Music Theory

Class Time(s):

Option A: Thursday, 4:30 - 5:00 PM PT

Option B: Friday, 4:30 - 5:00 PM PT

Grades: 1 to 8

Program Leader: Kelsey Miguel

Program Description: YAPA Kids Music Theory is designed for students with or without experience playing an instrument. As award winning teachers, we will teach students with no prior knowledge to be able to to read music and learn basic music theory concepts or teach students about more advanced topics, like the four periods of music. And of course, we will be with you along the journey to answer any questions or clarifications. This class is suitable for anyone who is about to join orchestra, choir, or band because what you learn in this class will make transitioning into an ensemble or starting a musical instrument much easier. All you need is a pen and a paper to fully learn in this class!

Program Teachers: Medha Kotra, Maggie Dong, Sanjana Balaji, Rachel Wei, Ethan Liu, Shriya Shankar, Siddharth Venkiteswaran, Shreya Suriya, Alicia Lee, Kira O'Gorman, Grace Baek, Tarun Gopinath, Kaylee Yang, Sarah Schroeder, Lisa Farley, Nikhita Chintareddy, Jenna Oling, Oswaldo Alvarado, Kelsey Miguel, Maria Contreras, Shreshtha Raj, Tamara Watkins, Jennie Li, Jordyn Richardson, Lila Rowland

Teacher Bios

Medha Kotra

Hey everyone! My name is Medha and I am a junior at Fremont High School. I have been playing the piano for 12 years and I also played the flute for 4 years as part of my school band. This year, I passed the CM Level 6 exam. Theory has always been my favorite part of learning piano and I cannot wait to share my passion for music with all of you!

Maggie Dong

Hey everyone, I am Maggie Dong, a freshman at Branham High. I love music and it is one of my biggest passions. I have been playing piano for more than 9 years and I passed the level 9 music theory test, currently testing for the highest level. I have competed in several competitions, and have won several places, including international titles. At school, I play the piano anytime the music programs need accompaniment, as well as church. I enjoy singing, and I also played the clarinet. Excited to teach you!

Sanjana Balaji

Hi everyone! My name is Sanjana Balaji and I am a sophomore. I’ve been playing piano for 10 years now and I participate in DSMTA, an annual music theory exam. I absolutely love music and I can’t wait to share my knowledge and meet you all!

Rachel Wei

Hello!! My name is Rachel and I am currently a Sophomore at Cupertino High. I have been play both the piano and clarinet, have passed all 10 levels of the Certificate of Merit, and is also taking the AP Music theory test next week :( Excited to meet y'all!

Ethan Liu

Hi, my name is Ethan Liu, and I'm a freshman at Monta Vista High School. I have been playing piano for 7 years, and I have passed Cm level 9 last year, and taking Cm level 10 this month, with every Cm music theory test getting a score above 90%. I hope to pass on my knowledge of this topic to others, and help those who are struggling to get the concepts of music theory, as well as the importance of it.

Shriya Shankar

Hihi! I'm Shriya and I'm currently a freshman at American High School. Music has always been a big part of my life, and being in band from 5th grade and currently going into my second year of marching band, it has been the best experience of my life. I played flute for 1 year and have been playing Percussion and piano for around 5 years now. I really look forward to sharing my passion for music with all of you :)

Siddharth Venkiteswaran

Hello there! My name is Siddharth Venkiteswaran, and I am a rising sophomore in Cupertino High School. I have been playing the viola for about 5 years now. Before that, I played the piano for 5 years, so music has been a pretty big part of my life. I am currently in my school's chamber orchestra, and I would love to share all that I have learned with you guys!

Shreya Suriya

Hey everyone! I'm Shreya Suriya and I am so excited to be teaching music theory this year! Music has always been a big part of my life and has shaped me into the person I am today. I've been singing for all of my life as well has playing the piano for 11 years and the oboe for 4. I can't wait to work with you all!

Alicia Lee

Hi! my name is Alicia Lee and I go to Monta Vista High School. I have played piano for about 12 years and I have some experience with other instruments such as violin, guitar, ukelele, and guzheng. I have also passed CM Level 9 for piano and will be testing for level 10 this year.

