Aaron Yoshida
aaron@wagnersmusic.com
Aaron Yoshida was born and raised on the island of Oahu and recently received his B.A. in Music from Point Loma Nazarene University. Having grown up in Hawai’i Aaron carries that spirit of Aloha where ever he goes, including the classroom. He has been teaching music for over four years and currently leads worship at Las Flores Church in Carlsbad. Aaron’s love for music has inspired him to play many instruments including the cello and the drums. He is passionate about helping his students discover their own love for music and the piano.
Listen to Aaron’s original music on SPOTIFY!
Bella Ettore
bella@wagnersmusic.com
Bella comes from a musical family and has been studying and playing piano for over 16 years. Growing up in San Diego, she studied classical piano and became a member of jazz band and orchestra as a percussionist and keys player at Ramona Middle School and High School. Now a senior at Point Loma Nazarene University, she has continued studying piano as a minor as she pursues a degree in business entrepreneurship and has discovered a passion for teaching and pouring into the next generation of musicians not only the technical skills to play piano, but the confidence to express their own creativity through music. Bella brings fun and energy to the classroom that is engaging and inspiring for kids who want to discover and grow their own musical giftings!
BRETT WAGNER
Prior to graduating from the prestigious Musician's Institute in Hollywood, California, Brett, who is a San Diego Native, studied piano and music education at San Diego State University. In addition to having played piano for over 20 years and teaching private and group piano for over a decade, Brett is a highly skilled multi-instrumentalist who has composed music for film and television and also played with numerous local and internationally known bands. Brett's extensive experience teaching children in a group setting as well as his incredible talent as a performer has proven to inspire a love of music and piano in his students.
CYNDI SHANKS
• B.A. Piano Performance 1995
• Began teaching at Wagner’s in 1998
• Kindermusik teacher -10 years
• Private piano teacher -10 years
• Accompanist for Vocal students, choirs and church
Ms. Cyndi’s wish is that students recognize that persistent and consistent effort pays off in piano (and in life.) She believes that with a positive attitude and a little discipline, students can accomplish any goal they want to achieve. Along their journey, students are rewarded from the beautiful music they make and the confidence they build from learning it. Although life is constantly changing, music remains a steady constant (musical symbols have been the same for hundreds of years and will continue to stay the same). Ms. Cyndi hopes that her students will someday turn to music as an outlet for healthy self-expression. Ultimately, she desires that each of her students will always have music as a part of their lives, whether it be through piano playing, singing, (or playing any other instrument), as it will enrich their lives in ways many other activities cannot.
Joshua Roach
josh@wagnersmusic.com
Josh Roach is a writer and pianist who interns with Second Sunday church in East Village, San Diego. After receiving his B.A. in Theology and Ancient Judaism from The King’s University in 2020, he hopes to earn his M.Th. in Philosophical Theology in 2021. Born and bred in Wagner’s, he learned piano from Brett Wagner from 7 until he was 18. The White Stripes, Son Lux, and Bon Iver are his favorite bands; and among Josh’s favorite composers are Franz Liszt and Nils Frahm. He loves to learn anything that will challenge his hands (although this causes him to accidentally break strings on his upright too often).
Michelle CARAVIA
michelle@wagnersmusic.com
Michelle Caravia began playing the piano at a very early age and has a Bachelor of Music with a major in vocal performance from the New England Conservatory of Music. She has taught private piano and voice lessons as well as improvisational acting and group singing classes. She was a substitute teacher and paraeducator with the Orange County Department of Education for 6 years in the special education classes.
Michelle is passionate about performing and enjoys everything from playing piano to singing to improvisational acting. She earned the Sonatina Award and High School Diploma from the National Piano Guild. She has sung with Opera San Luis Obispo, Miami City Ballet and New World Symphony and has performed in improv festivals around the country. She enjoys inspiring students through music.
STEPHEN RINKER
Stephen Rinker is a versatile musician, music educator, and worship leader based in San Diego. He received a B.A. in Music from Point Loma Nazarene University in the Spring of 2017.
Stephen has been classically trained in piano and voice, and is an advocate for and passionate about all types of music. He also enjoys playing electric guitar, bass guitar, synthesizers, and percussion in contemporary music settings. When not performing or teaching, he enjoys both collecting and experimenting with a wide range of instruments, including harmonium, bagpipes, accordion, percussion instruments, banjo, synthesizers, and really anything that makes noise.
He is actively engaged in the San Diego music community, and currently serves as the organist for San Diego First Church of the Nazarene and accompanist for Sante Fe Christian Schools.