The SOUNDS Academy Team

Kirk Johnson has been on a mission to provide the gift of music to lower income schools and children. As a musician, performer, and educator; Kirk believes that all children should have access to music education. Out of this belief, he founded SOUNDS Academy, a non-profit music education organization that teaches, mentors, and provides musical experiences and opportunities for...

Dominic Braham has created and supported programs that helps individuals become economically empowered for several years. He served as a Peace Corps advisor in the Dominican Republic (DR) for over two years, leading sustainable projects and building lasting relationships. Building relationships to gain support, he was able to lead efforts in the construction of a water aqueduct and health…

Mat is a singer/songwriter native to the Phoenix area. His introduction to music came at an early age through piano lessons and playing the trombone in his grade school band. But it was later as a teenager, playing guitar and singing at church, that he discovered a passion for performing. In 2004, he began writing, recording, and performing music...

Janie is a pianist, teacher and composer from Los Angeles California. She began piano lessons at age seven and after receiving a full-ride music scholarship, continued her studies at Grand Canyon University where she earned a Bachelor’s degree in Piano Performance under the direction of Dr. Juan Hernandez. Janie has performed live in over 300 concerts, toured the U.S....

Rishab Kohl is an international student from India that attends Arizona State University. He is majoring in Supply Chain Management and Finance at the W.P. Carey School of Business where he is on the Dean’s List. When he is not working hard in the classroom, he is a regular volunteer in community activities. His hobbies include cooking and Hiking....

Cindy Baker began her instrumental music studies in the public schools here in Phoenix. She earned a Bachelor’s of Music Education and a Masters in Violin Performance from the Indiana University (Jacobs) School of Music, where she also studied the harp. She has been a member of the Phoenix and Tucson Symphony Orchestras and the Sinfonia da Camera in...

Talya’s musical career began at the age of ten, when she picked up the cello for a school project and never put it down. Growing up close to New York City, she attended the Mannes and Juilliard pre-college programs under cellists Barabara Mallow and Bonnie Hampton, and soloed with the Juilliard Preparatory Orchestra. She received her undergraduate degree from...

Katie started playing the cello at six years old and was lucky to grow up in a public school system in Michigan that prioritized its music program. She went on to study at the University of Notre Dame, where she double majored in philosophy and music and studied cello with Karen Buranskas. Katie’s love of the humanities led her to...

Frederick Chao, a member of the Phoenix Symphony Orchestra and Quartet Sabaku was previously the Associate Principal Cellist of the Honolulu Symphony. An avid chamber musician, he has been a member of the Delmar Trio, Stonybrook Trio, and the Philharmonic String Quartet. Mr. Chao received his Bachelor of Music Degree from Indiana University, where he was awarded the coveted...

Vivi Erickson is an active teacher and performer in the Phoenix area. In addition to teaching at Sounds Academy, Vivi performs as Assistant Principal Viola with the Arizona Opera Orchestra, substitute viola with the Phoenix Symphony and teaches strings at Desert Marigold School and at the Scottsdale Neighborhood Arts Place. Vivi attended Boston University, studying under Walter Trampler and...

Chris Finet is part of the faculty of NAU’s School of Music. He teaches double bass along with directing the jazz ensembles and teaching jazz improvisation courses. Originally from the Phoenix area, Chris attended NAU as an undergraduate studying under late professor, Joel DiBartolo. While in Arizona he worked with many of the state’s great jazz artists including Chuck...

Tessa Gotman, a native of St. Louis, MO, began her studies at age 5. She received her Bachelor’s degree from New England Conservatory of Music in 2008 studying with Lucy Chapman. She then received a Master’s degree in violin performance from Arizona State University under the instruction of Dr. Jonathan Swartz. In addition to being Dr. Swartz’s teaching assistant,...

Mrs. Kendra Jack is a native of Arizona and has been teaching piano since 2013. Her teaching career began at Prestige Music Academy in Phoenix, AZ where she taught privately for 3 years before moving to Rhapsody School of Music in Anthem, AZ. While at Rhapsody, she continued teaching privately with occasional group lessons. Her teaching experience has equipped...