Meet Our Music Instructors

Joseph Brilla

Joseph Brilla - Guitar

Joseph Brilla obtained an Associate Degree in Music from Henry Ford Community College where he studied with John Hall. He earned his B.A. and M.A. in Music from Wayne State University where he studied classical music under the guidance of Lee Dyament. Joseph has attended Master classes by guitarists Scott Tenant, Fareed Haque, and Fabio Zanon. He has played with the Jazz Big Band at the HFCC and has also played in several classic rock and oldies bands in the Metro Detroit. Joseph has studied a variety of musical styles focusing on Classical finger style guitar, mixed with jazz, blues, folk and popular music influences. He has been teaching the guitar for over fifteen years. Besides music, Joe enjoys biking, working out and practicing tai chi. Joseph enjoys teaching and is committed to helping students develop their talents to their full potential.
Shane McKeever

Shane McKeever - Piano and Flute

Shane McKeever is an accomplished pianist, flutist, and organist. He has been playing piano since the age of four. Under the tutelage of Mr. Pavel Vasilev, Shane has won numerous awards through the American Guild of Music. It was also through the firm foundation of classical music, Shane went on to learn the art of jazz music. He has had the honor of playing alongside jazz greats such as Wendell Harrison, Marcus Belgrave, Rodney Whitaker, and many others. Shane has released two Christmas CDs in addition to his two jazz CDs: " Finding My Way" was released in September 2010 and "Nightwalker" was released in October 2011. Currently Shane is attending Wayne State University where he just finished his third year in Music. Shane is a young professional who has accomplished a lot and has bright aspirations for the future.
Beatrice Hilado

Beatrice Hilado - Piano

Beatrice Hilado is a specialist at working with young beginners and intermediate level piano students. Having studied through the Yamaha Method, which cultivates musicality from a young age, Beatrice began her own musical studies at the age of 5. Throughout her musical career, she has won awards and superior ratings in both performance and composition. In addition to teaching, Beatrice enjoys improving her instrumental skills and practicing guitar, ukulele, violin, and percussion. She has also performed as a dancer and percussionist with El Alma Espanola, a professional Spanish dance company based in the metro-Detroit area. Beatrice believes that everyone deserves the privilege to enjoy music. She aims to use her passion for teaching to tailor each lesson to the individual student and strives to bring the joy, satisfaction, and knowledge of playing music to all of her students so that they can ultimately share their inspiration and gifts with others.

Erik Sherman

Erik Sherman - Drums

Erik Sherman has been studying music since he was six years old. He studied the drums with legendary drum teacher Ray Parker. Erik has played in rock bands and school bands and currently plays percussion in the Redford Civic Symphony Orchestra. He is also a mentor to the percussionists in the Concert Orchestra of the Dearborn Youth Symphony. Erik is very passionate about all types of music, and in his free time helps his two daughters with practicing their various instruments! He hopes to inspire the percussion students of Music Authority and share with them his passion for music.
John Dolph

John B. Dolph - Piano

John Dolph has a unique gift as a piano instructor. Young or old, committed or indifferent, John’s students emerge from each one-hour session wanting to learn more and play better. Now in his twelfth year as an instructor, John has long been known for his ability to engage his students with patience, humor, empathy and his insights into how to make playing the piano fun. “I couldn’t play the piano at all when I started with John, now I am a proficient piano player and sight reader,” is a common refrain. “John has mastered the psychology of how kids and adults learn.”

In addition to teaching hundreds of students from all of southeastern Michigan’s rich cultures, John Dolph has performed as a Jazz Pianist at Cliff Bells, the Detroit Athletic Club, the Chop House, the Atheneum, the Keystone Underground, Joe Muer’s of Detroit, and the Rattlesnake Club. John holds a Bachelor of Music degree from Wayne State University with a concentration in piano performance.
Brandy Adams

Brandy Adams - Voice and Piano

Brandy Nicole Adams is a classical singer from Detroit. She studied in the heart of the city at Wayne State University, where she earned a degree in Voice Performance. She has been performing and teaching for some time now and thoroughly enjoys both experiences.

