​Alexander Koops
Director of the Azusa Conservatory of Music
Dr. Koops was born and raised in Jos, Nigeria. He holds a D.M.A. in Music Education from the University of Southern California, with minors in theory, orchestral conducting, and horn performance. He has worked in California, Colorado, and New Mexico teaching band, orchestra, and choir as well conducting professionally and performing on horn and voice. While in Colorado he worked as the assistant conductor for the Denver Opera Company and led many performances, including The Magic Flute, La Boehme, The Medium, and The Threepenny Opera. In a review of The Magic Flute, Marc Shugold of the Rocky Mountain News stated, "Koops' conducting of the orchestra maintained a high artistic standard and a decent pace." Jeff Bradley of the Denver Post gave a fabulous review of the Denver Opera Company's production of The Medium emphasizing, "A fine chamber orchestra under the firm baton of Alexander Koops."
 
Koops joined the music faculty at Azusa Pacific University in August 2001 and is currently director of undergraduate music education, associate director of bands, and director of the Azusa Conservatory. He frequently conducts the Lake Avenue Chamber Symphony as well as performing regularly on his horn. His wife, Shaelyn Theule-Koops, and their two children, Dana and Daniel, live in Azusa, California.
Cassandra Barbato
Associate Director of the Azusa Conservatory of Music, and Director of Guitar Studies
Cassandra received her Bachelor of Music in Guitar Performance at California State University Northridge under the director of guitar studies, Dr. Steven Thachuk in the spring of 2006. In the spring of 2009 she received her Masters of Music in Guitar Performance at Azusa Pacific University under the director of guitar studies, Michael Kozubek. Cassandra has performed in master classes held by renowned guitarists Stephen Robinson, Scott Tennant, Oscar Ghiglia, Dusan Bogdanovic, and Roland Dyens. In 2006 she advanced to the semifinal round in the Juan Serrano Guitar Competition, and in June 2008 was a finalist in the LMC Awards Tour competition in Seattle, WA. Cassandra has been teaching music since 2006 at a variety of locations, is currently adjunct faculty at Azusa Pacific University, is Head of Guitar Studies for the Azusa Conservatory and in August 2016 she also accepted the position of Associate Director of the Azusa Conservatory.
Charles Horton
Director of Vocal Studies
Charles Horton is a graduate of Azusa Pacific University where he studied Vocal Performance, Music Theory, and Music Education. Recently he completed the APU Masters Degree Program in conducting. His performance experience includes solo appearances with the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra and in APU opera productions as Don Alphonso in Cosí fan Tutti and Uberto in La Serva Padrona. As a member of Robert Shaw’s Atlanta Symphony Chorus, Horton gained the experience of tutelage under one of the world’s great choir masters. He arranges and composes original music for choirs of all ages. “Learning the basics of healthy and proper use of the voice for young singers is just like learning fingering on a guitar or piano,” he says. “It is an important key to good musicianship and beautiful singing.” Horton brings to the ACM Children’s Choir his passion for seeing young students get the best possible musical education. He is committed to seeing young musicians grow their vocal and musical abilities through discipline and practice that result in quality singing and performance. Whether teaching his students in classic or contemporary styles, Horton’s approach to music is found in the words of Johann Sebastian Bach: Soli Deo Gloria—To the Glory of God Alone.
Diego Barbosa-Vásquez
Director of World Music Symphony Orchestra
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Referenced by the International Press as “Musical Genius” and “synonymous of energy, knowledge and confidence of high artistic quality”. Due to his outstanding international career, Diego was named by ProColombia as Ambassador of Colombia Country Brand. Maestro Barbosa-Vásquez is Artistic & Music Director of the World Music Symphony Orchestra in California-USA, Artistic Director of Choirs and Orchestras for the E&P Program in Colombia, and Assistant Conductor of APU Symphony Orchestra and APU Opera Theater in USA. Currently he is student of M.M. (Master in Music) in Opera and Orchestra Conducting at Azusa Pacific University (USA) and recipient of full assistentship and John Simons Scholarship. Diego holds a Maestro in Music degree from Juan N. Corpas University Music School (Bogotá D.C., Colombia) graduated with honors with Major in Conducting and Minors in Viola and Chamber Music. Additionally he is graduated from Global Leaders Program of YOA (Orchestra of the Americas) as Conductor and Violist.
