Shannon Saravia - Studio Founder + Owner

Hi, I'm Shannon! I took my first piano lesson when I was nine years old. I taught my first lesson at the age of 16. I began teaching full-time in 2019.

Giving piano lessons had always been a side job for me, to make ends meet, and then as a sort of revenue-generating hobby. I’ve never given it up completely, even while holding down a full-time office job, because of just how much joy it brings me.

When my husband and I relocated from LA to the California Central Valley for his job, I had a choice to make: would I simply find another office job, or would I take the leap and try to start my own music studio? The decision was simple--I wanted to teach music and continue to share my knowledge, skills, and passion for music with the world.

I started Creative Cultivation Studio in 2020, and made it official (LLC'd it) in 2022. The culture of my studio is one of kindness, nurturing to students, and focusing on cultivating creativity and knowledge in students' lives. I make sure that all of my staff are a great fit with this culture, and have a love and a joy for music that is evident in their teaching.

We build lessons around each individual student, catering to what it is they need, and where we can best help them build their skills. We understand that every person is different, and want to ensure that each student is learning as much as they can so they can become the best musician they can be.

Sarah Dollins - Administrative Coordinator

Hey y'all, I'm Sarah! I grew up with a family full of musicians and have been singing longer than I've been talking. ;) The rule "no singing at the table" never applied in my household.

Though I'm not a teacher at this studio, I love music and believe everyone should know how to play an instrument if they can. (Our voices TOTALLY count as instruments!) I love that I get to work for a studio and alongside teachers that are passionate about making learning music FUN, while striving to help students become the best musicians they can be.

I was born and raised in sunny Southern California, where I first met the studio owner, Shannon! We grew up at the same church, and eventually became roommates after college, made music together, met our husbands around the same time (literally we both had our first dates on the same night!), got married within a few months of each other, and the rest is history!

My husband and I moved to the Austin, TX area in 2021 and we love it so much! We have a cute little calico kitty named Luna Belle and can't wait to see what's next in this crazy adventure of life.

Bell Martel - Scheduling + Communications Assistant

Hi everyone! My name is Bell and I am thrilled to be a part of the staff here!

Music has had a major impact on my life. I began learning and playing instruments in 4th grade! Since then I continue to play the ukulele, guitar, bass, and even sing! 

My last endeavor was into the world of music production. I had the amazing opportunity to record music in many various studios as well as release 4 singles between 2021-2023. This opportunity created a whole new perspective of music for me.

I now currently attend Citrus Community College where I am a major in Film. My dream is to combine my passion for both film and music, and work closely with artists from all over!

Desi Whorton - Piano, Guitar, + Voice Teacher

Hello everyone! I’m Desi. Music is one of the things in my life that I am most passionate about and it brings me so much joy to share my passion and knowledge of music to those around me.

I grew up in a musical family since both my parents and older brother are all musicians. I began singing at 6 years old and have taken vocal lessons at performing arts schools as well as Vanguard University. I have always loved classical music! Because of this, I have been involved in different operas and musical theater shows. I also love to sing and teach in different styles including Opera, Musical Theater, Pop, and Jazz. I have been teaching voice for the last 8 years and love doing it!

Guitar is one of the first instruments that I started to learn when I was 8 years old. I picked up a guitar at my grandpa’s house and haven’t put it down since! I have had the fortune of playing guitar in an orchestra for musical theater shows, on a worship team, and in a traveling band for many years. I love to play and teach many different styles of this instrument and it will always have a special place in my heart.

Piano is an instrument that I picked up shortly after playing the guitar. As a matter of fact, I spent a year learning music theory before I started playing this instrument and I was able to just sit down and start playing piano because of my knowledge of music theory! That’s one of the amazing things about the world of music! I have been teaching piano for about 7 years and I absolutely love to play and teach all styles.

I am very happy to be on the teaching staff at Creative Cultivation Studio and am so happy to be sharing my love and passion for music with all my students!

Andrew Gaxiola - Piano + Voice Teacher

Hi everyone, I'm Andrew! I am thrilled to be teaching piano and voice with Creative Cultivation Studio!

I have a B.A. in Music (Department Honors) from the University of La Verne where I studied voice with members of the L.A. Opera and of the L.A. Master Chorale. During my time at ULV, I was a part of the University of La Verne Chamber Singers for 4 years, where I was a chorister and the baritone section leader. 

My journey with music began when I first saw The Phantom of the Opera. I was inspired to begin taking piano lessons and perform in musicals. Some of my favorite roles include Gaston & the Beast in Beauty and the Beast, the Baker in Into the Woods, Lord Farquaad in Shrek the Musical, Mr. Banks in Mary Poppins, Horton the Elephant in Seussical the Musical, and the Cowardly Lion in The Wizard of Oz. In addition to musical theater, I have also been a character guest artist in multiple ballets including The Nutcracker as Dr. Stahlbaum and The Little Mermaid as The Sea King.

Some of my favorite choral experiences include a 2019 Europe tour performing choral masterworks and concerts, Disneyland's Candlelight Processional starring Ginnifer Goodwin (2016) & Lana Parrilla (2015), and being in the 1000 person choir for Voctave's The Corner of Broadway and Mainstream album. 

While I am not performing or teaching, I love to binge episodes of Murder, She Wrote (I can never solve the mysteries) and traveling!

