Heart Beats Teachers & Staff
Ashley Arroyo:
Piano | MTAC | English and Spanish | She/her
Hello! I am Miss Ashley, the founder of Heart Beats Music School. I am a certified piano teacher, professional music director and accompanist, singer, composer and arranger. I’m a classically trained pianist, with a Bachelor's degree in Music Theory and Composition from the University of California, Davis, and a Master's degree in Choral Conducting from CSU Sacramento. For many years, I sang with and directed sectional rehearsals for the Sacramento Choral Society and Orchestra; but these days my heart (and my extra time) is full being a mama to my little twin boys!
I have been a music director and accompanist since 2002, when I founded the St. Francis of Assisi children's choir, and have since taught group classes and private lessons for over 50 students a week, from ages 18 months to 85 years, both in-studio and in local preschool and elementary schools. I have served as the music director and accompanist at Echo Park United Methodist Church and Davis United Methodist Church. I am also a member of MTAC, the Music Teachers' Association of California, and many of my students participate in the Certificate of Merit Program. I am certified to teach Harmony Road, a program designed to build musicality and fun into every child's musical education through every aspect of their development. I am a fully qualified Certificate of Merit instructor. I am also a professional piano performance evaluator, and have evaluated Certificate of Merit performances throughout California. I have worked as a private accompanist for classical singers and instrumentalists of all ranges and types.
I adore teaching. My goal is to share my joy in and love of music with my students, and to help them become the best versions of themselves through the learning process. In return, my students make me laugh and cry (in a good way!), teach me so much and fill my heart every day. I started Heart Beats with the aim of sharing this joy with more of our community, both students and teachers alike. I can’t wait to make music with you!
Additional languages: Spanish
Moriah Wenzel:
Voice | Piano (beginner) | Tuba & Trombone | MTAC | She/her
Moriah Wenzel is currently a junior undergraduate student at California State University of Sacramento. She is working towards a bachelor in Music Education and Jazz Studies with emphasis in voice. In addition to her jazz studies, Moriah has studied classical voice and sung in choral groups at Sacramento State University, Her education goal is to get a teaching credential and a PhD. In addition to Heart Beats Music School, Moriah has directed an elementary school choir through Mandarins Music Education. She has experience with both brass and voice and loves music theory! Throughout her life, music has served as an outlet which she loves helping others find for themselves. Moriah is passionate about teaching in such a way that students really understand music and can make connections for themselves.
Moriah is also able to teach beginning Piano, Tuba and Trombone.
Arend Aldama:
Piano | MTAC | He/Him | English
Born and raised in Sacramento, California, Arend Aldama is a classically trained pianist who holds a bachelor’s degree in piano performance from California State University, Sacramento (CSUS). He began playing piano at the age of seven. Mr. Aldama has performed and accompanied as a professional pianist around the Sacramento region. During his years at American River College (ARC), where he earned his associate degree in music, he auditioned for the Concerto-Aria competition and was chosen three times. He performed the Grieg “Piano Concerto in A minor” and Gershwin’s “Rhapsody in Blue” with the ARC orchestra.
Mr. Aldama has a contagious excitement about the piano to share with his students. He is proficient in performing and teaching many different styles of music ranging from baroque, classical, and romantic to jazz, blues, ragtime, and rock. He also has a well-rounded appreciation for a variety of classical repertoire and a compassionate understanding of the learning process students are traveling through. Students enjoy his patient approach and willingness to relate to their personal musical interests and tastes.
A pleasurable environment in the piano lesson is a must. Mr. Aldama believes a supportive atmosphere with positive, yet critical comments encourages students to learn more about the piano. He believes it gives them a desire to practice, which helps them become self-motivated and independent learners.
Mr. Aldama is currently working on his master’s degree at CSUS, and plans on continuing his performance studies by pursuing a Doctor of Musical Arts degree (DMA) at the New England Conservatory of Music in Boston, Massachusetts.
Brandon Bagley:
Guitar (Acoustic & Electric) | Electric Bass | English
Brandon Bagley is a passionate musician who is experienced playing and teaching rock, jazz, pop, country, classical, blues, and just about everything in between. Brandon teaches guitar and bass and is committed to teaching students to become well rounded musicians that can accomplish any goal.
Brandon is working on his music degree from Cuesta College and he will be transferring to CSU Sacramento. He is a working professional musician who spends his free time playing in a wide variety of bands in the area. Brandon is also an experienced songwriter, and a music producer.
John Abdallah:
Violin | English
Leading up to college, John held the assistant concertmaster position with the Fresno Youth Symphony, second principal of the California all-state orchestra, and concertmaster of the CODA Symphony Orchestra. While pursuing his studies in economics and violin performance at UC Davis, he held the assistant concertmaster position of the UCD symphony orchestra as well as concertmaster of the UCD Summer symphony. He has also studied extensively with the Kronos String Quartet and played with bands such as Disturbed and the Trans-Siberian Orchestra. John's teaching approach combines a gentle yet structured lesson plan that integrates music theory and musicianship. He incorporates the best elements of the Suzuki Violin Method while also placing a strong emphasis on music reading. These lessons help students understand the importance of group awareness in preparation for orchestral studies through the Sacramento Youth Symphony. John has taught private and group violin lessons for 15 plus years and continues to professionally play and teach in the greater Sacramento area.
