Faculty Bios

Jennifer Shoup, Owner/Piano

Jennifer is a frequent soloist and chamber musician who performs throughout the United States and abroad. She has been a featured soloist with the National Orchestras of Chile, Costa Rica, and the University of Dayton Orchestra, and presented solo recitals for the Piccolo Spoleto Festival, Sigma Alpha Iota National Convention, Ohio Music Teachers Association and numerous university Artist Series. She regularly presents recitals and lecture recitals for the American Matthay Association for Piano, most recently at Pennsylvania State University (2023, 2016), Arizona State University (2017), Texas Wesleyan University (2014) and the University of Kansas (2011).

Jennifer received a Master of Music degree in Piano Performance and Certificate in Piano Pedagogy from Carnegie Mellon University, and a Bachelor of Music degree in Performance from the University of Dayton. She began Doctoral studies in Piano Performance at Arizona State University. Her teachers include Donald Hageman, Eric Street, Enrique Graf and Caio Pagano. Additional studies took place in Vienna, Austria and at Belgais Center for the Arts (Portugal). She has worked with a diverse range of artists including Emanuel Ax, Maria Joao Pires, Earl Wild and Grammy award-winning composer Lucy Simon.

Jennifer has taught for the prestigious Carnegie Mellon Preparatory School and as adjunct faculty for the University of Dayton and Cedarville University. She has served as past President of The Dayton Music Club, Chair of the Ohio Federation of Music Clubs District III-G, Vice President of Programming for Ohio Music Teachers Association Western District, and as Editor of The Matthay News.

Kara Camfield, School Director/Violin

Kara is a professional violinist and educator, having lived in the Dayton area since 2009. She performs as Assistant Principal Second Violin for the Dayton Philharmonic Orchestra and has played with the orchestra since 2006. She is also a violinist in the DPO Education String Quartet, served as conductor of the Dayton Philharmonic Junior String Orchestra from 2014-2023, and most recently coordinated the Education Programs for the Dayton Performing Arts Alliance from 2021-2023.

Kara is passionate about teaching students of all ages, and has taught private lessons since 2000. She served on faculty at the University of Dayton from 2011-2022, teaching violin, chamber music, fundamentals of music, string pedagogy, playing in the faculty Aviatori Piano Trio, and coordinating the string area.

Kara earned a Master of Music degree from the College-Conservatory of Music in Cincinnati in 2006 and a Bachelor of Arts degree in Music from Minot State University (ND) in 2004. She has taught violin at The Piano Preparatory School since 2009 and has served as School Director since July, 2023.

Jessica Anderegg, Violin

Jessica Anderegg began violin studies at twelve years of age. Shortly after, she became a member of a bluegrass group and began performing on stage by fifteen. She has performed at in numerous festivals across the United States. She has a vast love for music and while she can also play the piano, her true passion is violin.

Jessica's early training on the violin was dedicated to learning fiddle/ Celtic style of playing She has since focused on the classical side of music under the tutelage of Lori Matthews to broaden her scope of the musician. She performs weekly in an orchestra for congregational and special music at her church and has taught privately there as well. She desires to guide others as they grow as musicians. Jessica also enjoys other arts such as acrylic and oil, painting, and riding in her free time.

Garry Ball, Guitar & Ukulele

Garry Ball, a native of Springfield, is a passionate song-writer, guitarist, and teacher. He started taking guitar lessons in high school after spending his childhood listening to the radio and 45 records. Now with three CDs of his own, Garry is an active performer in the Dayton and Springfield area.

In 2013 he released his first solo album, Frozen Smile. It was followed by Marble Heart in 2014 and One Man's Way in 2015. His music speaks to his favorite genres; folk, folk rock, and Americana. Garry is especially inspired by the California rock genre from the 1970's. Some of his musical influences are Jackson Browne, Crosby Stills and Nash, Neil Young, Dan Fogelberg, JD Souther, and James Taylor. Other mentors, coaches, and influences are Peter Bradley Adams, Luke Brindley, Dana Cooper, Michael Fracasso, Tom Kimmel, Darden Smith, and Brooks Williams. Garry teaches private guitar lessons and a group class for teens/adults.

