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In the HCMS Orchestra we encourage ALL STUDENTS to consider taking private lessons. Private lessons are not just for the students who need extra help, and are not just for students who want to go more in depth. They are for EVERYONE!
If you are interested in having your child take private lessons, our wonderful private lesson staff can work with you to find the best time in the schedule to make that happen. Most teachers have time during their orchestra class to pull them for a 25 minute or 50 minute lesson once per week. Please contact the teacher you are interested in working with to see if you can set up a trial lesson or get started right away and to discuss pricing and scheduling.
Violin & Viola
Violin & Viola
Naomi Frausto
Naomi Frausto
Naomi Frausto has been a dedicated music educator in Texas for over twenty years. She taught middle school orchestra with the Socorro Independent School District in El Paso and in 2008, relocated to Austin to establish her private studio. Naomi works closely with school orchestra programs throughout the Austin area, as well as the Austin Youth Orchestra. She was an instructor at the Texas State Strings Camp from 2008 to 2016, and has been an adjudicator for Region 22, Region 18, Region 26, and Region 32. Following her devotion to mariachi music, Naomi has been a guest clinician at mariachi conferences throughout the Southwest. Most recently, she was invited to perform in a presentation on mariachi music for the students of Prospect Hill Academy Charter School in Cambridge, Massachusetts.
In addition to being a devoted educator, Naomi is also an accomplished and diverse violinist. Her professional career began at the age of 15 when she started performing with mariachi groups in El Paso. Her mariachi career spanned twenty years and included performing with Mariachi Oro Del Sol, Mariachi Femenil Las Caponeras, Mariachi Los Pasajeros, and Mariachi Tamazula. Some of Naomi’s mariachi performances have been in festivals in Nice, France, Guadalajara, Jalisco, Mex., Puerto Vallarta, Jalisco, Mex., as well as throughout the United States. Highlights from her mariachi years are performing on stage with legendary stars such as Mexican film star and “Queen of Ranchera Music,” Lola Beltran, Beatriz Adriana, performing alongside the world-renown Mariachi Vargas de Tecalitlan, and recording an arrangement of Stephin Merritt's song, “Luckiest Guy on the Lower East Side” for the documentary, “Strange Powers: Stephin Merritt and the Magnetic Fields.”
Naomi studied violin with Laurence Gibson and went on to become a member of the El Paso Symphony Orchestra, Juarez Symphony Orchestra (Ciudad Juarez, Mexico), Las Cruces Symphony Orchestra, Temple Symphony Orchestra, Mid-Texas Symphony Orchestra, Brazos Valley Symphony Orchestra, and occasionally performs with the Waco Symphony. Naomi also loves playing in the orchestras of operas and musicals; most notably in orchestras accompanying Broadway stars Jennifer Holliday, Yvonne Elliman, Leslie Odom, Jr., Barry Dennen, and Chuck Wagner. She also appeared with orchestras accompanying stars such as Renée Fleming, Andrea Bocelli, Branford Marsalis, The Eagles, Asleep At The Wheel, Boz Scaggs, and Marco Antonio Solis.
Naomi continues to maintain her private violin/viola studio and performs regularly with symphonies throughout Texas and with Musical Discovery Chamber Players of Austin. She holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Music Education from the University of Texas at El Paso, her educator’s certification with the Texas Education Agency, and has memberships with the Texas Music Educators Association and the American String Teacher's Association.
Kate Williams
Kate Williams
katesimonewilliams@gmail.com
512-733-3073
Born and raised in Boerne, TX, Kate Hattier began her journey with violin at the age of 7 and added oboe to her list a few years later. While growing as a young musician, she was awarded a spot as a TMEA All State Oboist and performed various occasions alongside the San Antonio Symphony on violin. Kate participated in leadership with Youth Orchestras of San Antonio (YOSA), Hill Country Youth Orchestras (HCYO) and several other local groups on both violin and oboe.
