Music Instruction
Each week, there are almost two hundred music lessons taught by ten music specialists in the areas of voice, guitar, piano, and orchestral instruments within the school day.
Villa Maria's private music lessons are open to all students, from aspiring beginners to experienced musicians. Students registered in music instruction receive graded, one-on-one lessons for 0.25 credits. In addition to the convenience of taking lessons during the school day, these lessons are available for a fraction of the cost of private instruction outside of school. Lessons are scheduled during study hall or advisory periods.
Begin an Instrument
Many students at Villa Maria are highly successful at beginning a new instrument and then becoming a member of the Orchestra. String and brass instruments can be borrowed for a nominal annual maintenance fee. Students with experience on the piano are especially encouraged to begin a new instrument in order to participate in Orchestra.
Instructors
Voice
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.
Lindsay Miller
Lindsay Miller is the Director of Choral Music and Music Teacher. Additionally, she teaches private piano and voice lessons. Ms. Miller holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Music Education and a Bachelor of Music Degree in Piano Performance from The Pennsylvania State University. She also holds a Master's Degree in Piano Performance from West Chester University. She currently holds her Level 2, Instructional Music Education Certification in the state of Pennsylvania for students in grades K-12.
Agnes Seo
Agnes (Wonyoung) Seo is a voice and piano teacher. She held a bachelor of Music in voice performance at Dankook University and earned her Master of Music and Artistic Diploma in Voice Performance from Temple University with Dr. Christine Anderson in 2023 and 2024. Ms. Seo's diverse stage experience as casting, choir member, and also stage assistance. She has performed in Temple opera theater, the Korea National Opera Theater and the Met Opera Ensemble in South Korea, and has given recitals in Korea and at Temple University. Her ballet training enriches her stage presence and emotional expression. Since 2019, Ms. Seo has been piano/voice teacher and conductor in church. Now she is a conductor in the Holy Angels church in Philadelphia.
Elizabeth Shin
Elizabeth Shin is a dedicated musician and educator with a background in piano/vocal performance, multi-arts programs (including culinary arts), and cultural exploration through history. A strong advocate for music education and its benefits for brain health, she has organized school-wide arts festivals and supervised music clubs, trips, and student performances. Elizabeth secured a grant to establish a state-of-the-art music technology lab, providing students with diverse musical experiences. She has directed programming, scheduled, and overseen student recitals to showcase their talents, and organized holiday showcases for retirement homes, enriching the lives of elderly residents through music. In addition, she volunteers with non-profit organizations to create multimedia events and supports outreach programs, while also directing church music ministries for youth and adults, integrating both choral and instrumental music.
Guitar
Mr. Dominic Mastrangelo
Mr. Mastrangelo is a graduate of the Musician’s Institute in Hollywood, Ca. He plays acoustic guitar, classical guitar, electric guitar and bass. Dominic plays and teaches a multitude of styles including classical, Spanish, blues, jazz, rock and alternative. He teaches students of all ages from beginner to pro, with an emphasis on sight reading, harmony and theory, improvisation, technique and composition. Dominic is an innovator in creating and developing the band workshops, guitar orchestra and clinic/seminar programs at Beam’s Music. Other classes he has taught in schools include jazz/rock band, harmony and theory and composition. Dominic has composed, arranged, performed, recorded and produced over 25 albums in many styles. He is the author of six books for the guitar. His book “Blues Bag” has been used both in the USA and internationally.
Mr. James Shirey
A Grammy Award winner, baseball fanatic, Harvard graduate, and devoted Catholic, Mr. Jim Shirey is Villa's new guitar and social studies teacher. (Bio courtesy of students Dani S. and Monica Y.)
Violin and Viola
Ms. Leah (Kyoungwoon) Kim-Tomilson, Director of Music
Ms. Leah (Kyoungwoon) Kim was born in Busan, S. Korea. She was an Associate concertmaster at Suwon Philharmonic Orchestra in Korea and a guest concertmaster for Pottstown Symphony. As a violinist she performed with Philadelphia Chamber Orchestra, Pennsylvania Ballet, Philadelphia Opera, Harrisburg Symphony, Lancaster Symphony, Delaware Symphony, and Elysian Camerata Trio Excelsior. She is the founding member of La Croix Quartet, Tononi Quartet, Sori Duo, and Caritas Trio.
Ms. Leah was a faculty member at Temple University, West Chester University, Valley Forge Christian College, West Catholic High School, Settlement Music School and Peabody Conservatory Prep. She was a director of string ensemble at Archbishop John Carroll High School, Lehigh Valley Performing Arts High School, and director of music at Rebecca Davis Dance Company.
Currently Ms. Leah is the Director of Music at Villa Maria Academy High School, faculty at Eastern University, a violinist in La Croix Quartet, and Director of Pennsylvania Youth Orchestra, Pennsylvania Petit Ensemble, and Vivace Competition and Chamberstrings Summer Camp.
Ms. Leah studied Performance and Pedagogy at Juilliard, Peabody Conservatory, and National Conservatory in France, and began her Doctorate in Music and Arts at Temple University.
