KNIGHT MUSIC ACADEMY - Key Persons
Ivelina Stoyanova holds a Bachelor's degree in Music Pedagogy (general music and piano) from Shumen University located in her native Bulgaria. She has also boasts a piano teacher certificate from Royal Conservatory of Music, as well as certificates of attendance at Orff workshops and Musically Montessori. Ms. Stoyanova enjoys incorporating music theory and history into her lessons, and is happy to prepare her students for RCM piano exams. She has over two decades of experience teaching piano and general music classes to students of all ages.
Flutist James Donahue enjoys a multi-faceted career as soloist, chamber player, orchestral musician, and teacher.
An enthusiastic advocate of new music, he has collaborated with many exciting composers, including Warner Jepson, Timothy McCormack, Tamar Muskal, and Helmut Lachenmann. In 2008 he gave the world premier performances of McCormack's Tumma Pilvi for solo bass flute and chamber orchestra, and Hammara Pilvi for solo bass flute, both of which were dedicated to him. James has performed with the Waco and San Antonio Symphony Orchestras, the Lyric Opera of Waco, and from 2006-2008 was solo flutist with the acclaimed Oberlin Contemporary Music Ensemble.
As a teacher, James enjoys working with students of all ages and levels of achievement. His style of teaching is strongly rooted in the traditions of the French School of flute playing, and it is his goal to help all of his students become independent, creative musicians, who will have the skills they need to enjoy a lifetime of happy flute playing.
James holds a Bachelor of Music in flute performance (2006) from the Baylor University School of Music where he was a student of Helen Ann Shanley. In 2008 he was awarded the Oberlin Conservatory's prestigious Artist Diploma, following two years of intensive graduate study with the legendary French flutist Michel Debost.
Laura Knight founded Knight Music Academy with the goal of providing superior music instruction in a relaxed and fun atmosphere. Laura has taught classical guitar to children and adults for 25 years. She holds a B.M from DePaul University and a M.M. from Northwestern University, completed all 9 levels of Suzuki guitar teacher training, and is certified in the Orff music instruction method. Laura was the Guitar Area Coordinator for the 2006 Suzuki Association of the Americas Conference, and the Guitar Area Assistant Coordinator in the 2004 Conference. Laura regularly serves as guest instructor at guitar workshops and camps across the country, and produces annual guitar workshops for students in the Chicagoland area. In addition to teaching, Laura has considerable performance experience both as a soloist and as a member of flute and guitar duos. Her music is proudly featured on the instructional yoga CD Heart Offerings, and Parisian Reflections, a CD showcasing flute, guitar, and piano compositions by French composers. Laura has served on the board of the Chicago Classical Guitar Society and has over 15 years of experience in fine arts management.
Job Titles:
- Favorite Recording Artist for Instrument ( Flute )