Tyler Miles - Piano
Tyler Miles is a Chicago composer, teacher and performer. As a composer, he has written several instrumental sonatas and worked on over a dozen film and theatre pieces, including Eclectic Theatre’s productions of As You Like It and Fuddy Meers. Currently, in addition to teaching students both young and adult, Tyler is working as a busy music director in the Chicago theatre scene where he is also in the process of developing two original musicals - involving a collaboration with cabaret legend Honey West. Tyler holds a bachelor’s degree in Music from Northeastern Illinois University where he studied with Dr. Susan Tang and Dr. Kay Kim.
Tyler Miles is a Chicago composer, teacher and performer. As a composer, he has written several instrumental sonatas and worked on over a dozen film and theatre pieces, including Eclectic Theatre’s productions of As You Like It and Fuddy Meers. Currently, in addition to teaching students both young and adult, Tyler is working as a busy music director in the Chicago theatre scene where he is also in the process of developing two original musicals - involving a collaboration with cabaret legend Honey West. Tyler holds a bachelor’s degree in Music from Northeastern Illinois University where he studied with Dr. Susan Tang and Dr. Kay Kim.
Kristiana Cabeli - Piano
Born in Greece and raised in Albania, Kristiana started piano lessons with her mother by age three, and formal lessons at age six at the Epirotic Conservatory of Ioannina, (Greece) with Aspasia Zerva (and with her mother as well). With the support of the Tsakalof Institute, she had her first recital with an orchestra at the age of 12 with the Symphonic Orchestra of Albanian Radio – Television (Kabalevsky Piano Concerto No. 3 in D major, Op. 50). In 2012 she received a Diploma in Piano at the Epirotic Conservatory of Ioannina. She completed her undergraduate studies in Musicology at University of Arts in Tirana, Albania, with Dr. Holta Sina and piano with Prof. Nora Cashku. During these years she taught piano at her mother’s school of music. Kristiana has participated in many activities and competitions in Albania and Greece. Kristiana also has an interest in languages; she speaks Albanian, Greek, English, French, Italian and Spanish.
Born in Greece and raised in Albania, Kristiana started piano lessons with her mother by age three, and formal lessons at age six at the Epirotic Conservatory of Ioannina, (Greece) with Aspasia Zerva (and with her mother as well). With the support of the Tsakalof Institute, she had her first recital with an orchestra at the age of 12 with the Symphonic Orchestra of Albanian Radio – Television (Kabalevsky Piano Concerto No. 3 in D major, Op. 50). In 2012 she received a Diploma in Piano at the Epirotic Conservatory of Ioannina. She completed her undergraduate studies in Musicology at University of Arts in Tirana, Albania, with Dr. Holta Sina and piano with Prof. Nora Cashku. During these years she taught piano at her mother’s school of music. Kristiana has participated in many activities and competitions in Albania and Greece. Kristiana also has an interest in languages; she speaks Albanian, Greek, English, French, Italian and Spanish.
Christopher Morrow - Piano
Born in northern Michigan, USA, Christopher began lessons at the age of seven, with local church organist and pianist Shirley Taylor of Cadillac Michigan. While attending high school, Chris was part of the high school marching and concert band, and a local jazz band. Christopher studied piano with Dr. Susan Tang, Dr. Kay Kim, Dr. Louise Chan, Bette Coulson, and Sebastian Huydts during his undergraduate studies at Columbia College and NEIU. In addition, Christopher studied music theory and composition with Dr. Ilya Levinson and Dr. Marcos Balter to compose music for small and large ensembles, and for the Chicago Composers Orchestra. Christopher founded Topher Allan Music in 2013 with the help of the Chicago Ballet Center and Rico Music and Art Center.
Born in northern Michigan, USA, Christopher began lessons at the age of seven, with local church organist and pianist Shirley Taylor of Cadillac Michigan. While attending high school, Chris was part of the high school marching and concert band, and a local jazz band. Christopher studied piano with Dr. Susan Tang, Dr. Kay Kim, Dr. Louise Chan, Bette Coulson, and Sebastian Huydts during his undergraduate studies at Columbia College and NEIU. In addition, Christopher studied music theory and composition with Dr. Ilya Levinson and Dr. Marcos Balter to compose music for small and large ensembles, and for the Chicago Composers Orchestra. Christopher founded Topher Allan Music in 2013 with the help of the Chicago Ballet Center and Rico Music and Art Center.