In 2013, Kate accepted a Full Ride Presidential Scholarship to Berklee College of Music in Boston, MA. While in Boston, Kate was performing in venues like the Boston Opera House, Boston Symphony Hall and alongside a diverse group of artists including Dream Theater, Nobuo Uematsu, members of the Boston Ballet and Boston Symphony Orchestra. Kate completed her Bachelor’s Degree by graduating Magna Cum Laude in 2017.
Since her time at Berklee, Kate has worked in the music business in a variety of management and marketing roles such as an International Booking Agent for a boutique jazz agency in Europe, Festival Producer for the Panama Jazz Festival and Event Production Manager for her alma mater. She has spent the last few years back in the heat of Texas summers performing violin for weddings, corporate events, and more with Cello Vida, as well as her own solo gigs. Kate is excited to call Austin her new home and continue working with many amazing students on both violin and viola.
Haley Dietz
Haley Dietz
hdietz1215@gmail.com
Haley Dietz, a native of State College, PA, is a classically trained violinist whose passions include both teaching and performing. Haley began studying the violin at age 5 after seeing another little girl playing violin on Sesame Street. She studied with Irina Muresanu at the University of Maryland and then William Fedkenheuer at the University of Texas. Haley has a passion for teaching and has taught both private lessons and in sectional settings. She held positions with Austin Soundwaves and Westlake High School and currently maintains her own private studio. Haley strives to create a learning environment that is both structured and engaging and believes that personal betterment is equally as important as musical achievement. Haley’s ultimate goal in her teaching is to instill a lifelong love of music in her students.
Rebecca Cherry
Rebecca Cherry
To inquire about lessons and more information, please contact me at
info@redrabbitmusicstudio.com. Or, visit my teaching website
https://www.redrabbitmusicstudio.com
I’m Rebecca Cherry — a professional violinist, recording artist, and passionate educator dedicated to inspiring the next generation of musicians. I’ve recently moved to Austin after over 20 years living in New York City.
I began violin at age three through the Suzuki Method, a philosophy I still incorporate into every lesson: developing strong ears, memory, and joyful musicality from the very beginning. Paired with a disciplined focus on scales, arpeggios, and etudes, my students build the foundation to grow as expressive, confident players. My formal training began at The Vancouver Academy of Music in Canada, where I studied with Gwen Thompson. I went on to earn my Bachelor of Music and Graduate Performance Diploma from the Peabody Conservatory, where I studied under Herbert Greenberg, former Concertmaster of the Baltimore Symphony. My lineage connects directly to great violin masters — Greenberg was a student of Joseph Gingold, Henryk Szeryng, and Jascha Heifetz. I’ve also worked with legends like Joseph Silverstein, Pinchas Zukerman, and Andrés Cárdenes through masterclasses and private study. I’ve taught violin for over two decades — from age 3 to adult, beginner to advanced — and specialize in helping middle and high school students develop through tailored private lessons, performance prep, and competition or audition coaching. I also founded Red Rabbit School of Music, a NYC-based strings and woodwinds program offering lessons and group classes in private and public schools.
My performance career includes solo and orchestral appearances with the London Philharmonic, Bergen Philharmonic, Oslo Chamber Orchestra, New York Pops, Vancouver Symphony, and Baltimore Symphony, on stages like Carnegie Hall, Vienna’s Musikverein, and Avery Fisher Hall. I’ve recorded and performed with artists like Adele, The Jonas Brothers, Beyonce, Taylor Swift, Miley Cyrus, The Roots, Jay-Z, and Chris Martin, with TV appearances on The Grammys, SNL, MTV Unplugged, and Jimmy Fallon. I’ve also been featured in Forbes Magazine and received a Clio Award for my original work in film and
television.
Above all, I believe every student has a unique musical voice — and my mission is to help them discover it with confidence, creativity, and joy. Let’s begin the journey together!
Mariam Hembrook
Mariam Hembrook
https://violinlessonsaustin.weebly.com
mkosashvili@hotmail.com (512) 739-7445
Mariam Hembrook was born in the country of Georgia where she begun to study the best traditions of the strong Russian violin school at the age of 6. She got her Master Degree in Violin Performance from the University of Texas in Austin and during her course of study she has participated in many festivals and master courses such as Saluzzo, Viana do Castelo and Heifetz International festival among others.
