Conservatory Instructors

Michael Ashby

Michael is a voice teacher, performer and clinician.  His twenty-five years of experience have led to a specialization in complicated and transitional voices.  He is adept at working with individuals and choirs/choruses.  Michael’s developing method of vocal technique is characterized by an emphasis on balance, beauty, efficiency and health.

 

 

 

Mr. Gareth Haynes

Conductor, composer, pianist and organist Gareth Haynes is the music director and conductor at Daylesford Abbey in Paoli. He also serves as music director and pianist for the Marian Anderson Historical Society in Philadelphia and conducts the Youth Strings division of the Pennsylvania Youth Orchestra.

Mr. Haynes’ performance experience includes the full range of brass and woodwinds, as well as piano, organ, harpsichord, and voice. As a teenager, he studied clarinet with Will Amsel and Gi Lee, and played with the Philadelphia Youth Orchestra. In 2018, he earned a bachelor’s degree in music composition from Temple University, where he studied under Jan Krzywicki and Dr. Cynthia Folio. While in college, he sang with Temple’s Concert Choir, served as a church staff singer, and won two composition competitions hosted by the Network for New Music.
 

Dr. Cong Ji

Chinese pianist Dr. Cong Ji is passionate about engaging her audiences with innovative programming and performances as a recital soloist, chamber musician and collaborative pianist. She holds Doctoral of Musical Arts degree from City University of New York-Graduate Center, as a full-scholarship fellow under tutelage of Phillip Kawin, Thomas Sauer and Ursula Oppens. Her previous degrees and diploma include Manhattan School of Music and New York University, among others. Dr. Ji has performed and conducted masterclasses in major cities of Asia, the United States, and Europe. After eleven years of living in New York City, Dr. Ji moved to the suburb of Philadelphia with her family in Sep 2021. Her piano and music theory students get distinction in ABRSM performance (Grade 6-8) and music theory Grade 5 exams, winning prizes in national and international competitions, and pass under-and graduate college entrance auditions. For more information and contact, please visit www.congjipianist.com.