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Elizabeth teaches:

Piano/Voice on Mondays (Eastside location)
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Piano/Voice on Tuesdays (Eastside location)

Piano/Voice on Wednesdays (Eastside location)

Piano on Thursdays (Foothills location)

Piano/Voice on Sundays (Foothills location)

     Elizabeth is a passionate music educator, who draws inspiration from a profound belief in the transformative power of music. Armed with a background in Vocal Performance from the Music Conservatory at Ithaca College, a B.A. in Music from CUNY Hunter College, and a recent Master’s in Music Education from Teachers College, Columbia University.  
     Elizabeth sees music as a universal language that helps unite and inspire. Apart from composing, songwriting, and instrumental studies Elizabeth has dedicated years to developing and creating a pedagogical style that encourages a supportive, open, and safe classroom, and applied studio environment for aspiring musicians of all ages. Elizabeth’s teaching philosophy, emphasis is placed on helping to foster and cultivate a willingness to learn within each student.  This willingness sets a foundation and is seen as the cornerstone for students' growth—academically, emotionally, and technically. 
     Elizabeth cultivates an open and supportive classroom environment, encouraging both musical exploration and the development of critical thinking skills. Advocates for breaking down traditional educational hierarchies to better foster collaboration within the learning process that becomes a guide for students to thrive on their musical journeys. The overarching goal is to assist students in recognizing their unique gifts and potential and the impact they can have on the world around them. Through this approach, Elizabeth aims to create an environment where the willingness to learn flourishes, opening doors to endless possibilities for academic and personal success.
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Aysen I Milliogullari is a professional opera singer and educator. She served as a permanent
opera singer and performed in many opera productions and concerts at the State Opera House
in Turkey for many years. Aysen won the first prize in the Amelia Rieman Vocal Competition in
2022, and the third prize in the Marguerite Ough Vocal Competition in 2021. She performed
the leading roles in the University of Arizona Opera Theater productions, and as a soloist with
the Civic Orchestra of Tucson.

She received her master’s degree in Vocal Performance from the Mannes School of Music, The
New School, and obtained her Bachelor’s degree from Ankara University State Conservatory
with the highest distinction.
She is the recipient of the Outstanding Teaching Assistant Award at Fred Fox School of Music
for 2023, Rollin Pease Music Scholarship, and Fine Arts Graduate College Fellowship. She
served as a Graduate Teaching Assistant at University of Arizona. In this role, she taught Voice
lessons, Diction for Singers, and Stage Training for Opera Singers Classes to undergraduate
students, and she still continues teaching at University of Arizona as a guest instructor
occasionally.
Aysen is currently a doctoral student in Vocal Performance with a minor in Choral conducting
at Fred Fox School of Music, University of Arizona. Besides her academic studies, she is
currently a member of the Tucson Symphony Orchestra Chorus, and Our Saviour’s Lutheran Church.

Apart from music, she is also interested in keeping up with art events, participating in outdoor
sports, and traveling.

Emily teaches:
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Piano/Voice on Mondays

Piano/Voice on Tuesdays

Piano ONLY on Wednesdays

Piano/Voice on Thursdays

Voice ONLY on Fridays 

​​​​​​​Please note: Wind instrument lessons are a unique exception. Clarinet, Flute, and Saxophone students may sign up with Emily on ANY of her listed teaching days.

Emily Ward is a highly enthusiastic, qualified private vocal, woodwind and piano instructor. Her passion for music started with her love of Jazz; playing the saxophone and singing at a young age. She has since become proficient in various instruments including clarinet, flute, and piano. Emily received her bachelors from Northern Arizona University's renowned Choral Education program in Flagstaff, Arizona. Upon receiving her Bachelors of Music Education, she gained  invaluable insights into music pedagogy and performance techniques. Her performing experience as a vocalist includes international performances in Estonia, Latvia, and Sweden. In addition to her quality musicianship, Emily holds an Arizona Professional Music PreK-12 Teaching Certificate and has taught at Leman Academy of Excellence in Oro Valley over the past 5 years as a K-8 music teacher. During her time teaching, she also instructed one-on-one private lessons and coined the school's first choir ensemble for 2nd-8th grade scholars called "Treble Makers".

