Our Team

Xixi is a pianist with 10 years’ experience as a piano instructor. She began learning piano at the age of 14 and attained the highest level of piano achievement from the China National Opera and Dance Theater in just three years. She then went on to win a silver medal at the Hong Kong International Youth Piano Competition at age 17. She holds a bachelor’s degree from Jiangxi Normal University and started her piano teaching career while she was still in school. Under her guidance her students have gone on to medal in various regional and national piano competitions in her native China. She has extensive experience teaching piano to students of all ages, from kindergarten to adult. Xixi’s childhood dream and current passion is teaching, and she is not only committed to improving her students’ technical skills but also helping to boost their confidence while inspiring them to achieve their fullest potential. 

Jasmen Hunter attended the Hartt School of Music in Hartford CT and has extensive training in vocal technique, music theory, and acting through song. She has also received terrific opportunities and training working in Hollywood with the Pitch Man of Hollywood and writer of Brooklyn the Musical Mark Schoenfeld, producers like Bradley Bredeweg (The Fosters, Good Trouble), and performed for people like Dave Pensado (Grammy award winning music mixer) and Scott Prisand (Producer of Rock of Ages).  Her heart, however, lies in teaching. Without her many vocal coaches, she would not have landed where she is now. She thanks them all and can not wait to teach the next generation of superstars. Rock on!

Yixing Wang is a pianist and vocal teacher. She holds a bachelor’s degree in Music Education from Minnan Normal University. After graduating, she became a high school music teacher for a year and then came to the United States and received a master's degree in Vocal Performance from the University of Hartford. Yixing brings joy, humor and patient guidance to all her students.

Charlotte Riley, concert pianist, educator, accompanist, chamber music coach, and an ensemble pianist. She started learning piano when she was 3 years old and studied at The Hartt School of Music majoring in piano performance. During college, she attended varieties of masterclasses with pianists from all over the world such as Lang Lang, Federico Coli, Jonathan Bass and others. A

Charlotte has over 20 years of piano experience and actively performs as a soloist and an ensemble player. She held her first recital at the age of 7 and was invited to CCTV 15 (China Central Television of Music channel) as a soloist at the age of 10. Charlotte is not only an award-winning pianist but also a piano teacher who teaches with a loving heart. She is always passionate about unlocking students’ talents and potentials. Her students have won numerous awards internationally and performed around the world. Charlotte now is a member of the Steinway & Sons Teacher & Educational partnership program.

Autumn is a flutist and saxophonist who attended Western Connecticut State University for jazz studies. In her time there, she studied privately with Grammy nominated and highly respected jazz saxophonist Jimmy Greene. She had the opportunity there to play with various guest artists, including the legendary Curtis Fuller. Autumn excels in the areas of jazz improvisation, composition, and music theory, and is wholly devoted to the lifetime spiritual pursuit of improving her musical expression. Her favorite instrument is the flute, on which she has studied with the prominent flutist Elena Pinderhughes. Autumn has developed a rich, warm sound, and an extensive musical vocabulary through her years of formal study and practical performance experiences. She looks forward to lifting spirits with her music for years to come.

Owner of Brookside Music and piano instructor, Philip  brings a balance of technique, music theory, creativity and constructive guidance to every lesson. He is currently co-founder of a 1930s jazz band, Mama Train. He studied Piano Performance at The Hartt School of Music in West Hartford, Connecticut, furthering his skills in voicing, harmony, and composition. He has been teaching piano for nearly 20 years and encourages students to find their own self discipline, improve on their technical skills and to find their creative power.