MiguelArmendariz:
Piano
Miguel Armendariz is a Sacramento native and classically trained pianist with over 20 years of experience in music study and performance. Growing up in a musical family, Miguel's passion for music emerged early. At the age of six, he began his formal music education at Iaea Music School, studying under Beth McGaughey-Iaea. During his 15 years at Iaea, Miguel participated in the National Guild of Piano Teachers' annual Guild Auditions (NGPT), where he earned multiple Top Talent awards by performing programs consisting of 10-15 compositions across various musical periods and genres. His accomplishments include the 5-Year Honors Award, the Paderewski Gold Medal Award for 10 years of Honors, a High School Diploma in Music, the Irl Allison Gold Medal Award for 15 years of Honors, and a national scholarship from NGPT.
In 2023, Miguel graduated Cum Laude from San Jose State University with a Bachelor of Music in Music Education, emphasizing Choral Education. During his time at San Jose State, he continued his piano studies with Dr. Gwendolyn Mok, a noted Ravel specialist, and Dr. Namiq Sultanov. He actively participated in several ensemble groups, particularly enjoying his experience with the San Jose State Baroque Music Ensemble, Collegium, which ignited his passion for Baroque music and the harpsichord. After graduating, Miguel taught general music for grades TK-5 in the Campbell Union School District before returning to the Sacramento area in June.
Miguel is deeply passionate about teaching. He strives to create a classroom environment that is both enjoyable and challenging, where students can cultivate their love for music. His goal is to inspire his students and guide them in their journey to becoming accomplished musicians.
Looking ahead, Miguel plans to attend California State University, Sacramento, next fall to pursue his California Teaching Credential.the difference.
Gabrielle Helfer:
Piano | MTAC | English | She/her
Gabrielle Helfer is a classically trained pianist, composer, conductor and educator from Granite Bay, California. She studied at the Sacramento State School of Music, majoring in Composition with a concentration in piano performance. She then moved to Seattle to studyunder Emmy winning composer Hummie Mann at the Seattle Film Institute, earning a Masters Degree in Film Composition. As a culmination of her Masters Degree, Gabrielle conducted a 52piece orchestra made up of Seattle Symphony musicians, performing her final graduatecomposition. She recently had an original orchestral composition premiered by the Seattle Collaborative Orchestra.Gabrielle has been teaching private piano lessons since 2012, and performs regularly forprivate events and recording sessions. Most recently Gabrielle was the music director at a High School in Los Angeles, and is currently tutoring a handful of Berklee College off Music studentsover zoom, preparing them for exams. Gabrielle also has experience teaching Certificate ofMerit, including teaching group theory classes and group ear training classes.
Gabrielle’s teaching philosophy is that every student learns differently, and she bases her teaching around understanding each of her students. To Gabrielle, music is a portal to knowing oneself, and to understanding people and the world around them. One of her greatest passions is to instill her love of music with each student she teaches, and to watch them fall in love with piano.
Annie Charleboix:
Harmony Road
Annie Charleboix is currently a third-year undergraduate student at California State University Sacramento, CSUS. She is working towards a Bachelor of Arts degree in music with a concentration in jazz voice. Annie is a member of CSUS’ Vocal Jazz ensemble and has gained experience singing Lead Soprano from her participation in the group. She has also been a member of a variety of choral groups at both Christian Brothers High School and CSUS. Annie was chosen for the All-State California Alliance for Jazz, CAJ, High School Vocal Jazz Ensemble for the California All-State Music Education Conference two years in a row where she was privileged to work under the direction of Kerry Marsh, an arranger and publisher well-known in the vocal jazz community, and Kim Nazarian from New York Voices. Annie is experienced in both voice and piano. She will be teaching group classes for the Harmony Road program at Heartbeats. She is excited to teach the Harmony Road classes and apply the experience she has gained from working in her mom’s second grade classroom for the past ten years.
Stella Moschovas:
Violin | English and Italian | She/Her
Stella is a talented violinist who recently graduated from Sacramento State University with a Bachelor of Music degree in Violin Performance. She has been playing since the age of 4 and has served as concertmaster for both her high school orchestra and the Sac State School of Music orchestra. Stella has performed with the Sacramento Youth Symphony and American River College Orchestra, showcasing her versatility across various musical styles, though her foundation is in classical music.
With over six years of private teaching experience, including group instruction through Sacramento State’s String Project, Stella is passionate about music education. She is dedicated to fostering a positive and cheerful learning environment, where students of all ages can thrive and develop their musical skills.
Kara Atkinson:
Virtual Administrative Assistant
My name is Kara Atkinson! I am a native Californian from a no-longer small town called Temecula in Southern California. My family relocated and fell in love with the Sacramento region 10 years ago. My art history degree and two young boys inspired me to work with Hearts Beats Music School. This has given me an enchanting opportunity to connect people of all ages and backgrounds with this unique artistic community we have here. I aim to provide administrative support to help our team grow and stay prepared. When I am not organizing this team and running my kids around town, I love spending the day playing games, doing art projects, and relaxing with my family and neighbors.