Debbie Wastling
Executive Director, Co-FounderDebbie moved to LA sixteen years ago and has worked extensively in colleges and schools around the area. Grounded in the classics, she holds qualifications with LAMDA (London Academy of Music and Dramatic Arts) together with a BA and MA in Theatre and Educational Drama. She believes every school age student should have access to quality music and arts training and to that end, she formed Kings and Clowns in 1999 and Arts Alive in 2004.
Cheryl-Lynn Penedo
Early Childhood Music, KeyboardKeyboard instructor Miss Cheryl-Lynn Penedo has studied piano, voice, and violin since childhood. She graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Music Education from Oregon State University, specializing in Choral Studies and Choral Conducting.
Jennifer Anderson
Ukulele, GuitarJennifer Anderson has a wide experience teaching woodwind and guitar students of all ages under the master teacher Phil Sobel, whose legacy she continues. She performs in different venues ranging from theatres to rock clubs. She played on a wide range of recordings including Chester Whitmore’s Opus One to Texas Terri Bomb. Miss Jennifer attended San Francisco Art Institute and is a fine artist also.
Sofya Ershova
DanceSofya Ershova grew up in Russia, where she began her training with Contemporary Ballet Theater “Steps”. She extensively trained in ballet, modern, contemporary and jazz. After successfully touring in Russia, Sofya participated in various modern dance competitions across Japan. Sofya took part in an International dance program at Broadway Dance Center where she trained in Ballet, Jazz, Modern, Contemporary, Hip-Hop and Street Jazz. Sofya is an accomplished dancer and teacher and has led several through several successful dance competitions.
Kasey Holt
StringsKasey Holt earned her degree in Violin Performance and Ethnomusicology from CSU Dominguez Hills. She studied violin since the age of 4 through the Suzuki method. Kasey continued to teach, perform, and compose in a variety of different styles, including classical, rock, and jazz.
Naju Kim
Ukulele, Guitar, Rock BandNaju is a graduate of the University of California, Santa Cruz with a Bachelor’s Degree in Music. He has taught piano and guitar privately for over 7 years and have experience with all ages. He is very excited to share his teaching with Arts Alive students!
Patrick Lenon
Ukulele and GuitarMr. Patrick earned his Bachelor’s degree in Philosophy at Pepperdine University while studying classical and rock guitar at the university level. He continued his education at the Musicians’ Institute through 2013 and now performs as a guitarist and bassist in rock, jazz and praise worship bands throughout LA.
Gerel Santiago
Drama TeacherA graduate of University of California Los Angeles with a major in Theater (UCLA), Gerel worked in property management for twenty years. In 1995, she obtained her teacher’s credential at California University Dominguez Hills and taught English and Theater for twenty years in the Redondo Beach School District. At Parras Middle School, where she taught, she directed over twenty plays and musicals. She also participated in the California Arts Project in 2000 and worked with the Music Center Institute for Educators for three years in integrating the arts into the classroom. Currently she has volunteered with SCROC to conduct mock interviews with students as readiness for a career. Gerel lives in Torrance with her husband of 41 years, has four children, and four grandchildren.
Ori Huberman
Guitar TeacherOri grew up in Israel and after completing his service, he pursued his passion for music and music education. He completed his degree in music education in Israel with a joint program of two schools. He has been teaching rock and jazz guitar since then. He is both a professional guitarist and teaches around the South Bay and Los Angeles area in private, group, and rock band settings.
Corinne Sobolewski
Violin TeacherComing soon!