Damon Culbertson, Guitar & Ukulele

Damon is a professional guitarist and music producer from Fairborn, Ohio. He graduated Valedictorian from Full Sail University with his Bachelor’s in Music Production and is currently a student at the Musician’s Institute earning his degree in Guitar Performance. Damon is also Pro Tools Operator Certified and received an Instrument and Pro Audio expert certification from Sweetwater Sound. He primarily teaches Guitar and Ukulele but also plays Bass, Mandolin, Piano, Drums, and whatever else he can get his hands on.

Growing up in a very musical family, Damon has always had a passion for music. He began playing guitar at an early age and was immediately hooked. Once in high school, he joined the school’s jazz improv ensemble, and quickly found his passion for music theory and improvisation. He then decided that this is what he wanted to do for the rest of his life.

Upon completing university, Damon began his teaching journey; and over the last few years, he’s learned as much from his students as they have from him. He specializes in both electric and acoustic guitar and teaches a variety of styles including Rock, Blues, Neo-Soul, R&B, Bluegrass, Finger-style, Jazz, Singer-Songwriter, and more. Some of his main influences are Mateus Asato, John Mayer, SRV, Billy Strings, Ed Sheeran, Hans Zimmer, and Jacob Collier.

Jarrod Davis, Voice

Born and raised in Dayton, Jarrod Davis Jr. graduated from Wright State University with a Bachelor Degree of Music in Vocal Performance. He then pursued graduate studies at Bowling Green State University, graduating with a Masters Degree in Vocal Performance. Jarrod recently returned to the Dayton area, and currently teaches at Stivers School for the Arts in addition to The Piano Prep School. He is a member of the Dayton Opera Chorus. His most notable roles include Mr. Sankey from Street Scene, Giorgio from The Gondoliers, Pirate King from Pirates of Penzance, and Marius Pontmercy from Les Misérables.

Kyleen Downes, Guitar

Guitarist/songwriter Kyleen Downes has chosen music as her way to interact with the world. Raised in a constantly moving military family, Kyleen now calls Dayton, Ohio her home. Kyleen has been teaching private lessons in the Miami Valley for over 10 years. She earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Music from Wright State University where she studied classical guitar with Jim McCutcheon.

As an independent musician, Kyleen has written, recorded and released several collections of music (including two full length albums), performed at Levitt Pavilion Dayton and receives regular airplay on WYSO Public Radio. She co-founded Talking ‘Bout the Young Sound, a program that teaches young musicians how to perform in a band on stage. She is an active performer and the host of a local open mic. Kyleen is passionate about guiding her students to explore their musical ambitions.

Elizabeth Dunkel, Piano

Elizabeth graduated from Cedarville University with a Bachelor of Music degree in Keyboard Pedagogy. She has taught privately since 2014. During her time at Cedarville, Elizabeth performed two solo recitals and collaborated with vocalists and various ensembles, including the university’s Women’s Choir.

Elizabeth received the Mr. and Mrs. Roland Polsdorfer Music Award and served as secretary and treasurer for the university’s Music Teachers’ National Association (MTNA) chapter. Additionally, she has experience in classical improvisation and played piano with Cedarville University’s jazz band for two semesters.

Elizabeth enjoys teaching a variety of ages and levels, and loves to help her students think critically and truly enjoy music. She believes that lessons should be personalized for each student’s unique needs and desires, and also that each student should learn thorough musical and technical understanding. The goal of Elizabeth’s teaching is to help students realize their musical goals with enthusiasm and excellence.

Heather Goertemiller, Piano & Music Together

Heather has had a love of music for as long as she can remember, from her time spent in music classes with her mom, to sitting at the piano for her first lesson at age 9, to being a junior accompanist for the Columbus Children's Choir in high school. She feels grateful to pass on this musical passion to other young learners as a teacher, and she wholeheartedly believes that all children are capable and deserving of learning music!