When Brandy is not performing as soprano soloist at North Congregational church of Farmington Hills, picking up gigs around metro Detroit or singing at the Detroit Opera House with the Michigan Opera Theatre Chorus, she enjoys completing DIY projects around her home and spending quality time with her husband and toddler son.
Marjorie Osia

Marjorie Osia - Piano and Cello

Marjorie Osia began her musical career with piano lessons starting at the young age of 4. She achieved awards in various competitions, including American Guild of Music, and continues to play piano for the Lakes Area SDA chruch and the Farmington SDA church. Her musical studies blossomed into learning the cello, where she plays and sings for the Metropolitan SDA choir, and performs in Harmonic Strings at local nursing homes and churches. Amongst music, Marjorie is also a taekwondo black belt, referee, and teacher, with extensive work in guiding and mentoring children.
Mareena Lough

Mareena Lough - Piano & Voice

Mareena gained a unique appreciation of music at Lincoln Park Performing Arts Charter School in Pennsylvania. She is focused on teaching music in a way that is sustainable and healthy so that music may be enjoyed long into life (inspired by the Alexander and Taubman approaches). In addition to piano, voice, and guitar, she dabbles in lesser known and practiced instruments such as the singing saw and the lute. She believes in a well-rounded music education, providing a full understanding of the inner workings of music early on. This includes light theory and history. She is currently studying Music Therapy at Eastern Michigan University.

V Cieri

V Cieri - Violin, Viola, Piano, Ukele

V is a classically trained violinist and fiddler who also plays piano, mandolin and ukulele. They grew up in Dearborn and earned their bachelor's in music performance at WMU and their master's at FSU. They love playing Irish fiddle tunes.

Gina Aula

Gina Aula - Voice

Gina Aula is a vocalist from the Metro Detroit Area. She started studying voice at the age of 15 here at Music Authority. She went on to receive her Bachelor of Music from Wayne State University concentrating in Music Business with minors in Music Technology and Vocal Music Education.

In addition to teaching voice, Gina performs as a soloist at several places of worship, is an in-house soloist for various funeral homes, and is a ceremonial wedding singer around Metro Detroit. When Gina is not performing she is either teaching Yoga or running audio for different music events around Michigan. Gina is excited to be a part of the Music Authority staff and looks forward to sharing her love of music with you

John Orischak

John Orischak - Piano, Clarinet, Accordion

John began his music career learning accordion in 2003 at the Music Centre under Lana Gore learning and soon after with Mr. Pavel until the end of high school. Currently studying at WSU, John is finishing up his degree in music and has been a member of their Wind Symphony and Orchestra playing clarinet. One of his favorite musical memories is getting to play at the Tigers game and meeting fellow-musician Jack White and Mr. Tiger, Al Kaline. He plans on continuing his career by going into grad school for conducting.  John is excited to teach at Music Authority and be able to share his musical knowledge.

Aya Saab

Aya Saab - Guitar, Piano, Voice

Aya is a musician, singer-songwriter, and multi-instrumentalist. She holds a bachelor’s degree in Music from Cleveland State University. Before that, she studied performing arts at Lebanese American University and received musicianship training abroad in her home country.

With 15 years of guitar experience, proficiency in keyboard, vocal skills, and over 5 years of teaching, Aya has a broad knowledge of various music genres. Aya is happy to guide you on your musical journey and teach you how to play/sing your favorite songs!

Lena Pennington

Lena Pennington - Voice and Piano

Lena Pennington is a pianist and a vocalist pursuing a music degree at Schoolcraft Community College. She has been studying music since the age of 5, taking part in various choirs and achieving high ratings in several competitions such as The American Guild of Music and Solo Ensemble. As a former student of many years at Music Authority, Lena is so excited to be teaching where she was once learning. She hopes to help others become just as passionate about music as she became while taking lessons.

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