Vocal Instructors

Piano & Voice

Cassandra Chow

Composition
Music theory
All levels

Cassandra Chow is a pianist, vocalist, and composer who delights in sharing the love of music. Cassandra is an MTAC certified piano instructor, and she welcomes students of all levels. She offers private lessons in piano, voice, music theory, and music composition. Cassandra earned her B.A. in Music Composition from UC Santa Barbara and pursued graduate studies at California Baptist University in advanced composition, musicology, piano pedagogy, choir, piano, and voice.

As an instructor, Cassandra designs personalized lessons that blend technique, theory, and musical expression, building confidence and musicianship in her students. She has extensive performance experience, including live vocals for weddings and singing the national anthem at major events such as the Irvine Swim League Championship, Speedo Grand Challenge, and USA Swimming Nationals.

For over a decade, Cassandra has served on her church's worship team as a pianist and vocalist, leading seminars for young musicians, accompanying piano for or singing in the church choir. She has also piano-accompanied choirs and vocalists at both her church and California Baptist University.

Beyond music, she has enjoyed being a swim instructor with the Irvine Swim League since 2015, where her strong coaching skills have helped numerous students thrive. She is proficient in Sibelius, Dorico, Logic Pro, GarageBand, and Audacity, allowing her creativity and use of modern music technology to shine in her teaching and composing. Cassandra is passionate about helping students discover their unique voice and reach their musical goals.

Piano, Voice & Flute

Shooka Afshar

20+ years experience
Classical vocal performance
Composition & musicianship

Shooka Afshar is a professional opera singer, composer, pianist, flutist, vocal pedagogue, and music educator with over two decades of teaching and performance experience. She holds a Master's Degree in Classical Vocal Performance from the Longy School of Music and has completed specialized training in vocal pedagogy, vocal therapy, and breathing techniques through Boston Medical Center.

For the past fourteen years, Shooka has served as a tenured music faculty member at The Chestnut Hill School of Music, teaching voice, piano, and flute in private and group settings. Her expertise also includes musicianship, diction, composition, vocal pedagogy, and movement-based instruction. Drawing on Dalcroze Eurhythmics and four years of Plastique Animée training, she incorporates movement to strengthen students' rhythm, coordination, phrasing, and musical expression.

Shooka also leads group music and movement classes for children and adults without formal musical training, emphasizing ensemble skills, creativity, stage presence, and healthy performance techniques.

An accomplished performer and composer, Shooka received a Harvard Music Award in 2022. Her original compositions have been featured at cultural events, including the Farhang Foundation's Persian New Year Festival in Los Angeles, where Nowrooz Stayed Untouched was performed. She also led an artist residency in northern Italy for The Manipulation Project, an interdisciplinary production combining music, dance, theater, and visual arts.

Through her comprehensive, creative teaching approach, Shooka inspires students to build technical proficiency, confidence, musical intelligence, and a meaningful connection to their individual artistic voice.