Heather earned her Bachelors in Music Education from The University of Dayton. She has 15 years of experience teaching private piano to students of all ages, specializing particularly in early learners and beginners. Additional experience includes serving as vocal coach for UD’s Vocal Performance Institute, teaching for The Dunbar Institute’s Summer Arts Program, volunteering with the Jamaica Field Service Program, and leading world drumming workshops. Heather has presented twice for the OMEA Professional Development Conference and been published in leading music education journals.

In addition to teaching at PPS, Heather teaches early childhood music for Centerville Schools and is the Center Director for Music Together of South Dayton, a local early childhood music program offering family classes at the studio. She loves that PPS offers families an enriching, extensive music education in all stages of life, from birth to adulthood and every step in between!

Micaiah Higgins, Piano

Micaiah graduated from Cedarville University with a Bachelor of Music degree in Keyboard Pedagogy. In the course of her degree program, she has taught students of all ages, accompanied vocal and instrumental musicians, played for musical theatre productions, performed in the University Jazz Band, and served as president of the university’s collegiate Music Teachers’ National Association chapter. She has been the recipient of the Faculty Music Award, Love Pedagogy Scholarship, and the Lyle and Connie Anderson Endowed Music Award. Micaiah has a strong classical background and additional experience working with lead sheets, jazz charts and both jazz and classical improvisation. She loves teaching children through adults at any level, striving to give her students a well-rounded musical education that align with their individual musical goals. Ultimately, she desires to see all her students love music, which she believes is best achieved through individualized teaching that fits with the student’s learning styles and personality, allowing every student to thrive musically!

Karen Johnson, Viola & Violin

Karen Johnson is an award-winning teacher who is dedicated to the idea that learning should be fun! Prior to coming to the Dayton area, Karen lived in Tennessee, where she received an Outstanding Teacher Award from the Tennessee Governor's School for the Arts. Also in Tennessee, her students were chosen as Principal and Assistant Principal Viola in the Tennessee All-State Orchestra. Since moving to the Dayton area, her violin and viola students have received full music scholarships to the Eastman School of Music (2020), Indiana University (2020), Miami University (2018), and Wright State University ((2019) and have participated in the Dayton Philharmonic Junior Strings, Youth Strings and Youth Orchestra (DPYO). In the DPYO several of her students have been chosen as Principal Viola, and in 21-22 one of her violin students was selected as Concertmaster. Additionally, in 2021 her student was chosen as a finalist for the David L. Pierson Concerto Competition held by the Dayton Philharmonic Orchestra. Karen's teaching style reflects the influence of the many teachers she has had, including Heidi Castleman (Juilliard School of Music), Mimi Zweig (Indiana University), Yitzhak Shotten (University of Michigan) and Robert Culver (University of Michigan). She has also had Suzuki training with Mimi Zweig, Ronda Cole and Martha Shackford.

As a performer, Karen is currently 3rd Chair Viola with the Dayton Philharmonic Orchestra, was Assistant Principal Viola with the Knoxville (TN) Symphony Orchestra for 9 years, sat Principal with the Spoleto Festival Orchestra in Spoleto, Italy (1995, 1997), and was a featured soloist with the North Carolina School of the Arts International Music program in Germany and Italy. She received her Master of Music at Rice University and her Bachelor of Music at Indiana University.

Karen loves to teach and over the years has taught beginning, intermediate and advanced students ranging in age from 4--70 years old. She looks forward to meeting you!

Stephanie Klein, Viola, Violin & Voice

Stephanie grew up in a musical household where she began singing and playing piano at a young age. She earned a Masters Degree in Music Education from the University of Dayton and a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Viola and Vocal performance from Luther College (IA).

