Teaching Artists

Instrumental Music

Edwin Lovo

Band Instructor Edwin, born and raised in Orange County, California, began playing the trumpet at the age of 12 and quickly developed a deep passion for the instrument. He pursued a degree in music performance and music education at California State University, Fullerton, where he studied under Barry Perkins, the principal trumpet player of the Pacific Symphony. During his time at Cal State Fullerton, Edwin won the Rodger Vaughn Award, an annual accolade given to the best musician, which includes a scholarship. He has played in the La Mirada Community Orchestra and participated in the Tournament of Roses Parade for nine consecutive years. Edwin was featured on KTLA morning news several times, playing the herald trumpet for Medieval Times Dinner and Tournament, where he worked part-time for 11 years. He also had the honor of unveiling the "Welcome to Orange County" sign off the 5 Freeway with a trumpet fanfare for the OC Register. With over seven years of teaching experience, Edwin currently teaches music at the Waldorf School of Orange County at the middle school and high school levels. He has also coached brass for high school marching bands and conducted trumpet ensemble classes. In addition to his teaching roles, Edwin plays in a cumbia/salsa band in Orange and LA County, performing on a weekly to semi-weekly basis. He is excited to bring his expertise and enthusiasm to the Arts & Learning Conservatory.

Fred Canada

Strings Instructor Fred is an experienced music coach and educator with a rich background in string performance and teaching. He holds a Master's degree in Music Performance (Viola) from Louisiana State University and a Bachelor of Music in Viola Performance from California State University, Long Beach. Currently, Fred serves as a Music Coach at Marina High School and Las Flores Middle School, where he specializes in coaching the viola section and occasionally the entire string section on ensemble techniques. Since October 2022, he has also been a Music Teacher at the Arts & Learning Conservatory in Fountain Valley, California, teaching children aged seven to eleven, ranging from basic to intermediate music techniques. Fred has also been a Music Coach at Tesoro High School since September 2022, where he works with the viola section of the school's string orchestras. Previously, he taught violin and viola at the Irvine Art and Music Center, catering to students from beginner to advanced levels and ages four to eighteen. His experience includes a role as a Music Librarian at Louisiana State University, and he has also taught violin, viola, and piano at the Huntington Beach School of Music. Fred began his teaching career at East Whittier Middle School, coaching the viola section of the intermediate-level string orchestra. Fred is dedicated to sharing his love for music with his students and helping them develop their skills, whether they are beginners or advanced musicians. His extensive experience and passion for teaching make him a valuable asset to any music program.

Jason Callaghan

Band Instructor Jason Callaghan is a Southern California based composer, trumpet player, and educator. He has a Master of Music in Composition from Mannes School of Music at the New School and a Bachelor of Music with a focus in Composition from California State University, Fullerton. As a composer, Jason has enjoyed multiple premieres of his pieces by collegiate players and ensembles. As a trumpet player, Jason has played for the Disneyland Resort, multiple churches, and more. He is experienced in classical, contemporary, and pop, among other genres. Currently, Jason is part of the adjunct faculty at California State University Fullerton, teaching Music Theory and Composition, as well as an after school band leader for elementary musicians through Arts & Learning Conservatory.

Mary Lieblang

Strings Instructor Mary Lieblang has been playing the violin since the age of nine and recently graduated from Chapman University’s Hall-Musco Conservatory of Music with a Bachelor of Music in Violin Performance, earning departmental honors. As a Musco Scholar, she had the privilege of studying violin with Professor William Fitzpatrick and viola with Professor Robert Becker. Through the Musishare Young Artist Program, directed by Professor Fitzpatrick, and Chapman University, Mary has played in masterclasses with renowned musicians such as Ronald Copes, Paul Kantor, Cho-Liang Lin, Kurt Sassmannshaus, Cornelia Heard, Bettina Mussumeli, Nicholas Mann, Dennis Kim, Harvey de Souza, and Phillip Setzer. Mary recently had the pleasure of studying privately with Professor Robert Becker at the Cremona International Music Festival. In the summer of 2018, she attended the Aspen Music Festival and School, where she studied privately with Cornelia Heard and received chamber music coaching from Renata Arado. Additionally, she has participated in several chamber music festivals in Southern California. Mary lives in Huntington Beach, California. Her hobbies include reading and rollerblading.

Namiah Miller

Strings Instructor Namiah Miller is a student at CSU Long Beach, where he performs in the symphony orchestra, baroque ensemble, and a string quartet. Outside of school, he is a member of the American Youth Symphony and Symphony Irvine. Namiah has been teaching string students both privately and in group settings for over three years. Currently, Namiah teaches string classes in the Fountain Valley School District, works as a string coach for the Prelude Youth String Ensembles, and is a private violin, viola, and piano teacher at the Belmont Music Studio in Long Beach. He is passionate about sharing his love for music with his students and helping them develop their skills.

