Lincoln Studio Music Teachers
Our Music Faculty
When we hire a music teacher, we look to find the best in Lincoln! All of our teachers are dedicated to providing high quality music lessons in a positive and fun learning environment. As highly trained musicians and performers themselves, our Lincoln teachers are here to help your young musician discover confidence and excellence through music lessons.
Šárka Stehnová, D.M.A.,
Piano Instructor, Bilingual Czech & English
Šárka Stehnová, D.M.A., is a bilingual pianist and collaborator with roots in the Czech Republic
and Vietnam, and an educator with teaching experience in both Europe and the United States of
America. In May 2022, she will receive her Doctor of Musical Arts degree at the University of
Nebraska – Lincoln, where she studies with the outstanding Dr. Mark Clinton (Steinway Artist).
In 2021 she has appeared in masterclasses with Arnaldo Cohen (First prize winner at Ferruccio
Busoni International Piano Competition) and Joyce Yang (Second prize winner at Van Cliburn
International Piano Competition).
Stehnová received her artist diploma from the Conservatory in Teplice (Czech Republic), where
she studied with a Czech leading educator focusing on natural pianistic body movements, Mgr.
Hana Turková, her Bachelor of Music Education degree from Northern State University, South
Dakota, where she studied with Dr. Marcela Faflak, who showed her different American
teaching strategies, and her Master’s degree in piano performance from University of Missouri –
Kansas City, where she was privileged to study with Dr. Henry Kramer (Second prize winner at
Queen Elisabeth Competition, Steinway Artist) and Prof. Alon Goldstein (who played with
conductors such as Zubin Mehta, Herbert Blomstedt, and Leon Fleisher).
In the summer of 2019, Stehnová was invited to tour in Czech Republic in six different cities
including the capital city of Prague. That same year she became the Vice President of Music
Teacher Association – Collegiate Chapter, which helps provide young pianists concerts, learning
opportunities, and communication skill development. From 2021, she has been a member of Trio
Dulcis Disputatio.
Stehnová does not consider herself a teacher who dictates what is correct and what is not. Rather,
she shares and discusses values and thoughts, and shows students that if they believe in
themselves and their ideas, then they are halfway to success. For more information on her
teaching philosophy, please visit www.sarkastehnova.com.
Mary Daughtery
Piano and Voice Instructor
Mary Daugherty is a pianist, singer, and conductor from Rochester, NY. She has taught private music lessons for over 10 years, and especially enjoys teaching students to play by ear. She holds a BA in Piano Performance and an MA in Choral Conducting, and is completing her DMA in Choral Conducting at UNL. When she is not teaching or performing, Mary enjoys researching Native American music and traveling with her husband, Andrew.
Calli Mah
Early Childhood Music
Callise (Calli) Mah is a singer and actor with her Bachelor’s Degree in Vocal and Theatre Performance from the University of Nebraska – Lincoln. She has a passion for life-long learning, as she loves to make new discoveries with her students. Calli devotes her teaching and practice to find growth and peace through diverse expressions of creativity. She is eager to continue to learn and grow with you through music and performance!
Cameron Berta
Piano Instructor
Cameron Berta has been avidly playing the piano since the age of 7. He is originally from Dallas, Texas, where he attended a performing arts high school and gave multiple recitals for both the piano and french horn. At the age of 15 Cameron attended his first music festival at the Music in the Mountains Conservatory in Durango Colorado, where he took private lessons, performed in master classes, and participated in both solo and chamber recitals. Since then, Cameron has attended music festivals around the world, including the Amalfi Coast Festival in Italy, and the Vienna International Piano Academy in Vienna, Austria.
Most recently, Cameron graduated from UNL with a Bachelor of Music in piano performance. At the university, Cameron studied pedagogy, music history, piano literature, orchestration, and various music theory courses including aural skills, counterpoint, and advanced tonal and atonal theory.
Cameron has a passion for playing collaborative and chamber music, and is a member of the Atelier Piano Trio, along with Lucy Collins and Sam Stanley. Together they have been a part of a multitude of chamber recitals, and have premiered multiple works by current composers.
Cameron has experience accompanying, improvising, arranging, and composing. He is currently working as a church pianist, taking lessons in jazz piano, and singing in a local choir. Music has always been an essential part of Cameron’s life, and he is so excited for the opportunity to share that passion with his new students.
Olivia Reininger
Piano & Voice Instructor
Olivia Reininger is originally from Los Angeles, California where she started her music training. Saturday morning “Looney Tunes” inspired her to start playing the piano by ear, at age three. Her first exposure to formal lessons was the Suzuki Method taught by an instructor from The Colburn School of Music, in Los Angeles. Piano naturally transitioned into singing. She remained a piano student through middle school and beyond.
Olivia continued to play with an orchestra in high school, and completed her high school years at The Putney School, in Vermont. She continued her piano instruction and sang in the chamber ensemble and the Blanche Moyse Chorale. She participated in special summer programs including Interlochen Center for the Arts.