Emily's teaching approach centers the student’s musical goals at the heart of each lesson. She customizes lessons to address the individual’s needs and aspirations by fostering creativity and building confidence. Emily has a keen eye for detail and has her students focus first on making excellent performance technique habits as a strong foundation for their music learning. As a seasoned music instructor, she believes a solid technical base is essential for artistic growth and enjoyment of music learning. Additionally, one of her core values is making learning enjoyable and engaging, infusing lessons with enthusiasm and playfulness. Whether it's nurturing beginners or honing the skills of more advanced musicians, Emily will guide her students with expertise, passion, and empowerment to reach their full potential to develop a genuine love for music.

Professional training and performance experience:
Eric Ashley is a “born and bred New Yorker and proud of it!” Singing professionally from the age of 8, Eric has been entertaining audiences from coast to coast and Europe! During his High School and College years, Eric studied Music/Theory and was taught privately by James Carson, one of New York’s Premier Voice Teachers. Jim has helped many seasoned Broadway performers save their voices!

Eric developed his vocal and band-leading skills while a vocalist with industry names such as Steven Scott and Hank Lane, leading to performing at all of New York’s 5-Star Hotels, including the legendary Rainbow Room and Rainbow and Stars. As a result Eric created Eric Ashley Productions, where he continued to book and perform all throughout New York.

Theatre has always been in Eric’s heart. Whenever on hiatus, Eric performed in both Summer Stock and Dinner Theatre, in such shows as “They’re Playing Our Song”,
“The King and I”, “My Fair Lady” and “Sugar” (the musical version of “Some Like it Hot”).

Eric and his wife Robyn have made Tucson their home over the past four years. They have 2 children, Carole and Ricky, who were also bitten by the show business bug in early childhood. Eric started to work with them on their voices and they went on to perform in Off-Broadway and Broadway productions. At this time, Eric began giving voice lessons to his children’s friends in the industry. Currently, Carole and Ricky write and record music as well. They both work in the music industry in NYC, where they live.

Since working at Allegro, several of Eric’s students have been cast in many shows around Tucson and even sing with the Tucson Symphony Orchestra Chorus, as well as local bands in the area. Out of 50 plus students Eric will proudly be taking 13 of his students to perform at Carnegie Hall/Weill Recital Hall in June of this year. This is a major event for not only the Allegro School of Music but for Eric and his students, as well!

Teaching approach:

Teaching voice has always been more than teaching someone to read music and hitting notes on a page. I start out by getting to know the student getting them to relax and open up as to why they want to sing in the first place. From there, we talk about what they want to sing. Before they know it, they are singing and enjoying the process! I take a vested interest in every student I teach, as if they were my own family. Singing is an emotional process, not just technical. You are dealing with every day variables, I help them around these variables to get them to where they want to be vocally in a relatively short amount of time. I always look forward to getting to know them and THEIR VOICE!

Fun facts about Eric:
⁃ Eric has been an avid movie buff from the age of 12, especially films prior to 1950 and of course, musicals!

⁃ Eric is obsessed with vacuum cleaners! No kidding, just ask his wife!

- Me siento comodo ensenando a estudiantes que habian espanol.

Nikky Douglas earned her Bachelor’s of Arts in music from Westminster College in New Wilmington, Pennsylvania, where she immersed herself in the study of art song, opera, jazz improvisations, theatre, and actively participated in the gospel choir. She is a professional singer and music artist with a passion for both performance and education. Nikky further honed her craft by pursuing Vocal Performance in the graduate program at The University of Arizona, under the guidance of esteemed Professor Faye Robinson. During her time at the university, she not only immersed herself in the study of vocal pedagogy, diction, art song, oratorio, and opera scenes but also had the opportunity to share her knowledge by serving as a student teacher. 

Professionally, for the past 17 years, Nikky Douglas has captivated audiences both locally and nationally with her remarkable vocal talent. Her diverse skillset and repertoire span across various musical genres, including jazz, R&B, hip-hop, neo-soul, funk, reggae, gospel, pop, and spoken word. Nikky brings a versatile wealth of professional performance experience, infusing her performances with a unique blend of artistry and soulful expression that resonates deeply with her audiences. Nikky Douglas’ teaching approach is open, friendly, energetic, and dynamic with a focus on meeting the unique needs and interests of each student. She specializes in but is not limited to Classical, Commercial contemporary Music, interdisciplinary approaches and Alexander Technique. 

