FACULTY
MIRIAM MORALES
Executive Director, Piano & Voice
Miriam Morales has been teaching for 10 years and truly loves working with all students and encouraging them to develop... Read More
JUAN CHANG
Violin, Viola, Cello & Piano
Juan began studying piano and viola at the age of 4. He continued his piano studies at the Vicente Emilio Sojo Conservatory. Read More
SKYLA SOLES
Piano
Skyla Soles was born and raised in Texas, and taught music by her mother and two piano teachers from her church...Read More
ALICE YOON
Viola, Violin, Cello & Piano
Alice Yoon began studying violin at the age of five and quickly developed a love for music. At thirteen, she discovered the viola... Read More
RAFAEL VALDEZ
Piano & Violin
Rafael Valdez began his studies in violin and piano at the young age of 7 years old...Read More
SPENCER COOK
Trumpet, Trombone, Drums, Piano, Voice
Spencer Cook is a Dallas based freelance musician from the University of North Texas...Read More
CRISTIAN PEREZ
Guitar and Piano
Interested in joining the team? Apply here.
Miriam Morales
executive director
Piano, Voice & Guitar
Miriam Morales has been playing the piano for over 25 years and enjoys playing other instruments as well. Miriam started studying piano with Rebekah Branham at an early age who saw a deep love of music in Miriam and recommended she study further.
She attended W. E. Greiner Exploratory Arts Academy in middle school and continued on to become a graduate of Booker T. Washington High School for the Performing and Visual Arts in Dallas. During this time she studied classical piano under the direction of Eva Flowers, Gabriel Sanchez and jazz piano from Kent Ellingson & Roger Boykin.
She holds a Bachelor of Music Media with an emphasis in Piano Performance from the University of Texas at Arlington. Miriam also holds a Masters Degree from Dallas Theological Seminary in Biblical and Theological Studies where she also enjoyed classes in the Media Arts & Worship department.
Miriam has been teaching music for 10 years in both group and one-on-one settings. She has taught for multiple music studios and non-profit organizations in the DFW area including the Boys and Girls Club of Greater Dallas, Big Thought, Junior Players and Arts Net.
She has served as the pianist for several churches in the DFW area and continues to perform for weddings, corporate events and private parties. She enjoys writing worship songs and playing solo jazz piano and singing. She has been inducted into Steinway & Sons Teacher Hall of Fame in 2023.
Currently she is the Executive Director for New Song Music Academy which has equipped over 300 students to play music they truly enjoy. She believes that anyone can become a lifelong musician regardless of their profession.
Juan Duran CHaNG
assistant director
PIANO, VIOLA & VIOLIN
Juan Chang was born in Barquisimeto, Venezuela. His parents had a high standard of promoting knowledge in science, art and music from an early age.
He began studying piano and viola under the direction of Blanca Pulido, at the age of 4. He continued his piano studies at the Vicente Emilio Sojo Conservatory of Music where he studied piano with Maestro Omar Gómez,Dr. Alejandra Sánchez and privately with Ingrid Algarra.
In addition, he was learning viola under the guidance of Professor Mari Gil, Maestro Pedro Vargas and Maestro José Guillermo Fuentes. He entered El Sistema, a national music education program, where he performed Gustav Mahler's second symphony under the direction of Gustavo Dudamel. He has participated in multiple master classes to develop his orchestral skills.
He is a graduate of the U. E. N. San Francisco Javier and the U. E. Colegio Ilustre Americano in science. He studied at the Vicente Emilio Sojo Conservatory of Music.
In 2015 he served as the conductor of the Amadeus Chamber Orchestra and an orchestral and viola coach. He currently studies viola under Ellen Rose (principal violist for the Dallas Symphony 25+ years) and serves as the Artist in Residence for New Song Music Academy where he teaches piano, viola, violin and cello including group ensembles. While in this role, Juan has supported faculty and students by playing accompaniment on the viola, violin, and piano, as well as performed masterpieces by Bach, Glazunov, and Hoffmeister.
He is currently pursuing a degree of Music Education at Texas Christian University in Fort Worth.
Alice Yoon
viola & Violin
Alice Yoon began studying violin at the age of five and quickly developed a love for music. At thirteen, she discovered the viola and was drawn to its rich, expressive sound—a turning point that led her to pursue a life in music.
She earned her Bachelor of Music in Viola Performance from the Eastman School of Music at the University of Rochester, studying under Professor George Taylor. While at Eastman, she also worked closely with Masumi Per Rostad, Phillip Ying, and the Ying Quartet, deepening her chamber music experience and collaborative skills. As a performer, Alice has served as section leader in the Eastman Symphony Orchestra and the Miami Music Festival Opera Orchestra, and has appeared in chamber music performances in Burlington and other venues. Her performance experience includes appearances at major venues such as Carnegie Hall in New York City, the National Archives Museum in Washington, D.C., Walt Disney Concert Hall in Los Angeles, and the Hilbert Circle Theatre in Indiana.
