Call or Text us: 310-784-0100
Email Us: hello@torranceartsacademy.com
Email Us: hello@torranceartsacademy.com
As Executive Director/Owner and Music Educator, Jane Lee has brought together a team of experienced and highly motivated professionals to carry out the Academy’s mission statement. Jane Lee has been teaching music at prestigious private schools as well as privately for 20 years. She is also the founder of Musical Miracles, a non-profit organization, teaching music and art to more than 500 kids weekly at Title 1 schools.
Torrance Arts Academy (previously known as Hills Academy) opened its doors in November of 2010 with only 20 students. Currently, we are home to more than 500 students. Our mission statement is to foster the love of learning through exceptional and excellent music, art and dance mentorship and instruction. Click here to read more about us on Voyage LA!
Jane Lee, Founder
University-trained teachers from Julliard, USC, Bob Cole, OTIS, New England Conservatory, Cal Arts, etc. will be teaching your child the music, art and dance they want to learn! Our faculty comprises of experienced and passionate educators. Our front desk staff is always helpful, friendly and ready to serve!
Adriel Ayala is a multi-instrumentalist, professional songwriter and producer. She graduated from Towson University with a Bachelor’s degree in Electronic Media and Film focusing on Sound and Audio Production. She has taught music lessons, mentorship programs, group music classes and music workshops specialising in the non-profit sector over the past 10 years. Lessons she teaches range from piano, songwriting, guitar, ukulele, voice and music production. Originally from the east coast, she moved to Los Angeles 7 years ago. She has toured the country performing her original music and currently plays in a band.
Tell us a little bit about yourself and your background with music/art/teaching.
With over 15 years of dedicated volunteer service in the Torrance Unified School District’s Adventures in Art program, I have cultivated a deep passion for fostering creativity and education in the community. My journey began at California State University, Long Beach, where I earned a BA in Communications, skills I’ve since applied to various creative endeavors. Art has been a lifelong pursuit, growing up immersed in its many forms. This love for creativity has led me to explore diverse art styles, materials, and methods continuously. Since 2008, I’ve channeled this passion into designing and crafting handmade jewelry, honing my skills and craftsmanship over the years. My commitment to volunteer work reflects my belief in the transformative power of art education. Through my experiences, I’ve developed strong organizational, communication, and leadership skills, enriching both my professional and personal endeavors. Passionate, versatile, and dedicated, I continue to seek opportunities to inspire and contribute to the vibrant world of art and education. I love to encourage children to try something new, explore, and ask questions! In my class, there are no mistakes in art. My favorite art memory from childhood is coloring a Van Gogh Sunflowers paint-by-number, sparking a lifelong love for sunflowers.
Tell us a little bit about yourself and your background with music/art/teaching.
I have been performing for as long as I can remember from singing “Twinkle Twinkle Little Star” for my family to singing along to all of my favorite singers as a child. I started singing and playing instruments in elementary school and eventually expanded to musical theater, talent shows, marching band, and writing my own songs in high school. Music and performing created a safe space for me and brought me joy during difficult times as a kid. As I went onto college, and then entered the workforce as a musician, meeting new people, hearing their stories, and creating communities became an important part of my career. I received Bachelor degrees in Vocal Performance and Music Education from Cal State Long Beach, and a Master’s degree in Vocal Performance from Cal State Los Angeles. Teaching grew from wanting to help people. One of my friends in high asked for drum lessons, and I was happy to help. I worked with choirs, and started teaching lessons throughout college. I now teach, write original music, and perform throughout Los Angeles, and Orange County.
How did you know that music/art was going to be your career?
Music was a big part of my life whether it was for joy or learning. Music as a career is what I call a beautiful jigsaw puzzle, one that can be complicated at times, and once solved becomes really rewarding, and life changing.There were times when I felt like I had to choose between teaching and performing, and I had mentors and other musicians I met along the way that reminded me that music is multifaceted and as artists and teachers, we can be too.
What do you love most about teaching?
I love seeing the growth in each student, and helping them see they are so capable of so much beyond their musical abilities. It’s amazing to see a student really understand a concept in a lesson, and so important when they believe they can achieve it on their own.I love connecting with each student or group of students. It is truly special to learn about each individual, discover their interests and what goals they have for themselves, no matter the age of the student. I have had the honor to teach students from various backgrounds and ages. Anyone I work with ends up teaching me a great and reminds me of the joy and love for music and the joy of learning. One of my most important goals as a teacher is to create a safe space for each student to express themselves, feel empowered to ask questions and believe in themselves throughout the learning process.
