
Our Teachers
Tamraloo Studios offers a unique teaching structure unparalleled in the Placer County Area: Our crew believes arts and education should be affordable and accessible to everyone who is eager to learn. In order to maximize our outreach and minimize expense, Tamraloo offers a variety of teachers from student instructors to educators with Doctorate degrees. All Tamraloo instructors are hand-picked and trained extensively. Each teacher goes through a shadowing period, followed by individualized mentoring by select experienced instructors, and do not begin teaching until they are fully prepared. Tamraloo keeps overhead down in order to avoid having to pass on cost to its students, and as such, we will always look for ways to keep education affordable. Our teachers are encouraged to continue their education, receiving pay raises as they pursue advanced degrees, and we encourage our staff to enlarge their skills, experiment with new classes and methods, and develop as artists in their own right by performing out and about the community. Every instructor is background checked and fingerprinted for safety.
Tamraloo knows that there is truly a teacher for every student and will work to find that magical teacher/student combo that brings out the best in both!

TAMIE ROGERS
OWNER / DIRECTOR /MASTER INSTRUCTOR
Tamra Rogers was born and raised in the Bay Area, then spent 18 years in the beautiful Pacific Northwest before coming back “home” to California. Miss Tamie holds a Bachelor of Arts in Music from William Jessup University. She has taught piano and voice for over 30 years, and currently owns and operates Tamraloo Studios, voted Lincoln and Sacramento’s Best Music Instruction 6 years in a row. She also currently serves as CEO and Artistic Director of The Stage, a 501c3 non profit theatre company. An accomplished collaborative pianist, choral conductor, vocal coach and music director, Miss Tamie has accompanied multiple church, community, and university choirs, as well as conducted children’s and adult choruses in both the Pacific Northwest and Northern California and coached vocalists all over the area. She most recently lent her talents onstage as Judy Bernley in RCT's production of 9 to 5 and as Musical Director offstage for William Jessup's production of The Secret Garden. She is a multiple SARTA Elly award winner, for both her musical direction and performance roles. She also carols professionally as a Soprano in the Merrie Olde Christmas Carolers. Tamie is passionate about community service and has served as president of her local PTA, women’s ministry, and currently serves as music coordinator over the Lincoln/Loomis area LDS congregations. As head of Tamraloo Studios, Tamie trains, mentors, and coordinates studio schedules for all her teachers, as well as maintains a current roster of over 80 personal and group students. Her greatest blessings in life are her four incredible children and superhero husband.

CLARA ASVITT
SENIOR INSTRUCTOR - PIANO
Clara Asvitt studied Music Education and Elementary Education at BYU-Idaho, where she played in symphony orchestras, bands, and sang in the choir. She joined choir and band in middle school and continued on at the High School level, performing in State and Regional Bands and Choirs. A musical theatre performer and fan, she has accompanied local church and school choirs, as well as assisted in teaching beginning orchestra. She has a passion for learning and expanding her knowledge so that she can better be able to teach music and share her passion for it with others.

SIERRA BAMSEY
SENIOR INSTRUCTOR - PIANO, PRIVATE VOICE, GROUP VOICE
Sierra began her path in music as a child in choral competitions, through the Davis Children's Chorale and Sacramento Children's Chorus. She was introduced to Musical Theatre through a competition trip to see the Chicago cast of "Wicked", and was absolutely hooked. Sierra graduated with a BA in Musical Theatre and a minor in Applied Music Theory from Point Park University. She has performed professionally all over the country, including a national tour with Missoula Children's Theatre, off-broadway sketch comedy shows, and nominations for regional work.
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Sierra has worked with a variety of companies in the Sacramento area as an instructor and vocal director, and has an absolute passion for teaching pain and tension-free singing through a variety of techniques.

HAYLIE BEDAL
LEAD INSTRUCTOR - MATH
Haylie Bedal teaches 6th grade Math and Science at Cooley Middle School in Roseville. She holds her multiple-subject teaching credential and has been teaching for 7 years. She attended UC Davis for her undergrad and received her credential at Sacramento State!
Haylie has experience with elementary and middle school students. At her previous school site, Haylie solely created a 2nd and 3rd grade Math curriculum! When she is not teaching, Haylie enjoys spending time with friends, family, and her dog. She also directs and performs in community theatre productions at Rocklin Community Theatre!

