In Person Music Lessons in Allison Park

From here you can get to know our highly qualified teaching staff. Simply click the link below to see which teachers we have for each instrument family.


Woodwinds - Flute, Clarinet, and Saxophone

Amanda Sage

Focus Area:
Woodwinds
Instruments:
Flute
Rate:
30 minute lesson: $28
Locations:
Allison Park, Golden Mile, Virtual

Federal Criminal
History Record Check

PA Child Abuse
History Check

PA Criminal
History Check

Amanda Sage is a flutist and private teacher from the Pittsburgh area. She has served as principal flute with the Pittsburgh Philharmonic, principal flute, and second flute/piccolo with Undercroft Opera, as well as performed with the Edgewood, Westmoreland, and Johnstown Symphonies. She also performs in various solo, chamber, and larger ensemble roles in a variety of venues throughout the Pittsburgh area, including the newly formed Bel Suono Ensemble of which she is a founding member. An advocate of early music and historical performance, Amanda also plays the baroque flute. She has performed in masterclasses for baroque flutists Kim Pineda, Janet See, and Barthold Kuijken.

As an educator, she has nearly 12 years of experience in private instruction, along with her many years of experience teaching both instrumental and general music (K-12). Amanda's students have experienced success in passing auditions for various middle and high school honor level ensembles, as well as colleges and universities for those who decide to pursue a music career. In addition to her private studio, Amanda serves as adjunct flute instructor at Mercyhurst University, as well as adjunct faculty lecturer in music at West Virginia Northern Community College.

Beyond music, Amanda is a Certified Personal Trainer and Corrective Exercise Specialist through the National Academy of Sports Medicine. Amanda has presented workshops on the topic of performance health for musicians at several different events including the annual Mid-Atlantic Flute Convention, the annual National Flute Convention, and the Flute Society of Greater Philadelphia's annual Flute Fair. Amanda received a Bachelor of Music degree in music education from Seton Hill University, and a Master of Music degree in flute performance from Duquesne University in Pittsburgh, PA.

Anne Epperly

Focus Area:
Woodwinds
Instruments:
Flute
Rate:
30 minute lesson: $35
Locations:
Allison Park, Golden Mile, Virtual

Federal Criminal
History Record Check

PA Child Abuse
History Check

PA Criminal
History Check

Anne Epperly recently retired from the United States Air Force Heritage of America Band after 21 years. Her career with the Heritage of America Band and the United States Air Force Band of the Golden West took her all over the United States and included performances for two US Presidents, appearances at the Tournament of Roses Parade, Major League Baseball, NFL games, and NASCAR. In addition to her work in the band, Anne has been a soloist and featured chamber musician at the Mid Atlantic Flute Convention. She has performed with the Virginia Symphony, Vallejo Symphony and the California Wind Symphony. Anne holds a Bachelor of Music degree in flute performance from the University of North Carolina School of the Arts and a Master of Arts degree in flute performance from Queens College/City University of New York. Anne loves teaching music, and in January she is returning to school to pursue a Master of Music Education degree at Carnegie Mellon University.

Daniel Muller

Focus Area: Woodwinds
Instruments: Saxophone
Rate: $30 per 30 minute lesson
Locations: Allison Park, Virtual

Federal Criminal
History Record Check

PA Child Abuse
History Check

PA Criminal
History Check

A native of Cleveland, Ohio, Daniel Muller moved to southwestern Pennsylvania in 2016 to pursue graduate studies at Duquesne and Carnegie Mellon Universities, where he studied classical and jazz saxophone with James Houlik, Keith Young, and Mike Tomaro. As both a soloist and chamber musician, he has won local competitions at CMU and the Pittsburgh Concert Society and placed as a quarterfinalist in the Fischoff National Chamber Music Competition. Dedicated to shining light on overlooked and forgotten subjects, Daniel has also presented music history lectures at the Navy Band International Saxophone Symposium and the Osher Institute for Lifelong Learning, delving into the lives of Jewish composers during World War II, as well as the history of wind instruments and ensembles. Endlessly passionate about learning, Daniel strives to encourage his students to look deeper for beauty in the world around them and to share their knowledge with others. His interests also include foreign languages, art, and birdwatching.

