About Us

Raya Leavitt Blackburn

Owner and Director

Raya has a Bachelor of Music from BYU in Elementary Music Education with a vocal emphasis, a Master of Education Degree from ASU in Curriculum and Instruction & Early Childhood Education, and an Educational Administration license from SUU. Raya oversees all of the amazing teachers here at Raya Grace, writes the curricula, and does the admin work. She has taught elementary school in Utah for 20+ years, including K-6 music and 10 years of kindergarten. She opened Leavitt Music Studios in 2005 and changed the name to Raya Grace in 2012. That same year, Raya created the Sound Beginnings curriculum for a company called Let's Play Music and trained the first 100 teachers. A year later, she created Music Preschool for her 4-year-old daughter. Raya loves creating curricula and supporting and mentoring music teachers who love the joy of teaching children music. Raya would love to hear from you! 

Contact Raya at raya@rayagrace.com.

Cheri Henricksen

Music Preschool Teacher

Cheri has an abundance of teaching and early childhood experience. She has been teaching preschool at Raya Grace since 2016! Before that, she worked with young children in many different capacities including preschool and daycare, and as a kindergarten aide in Raya's classroom at Provost Elementary School! They love working together! Cheri is a fun, loving, and skillful teacher! Parents sing her praises every year and the students love her! She has a beautiful, clear singing voice and loves music and children. Her students' recitals are amazing and she loves teaching students reading, writing, science, art and social skills!

Cheri is a local who grew up in the area, married her high school sweetheart, and is an amazing mother of four children. As a mom, she has experience with homeschooling, as well as public and hybrid schools. She is currently working on a Bachelor's Degree in Family Studies! 

The Music Preschool students are so lucky to have such a fun, energetic and experienced teacher!

Macy Badger

Voice and Piano Teacher

Macy is a bold vocalist and teacher with a wide range of expertise in multiple genres including: Soul, Pop, Country, Musical Theater, Rock, Opera, and Jazz. She prides herself on teaching methods such as the Margolis Method that helps create an emotional impact for her students and assists them in telling a compelling story through song. For the past four years, Macy has studied at Snow College Horne School of Music and obtained a bachelor's degree in Commercial Music as a Vocal Performance Major. She has participated in many ensembles including: Spotlight Acappella Group, Snow College Operas, Cadence Chamber Choir, Snow Musical Theater showcases and CME rock bands. Her goal is to make music and the art of singing accessible to every student and to help each student discover and appreciate their own unique voice.

Alyssa Gale

Piano Teacher

Alyssa Gale is a talented pianist and teacher who embraces the Raya Grace philosophies of making music fun and meeting students where they are. She teaches Piano Beginnings, Music Beginnings, and private piano lessons. 

Alyssa finds great joy in creating, listening to, and sharing music with others. With over 13 years of piano experience, including recitals, competitions, and awards like a superior rating from the Encore Music Association, she feels a strong desire to share what she has learned. Alyssa believes music enriches life by offering a way to explore and express emotion, experience the power of work and dedication, and have fun! 

Alyssa is currently studying Elementary Education at BYU. She finds teaching both meaningful and exciting and loves guiding students as they make new discoveries and develop their skills. 

Alyssa also enjoys hiking in the mountains with her husband, playing games and sports with friends and family, and curling up with a good book or movie on a rainy day.

Heidi Burnard

Piano Teacher

Heidi’s musical career began the day her great-grandmother gifted a piano to her family and she began lessons with a local teacher in Washington State. She quickly discovered that music has the power to transform any moment into something extraordinary. 

Almost immediately she knew she wanted to share this joy with others who felt the same and were willing to put in the time to practice and improve their skills. She has been teaching, accompanying and performing since high school and earned a Bachelor's Degree in Piano Pedagogy from BYU. Heidi loves working one-on-one with students of all ages and abilities, encouraging them to develop good practice habits and the technical skills they need to bring the pieces they learn to life, with musicality and confidence. She is currently enrolled in the Peery Piano Academy to further her skills as a teacher.

Heidi homeschooled her 6 children and has taught classes in the homeschool community for many years. She loves teaching, literature, classic films, all things German, accompanying, travel, and is also a personal color analyst. In all of those things, it’s connecting with people and building meaningful connections that matters most.  

Arthur Da Silva

Beginning Guitar and Ukulele Teacher

With 14+ years of experience immersed in the live music scene, Arthur Da Silva brings a wealth of real-world knowledge to every lesson. His journey has taken him through a diverse range of bands, genres, and stages, giving him a deep, practical understanding of how music connects and communicates.

More than just an instructor, Arthur is a passionate mentor whose greatest joy is helping students unlock their unique voice through music. His teaching style is defined by a genuine kindness, an infectious upbeat energy that makes learning fun, and a strong sense of responsibility to each student's progress and goals.

Carson Dayley

Intermediate and Advanced Guitar Teacher

Carson has been playing guitar since he was 13 and loves it! He plays many instruments including guitar, ukulele, bass, and drums, and has become very interested in writing and recording his own music. He also loves to perform at local venues. Carson is currently studying audio engineering at UVU and working part-time at a school for kids with autism. He grew up in Washington, served a mission, is married, and has one child. Carson enjoys teaching students of all ages and skill levels.