ANTONIO BENITEZ-BALDSARI
SENIOR INSTRUCTOR - VIOLIN, GUITAR, STRINGS ENSEMBLE
Antonio has been playing violin since he was 2 years old and has since ventured into many other facets of music. He grew up internationally, playing with many orchestras, and studied with many teachers in countries such as Spain, Belgium, Japan, and Thailand. Antonio is a second-generation Suzuki student and a fourth-generation Jascha Heifetz student. After graduating from Jesuit High School here in Sacramento, he continued to play violin with local artists and groups and began teaching. At his first teaching job, Antonio experienced the joys of other instruments and began playing guitar. Antonio is pleased to be sharing his passion for stringed instruments in Lincoln and can't wait to help lead Tamraloo's new String Ensemble this year!

ASHLEY BISHOP
INSTRUCTOR- PIANO
Ashley attends Western Sierra Collegiate Academy and takes Sierra College courses on the side. Ashley found her passion at age 6 when she began playing piano and has played for 11 years now. She enjoys accompanying choirs, the first time being in fourth grade at age nine. Since then, she has loved making new friends who have a mutual love of music. While the piano is her forte (pun intended), she loves listening to all kinds of music and has sung in school choirs for 6 years. Within her choir, she has had the opportunity to be section leader for 3 years and counting, in both advanced and honors choirs. Ashley believes music can benefit everyone and that there’s nothing better than watching the joy and confidence that comes with learning an instrument.

SUE BRADLEE
EXPERIENCED INSTRUCTOR - PIANO
Miss Sue has been involved in music her whole life, starting piano lessons at age 6 and continuing for 10 years. After high school she began singing in choral groups, jazz sextets, church, and various ensembles, and now sings with the Placer Pops Chorale as well as teaches classical piano. She's been instructing students for 15 years, and loves working with adults as well as children to make it a fun learning experience so they can be inspired to enjoy it for a lifetime! In her spare time, she reads, sews, does craftwork, and spends time with her family.

EVAN CHAMBERLAIN
SENIOR INSTRUCTOR - PIANO, COMPOSITION, HORN
Evan has been playing piano since the age of 5 and French horn since the 8th grade. He recently completed a Bachelor of Music Education at Brigham Young University-Idaho, studying horn and composition. Evan’s passion for music stems from his parent’s musical background, and from film scores, such as Lord of the Rings and Star Wars.
Both in and out of school, Evan has participated in many types of music making, including orchestral, choral, and jazz ensembles, brass and wind quintets, piano accompaniment, and solo performance on both horn and piano. He took private lessons in composition and gave a distinguished recital of his music while in his senior year of university studies.
Central to Evan’s teaching philosophy is the idea that there is something in music for everyone. He seeks to teach students how to pursue their love of music through technical and expressive excellence. In his free time, Evan enjoys distance running, reading fantasy and informational texts, building miniature models of castles, reading about and listening to music (surprise!), and spending time with his family and friends.

SABRINA DAILEY
STUDENT INSTRUCTOR - ACOUSTIC GUITAR, UKE
Sabrina has been taking guitar lessons from Tamraloo Studios since she was 8 years old, as well as two years of ukulele and has loved every second of it. She has explored several styles and genres including pop, jazz, rock, blues, and classical. Sabrina is a freshman at John Adams Academy and participates in an advanced after school choir that emphasizes music theory and professionalism. She is so excited to share her love of guitar and help others learn through the fun of music.

KADEN DAYOG
INSTRUCTOR - BASSOON, CLARINET, VIOLA, VIOLIN,
Kaden Dayog has been playing the violin and viola for over 8 years, and instantly became obsessed with everything music. A part of many large ensembles, Kaden was the principal violist throughout his time at Whitney High School and participated in honors orchestras as well. Along with string instruments, he has been playing bassoon for 4 years, with clarinet following soon after. Currently performing with the Placer County Youth Orchestra as principal bassoon, Kaden participates in the group as an assistant conductor, violist, and clarinet instructor.

AMANDA DOWNING
INSTRUCTOR - VOCALS
Amanda is a junior at William Jessup University, studying music. Amanda was part of different performing arts groups throughout high school, and became involved with choral groups when she started university. She is currently performing with the William Jessup University Chior & Orchestra, Masterworks Chorale, and Crossroads small group, and was given the opportunity to co-lead the soprano section of the University Choir this year. Amanda has a love for all kinds of music, from classical to musical theatre and pop.

KYLE FOLEY
INSTRUCTOR - MATH
Kyle Foley is a first year at Sierra College majoring in a mathematics degree. He’s lived in Lincoln for his whole life with a goal of going into teaching. He’s worked with younger kids in elementary school in the past helping them with both understanding and applying math. However, he also has a passion for art and makes sure to take some time out of his day to draw so he can get better

DAVID GALILEO
LEAD INSTRUCTOR - GUITAR
David picked up the guitar at 13 years old and learned as much as he could from classic rock giants such as Randy Rhoads and Eddie Van Halen. Graduated from LHS, class of ‘17, and began playing gigs, building a cult following for his band Volrahven in Sacramento and the Bay Area. David loves helping student of all ages find their musical passion.