Scott Albert

Focus Area:
Woodwinds
Instruments:
Saxophone, Clarinet
Rate:
30 minute lesson: $28
Locations:
Allison Park, Virtual

Federal Criminal
History Record Check

PA Child Abuse
History Check

PA Criminal
History Check

Scott is an elementary band director at Shaler Area Elementary School. His duties include directing the 4th, 5th and 6th grade bands as well as teaching some of the 4th and 5th grade strings. He is currently in his 13th year at Shaler.

Scott has been teaching clarinet and saxophone lessons at Johnstonbaughs since 2008. He has had many successful students from Deer Lakes, Fox Chapel, Hampton, Pine-Richland, and Shaler. Many of the junior high and senior high students Scott has worked with have been accepted into Alle-Valley honors band as well as PMEA festivals.

Scott teaches all grade levels of saxophone from beginners in 4th grade to high school students. Scott also teaches beginning and middle school level clarinet lessons.



Brass - Trumpet, F Horn, Trombone/Low Brass

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Matt Rees

Focus Area:
Brass
Instruments:
Trumpet
Rate:
30 minute lesson: $28
Locations:
Allison Park

Federal Criminal
History Record Check

PA Child Abuse
History Check

PA Criminal
History Check

Matt Rees has been an active educator and performer in the Pittsburgh area. He began playing the trumpet in 4th grade and attended the North Allegheny School District. He attended Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania as a music education major and graduated summa cum laude in 2022.

During Matt’s time at Slippery Rock University, he was heavily involved in teaching and performing experiences. He studied trumpet under Dr. Micah Holt. He participated in the Slippery Rock University Wind Ensemble, where he was principal trumpet for three years. He also was the lead trumpet in Slippery Rock University’s Jazz Ensemble for two years. Other ensembles he’s participated with include the SRU Brass Ensemble (Eb soprano cornet) and the SRU Marching Pride. Matt also has a vast wealth of teaching experience. He student taught grades 9-12 band and K-5 general music at the North Hills School District. He has been the trumpet graduate assistant for both North Hills and North Allegheny marching bands. He’s co-led beginning band camps at PYCO School of Music and Slippery Rock Area School District.

Currently, Matt continues to teach at band camps and play with local ensembles, including the Musicians Concert Band of Butler, PA and Murphys Big Band of Leechburg, PA. He also performs occasionally with his local church, Christ Church of Grove Farm, in Sewickley, PA. Matt will be attending Carnegie Mellon University for a masters degree in trumpet performance and will graduate in 2024. In his free time outside of music, Matt enjoys exercising, traveling, and watching sports.

Nikolas Morosky

Focus Area:
Low Brass
Instruments:
Trombone
Rate:
30 minute lesson: $30
1 hour lesson: $40
Locations:
Allison Park

Federal Criminal
History Record Check

PA Child Abuse
History Check

PA Criminal
History Check

Nikolas Morosky is an active educator, performer, and student in the Pittsburgh area, where he is currently a graduate teaching assistant at Carnegie Mellon University, where he studies with Jeff Dee of the Pittsburgh Symphony. Before arriving in Pittsburgh, Nikolas attended the University of Central Florida where he earned a bachelor’s degree in trombone performance under the teaching of Dr. Luis Fred. Outside of his schooling Nikolas has continued to advance his career in freelance performance. He currently holds touring and substitute positions with the Hollywood Festival Orchestra, The Orlando Philharmonic, The Johnstown Symphony Orchestra, and the Walt Disney Company. He recently joined the HFO for their most recent tour of Japan in 2023, the Walt Disney Company for the 2023 Candlelight Processional Orchestra, the Beach Boys, and the Brass Band of Central Florida for their latest studio releases.

Ryan Moser

Focus Area:
Brass
Instruments:
Trombone/Low Brass
Rate:
30 minute lesson: $28.50
Locations:
Allison Park, Virtual

Federal Criminal
History Record Check

PA Child Abuse
History Check

PA Criminal
History Check

Ryan is a native of Pittsburgh having attended the Shaler Area School district. He attended the Indiana University of Pennsylvania as a Music Education major, and following graduation moved to Boston, Massachusetts. While in Boston, Ryan taught elementary and middle school band in the Brookline Public Schools. He also had the opportunity to study with Gabriel Langfur (bass trombone) of the Rhode Island Philharmonic and Vermont Symphony Orchestra. A short relocation to Columbus, Ohio allowed Ryan to work as a recruiter for The Ohio State University School of Music.