She has lived, performed and taught violin all over the world, including USA, Germany, Italy and Thailand where she was a professor at the local University’s Music College. She has also performed a leading role in a Vortex Theater production of a modern opera “The Music of Erica Zahn” which has got great reviews and was later produced into a short film. Mariam lives and teaches in Austin where she regularly performs with the Austin Symphony Orchestra, Austin Opera, Ballet Austin, Chorus Austin, Conspirare, collaborates with local artists such as Graham Reynolds and others, plays with several chamber ensembles and does solo concerts.
She teaches all ages and levels and has a very high success rate in getting students into All-Region and other orchestras. She would like to welcome new students to share her knowledge and love of music. Mariam is a true believer in Ludwig van Beethoven’s words: "Music is a higher revelation than all wisdom and philosophy.”
Isaac Fuentes
Isaac Fuentes
Viola Specialist
Isaac Fuentes is a violist and educator in Austin, Texas. He graduated with honors from the University of Texas at Austin Butler School of Music. While at UT, he studied viola with Roger Myers, chamber music under the Miró quartet, performed new music with the UT New Music ensemble, and frequently held the position of principal viola with the UT Symphony Orchestra. Isaac has attended several competitive music festivals, including the Immanuel and Helen Olshan Texas Music Festival and the Round Top Festival Institute where he received numerous distinctions and special opportunities. Isaac continues to perform around the Austin area today, with an upcoming solo performance in collaboration with the UT Experimental and Electronic Music Studio.
Isaac was born in San Antonio, Texas. He began playing the viola at age 9 through his school’s strings program and quickly fell in love with the instrument. His love of music continues today, and he aspires to continue sharing the gift of music through performance and education. Outside of teaching and performing, Isaac enjoys composing, songwriting, watching movies, and designing clothes.
Leah Nelson
Leah Nelson
Viola Specialist
Contact:
leahceleste@gmail.com
Leah Nelson is a dynamic violist, sought-after educator, and arts leader based in Austin, Texas. With a career spanning over two decades, she has built a multifaceted practice as a performer, chamber coach, nonprofit director, and advocate for youth music education.
She earned her Master of Music in Viola Performance from the University of Southern California and her Bachelor’s degree from the University of Texas at Austin. As an orchestral player, Leah has performed with the Austin Symphony Orchestra, Austin Opera, New West Symphony, and the American Youth Symphony, with whom she toured to Carnegie Hall and Walt Disney Concert Hall.
An active chamber musician, Leah was a founding member of the Felix and Left Coast String Quartets and has performed on numerous concert series across Texas with classical artists in both established ensembles and project-based settings.
Leah has shared the stage with artists across a wide range of genres, including Yo-Yo Ma, Andrea Bocelli, and the Trans-Siberian Orchestra. She has recorded for film, television, and studio albums, appearing on the soundtracks to the films Bernie and Loving, as well as projects with Austin-based composers and bands such as Black Pumas, Devotchka, Yellowcard, and Nori.
Leah served as both Executive Director and Director of Education for Salon Concerts, where she led the CHAMPS (Chamber Music in Public Schools) program, bringing weekly coaching and performance opportunities to students across the Austin area. She maintains a vibrant private studio and is committed to helping young violists grow with strong fundamentals, artistic expression, and confidence in their musical voice.
Cello
Cello
Emily Montoya
Emily Montoya
Contact:
Emily Montoya is an experienced chamber player and orchestral musician, having served in the sections of multiple professional orchestras, including the Central Wisconsin Symphony Orchestra, the Central Texas Philharmonic, and as the principal cellist of the Texas State University Symphony Orchestra. In Austin, Emily is in demand as a private teacher and recording artist of multiple genres, from jazz to metal music. In her teaching she incorporates movement-based pedagogy and kinesthetics, and believes in fostering strong communication, anti-anxiety, and critical thinking skills in her students. Emily received her Master’s Degree in Cello Performance and Pedagogy from Texas State University, and also holds two Bachelor’s degrees in Music and English from the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point.