ISRAEL HAWKINS
INSTRUCTOR - DRUMS
Israel has been playing drums for 22 years and has been endorsed by Soultone cymbals for 2 years. He has dedicated his life to the study of percussion. Israel Currently is the drummer for the local metal band volrahven and is currently gigging around the Placer County area.
Israel wants to help you find your beat and reach your best drumming self!

MICHAEL NEIL HENRY
STUDENT INSTRUCTOR- GUITAR
Michael has played the guitar for over eight years and has been obsessed since the day he picked it up. In high school, Michael performed with his school's Commercial Music Project, which involved performances, studio work, and band experience. Some of his musical influences are blink-182, MxPx, Oasis, Sum 41, and Metallica. Michael aims to incorporate each student's musical interests into lessons while expanding their musical horizons and building a solid fundamental understanding of the guitar.

TABITHA HUNTER
INSTRUCTOR - VOCALS
Tabitha Hunter grew up singing as soon as she could talk, and has been doing musical theatre since the age of six. Performing in choirs all her life, she was also a section leader for three years in her high school elite choir, and won bronze in the musical theatre category at Lanaea High School Theatre Festival in 2019. She is currently the music leader at her church and also carols professionally as a soprano in the Merrie Olde Christmas Carolers. Some of her favorite theatre credits include: Marian Paroo - The Music Man at Jessup University, Lady Larkin - Once Upon a Mattress, Ado Annie - Oklahoma, and Ariel - The Little Mermaid. Tabitha feels that teaching and music is her life's calling, and hopes to use her talents, knowledge, and passion for music to make an impact in others' lives.

BRITTA JOSEPH
MASTER INSTRUCTOR - PIANO
Britta Joseph is a classically trained pianist with a passion for collaborative performing and composing. She holds a BA and MA in piano and has been playing for over twenty years, studying under international contest winner Daisy de Luca Jaffé. Britta draws inspiration from Chopin, Brahms, and Rachmaninoff, as well as modern artists and bands such as Touché Amoré, blink-182, Tigers Jaw, and Pile. She is excited to share her love of music with colleagues and students through collaboration and teaching.

EMILY KERNS
LEAD INSTRUCTOR - PIANO
Emily’s passion for music began at a young age and she began playing the piano by ear. After moving around multiple teachers, she connected with Miss Tamie. Studying classical piano under Miss Tamie for 6 years, Emily transitioned into teaching and mentoring. She was homeschooled up until graduation, participating in dual enrollment with Sierra College through the majority of high school. She’s now completing her associate degree in psychology and preparing for her transfer to UC Davis. In addition to piano, Emily enjoys playing guitar, bass, ukulele, drums, duets with her equally musical partner, and playing in pit orchestras for community theatre shows. Emily adores teaching and working with kids, sharing confidence and self-expression while cultivating a genuine love and understanding of music.

FRANCIS KNOLL
MASTER INSTRUCTOR - PIANO, ACCOMPANIMENT, ENSEMBLES
Francis began piano lessons at the age of eight. In 1975, he
received the highest honors for his Bachelor's degree in music performance,
composition, and theory from the University of California San Diego. Additional
studies were in Tympani, stringed instruments, and single-reed instruments
augmenting his composition and performances. Throughout the years he continued to study performing frequently with internationally known pianist Istvan Nadas, and most recently Erina Saito with frequent master classes from Steinway Artist Brian Ganz. He has been a private instructor for over 30 years mostly for intermediate and advanced students! With a full list of accompaniment work for San Diego and Sacramento Ballets, among many others, Francis is also a master of computer technology as a system analyst/programmer.

CHRIS LAVIGNE
STUDENT INSTRUCTOR - GUITAR
Christopher La Vigne is an 18-year-old senior at Lincoln high school. He plays all sorts of instruments, but he's most prolific in guitar. His favorite musicians vary frequently but as of late, he's been getting into Pink Floyd, The Dave Brubeck Quartet, and Santana. He loves almost every genre and is willing to learn whenever and wherever he can and pass on his knowledge to his students!
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SOPHIA LEE
LEAD INSTRUCTOR - VIOLIN
Sophia Lee has played and taken lessons for violin for 8 years. She has participated in several honor orchestras, including CODA, an all-state orchestra held in Southern California, and Capitol Section Honor Orchestra in Sacramento (in which she served as concertmaster with multiple solos.) Sophia spent years working privately with prestigious violin instructor and conductor Angelo Moreno. During her years at Lincoln High she also participated in the Sacramento Youth Symphony as concertmaster of the Academic String Orchestra for several seasons. Sophia is currently attending Sierra College- she plans to transfer to Sac State to earn a degree in music education. Other hobbies of hers include caring for farm animals and pets, writing, playing piano, and spending time with loved ones. Sophia loves to work with students of all different walks of life, ages, and experience levels, and she strives to balance lessons with challenge, support, and humor!