Some of Ms. Leah’ music major students have gone on to Curtis Institute of Music, Juilliard Music School, Manhattan School or Music, Eastman Music School, Peabody Conservatory, New England Conservatory, Boston College, Swarthmore, Berkley, Michigan, Vanderbilt, University of Hartford, Moravian University and Temple University.
Piano
Ms. Angela Falco ’76
Angela Falco ’76, a graduate of Villa Maria Academy, is a highly motivated teacher who provides an enthusiastic musical setting for the student. She combines performance, composing, recording experiences & educational studies that results in a unique style of teaching. She has taught in early childhood, public, private and university settings.
She studied flute at the University of the Arts, under Adeline Tomasone, Joseph Musemeci, soloists with the Philadelphia Orchestra, Harold Bennett, NY Metropolitan Opera Orchestra, John Krell, piccolo with the Philadelphia Orchestra, and Latin Grammy winner, classical/jazz flutist, Nestor Torres. She continues to study piano with renowned jazz pianist, Andy LaVerne.
Angela graduated from Philadelphia College of the Performing Arts (University of the Arts) with a Bachelor of Music Performance and a Bachelor of Music Education, Master of Arts (Music Therapy) and a Special Education Certification from Immaculata University.
Angela’s noted performances include a President Clinton fundraiser concert and, Grammy participation certificate in the two-time Grammy award movie, “Standing in the Shadows of Motown” playing piccolo in the soundtrack. Awards include “Who’s Who Among American College Students” and Delta Psi (P Kappa Lambda) in Musical Composition.
Currently, Angela is writing a book about music therapy using her original compositions. Hear Angela’s compositions on Pandora, Spotify and many other platforms. Visit her website: angelafalco.com
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.
Ms. Lindsay Miller
Lindsay Miller is the Director of Choral Music and Music Teacher. Additionally, she teaches private piano and voice lessons. Ms. Miller holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Music Education and a Bachelor of Music Degree in Piano Performance from The Pennsylvania State University. She also holds a Master's Degree in Piano Performance from West Chester University. She currently holds her Level 2, Instructional Music Education Certification in the state of Pennsylvania for students in grades K-12.
Ms. Agnes Seo
Agnes (Wonyoung) Seo is a voice and piano teacher. She held a bachelor of Music in voice performance at Dankook University and earned her Master of Music and Artistic Diploma in Voice Performance from Temple University with Dr. Christine Anderson in 2023 and 2024. Ms. Seo's diverse stage experience as casting, choir member, and also stage assistance. She has performed in Temple opera theater, the Korea National Opera Theater and the Met Opera Ensemble in South Korea, and has given recitals in Korea and at Temple University. Her ballet training enriches her stage presence and emotional expression. Since 2019, Ms. Seo has been piano/voice teacher and conductor in church. Now she is a conductor in the holy angels church in philadelphia.
Ms. Elizabeth Shin
Elizabeth Shin is a dedicated musician and educator with a background in piano/vocal performance, multi-arts programs (including culinary arts), and cultural exploration through history. A strong advocate for music education and its benefits for brain health, she has organized school-wide arts festivals and supervised music clubs, trips, and student performances. Elizabeth secured a grant to establish a state-of-the-art music technology lab, providing students with diverse musical experiences. She has directed programming, scheduled, and overseen student recitals to showcase their talents, and organized holiday showcases for retirement homes, enriching the lives of elderly residents through music. In addition, she volunteers with non-profit organizations to create multimedia events and supports outreach programs, while also directing church music ministries for youth and adults, integrating both choral and instrumental music.
Winds and Brass
Ms. Angela Falco ’76
Angela Falco ’76, a graduate of Villa Maria Academy, is a highly motivated teacher who provides an enthusiastic musical setting for the student. She combines performance, composing, recording experiences & educational studies that results in a unique style of teaching. She has taught in early childhood, public, private and university settings.
She studied flute at the University of the Arts, under Adeline Tomasone, Joseph Musemeci, soloists with the Philadelphia Orchestra, Harold Bennett, NY Metropolitan Opera Orchestra, John Krell, piccolo with the Philadelphia Orchestra, and Latin Grammy winner, classical/jazz flutist, Nestor Torres. She continues to study piano with renowned jazz pianist, Andy LaVerne.
Angela graduated from Philadelphia College of the Performing Arts (University of the Arts) with a Bachelor of Music Performance and a Bachelor of Music Education, Master of Arts (Music Therapy) and a Special Education Certification from Immaculata University.
Angela’s noted performances include a President Clinton fundraiser concert and, Grammy participation certificate in the two-time Grammy award movie, “Standing in the Shadows of Motown” playing piccolo in the soundtrack. Awards include “Who’s Who Among American College Students” and Delta Psi (P Kappa Lambda) in Musical Composition.
Currently, Angela is writing a book about music therapy using her original compositions. Hear Angela’s compositions on Pandora, Spotify and many other platforms. Visit her website: angelafalco.com
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.