Zen Hsu - Piano
Born and raised in Chicago, Zen Hsu is a pianist that has received honorable mention in the NEIU Concerto Competion, scholarships such as The Vincent Oddo Award, Vinson Stoffa Award, The Gill Award, The Berlinger Award, and The Joan Sachs Memorial Award. He is also the music director for Chicago Good News Baptist Church; he has worked at Rico’s piano studio, and taught privately within his church, and now is currently teaching through the Community Music Program at Northeastern Illinois University. He has arranged video game music as pedagogical pieces that also helps spark interest with many young pianists; he has performed with the NEIU Jazz Varsity Band, was invited to perform for the NEIU Asian Gala, and performed in masterclasses for renowned pianists such as Nelita True, Sergio Monteiro, and Karine Poghosyan, He has an associate degree in fine arts in music performance from Wilbur Wright College, a bachelor’s degree in Piano Performance in Northeastern Illinois University, and is currently finishing up his Masters in Piano Pedagogy studying under Dr. Susan Tang; he has also studied under Dr. Kay Kim and Dr. Louise Chan for piano; for jazz studies under Mayo Tiana, Peter Scheiner, Josh Shapiro, and Steve Duncan; for theory and composition under Dr. Jeff Kowalkowski.
Zen likes to find and play VGM (videogame music) in his spare time; some other activities he enjoys is playing basketball, going fishing, discovering and playing indie board games, playing videogames, and spending time with friends and family.
Born and raised in Chicago, Zen Hsu is a pianist that has received honorable mention in the NEIU Concerto Competion, scholarships such as The Vincent Oddo Award, Vinson Stoffa Award, The Gill Award, The Berlinger Award, and The Joan Sachs Memorial Award. He is also the music director for Chicago Good News Baptist Church; he has worked at Rico’s piano studio, and taught privately within his church, and now is currently teaching through the Community Music Program at Northeastern Illinois University. He has arranged video game music as pedagogical pieces that also helps spark interest with many young pianists; he has performed with the NEIU Jazz Varsity Band, was invited to perform for the NEIU Asian Gala, and performed in masterclasses for renowned pianists such as Nelita True, Sergio Monteiro, and Karine Poghosyan, He has an associate degree in fine arts in music performance from Wilbur Wright College, a bachelor’s degree in Piano Performance in Northeastern Illinois University, and is currently finishing up his Masters in Piano Pedagogy studying under Dr. Susan Tang; he has also studied under Dr. Kay Kim and Dr. Louise Chan for piano; for jazz studies under Mayo Tiana, Peter Scheiner, Josh Shapiro, and Steve Duncan; for theory and composition under Dr. Jeff Kowalkowski.
Zen likes to find and play VGM (videogame music) in his spare time; some other activities he enjoys is playing basketball, going fishing, discovering and playing indie board games, playing videogames, and spending time with friends and family.
Henry Altenberg - Guitar
Henry Altenberg is a guitarist based out of Chicago. He began playing music young but began his formal music training at age 9. Henry has built a steady career as a performer, from playing on WGN, historic venues like the Metro and Portage Theater, as well as playing for weddings, corporate events, private parties, local festivals and more. As a teacher, he has worked with both children and adults extensively in his private studio and during his time working as a guitar and piano instructor for the Chicago Park Districts. Henry studies with Brian Torosian at Northeastern Illinois University and is set to graduate with a Bachelors of Music in Classical Guitar Performance in 2020 as an Honors Student with multiple performance based scholarships. Henry also obtained a scholarship to study jazz guitar at the Berklee College of Music five-week program and another scholarship for classical guitar at Ithaca College of Music Summer Music academy.
Henry Altenberg is a guitarist based out of Chicago. He began playing music young but began his formal music training at age 9. Henry has built a steady career as a performer, from playing on WGN, historic venues like the Metro and Portage Theater, as well as playing for weddings, corporate events, private parties, local festivals and more. As a teacher, he has worked with both children and adults extensively in his private studio and during his time working as a guitar and piano instructor for the Chicago Park Districts. Henry studies with Brian Torosian at Northeastern Illinois University and is set to graduate with a Bachelors of Music in Classical Guitar Performance in 2020 as an Honors Student with multiple performance based scholarships. Henry also obtained a scholarship to study jazz guitar at the Berklee College of Music five-week program and another scholarship for classical guitar at Ithaca College of Music Summer Music academy.
Gerardo Martinez - Violin
Gerardo Martínez was born and raised in Guanajuato, Mexico. He began his music studies at Merit School of music and was a first violinist at the Merit symphony Orchestra. Former instructors include Dr Jaime Gorgojo, professor of Violin at NEIU and Joseph Glymph, Conductor of the Classical Symphony Orchestra. He is also a member of the Protege Philharmonic at the Chicago Orchestral Academy and former member at the Lakeview Symphony Orchestra and Lakeshore Symphony Orchestra. Gerardo is also serves as the Assistant Artistic Director of Cuerdas Clásicas, a non-for profit guitar and mandolin ensemble that promotes the arts and culture of Mexico. Guest appearances include concerts with the Chicago Sinfonietta for Day of the Dead in 2017 and soloing in mandolin with the Sherwood Conservatory Community Orchestra. Other performances include WFMT 98.7 segments, Chicago Tonight and multiple concert appearances at the National Museum of Mexican art.
