Meet Our Faculty.
Our faculty brings together Grammy Award–winning performers and musicians educated at the world’s top conservatories. Beyond their professional achievements, each teacher is deeply passionate about inspiring and mentoring the next generation of musicians, creating a supportive and challenging environment where students thrive.
Emily Moore / Director
Trained in both the driving melodies of Celtic fiddle traditions and the precision of classical repertoire, Emily Moore is an active performer and educator in Southern California. She began studying violin and piano at age four and earned her Bachelor of Music in Popular Music Performance from the University of Southern California. She continues her pedagogical training with the Suzuki Association.
A veteran of the Los Angeles freelance music scene, Emily has performed hundreds of weddings and events, recorded on numerous albums, and collaborated with a wide range of artists. Her solo recordings are available on all streaming platforms, with additional releases under Constellation Quartet and The Grand Tangent.
Emily has studied with Michael and Irina Tseitlin, Alice Schoenfeld, and Sungil Lee, and trained privately with Sherry Cadow of the Colburn School. She continues Suzuki training with David Strom and pedagogy study with Elizabeth Faidley.
Emily is the founder of South Bay Music Conservatory, where she is passionate about developing confident musicians and future leaders through high-level musical training.
Milaena Martinez / Piano
Pianist Milaena Martínez is a performer and educator based in Los Angeles. She studied for thirteen years at the USC Thornton School of Music with Dr. Stewart Gordon before completing her Master’s degree at the Boston Conservatory at Berklee under Dr. Jonathan Bass.
Milaena has appeared as a soloist with orchestras including the USC Concerto Chamber Orchestra, the New Valley Symphony Orchestra, and the Coachella Valley Symphony. Her concerto repertoire includes works by Rachmaninoff, Shostakovich, and Mendelssohn.
A frequent recitalist and collaborative musician, Milaena performs throughout the United States and works across classical and contemporary styles. She has received numerous awards including the Steinway Junior Artist Award, the Steinway Society Recognition Award, and the Woody Herman Jazz Award.
In addition to performing, Milaena enjoys composing, arranging, and working with students of all ages to develop expressive musicianship and strong technical foundations.
Megan Pollon / Violin
Violinist Megan Pollon is an active performer and dedicated teacher in Southern California. She holds a Master’s degree in Violin Performance and Suzuki Pedagogy from the Chicago College of Performing Arts, where she studied with Almita Vamos and MingHuan Xu, and a Bachelor’s degree from California State University, Long Beach.
Megan has performed with ensembles including the Civic Orchestra of Chicago, Illinois Symphony Orchestra, Evansville Philharmonic, San Luis Obispo Symphony, and the National Repertory Orchestra. She has also appeared at festivals such as the National Orchestral Institute and the Round Top Festival Institute.
A Suzuki-trained educator, Megan is certified in Suzuki Units 1–8 and has maintained studios of up to 30 students. Many of her students have been accepted into youth orchestras across California and the Chicago area.
Her teaching focuses on building strong technique, developing a beautiful tone, and helping students grow in confidence and musical expression.
Luke Santonastaso / Violin
Violinist Luke Santonastaso is an orchestral musician, chamber performer, and educator based in Southern California. He currently serves as Principal Second Violin of the Santa Cruz Symphony and is a tenured member of both the New West Symphony and the Sarasota Opera Orchestra.
Luke performs regularly with orchestras throughout the West Coast, including the Long Beach Symphony, Santa Barbara Opera, San Bernardino Symphony, and Redlands Symphony. He has collaborated with internationally recognized artists including Midori, Maxim Vengerov, Osmo Vänskä, Lynn Harrell, and Augustine Hadelich.
He has been a fellow at prestigious festivals such as the National Repertory Orchestra, the National Orchestral Institute, and the Incontri in Terra di Siena Festival in Italy.
Luke is also passionate about mentoring young musicians and has taught and coached students through organizations including Junior Chamber Music, the Palo Alto Chamber Orchestra, and the Crowden School.
Sarah Wilkinson / Violin, Viola
Violist Sarah Wilkinson is an active performer and educator in Los Angeles. She has performed with orchestras including the Bakersfield Symphony Orchestra, Downey Symphony Orchestra, Aspen Festival Orchestra, Thornton Symphony Orchestra, and the American Youth Symphony.
A passionate chamber musician, Sarah has performed recitals at venues including the Huntington Gardens and the ESMoA Art Museum. She has also participated in festivals such as the Aspen Music Festival, Green Mountain Chamber Music Festival, Marrowstone Music Festival, and the InterHarmony Festival in Italy.
Sarah maintains a private violin and viola studio at South Bay Music Conservatory and also teaches with the Westside Youth Orchestra and Pasadena Christian School.
She received her Bachelor of Music from the University of Denver and her Master of Music and Graduate Certificate in Viola Performance from the University of Southern California.
Jennifer Wu / Violin, Viola
Violist Jennifer (Chia Chuan) Wu is an active orchestral and chamber musician in the Los Angeles area. She performs regularly with ensembles including the Symphony of the Vines, Dream Orchestra, Bakersfield Symphony Orchestra, Dana Point Symphony Orchestra, and the Fresno Philharmonic.
Jennifer is the founder of Landmark String Quartet and performs with both Constellation Quartet and Quarter 405. She has also performed with Listeso Music Group on touring productions, including the U.S. premiere of Queen Charlotte.
Her performances have taken her to major venues such as Walt Disney Concert Hall, Microsoft Theater, and Dolby Theatre, as well as international festivals including Incontri in Terra di Siena in Italy.
Jennifer began studying viola at age seven and later studied performance with Diane Nicoleris at San Jose State University and with Richard O’Neill at UCLA.
Benton Preciado / Cello
Cellist Benton Preciado is a freelance performer and instructor in the Los Angeles area. He earned his Bachelor of Music in Cello Performance from the Bob Cole Conservatory of Music at California State University, Long Beach, where he studied with Joon-Sung Jun.
As a performer, Benton has appeared with ensembles including the Southeast Symphony, Westside Chamber Orchestra, and the American Youth Symphony Orchestra. He is also an active chamber and studio musician and has collaborated with artists such as Natalie Cole and Rihanna, as well as appearing on an episode of Glee.
Benton has been teaching privately since 2010 and has worked extensively with youth music programs throughout Los Angeles, including Paramount High School, the Inner City Youth Orchestra of Los Angeles, the Santa Monica Youth Orchestra, and the Watts Willowbrook Conservatory.
