TEACHER BIOS | Iovanne Music

ABOUT

WHY IOVANNE MUSIC ACADEMY?

Making music fun. Keeping standards high. Iovanne Music Academy features highly qualified, enthusiastic educators dedicated to teaching private piano, voice, guitar, ukulele, cello, oboe, clarinet, flute, cello and violin to students of all ages and backgrounds. Based in Kirkland, families enjoy the ease and comfort of teachers traveling to their home for lessons.

Interested in classical, jazz, pop, country, theory, improvisation, composition, or learning the basics? Rather than follow a 'one size fits all' approach, our educators work to understand your goals, learning styles and interests. We believe in building well-rounded musicians, with lessons tailored to the individual. Our students read music, compose, arrange, perform for others and enjoy lessons. We believe music is a lifelong journey that should be fun, challenging, and shared with others. Iovanne Music Academy is a wonderful place to explore your music goals and learn from teachers truly dedicated to their craft.

Call 206.384.7952 to find out more! Lessons offered weekdays and weekends to fit your schedule.

MEET OUR TEAM

Jennifer Iovanne Mackend

FOUNDER

TEACHER - PIANO AND VOICE

Jennifer began teaching private piano and voice lessons in 2007, and founded Iovanne Music Academy in 2013 to provide quality music education to students of all ages and backgrounds. Drawn to music at an early age, Jennifer began music lessons at age 5 and was accompanying choirs and working under a voice teacher in her middle and high school years. An active music educator, director, arranger and performer since graduating from the University of Washington, Jennifer has taught privately and collaborated with some of the area's most vibrant performing arts organizations, including Studio East, Broadway Bound, Gallery School of Music and Dance, and Evergreen City Ballet. She has also served as Music Director for Northwest Christian Church in Seattle since 2008.

Jennifer performs at private and corporate events, and has been awarded #1 Music in KING5's Best of Western Washington numerous times. She has performed in some of the area's top venues, including the Washington State Governor's Mansion, Columbia Tower Club, Four Seasons Hotel, and Salish Lodge.

Jennifer lives in Kirkland with her husband and children.

Kim

TEACHER - PIANO, VOICE, GUITAR, UKULELE

Kim is an accomplished music teacher and director. She grew up in Olympia and began studying music as a young child. Since graduating from UC Davis, Kim has been very active as a music teacher, director, conductor, arranger, and curriculum developer. She has worked with incredible and diverse organizations over the years, including ArtsWest, Seattle Musical Theater, Bellevue Christian School, Northwest University, Balagan Theatre, and Second Story Rep. One of Kim's favorite aspects of music is the opportunity to "tell stories and shape performances in a way that drives the story forward." When working with private music students, Kim adores "the opportunity I have to grow a student's confidence and sense of self." Kim lives on the eastside with her family and is a proud mom to "the kindest 17 year old I've ever met."

Alison

TEACHER - PIANO AND VOICE

Alison is a proud PNW native, and holds a BA in Music from Central Washington University. She is trained in both classical piano and voice as well as jazz piano and voice, making her an awesomely skilled musician and versatile teacher. Alison is also a gifted singer-songwriter, and has collaborated with many musicians and bands over the years. She is an active performer across the region, and is working on her debut album. Alison values music education and enjoys playing a pivotal role in the musical growth of others; she believes learning music stems from a place of joy, and strives to evoke that same joy in each of her students.

Riley

TEACHER - PIANO AND VOICE

Riley was raised in Texas and started playing piano and singing as a young child. While classically trained, she also explored a plethora of musical styles: jazz, country, musical theater, and so on. She holds a B.A in Music from Henderson State University, and a Masters in Film Scoring from the Pacific Northwest Film Scoring Program. Over the years, she has taught private piano and voice, has led a toddler music program, has collaborated as a music director and arranger for the 5th Ave Theatre, ArtsWest, KIDSTAGE at Village Theatre, and Showtunes Theatre Company, and has worked as a composer and sound designer for Minecraft DLC. She is passionate about fostering a love of music in her students, and likes to incorporate music theory and history in lessons to help bring context and exciting energy to lessons.

Evelina

TEACHER - PIANO

FLUENT IN RUSSIAN

Evelina started her musical journey at a very young age in Ukraine. Growing up in a musical family, her exposure to frequent concerts, opera and ballet performances led her to her love of classical music. Evelina graduated from a Ukrainian music school for children, and holds a degree in Piano Pedagogy and Accompaniment through Shostakovich State College. Evelina teaches beginner through advanced students, and loves to help her students discover the beautiful language of music. She and her husband have a college-aged son and daughter.

Isaac

TEACHER - PIANO, VOICE, OBOE

Isaac grew up in the midwest and began studying piano at age 6. He graduated from the University of Minnesota with a degree in music therapy. His musical work experience is broad: he has worked as a music therapist with people in hospice care, sung competitively in national and international barbershop competitions, played keys and musically directed pit orchestras in the theater community, and has played in a house rock band on international cruise ships. Isaac is a gifted music educator and, stemming from his background in music therapy, he believes that music is for all. He is happy to offer lessons adapted to suit each individual's unique learning styles and interests. Beyond music, Isaac enjoys chess and spending time outdoors with his partner, Leta and their cat, Lydian.

