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. Cyndi
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.
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!
Josh Roach is a San Diego native who was born and bred in Wagner’s School of Music, having taken piano from Brett Wagner from age seven until he graduated. He has since earned his Ph.D. in Divinity at the University of Aberdeen, Scotland, and assumed an adjunct professorship in Theology at Point Loma Nazarene University in 2025. Some of his favorite musicians are Son Lux, Faded Paper Figures, Jacob Collier, and Jack White. He loves to learn anything that will challenge his hands (although this causes him to accidentally break strings on his upright too often).
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
OPERATIONS MANAGER: 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.
Ms. Bella
LOCATION MANAGER: liberty station + la mesa
Bella comes from a musical family and has been studying and playing piano since the age of 5. Growing up in church, she learned to play and sing with worship teams from a young age and led her first congregation at the age of 17. Her love for worship and music brought her to Point Loma Nazarene University, where she studied music and led chapel worship. She graduated with a music minor in 2023 and now teaches piano full time and serves as the young adults and college worship leader at All People’s Church. In addition to piano, she has experience with voice, percussion, guitar, and hopes to soon add bass guitar to the list! Bella teaches with a passion to give the next generation the same opportunities that music brought her. She brings lots of energy and laughter to the classroom while aiming to help students become the best musicians they can be.
Mr. carter
• 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.
Mr. josh
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. 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. Tommy
Thomas Albert started learning the piano at age 9, and instantly fell in love with it. He studied classical music for almost a decade, leading to numerous recital performances and competitions. He placed 3rd place in the 2019 Southern California Youth Mozart Festival, 2nd place in the CAPMT State Honors competition, and completed the MTAC Certificate of Merit Level 9 with stare honors in his senior year of high school, which led to him playing at the MTAC State Convention in Santa Clara. He also discovered a love of composing his own music, which led him to win 1st Place in the MTAC Composers Today State contest with his original piece “Funhouse Rag”.
Thomas also has a passion for teaching the next generation of musicians. He has taught students in a variety of settings and loves to make music fun, accessible, and engaging for all ages, all while bringing up well-rounded musicians who love their instrument. He also helps lead worship at several churches throughout San Diego.