Our Faculty

Yulia Rife is an accomplished pianist, educator, and director of West County School of Music with more than 35 years of teaching experience. She is passionate about inspiring students of all ages through exceptional music education while nurturing a lifelong love and appreciation for music.

Yulia received extensive classical music training in Russia and Europe. She earned a Master’s Degree in Piano Performance and Pedagogy from the Azerbaijan State Music Academy and a Bachelor’s Degree in Arts and Sciences from the Azerbaijan National Conservatory Music College.

Dedicated to lifelong learning and professional excellence, Yulia is a certified Kindermusik educator and has completed teacher certification programs in both the Yamaha Music Education System and Harmony Road Music Course.

Yulia has been recognized by Steinway Gallery as a Top Teacher in 2016 and 2024 for her outstanding dedication to music education and student achievement.

She serves as the Missouri Coordinator for The Royal Conservatory of Music Certificate Program, helping students prepare for internationally recognized performance and theory examinations.

Yulia is an active member of the Music Teachers National Association (MTNA), the Missouri Music Teachers Association (MMTA), the National Guild of Piano Teachers (NGPT), and the American College of Musicians, reflecting her ongoing commitment to the highest standards of music education.

Throughout her career, Yulia’s students have received top honors in local, state, national, and international piano competitions and have earned numerous medals and awards in piano performance, music theory, and music history. Many of her former students have gone on to become professional musicians, performers, and music educators.

Alla Livak is a violin and piano teacher with 30+ years of experience.
She received a Master's Degree in Violin Performance and Pedagogy and a Bachelor's degree in Piano Performance and Pedagogy from Kharkiv Conservatory, Ukraine.
Alla was teaching 12 years in music schools in Ukraine before she moved to United States 30 years ago.

Alla loves teaching. Her students received high recognitions in school/college orchestras.

Dariusz ( Darek ) Kosinski  is a piano teacher and accomplished pianist.

He studied under renowned professor Daniel Schene in Webster University.

Darek has European background in piano performance and pedagogy.

He completed his music study in Kyiv, Ukraine.

Darek is a winner and laureate of over 15 domestic and international piano competitions held in Ukraine.

Darek is passionate about teaching music to all ages, and believes in potential musicality of all students

Andy Mai is a pianist and educator . 

He studies Piano Performance and Pedagogy at the University of Missouri–St. Louis . 

Andy previously earned a Bachelor of Science in Computer Science from UMSL before returning to his lifelong passion for music.

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Andy performed as a pianist and violinist with ensembles including the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra, UMSL Orchestra, Three Rivers Chamber Orchestra, and St. Louis Community College at Meramec Orchestra. Throughout his orchestral career, he served in numerous leadership positions including Associate Concertmaster, and performed under distinguished conductors including Stéphane Denève and Stephanie Childress.

Andy served as pianist for the FOCUS St. Louis What’s Right With the Region Awards in both 2025 and 2026. He has also collaborated extensively with vocalists through UMSL’s Voice Department and Singing Actor’s Workshop. 

Andy enjoys working with students of all ages and experiences to develop confidence, creativity, and a lifelong appreciation for music. 

Drawing from his experiences as an accomplished musician, he strives to make lessons engaging, encouraging, and tailored to each student’s individual goals.

Patricia is a teacher with long time experience. Her education includes studying in Marywood College, PA, Trenton State College, NJ.

Patricia was awarded with a scholarship to Juilliard School of Music, where she studied piano performance and music theory. 

She has participated in the Annual Classical Music Festival in Eisenstadt , Austria, focusing on pedagogy , piano performance and music history. 

Patricia loves teaching . 

She provides excellent knowledge of music theory, technical skills and overall appreciation of music to students of all ages.

Zazzlyn Hall received her Degree in Piano Performance and Pedagogy from Southwestern Illinois College and a Bachelor's Degree in Music Composition with a minor in French from Webster University. She is working on her Masters in Piano Performance at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville. Zazzlyn arranged a concert with all original compositions in 2023. She has also composed music for short films, videos and video games Zazzlyn is dedicated to her craft and teaching and enjoys helping others to progress at the piano.

