our team
Mr. Aaron
LOCATION MANAGER: kailua
Aaron Yoshida graduated from Point Loma Nazarene University with his B.A. in Music in 2019 and has been working at Wagner’s ever since. Aaron’s love for music has inspired him to play many instruments including the guitar, cello, and the drums. He is passionate about helping his students discover their own love for music and the piano. Having grown up in Hawai’i Aaron carries that spirit of Aloha where ever he goes, including the classroom. He has recently moved back to Oahu to open our 5th Wagner’s School Of Music in the city of Kailua! He has two beautiful children (20 months and 5 months) with his beautiful wife Morgan.
Ms. Ashlynn
Ashlynn has grown up with a deep passion for music. She has been playing piano for about 10 years, and is a former student of Wagner's! Ashlynn is currently studying music, and plans to pursue composition. She loves teaching piano and becoming inspired by her students and their creativity. Ashlynn hopes to spread the joy of music with others through teaching, performing, and creating!
Ms. Bella
LOCATION MANAGER: liberty station + la mesa
Bella Draney has been singing and playing piano since the age of five, growing up in a home where music was woven into everyday life. From kindergarten chapel choirs to middle school jazz band performances, to leading worship alongside her dad as a teenager, Bella experienced firsthand the joy and connection that music creates.
While studying Music and Business at Point Loma Nazarene University, she began her teaching career, working with students of all ages in both private lessons and group classes for piano, voice, and guitar.
Bella’s heart as a teacher is to help each student discover their unique musical voice and creative expression. She believes music is more than a skill — it’s a lifelong gift that shapes confidence, character, and joy. Her goal is not only to build strong musicians, but to cultivate a deep love for music that students carry into every area of their lives.
Mr. carter
LOCATION MANAGER: la jolla
Carter Taylor was born in Upland CA, and has received his B.A. in music from Point Loma Nazarene University. He comes from a very musical family full of professional musicians, and has been playing music his whole life, on many different instruments including guitar, drums, and saxophone. He is currently a worship leader at Park Hill Church in Point Loma and loves being able to help people find their passion in music.
Ms. Cyndi
After earning her B.A. in Piano Performance at SDSU in 1995, Cyndi began teaching at Wagner's School of Music in 1998. Along with earning invaluable experience as an accompanist for choirs, churches, and vocal students, she contributed to Wagner's implementation of Kindermusik for younger children and toddlers for over 10 years.
Ms. Cyndi helps students to 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 seek to achieve. Along their journey, students are rewarded from the beautiful music they make and the confidence they build from learning. Cyndi believes that music remains a steady constant in an ever-changing world (musical symbols have been the same for hundreds and hundreds of years!). It is her hope that her students will build a life-long habit of turning 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.
Mr. Daniel
A San Diego native and former student at Wagner’s School of Music, Daniel is thrilled to be back in the place where he developed his love of music, passing it on to the next generation. Daniel is a proud graduate of San Diego State University, where he earned his B.S. in Computer Science, his teaching credential, and his M.A. in Teaching Math and Science Education. Currently, Daniel teaches math at Grossmont High School, but is equally passionate about his work as a music educator! He hopes to give his students the tools to express themselves through the language of music. One of Daniel’s favorite things to do is pick up his guitar or sit down at the piano and learn how to play a song he just heard on Spotify, which allows him to engage with music in a whole new way. Daniel’s students can expect a fun, energetic, and collaborative experience built on respect, hard work, and class community. He firmly believes that whether it’s math or music, learning happens when students think hard and interact. Daniel is thrilled to be your student’s piano teacher and hopes your student brings that same energy and excitement each week!
Ms. Gracie
Gracie Moon is a passionate artist, musician, and educator born and raised in San Diego. Coming from a musical family, Gracie was classically trained in piano from a young age and continually exposed to the excitement of making live music.
Gracie received her degree in music and visual arts in 2024, and is thrilled to be pursuing her vocation as an educator in the arts.
When she’s not teaching piano, Gracie is either working in her art studio, rock climbing, or attending live music concerts of all genres with her family. She is an advocate for music as a creative and experimental outlet, and is so excited to help students find their own voice through piano!
Mr. john
Born in Detroit, Michigan, John brings 21 years of piano teaching experience to Wagner’s Music. Throughout that time, John has taught pop/rock at a School of Rock franchise, accompanied singers and instrumentalists, and been the pit and rehearsal pianist for musical theater productions.
John’s passion for teaching stretches beyond music as he has also tutored math, reading, and history, and has coached martial arts as he has a black belt Tae Kwon Do.
With his Bachelor’s degree in Music Composition from Oakland University in Rochester, MI, John has had his music performed by members of the Detroit Symphony Orchestra and Detroit Opera. In addition to being a composition Fellow at the Brevard Summer Music Institute in Brevard, North Carolina, John was the conductor of the ITCH New Music Ensemble which performed new music from young composers from around the country.
John is also a working film and media composer having scored two feature films, over 30 short films, a short-form documentary, several web series, and an audio drama.
Mr. parker
Parker McDonald first discovered his love for music and the piano when he joined Wagner's School of Music at the age 5. After taking piano lessons with Mr. Brett and Mr. Aaron for nearly 13 years, Parker began substitute teaching at the school, and one year later, he became a staff instructor. While piano is his first instrument, Parker also plays bass guitar in the music ministry at his church and occasionally tours with a rock group called Jettee. When he's not teaching, Parker works as a lifeguard, studies mechanical engineering, and surfs at the beach just blocks from his house. Mr. Parker's hope is that every student who walks into his classroom comes with a learning attitude and leaves with a smile!
Mr. Stephen
LOCATION MANAGER: encinitas
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.
Ms. Avery
DIRECTOR of OPERATIONS: all locations
Avery Morgan holds a BFA in Dance with a minor in Kinesiology and has been immersed in the arts from a young age. Her background includes years of dance training, teaching children, and performing music, including trumpet throughout high school. Since 2023, she has served as the Operations Manager at Wagner’s School of Music, where she ensures the school runs smoothly and supports both staff and families. With over 15 years of experience in customer service, she brings a thoughtful, people-first approach to her work. She is especially passionate about ensuring children have access to quality music education, believing that learning instruments like the piano not only builds discipline and focus, but also nurtures creativity, confidence, and emotional development.