Strings - Violin, Viola, Cello

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Cathy Baranowski

Focus Area:
Orchestral Strings
Instruments:
Violin
Rate:
30 minute lesson: $26
45 minute lesson: $37.50
Locations:
Allison Park, Virtual

Federal Criminal
History Record Check

PA Child Abuse
History Check

PA Criminal
History Check

Cathy Baranowski graduated from Slippery Rock University with a Bachelors Degree in Music. She has played in the Duquesne University and Slippery Rock Orchestras. Cathy has also been a private music instructor for over fifteen years. Her students have been chosen for the PMEA and Honors Orchestras. Through her education and music experience, she has the ability to teach students of all ages to understand, perform, and appreciate music. She makes learning fun as well as productive.

Rachel Waldron-D'Abruzzo

Focus Area:
Orchestral Strings
Instruments:
Violin, Viola, Cello, Piano
Rate:
30 minute lesson: $27
Locations:
Allison Park, Virtual

Federal Criminal
History Record Check

PA Child Abuse
History Check

PA Criminal
History Check

Rachel Waldron-D'Abruzzo's journey with the cello began at the age of eight, and since then she has been teaching and performing throughout the Pittsburgh area. Ms. D’Abruzzo’s education includes a Bachelor’s degree in Music from Duquesne University, where she studied with Mikhail Istomin from the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra and Paula Tuttle from the Pittsburgh Opera and Ballet. She graduated with her Master's degree from Duquesne University under the tutelage of Adam Liu of the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra. Ms. D’Abruzzo has performed in a variety of church venues, as well as concert series such as Bach, Beethoven, and Brunch. She has also performed in various string and piano ensembles throughout the Pittsburgh area.

When she isn’t performing, she teaches a variety of string and piano students throughout the Pittsburgh area. Many of her students have gone on to pursue music degrees with cello being their main focus. Ms. Waldron-D'Abruzzo has performed as a section cellist in a number of orchestras such as Johnstown, Westmoreland, Washington, and Butler. She has also performed in several summer festivals including the CLAZZ music festival (Arcidosso, Italy) and the Aruba Symphony Festival (Oranjestad, Aruba).


Percussion & Drum Set

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Justin Kelly

Focus Area: Percussion
Instruments: Percussion, Drum Set
Rate:
30 minute lesson: $32
45 minute lesson: $44
60 minute lesson: $57
Locations: Allison Park, Virtual

Federal Criminal
History Record Check

PA Child Abuse
History Check

PA Criminal
History Check

Justin Kelly is a drummer and percussionist performing and teaching the Pittsburgh area. After picking up the sticks for the first time in 5th grade, Justin went on to attend Carnegie Mellon University and Manhattan School of Music, studying with members of the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra, the New York Philharmonic, and Metropolitan Opera. Justin is equally at home playing in an orchestra, a jazz trio, or a recording studio, and can be seen doing all three in venues across the city. In addition to drumming, Justin enjoys writing, DJing, and an occasional game of chess.


Piano

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Rachel Waldron-D'Abruzzo

Focus Area:
Orchestral Strings
Instruments:
Violin, Viola, Cello, Piano
Rate:
30 minute lesson: $27
Locations:
Allison Park, Virtual

Federal Criminal
History Record Check

PA Child Abuse
History Check

PA Criminal
History Check

Rachel Waldron-D'Abruzzo's journey with the cello began at the age of eight, and since then she has been teaching and performing throughout the Pittsburgh area. Ms. D’Abruzzo’s education includes a Bachelor’s degree in Music from Duquesne University, where she studied with Mikhail Istomin from the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra and Paula Tuttle from the Pittsburgh Opera and Ballet. She graduated with her Master's degree from Duquesne University under the tutelage of Adam Liu of the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra. Ms. D’Abruzzo has performed in a variety of church venues, as well as concert series such as Bach, Beethoven, and Brunch. She has also performed in various string and piano ensembles throughout the Pittsburgh area.

