AMBLER MUSIC ACADEMY - Key Persons
Andrew Hoy earned a Bachelor of Arts in both Music and History from Vassar College, where he graduated with honors. His private violin studies started at the age of four; his teachers include Robert dePasquale (retired Principal Philadelphia Orchestra member), and Betty-Jean Hagen. He has received teacher training in the Suzuki Method (James Hutchins and Alice Vierra).
Andrew has been teaching private violin and viola lessons for over 15 years. In addition to keeping a private studio, he also founded and directs the strings program at St. Helena School in Blue Bell and Centre Square Montessori Children's House.
Mr. Hoy is an active violinist in the community and plays for various chamber ensembles, pit orchestras, and symphony orchestras, with whom he has performed in concert halls throughout the United States, Eastern Europe and Brazil. He is the Concertmaster of the Southeastern Pennsylvania Symphony Orchestra.
A native of Philadelphia, Emily Guglielmi was awarded two violin scholarships to attend the Philadelphia Musical Academy (now University of the Arts). She has studied with Edgar Ortenberg, Jani Szanto and David Arben. Degrees include a Bachelor of Arts in Violin Performance, a Bachelor of Music Education and a Masters in Conducting.
Emily is the former concertmaster of the Warminster Symphony. Currently she is a member of the Southeastern Pennsylvania Symphony Orchestra, The Independent Sinfonia Orchestra and is a founding member of the Siena String quartet. Emily is also a freelance violinist in the Philadelphia area and has performed internationally, including concerts in Italy, Switzerland and Hong Kong.
Esther has been playing piano since the age of eight. She holds a degree in Music from SUNY Stony Brook. Music has been a great companion in her life and has provided her comfort through both joyful and challenging times. Her family immigrated to U.S. from South Korea when she was in 11th grade. While the transition was not easy, it actually helped her discover her true love of playing piano. It also led her to teach others, and share the same fulfilling experiences.
George Sitter, originally from New York, holds a degree in Music from Kingsborough College in Brooklyn. In addition, he studied at the Greenwich House Music School in New York City under the instruction of concert pianist Alexander Gunn. He has performed at the Greenwich House Theater.
Hannah received her Bachelor of Music degree in Violin Performance from The Hartt School (summa cum laude) and Master of Music in String Pedagogy from Temple University. Her teachers have included William dePasquale, Robert dePasquale, Emlyn Ngai, and Mickey Reisman. She is certified in books 1-8 in the Suzuki Method and studied with such trainers as Teri Einfeldt, Kimberly Meier-Sims, and Doris Preucil.
Hannah maintains an active teaching schedule by teaching at Ambler Music Academy, Moravian College Music Institute, Temple Music Preparatory Division, and Germantown Academy. She is a coach for PRYSM (Philadelphia Region Youth String Music) and is on the adjunct faculty at Temple University. Hannah has performed in chamber groups and orchestras throughout the East Coast and Peru, and believes in providing quality instruction while encouraging a love for music.
Drawing upon more than 40 years of playing music and over 20 years of teaching guitar, Matt brings a wealth of musical experience to every student. His students range from 5 to 75 years of age, from complete beginners to seasoned players. Matt's abilities in jazz, rock, acoustic fingerstyle, classical and Latin musical styles are most evident in his work as a solo artist and in his work with musical artists such as Larry Coryell, Joey DeFrancesco, Essra Mohawk and Kenwood Dennard.
Matt Richards attended Temple University where he studied with jazz guitarist Tom Giacabetti and became acquainted with jazz/ fusion guitar legend Larry Coryell (whom he considers a mentor). Matt later studied with New York session legend Steve Khan and French guitar virtuoso Pierre Bensusan.
In addition to teaching at Ambler Music Academy, Matt has been a faculty member of AMLA, Frankfordstyle Arts (where he also served as Head of Faculty), Zanaras Music Stores (where he also served as program director), Nelly Berman School of Music and Spring Lake Farm Arts Camp. Matt conducts his own workshops and clinics and has co-conducted
Nancy Franchetti is a graduate of Temple University College of Music. Nancy has been teaching cello and bass in the Philadelphia Archdiocese and privately for over 25 years. She has played in numerous ensembles, including serving as principal cellist in a local orchestra, and performs as a freelance cellist in the Greater Philadelphia area.
Sarah Hansell holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Music Education from Chestnut Hill College, where she minored in Special Education and was a member of the Interdisciplinary Honors Program.
In addition to private lessons at Ambler Music Academy, Sarah is the music teacher at St. Helena School in Blue Bell. She has teaching experience in the music departments at Overlook Elementary and Springfield Township High School, and is a theater instructor and digital music instructor at Lavner Camps.
Sarah began studying piano at a young age. In high school, she was named the Piano Scholar at Mount Saint Joseph Academy, where she was the accompanist for several ensembles. Her teachers include Dr. Alexander Panku and Masterclasses with Maria Lyapkova.
Sarah has been studying voice for 10 years and has been a member of several vocal and theater groups since childhood. Her vocal experience includes the Mount Saint Joseph Academy Glee Club and Sweet Madelines, Chestnut Hill College's Hill Singers, as well as principal theater roles such as Cinderella in Into the Woods, the Duchess in Nice Work if You Can Get It, Light of the World in Godspell, Belle in Beauty and the Beast, and Kate in The Pirates of Penzance. Her voice teachers include Julie Bishop, MajaLisa Fritzhuspen, and Doris Schmauk.
Sarah is passionate about working with students of all ages and abilities, and is looking forward to sharing her love of music with them.