Teaching Artists

Background

Lacey Peschel is an active musician and educator in the Memphis area and currently studies at the University of Memphis with Dr. David Spencer. Originally a Texas native, Lacey has previously studied at Texas Lutheran University and Texas A&M University - Kingsville with Dr. Joseph Cooper and Dr. Kyle Millsap, respectively.

Lacey has successfully taught many students in the San Antonio, TX area, many advancing to the region and are levels and one advancing to the state level in region auditions. She has also performed with many various school ensembles, as well as compete with an ensemble at the National Trumpet Competition while at TAMUK for two years in a row, advancing both years in an ensemble and once as a soloist.

Mrs. Peschel values the time she gets to spend with the students through PRIZM, and has enjoyed watching the progress they make week to week.

Background

Juan Sebastian Valdez was born in Anaheim, California and moved to Oregon with his parents when he was 7. At age 11, he began playing the tuba on the recommendation of his middle school band teacher who was short on low brass players. By age of 13, Valdez was actively involved in music at school, but soon faced an impossible choice: giving up the tuba forever to remain with his parents who were returning back to Mexico, or remaining in the US to pursue a life focused on making music. Valdez made the tough decision to separate from his family and remain in the states. He lived with his childhood best friend so he could pursue an education in the United States. Valdez's gamble would pay off as his work ethic led great success.

Valdez won 3rd place in Young Artist Competition at the Northwest Regional Tuba/Euphonium Conference (NWRTEC) in 2017. In addition, Valdez was a part of the Ducktet, a tuba and euphonium quartet at the University of Oregon, that received 1st place in the Quartet Competition at the NWRTEC. Valdez has performed with the Eugene Symphony Orchestra, the Salem (OR) Symphony Orchestra, and invited to play with Vancouver (WA) Symphony Orchestra. Valdez holds a bachelor's degree from the University of Oregon in tuba performance and recently earned a master's degree in tuba performance at the University of Memphis.

Valdez is an active performer and teacher. He has given master classes at Mississippi State University, Colorado State University, and at the University of Memphis. Valdez currently plays in the Bluff City Brass Quintet in Memphis, Tennessee where they focus on playing diverse repertoire and educational outreach. Valdez played with a Mexican Banda ensemble in Memphis, TN on sousaphone and has performed throughout the city of Memphis in public venues. Valdez is a Teaching Artist at Memphis Music Initiative, a non-profit organization that invests in youth development through transformative music engagement, creating equitable opportunities for black and brown youth in Memphis. Valdez is an advocate for having musical experiences in the classroom so that students can see, hear, and imitate music of their own one day.

In addition, Valdez teaches at Overton High School for the Creative and Performing Arts and privately throughout Memphis, TN. His students have placed in local honor bands.

Background

Brazilian violinist Pedro Maia has an extensive experience performing as a soloist and chamber musician. He has played in some of the most prestigious venues throughout Asia, South America, and North America including Weill Hall at Carnegie, Sala São Paulo, and Seoul National Theater. At the age of fifteen, Pedro debuted with the ArtBrasilia Symphony Orchestra, and he often performed both as concertmaster and soloist with many orchestras at the Brasilia School of Music and University of Brasilia.

Recently Pedro made his Mexico debut soloing the Four Seasons by Piazzolla with the Orquesta Filarmonica Tlaxcalan. Pedro is a founding member of Cosmos New Music ensemble, which had their Carnegie Hall debut at Weill Hall in 2018. He is also a member of Trio Riva and was a member of Florida State University’s graduate string quartet Eppes String Quartet. He has won several chamber music competitions, such as Music Teacher National Association’s Young Artist String Ensemble Competitions, Mississippi Music Teachers Association String Competition and Great Composers Competition. He is often invited to judge youth string competitions in Florida.

As an orchestral musician Pedro is a member of the Tallahassee Symphony Orchestra and the Mobile Symphony Orchestra and holds the principal second violin position with the Albany Symphony. Pedro has performed with some of the leading conductors in the world including Paul Tortelier, Ira Levin, Kurt Mazur, and Emil Tabakov. His orchestral and chamber music engagements have brought collaborations with artists such as Shlomo Mintzs, Itzhak Perlman, Roberto Diaz, Alex Klein, Yo-Yo Ma, Albrecht Mayer, Giles Apap, Igudesman and Joo, and Nadja Salerno-Sonnenberg.

An active pedagogue as well, Pedro has years of experience teaching students from diverse backgrounds. He maintained a private studio in Tallahassee, FL and has been on the faculty of festivals in Brazil, Chile, Colombia, USA, and Mexico. As a graduate teaching assistant at Florida State University, he taught chamber music as well as technique classes for undergraduate students. For the Tallahassee Youth Orchestra, he coached precollege students and founded and directed TYO’s first camerata. His private students and chamber groups have placed in competitions such as the NOLA Chamber Fest.

Besides these musical activities, Pedro is a Global Leaders Program’s alumnus, which helped him enhance his leadership, teaching artistry, marketing, and management skills. Pedro holds a doctoral degree and a master’s degree in violin performance from Florida State University and a bachelor’s degree in violin performance from the University of Southern Mississippi. Currently, he is an Iris Fellow for Germantown’s Iris Orchestra. His principal teachers have included Erich Lehninger, Katia Andrade, Nadia Nedialkova, Stephen Redfield, and Shannon Thomas.

Background

Dário Oliveira’s has a Bachelor's degree in violin performance from The Universidade de Sao Paulo and Nicholls State University Conservatory program. With thirteen years of experience, he has not only gained a tremendous amount of insight as a music educator and perspective into the art of teaching, but has been expanding and building his repertoire as a music performer. Additionally, he has completed significant Suzuki courses and workshops to teach students around the world. He has taught at the Suzuki Music School of São Paulo, Unasp Music School, and Waldorf School of São Paulo. Oliveira has performed with countless accredited teachers each with a large spectrum of talent and originating from different countries, such as Germany, Italy, the USA, Spain, and his home country Brazil. He has the experience to recording CDs with and played with important Brazilian musicians.