Virtuosic performers and highly trained educators!
Dr. Wenjing Liu-Hallberg, Music Director/Piano
Piano Faculty at Orange County School of the Arts (OCSA)
Wenjing Liu, a solo performer and chamber musician, has intensely performed throughout the United States, China, and Italy. A scope of her concert engagement expands from prestigious professional concert venues, such as Carnegie Hall, and Steinway Hall, to major academic institute worldwide, such as University of Southern California, California State University-Fullerton, and the University of Tennessee as a guest artist. She performed in various music festivals including Amalfi Coast Music Festival (Italy) and Schlern Music Festival (Italy). A solo pianist of national and international acclaim, Liu is a price winner of multiple competitions. Such as American Protégé International Competition in New York City, Asia Teenager Piano Competition in China, American Piano Competition of Yantai China. As a chamber musician, she performed in various groups and venues including Carnegie Hall in New York City and Vá˝…ls Town Hall in Italy. She started to collaborate with saxophonist John Hallberg since 2014, and the duo frequently appears in major concert halls and institutes in United States and China. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Piano Performance from Shandong University in China, a Master of Music in Piano Performance from Illinois State University, and a Doctor of Musical Arts from University of Iowa.
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Dr. John Hallberg, Artistic Advisor/Saxophone
Faculty at California State University-Fullerton
Orange County School of the Arts (OCSA)
Colburn School, Los Angeles
John Hallberg a native of Southern California, is a saxophone performer and educator currently based in Southern California. He has performed across the United States, Europe, and Asia in venues such as Weill Recital Hall of Carnegie Hall, Segerstrom Hall, Mozart Concert Hall of Zuhai, McCormick Place, Bovard Auditorium, and at numerous university campuses around the world. He has performed under the batons of notable conductors such as H. Robert Reynolds, Frank Battisti, Ray Cramer, Carl St. Clair, Larry Rachleff, Richard Heidel, and John Carnahan.
John is currently on faculty at California State University-Fullerton, The Colburn School, and the Orange County School of the Arts. Additionally, he has previously taught applied saxophone at the University of Southern California. Many of his students have gone on to successfully audition into leading undergraduate, graduate, and teaching credential programs, as well as have gone on to successfully compete in North American Saxophone Alliance (NASA) solo and chamber music competitions, Music Teachers National Association (MTNA) solo and chamber music competitions, and multiple California honor bands.
He is a frequent participant at saxophone festivals and music conventions. He regularly attends NASA conferences, World Saxophone Conferences, and is often invited as a guest artist to various saxophone events to teach and perform. During his time in Southern California, he can often be seen giving clinics, recitals, and concerts locally.
He has received accolades in a number of chamber and solo competitions, including MTNA and NASA competitions, The 6th International Adolphe Sax Saxophone Competition, and the 2014 American Protege International Woodwind and Brass Competition, where he received first prize.
John received a Doctor of Musical Arts in Saxophone Performance with minors in Music Theory and Analysis, Music Technology, and Jazz Studies from the University of Southern California. He also holds a Master of Arts degree from The University of Iowa, and a Bachelor of Music degree from The Bob Cole Conservatory of Music at California State University-Long Beach. In his free time, John enjoys cooking, playing chess, and spending time with his wife and two children.
John is a Yamaha Performing Artist and plays on Yamaha Saxophones exclusively.
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Ms. Hanah Charbonneau, Piano
A sought after teacher, performer, and collaborator based in the Los Angeles area, Hanah Charbonneau completed undergraduate and graduate studies at Arizona State University. She is a prize winner of the ASU Concert of Soloists and Chamber Concerto competitions, the Edward Auer Piano Workshop Solo Competition and appeared as a soloist with the renowned chamber group, I Solisti di Perugia in Italy. In addition, she was the competition coordinator recently coached actors in mimicking piano playing for their roles with Amazon Films/Blumhouse Production’s upcoming film. Hanah frequently performs with duo partner, saxophonist Christopher Charbonneau. Duo Charbonneau has most recently toured and performed in venues across the United States, France, and Germany.
Ms. Lena Kim, Piano
Lena Kim, a collaborative pianist, holds Master of Music in Piano Performance at USC Thronton School of Music, where she was awarded the Gwendolyn Koldofsky Scholarship and the Dean’s Scholarship in Keyboard Collaborative Arts. She also received her BM in piano performance in Chonnam National University in South Korea.