Alice is an active performer and dedicated educator with over three years of private teaching experience. Now based in the DFW area, she offers violin, viola, and piano instruction to students ranging from age four to adult. Her teaching style blends strong technical foundations with a focus on musical expression, aiming to help each student grow with confidence and curiosity.
Spencer cook
TRUMPET, TROMBONE, DRUMS, PIANO & VOICE
Spencer Cook is a Dallas based freelance musician from the University of North Texas. His passions are music performance, teaching, production, and jazz history. From Louis Armstrong and Duke Ellington to Roy Hargrove and Maria Schneider, Spencer has extensive knowledge of the evolution of jazz and its recorded history.
He has learned from some of the best trumpet teachers in the country like Jay Saunders, Mike Steinel, Rodney Booth, Tonya Darby, John Holt, Kevin Richardson, and Allen Vizzutti. At the age of 9, Spencer began taking trumpet lesson. But his passion for music went past just trumpet. Around the same time, he started to teach himself to play the piano. This helped him understand music theory and develope a better ear. In middle school, Spencer discovered his love for jazz and improvisation.
In 2012 Spencer was a music ambassador for the state of California and toured Europe. In 2017, Spencer worked with the Toshi Clinch Big Band and recorded Vesuvius, a 10-track jazz album. Along with teaching and recording, Spencer has performed throughout Texas, California, New York and parts of Europe.
Rafael Valdez
Piano & Violin
Rafael Valdez has been playing the violin and piano for over 15+ years. He is originally from Mexico and was raised in Tyler, Texas and he is both fluent in English and Spanish. While attending John Tyler High School, Rafael was the first chair violinist in the orchestra and earned top marks at solo and ensemble competitions for both his junior and senior years.
He is a graduate of Tyler Junior College, where he earned a double degree in Business and Music under the direction of Charles Praytor and Shane Almendarez. While there, he performed Bach’s Well-Tempered Clavier Prelude and Fugue No. 1 in C major, Beethoven Sonata No. 4 in E flat major, Mendelssohn Scherzo Op. 16, No. 2, and Alberto Ginastera’s & Danzas Argentinas. He was also involved in string quartets, orchestras, jazz bands, and piano duets. Rafael was awarded a scholarship at the University of Texas in Arlington, where he is currently pursuing a Bachelors of Music in Piano Performance under the direction Dr. John Solomons and Dallas Symphony Orchestra’s pianist, Gabriel Sanchez.
Rafael has served in several churches as a pianist and worship leader. He enjoys teaching and helping churches establish a strong worship team and sharing his passion for church music. He is constantly learning and growing in all areas of his musicianship including voice and bass guitar. Rafael is confident that anyone who has the desire can learn how to play an instrument if they are willing to put in the time and dedication to practice. Rafael enjoys teaching students of all ages and hopes through each lesson and interaction to transmit joy, love, and positivity.
Skyla Soles
Piano
Skyla Soles was born and raised in Texas, and was taught by very special teachers including her mother. Althought she began piano as a young teenager, she has been playing for over 20 years and initially began so strong that her parents sometimes had to tell her to stop practicing and do her schoolwork.
Skyla's goal was to learn as many music styles on the piano as possible and to be able to improvise as she played. As she developed her skills to play CCM (Christian Contemporary Music), Classic Hymns and large arrangements for choir, she was able to grow into the lead pianist at her church. Through playing new music in varying styles and complexity every week for 13 years, she has gained a deeper knowledge and understanding of music. She has served as an accompanist for soloists, choirs and orchestras, and arranged her own solos for piano. She has experience reading sheet music, lead sheets and playing by ear.
Skyla loves music and she loves to teach. She currently serves preschool age children with special needs. Skyla has worked with children consistently for many years and enjoys their unbridled honesty and eagerness. She is described as incredibly patient with the students under her care and demonstrates daily her heart for people with special needs and disabilities. She doesn't care how old or young you are, she believes anyone can learn music, and she loves to share its joy with others.
ELMER TSAI
Piano & Violin
Elmer began his musical journey in sixth grade, studying violin under renowned Taiwanese teacher Wang Yen-Hua (王彥驊).
Throughout middle school and early high school, he earned top placements in several national competitions in Taiwan—experiences that shaped his discipline, musicality, and passion for performance. After moving to the United States, Elmer remained deeply involved in music during his college years. He served as concertmaster of the Texas A&M University student orchestra and performed extensively as a freelance violinist at weddings, banquets, graduation ceremonies, and charity events. These opportunities strengthened his ability to connect with audiences from all backgrounds through music.
