Meet our Teachers
Administration
Ms. Monica Flores
Owner & Founder, First Notes, Kinder Prep, Piano, Voice
Hi! My name is Ms. Monica Flores and I am the owner of Music Tree. I would like to personally welcome you to Music Tree. It is my desire that you experience a fruitful Music education here. We provide private lessons in a variety of different instruments.
I started my music school in April of 2014 with the hopes that I could bring to the community a place where people could have the seed of music planted in them, and that it could grow deep roots and create an everlasting love for music. It has been more than a dream come true to be able to offer you lessons from twelve different teachers that create a nurturing environment for you to grow into the best musical version of you! I invite you to sign up for a demo lesson in the instrument of your choice and start your fruitful Music journey today!
I look forward to seeing you in your first lesson!
Galatians 5:22
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness...
Ms. Steffanie Altig
School Director, Beauty of Broadway, First Notes, Piano, Parent and Me Preschool, Voice
Steffanie Altig is a voice and piano teacher from San Diego, CA. Growing up, she learned music mostly by singing in her church’s kid’s choir and adult choir. Steffanie graduated from California Baptist University in Riverside, CA in 2012 with a Bachelor of Music: Vocal Performance Degree, and again in 2014 with a Master of Music: Vocal Performance Degree.
Steffanie has been teaching voice and piano all over Southern California for 10 years. At Music Tree, she is currently serving as the Program Director, and teaches beginning to advanced voice and beginning to intermediate piano. She has been teaching at Music Tree for over five years and loves watching her students’ growth as they work to master their craft.
Steffanie’s past performing experience includes Suor Angelica, H.M.S Pinafore, and Amahl and the Night Visitors with the Riverside Lyric Opera and Gianni Schicci, Carmen, and Pirates of Pinafore with the Utah Vocal Arts Academy in Provo, Utah.
Music
Mr. Adam Gomez
Guitar, Music Production, Piano
Adam Gomez is a piano, guitar, and audio engineering instructor at Music Tree. He graduated from Citrus College with an A.S. in Social Behavior Science and an A.A. in Recording Technology. in May of 2019, Adam completed his Bachelor’s Degree in Music Industry Studies at Cal Poly Pomona. When he is not teaching students at Music Tree, he works as an Audio Engineer at a recording studio in L.A., or producing and writing his own music.
Ms. Pilar Gomez
Piano, Voice
Maria Del Pilar is a musician who originates from Colombia where she first studied Vocal Performance at the Conservatory of Antioquia University and earned a Master of Music in Vocal Performance from Azusa Pacific University. She performed extensively throughout her country in solo performances and numerous opera productions as well as oratorios.
In the present, Ms. Pilar is partnered with composer and pianist Dr. Edward David Zeliff in Opus 2, a duo dedicated to the creation, discovery and performance of original and exotic repertoire from a variety of genres and styles of music. She also has been a member of the vocal/instrumental-performing group Musica Anima since its inception. In addition to her distinctions as a performer, Maria Del Pilar has extensive experience as a vocal instructor. In Colombia, she started teaching beginning voice for singers and actors at the Conservatory of Antioquia University. She then became the Vocal Assistant for her vocal instructor, teaching beginning and intermediate voice. After she completed her Bachelor of Music in Vocal
Performance, the Cali Conservatory and Escuela Popular de Arte of Colombia offered her a full time position teaching voice. There she taught beginning, intermediate and advance students. After moving to Southern California, Ms. Pilar began teaching voice and beginning piano at Music Maker School in Anaheim Hills, expanding her activity to include the Yamaha Music School, Musika Lessons, Music Tree and her own private music studio. She also provides vocal training and musical direction for the choir at First Thai Presbyterian Church in USA, in Covina, California.
Ms. Lexi Ho King Chan
Piano
Lexi Ho King Chan started playing piano at age 3 and fell in love with music since then. She originates from Hong Kong, where she received her Master of Arts in Music at Hong Kong Baptist University. By adopting different teaching pedagogies, she is passionate and able to teach in different styles for students of all ages and needs. She is especially patient with young learners, as she has worked with many young children in the past years, including music play groups in Orff music centers. In addition, she strives to foster learners' interest in music, while creating a fun and dynamic learning environment. Lexi has prior experience in performing piano in professional settings, namely wedding parties and cocktail events. In her leisure time, she enjoys transcribing various kinds of music into piano arrangement. She can speak fluent English, Cantonese and Mandarin Chinese.