Guest conductor for the 70 anniversary unicef concert, Diego has been Guest Conductor of the Youth Symphony Orchestra of El Salvador (El Salvador), Caldas Symphony Orchestra (Colombia) and Choir and Founding Orchestra of Esperanza Azteca Program (México). Recognized by Colfuturo - Colombia as “Talented Pride of Colombia” Maestro Diego was Music and Artistic Director of Huila Philharmonic, Chief Conductor of E&P® Symphony Orchestra, Symphony Orchestra of Huila Conservatory and Rock Symphony Orchestra. Diego was chief Conductor of E&P Choirs of Cajicá, Colina and Aparecida; Choral Conductor at “Tocar y Luchar Cafam-Colombia” and Head of the Virrey Solís- E&P Conservatory. As performer Maestro Barbosa-Vásquez was Principal Viola at Caldas Symphony Orchestra, Juan N. Corpas Symphony Orchestra, Colombia Joven Symphony Orchestra, Camerata Acordanza, Orchestra of the “Art and Opera for All Foundation”, Unimúsica Symphony Orchestra, Bogotá Symphony Orchestra FOSBO, and Scholarship holder and Founder of the Colombian Young Philharmonic (FJC) 
Asaph Kim
Director of Marketing and Professional Guitar Instructor
Asaph Kim, while born in Seoul, South Korea, lived in Taichung, Taiwan from ages 2 to 22 while his parents carried out missionary work. He attended Shin-Min High School and Feng-Chia University where he earned his Bachelor’s Degree in finance. Asaph began playing guitar when he was five, and by the age of 10, he was performing at local events and his father’s church, where his passion for music performance was established. As his love for playing the guitar cultivated through his childhood and into his college years, he yearned for a higher education and understanding in music. Then, in a sharp turn of events, he decided to pursue a Master’s Degree in Guitar Performance at Azusa Pacific University, knowing he would have to complete all the prerequisite requirements before starting the master’s program. Over the next three years with the help and guidance of Professor Michael Kozubek, Asaph successfully developed his musicianship and has come to understand the complex techniques of the classical guitar. Additionally, Asaph has studied the jazz guitar under Professor Thomas Hynes and has taken master classes with several world-renowned guitarists including Jason Vieaux and virtuoso guitarist Denis Azabagic. Asaph has placed second in the American Guitar Society’s competition, the Bickford Award. He graduated in December of 2013 with a Master’s Degree in Guitar Performance and is currently enrolled in the Artist Certificate Program where his main focus is in commercial and classical styles. Additionally, Asaph is a free-lance guitarist, currently performing at various events all throughout Southern California.
Thaissa Santiago
​Professional Piano Instructor 
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Born in Brazil, Thaissa Santiago began playing the piano at age 7 and has since been participating in orchestras, music festivals, chamber ensembles and as an accompanist. She attended masterclasses with Dora Castro, Miguel Proença, Paulo Steinberg, Sérgio Monteiro, Marco Antônio de Almeida, David Wintten, Yara Bernete, Geir Braaten, Ricardo Ballestero and Jean Louis Steurman. With youth orchestras she has performed in Argentina, the United States and some Brazilian cities. In the last few years she had the opportunity of replacing the holder pianist of the Symphonic Orchestra of Paraíba in some concerts and, for ten years, she was a member of the Municipal Chamber Orchestra of João Pessoa. From 2008 to 2010, she worked as a substitute piano teacher at the Federal University of Paraíba. In 2009, she was became a piano teacher at the Music Conservatory of Pernambuco and received an invitation to perform at the 2010 Schumann-Chopin Festival held in the same city.. At this event, Thaissa received a commemorative medal on the bicentenary of the birth of Frédéric Chopin, issued by the Consulate of Poland in Pernambuco.

