Aaron Yoshida
aaron@wagnersmusic.com
Aaron Yoshida was born and raised on the island of Oahu and recently received his B.A. in Music from Point Loma Nazarene University. Having grown up in Hawai’i Aaron carries that spirit of Aloha where ever he goes, including the classroom. He has been teaching music for over four years and currently leads worship at Las Flores Church in Carlsbad. Aaron’s love for music has inspired him to play many instruments including the cello and the drums. He is passionate about helping his students discover their own love for music and the piano.
Listen to Aaron’s original music on SPOTIFY!
Bella Draney
bella@wagnersmusic.com
Bella comes from a musical family and has been studying and playing piano since the age of 5. Growing up in church, she learned to play and sing with worship teams from a young age and led her first congregation at the age of 17. Her love for worship and music brought her to Point Loma Nazarene University, where she studied music and led chapel worship. She graduated with a music minor in 2023 and now teaches piano full time and serves as the young adults and college worship leader at All People’s Church. In addition to piano, she has experience with voice, percussion, guitar, and hopes to soon add bass guitar to the list! Bella teaches with a passion to give the next generation the same opportunities that music brought her. She brings lots of energy and laughter to the classroom while aiming to help students become the best musicians they can be.
BRETT WAGNER
Prior to graduating from the prestigious Musician's Institute in Hollywood, California, Brett, who is a San Diego Native, studied piano and music education at San Diego State University. In addition to having played piano for over 20 years and teaching private and group piano for over a decade, Brett is a highly skilled multi-instrumentalist who has composed music for film and television and also played with numerous local and internationally known bands. Brett's extensive experience teaching children in a group setting as well as his incredible talent as a performer has proven to inspire a love of music and piano in his students.
Carter Taylor
carter@wagnersmusic.com
Carter Taylor was born in Upland CA, and has received his B.A. in music from Point Loma Nazarene University. He comes from a very musical family full of professional musicians, and has been playing music his whole life, on many different instruments including guitar, drums, and saxophone. He is currently a worship leader at Park Hill Church in Point Loma and loves being able to help people find their passion in music.
CYNDI SHANKS
• B.A. Piano Performance 1995
• Began teaching at Wagner’s in 1998
• Kindermusik teacher -10 years
• Private piano teacher -10 years
• Accompanist for Vocal students, choirs and church
Ms. Cyndi’s wish is that students recognize that persistent and consistent effort pays off in piano (and in life.) She believes that with a positive attitude and a little discipline, students can accomplish any goal they want to achieve. Along their journey, students are rewarded from the beautiful music they make and the confidence they build from learning it. Although life is constantly changing, music remains a steady constant (musical symbols have been the same for hundreds of years and will continue to stay the same). Ms. Cyndi hopes that her students will someday turn to music as an outlet for healthy self-expression. Ultimately, she desires that each of her students will always have music as a part of their lives, whether it be through piano playing, singing, (or playing any other instrument), as it will enrich their lives in ways many other activities cannot.
Daniel Valoria
daniel@wagnersmusic.com
A San Diego native and former student at Wagner’s School of Music, Daniel is thrilled to be back in the place where he developed his love of music, passing it on to the next generation. Daniel is a proud graduate of San Diego State University, where he earned his B.S. in Computer Science, his teaching credential, and his M.A. in Teaching Math and Science Education. Currently, Daniel teaches math at Grossmont High School, but is equally passionate about his work as a music educator! He hopes to give his students the tools to express themselves through the language of music. One of Daniel’s favorite things to do is pick up his guitar or sit down at the piano and learn how to play a song he just heard on Spotify, which allows him to engage with music in a whole new way. Daniel’s students can expect a fun, energetic, and collaborative experience built on respect, hard work, and class community. He firmly believes that whether it’s math or music, learning happens when students think hard and interact. Daniel is thrilled to be your student’s piano teacher and hopes your student brings that same energy and excitement each week!
Joshua Roach
josh@wagnersmusic.com
Josh Roach is a writer and pianist who interns with Second Sunday church in East Village, San Diego. After receiving his B.A. in Theology and Ancient Judaism from The King’s University in 2020, he hopes to earn his M.Th. in Philosophical Theology in 2021. Born and bred in Wagner’s, he learned piano from Brett Wagner from 7 until he was 18. The White Stripes, Son Lux, and Bon Iver are his favorite bands; and among Josh’s favorite composers are Franz Liszt and Nils Frahm. He loves to learn anything that will challenge his hands (although this causes him to accidentally break strings on his upright too often).
STEPHEN RINKER
Stephen Rinker is a versatile musician, music educator, and worship leader based in San Diego. He received a B.A. in Music from Point Loma Nazarene University in the Spring of 2017.
Stephen has been classically trained in piano and voice, and is an advocate for and passionate about all types of music. He also enjoys playing electric guitar, bass guitar, synthesizers, and percussion in contemporary music settings. When not performing or teaching, he enjoys both collecting and experimenting with a wide range of instruments, including harmonium, bagpipes, accordion, percussion instruments, banjo, synthesizers, and really anything that makes noise.
He is actively engaged in the San Diego music community, and currently serves as the organist for San Diego First Church of the Nazarene and accompanist for Sante Fe Christian Schools.
Tommy Albert
tommy@wagnersmusic.com
Thomas Albert started learning the piano at age 9, and instantly fell in love with it. He studied classical music for almost a decade, leading to numerous recital performances and competitions. He placed 3rd place in the 2019 Southern California Youth Mozart Festival, 2nd place in the CAPMT State Honors competition, and completed the MTAC Certificate of Merit Level 9 with stare honors in his senior year of high school, which led to him playing at the MTAC State Convention in Santa Clara. He also discovered a love of composing his own music, which led him to win 1st Place in the MTAC Composers Today State contest with his original piece “Funhouse Rag”.
Thomas also has a passion for teaching the next generation of musicians. He has taught students in a variety of settings and loves to make music fun, accessible, and engaging for all ages, all while bringing up well-rounded musicians who love their instrument. He also helps lead worship at several churches throughout San Diego.