Meet Our Teachers
Lisa Sinibaldi
Flute, Voice, Piano, Clarinet, Saxophone
Lisa has been teaching and performing in the Hampton Roads area for more than 20 years. Since earning her Bachelor of Music from Old Dominion University, she has taught all levels of band, chorus, and general music in schools, as well as private and group lessons. Lisa served 8 years in the 380th Army Reserve Band where she performed regularly on woodwinds and as a vocal soloist. She has performed in Carnegie Hall, the Kennedy Center and Madison Square Garden with the ODU Wind Ensemble and Pep Band. When Lisa is not teaching lessons, find her leading worship at Great Bridge UMC or teaching music to little ones at Broad Bay Manor School.
John Presto
Piano, Low Brass, Strings
John Presto started studying music at the age of 5 with the piano. In 8th grade, he joined the band and started playing the alto sax. Staying in band throughout Junior High and High School, he was selected to District Band in 1991, making 2nd tenor sax next to Chad Hugo. He was also selected to perform with the Armed Forces Eastern Band Clinic under the baton of composer James Barnes. For 3 summers, he studied Jazz with Dr. Steven Ambrose, Roy Muth, Loutrell Sawyer and Ralph Copley. Notably, with those summer jazz camps were pop stars Pharell Williams and Chad Hugo in attendance.
In the Fall of 1991, he studied music at East Carolina University on a partial scholarship majoring in music performance. From 1997-2011, he mostly served with the United States Navy Band with 7 of those years overseas in Naples, Italy under Commander 6th Fleet (now Commander Naval Forces Europe).Upon leaving the Navy, he decided to finish his bachelor’s and master’s degrees at Old Dominion University in Music Education.
Michael Malinowski
<
Drums
Michael Malinowski is a freelance drummer and percussionist who has performed with artists such as Blue Man Group and Sheila E. He has had the privilege of performing at some of the biggest venues in Los Angeles, including the Hollywood Bowl, Ford Amphitheatre, and Microsoft Theater. Michael graduated from the Bob Cole Conservatory of Music, at California State University, Long Beach, with a degree in Percussion Performance. There, he studied classical, jazz, and world music.
Michael’s passion for music, whether performing or educating, is instantly apparent upon meeting him. Michael recently moved to Virginia Beach, Virginia, where he is focused on playing, teaching, and recording locally, as well as touring nationally.
Erik Mathesius
Trumpet, Guitar, Bass
Erik has been playing trumpet for 30 years and guitar and harmonica for 20 years. He is a Navy veteran and acoustic analyst originally from Pittsburgh who traveled around the world with the Navy and ended up in Hampton Roads. Erik has played with several local bands and is currently the trumpet and harmonica player for The Good Foot, a local band that records and performs mostly original music. When he’s not playing with them, you might catch him on bass, trumpet, or guitar in a local church or band.
Erin Clemons
Voice, Guitar, Piano
Erin Clemons is a Shenandoah University Conservatory graduate with a degree in Music Therapy. She prides herself in the care and love she puts into every session, lesson, and group she's apart of. Erin loves making music with others and helping them hone their skills, whether it be musical or other. Her main instrument is voice, however, she is proficient in piano, guitar, and ukulele.
"I look forward to meeting any and all new students who come through the door. Let's make some music and learn together!"