Hana Music Studio

Hana learned at a young age that music was a dynamic language. Under the wing of her first piano teacher William Riddlespurger, a lifelong love for music was born. She learned that musicianship is not only playing the right notes, but to use your body and mind to express, connect, and enjoy in the craft of creating sounds that reflect the human experience and the world around us.

Hana loved the sound of the violin and secretly signed herself up for violin classes in 5th grade without telling her parents. She had the privilege of studying with and receiving mentorship from Rochelle Walton, former teaching assistant to Ivan Galamian.

Growing up in Monterey, home to the internationally famous Monterey Jazz Festival, Hana was also lucky to benefit from the jazz clinician programs offered in the community. She developed a love for jazz and improvising with great jazz educators including saxophonist Paul Contos, playing and touring with the MJF All-Stars Band ensemble in Japan 2008-2009.

Hana continued to study both the piano and the viola at the Conservatory level, completing her Bachelor’s of Music from the University of the Pacific Conservatory in Stockton, CA with concentrations in both instruments under the tutelage of pianist Rex Cooper and violinist/violist Igor Veligan. Post-college, Hana continued on to perform in orchestral groups, including the Santa Monica Symphony and Folsom Symphony Orchestra, as well as participate in a number of chamber music groups and recording projects.

As both a teacher and individual Hana believes that working earnestly on your craft and fostering curiosity and interest in various kinds of music and art builds character, encourages connection to yourself, and answers questions about who you are and want to be. She hopes to facilitate that disciplined exploration with her students of all ages.

When she isn’t playing or teaching music, she loves to draw and paint, practice Japanese tea ceremony, ride her motorcycle, and spend time with her husband.

Music Therapy Background
Prior to becoming a full time music teacher, Hana had an 8 year career as a Board Certified Music Therapist, specializing in using music interventions to work with families, children, and infants in pediatric settings and Neo-natal intensive care (NICU-MT). Although she is no longer a practicing therapist, her therapeutic background informs much of her approach as an educator, utilizing her experience working with a wide variety of populations and knowledge of human development to meet every student compassionately where they are across a wide range of ages and exceptionalities.