Melissa Solomon
Melissa Solomon
Contact:
CelloMelissa@gmail.com 213-254-7388
Born in Johannesburg, South Africa, Melissa Solomon grew up in a family of professional musicians, sparking her passion for performance and teaching. She earned a full scholarship to study at Interlochen Arts Academy in Michigan and later received another full scholarship to the Juilliard School in New York City, where she studied cello with Timothy Eddy and chamber music with other renowned musicians.
Melissa believes music can inspire, transform, and connect people, driving her dedication to the art of teaching. She is passionate about awakening the joy of creative expression in each student, understanding their unique strengths and learning styles, and imparting essential life skills through cello lessons. Her teaching style emphasizes musicality and technical skills through positive reinforcement, confidence-boosting activities, and inspiring a love for music.
A fully trained and registered Suzuki teacher, Melissa has been a member of the Suzuki Association of the Americas since 2005. She has performed chamber music across the United States, Europe, and South Africa, with notable appearances in New York, London, Florence, Edinburgh, and Cape Town, including a solo recital at Lincoln Center and leading the Juilliard Symphony celli at Carnegie Hall. In Pasadena, California, she established the Melissa Solomon Cello Studio, founded the cello program at Suzuki Talent Education of Pasadena, and created Project C.E.L.L.O.
Melissa's commitment to professional development is evident in her faculty roles at prestigious programs like the Alaska Cello Intensive, National Cello Institute at Pomona College, Lone Star Young Artists Program, Colorado Suzuki Institute, DFW WOW Suzuki Institute, Intermountain Suzuki String Institute, Chicago Music Institute, Suzuki Strings by the Bay, Nevada School of the Arts Summer Strings Camp, and Greater Austin Suzuki Institute. She also regularly teaches workshops and master classes throughout Texas.
Now residing in South Austin, she teaches private lessons, directs her South Austin Cello Choir, and coaches chamber music. Outside of music, she enjoys writing, wood-carving, drawing, traveling, hiking, and camping with her partner and their two children, ages 13 and 11, along with their two dogs. She cherishes time with family and friends, engaging in thoughtful discussions, playing games, and sharing laughter.
Bass
Bass
Phil Spencer
Phil Spencer
spen2705@yahoo.com
Phil Spencer is a professional freelance bassist living in Austin. He received his bachelor's degree in classical music performance from the University of Northern Colorado in 2006. He has 20 years of experience teaching private lessons, and for the past 8 years, Phil has been working full time as a for hire rhythm section mercenary, performing and recording music in Austin and around the United States in styles ranging from country, swing, and rock and roll, to jazz, tango, classical, and world music.
George Fahlund
George Fahlund
Email: geo.fahlund73@gmail.com
George Fahlund is the current professor of double bass at the University of the Incarnate Word. He is an alumnus of The University of Texas at Austin, where he studied lower strings and string pedagogy with Dr. David Neubert and Mrs. Phyllis Young. Professor Fahlund is the director of the Texas Hill Country Bass Collective. He is an active musician, performing with the San Antonio Philharmonic, SA Harmonie, The Dallas Opera, the Mid-Texas Symphony, the Central Texas Philharmonic, Zachary Scott Theatre, Austin Playhouse, and Zilker Theatre Productions.
In addition to his performance career, Professor Fahlund has over thirty years of experience as a music educator. He has worked with numerous young musicians in primary and secondary schools and at the collegiate and semi-professional levels. His students consistently received top chairs and superior ratings at TMEA and UIL-sanctioned events, and he has trained close to seventy young bassists to become TMEA All-State performers, with twenty of them achieving the first chair/principal position in their ensembles.
Professor Fahlund has also been a featured lecturer at the Texas Music Educators Association, Texas Orchestra Directors Association, and International Society of Bassists conventions. He is a proud member of several organizations, including the International Society of Bassists, the American String Teachers Association, the Texas Music Educators Association, and the American Federation of Musicians, Local 23.
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