Thaissa holds both Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in piano performance from Federal University of Paraíba under Dr. José Henrique Martins. She recently received her Artist Certificate from Azusa Pacific University under the guidance of Dr. Joel Clifft.
Ksenia Rozhdestvenskaya
Professional Violin Instructor

Ksenia Rozhdestvenskaya shares a heritage with some of the world’s most brilliant composers and artist musicians. She was born in Vladivostok, Russia. Her parents were engineers, and while they were unable to provide a home environment of music, Ksenia, took it upon herself to pursue a career in music and in particular, the violin. Her early years on the violin started when she was six years old, supported by her mother’s encouragement. By the time, Ksenia was fourteen years old, she had already made up her mind to become a professional musician, and the serious dedication and discipline of practicing began with as much as ten hours practice per day. At age 17, she travelled to Moscow, where she was accepted at the Tchaikovsky Conservatory of Music. This led to many auditions, wherein Ksenia was awarded positions in the Kremlin Chamber Orchestra, Moscovia Chamber Orchestra, the Yuri Bashmet (a famous Russian violinist, violist and conductor) Youth Orchestra, and the Moscow Symphony Orchestra. Competitions and Festivals include the Grand Prix award, ‘the Young Violinist’, Vladivostok, 1st place award in the Festival-competition, ‘Nadegda’, Krasnoyarsk, 1st place in the International competition ‘Art of the 21st Century, Kiev-Vorzel, Ukraine, and participation in the USSR Q.E.D. Grach International Music Festival in Seoul, South Korea and the International Music Festival Summer University of Music, Rhodes, Greece. Teachers include Vasileva, Kalman, Balashova and, Koshvanets. Ksenia’s virtuoso repertoire includes Paganini (Campanella Variations on the Salt-string on the subject of Moses), Rachmaninov, Manuel de Falla, Tchaikovsky, Beethoven, Brahms, Mendelssohn, Mozart, Prokofiev, etc.
For the past three years, Ms. Rozhdestvenskaya enjoyed the opportunity of performing as soloist and orchestra section player in America, and now resides in Los Angeles, California. She is currently free-lancing with local orchestras and chamber orchestras, in addition to working as a professional youth orchestra coach for the Westside Youth Orchestra. In September 2017, she will have the position of Assistant to the Music Director of the Westside Youth Orchestra. 
​Amy Lui
Professional Instructor: Early Childhood, Saxophone and Piano 
​Amy began her music journey with the saxophone and piano in middle school, participating and completing the MTAC Certificate of Merit program for piano. She received her Bachelors in Saxophone Performance from the University of California, Davis in 2012 under the direction of Dr. Keith Bohm. At UC Davis, Amy was a member of the Concert Band and Saxophone Quartet and her education there culminated with the music department's Olga Brose Valente Memorial Prize for Excellence in Wind Performance in 2012.
 
At Azusa Pacific University, Amy has been a member of the Wind Ensemble from 2013 through 2016 and completed her Masters in Music Education in 2017. Amy has performed with APU’s and Vanguard University’s symphony orchestras. As an educator, Amy has taught private piano and saxophone lessons and coached group sessions in Northern and Southern California. Amy is a member of Music Teachers Association of California (MTAC), National Association of Music Educators (NAfME), and California Music Educators Association (CMEA). Amy has been serving as a graduate assistant for the Azusa Conservatory from 2014 through 2016 and currently teaches piano, saxophone, and early childhood music time.
​Solomon Encina
​Graduate Assistant and Percussion Instructor
Solomon Encina began teaching percussion professionally since 2010. He was an active member of his high school band program, participating in the marching band, symphonic band, wind ensemble, and percussion ensemble. He studied percussion performance at California Baptist University where he received his Bachelors of Music in percussion performance with an emphasis in timpani. He studied under Matthew McConnell and performed with the concert band, jazz band, choir and orchestra, choral union, musical theater, string ensemble, and percussion ensemble. He has toured and performed all across the nation and has been broadcast on the Trinity Broadcasting Network. Solomon has been serving as graduate assistant for the Azusa Conservatory since Fall, 2016.
​Anderson Isiagu
​Graduate Assistant and Beginning Choir Instructor
Anderson Isiagu is presently studying with Dr. Philip Shackleton towards his Maste​rs Degree in Music Composition at the Azusa Pacific University. He received his B.A. degree in Music Theory and Composition from the Obafemi Awolowo University Ile-Ife, Nigeria where he also served as President of the Music Students Association of Nigeria. After graduating tops from his class, Anderson, almost immediately, got appointed as the principal music consultant to the National Open University of Nigeria, he has consulted for and directed church choirs of diverse denominations and facilitated music training workshops for over 15 years. A vocalist and songwriter, he founded and conducted the Running Fingers Music Resources Orchestra back in his home country Nigeria. He wrote award winning choral pieces and has also been involved with children in musical skills development. He toured the UK in 2007 with Angels’ Choir, one of the Children’s Choirs he was involved with in Nigeria. Anderson leads worship every Sunday in the Presbyterian Church of the Master Mission Viejo, CA. He is a very passionate musician and loves to motivate, and bring out the best in, himself and others. He is fluent in English, the three major Nigerian languages, a bit of French and Spanish, and has started picking up on Mandarin. He joined the Azusa Conservatory of Music as a Graduate Assistant in Spring 2017.