When she isn’t performing, she teaches a variety of string and piano students throughout the Pittsburgh area. Many of her students have gone on to pursue music degrees with cello being their main focus. Ms. Waldron-D'Abruzzo has performed as a section cellist in a number of orchestras such as Johnstown, Westmoreland, Washington, and Butler. She has also performed in several summer festivals including the CLAZZ music festival (Arcidosso, Italy) and the Aruba Symphony Festival (Oranjestad, Aruba).


John Kulik

Focus Area:
Piano
Instruments:
Piano
Rate:
30 minute lesson: $30
Locations:
Allison Park, Virtual

Federal Criminal
History Record Check

PA Child Abuse
History Check

PA Criminal
History Check

John V. Kulik, NCTM holds a B.S. degree in Music Education St. Vincent College, Latrobe, PA, and an M.M. degree in Piano Pedagogy from Duquesne University, Pittsburgh, PA. He is a Nationally Certified Teacher of Music with over 30 years of teaching experience with students age 4 and up. Mr. Kulik has taught private as well as class piano at Chatham College’s Laboratory School of Music, Pittsburgh, PA and at Westmoreland County Community College, Youngwood, PA. He has had many successful students place in performance and composition competitions at the local and state levels of PMTA. Mr. Kulik currently maintains an independent studio of children and adults in Murrysville, PA and is a frequent solo and collaborative pianist in the area as well as being a performing member of the Friday Evening Music Club, Greensburg, PA.


David Stone

Focus Area:
Piano
Instruments:
Piano
Rate:
30 minute lesson: $35
Locations:
Allison Park

Federal Criminal
History Record Check

PA Child Abuse
History Check

PA Criminal
History Check

Originally from Akron, Ohio, David Stone is a graduate of New York University, holding a Bachelor’s Degree in Classical Piano Performance and a Master’s Degree in Music Technology and Composition. Since 2020, he has been an active presence in the Pittsburgh music community, both as a performer and a dedicated music educator.

With over 15 years of teaching experience, David has been on the faculty of the Church Street School of Music and Art in New York and the Bronx Conservatory of Music. His compositions have been featured by the NYU Symphony Orchestra at the Skirball Center. As a recitalist, he has performed at venues in the New York area, including Alice Tully Hall at Lincoln Center and Casa Italiana at Columbia University.

David's teachers include Michael Koonrod at Interlochen Arts Academy, Eduardus Halim at NYU, and Radoslav Kvapil at Charles University. He also studied film composition with Sonny Kompanek and Ira Newborn, and jazz piano with Donald Friedman. In addition to his classical pursuits, David performs on accordion and piano with folk groups Aubergine and Grayscale.

Ingrid Beute

Focus Area:Piano
Instruments:Piano
Rate:
30 minute lesson: $31.50
Locations: Allison Park

Federal Criminal
History Record Check

PA Child Abuse
History Check

PA Criminal
History Check

South African born Ingrid Beute is an accomplished pianist and has performed as soloist with all the major symphony orchestras of South Africa and Bophuthatswana, including the National Symphony Orchestra of South Africa. She has performed as chamber pianist and soloist in Portugal, Italy, USA, Bophuthatswana and South Africa. Since moving to Western Pennsylvania a little over a decade ago, she has performed as a freelance pianist and keyboardist with the Butler Symphony and as soloist with the Westminster College Symphony Orchestra. Performing honors include winning first prizes in the National South African Broadcasting Ensemble Competition, the Port Elizabeth Young Musicians Competition and the National ATKV Prelude Competition. On an international level, she won third place overall at the 1990 Marsala International Piano Competition in Italy as well as the prize for best South African pianist in the UNISA International Piano Competition, South Africa during the same year.

Ingrid is also an experienced music educator. She served as Fine Arts Coordinator at Colegio Internacional de Carabobo in Venezuela, piano instructor and chamber music faculty at Luzerne Summer Music Festival in New York, piano and ensemble coach for the Pittsburgh Center for Young Musicians, and instrumental instructor (clarinet, recorder and piano) at Redhill School, Johannesburg, South Africa.

