A group of musicians practicing in a school gymnasium, with some standing and some sitting, surrounded by music stands, instruments, and casual chairs.

“Un niño, un maestro, un libro, y un bolígrafo pueden cambiar el mundo.”

— Malala Yousafzai

Los maestros artistas de YAMA tienen años de experiencia en la aula de clase y también en el escenario. Cada uno trae una forma única de conectar con los estudiantes, enseñar, y contribuir a la comunidad de YAMA.

"The art of teaching is the art of assisting discovery.”

— Mark Van Doren

YAMA teaching artists have years of experience in the classroom and on the concert stage. Each TA brings a unique way of connecting with students, teaching, and contributing to the YAMA community.

Woman playing the violin on stage with dark background.

 Stephanie Hsu [she/her]

A man with a beard and tattoos on his arm, smiling and wearing a black t-shirt and smartwatch, sitting on a rock in a mountainous landscape with a winding river below.

Alex Pualani (AP) [he/him]

Smiling woman wearing a white wide-brimmed hat outdoors with green trees in the background.

Sue Chirco-Coontz [she/her]

A woman with long curly black hair sitting on a large rock in a forested area with green and yellow foliage.

Maria Castillion [she/her]

A woman with shoulder-length reddish-brown hair, wearing glasses, a colorful striped blouse, and a black backpack, standing outdoors on a sidewalk with a tree and greenery in the background.

Bree Dwyer [she/her]

A woman sitting on a glass ledge with a city and river view in the background on a cloudy day.

Aylin Hernandez [she/her]

A woman outdoors with bare trees and blue sky, smiling and wearing a teal knit scarf.

Jenny Humphrey [she/her]

A young man with glasses smiling outdoors on a wooden staircase with greenery and a house roof in the background.

Fernando Flores [he/they]

Portrait of a woman with glasses and colorful layered hair, wearing a white eyelet blouse and jewelry, against a dark gray background.

Ella Kim [she/her]

A woman with purple hair and tattoos on her arms holding a violin outdoors in front of green foliage with white flowers.

Enerida Mendoza [she/they]

A woman in a green dress seated on a park bench outdoors during spring, smiling while holding a cello.

Seidy Morales [she/her]

A young woman with wavy, shoulder-length hair that is dark at the roots and reddish at the tips, smiling slightly at the camera. She is wearing a dark-colored top and gold jewelry, including hoop earrings and a necklace, with light makeup including eyeshadow and eyeliner.
A smiling woman with dark wavy hair wearing an embroidered top with puffy sleeves, holding a smartphone, standing in a store with colorful religious and decorative items on the wall. She has an orange and pink striped tote bag over her shoulder and a red bracelet on her wrist.

Esmeralda Perez [she/her]

Itzel Perez [she/her]

Erik Relation [he/him]

A person holding a violin and bow, smiling, standing outdoors under blooming cherry blossoms, with a park and other people sitting in the background on a sunny day.

Jordan Taylor [they/them]

Young woman with dark hair and purple highlights taking a mirror selfie in a music room. She is smiling, holding a cello in one hand, and has a cell phone in the other. There is a painted cello case, a wood piano, and soundproof wall panels in the background.

Isabela Thornsley [they/she]

A young man with light skin, shoulder-length wavy hair, and blue eyes smiling in front of a beige wall, wearing a red dress with yellow and orange decorative patterns.

Auburn Wren [she/her]

A young man and an older man smiling and standing together on stage, each holding a large upright bass, with a drum set in the background.

Reid Whitecotton [he/him]

2025–2026 Assistant Teachers

  • Angelina Rodriguez

    Violin Assistant Teacher

    Bio

  • Belen Garcia

    Violin Assistant Teacher

    Bio

  • Dianna Murillo

    Violin Assistant Teacher

    Bio

  • Dylan Moreno Suárez

    Viola Assistant Teacher

    Bio

  • Salvador Martinez

    Cello Assistant Teacher

    Bio