While she attended Gustavus Adolphus College, in St. Peter, Minnesota, she earned a Bachelor’s degree in Piano Performance. During her years at Gustavus, she sang in college choirs and continued studying voice.
Recently, Olivia worked in the Lincoln Public Schools district as an accompanist. She taught piano and mentored vocal students as well. She is now working with Dr. Wataru Niimori, (Jazz Pianist) and Jackie Allen (Jazz Vocalist) to study a new genre after years of classical training.
Olivia is thrilled to pass along the gift of music to her students!
AnnaLeesa Telford
Voice Instructor
AnnaLeesa Sawyer (Telford) is a BFA Acting major with a vocal music minor at UNL. They have taught many theatrical and musical theatre classes including at The Rose Theatre, Omaha JCC, and continue to teach more at Omaha Community Playhouse. AnnaLeesa is constantly taking voice lessons (because teachers can still improve and learn more themselves!) and all sorts of classes, choirs, and productions to not only help AnnaLeesa but their students. They think arts education is one of the most important things for young artists and is always so glad to be able to contribute to young artists education! Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in arts is one of AnnaLeesas main goals for young artists and artists of all ages. In their “free time” they love to swim, workout, hike, go to concerts and festivals, and spend time with friends, family, and their partner. They also have other jobs including Teaching Artist at Omaha Community Playhouse, Student Worker at UNL Womens Center, and AVID Tutor for Lincoln Public Schools. AnnaLeesa enjoys to keep busy (obviously!) and is very organized and timely and makes sure everything gets done in an efficient and quality manner.
Mee-Hwa Roche
Violin and Viola Instructor
Born in Waterloo, Iowa, Mee-Hwa Roche started playing the viola at age eight through the University of Northern Iowa Suzuki School. At age thirteen she began studying under Dr. Julia Bullard. Throughout high school, she participated in chamber music, the Northern Iowa Youth Orchestra, and attended the Iowa All State Music Festival for three years, sitting first chair in her senior year. Additionally, she has experience assistant teaching a classroom of fourth grade beginner string students.
Mee-Hwa received a Bachelor’s degree in viola performance from the University of Nebraska- Lincoln. In her time studying at UNL, Mee-Hwa participated in orchestra, chamber music, and played as an instrumentalist in five operas. She was also a winner of the 2020-2021 Glenn Korff School of Music Concerto Competition.
More recently, Mee-Hwa has attended the Brevard Music Center Institute and is currently a substitute in the Lincoln Symphony Orchestra viola section. She aims to help students discover and cultivate a love for music, just as her teachers have done for her throughout her journey with the viola.
Lucy Collins
Violin and Viola Instructor
Sam Stanley
Cello & Piano Instructor
Sam Stanley has a Bachelor of Music Degree in Cello Performance and a minor in music technology from the UNL Glenn Korff School of Music. They study cello under Dr. Karen Becker, composition under Dr. Greg Simon, and have also studied composition under Dr. Tyler White. They were awarded the Vreeland award in Music Composition by the Hixson-Lied College of Fine and Performing arts in 2021 and received honorable mention for their piece “Black as the Void” in the Sheldon Art Gallery’s art competition: Conversation Black in 2019.
Sam is a two time prize winner of the Vesper Youth Composes competition with their piece Adagio for String Quartet, taking first place in 2015, and Introduction and Waltz, taking second place in 2016. In 2021, Sam was commissioned to write incidental music for the Nebraska Repertory Theatre’s production of Dracula: Mina’s Quest.
In 2019, Sam received a fellowship to study composition, counterpoint, and musicianship at the European American Music Alliance Institute in Paris, France. Sam was also a fellow at the Cortona Sessions for New music in 2020, 2021, and 2022.
Sam is passionate about teaching music theory and studied Music Theory Pedagogy under Dr. Gretchen Foley in 2021. Sam currently teaches private piano and cello lessons at Goldenrod Music Studios, Foster Jones Studios, Fiddlestick Music Studios, and Marble Music Studios in Lincoln, Nebraska.
Jackson Stull
Guitar and Ukulele Instructor
Jackson Stull is a Lincoln-based guitarist pursuing a BA degree in Music and German. He is currently studying at the Glenn Korff School of Music with Peter Bouffard and Tetsuya Nishiyama.
Jackson has been playing guitar since he was a child, beginning with rock/blues and eventually taking interest in jazz, classical, and flamenco. He frequently performs his classical and flamenco repertoire as a soloist, and has also performed with many groups through his school including the UNL Big Band, UNL Jazz Combos and UNL Early Music Group.
He has been teaching for two years and specializes in classical and electric guitar. His teaching philosophy combines general music knowledge with repertoire appropriate to each individual’s skill level, all the while maintaining a fun and encouraging atmosphere.
Krista Lawrence, MM
Voice Instructor
Krista Lawrence is a soprano who has been teaching voice for over 15 years. Originally from Laramie, WY, she came to Lincoln for graduate school. She holds a Masters of Music in Vocal Performance from UNL, as well as a Bachelors of Music from the University of Wyoming. She has performed as a soloist with Opera Omaha, has been a Young Artist at multiple programs, and has competed both the international and national level. Favorite past roles include “Amalia Balash” from SHE LOVES ME, “the Queen of the Night” from Mozart’s the Magic Flute, and Cinderella in “Into the Woods.”