Stephanie has 20 years of teaching experience which include K-8 general music, middle and high school choir as well as private violin, viola, voice, and piano lessons. She is a freelance violinist, violist, pianist, and mezzo-soprano. Stephanie has played viola with the Sioux City Symphony Orchestra and both viola and violin locally with the Miami Valley Symphony Orchestra. As a vocalist, Stephanie has been a soloist at the Air Force Ball, March of Dimes Walk for Babies, and with the Miami Valley Symphony. She has directed the Miami Valley Symphony Chorus and her children’s choirs have been selected numerous times to perform the National Anthem for the Dayton Dragons and Wright State Raiders Basketball games.

Stephanie is also an active church musician and co-owner of a small craft business. In her free time, she enjoys hiking, yoga, ballet and spending time with her husband and two children.

Kristen Kosey, Piano

Kristen has been teaching piano at The Piano Preparatory School since 2008. She likes to help every student from beginner to advanced grow in playing and enjoying music. Kristen earned her Bachelor degrees in Piano Performance and Mathematics from Valparaiso University. She also had additional studies in piano, theory and church music at the University of Dayton and the University of Cincinnati’s College Conservatory of Music. Kristen has worked many years as a church musician (organist, pianist, choir director) and as accompanist for Tecumseh High School’s choirs. She likes to bring this broad knowledge to her students, helping them to understand and enjoy the music they are creating.

Lori LaMattina, Viola & Violin

Lori LaMattina started on viola instead of the traditional violin in 6th grade. She attended Vanderbilt University Blair School of Music for three years before transferring to the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music where she completed her Bachelor and Master of Music degrees in Viola Performance under the tutelage of Masao Kawasaki. In the Fall of 1999, Lori joined the Dayton Philharmonic Orchestra, while continuing to serve as a substitute with the Cincinnati Symphony. Lori has more than twenty years teaching experience. She is a homeschool mom, enjoys riding her Norwegian Fjord Horse every day, and loves to garden.

Diane Larochelle, Piano

Originally from New Hampshire, Diane grew up in a home where learning an instrument was encouraged and nurtured. Music making was a part of every social gathering with members of her family playing a variety of musical instruments and singing songs from the roaring ‘20s to present day.

After 12 years of piano lessons, Diane began her college studies in the field of Elementary education, and later transitioned to attain her Bachelor of Arts Degree in Music Performance with piano as her primary instrument. While completing her degree, she also studied classical organ. Upon attaining her

degree, she studied with concert pianist Donna Stoering and organ master, Kenneth Grinnell.

Diane has maintained an active private piano studio for over 30 years with a wide range of students from age 5 to 75. Her students have participated in the Ohio Federation of Music Clubs festival where they have received top ratings. Diane is also an accomplished church organist. She maintains

memberships in the National Federation of Music Clubs, the American Guild of Organists, and the National Association of Pastoral Musicians.

Diane is passionate about teaching piano, helping her students develop their skills and enjoy a wide array of music. She enjoys gardening, walking in metro parks and spending time with her family and grandchildren.

Ellen Nettleton, Cello

Ellen Nettleton began her cello studies at age 10 with Alberta Scheider. Private teachers include Elizabeth Gottling-Mendoza and Laura McLellan in middle and high school respectively. She gained teaching experience at the young age of 14, when the orchestra director for the middle school asked her to help with the beginning 4th graders. She quickly launched a business of teaching privately after school on the side and found out she had a love for it. She has been a teacher for many studios and grew a private in-home group as well, traveling to homes where students could not otherwise make the trips to see her.

Collegiate teachers include the late Steven Shumway followed by Pansy Chang. In 2003 she won the Undergraduate Artist's Competition, and in 2004 won the concerto competition, performing the Dvorak Cello Concerto. She earned her Master's in performance studying with Bruce Uchimura at Western Michigan University, where she was given the opportunity to teach on the collegiate level for a semester and prepare students for junior and senior recitals.