Kira O'Gorman

Hi! I'm Kira and I'm a rising junior at CCA. I've played piano for about 6 years and I'm currently preparing for Level 8 CM. I played clarinet in band for 5 years from 5th to 10th grade. Music has always been an important part of my life and theory is very fun to learn! I'm excited to teach you all about it!

Grace Baek

Hi! My name is Grace and I'm a junior at Cypress Bay High School. I've played the piano for 7 years, and my mom's a piano teacher so music has always been a huge part of my life. I'm so excited to teach everyone about music theory!

Tarun Gopinath

Hi ! My name is Tarun Gopinath and I am a sophomore at Cupertino High School. I have been interested in music from a young age. I have expirence with playing the piano and the saxophone. Ive played in my middle school advanced band as a bariton saxophone. Today I still take lessons on the alto sax. The saxophone is the greatest instrument!

Kaylee Yang

Hi everyone! My name is Kaylee Yang and I am a junior at Castro Valley High School. I have been playing piano for 11 years and have just passed the CM Level 9, and taking the Advanced Level this year. All of my music theory tests have been 90% and above too. Music theory has been one of my favorite things to learn while taking piano. I look forward to sharing my passion with you! See you in class :)

Sarah Schroeder

Hi! My name is Sarah Schroeder and I am a senior at Bonita High School. I have been apart of music programs since third grade and have played the saxophone and Vibraphone. I have been a section leader in my high school band for 3 years and have been invoved in my jazz band for 4 years. I am deeply interested in music and am excited to share my knowledge with others!

Lisa Farley

Hi everyone, my name is Lisa Farley and I am a junior at Midwood High School in Brooklyn, New York. I have been obssessed with music every since I was a little girl. A fun fact about is that I can play 5 instruments! ( trumpet, trombone, guitar, piano and recorder)

Nikhita Chintareddy

Hey y'all! I'm Nikhita Chintareddy. I am a junior at Vestavia Hills High School! I have been in both marching and concert band for 6 years now! I have been playing violin and piano for 8 years. I love music, and I am excited to get to inspire everyone's hearts to love music as much as I do!

Jenna Oling

Hi everyone! My name is Jenna, and I am senior at Simsbury High School in Connecticut! I have been playing flute for 8 years, and I have always loved music and music theory! I'm super excited to be a teacher for music theory and get everyone excited about music as much as I am!

Oswaldo Alvarado

Hi Everyone!! My name is Oswaldo and I play Saxophone and Clarinet, have been playing for about 3.5 years now :D

Kelsey Miguel

Hi everyone! My name is Kelsey and I'd say that music has always been my first love :) I've been playing the piano for around 8 years now and I've been singing since I was 3 and I love doing music theory so I'm really excited in being able to impart some "wisdom" over it :)))

Maria Contreras

Hi! My name is Maria Contreras and I am a junior at Akins High School in Austin, Texas. I have been playing the classical guitar for over eight now and I am part of my schools' varsity ensemble. During all the years studying my instrument, I have gained a good knowledge of music theory and I am excited to share it with young students!

Shreshtha Raj

Hi everyone! My name is Shreshtha and I'm a junior at Chantilly High School. I've been playing the flute for over 7 years now and I'm also one of the drum majors for my school marching band! I'm excited to work with you all!

Tamara Watkins

Hi everyone! My name is Tamara Watkins and I'm a sophmore at Cardinal Leger. I have played piano for 9 years now and I'm in my second year as our concert bands' percussionist. I am very excited to teach music theory and I hope to share what I have learned to help others as well! :)

Jennie Li

Hey everyone! My name is Jennie a freshmen at Hume Fogg High School. I've been playing oboe and piano for more than 5 years! I am in Blair Academys Orchestra and in my school band. So excited to meet you all!

Jordyn Richardson

Hi everyone! My name is Jordyn and I am a sophomore at my current high school! I have been playing piano for for over 6 years. Along with piano, I have been playing steel drums for 5 years, and am currently in the highest band. I cant wait to share my passion of music with you all!

Lila Rowland

Hey y'all, my name is Lila! I'm a freshman based in Washington state. I've been playing cello for around 5 years now, and it's truly something i've grown to love. I look forward to teaching and sharing my passion for music!