Did you have a favorite teacher growing up? Tell us about him/her.
One of the most significant teachers remains my third grade teacher, Ms. Gilbert. She was one of the first people to encourage me to sing. It was simple classrooms songs, she heard me sing once, asked if I would do a solo in class and then encouraged me to join choir.. I remember seeing Mrs. Gilbert at a musical I was in, and thanking her for encouraging me and helping me begin my musical journey. From then on, I believed music could continue to be an important part of my life.
What is your favorite hobby?
I love to cook and bake all the tasty vegan treats! When I’m not singing, dancing or acting, I also love to make people laugh
What is one piece of advice you would like to share with your students?
I’d like to say remember that you are a person and a musician. You are capable of so much, and when you trust that the learning really begins. Thank you for allowing me to be a small part of wherever the love of music may take you. 🙂
Ethan Elseth is a composer and multi-instrumentalist from Saint Paul, Minnesota. Before completing his M.M. in Screen Scoring from the University of Southern California, Ethan toured nationally and internationally as a guitarist and had collaborated with the Minnesota Orchestra, the Quad City Symphony, Cape Cod Symphony, along with many Twin Cities musical artists. Ethan’s collaborative spirit, cool demeanor, and love for all varieties of music always ensures a flourishing relationship with students and musicians alike. His vast versatility and experience as a professional musician can be readily heard in his compositions and songs. He loves passing down his knowledge and sharing experiences with the eager student and seeing the “lightbulb turning on” expression on his students’ faces when something clicks.
Hello! My name is Ms. Gloria. Music has been a part of my life since I was listening to classical tunes in my mom’s belly! For the past ten years, I’ve been teaching music to students of all ages, aiming to make music a natural, joyful part of their lives. I believe learning music should be stress-free and enjoyable, respecting each student’s pace. I’ve played various instruments like guitar and violin, but piano and vocals are my mainstay. I’m excited to try bass guitar and drums soon! Though teaching music was initially a side endeavor, joining TAA has been a blessing, allowing me to tailor my methods to each student’s needs. Watching students improve and grow in confidence week by week is incredibly rewarding. I cherish seeing their pride and hearing from delighted parents. My favorite teacher, Ms. Danielle Panto, challenged me to think critically and be an active thinker. Her influence still inspires me today. Outside of teaching, I enjoy making phone charms and bracelets, a hobby turned side hustle, and playing worship songs on the piano. My advice to students is to embrace mistakes as part of growth. Everyone learns at their own pace, so focus on your progress. Embrace the journey, both the ups and downs, and keep persevering. Through this, you’ll overcome greater challenges and achieve amazing things.
Gabriela “Gabi” Urdaz, with a Bachelor of Music in Music Education from San Diego State University and a teaching credential in Music K-12, is a passionate and experienced music educator. As a former Band and Choir Director, Gabi has revitalized music programs, created supportive learning environments, and engaged in community outreach. She offers private lessons in Alto Sax, Voice, and Music Theory, as well as directs our Choir. She is known for emphasizing literacy and fundamentals. Gabi’s diverse teaching experience includes SAT and GRE prep, along with a notable performance background in various ensembles.
Jonathan Strand is a South Bay pianist and teacher, involved in a wide array of genres including classical, jazz, choral, and pop. He currently offers piano and guitar lessons, and loves to spread the joy of music! He graduated from California State University, Northridge with a degree in Piano Performance, and is currently pursuing a Masters degree in performance and pedagogy. As a teacher, Jonathan’s goal is to instill good technique and critical thinking in his students, while guiding them through the magical world of music-making!
Tell us a little bit about yourself and your background with music/art/teaching.
I’ve always been a musical person, I joined the middle school choir and everything has snowballed from there. I then joined the winter percussion program at my middle school which led me into becoming a vibraphonist for our school’s jazz band. Since then I have had a deep passion for jazz music. I was Seymour in my high school’s production of Little Shop of Horrors which is what sparked my love for performing. As a high schooler I would volunteer at my middle school as a percussion instructor, and at CSULB I was also a music theory tutor for many of my peers. I love sharing my knowledge of music and have never shied away from helping others. I never envisioned myself as a teacher but in many small ways I have always been one, and I love it!
How did you know that music/art was going to be your career?
I was a straight-A student growing up, which opened many doors for opportunities. My junior year of high school I landed an internship at Sequoia National Park, but my parents were afraid of me traveling by bus at 16 all the way to Sequoia from Fresno, so they told me I couldn’t accept the internship. Soon after that I fell deep into letting music be my comfort, and in a way it was what caught my fall. Then, very soon after, I got cast as Seymour for Little Shop of Horrors and from that point on I realized I was meant to be a performer more than anything. The sheer adrenaline of being on stage is a feeling I am always looking for, and will never take for granted.
