guitar and Ukulele Instructor

Ryan May is a classical guitarist with over 20 years of experience and a passion for teaching. Currently finishing his Bachelor’s in Music Education at Oklahoma City University, he offers personalized lessons for all ages and skill levels focusing on solid technique, musicality, and a love for the instrument. Ryan lives in Oklahoma City with his wife and young son, and brings a patient, encouraging approach to every lesson.

Voice

Tae Woodward

Voice & Piano

Tae Woodward is a soprano from Inola, Oklahoma. She completed her Bachelor’s Degree in Vocal Performance at the University of Central Oklahoma and now teaches vocal music at various schools in the Oklahoma City Metro. Tae has performed in numerous plays, musicals and operas throughout her career such as Shakespeare’s Midsummer Night’s Dream, Gluck’s Orfeo ed Euridice, and Disney’s The Little Mermaid. Aside from voice, Tae also teaches piano, flute, acting courses, crochet, art, art history, music theory and music history. She serves as the bassist and a choral vocalist at Nichols Hills United Methodist Church where she is also currently directing The Best Christmas Pageant Ever for Bedford Theatre.

Lourdes “Lulu” McGraw

Voice Instructor

Lourdes McGraw is from Fort Worth and grew up between Pennsylvania and New Hampshire. Lulu, the name her students know her by, has been singing professionally for over 10 years. She started to take vocal lessons for contemporary music, studying under multiple different professors and soon after began studying both musical theatre and opera. She has been teaching vocal lessons professionally for five years and counting and has loved every moment of it. Some of her bigger accomplishments are, performing and winning in multiple classical solo and ensemble competition. Being a part of musicals such as Into the Woods and others. Leading at multiple churches such as Life.Church and Thrive Community Church. And continuing to grow her musical abilities every day!

Preschool Music

Zoe Mack

Preschool Music

Zoe is first and foremost a proud mom of two boys. You can thank those boys for Zoe’s shift in career from graphic design and marketing to music and children. With a lifetime of passion for music, Zoe brings energy and intention into every class. Her goal in teaching is to foster a love and appreciation for music, the way it connects us all, and how it sparks creative thought. “The Lord is my strength and my song.”