Resident Musicians
Explore the talented Musicians who have studios at Sugar Land Art Center.
These individuals rehearse and/or teach from their private studios within the art center.
Studio #4
Emily Zelaya
(Emily Zelaya Music Studio)
Her Focus:
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Music Lessons
- Adults & Children
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Violin
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Viola
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Piano
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Meet Emily
Emily Zelaya has been playing the violin since age 3. In 2006 she got her Bachelor of Music degree in Violin Performance at the renowned Eastman School of Music, where she studied with Mikhail Kopelman and Zvi Zeitlin.
In addition to teaching violin and viola lessons in Houston, Emily can be found performing with the Houston Grand Opera, the Houston Ballet, Divisi Strings, and countless other ensembles. She and her husband also perform together as Madonia Violins. Emily has shared the stage with many notable artists including Michael Bublé, Sarah Brightman, Lindsey Stirling, Evanescence, Il Divo, and Wilson Phillips.
Aside from being a musician, Emily is also studying acting at the Film Acting Academy and is an avid runner as well as a wife and mother to two.
Studio #5
Mario Zelaya
His Focus:
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Music Lessons
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Adults & Children
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Violin
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Meet Mario
Mario Zelaya began his violin studies at age 13 in his native Honduras at the National School of Music in Tegucigalpa. By age 15 he had won second prize and by 16 first prize in the National Competition in his hometown. He secured his first professional job as concertmaster of the Honduran Philharmonic shortly after.
Zelaya earned his Bachelor of Music and Master of Music degrees in Violin Performance from Lynn Conservatory, studying with the prestigious violinist and conductor Guillermo Figueroa. During his studies, he competed in the Cremona International String Competition in Italy, winning first prize as well as two special awards for Best Bach and Best Virtuoso Piece.
As a soloist, Zelaya has played numerous recitals in Italy, Central America and United States, collaborating with renowned artists including Andres Cardenes, James Buswell, Elmar Oliveira, Guillermo Figueroa, Kathleen Battle, Glenn Dicterow, Leon Fleisher among others. In addition to a busy career as soloist and chamber musician, Zelaya has played with numerous orchestras, including the Palm Beach Symphony, Florida Grand Opera, South Florida Symphony, Symphony of the Americas, Southwest Symphony, Boca Symphonia, Venice Symphony, San Antonio Opera and Ballet, Fabian Almazan Jazz Ensemble, Endless Mountain Music Festival, Richard Brown Orchestra, and Lake Charles Symphony. He has also performed in concerts with Andrea Bocelli and the rock band Kansas.
Zelaya has been teaching private lessons for over a decade at the Vivace Music Academy and Parkland International Music Academy. In 2023 he moved to Houston where he performs regularly in numerous ensembles, performing classical and contemporary music. Zelaya has his own Violin studio in the Sugar Land Art Center.
Studio #7
Jai Punita
His Focus:
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Music Lessons
- Adults & Children
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Violin
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Piano
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Guitar
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Vocal Lessons
Meet Jai
Jai provides Curriculum-Based, Classical and Recreational Instruction in Vocals, Violin, Piano, & Guitar for ages 6 and up.
Free two session evaluation!
Studio #8
Chavdar Parahshkevov
His Focus:
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Music Lessons
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Adults & Children
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Violin
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Meet Chavdar
Chavdar is an internationally acclaimed Bulgarian violinist based in Houston, Texas. As a performer and educator, he is dedicated to sharing his passion for music with students of all ages and backgrounds.
As a member of the Houston Grand Opera and Houston Ballet Orchestras, Chavdar has had the privilege of performing with world-renowned conductors and guest artists.
In addition to his performing career, Chavdar is committed to nurturing young musical talents. In the summer of 2022, he joined the violin faculty at the Round Top Festival in Texas. The following year, he was appointed to the faculty of Houston Community College. Through masterclasses and recitals, Chavdar shares his expertise with aspiring musicians around the world. He has conducted masterclasses at prestigious institutions in the United States, Turkey, Bulgaria, and beyond. Students from Chavdar's private studio in Houston have achieved significant honors in competitions and programs such as the All-State Orchestra, Region Orchestra, and the Texas State Solo and Ensemble Competition.