What do you love most about teaching?
I love connecting personally with my students. I want all of my students to feel like they can be themselves and that they are appreciated for being themselves. I want all my students to know that they belong and are always welcome to be themselves in my presence. Watching them grow in confidence as their playing/understanding of music gets better is such a gratifying feeling. I believe we as teachers are meant to nurture and foster the individuality of our students, not force them to be anything other than that.
Did you have a favorite teacher growing up? Tell us about him/her.
My favorite teacher growing up was my vocal instructor in high school. I took lessons with the choral director of my high school for 3 months preparing for Little Shop of Horrors and she taught me so much about how much work it takes to get to a point of satisfaction with my craft. I always sang as a kid but I never realized how much control goes into it until I took lessons with her. She taught me the power of control and precision and I’m grateful for the way that her diligence has trickled into all aspects of my life.
What is your favorite hobby?
I have two things that occupy my life: music and Pokemon. I am constantly meeting with my producer and working on music. For every 1 song I have out, I have 13 sitting on hold. I am always writing and in fact want to one day get into songwriting for other larger artists, but I know that day will come when it’s meant to come to me. I feel like writing music and songwriting are my ways to really express the beauty I see in the world, which may sound pretentious, but this world is beautiful and I love all the intimate moments that come with simply being alive. When I’m not indulging artistically I am probably playing Pokemon on one of my many game consoles. Gameboy, DS, 3DS, Switch, emulator, you name it. There is not a single generation of Pokemon that I have missed and I like to consider myself a walking Pokedex.
What is one piece of advice you would like to share with your students?
Never grow up. My whole life I wanted to be an adult already and now that I’m an adult all that I want is for time to slow down again. It’s taken a lot of work inside me to realize that my inner child is my source of inspiration and happiness. We are all going to grow old one day, but growing up is overrated. Allow the world to inspire you. Stay young and hopeful about everything you dream of.
Tell us a little bit about yourself and your background with music/art/teaching.
I have been teaching piano, accompanying for ballet classes, choirs, and instrumentalists/vocalists around the LA area for over 5 years. I also like to play cover gigs around the area. I attended the Bob Cole Conservatory of Music, where I got both my Bachelor’s and Masters degree in Piano Performance. I studied under Mark Uranker and Craig Richey, respectively. After graduating, I attended the Green Mountain Chamber Music Festival on 3/4 scholarship where I studied under Dr. Dmitri Shteinberg. I am currently in the process of recording my own album which is set to release in December of 2022.
How did you know that music/art was going to be your career?
I had been taking piano for many years, but once I joined choir in high school and got involved with the musicals, I knew I was going to be pursuing something in the arts. There was such a sense of community in choir that made me feel safe and seen, which is what I needed at that age. Studying piano has given me an opportunity to express my true self to its fullest potential, and singing had shown me a new way to use my voice. I am happy that I’ve found a community here where I can inspire and teach others to find their own voice in music.
What do you love most about teaching?
I love seeing students find something that they love about music. Seeing eyes light up when something “clicks” is a very rewarding experience.
Did you have a favorite teacher growing up? Tell us about him/her.
My favorite teacher was my piano teacher. She gave me a great foundation and I remember it was always the highlight of my week to go to my piano lesson. After my sad departure from piano lessons due to difficult circumstances, my favorite teachers were my photography teacher and my choir teacher.
What is your favorite hobby?
Running
What is one piece of advice you would like to share with your students?
My favorite teacher was my piano teacher. She gave me a great foundation and I remember it was always the highlight of my week to go to my piano lesson. After my sad departure from piano lessons due to difficult circumstances, my favorite teachers were my photography teacher and my choir teacher.
Tell us a little bit about yourself and your background with music/art/teaching.
Peiwen Su, born in Taiwan. Peiwen had graduated from Oberlin Conservatory, studied with professor Marilyn McDonald. She is now working on her Master degree program at USC, Thornton School Of Music, learning with Lina Bahn in violin performance . Peiwen was the winner of the first prize in the Taiwan Kaohsiung City Violin competition and the first prize in the National Student Piano Quintet Competition. She was selected as a fellowship student in the Colorado Music Festival and Madeline Island Chamber Music Program. Peiwen held her violin solo recital in Kaohsiung City Music Concert Hall at the year 2019. She is the winner of the Oberlin Conservatory Concerto Competition. In the past 2 years, Peiwen is active in film music scoring filed, working with Hollywood songwriters and directors. She was selected as the violin recording player of Zedd team and perform with Zedd in Burbank, Hollywood.