Gerardo Martínez was born and raised in Guanajuato, Mexico. He began his music studies at Merit School of music and was a first violinist at the Merit symphony Orchestra. Former instructors include Dr Jaime Gorgojo, professor of Violin at NEIU and Joseph Glymph, Conductor of the Classical Symphony Orchestra. He is also a member of the Protege Philharmonic at the Chicago Orchestral Academy and former member at the Lakeview Symphony Orchestra and Lakeshore Symphony Orchestra. Gerardo is also serves as the Assistant Artistic Director of Cuerdas Clásicas, a non-for profit guitar and mandolin ensemble that promotes the arts and culture of Mexico. Guest appearances include concerts with the Chicago Sinfonietta for Day of the Dead in 2017 and soloing in mandolin with the Sherwood Conservatory Community Orchestra. Other performances include WFMT 98.7 segments, Chicago Tonight and multiple concert appearances at the National Museum of Mexican art.
Anthony Metz - Piano (Resident Teacher)
Anthony Metz started piano lessons at Topher Allan School of Music in the spring of 2015, when he was 12 years old in 7th grade. Now 16 years old, he is approaching his 4th year of playing the piano. Since beginning lessons, Anthony has covered many different types of repertoire, from the ingenious baroque pieces of J.S Bach to the more modern, upbeat ragtime by masters such as Scott Joplin. Not only has he taken lessons from Topher Allan School of Music, Anthony has also participated in a masterclass with Dr. Susan Tang, department head of Piano Studies at Northeastern Illinois University. Anthony has performed on many different occasions and at multiple different venues, including two talent shows at his school, St. Joseph Village of Chicago (assisted living center), City News Café, and Northeastern University’s recital hall. One of his big goals is to be able to make a living performing and teaching piano. With all this experience and all these goals to be met, Anthony is ready to share his love for music with others.
Anthony Metz started piano lessons at Topher Allan School of Music in the spring of 2015, when he was 12 years old in 7th grade. Now 16 years old, he is approaching his 4th year of playing the piano. Since beginning lessons, Anthony has covered many different types of repertoire, from the ingenious baroque pieces of J.S Bach to the more modern, upbeat ragtime by masters such as Scott Joplin. Not only has he taken lessons from Topher Allan School of Music, Anthony has also participated in a masterclass with Dr. Susan Tang, department head of Piano Studies at Northeastern Illinois University. Anthony has performed on many different occasions and at multiple different venues, including two talent shows at his school, St. Joseph Village of Chicago (assisted living center), City News Café, and Northeastern University’s recital hall. One of his big goals is to be able to make a living performing and teaching piano. With all this experience and all these goals to be met, Anthony is ready to share his love for music with others.
Santiago Baca - Guitar (Resident Teacher)
Santiago Baca is a guitarist from the portage park neighborhood of Chicago. In 2013, he started studying at Rico’s Music Center with Christopher Morrow as a guitar student. Throughout his music career, He has played for St. Joseph Village of Chicago, St Pascal’s Carnival, and on multiple occasions at the City News Cafe. He is currently taking guitar classes at Lane Tech along with private lessons with Topher Allan School of Music to expand his learning and understanding of the guitar. He has a bit of experience as a pianist since he also took piano lessons along with guitar lessons. Alas, he stuck to guitar and has been playing for 6 years. His repertoire includes pieces from J.S. Bach, Francisco Tárrega, and traditional Spanish guitar. Santiago has also been a part of a masterclass, here at Topher Allan School of Music, led by Dr. Susan Tang, the head of Piano Studies at Northeastern Illinois University. He hopes to be able to continue his musical studies after high school and to be a part of something greater with his musicality.
Santiago Baca is a guitarist from the portage park neighborhood of Chicago. In 2013, he started studying at Rico’s Music Center with Christopher Morrow as a guitar student. Throughout his music career, He has played for St. Joseph Village of Chicago, St Pascal’s Carnival, and on multiple occasions at the City News Cafe. He is currently taking guitar classes at Lane Tech along with private lessons with Topher Allan School of Music to expand his learning and understanding of the guitar. He has a bit of experience as a pianist since he also took piano lessons along with guitar lessons. Alas, he stuck to guitar and has been playing for 6 years. His repertoire includes pieces from J.S. Bach, Francisco Tárrega, and traditional Spanish guitar. Santiago has also been a part of a masterclass, here at Topher Allan School of Music, led by Dr. Susan Tang, the head of Piano Studies at Northeastern Illinois University. He hopes to be able to continue his musical studies after high school and to be a part of something greater with his musicality.