Naomi Goshima

Music Teacher Shaun Carmer is a professional trumpeter and percussionist based in the OC area. Seeing how early music education helped to shape him as a musician and as a person - he has a strong passion for teaching the youth. Shaun is currently playing/producing for versatil latin band, Melodia Versatil. Drumming for his original metal band, Dinograve and original artist Ali Coyle. Shaun also plays for many other pro bands such as, R&B band Sangria and Cumbia band Ritmicos Musical. He has played all over California and New York and has shared the stage with many notable names including Fransisco Torres, Willie Murillo, and others.

Megan Kimmel

Janeva Garibay

Shaun Carmer

Jewel Helligar

Alyson Rochlin

Michelle Smirnoff

Edward Fallas

Musical Theatre & Technical Theatre

Caitlyn Nguyen

Technical Theatre Caitlyn Nguyen is a graduate of California State University, Fullerton, where they received their Bachelors in Theatrical Design and Production. She has worked as a Stage Manager at many theaters including Musical Theater West, International City Theatre, and Golden West. Caitlyn is also a technician lead, rigger, stitcher, electrician, audio tech, and carpenter for theaters like The Geffen Playhouse, East West Players, La Mirada Theater, and many more. She is very proud of her students and their excitement to learn, be involved, and challenge themselves in new ways throughout the program.

Jorge Carrion Alvarez

Musical Theatre Jason Callaghan is a Southern California based composer, trumpet player, and educator. He has a Master of Music in Composition from Mannes School of Music at the New School and a Bachelor of Music with a focus in Composition from California State University, Fullerton. As a composer, Jason has enjoyed multiple premieres of his pieces by collegiate players and ensembles. As a trumpet player, Jason has played for the Disneyland Resort, multiple churches, and more. He is experienced in classical, contemporary, and pop, among other genres. Currently, Jason is part of the adjunct faculty at California State University Fullerton, teaching Music Theory and Composition, as well as an after school band leader for elementary musicians through Arts & Learning Conservatory.

Rachel Diaz

Musical Theatre Mary Lieblang has been playing the violin since the age of nine and recently graduated from Chapman University’s Hall-Musco Conservatory of Music with a Bachelor of Music in Violin Performance, earning departmental honors. As a Musco Scholar, she had the privilege of studying violin with Professor William Fitzpatrick and viola with Professor Robert Becker. Through the Musishare Young Artist Program, directed by Professor Fitzpatrick, and Chapman University, Mary has played in masterclasses with renowned musicians such as Ronald Copes, Paul Kantor, Cho-Liang Lin, Kurt Sassmannshaus, Cornelia Heard, Bettina Mussumeli, Nicholas Mann, Dennis Kim, Harvey de Souza, and Phillip Setzer. Mary recently had the pleasure of studying privately with Professor Robert Becker at the Cremona International Music Festival. In the summer of 2018, she attended the Aspen Music Festival and School, where she studied privately with Cornelia Heard and received chamber music coaching from Renata Arado. Additionally, she has participated in several chamber music festivals in Southern California. Mary lives in Huntington Beach, California. Her hobbies include reading and rollerblading.

Andrea Gwynnel

Musical Theatre Andrea Gwynnel is an Actor, Director, Teacher, and Dialect Coach. She has performed all over the country and abroad. Highlights include playing Anne Frank’s mother in the award-winning ‘Anne, A New Play’ at the Museum of Tolerance in Los Angeles and Janet in ‘2 Across’ at Coachella Valley Rep which won the Desert Star Award for ‘Best Professional Comedy.’ She was the Co-Founder and Artistic Director of Chrysalis Stage where she produced many projects; she directed Smash, Candida and The Glass Menagerie and played iconic roles like Hedda Gabler, Anna Karenina and Mrs. Alving in Ghosts.

Toni Pelayo

Musical Theatre Toni Pelayo is a wife of 25 years, a mother of three, and a longtime lover of the arts. As a young adult, she enjoyed performing and participating in theater productions and continues to express her passion for performance through karaoke. Currently, Toni is a leader in the Long Beach faith community, serving in pastoral support, as a speaker, and as a leader in Women's and Youth ministries. She also has experience educating and caring for special needs children, both as a mother and a teacher. In all her roles, Toni works to build inclusive communities filled with compassion, laughter, and learning.

Cynthia Hamidi

Musical Theatre Cynthia Hamidi is a talented Moroccan and Native American actress and acting coach from the East Coast. Her passion for theater began in high school, where she performed in plays such as "RENT" at Cushing Academy, playing the role of Mimi. She went on to graduate from Loyola Marymount University with a BA in Theatre Arts. Cynthia's dedication to her craft led her to Russia, where she performed Chekhov plays and studied Stanislavski's method at the prestigious Moscow Art Theatre School. She also performed in "Virago Alala" while studying acting in Germany. Her television credits include a guest-starring role as Amira Zidan on CBS's "FBI." In film, she had a supporting role as the Native American superhero Dawnstar in DC's "Legion of Super-Heroes." Cynthia loves teaching and sharing her passion for acting with the next generation of artists. In her free time, she enjoys figure skating, watching A24 films, taking long walks in nature, and spending time with her two labradoodles, friends, and family.