After moving back to Ohio following graduate school she filled in for Ms. Chang at Miami for a semester, while also teaching for various studios and subbing in local orchestras including Lebanon, Middletown, Hamilton-Fairfield, Springfield and the Dayton Philharmonic Orchestra. In 2009 she won a permanent seat in the Dayton Philharmonic and stayed there for 9 seasons. After getting married and spending a few years away in South Carolina she is now back in Ohio, subbing with the DPO, playing gigs for churches and weddings, enjoying some extra chamber music and recitals when possible.

Michael Peterson, Piano & Voice

Michael is a professional vocalist and piano accompanist. Originally from Utah, Michael’s music career encompasses performing and teaching for more than 15 years. He has studied with educators and teachers such as Michael Ballam (UFOMT), Mindy Smoot Robbins, Colin Baldy (Oxford), Lynn Jamison-Keisker, Paula Watkins (USU), and Craig Jessop; as well as earning a BFA in vocal performance from Utah State University.

As a performer Michael’s first love is opera. However, he has performed in a wide variety of productions from Mozart’s ‘The Magic Flute’ to Howard Ashman’s ‘Little Shop of Horrors’. On the stage Michael has performed with renowned institutions such as: Utah Festival Opera & Musical Theater, Utah Opera, Pioneer Theater, Tuacahn Center for the Arts, Teatro Independencia in Mendoza Argentina, U.S. National Tour of ‘Grease’, Mormon Tabernacle Choir, and the Royal Opera House in London.

Michael is passionate for teaching eager students of all ages. He is humbled and grateful for the wonderful teachers he has had throughout his career and hopes to share his love of music and the performing arts; that was gifted to him by his cherished educators.

**Michael is fluent in Spanish.

Haley Shaeffer, Piano

Haley received a Bachelor of Music degree in Keyboard Pedagogy from Cedarville University. While attending Cedarville, she performed three recitals, accompanied vocalists, participated and led various music ensembles, and taught private piano lessons to students of all ages. In 2017, she was the recipient of the Mr. and Mrs. Rolan David Polsdorfer Music Award from Cedarville. Additionally, her research detailing the transition from modality to tonality in the music works of Claudio Monteverdi was accepted to the National Conference of Undergraduate Research (NCUR) where she presented in April 2017. Haley’s undergraduate research capstone focused on the techniques and mechanisms for exciting and motivating students to internally desire to pursue music lessons, especially for those who seek music as simply a hobby. Her passion is to create an atmosphere that instills a genuine love of music and aspiration to explore color and expression within a variety of styles. Haley enjoys coaching students to grow in their technique and musicality, while also being attentive to the individual’s learning styles and needs. She views teaching as an open door to encourage and influence the lives of her students.

Cyerra Pemberton, Voice & Piano

Cyerra is currently pursuing her Bachelor of Music Degree in Voice Performance from Wright State University. She earned an Associate of Arts in Liberal Arts with a music focus from Sinclair in 2022, where she studied with Daniel Greene and Stephanie Voelker. At Wright State University, she currently studies with Ginger Minneman, Director of Vocal Studies, Dr. Nathan Nagir, Director of Choral Studies, and Steven Aldredge, Lecturer of Piano, Theory, Composition, and Music Director of WSU Opera.

While at Sinclair, Cyerra received the Helen Claire Danner Regensburger Music Memorial Scholarship. During her time at Wright State University, Cyerra has participated in the Collegiate Chorale and Treble Chorus, and was a featured soloist in the 2023 Arts Gala. She has also served as a founding member and Secretary of the WSU chapter of the American Choral Directors Association. In addition to pursuing her degree and teaching private lessons, she frequently performs special music at several churches in the Dayton area.

Through both performance and education, she enjoys being able to share her love of music with others, and strives to inspire her students to cultivate their musical skills and their passion for art.

Peg Stockton, Piano

Peg Stockton is a native of Cincinnati and possesses solid skills and proficiency in piano and music theory. She began playing at the age of four and competed throughout her primary school years, receiving excellent ratings from the Ohio Music Teachers Association.