In her spare time, the things that Nikky enjoys are: 

1. Playing her trumpet. 
2. Being a traveling performing artist. 
3. Mentoring the youth. 
4. Cotton Candy Grapes 
5. Creating music on her MPC Live II

Neal Warner is a Detroit born composer, researcher, and music educator. Neal began his music career as an electric bassist, studying with Detroit jazz legend Dan Pliskow in the early 2000’s and completed studies at the Berklee College of Music in Boston in 2011. He holds a Master of Music in Composition and Theory from Wayne State University in Detroit and is currently a candidate for the Doctor of Musical Arts in Composition and Theory at the University of Arizona. Neal has taught private lessons in the areas of piano, guitar, bass, banjo, ukulele, voice, songwriting, music theory, and music technology for over 8 years, first employed by the Grosse Pointe Music Academy of Michigan, followed by Allegro in September of 2017. Collegiately, Neal has served on the faculty at Wayne State University, the Art Institute of Michigan, and the University of Arizona. As a composer and scholar, Neal has presented works and research both throughout the United States and internationally. His chamber and orchestral works have been presented at the Charlotte New Music Festival, The Oregon Bach Festival at University of Oregon, the Houston Museum of Fine Arts, the Golden Rondelle Theatre of Racine, Wayne State University and the University of Arizona. Neal’s research has been presented at the University of South Carolina and Florida State University, internationally in a recent trip to New Zealand, and published in the Music Research Forum of University of Cincinnati.

Jomon teaches Piano on Mondays and Tuesdays, and Voice on Wednesdays. 

Mr. Fox has been studying and performing musically since junior high. Having attended middle school at Orange Christian Fellowship Junior High, his gift and character led to starring the lead roles in school musical productions and studied music under the direction of his mentor Dr. John Hernandez. Jomon graduated a valedictorian in 1992 with a special emphasis in vocal performance and Beurean studies.

Mr. Fox continued his private school education at Heritage Christian High, graduating in 1997, where he excelled in vocal performance. This transitioned his musical education to Santiago Community College where he studied for three years under Dr. Larry Ball and performed with the Master chorale, and toured New York, culminating with a performance at Carnegie Hall. Mr. Fox’s musical studies would be fully cultivated at Chapman University where he studied under Dr. William H. Hall and performed and toured the northwest United States with the University chorale and performed at the 2000 closing ACDA Ceremonies in Honolulu, Hawaii. While attending the University, Mr. Fox majored in music education with a minor in music arts.

Upon completing four year education at Chapman University, Mr. Fox founded J-Fox Productions in 2002, specializing in music production, merchandising, praise and worship workshops, and private music instruction. Simultaneously, Mr. Fox began assisting in music ministry as a member of the evening ensemble contemporary worship team at the former Crystal Cathedral in Garden Grove California.

Mr. Fox transitioned into music evangelicalism from 2003 to 2012 as keyboard player with the group “wings of praise”. From 2012 to 2017 Jomon was the musical director and keyboard player for the “Smooth Jazz FHG” band. Having settled in Oro Valley with his wife early 2022, Mr. Fox had committed to a greater focus on education with J-Fox Productions and joined the Allegro School of Music team. Mr. Fox’s teaching methods employ a hybrid style that blends established curriculum with individual customization to fit each student accordingly. Mr. Fox teaches and lives by a simple motto…“Learning music is journey to be enjoyed”.

Please note: Jomon teaches Piano on Mondays and Tuesdays, and Voice on Wednesdays.

Please note: Luma is currently teaching ONLINE ONLY

Luma discovered the joy of piano at age four when she could play almost any song she heard by ear. At age nine she dove passionately into private piano lessons and acting that eventually led to a rich professional life of music theatre, concert performance, award-winning composing and teaching music.