Carson Rodriguez

Musical Theatre Carson began his career performing at the age of 6, eventually finding his love for teaching. He received early dance training in jazz, tap, and ballet from CF Dance Academy, served as dance captain and assistant in choreography for the Grand National Champions LosAl Sound FX, and has received multiple Best Dancer awards from Los Alamitos High School. After graduating high school, he began teaching and choreographing at schools, after school programs, and community theaters across Southern California ranging from kindergarten to high school level.

Casey Morris

Musical Theatre Casey Morris, originally from Cincinnati, OH, received his BA in Drama from UNC Asheville followed by his MFA in Acting from DePaul University. He studied improv at Second City and has performed in many productions in Chicago, including: The Beauty Queen of Leenane, Mother of the Maid, The Grapes of Wrath, & Hamlet. Since moving to LA, he has been in commercials including a Carvana Super Bowl spot, a Little Caesars national, and a few others. His television credits include: Players (Paramount +), The Rehearsal (HBO Max), Snowfall (FX), The Company You Keep (ABC), and Tacoma FD (TruTV).

Elian Chan

Technical Theatre Elian is a theater technician from Hong Kong specializing in backstage work. Elian, who is currently studying psychology at Loyola Marymount University, worked on many of the productions, ensuring the performances were seamless. With a passion for storytelling and a strong ability to collaborate, they are proud to support the magic behind the scenes.

Maddy Nickless

Musical Theatre Maddy Nickless is thrilled to join the Arts and Learning team as the director of their summer production of Frozen Kids! A senior at Vanguard University, she will soon be graduating with a minor in directing, stage managing, and production design for the stage. Maddy is excited to share her love of theater and teaching with the students and is looking forward to providing a fun and memorable experience "In Summer" with everyone!

Emmanuel Madera

Technical Theatre Emmanuel Madera is a multifaceted theater artist, working as a director, actor, fight choreographer, and production manager. He is a recent CSU, Long Beach graduate where he received a BFA in Acting. Emmanuel has collaborated with The Larking House, CSU’s Long Beach’s Cal Rep, Threshold, Fullerton College, and the Chance Theatre. He has spent the past two years teaching musical theatre to kids across OC and LA and is a thrilled to be working on his first production as a Technical Theater teacher with Arts & Learning.

Gavin Antonio Duran

Musical Theatre Gavin Duran is a stage and screen actor and an Irene Ryan Award Nominee with over ten years of experience in Southern California. He holds a BA in Theatre Arts and Comedic Arts from California Baptist University. Gavin's recent theatrical credits include Christopher Boone in The Curious Incident of a Dog in the Night-Time, Grover/Mr. D in The Lightning Thief, and the Scarecrow in The Wizard of Oz.

Lauren Velasco

Musical Theatre Lauren Velasco has been teaching musical theater with Arts and Learning Conservatory for two years and has seven years of overall theater teaching experience. With a B.A. in Applied Theater from Cal State Fullerton and an M.A. in Playwriting and Dramaturgy from the University of Glasgow, she specializes in acting, directing, and playwriting. Her credits include Puck in A Midsummer Night’s Dream and directing Romeo and Juliet and A Woman of No Importance, among numerous other productions and performances throughout her career. A devoted D&D player, Lauren brings creativity, collaboration, and student empowerment to every class she leads.

Montana Leyva

Technical Theatre Maddy Nickless is thrilled to join the Arts and Learning team as the director of their summer production of Frozen Kids! A senior at Vanguard University, she will soon be graduating with a minor in directing, stage managing, and production design for the stage. Maddy is excited to share her love of theater and teaching with the students and is looking forward to providing a fun and memorable experience "In Summer" with everyone!

Naya Ramsey-Clarke

Musical Theatre Naya Ramsey-Clarke is so proud and excited to be under the sea with Whittier Elementary. She graduated from Cal State University Fullerton with her BFA in Musical Theatre and has loved putting it to use with these kids. She is currently playing the role of Johanna in Phantom Projects Theatre's production of Sweeney Todd. She hopes you find this cast as amazing as she does!

Vega Sherman-Seitz

Technical Theatre Vega Sherman-Seitz is a graduate of Whittier College with a bachelor's degree in technical theater as well as performance. She has worked in different areas of theater education for over five years. In addition she has primarily worked as a Stage Manager in various locations some of which include Bridges Auditorium and the Palos Verde Performing Arts Center. In addition to stage management, she spends lots of her time designing and building sets. She also has worked in art department in various film and Tv productions. Some of which include The Pentatonic Holiday Series.

Janine Uyanga

Musical Theatre As a non-binary lesbian writer and director, Janine Uyanga strives to not only capture the world as it is, but revolutionize what the world could be. Through their work, they explore adversity while allowing for new possibilities beyond hardship. Janine’s exemplary eye for detail, collaborative spirit and fearless voice extends throughout every project they lead. Janine is thrilled to join the ALC family to use their skills to assist youth in learning about technical theatre.