She has been teaching and performing in many studios, concerts, master classes and churches. She currently serves as faculty accompanist at Fullerton College, where she has gained much experience playing in various musical genres: classical, pop, jazz, gospel, opera and musical theater.
She looks forward to sharing her musical knowledge with students in North Orange County Conservatory of Music.
Ms. Esther Jang, Piano/Jazz/Violin
Esther Bora Jang is an experienced musician who started playing piano and violin at the young age of five years old.At her youth, she was trained as a musician in South Korea. She has various performance experiences for piano and violin; the first violin at the youth orchestra, attended several classical piano concours in South Korea and community service events and gigs such as churches, hospitals, and Christmas festivals. She started teaching music at her college in Korea and continued her music career after she moved to San Diego.
Esther Bora Jang is good at communicating with students and helping students to get what they want and need from the music. She held a teaching position for piano and violin at San Diego Mesa College, so she is flexible at a wide range of ages for her students, pre-schoolers to adults, and she coordinates lesson plans based on what students need.
Ms. Ashley Shahbazi, Piano
A native of Southern California, Ashley has placed in competitions and festivals through the Music Teachers’ Association of California and the California Association of Professional Music Teachers, including 1st place in her district’s CAPMT Contemporary Competition (2019), gold medal in the MTAC Orange County Branch Honors Classical Theme Competition (2018 & 2014), and 2nd place in the MTAC Concerto Competition (2016). Ashley was a recipient of the Keyboard Foundation scholarship at the Bob Cole Conservatory of Music and served as Vice President for the collegiate chapter of the Music Teachers National Association at CSULB. In 2023, Ashley was awarded the Piano and Organ Area Award at the Cal State Fullerton School of Music Convocation.
Ashley offers a patient and comfortable environment for students to thrive while they learn valuable skills handed down from years of experience and conservatory education. Ashley is a member of the MTAC Orange County Branch, and offers Certificate of Merit testing to students. She enjoys seeing her students make strides in their abilities while also developing a love for piano. As Ashley is a lifelong student herself, she provides a unique student-teacher relationship to bring the best out of each student through a love and appreciation for the craft.
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Ms. Joowon Lee, Piano
Ms. Joowon received a Bachelor Degree in piano in Seoul, South Korea and Master Degree in Music History in Long Island University, New York. She has been in piano education field for over 25 years. She involves with MTAC CM program and other local music competitions frequently.
Ms. Yuko Yamaoka , Piano
Yuko Yamaoka is a dedicated piano instructor with over 25 years of experience in nurturing musical talent. Her lifelong journey with the piano began at the age of 3, and it has since become her passion and calling.
Yuko's pursuit of excellence led her to Toho Gakuen School of Music in Tokyo, where she honed her skills and immersed herself in piano performance, earning her Bachelor of Performance degree in 1994. She then crossed continents to further her education at the New England Conservatory of Music in Boston, studying with recording artist, Gabriel Chodos and earning her master's degree in 1998
While Yuko's own piano performance was her early focus, teaching soon became an even more passionate endeavor. The moment she saw the students' joy after their performances, and the pride of their families, she understood the power of teaching. Since that pivotal realization, Yuko has dedicated herself to enriching the lives of countless students through music education.
With each passing year, Yuko's commitment to her craft has only deepened. She consistently seeks to enhance her skills and knowledge, ensuring that her teaching methods are as dynamic as the music she imparts. Her students not only learn the technicalities of piano performance but also experience the transformative power of self-expression and determination through music.
As a piano instructor, Yuko Yamaoka's legacy can be heard in the performance of the students who continue to perform and enjoy music beyond the practice room. Her dedication to the art of teaching and the joy of music continues to inspire new generations of pianists.
Ms. Michelle Ling-Yu Chiang , Piano
Michelle Chiang graduated from Tunghai University with Bachelor of Arts Degree in Taiwan. She studied with Lily Chang and Dr. Juanelva Rose
She is a member of MTAC. Students have been received outstanding results & performed in branch & MTAC convention recitals. Students have been winners in Bach Festival, and several competitions. She has over 35 years of teaching experience. Lessons emphasize technique, sight reading, theory & musical performance. CM evaluation, festivals, competitions opportunities are available to students.
Ms. Jinny Im, Cello
Originally from Seoul, South Korea, Jinny Im began learning music at the age of four. She studied piano and violin, influenced by her mother, who had studied piano in college. Attending music concerts rekindled her passion for music at 18, leading her to start studying the cello professionally. She joined Anyang Arts High School to develop her skills as a musician and continued her education at Hansei University, School of Music, in South Korea. In her junior year of college, she moved to the United States to embark on a fresh musical journey. She attended Fullerton College before transferring to California State University, Fullerton, where she received a full two-year scholarship during her study in California State University Fullerton under Professor Bongshin Ko.