MICHAEL MENCARINI
INSTRUCTOR - TROMBONE, TRUMPET
Michael is currently a college student who recently graduated from LHS. He has been playing trombone since the 4th grade. In the 7th grade he started learning trumpet, and his sophomore year of high school he started learning the baritone. He currently plays in the LHS marching and jazz band and has gotten accepted into the Capitol Section Honor Band 4 times, placing 1st chair trombone twice. Last year he placed 1st chair trombone at the Norcal Honor band, and marched with the Vanguard Cadets Drum and Bugle Corps in their 2019 season. In his free time, he enjoys composing music, practicing, and hanging out with friends.

ANGELA OSMAN
LEAD INSTRUCTOR - PIANO
Angela Osman is a fourth year UC Davis student studying to get a Bachelor of Arts in psychology and an Associates in Music. She has played piano for 17 years been teaching for 6 years. Angela was hired as the accompanist for all of Forest Lake Christian choirs, which was a position she held for 2 years, winning Best Accompanist at the Disneyland performance.When she’s not studying, Angela loves dedicating her time to fitness and eating healthy. After completing her Masters, she intends on becoming a pediatric therapist and incorporating music therapy into her profession.
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SAURA PAL
INSTRUCTOR - PIANO, UPRIGHT BASS
Saura has been playing piano since she was 5 years old, and in 6th grade, she fell in love with playing the tuba. Since then, she has made it her mission to learn as many instruments as possible. She now plays the upright bass, electric bass, guitar, trumpet, baritone horn, flute, clarinet, and she sings opera and musical theater! In addition to music, she also takes classes at Sac City College and is the color guard captain for the JFK marching band.

MCKENNA PLAGEMAN
LEAD INSTRUCTOR - ACTING, LANGUAGE ARTS, VOICE
McKenna is a CSUS grad who has been involved in musical theatre for as long as she can remember. She has studied private voice for a decade and has been performing for as long as she can remember, including at Disneyland for two years! McKenna is excited to take your vocalist to the next level.

NATALIE QUILICI
PROGRAM DIRECTOR- DANCE & THEATRE
Natalie Quilici is a Bay Area native who spent 25 years in the Bay Area dancing and entertaining the masses. After receiving her undergrad at San Jose State, she went on to produce the first site-specific dance festival in the South Bay and transitioned her career to creating. Ranging from competitive dance to choreographing weddings, musical theatre, and pageants, she received her Masters of Dance with honors from California State University, Long Beach for choreographic composition. Focusing on highlighting individual strengths and ensemble storytelling, she continues to serve the greater Sacramento Area.

TONY REYES
DIRECTOR - MATH
Tony Reyes grew up in California. Late in high school Tony has a great teacher who mentored him and he began to develop a greater appreciation for math. Under his tutelage, Tony was able to assist in creating a math tutoring business as well as building his skills as a mathematician and teacher. Tony has served as the assistant director of tutoring for Mathnasium Roseville for 12 years and has experience working with students from 1st grade all the way up through and including college math. He also helps students with physics. When he’s not working and doesn’t have math on his mind, he enjoys listening to music and playing guitar or spending time with his dog, friends, and family.

LILLY RATH
SENIOR INSTRUCTOR - MATH
Lilly Rath was born and raised in Northern California. She was never really a math person, that was until she had a wonderful math teacher in jr high. Throughout high school, she continued to have great connections with her math teachers who inspired her to pursue a math degree in college. She tutored at the community college and university she attended, and received a BA in Mathematics with honors from Cal Poly Humboldt in December of 2020. When she isn’t thinking about math, she can be seen playing piano, listening to the Hamilton soundtrack or chasing after her crazy toddler.

PAUL STAMAS
LEAD INSTRUCTOR - DRUMS
Paul Stamas is a gigging/recording drummer with over ten years of experience and a passion for music! His primary focus is Jazz, but he is well-versed in many styles, such as Rock, Funk, and Latin. Beyond drumset, he can help students with various marching, concert, and Latin percussion. Paul's teaching experience includes three years of teaching privately, coaching multiple high school drumlines, and directing a middle school drumline. For Paul, nothing is more satisfying than seeing young drummers work hard and play things beyond what they even considered possible!

