Our Team
Erica Ogden
Erica Ogden is a 2007 graduate of Pensacola Christian College holding a Bachelor of Arts degree in Music with a Concentration in Piano Pedagogy. With over seventeen years of experience teaching music at the world premier Pensacola Christian Academy and her own private studio, she has taught piano, choir, and music theory. Upon moving to Avon, she built her own private piano studio. She is active in her community and is also a CDL licensed bus driver for Brownsburg Community School Corporation and the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Museum.
Erica is a member of the Music Teachers National Association (MTNA), and President of the Indiana Music Teachers Association (IMTA).
Cindy Porzio
Cindy Porzio graduated with a Bachelors of Music in Vocal Performance from the D’Angelo School of Music at Mercyhurst College in Erie, Pennsylvania. She has over thirteen years experience teaching private voice lessons, as well as substantial performance experience.
Working with vocalists to expand their musical knowledge and help them develop their own unique voice is Cindy’s main goal during lessons.
When she is not singing or listening to music, she enjoys gardening, reading, and meeting new people. She is a member of The National Association of Teachers of Singing as well as a singer in the Threshold Choir of Hendricks County.
Lisa DeHart
Lisa DeHart is an accomplished musician and performer who has been engaged with music from an early age. Her musical journey began in third grade with piano lessons and culminated in more than thirty years studying and using music in a variety of environments, including piano accompaniment and vocal performance, church worship, nursing home service, ensemble and solo performances. Lisa’s most recent musical exploration and study includes learning to play the guitar, ukulele and Reverie harp.
Lisa’s teaching experience includes providing individual and group piano lessons to children and adults, as well as teaching young children music in lively Music Funtime classes. She is an Indiana University graduate with a bachelor's degree in Psychology and a bachelor of science degree in Music Therapy. As a board-certified Music Therapist, Lisa provides home-based therapeutic services that assist children and adults in attaining non-musical goals through the use of music-based interventions.
Lisa is passionate about helping others pursue their musical goals and aspirations—and works hard to facilitate learning opportunities that inspire joy, creativity, skillfulness, and passion.
Jill Shepard
Jill is our office coordinator here at Westside Music Academy. As a graduate of Indiana State University, Jill holds a degree in Mathematics and has a background in middle school education. She gained valuable experience working with children in a classroom setting. She brings her organizational skills and her passion for education to her role at WMA.
Jill also has a love for music. She played the oboe in concert band and pep band all through school. Jill is dedicated to helping our staff and students thrive in a positive atmosphere. She believes that a supportive atmosphere is key to helping everyone thrive!
Cordale Hankins
Cordale Hankins is a recent graduate from the University of Indianapolis with a Bachelor of Music in Music Education. While studying at UIndy, Cordale served as the president of the university’s chapter of the Collegiate National Association for Music Education (NAfME) in 2022. In 2023, he was awarded the Lamberson Memorial Award for Achievement in Keyboard Studies. Cordale has numerous years of performance experience throughout Indiana, and strives to provide quality music education to aspiring musicians.
Jacob Henson
Jacob Henson began their musical path in Indiana, developing a passion for the blues under the mentorship of Duke Tumatoe from ages 8 to 18. By twelve, Jacob was performing with local blues bands. As a teen, they formed their own group, wrote and recorded an EP at Static Shack Studios, and toured the region with the Jake Henson Band, playing both original works and classic jazz, blues, and rock.
While at Ben Davis High School, Jacob played guitar in the jazz band, percussion in the concert band, and contributed to musicals and show choir ensembles, gaining experience in ensemble and stage performance.
After high school, Jacob joined Backroad 39 as lead guitarist, touring the Midwest and opening for national acts. Their teaching career began at R&R Music in 2018, and they’ve since continued private instruction, helping students of all ages discover their musical voice. Jacob combines technical skill, creativity, and a genuine passion for music to guide each student in realizing their potential.
Emily Schroeder
Emily Schroeder is a freelance horn player and teacher based in Indianapolis. She earned a Bachelor of Music Education from Ball State University and Master of Music in Horn Performance from the University of Northern Colorado, where she served as the Graduate Teaching Assistant. Emily is the Principal Horn of the Youngstown Symphony Orchestra and regularly plays with several other orchestras in the Midwest.
Emily has over nine years of private teaching experience and has also taught in large classroom settings. Emily’s private students have earned honors including gold ratings at both regional and state solo/ensemble contests and acceptance into accredited college music programs.