Mr. AJ Stevens, Voice
AJ has had many other performing experiences such as dancing in the Disneyland Resort parades, performing in musicals including Rent, Into the Woods, and Fiddler on the Roof, and singing with WestBeat a cappella group. He loves to document his teaching and performing through his social media presence on TikTok and Instagram.
Ms. Susan Hafner , Flute
Susan Hafner has a Bachelor of Music degree in flute performance and a Master of Arts in Christian Education from Biola University. Susan has attended the Galway Flute Festival in Weggis, Switzerland where she studied under many international flutists and piccoloists. She continues to learn from many of these artists through various Masterclasses. She has performed with various ensembles throughout Orange County. Susan is the founder and director of Monarch Flutes which was established in 2020. Prior to 2020, she was principal flute and piccolo with the Placentia Symphonic Band which performed regularly in the Richard Nixon Presidential Library East Room. She has also been a member of Laguna Flutes. Susan is a member of the National Flute Association and Southern California School Band & Camp Orchestra Association.
In addition to her growing private studio, Susan is an applied flute instructor at Golden West College and a flute coach with various award-winning High School bands. She has created flute workshops for elementary to high-school students and enjoys working with students of all ages. Susan brings her knowledge of child development, learning styles, and anatomy and physiology to her teaching and provides the learning opportunities needed to achieve musical excellence. She evaluates why a flute or piano student may be struggling with a certain skill and helps them overcome and then develop a solid musical foundation.
She helps her students prepare for Honor Band and University auditions. She looks forward to helping students of the North Orange County Conservatory of Music achieve their musical goals.
Colin Ward, Flute/Saxophone/Clarinet
Saxophonist Colin Ward has performed with groups such as La Mirada Symphony, Bob Cole Wind Symphony, CSUF Wind Symphony, and the Fullerton Jazz Orchestra. Colin also serves as a woodwind/music instructor at California High School and Alvarado Intermediate. He received his BM in Music Performance at CSU Long Beach and is currently finishing his Master of Music at CSU Fullerton. As an advocate for music and art in the K-12 public schools, Colin enriches the next generation in a strong understanding of the arts.
Kengo Fukunaga, Guitar
Kengo has been playing guitar for much of his childhood before seriously pursuing the art of Jazz at CSUF where he earned a Master degree in Jazz and Commercial music. He specializes in Jazz but has experience playing anything from rock to r&b to hip hop.
When teaching he takes a very hands on and intuitive approach, supplying his students with the tools and skills needed to effectively analyze music and understand the workings of scales, chords and rhythms to be able to create as well as to be able to adapt and to play along with any style of music.
He currently dedicates much of his time to teaching and sharing his love for music, always looking for new and better ways to communicate the complexities of guitar playing in simple and digestible ways. When he is not teaching he spends time playing jazz with his trio or producing music.
Mrs. Bobbi Pappas, Piano, Emerita
Bobbi Pappas holds an MFA degree in performance from CSU Los Angeles and a BS degree in Music Education and performance from MSU North Dakota where she studied under Mary Elizabeth Bradley. While there, she served as staff accompanist, recitalist and was awarded the Outstanding Senior Musician Scholarship.
Bobbi started playing piano at the age of four and by six she was singing, playing piano and organ or keyboard in Church. By thirteen she started thriving piano teaching practice as well. This led to her directing choirs and instrumental groups of all ages, as well as directing Community Chorales. She has been a recitalist throughout the states and has served as a consultant for pipe organ rebuilds.
She has experience in teaching music at all levels: pre-school through high school, and classes at the University of Iowa. Her approach to teaching is creative and welcoming as she loves developing curriculum, composing music for her students, and helping them to write their own music. For over ten years as the owner (and instructor) of a vibrant Yamaha School (over 300 students), she was able to work with very young students as well as adults.
Since moving to Orange County a few years ago, she taught at a private Catholic School and has built up her piano teaching practice. Her teaching is known for being a place where students experience a positive motivating atmosphere. Her goal is to help each student develop their own potential and to love music. Students are given opportunities for challenges, such as yearly evaluation in Certificate of Merit or STEP. Her students consistently score high and are given ample opportunities for performing in recitals as well as in Festivals and Contests. She currently serves as Secretary of the Orange County North Branch of the Music Teachers Association of California.