Cello and Bass
Ms. Kathryn (Kitty) Bobnak
Kathryn Leonard Bobnak is an active chamber and orchestral musician in the Philadelphia area. She holds a cum laude degree in cello performance from the University of Maryland, Baltimore County, and pursued graduate studies at the Peabody Conservatory of Johns Hopkins University. Her principal teachers have included Deborah Reeder and Christopher Rex (in Philadelphia), and Mihaly Virizlay (in Baltimore). She attended the Pierre Monteux School in Hancock, Maine for five summers and for four of those summers served as orchestral assistant to Maestro Charles Bruck and performance manager of the weekly chamber music concerts. An interest in early music led her to study baroque cello and viola da gamba at the Baroque Performance Institute (Oberlin Conservatory), where she also learned to dance the Minuet!
Ms. Bobnak has performed for many years as assistant principal cellist with the Pottstown Symphony Orchestra and as a substitute with the Delaware and Allentown Symphonies. She founded two successful wind and string chamber ensembles, tre voci and the Sebastian Trio, and frequently collaborates with guest instrumentalists and vocalists. In the early music realm, she has performed with the Penn Baroque Ensemble and in recitals and concerts in Philadelphia and New York.
In addition to her performance commitments, Ms. Bobnak is a dedicated and sought after teacher, chamber music coach, competition judge, clinician, and writer of program notes. She has amplified her traditional conservatory training with coursework from two of the great twentieth century teaching masters: Zoltan Kodaly and Shinichi Suzuki, including formal Suzuki Teacher training at the Hartt School of Music (Univ. of Hartford, CT). She encourages her students by developing an individualized lesson plan tailored to each student's abilities and learning style; creating not just performers but informed listeners.
Ms. Bobnak currently teaches cello at Friends’ Central School and co-directs the Lower School string ensemble. She also teaches cello and bass at Villa Maria Academy High School, is an adjunct instructor of cello at Haverford and Bryn Mawr Colleges, and maintains a lively private studio for students of all ages.
Percussion
Sister Dolores Margaret Murray, IHM
Sister Dolores Margaret Murray comes to Villa Maria from Immaculata High School in Somerville, N.J. For many years Sister has been involved in marching band, pit orchestra, and instrumental and vocal music programs.
Her various degrees from Immaculata University, Temple University and West Chester University have prepared her for her many experiences in Music Education.
Mr. Ken Vogel
Ken Vogel has been teaching drums for over 30 years and annually presents drum clinics, recitals and now hosts his own drum camps. He has studied with noted composer and author William Schinstine and Armand Santerelli. He also studied at Drummer's Collective in New York and participated in percussion and jazz clinics at the University of Miami from 1970 to 1975.
Mr. Vogel performs and records regularly with a variety of rock, jazz, and Irish bands in the Philadelphia area. He is the author of six books including Drum Set Unlimited, Melodic Solo Encounters for Drum Set, The Creative Rock Drummer Vol. I and II, Bass Busters (Double Bass Method), and Sticking method for Today's Drummer. His articles have appeared in Modern Drummer Magazine, For Drum Instructors Only, and Creative Drummer Magazine.
Ken specializes in teaching rock, double bass, jazz, Latin, and odd meters on the drum set. A strong foundation of the basics and theory are a focus in his instruction.
Harp
MaryAnn McCann
Harpist, MaryAnn McCann, studied with Edna Phillips and Karin Fuller at the University of the Arts and with Alice Chalifoux at the Cleveland Institute of Music and the Salzedo Harp Colony in Maine. Upon graduation, she taught in the Cleveland Institute Preparatory Division while performing with the Cleveland Opera Company and the Chautauqua Summer Music Festival in New York.
MaryAnn was soloist with the Colorado Philharmonic Orchestra, performing Debussy’s Danses: Sacre en Profane and with the Shreveport Summer Music Festival in Louisiana where she received outstanding recognition for her performances of Mozart’s Concerto for Flute and Harp and Ravel’s popular Introduction and Allegro. Home in Philadelphia, Mary Ann appeared regularly with contemporary groups, Relache and Network for New Music, where she premiered new works for harp solo and chamber ensemble. MaryAnn recorded Starscape, a virtuosic solo work by Philadelphia composer, Jan Krzywicki, and premiered his Planctus for oboe and harp, written in memory of her late harp teacher, Karin Fuller. During MaryAnn’s 25 years of being an active freelance harpist, she enjoyed performing extensively with such groups as the Philly Pops, the Pennsylvania Ballet, Haddonfield’s Symphony in C, and with traveling Broadway shows such as South Pacific, Chorus Line, and Peter Pan. She accompanied entertainers such as Rosemary Clooney, Tony Bennet, Robert Goulet, the Moody Blues, John Michael Talbot, and Amy Grant.
MaryAnn’s harp and flute duo, Columbine, performed on university stags and in private homes. While maintaining her private harp studio, Mary Ann was on the faculty of the Settlement Music School for 10 years and taught in Philadelphia’s public and private schools. She served for five years as president of the Philadelphia Chapter of the American Harp Society.