Ingrid received her Master of Music in Piano Performance from the University of Cincinnati, College Conservatory of Music, and Graduate Artist Diploma in Piano from the University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa. Since her retirement from the concert arena, she earned a Master’s in Counseling and Development from Slippery Rock University and during the Covid pandemic earned certifications in Mindfulness Coaching and Positive Psychology. She enjoys devoting time after hours in sharing her love and appreciation for music with her piano students.


Voice

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Daphne Alderson

Focus Area: Voice
Instruments: Voice
Rate:
30 minute lesson: $30
45-minute lesson: $40
1 hour lesson: $50
Locations: Virtual

Federal Criminal
History Record Check

PA Child Abuse
History Check

PA Criminal
History Check

Daphne Alderson’s diverse career as lyric contralto includes opera, cabaret, oratorio, and chamber music. Her voice has been described as, “Haunting and mesmerizing.” Ted Sohier, (WQED-fm, Pittsburgh). In duo with accordionist Vladimir Mollov: “An original, unique artist in Pittsburgh, or anywhere ...beautiful renderings of French songs and Piaf,” (Pittsburgh City Paper, Andy Mulkerin). A passionate champion of cabaret genre, combined with theater has forged a unique path in the classical music scene. Stravinsky’s opera farce, MAVRA is a return to her roots in opera and a whole new exploration of the Russian repertoire. This production will be relaunched in the Fall of 2021.

The 2020 season held several new projects: THESE DAYS, Pittsburgh Festival Opera’s 2020 Festival, Cerverii Circus: Satie Souvenir (Lake George Summer Festival), Daphne and Dietrich, and Lenya In The Light...the world of Lotte Lenya. The Lenya and Dietrich programs are commissioned from Pittsburgh Festival Opera’s summer festival seasons.

Ms. Alderson debuted the role of Older Alice in Opera Theater of Pittsburgh’s acclaimed premiere of Gilda Lyons/Tammy Ryan’s: A NEW KIND OF FALLOUT, called “Haunting and memorable.”(Pittsburgh Tribune Review). Other PFO appearances include her celebrated, “Piaf at Carnegie Hall, 1956.” Her Madame Armfeldt in Sondheim’s A Little Night Music garnered: “Luscious, dark tones, an accomplished rendering.” (Pittsburgh Tribune Review and City Paper for Opera Theatre of Pittsburgh SummerFest). Other roles include Mere Jeanne in Pittsburgh Opera’s acclaimed production of Poulenc’s DIALOGUES OF THE CARMELITES, Microscopic Opera’s FANTASTIC MR. FOX (Agnes), Thomas Albert’s LIZBETH (Abby Borden) and the world premiere of NIGHT OF THE LIVING DEAD (Helen Cooper). Other recent credits include AINADAMAR with Quantum Theatre and Miss Baggott in Benjamin Britten’s LITTLE SWEEP.

A Hallelujah at Love Café is a celebration of new versions of the folk rock movement that Leonard Cohen helped to create. It also features songs of Joan Baez, Joni Mitchell and Judy Collins, moving her intimate contralto into a new realm:

Daphne and the St. Michel Chamber Band is a fusion of chamber music and folk/pop with John Marcinizyn, guitarist, Elisa Kohanski, cellist and accordionist Vladimir Mollov. Her latest recording, JOAN OF ARC was released world-wide: Piaf chansons and Leonard Cohen ballads. Ms. Alderson toured extensively through the Eastern U.S. in Songs That Oscar Taught Me, a cabaret style tribute to Oscar Hammerstein and All Hear, All Judy, the songs of Judy Garland, and A Girl In Paris, World War II...arranged by Douglas Levine.

A concert tour with Philadelphia based pianist Norma Meyer: WE REMEMBER...THE INNER LIFE OF ANNE FRANK (Carnegie Hall in Carnegie), featured works by Mahler, Poulenc, Weill and Michael Cohen’s stunning “I REMEMBER.” Her most recent recital of the French chansons of Debussy, Hahn and Faure in Philadelphia was featured in MauriceRiver Concerts.