Fall 2017 Conservatory Instructors
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Eri Wong
Piano Instructor
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Eri Wong is currently studying under Dr. Joel Clifft at the Azusa Pacific University. During the past several years, she participated and won in various competitions including: SYMF (Open Solo, Open Bach, Open Chopin, Open America, Open Latin America), CAPMT (Romantic Impressionistic Festival, Sonata, Honors audition), Los Angeles international List Competition, Los Angeles Young Musician International competition, and many more. For the Music Teachers Association of California (MTAC) Contemporary Music Festival, she won the winner award for seven years continuously since 2006. Recently, she won the CAPMT Honors Auditions, (Second Place 2013, Third Place 2014), MTAC State Solo Competition, (Honorable mention 2015 and 2016), and the CAPMT Romantic Festival (2nd place 2016). Eri has participated in many charity concerts and has performed in Carnegie Hall, NY three times.
Adam Hall
Cello Instructor
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Austin Hall is a freshman currently enrolled at Azusa Pacific University. His major is Commercial Music, with an intended emphasis in Audio Recording. He was born in San Dimas, California, but lived in Chino Hills and Upland throughout his life. His instrumental experience consists of piano, drums, electric bass, and cello. The cello has been his main instrument since 2009, and it inspired him to take part in the school orchestra in both middle school and high school, as well as taking part in the Claremont Youth Symphony Orchestra and the orchestra for his church's annual Christmas program. Adam also has experience with the soundboard through apprenticeship on his church's audio team. He is always seeking for ways to help others in any way possible.
Richard Liautaud
Brass Instructor
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Richard Liautaud started his musical journey at the age of 12 as a double bass player. During high school, he was introduced to tuba and marching band and fell in love with both. This love of music propelled him to pursue a Bachelors of Music in Tuba Performance and Composition. Mr. Liautaud started his tuba career at Pasadena City College under the instruction of Beth Mitchell and slowly started to refine his musicianship skills through lessons and chamber brass. At PCC, Mr. Liautaud was a participant of the Pat Sheridan master class in the spring of 2013. The following spring, he was blessed to be a participant of the Roger Bobo master class during spring 2014 and 2015. Mr. Liautaud was also rewarded Third Friday Recital and nominated for Student Recital for his tuba playing while at PCC. Mr. Liautaud transferred to Azusa Pacific University in the Spring of 2015 and is currently studying under John Van Houten.
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He has attended master classes held by tuba giants such as Roger Bobo, Roland Szentpali, and Oystein Baadsvik. As a freelance musician, he also performed with the Burbank Community Theatre, the Los Angeles Sheriff’s Band and the Colburn Wind Ensemble. Mr. Liautaud has also played with the Local 47 Symphony Orchestra in Hollywood, CA.  

A strong believer of giving back, Richard has mentored several music majors at PCC with brass techniques, breathing, musicianship, and music theory. He started volunteering at the Azusa Conservatory of Music since the Summer of 2016 teaching brass techniques and composition to local music students. Forever grateful at the opportunities given, Richard hopes to continue his music career as a tubist, composer, orchestrator, arranger, teacher, and mentor at all musical levels. 
Charlotte Van Houten
Viola and Viloin Instructor
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Charlotte Van Houten is a viola performance major often praised for her passion and drive.  She has appeared with the Idyllwild Chamber Orchestra, Orange County Symphony, CSUN Youth Philharmonic, CSUN Symphony, APU Symphony, and toured in three states with the APU Choir and Orchestra.  Ms. Van Houten is an avid chamber musician and was the only underclassman to appear in the Inaugural Chamber Music Masterclass Program at APU with Karen Dreyfus.  She has performed in Masterclasses with Ben Ullery of the LA Philharmonic, Alex Russell on the APU Faculty, and Gina Coletti, who she currently studies with as a Sophomore violist at APU.  Ms. Van Houten recently received honorable mention in the Parness Concerto Competition and was featured on two cues on the feature film Tomorrowland.  ​
Kendrick Haskins
Percussion Instructor
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Kendrick Haskins is a student at Azusa Pacific University studying Commercial Music with an emphasis on Composing and Arranging. His primary instruments are drum set and other percussion instruments. Kendrick was born in Nashville, Tennessee but was raised in Lincoln, California. He has played various percussion instruments in Marching Band (in which he was the Drum Captain for two years), Jazz Band, Concert Band, Worship Band, and even a few Rock Bands. Kendrick has had experience teaching drum set not only at APU, but in his hometown. Inspired by his musically inclined parents and an AP Music class Kendrick has actively pursued music and continues to grow in his overall musicianship and percussion skills.



More instructors to be announced
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