Elmer discovered his love for teaching in high school while working with younger violin students. He now teaches both violin and piano, focusing on strong fundamentals, healthy technique, and cultivating a positive, encouraging learning environment where students feel motivated and supported.
In addition to his musical background, Elmer is a software developer with a B.S. in Mechanical Engineering from Texas A&M University and an M.S. in Mechanical Engineering from Boston University. His analytical training informs his structured, clear, and thoughtful approach to instruction.
Elmer believes that every student has a unique musical voice. His goal is to help each one express it—whether they are playing their very first notes or preparing for an advanced performance. He brings patience, enthusiasm, and a genuine love for teaching to every lesson.
GABRIEL COURET
VOICE & PIANO
Gabriel Couret is an accomplished vocal coach and artist development specialist with over 20 years of experience in operatic performance, professional musician training, and music industry strategy. His career blends high-level performance expertise with a deep commitment to mentoring singers for success on stages across the United States.
Gabriel began his professional career as a company member of The Atlanta Opera, performing in more than 50 productions and working alongside world-renowned conductors and stage directors. His notable roles include Luther in Cold Sassy Tree and the Floor Manager in the American debut of The Golden Ticket.
After his performing career, Gabriel transitioned into artist management in New York City, serving as an Artist Manager and co-founder of Couret & Werner Artist Management. He supported emerging and established artists through contract negotiation, career development, and educational workshops for institutions including NYU, UNT, and SMU.
Gabriel currently serves as a vocal coach at The Septien Entertainment Group, where his students have appeared on Broadway, national tours, and major regional theaters. Under his mentorship, students have earned admission to top-tier programs, including a full music scholarship to the University of Miami and acceptances to Berklee College of Music.
Drawing from his extensive background in vocal pedagogy, performance, and artist development, Gabriel emphasizes healthy vocal technique, stylistic versatility, and expressive authenticity. His teaching empowers singers to build confidence and pursue both personal and professional goals.
Gabriel trained at Booker T. Washington High School for the Performing and Visual Arts and the North Carolina School of the Arts, both in Opera Performance.
At New Song Music Academy, Gabriel brings a wealth of professional experience and a passion for inspiring the next generation of vocal artists.
Cristian Perez
Guitar & PIANO
Cristian Perez is a Miami native who has been studying classical guitar for over a decade. First introduced to the instrument in high school, he quickly developed a deep-seated passion for its history and the works of its most significant composers and players. This dedication led him to pursue formal training at the collegiate level, where he has since become a passionate advocate of the instrument.
He holds a Bachelor’s degree in Music Performance from the University of Florida, where he studied under Marco Sartor, and a Master’s degree from Florida International University under the direction of Mesut Ozgen. During his academic career, Cristian has had the privilege of performing in masterclasses with world-renowned virtuosos including Sergio Assad, Martha Masters, Benjamin Verdery, Steve Goss, and Eduardo Martin. He has further refined his technique through private study with Venezuelan composer Antonio Luro, and the Japanese-American virtuoso Koh Kazama.
Cristian has been teaching lessons since 2017 and finds great fulfillment in helping students connect with the music they enjoy most. His pedagogical approach is rooted in the belief that every student is unique; and enjoys finding different ways to explain fundamental concepts to ensure that students grasp what is being explained. He also makes sure students play healthily with a solid foundation so they can play with ease.
DANAE HOYOS
VOICE & PIANO
Danae Hoyos began singing at the age of three and performed in her first recital at just eight years old, presenting songs in English, Spanish, Portuguese, and Italian. Her early passion and natural talent for music led her to be accepted at age ten into the Vocational School of Art Juan Pablo Duarte (E.V.A.), where she graduated as a Choral Singer and Director, with additional studies in Music Theory for Piano.
During her formative years, Danae participated in numerous national festivals as a solo vocalist, earning multiple awards, including recognition for “Best Interpreter.”
At sixteen, she continued her formal training at the National School of Art (E.N.A.) in Havana, Cuba, where she graduated with a double specialization as a Tres and Lute instrumentalist, as well as Professor and Director of String Ensembles. In 2007, she advanced her studies at the Superior Institute of Art (I.S.A.), focusing primarily on the Cuban lute.
Throughout this period, Danae performed in prestigious musical festivals, including Musicalia at the Amadeo Roldán Theatre, where she was awarded Third Prize. She also received high praise for her interpretative artistry from renowned Cuban musician Barbarito Torres, widely known as “El Rey del Laúd.”
Danae relocated to Miami in 2008, where she has continued her career as a professional singer and dedicated piano and guitar instructor. Her diverse musical background and international training inform her dynamic teaching style and commitment to artistic excellence.