Dr. Ross Hoksbergen
Musical Director, Beginner Piano, Brass, Percussion
Dr. Ross Hoksbergen is currently the Director of Music at Union Church. He is the conductor the Union Choir, and is Co-Founder of Cupertino Music Academy. Dr. Hoksbergen completed a D.M.A. in Music Performance from Michigan State University. He was a member of the faculty brass ensemble, the Beaumont Brass Quintet. read more...
Dr. Rumyana Yanakieva
Piano
Dr. Rumyana Yanakieva is a founding member and teacher at Cupertino Music Academy. She is the pianist and organist at Union Church, in Cupertino, California. She maintains an active studio of all ages, featuring 'Master Classes', Recitals, and community performances. Yanakieva is always in demand as a performer for events featuring piano or other special music. read more...
Diane LaVerne
Voice
Diane LaVerne has been teaching preschool music for over 20 years. She lead the pre-K through 8th grade music curriculum in many Catholic and public schools throughout the greater bay area. Diane has a B.A. in Music Education was from College of Notre Dame, Belmont (now Notre Dame de Namur). Her post graduate studies include an Orff Schulwork Certification at Mills College.
In addition to teaching music lessons to all ages at Cupertino Music Academy, Dianne is the section leader (soprano) for the Union Church of Cupertino Adult Choir, where she performs regularly as a soloist, percussionist, and chamber musician. She is a member of the music committee at Union Church, helping select music throughout the year.
Diane is available for soprano, mezzo soprano, liturgical, pop and jazz, and early vocal training.
Juliana Tarter
Acoustic Guitar, Electric Guitar, Bass Guitar, Ukulele, Beginner Piano
Juliana Tarter is an avid teacher and performer in the Bay Area, and is the lead guitarist for several bands in the San Jose Area. She is known for her abilities on electric and acoustic guitar, with knowledge of several different solo techniques and styles used by todays leading musicians. She began by playing piano and shortly thereafter moved to guitar, and she still loves to teach beginner piano.
Juliana enjoys teaching a variety of styles from classical guitar to Rock and Jazz. She enjoys teaching correct technique from an early age and her students often progress to form their own bands. Juliana is available for in person and online guitar and piano lessons.
B.M. Jazz Studies
San Jose State University
Californian violinist Mariechristine Lopez has performed solo recital programs in Switzerland, Italy, and the US. As chamber musician, she has performed classical music with musicians including Fazil Say, Robert McDuffie, Hsin-Yun Huang, Peter Wiley, and Simone Gramaglia, and collaborated across genres with Miranda Henne and Greg Liszt. Mariechristine’s live performances as soloist and chamber musician have been broadcast on Swiss (Radio Svizzera Italiana) and Italian (Rai Radio3) radio.
Following studies with Zaven Melikian, Ruggiero Ricci, and Salvatore Accardo, Mariechristine obtained her bachelor’s and master’s degrees under Massimo Quarta at the Conservatorio della Svizzera italiana of the SUPSI in Switzerland. Her dedication to chamber music also led to studies with Quartetto di Cremona and masterclasses with Bruno Giuranna. Mariechristine has since studied in the subsequent years with Rudens Turku.
Mariechristine grew up in the Bay Area and has been a member of the El Camino, Peninsula, and San Francisco Symphony youth orchestras. When she is not practicing or thinking about music, she can be found reading several books simultaneously.