How did you know that music/art was going to be your career?
After moving to LA, I suddenly realized that how large of the society are creating for me to experience the music industry/music world. As a professional violin performer, I see values in my violin playing. Every time after I finished my performance, which I know that I make people feel cured. I always know that it is worth for me to keep doing art performing, in order to spread more love to the world.
What do you love most about teaching?
I love to see how student improve from every week and share their life story/ experience to me. I believe that the more joyful the human life are experiencing, the more color human can express the feelings in music. That is why I will always encourage students to have a good conversation with teachers to share their opinions, and I will also create an energetic, joyful learning environment for people to learn music with me. I enjoyed it.
Did you have a favorite teacher growing up? Tell us about him/her.
My college violin teacher was the person who supports me so much in music playing. She not only teaches violin, she also teaches me how to treat art “meaningfully”. Making art is not only “wanting to earn the first prizes”. Making art is an accumulation of how we gain the love from the world, and transform into music playing to convey to more people. She really changes my views in music making and make me cherish what I have so far 🙂
What is your favorite hobby?
My favorite hobby is to create any kinds of fun plan to explore the world.
snowboarding, escape rooms, cooking, painting , reading ancient civilization books, travel the world and enjoy communication hanging out with people are all of my hobby:)
What is one piece of advice you would like to share with your students?
I would want to share with my students, keep exploring things you like and you want! The human world is brilliant when a person is being loved and doing things what they have so much passion for. If you have passion with violin, then just take it out and practice. The more practice you have, the easier you will approach music faster because the muscle memory will lead you:) KEEP WORKING!
Tell us a little bit about yourself and your background with music/art/teaching.
Sergiej a musician and academic from the UK. For over 20 years, he has played drums professionally in Samba, rock, funk, and jazz bands in both live settings and studio productions. His teaching philosophy is simple: to ground students firmly in drum fundamentals (e.g., sight reading, rudiments, technique, phrasing, timing), which apply to all drum styles. He strongly believes that you cannot just work from a book—every drummer is different. His drum influences are broad, with some including Dennis Chambers, Jose Pasillas, Stewart Copeland, and Matt Cameron.
Summer Le is a dedicated and versatile music teacher with a rich cultural background and a strong foundation in classical music. Originally from Vietnam and raised in Orange County, CA, she brings a unique perspective to her teaching, blending her heritage with her classical training in the Bella Canto technique. With a degree in Music from Orange Coast College and further studies in Music Education at Cal State Long Beach, Summer specializes in voice and early piano instruction, focusing on building strong, individual connections with her students.
In addition to her teaching, Summer is an accomplished performer who has graced prestigious venues such as Disney Hall and Carnegie Hall. Her extensive experience on stage enriches her teaching, offering students insights from a seasoned artist. Choose Summer Le for a music education that is not only technically sound but also culturally enriching and personally fulfilling.
Tell us a little bit about yourself and your background with music/art/teaching.
Professional Artist & Designer for over 35 years.
BA in Interior Design. Focus on Decorative and Professional Fine Art. Practical instruction and professional painting classes as student and teacher is on an ongoing basis. My focus for my students is to get comfortable with materials and understand the creative process. Basic color, line, shapes, and concepts build confidence and unique problem solving abilites.
How did you know that music/art was going to be your career?
I’m not sure I did, but it evolved as my own children learned in school.
What do you love most about teaching?
Letting children and adults WONDER and get excited when they learn a technique, or find a color mix, or a shape, or a mark that makes them happy.
Did you have a favorite teacher growing up? Tell us about him/her.
My favorite teachers were the once who said “try”. Just try it, and if it isn’t what you expect, try something different.
What is your favorite hobby?
Traveling and Cooking
What is one piece of advice you would like to share with your students?
Explore, be curious, and ask questions.
Tell us a little bit about yourself and your background with music/art/teaching.
I’ve been teaching piano and music for 5 years now. I started at Torrance Arts Academy in 2019, but I also gave piano lessons to my friends and colleagues long before that (2017).
How did you know that music/art was going to be your career?
As a young piano student, my keyboard studies always held a very special and deep place in my heart. I would catch myself dream of being able to play advanced and substantial works by Chopin, Beethoven, and Liszt— along with composing masterpieces one day. I think my love for music was always there, however, I’d say it became the most apparent in my junior year of high-school. It was around this time that I realized that I could get really good and study Piano Performance and Composition at a University if I took it more seriously— which is thankfully what I ended up doing!