CHRISTINE SMITH-WILLIAMS
EXPERIENCED INSTRUCTOR- FINE ART
Christine has been creating art since the age of 10. She was a student of the Waldorf School which has a heavy emphasis on art, music, and creative expression. She has studied art at Sierra College and Sacramento State, as well as some private lessons. She had the opportunity to illustrate the cover of the Sacramento Parent Magazine in 2016 and has a passion for teaching art and fostering creative expression in a safe environment. She loves spending time with her husband and their dog; Happy Dog. She’s created a cartoon of Happy Dog and she says she might be biased, but she thinks he's pretty cute. She’s continuing her education in the arts at Sacramento State and always takes an opportunity to learn something new.
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JUSTIN SMITH-WILLIAMS
LEAD INSTRUCTOR- SAXOPHONE
Born and raised in Detroit, MI, educated and influenced in the city known as Motown. Justin began saxophone training in the 4th grade and traveled the world while Playing with Tops in Blue for the United States Air Force. Released his first album in 2013, and just released his first all-cover album Justin X Justin, featuring Justin Timberlake tracks.

ROSE STEARNS
LEAD INSTRUCTOR - VOICE
Rose is a multi-instrumentalist and vocalist based in Sacramento, CA. She began learning guitar at 8 years old and soon began vocal and drum lessons at a local studio. She grew up on a farm with her musical grandparents and spent her time practicing instruments and listening to vinyls. In high school, she joined honor choir and performed on prestigious stages such as Carnegie Hall, Radio City Music Hall, and the Cotton Club in Harlem. She has also performed on Good Day Sacramento and sang the national anthem at her high school graduation. She went on to study Jazz and Opera at Sierra College and began teaching at a performance arts center for adults on the Autism Spectrum. She has since spent 5 years teaching at local studios and also joined a band. She is looking forward to instilling in her students the same confidence, joy and passion she has found in music.

ALFREDO VEGA
LEAD INSTRUCTOR - DRUMS
Alfredo‘s love of percussion started at the age of 8 after taking a conga lesson from a family friend. While attending high school, Alfredo joined Santa Clara Vanguard A-Corps for the 2002 season. After graduation, he then joined a touring rock band, Endeverafter (formerly known as Endever) based out of Sacramento. After many shows and exciting times, He then attended Musicians Institute in Hollywood, Ca., earning an Associate of Arts Degree. During his time in college, he became a cast member at Disneyland playing snare drum in the Christmas Fantasy Parade.
Following graduation, he moved back to his home in the Bay Area and played with a number of groups. (Isaiah Picket Band, The joint Chiefs, Super Soul Bros.) He also taught numerous high school drum lines in the area winning various percussion awards. In 2014 Alfredo became an instructor at Guitar Center Studios where he because one of the most successful instructors in the company winning an award for most students retained in 2017. Alfredo now lives in Roseville with his wife and daughter and looks forward to continuing his musical career at Tamraloo Studios.

MARYELLEN VOGT
DIRECTOR- LITERARY DEVELOPMENT AND ENRICHMENT PROGRAM
MaryEllen Vogt, Ed.D. is Professor Emerita of Education at California State University, Long Beach. She is currently Director and reading specialist for the Literacy Intervention & Enrichment program for Tamraloo Studios, and is an Adjunct Professor at Wm. Jessup University. Dr. Vogt received her doctorate from the University of California, Berkeley, and is author/co-author of numerous articles, chapters, and books for teachers and administrators, including the SIOP series for teaching multilingual learners. Her research interests include literacy intervention, teacher change and development, and disciplinary literacy development. Dr. Vogt has provided professional development in all 50 states and in several other countries, including Germany, where she served as a Visiting Scholar at the University of Cologne. She received her university’s Distinguished Faculty Teaching Award, served as President of the International Literacy Association, and was inducted into the Reading Hall of Fame, an international organization of literacy scholars and researchers.

LAURA WARFIELD
EXPERIENCED INSTRUCTOR- ENGLISH
Laura Warfield is passionate about teaching and currently enrolled at Sac State University to receive a Bachelor's degree in English in the Spring of 2022! Laura loves literature of all forms. Outside the classroom, her hobbies include writing creatively, enjoying Sacramento's natural beauty by swimming or hiking, and cooking. She also enjoys listening to and making music, which is perfect for the creative environment at Tamraloo Studios. She is so excited to get to know you!