Mr. Marc Closa
Audio Engineering, Drums, Piano, Songwriting
Marc Lawrence Closa is a producer, song writer, and DJ from Chino CA. With a recording certification from Fullerton College, Marc has gained a wide knowledge of music production and recording with over 10 years of experience. Marc was also a percussion and drum instructor for Troy High School in Fullerton for 2 years coaching the marching band drumline and percussion ensembles. Marc also has experience in being an artist and releasing music. Breaking into the scene in 2013 with his first releases with Plasmapool Records, his diverse style of productions has led him to become a multi genre musician and songwriter. Marc has had tracks in the dubstep top 100 as well as support from Ultra Music Festival, Mitis, and many more. Now releasing under Blanco Y Negro Music, Marc is broadening his horizons releasing different styles of music in Pop, Hip Hop, Latin, and R&B. Marc has experience in shaping a career into music as an artist and producer.
Mr. Chen Chu
Violin, Viola, Cello
Chen is a music teacher, violinist/violist, and conductor with over 20 years of experience. While attending New York University (NYU), he majored in music education and studied with Mark Steinberg of the Brentano String Quartet. As a firm believer that music changes lives, Chen thinks private lessons is the best way to establishing a solid foundation on which one can further pursue great music making, be it in a solo or group setting. Learning a musical instrument can definitely be a challenge, however, Chen has developed a knack for turns it into a fun experience that is rewarding for both teacher and student. As a teacher, he has conducted several youth orchestras in NYC and LA. A sought after chamber music coach, he also maintains a private studio of violin, viola, and cello students. As a performer, he has played at Carnegie Hall, Avery Fisher Hall, and Alice Tully Hall on many occasions with world renowned artists including Lukas Foss, Leon Botstein, Quincy Jones, Peter Serkin, Michael Kamen, Clark Terry, David Sanborn, Shawn Stockman, and Richard Drefuss. In his spare time, he enjoys cooking and traveling with his wife and daughter.
Dance
Mrs. Lindsey Humphreys
Dance Director, Acting for Stage, Ballet, Broadway, Hip Hop, Tap, Tiny Tot Dance
Lindsey Humphreys graduated from University of Riverside with her degree in Dance. Prior to UCR, she received her Associate’s Degree in Musical Theatre, Music, and Dance from Citrus College. At Citrus, she was a member of the Women’s Ensemble for 2 years, and she has danced and choreographed for the Citrus College Dance Company. Ms. Lindsey is also a dance instructor at Eisenhower High School in Rialto, where she attended school and was a member of the advanced show choir and dance team. Lindsey’s past performance experiences include musicals such as Shrek, You’re a Good Man Charlie Brown, Seussical, and The Producers with The Rialto Players. She seeks to become a dance instructor and choreographer.
Acting
Mrs. Linda Figueroa-Haskins
Beauty of Broadway
Mrs. Linda Figueroa-Haskins is an educator in English and Theater. She received her B.A. in English from UC Berkeley and later received her M.A. in English from Cal Poly Pomona. She is the director of Music Tree’s Beauty of Broadway musical theatre program.
Preschool
Ms. Ka’ala Pacheco
First Notes, Music in Motion, Parent and Me Preschool
Ms. Ka’ala grew up loving music from a young age, and she is so happy to share her passion with children of all ages! She is originally from Honolulu, HI and loves sharing the aloha spirit in Southern California. While in Hawai’i, she was a member of the Kamehameha Schools Concert Glee Club, Orchestra, and Dance Company. Through these organizations, Ka’ala has toured and participated in festivals around the world. While attending Cal Poly Pomona, Ka’ala was a member of the Philharmonic Orchestra as a violinist. She also performed in university theatre productions with the Theatre Department, Music Department, and the Women’s Resource Center. When she is not at Music Tree, Ka’ala performs in community theatre, runs a YouTube channel, and produces original music.