Her duo with guitarist John Marcinizyn toured through parts of Central and South America, as musical ambassadors for the Institute for Shipboard Education. The Piaf concerts for the Pittsburgh Symphony’s Paris Festival hailed, “Not to be missed!” (Mark Kanny, Pittsburgh Tribune Review). Notable collaborations include Chatham Baroque, Bricolage Theater and IonSound Project. As private voice teacher and director of opera studies, she is emeritus faculty as Associate Professor of Voice and Opera at Seton Hill University, now actively maintains a private studio and is part of new faculty at Pittsburgh’s Johnstonbaugh Music School. She lives in Pittsburgh with husband John Marcinizyn and a striped cat named Viola.


Guitar

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Mark Antonich

Focus Area:
Guitar
Instruments:
Guitar, Electric Bass
Rate:
30 minute lesson: $30
Locations:
Allison Park, Virtual

Federal Criminal
History Record Check

PA Child Abuse
History Check

PA Criminal
History Check

Mark Antonich preaches his love of guitar and music in many places. He is an adjunct faculty member in the music departments of Westminster College, Thiel College, and Waynesburg University. ln addition to his guitar duties at these schools, he also teaches jazz improvisation, guitar master classes, group guitar class, and guitar ensemble.

Born and raised in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, Mark received his undergraduate degree in music from the University of Pittsburgh and a master's degree in music theory from Duquesne University. He also graduated from the Guitar lnstitute of Technology in Los Angeles, California. While studying at the Guitar lnstitute in Los Angeles, Mark was voted one of the Outstanding Students of the Year. Los Angeles studio guitarist, Tommy Tedesco, presented him with a brand new ovation guitar as his award. ln phoenix, Arizona, Mark also had the opportunity to attend and perform in masterclasses with jazz guitar legends, Howard Roberts, Herb Ellis, and Barney Kessel.

As a guitarist, Mark is a freelance musician throughout the tri-state area of Pennsylvania, Ohio, and West Virginia. He has worked in the pit bands for numerous shows and musicals such as Grease, working, Godspell, Bye Bye Birdie, and The Trailer Park Musical. ln 2007, Mark toured and performed with, "The New Holidays" vocal group. That same year he recorded and contributed musical arrangements to the Holidays newest CD, "Why Do Fools Fall ln Love." The CD was released throughout the United States by the independent record label, "Collectible Records" and received extensive airplay on many oldies radio stations.

Mark is currently performing and recording as a founding member of the Westminster Faculty Jazz Quartet. They perform many concerts throughout the area while conducting master classes and seminars at schools in the Pennsylvania/Ohio region.

Matt Korbanic

Focus Area:
Guitar
Instruments:
Guitar, Electric Bass, Ukulele, Banjo, Beginner Mandolin
Rate:
30 minute lesson: $27
2-person group lesson: $35
Locations:
Allison Park, Virtual

Federal Criminal
History Record Check

PA Child Abuse
History Check

PA Criminal
History Check

“Exceptional talent with virtuoso technique,” writes Mike Cimballa, music critic and violinist with the Charlotte Symphony of his lyrical interpretations of his music. Born and educated in Pittsburgh, Matthew Korbanic has earned a master's degree in classical guitar performance from Carnegie Mellon University. Some of his noted teachers have been Dr. Nathan Davis, James Ferla, and Joe Negri. As a player on the newly innovated 8 string “Brahms” style guitar by Paul Galbraith, he has toured the east coast and mid-west and has received grants to study with Mr. Galbraith. He has been a return performer with the Three Rivers Arts Festival, the Pittsburgh Opera, and the Pittsburgh Arts Council. As a soloist and as a member of a flute and guitar duo, he has been presented live on WQED-FM in Pittsburgh. He has released a CD of original guitar compositions through his own record label titled “Orbit”. Click here to visit his website.


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Act 33/34

Federal Criminal History Record Check, PA Child Abuse History Check, PA Criminal History Check:

This means that the teacher has received Act 33/34 Clearances from the State of Pennsylvania. Act 33/34 Clearances are designed to ensure that people who work with children have a record clear of child abuse and crime. All schools in Pennsylvania require that teachers and school staff have Act 33/34 Clearances. In June of 2005, Johnstonbaugh’s Music Centers implemented a policy that all new teachers are required to have Act 33/34 Clearances.

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