Kyleigh Beirne - Piano + Voice Teacher

Hi everyone, I’m Kyleigh! I think music is a wonderful gift to be experienced with others- to express ourselves and to help us understand others. It’s a unique language that we all can understand. I first fell in love with music in middle school when I picked up the flute. I love the unique sound and beauty of the instrument. I was always looking for ways to get involved in more music groups than just at school, so in high school I joined the youth symphony orchestra and wind ensemble, and continued to dive deeper into what the instrument had to offer.

I got a taste of piano in high school and started to study it much more deeply in college. I love the piano because of its artistic versatility and the level of challenge it provides for me. I have been teaching piano for three years and find so much joy in sharing the love of music with my students. As a college student I am continuing to further my skills in teaching and performing with piano and voice. My goal in lessons is to provide a nurturing and positive environment to explore music, get creative, and meet the student where they are.

Abraham Maldonado - Piano, Guitar, + Ukulele Teacher

Hello everyone, I’m Abraham! My musical journey started back in my freshman year of high school when I picked up my grandpa’s old acoustic guitar. My grandpa used to play guitar and piano for his church before he sadly passed, so ever since then, his instruments have been just sitting in my grandmother’s closet. I decided to ask if I could borrow his guitar just to try and learn something new! After just a few weeks of learning, I discovered a deep passion and love for music! I genuinely enjoyed the way music allowed me to express my feelings and emotions through my playing.

About a year later, I began playing guitar for my youth group. After that, I joined the worship team at my church for Sunday services! From then on, my adoration for music has only grown. I picked up piano around 2 years later and grew a second love for this instrument. I adore the different sounds and emotions we get from each instrument and the ability to explore those things. I also enjoy studying music theory in my free time to further my overall knowledge in music.

Currently, I am a college student at Mt. SAC, studying mathematics to become a professor at the collegiate level, as well as minoring in music. I now play electric and acoustic guitar at church most Sundays of the month, which I’m super grateful for. I am super excited to share my passion for music with all my new and current students, and help them along in their musical journeys!

Taylor Cummings - Piano + Voice Teacher

Hi everyone! I’m Taylor. Music is something very near and dear to who I am. It is one of my favorite avenues of expression, and is one of my favorite ways to connect with others! I could not imagine what life would be like without music - personally I think it’d be pretty boring!

Growing up I was notorious for being found humming on long car rides, or making up songs with my friends no matter where we were. At age 4, I started taking group piano lessons, then moved to private lessons at age 9. Singing was something I simply loved and would do anywhere at any time, but once I entered high school, I started taking it seriously and began voice lessons. Later in high school, I added songwriting lessons to the mix and realized that might rival singing for my favorite musical expression!

Recently I graduated from Azusa Pacific University with a B.M. in Music and Worship, and a concentration in Songwriting. During my time at APU, I studied voice and piano even more intently, gained a deeper knowledge of musical theory, and even gained lots of experience performing with live bands. This time in college grew me immensely as a musician and solidified my deep love for music.

Along with music, another thing I love is teaching! The ability to walk alongside students, helping them grow their gifts and see their potential, is one of the most rewarding things. When it comes to teaching music, my biggest passion is to make it fun and full of joy! I seek to help each student pursue their musical goals while learning to love it more and more! It is an honor and joy to be one of the teachers on staff at Creative Cultivation Studio.

Sydney Noell - Piano, Guitar, + Ukulele Teacher

Hi everyone! My name is Sydney! My musical journey started when I was about 7 years old when I started taking piano lessons. Through middle school, I picked up ukulele and guitar in my free time and played snare in my high school's drum line all throughout high school. Towards the end of high school I picked up bass guitar and have mainly played bass guitar and piano ever since. I currently play bass guitar, piano, acoustic guitar and occasionally sing at church and school and it is such a joy to have in my life!

Throughout my whole life I have always been drawn towards music and all of the complexities and beauties it has to offer. I am in love with how each instrument is connected and I am constantly learning and growing and am so excited and grateful for the opportunity to be able to share it and teach others about it here!

I am currently a college student at Azusa Pacific University pursuing a degree in Chemistry with a minor in Mathematics, hoping to get my PhD and become a college professor. I think I have always been passionate about teaching others things that I am passionate about. I am so excited to be a part of your music journey as I have seen how much of an incredible impact music has made on my life! :)

Brooke Proctor - Voice + Piano Teacher

Hey everyone! I’m Brooke. Music is something I hold really close to my heart and it's even more special to me to share that with others!

In my childhood I took piano/voice lessons and quickly fell in love with it. Those lessons were the foundation of my music education, and the things I learned in them I’ve carried all through my musical journey. As I've grown up I've been involved in choir and classical music training. At the same time I've been consistently involved with worship ministry in my local church. I also love the piano. From studying it in educational settings, to playing it in worship bands, the instrument has been a part of my life in so many beautiful ways. Years of experience and education has made me fall even more in love with music, and keeps me excited for the never ending growth ahead of me!

As of now I get the amazing opportunity to sing for, travel with, and compete with Mt. SAC Chamber Singers. To work in such a prestigious program under a world renowned director has helped me grow and further my knowledge like nothing before.

It is an honor to be teaching and watching students grow in their skill and their passion for music! Teaching students for the last 2 years has given me such a new perspective on music. Music is for everyone and everyone has the ability to learn and progress. To be a part of that journey is a privilege and supporting students is something that fills me with so much joy! I like to keep learning environments fun and positive because there is always progress being made and always something good to celebrate about a student!

So thrilled to be on staff here at Creative Cultivation Studio!

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