Praised for his "sparkling and brilliant tone" by Strad magazine, Chavdar has appeared as a soloist across Europe and North America. Audiences are captivated by his romantic interpretations and technical virtuosity. He has released four solo albums to critical acclaim. Through his performances and teaching, Chavdar brings passion and commitment to elevating the art of violin performance.
For Prices and more details...
Contact Chavdar Parashkevov
Studio 10
Omar Escobeda &
Luis Fonseca
Omar & Luis
Their Focus:
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Violin
Meet Luis & Omar
Native to Houston, Omar Escobedo began his musical journey at the age of ten when he started playing violin in his school orchestra. He then went on to play the cello in his freshman year of high school. Omar received a scholarship to pursue his musical studies at the University of Houston’s Moores School of Music to study with Vagram Saradjian, a notable student of Mstilav Rostropovich. During his time there, Omar had the chance to perform in various solo and chamber music masterclasses for artists from all around the world. He was also selected to be an orchestral fellow at the Immanuel and Helen Olshan Texas Music Festival in 2019.
Omar performs in the cello section with the Baytown Symphony and the Houston Latin Philharmonic. He has also performed as an extra musician with the Brazosport Symphony, Victoria Symphony, and Symphony of Southeast Texas. Omar has had the opportunity to perform on stages with artists like Andrea Bocelli, Cece Winans, and Loren Allred. Omar currently also works as a Teaching Artist for the Houston Youth Symphony’s Coda Music Program, an El-Sistema based program that targets low-income families in Houston’s Near Northside neighborhood, which he’s been a part of since the fall of 2016.
Luis Gutiérrez Fonseca
Omar shares a studio at the Sugar Land Arts Center with Luis Fonseca. Luis is originally from Guadalajara, Mexico. He received his Bachelors in Music Performance from the University of Houston under Dr. Kirsten Yon and during his time in school played in masterclasses for renowned violinists Jeff Thayer, Sharman Plesner, Modigliani String Quartet and others.
Additionally, Luis has pursued further training at music festivals and workshops including ARIA Summer Academy in Massachusetts, Naolinco Chamber Music Festival in Mexico, Cambridge International String Academy in England, and Liberec International Violin Academy in the Czech Republic. He also received Suzuki Violin Teacher Training at the Greater Austin Suzuki Institute in Austin, TX. Luis performs year-round with the Galveston Symphony Orchestra, Brazosport Symphony Orchestra, and the Symphony of Southeast Texas. Luis is also a teaching artist for Houston Youth Symphony’s Coda Music Program. Luis has enjoyed teaching music throughout his time as a violinist. He loves sharing his passion for music with his violin, viola, and piano students of all ages and skill levels. As a teacher Luis is patient and encouraging, and his goal is to bring joy and excitement to every lesson.
For Prices and more details...
Contact them in studio 10
Studios 12 & 15
Danette Warren
Her Focus:
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Music Classes
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Children
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Violin & Viola
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Suzuki Group Classes
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Fiddling Classes
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Dolce Babies
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Meet Danette
Dolce Music Academy is a non-profit music school utilizing the educational philosophy of Shinichi Suzuki. We are committed to sharing the joy of making music with the community through the education of students, parents and teachers.
For Prices and more details...
Contact Danette Warren
713-542-5428
Studios 18 & 20
William Cloninger
His Focus:
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Art Classes
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Adults & Children
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Guitar
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Meet William
William is a singer, songwriter, and multi-instrument musician, specializing in guitar. William has a contagious passion for all aspects of music: history, theory, performance, creation, instruction, and appreciation. He has been an instructor and recital program director in the Houston area for over 10 years.
William was born and raised in Houston, with a 3-year stopover in the NYC area. He graduated from Dulles HS in Sugar Land and followed that up with a BS in English from SHSU. He is thrilled to be among the lucky few who follow their heart’s desire to a career in music.
For Prices and more details...
Contact William Cloninger
516-864-3305
Williamcloningermusic@gmail.com
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