Peg continued classical studies throughout her secondary and postsecondary educations. She received her Bachelor of Music degree in Music Theory from the University of Texas at Arlington where she was awarded several music and academic scholarships. She earned her Master of Music degree from the University of Oklahoma where she was awarded a Graduate Teaching Assistantship in Music Theory, giving her the opportunity to teach/assist undergraduate college I-IV music theory.

Peg considers music to be an empowering medium of personal and public expression with the ability to change lives and enrich the social, cultural, and spiritual world. She has 20-plus years /teaching students of all ages, backgrounds, and musical abilities. She developed a K-6 music program which she used to teach elementary music, as well as a college theory placement exam and accompanying curriculum from which she taught upper-level band students.

Peg is often requested for personal and professional events, having soloed for holiday functions, birthdays, weddings, and local recitals, and accompanied numerous soloists, ensembles, and choirs.

Kathleen Sturgis, Voice & Piano

Kathleen is an experienced and energetic professional music educator with a deep desire to instill and encourage the love of music in others. Kathleen's varied experiences include touring as a solo and concert performer; programming music; conducting the Greene County Adult Chorus; training and adjudicating high school level solo, choir and ensemble competitions; coaching for college and musical auditions; and training solo recitalists. She has taught voice and piano for over 35 years both privately and in public schools, offering music instruction to students ranging from 4 to 80 years young. She especially enjoys training beginner and intermediate students in vocal and piano techniques using classical, folk, Broadway, show choir, and sacred music.

Kathleen studied music at Moody Bible Institute and received her Bachelor of Music Education from Cedarville University. She continued additional studies at the Amherst University Oren Brown Voice Seminar, John Hopkins University in conducting and The Estill Voice Seminar learning vocal technique. Kathleen loves to learn; she continues to grow through discussions, seminars, webinars, blogs and literature.

Angela Vaubel, Piano

Angela Vaubel has been an independent piano instructor in Beavercreek for over 20 years. She teaches students of all ages and abilities. Her students regularly participate in the Ohio Federation of Music Clubs (OFMC) Jr. Music Festival and Ohio Music Teachers Association (OMTA) Ribbon and Scale Festival. Many of her students have earned top honors in competitions, including the David L. Pierson Young Musicians Concerto Competition, DePauw Young Artists Piano Competition, Buckeye Auditions, Heidelberg University Piano Competition, OFMC Marlyn Walters Competition, OFMC Charlotte and W. Alfred Gray Competition, OFMC Elizabeth Gerber Competition, and other miscellaneous awards.

Angela is a graduate of the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music (CCM) with a Bachelor of Music and Master of Music degrees in Piano Performance, where she studied with Frank Weinstock. She graduated Summa Cum Laude and was named valedictorian of CCM in 1994. Angela was also awarded the Sword of Honor in the Sigma Alpha Iowa honorary music fraternity and is a lifetime member.

Angela is an active collaborative pianist, and she enjoys playing with soloists and ensembles in the area. Angela currently serves as President for BPTA. She previously served as the Festival Chair and Gold Cup Chair for the OFMC III-C District and Recording Secretary for OMTA Western District.

Allan Ware, Guitar & Ukulele

Allan is a guitar player and teacher from the Dayton area. He studied jazz guitar with Michael Kotur for five years and played in jazz ensembles while attending Archbishop Alter High School and Wright State University. He is currently pursuing a Bachelor of Music in Jazz Studies degree from Central State University. Outside of his academic life, he also plays in local music groups and is most familiar with the rock, blues and jazz genres. His influences on the guitar range from Wes Montgomery, Grant Green, Hubert Sumlin, Clarence “Gatemouth” Brown, Jim Hall, Joe Pass, and Tal Farlow. He is comfortable teaching students of all ages and levels, and offers lessons on the ukulele and bass guitar as well. His lessons are tailored to each student to help them achieve their musical goals.