Katie Pearsall is a graduate of Michigan State University with a Degree in Music Education with focusing on Strings . She was certified teacher in three states, and had 20 years of experience. Her teaching method is more traditional and is versed in classical, jazz and fiddle styles. Katie's primary instruments are violin, viola, cello, double bass, and piano, while her secondaries are winds and percussion, guitar, ukulele, and voice. She has performed live in Carnegie Hall, New York City at age 15 and continued to perform nationally and internationally with several orchestras. Katie loves teaching all ages and abilities.

Be excited to try a new instrument or add to your growing musical journey!

Dalton Hartsfield is a cellist and composer from the St. Louis area. He graduated from the conservatory at the University of Missouri-Kansas City with BM degrees in Music Composition & Theory and is currently continuing his education  at the University of Missouri-St. Louis. Some of Dalton’s performance experience includes chamber music, new music ensembles, and pit orchestras. He is excited to work with cello students of all abilities and beginner students of other string instruments, and is passionate about cultivating a love for music in students through their instrumental studies.

Linnea Johansen is a dedicated music educator with a Bachelor of Arts in Music Education from Augustana College. Linnea has experience teaching violin, viola, cello, guitar, and piano to students of all ages and ability . 

In addition to private lessons, Linnea teaches middle school orchestra. 

She is a member of the Suzuki Association of Americas .

Linnea is passionate about building a strong musical foundation for students while fostering confidence and a love for music. 

Olivia Edwards teaches cello.

She has an experience working with children of varying ages in different contexts including as a camp counselor and as a classroom teacher in a fourth grade classroom.

Olivia Edwards studied cello and piano at University of Missouri—St. Louis.

Olivia is passionate about music and working with children. 

David received his Master of Music in Violin Performance and String Teacher Training from Southern Illinois University in Edwardsville.  He studied with Dr. John Kendall and Ms. Carol Smith and completed all levels of Suzuki Teacher Training.  

Mr. Liu has taught students in Taipei, Houston, St. Louis, and Chicago during his 37 years of experience.  His students have been accepted into various orchestras with excellent seats, including Concert Master.  

Mr. Liu enjoys helping students and parents become successful in their life through music education. 

Long Pham.

Guitar instructor.

Long Pham is a scientist and musician . He studied at New Jersey Institute of Technology, where he received PhD in Chemical Engineering.

Mr. Pham teaches classical acoustic and electric guitar.

He has accompanied various bands at musical events and gigs , demonstrating his versatility across a wide area of genres, including pop, rock, blues, and jazz. 

Long Pham has a strong foundation in music theory, which is essential for musical studies.

Long Pham’s unique blend of scientific expertise and musical passion, greatly benefits learners, providing them with the way to enjoy life and connecting with society.

Misha Crus is an accomplished musician with a masters degree in  Double Bass Performance and Pedagogy from Rimsky-Korsakov Saint Petersburg State Conservatory.

Misha’s experience includes 30 years playing Double Bass with the Kansas City Symphony and several years teaching and performing in China.

Misha is also a business owner of St. Louis Strings store.

Que Huong Nguyen is a passionate voice instructor and piano teacher. She attained her undergraduate degree  from Webster University,  followed by a Master's degree in Performance from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. 

Que’s talents have been recognized through a series of accolades, including her victory at the Singer Contest in St. Louis (2023), a double triumph at the St. Louis Chapter of the National Association of Teachers of Singing (NATS) in 2019 and 2022, and the prestigious Golden Award at the Asian Arts Festival in Singapore (2017). 

With a rich repertoire, Que Nguyen has shone as a soloist in various operatic performances, taking on lead roles.  Her artistic presence is widespread, with classical to pop music. 

Anna Edwards is an accomplished singer, music director, piano and voice teacher. She has training in vocal performance and voice and piano pedagogy from Webster University. 

Anna is a winner of local and regional classical singing competitions such as CRESCENDO! (2024, 2025) and the Central Region National Association of Teachers of Singing (2025). 

Anna believes in curating a fun and productive music environment to serve students of all ages and backgrounds. 

Alex Rife holds a Bachelor's degree in journalism and engineering and a Bachelor's degree in economics.  He is an accomplished photographer/ videographer with over 30 years of experience in the industry.  He has worked in broadcasting and television as a cameraman and editor all over the world including Azerbaijan, Russia, Germany, throughout Europe and the United States.