Her Hollywood and New York acting experiences include film, TV and theatre along side the likes of Kevin Spacey, Mare Winningham, Michelle Pfeiffer, Ned Beatty and others giving her a strong sense of professional discipline and inspiration. She was composer and musical director for the critically acclaimed rock opera Woman Of Light that was performed in Denver, Colorado and London and received multiple standing ovations.

As a member of the Blue Summerstar band, Luma toured and performed as vocalist, keyboardist, banjo player and songwriter. As composers and recording artists, she and her partner won the International Moondance Film Festival Award for Best Film Score.

Luma studied music theatre and dance at University of California, Northridge and music theory at Jamie Faunt School of Music. Privately she trained with Los Angeles master teachers of piano, music theory and classical technique. Alexander Dmitri from Russia, fourth generation student of Beethoven lineage through Liszt, passed on invaluable expressive piano techniques to Luma which she in turn passes on to all of her students. Helene Mirisch Spear, piano and music master teacher of many celebrities in Los Angeles, actually mentored Luma into becoming a great teacher.

To stay home with her two young sons Luma became a member of MTNA and founded “Kidsmusic” in Los Angles and Boulder, Colorado with her unique fun programs and recitals. She has now been joyfully teaching and coaching all ages for over 28 years in Los Angeles, Colorado, Santa Fe and Tucson. She plays piano, keyboards, harp, banjo, ukulele and sings.

Luma believes that the passion of a student playing what they like to play is the key to them sticking with the due diligence required to see satisfying results. So she skillfully mixes those songs in with lesson books. She uses sight reading techniques as well as encouraging playing by ear. Each student learns differently so that is also considered in the lessons. She pulls songs from classical, pop, rock, Broadway, movie soundtracks and folk songs to create a well-rounded palette of learning. Finger technique, rhythm, music theory, notation and performance skills are all included. Luma has a way with each student to encourage progress and a sense of self-accomplishment through a fun atmosphere of learning. She is delighted to be a part of Allegro School of Music!

Please note: Luma is currently teaching ONLINE ONLY

McCartney is brand new to the Tucson area and is thrilled to join the Allegro team as a voice teacher. Obtaining her Arts degree in Texas, she was a leading member of the TMEA and TCCDA state choirs, and immediately relocated to Colorado to open and manage Headliner Vocals, where she taught choir classes and private lessons, as well as provided individual studio recording sessions to voice students of all ages! After closing their doors in 2021, McCartney spent two years teaching musical theater at Audience of One Youth Theater in Colorado. She has directed shows such as High School Musical, Matilda, Seussical, and Frozen Jr. McCartney continues to teach voice lessons to students around Colorado, and is now thrilled to be with new growing musicians in Tucson! She always encourages her students to sing like nobody’s listening (until they want an audience!), and to always own that spotlight!

Born in Japan and daughter of professional musicians, Morena always loved
performing. She recorded her first feature at age 3 on her mother’s album “Good Lovin’.” At age
4 she came to the U.S., spending a lot of her childhood in Las Vegas. That same year she began
dancing for and musically mentored by Rock n’ Roll legend: Little Richard, which continued on
for a decade. As a 5th grader, Morena wrote her first song “I Wonder Why” for a regional
songwriting competition, moving her up to Nationals, and earned an Award of Merit &
Congressional Honors Award. Her song was showcased at The House of Blues. Later, Morena
was featured as a title track for a Nickelodeon/Disney inspired project for upcoming singers. She
grew up singing in church and stayed involved in classical choirs singing in both Vegas and
Boston.
In 2011, Morena made her move to Los Angeles. By high school, she had been in 3
musicals: Chicago, The Lion King, and the Music Man. She competed in talent shows, wrote a
song for an original play production and stayed involved in the arts through her school years.
While majoring in music during college, she founded a band and collaborated with local LA
talent. In 2016, her debut single “It’s My Life” was released, reminiscent of the sound of
Parliament/Funkadelic with a modern twist. She performed at various events in Los Angeles,
including the MTV Music Awards after party in Hollywood and the Echo Park Rising Festival.
The next year, “Sow & Reap” was released and rapidly moved up on the Top 40 charts to the
Top 10 within four consecutive weeks on ReverbNation. Morena writes and produces music as
well as teaching dance and music.