Marieta

TEACHER - PIANO AND VOICE

FLUENT IN SLOVAK, CZECH, GERMAN

Marieta is an enthusiastic, patient and experienced music educator. She has worked as a choral conductor with both youth and adults, and has served as a presenter, interpreter and jury assistant for choral competitions. She has performed extensively in her home country of Slovakia, and throughout Europe. Marieta has 12 years of music teaching experience and has worked with all ages, including toddlers and preschoolers. Locally, she has worked with LWSD choirs, Music in the Parks, Kirkland Choral Society, and has taught piano and voice both privately and in small groups. She lives locally with her husband and school age children.

Ilene

TEACHER - PIANO, VOICE, UKULELE, FLUTE, OBOE, CLARINET, VIOLIN, CELLO

Ilene is a talented and engaging multi-instrumentalist and educator. She grew up in Illinois, and holds a Bachelor's degree in Music Education from Wesleyan University. Ilene has taught private music lessons since 2010, and teaches piano, voice, ukulele, guitar, flute, oboe, clarinet, violin and cello to all ages. She enjoys meeting individual student needs and helping them navigate the path to their musical goals, while also fostering a growth mindset. In addition to teaching private students, Ilene has experience working as a Band Director at a middle school, providing music enrichment to preschoolers, working with youth in STEM as a Computer Science Teacher with Chestnut Hill Academy and Curriculum Writer with CodeWizards HQ, and has served as Board President of the Seattle Festival Orchestra. Ilene lives locally with her husband. Beyond music, she enjoys baking, sewing, and gardening.

Rebecca

TEACHER - PIANO AND VOICE

Rebecca is a dedicated and awesomely inspiring piano and voice teacher. A PNW native, she received her BFA from Bellhaven University in Jackson, Mississippi. She has taught piano and voice since 2016, and her musical experience also includes work as an Assistant Music Director and Pianist for Kitsap Forest Theatre, Pianist for Village Theatre, Accompanist at Bellhaven University, Church Pianist and Musical Theatre Coach. A self-proclaimed "music history and theory nerd", one of Rebecca's favorite aspects of teaching is sharing the joy in developing her students' musicality and creatively collaborating with others. She is a huge fan of classical music and musical theater. Beyond music, she enjoys baking, spending time in nature, and collage.

Lisa

TEACHER - GUITAR AND UKULELE

Lisa is a guitar and ukulele teacher, songwriter/musician, and ASCAP member. She holds a degree in Music from The Evergreen State College, and has written songs with Roger Fisher (of Heart) and played benefit concerts with Alan White (of YES). Lisa has been teaching guitar/ukulele since 1996, and enjoys working with students of all ages, adults included! In addition to her work as a music educator, Lisa has worked as a Board Operator for AM 880 KIXI, provided audio training and support to local organizations, and volunteered with YWCA Children's Center. Her music has been played on radio stations throughout the United States and Europe.

Matt

TEACHER - PIANO, GUITAR, UKULELE, ELECTRIC BASS, DRUMS

Matt is a PNW native with a deeply rooted love of music. Influenced at a young age by artists like Eric Clapton and Jimmy Page, he grew up studying music and began teaching peers while in high school. Matt holds a degree in Music Production from Seattle Pacific University, where he studied both classical and jazz styles. He has taught and performed throughout the Seattle area as well as abroad, while living in Ecuador for a year. He has performed extensively as a solo musician and in collaboration with others through his funk jazz quartet. Matt teaches various styles with a focus on musicality, expression, improvisation, and promotes efficient and healthy technique. He believes in the importance of structure and commitment in music lessons, while also ensuring they are enjoyable. Matt values the sense of community that music fosters and views this as an integral aspect of personal and musical growth.

Daniel

TEACHER - PIANO, SAXOPHONE, FLUTE, CLARINET, OBOE, BASSOON

Daniel is a pianist, woodwind doubler, and educator with a deep passion for musical theatre and chamber music. Originally from Georgia, he is dedicated to storytelling through music, a love that has taken him to stages and concert halls across the Southeast and the Pacific Northwest. As a versatile musician, Daniel has performed in various roles, including collaborative pianist, section player, pit musician, and music director.

As an educator, Daniel is known for his kindness, patience, and ability to adapt his teaching to suit each student’s learning style and musical goals. He believes in fostering a supportive and encouraging environment, whether working with beginners or advanced musicians. His teaching experience spans individual instruction, group lessons, and large ensembles, always with a focus on helping students grow in both skill and confidence.

For over a decade, Daniel served as the resident music director for Athens Creative Theatre in Athens, GA, before relocating to the PNW. Now based in Seattle, he continues his work as a music director and pit musician with The 5th Avenue Theatre, Renton Civic Theatre, and Magpie Artist’s Ensemble, while also inspiring young performers at Willows Preparatory School.