What do you love most about teaching?
Ultimately, I love seeing the growth of my students, as well as being able to connect with them and teach them in a way where they’ll be able to thrive as new emerging artists and musicians.
Did you have a favorite teacher growing up? Tell us about him/her.
Growing up, I’d say my favorite teacher would appear later in High School in my senior year when I took AP English Language and Composition. His name was Dr. Ray Gen, and he was easily the most effective and knowledgeable teacher I’d encounter in high-school. I loved his teaching style with being able to explain something thoroughly without any bias— and I also loved his belief in everyone for that class. He was also the most understanding when it came to certain personal matters and seemed to always know the right thing to say when things would get difficult for the class. His teaching style and influence is definitely something I both admire and wish to emulate in my own instruction.
What is your favorite hobby?
My favorite hobby is music production and audio engineering! Being able to hone my craft, produce my own songs as a singer/songwriter, and become a better music producer is something I wish to do much more professionally in the later future. I’ve been producing music for 3 years now. If that doesn’t count as a hobby though, probably going to the gym with friends or skin care/self-care with friends. Hopefully those count as one!
What is one piece of advice you would like to share with your students?
One piece of advice I’d like to share with my students is to never let anyone, anything, or any hurtful words stop you in your pursuit of knowledge. Hold on to your power and try to not give your power to outward and inward negativity, as it can cause you to want to give up! Be an advocate for your education, never be afraid to voice your questions and concerns (no matter how hard that may be), and take what you learn seriously as you very well may need it in the future! And of course, never forget: you’re enough 🙂
Tell us a little bit about yourself and your background with music/art/teaching.
I asked Santa for my first drum set at 3 years old (without telling my parents first. Oops.). Since then, it’s just been something that felt like a natural, and crucial, part of life for me. I found myself teaching younger kids during high school and then college. I went to school for orchestral percussion but continued to teach privately, as well as teaching a full undergraduate course during grad school. Since graduating, exploring teaching has been my primary focus in both private lessons and early childhood education.
How did you know that music/art was going to be your career?
I can’t recall a specific moment where I made this decision, as music was always such a critical part of life for me that I hadn’t really considered doing anything else.
What do you love most about teaching?
I love seeing people overcome a genuine challenge. Getting others out of their comfort zones and seeing them overcome frustrations to realize what they can really do has given me a lot of my favorite moments in the lesson room.
Did you have a favorite teacher growing up? Tell us about him/her.
One of my favorite teachers was a musician named Tommy Osuna, who I studied with in my late high school years. He was a guitarist himself, which gave me a unique experience of learning drums from the perspective of another instrument. I also studied guitar and theory with him, making it a fun and highly diverse time. I would describe his teaching style as being performance focused and far outside the box, which has greatly affected my own approach to teaching.
What is your favorite hobby?
Taiko drumming! I know this is borderline cheating since it’s so close to what I teach, but it is so different from other music fields that I can approach it as it’s own activity. If you have never seen taiko performed, I can’t recommend it enough.
What is one piece of advice you would like to share with your students?
Don’t box yourself in on one instrument. I introduce myself as a percussionist, but I can’t overstate how valuable it is to see music from as many sides as possible. Try out some new instruments, even if at first you sound absolutely horrible on them (you’ll get better!)
The Torrance Arts Academy offers classes and lessons in music, art and dance. Our Torrance piano lessons, voice lessons, guitar lessons, violin lessons, viola lessons, drum lessons, flute lessons, clarinet lessons, and songwriting lessons provide a comprehensive experience and education. Our Torrance Painting Class, 3D Art Class, Meet the Masters Class, Drawing Class, and All Media Class provide a variety of opportunities for students to explore and create through the Visual Arts.
Torrance Arts Academy boasts its 4,000+ sq facility. Our lessons rooms are equipped with top of the line upright and grand pianos. The Multi Purpose Hall houses our beautiful 7 foot German grand piano. There is a large waiting area and FREE wifi for our parents in the lobby.
Our students have performed at Carnegie Hall in New York, Disneyland, Loyola Marymount University, Hermosa Beach Playhouse, Bob Cole Conservatory, Torrance Memorial Hospital and more. We have 3 recitals throughout the year. We also have workshops, masterclasses, and teen open mic nights.
As Executive Director/Owner and Music Educator, Jane Lee has brought together a team of experienced and highly motivated professionals to carry out the Academy’s mission statement. Jane Lee has been teaching music at prestigious private schools as well as privately for 20 years. She is also the founder of Musical Miracles, a non-profit organization, teaching music and art to more than 500 kids weekly at Title 1 schools.