Our Teachers:

Daniel Miller - all instruments

Daniel Miller, founder of Rockory, teaches guitar, piano, violin, drumset, bass, voice, ukulele, cello, viola, and percussion. He started playing violin at age of four. Growing up taking lessons and playing concerts, he gained early exposure to a variety of music styles and fell in love with music from early on. After picking up ukulele, guitar, and bass in grade school, he formed a series of bands, always with the position of lead singer, songwriter, and manager.

Through his extensive worldwide travels, his mother's French heritage, studies in Accra at the University of Ghana, collaborative recordings in Kingston, Jamaica with reggae artists Turbulence and Al Pancho, and a member of Senegalese group, Ibrahima Camara and Safal, Daniel has a deep understanding and appreciation of the many different dialects of music. He has also performed with Cee-lo Green and Jason Mraz.

He holds a degree in Contemporary Writing and production from Berklee College of Music as well as a degree in International Studies from the Jackson School at the University of Washington. He has 12 years experience teaching music, both through his private studio as well as other music programs in the area, including Arts in Motion, Billings Middle School, Washington Middle School, and Kirkland Music Academy.

In addition to teaching and directing Rockory Music School he also performs regularly with Seattle reggae favorites, The Highlife Band, Clinton Fearon and Boogie Brown Band, Todo Es, Boka Kouyate and Djeliah Band, and Publish The Quest. With the Highlife Band, he is the bandleader and songwriter, and looks forward to the release of the 4th album, Say Something and 2 new music videos to be released this year.

Shawn Miranda - piano, guitar, bass

Shawn Miranda is a pianist and guitarist who plays traditional repertoire from both the classical and jazz traditions and a composer who specializes in the fusion and extension of those same traditions. He was trained as a classical pianist by teachers from the Paderewski/Stojowski line and has also studied with high-level jazz pianists. His studies in ethnomusicology at the University of Washington reflect his philosophy that there is value in all forms of music.

As a composer his main aims are to create music that delights, uplifts, and brings beauty and richness to his listeners’ ears. He has written many pieces that have been very popular with his students as well as pieces for the concert stage at varying levels of difficulty.

As a teacher of some thirty years of experience, Shawn is concerned with providing the foundation in music notation, finger dexterity, and rhythm that will allow students to discover music as an act of self-expression. He is also concerned with teaching his students that music theory is not just an academic endeavor, but the living language of music, and that without a solid understanding of music theory no deeper understanding of music can emerge.

Above all, Shawn just wants to help people enjoy music — and perhaps even help them discover musical treasures they never knew existed.

David Murray - bass, guitar, ukulele, drums, piano

David Murray has been a working musician in the greater Seattle area for the last decade. He is adept in a variety of styles from Rock, R&B, Reggae, Latin, Jazz, and everything in between. Specializing in bass, but with knowledge and experience on a variety of instruments (guitar, drums, piano, and ukulele), David is fully prepared to help students tackle any genre or style they are interested in playing. He believes that mastery of any instrument takes three things; practice, practice, and more practice! David walks students through a variety of different exercises and songs that are meant to help improve physical mastery of the instrument as well as knowledge of music vocabulary and theory. David believes that learning an instrument is a lifelong endeavor. He strives to improve his own playing and expand his musical palette. He loves guiding his students along the same life-long journey.

Stefanie Goldstein - vocals

Stefanie Goldstein has been captivating audiences with her angelic voice and impressive range for over 30 years. She has contributed to numerous esteemed ensembles including The San Francisco Lyric Opera, San Francisco Renaissance Voices, and the Puget Sound Concert Opera, among others. Her early music experience also includes a former position as singer at the Bors Hede Restaurant at Camlan Medieval Village in Carnation, as well as acceptance to an Italian Renaissance course with Seattle’s Byrd Ensemble in Rome in July 2022. Stefanie also sings in a rock band, Accolade, which can be heard at various venues in the greater Seattle area.

Stefanie is a classically trained soprano and has learned from a solid, healthy technique for many years. She shares this technique with her students to help them to become better, healthier and happier singers. This technique works for any singing style to assist in keeping the voice fresh and healthy for many years. Her lessons address breath support, proper alignment, personal expression and more. She has a sensitive, positive teaching style and works with her students very patiently and supportively. She has found so much joy from free, healthy singing and it is her goal to help her students experience this same joy in their musical journey.

Tim Miller - drums, percussion, ukulele, piano, mandolin, bass, banjo, guitar

Tim Miller has performed and taught music for over 30 years. Originally from Washington D.C., Tim got his start in public schools playing in symphonic, jazz and marching bands. He became passionate about music early on, particularly with the progressive rock bands Yes, Genesis, Jethro Tull and Happy the Man. He also listened to and played along with album rock of Led Zeppelin, Pink Floyd and Boston and Little Feat to name a few.

By age 15 he had decided that he wanted to have a career in music. Moving to Southwest Florida in 1980 he studied with renowned drum educator Jim Chapin. At age 19, Tim began playing jazz and top 40 hits in the Southwest Florida region. He played with many of the areas top musicians including Cliff Williams (bassist for AC/DC), Ayib Dieng, Mick Jagger, Brian Eno, Bill Laswell, Grammy nominated Kat Epple, and Mr. Rodgers show bassist Carl McVickers.

In 1996 Mr Miller relocated to Seattle and quickly fell in love with the local music scene. He has played regularly at many Seattle area venues including the Ok Hotel, Rainbow Room, Tractor Tavern and The Triple Door. Some of the Seattle artists he’s worked with include Lief Totusek, Red Shoes For Nancy, Gramny Winners Tingstad and Rumble, Laura Love, Scott Cossu and Heart guitarist Roger Fisher. Tim began as a drummer, but over the years his musical journey has led him to study percussion, piano, voice, guitar, banjo, ukukele, and mandolin.

Tschuai - trumpet, trombone, baritone

Tschuai, born Jeff Albright, is an active performer in Balkan brass bands, rock, reggae, and other groups of varied styles in the local music scene. He has also toured with many bands across the US, Canada, and Europe. From the first time he picked up a trumpet as a child to studying with Romani masters in Eastern Europe, Tschuai has developed a lifelong love and devotion of the trumpet. Under the tutelage of Don Lanphere in his formative years and followed by study with Demiran Cerimovic, Tschuai brings a diverse teaching style combining both Western and Eastern traditions. Tschuai helps students develop their “inner ear” so they develop the ability to critically listen, improving their overall musicianship

Lisa Deeter - guitar, ukulele

Lisa has been teaching guitar and ukulele in the Greater Seattle area for over 25 years to kids and adults. She is passionate about sharing her love of the guitar and rock, blues, and pop genres with her students. Inspired by the blues greats, Buddy Guy, B.B. King, and Bonnie Raitt, among others, she offers students the opportunity to get inside the building blocks of music so that they can express themselves. She concentrates on technique, chords, notation and tab reading, and improvising. She is also a songwriter whose material has been aired on radio stations throughout the U.S. She has written songs with Roger Fisher of the group, Heart, as well as played benefit concerts with Alan White of the band, Yes.

Joel Janchenko - drums, piano, ukulele, guitar

Joel is a student at Seattle Pacific University studying Music Therapy. A lifelong learner, he has been passionate about music since his childhood. His first instrument was percussive in nature, while his adult years have had a focus on melodic instruments. Currently able to teach drums, guitar, piano, voice, and ukulele. Specializing in teaching beginners, younger students, and those who may need extra inclusive support. With over eight years teaching experience, Joel strives to be a positive musical influence and engaging educator. Music is the greatest adventure of a lifetime, and a boundless source of expression through creativity.

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