Krista’s favorite thing about teaching voice is working with different styles. She enjoys operatic, musical theatre, and contemporary styles. Krista believes that each singer should find their own sincere sound, and learn the tools to help them communicate with others in a healthy and effective way.
Helber Fernandes Ribeiro, DMA candidate
Piano Instructor
Helber Fernandes Ribeiro is a Brazilian pianist who has developed a promising career as a pianist and piano instructor in the United States. He holds a Bachelor’s degree in Piano Performance from the University of São Paulo (Brazil) and a Master’s degree in Piano Performance from Fort Hays State University and the University of Wyoming. He is currently in the final stages of his Doctorate in Piano Performance at the University of Northern Colorado. Helber has performed in Latin America and the United States, covering a wide range of repertoire from Baroque to contemporary composers. He has won first place in several piano competitions, including the Souza Lima National Piano Competition, the Villa Lobos National Piano Competition, and the CSMTA Young Artist Competition. With more than 13 years of experience teaching piano to students of the most diverse backgrounds, Helber is excited to make his contribution to passing along music to students in Lincoln and its surroundings!
Eric Linke, DMA
Brass Instructor
Dr. Eric Linke is an active hornist and teacher across western and central Nebraska. Taking his experience as a band director in Illinois, Dr. Linke has further specialized in teaching private music lessons to a wide variety of ages on a plethora of instruments. Dr. Linke takes joy in taking the time to get to know each student and find out how best to help them achieve their musical goals.
Dr. Linke has performed with the Nebraska Symphony Chamber Orchestra, Cathedral Brass Quintet, Hastings Symphony Orchestra, The Lincoln Municipal Band, Quincy Symphony Orchestra, The Knox-Galesburg Symphony Orchestra, The Chicagoland Educator’s Orchestra at the 2014 Midwest International Band and Orchestra Clinic, and as guest principal horn for the Elmhurst College Philharmonic’s performance at the 2015 Illinois Allstate Educator’s Conference.
Dr. Linke holds a B.M in Music Education and a M.M in Performance from Western Illinois University, and a D.M.A from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. While at WIU, Dr. Linke was a graduate assistant for the bands department, directed the pep band and aided with educational events hosted by WIU Bands. Dr. Linke also served as the instructor of horn at the 2018 WIU Summer Music Institute, during which he taught group lessons and private lessons to students ranging from grades 6- 12. During his time at UNL, Dr. Linke held a graduate teaching assistantship with the Husker Horn Studio, teaching private horn lessons for a variety of undergraduate students. Dr. Linke’s teachers include Dr. Randall Faust, Dr. Jena Gardner, and Dr. Alan Mattingly.
Sanda Mašić, DMA candidate
Flute and Piano Instructor
Sanda Mašić earned her bachelor’s and master’s degrees at the Faculty of Music Arts in Belgrade, Serbia, under professor Miomir Simonović and a Chamber Music Certificate at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, where she worked as a graduate teaching assistant under Dr. Jennifer Clippert.
Sanda performed throughout Europe and the U.S. andappeared as a soloist with the UWM Symphony Orchestra, UNL Symphony Orchestra and String Orchestra Orfej. As an orchestral musician, Mašić participated in many orchestral tours including a tour of Romania (Piatra Neamt), Italy (Trieste, Milan), California (Los Angeles), US. Here in Lincoln, she is occasionally working as a substitute flute and piccolo player with Lincoln’s Symphony
Orchestra.
Mašić was awarded by The Ministry of Youth and Sports of Republic of Serbia with the Dositeja diploma for special achievements on domestic and international competitions, she was a Laureate at the International Flute Festival in Valjevo 2016, a full scholarship award recipient for The Forum Flute Piano in
Luxembourg 2018, the winner of UWM Concerto and Aria Competition 2019, the winner of UNL Concerto Competition 2020, and she participated in many masterclasses, workshops and concerts in Serbia, Hungary, Romania, Bulgaria, Macedonia, Italy, Germany, Luxembourg and the U.S.
Sanda is currently working as an adjunct faculty at the Union College in Lincoln. She is a doctoral candidate in flute performance at the UNL Glenn Korff School of Music, where she also worked as a graduate teaching assistant. She was also awarded with a Hixson-Lied Graduate Fellowship and is studying with Dr. John Bailey.
Parker Dushan
Guitar Instructor
Parker Dushan is a Nebraska native. Parker has been playing guitar and a few other instruments for close to a decade. He is currently a senior at the University of Nebraska Lincoln and will be graduating this December with a degree in political science. “Music is a wonderful part of my life and I cannot wait to be a part of your musical journey with you!”
Register for Music Lessons
We accept new students all year round!
Click the link below to schedule your intro lesson, meet with a teacher and start your music lessons.