Dr. Myo Aung
Myo Aung graduated with a D.M.A., composition from the Ohio State University in 2022, and he also held M.A., composition from Kent State University in 2019. In his undergraduate, he studied piano performance at Silliman University, Philippines, and performed in several recitals and local concerts. He also wrote for a variety of classical compositions, including choir and chamber works. He has been employed as a director of music in churches around Indianapolis, and has experience being a music instructor as well, recruiting and training musicians. He also has had experience as a music lecturer at the Kachin Theological College and Seminary in Myanmar, known as Burma. Myo Aung has shown to be exceptional at conducting, audio editing, and aptitude in a variety of instruments including the piano and violin. He is passionate about teaching, whether in a group setting or as an individual tutor. He is versatile and can adapt to multiple different age groups, children and adults, being able to provide education catered for his student’s best interests.
Ally Wren
Ally is a musician and teacher in the Indianapolis area and has been playing the flute for 14 years. She holds a Bachelor of Music in Performance and a secondary degree in French from Butler University.
Her playing has received multiple honors, including scholarships, festival recognitions, and multiple masterclasses. Ally has a passion for live theatre, both as an audience member and pit orchestra musician. She is a member of the Sigma Alpha Iota Music Fraternity and has earned the Global Seal of Biliteracy in the French language.
When teaching, Ally focuses on making music come to life. From beginner to advanced musicians, she tailors lesson plans to each individual, allowing them to feel free to create and grow. Her students have competed in ISSMA Solo & Ensemble competition and have received gold medals at both the district and state levels.
When Ally is not pursuing musical endeavors, she loves to read, go on hikes, and play with her dog, Daisy.
Landen Howell
Landen Howell is a saxophonist and multi-instrumentalist with a focus on jazz, as well as classical, pop, and everything in between. Landen graduated from the University of Indianapolis with a Bachelor’s Degree in Jazz Studies and Music Technology. Landen has also interned at Youth Music Programs such as the Symphonic Youth Orchestra and has taught Bassoon Sectionals at Ben Davis High School. In addition to saxophone, clarinet, flute and bassoon, Landen also has experience and expertise in teaching piano and percussion.
Tyler Baker
Tyler DeRon Baker is a dedicated professional violinist, string specialist, and musical ensemble director committed to musical excellence. He earned his Bachelor of Music in Violin Performance from Morehouse College, where he also toured nationally for a year as a member of the world-renowned Morehouse College Glee Club. Continuing his dedication to pedagogy and advanced study, he is currently pursuing his Master of Music in Education through Butler University.
As an active freelance soloist and chamber musician, Tyler brings extensive live performance experience to audiences throughout the greater Indianapolis area, where he has provided custom violin arrangements and music for weddings and alike events since 2021. His versatility as a string specialist spans classical repertoire, contemporary crossover arrangements, and comprehensive instrumental instruction across all skill levels.
Beyond the stage, Tyler is an accomplished music educator with a proven record of leading youth programs. He has served as a dual Orchestra and Choir Director, has guided vibrant student ensembles, taught group and private lessons, and cultivated foundational musicianship in young performers. By combining a rigorous classical background with dynamic, modern teaching approaches, Tyler inspires technical proficiency, expressive storytelling, and a lifelong appreciation for the arts in both his students and audiences alike.
Bethany Sluis
Bethany is a brass educator and performer with 15+ years of musical experience and a genuine love for helping others discover the joy of music!
Bethany's musical journey began 15 years ago with the French horn and has since blossomed to encompass trumpet, trombone, euphonium, tuba, and piano — a testament to her genuine enthusiasm for music in all its forms. Along the way, she has embraced both classical and jazz traditions, bringing energy and artistry to solo and ensemble performances alike. She's also spent the last 3 years teaching beginning to intermediate piano, helping students build a solid foundation at the keys while keeping things fun and approachable from day one.
With six years of private freelance teaching and three years in structured studio instruction, Bethany knows how to meet students right where they are — whether you're working on foundational technique, itching to explore a new genre, or gearing up for your next ensemble performance. Her studio is all about energy, encouragement, and fun: she believes music should feel like a joy to chase, not a chore, and she's committed to helping students of every level fall in love with playing for life.
Brian Pavlak
Brian is a passionate and dedicated educator committed to creating a supportive and energetic learning environment. He takes a student-centered approach to build a lifelong love for music in students of all ages and abilities, offering personalized instruction in voice, piano, strings, winds, percussion, and music theory to students ranging from Pre K through adult.
Brian holds a Bachelor of Music Education from VanderCook College of Music, where he specialized in vocal and instrumental education. He has held teaching residencies at several lesson studios throughout the south Chicago suburbs, including Simply Music Studios and Orland Music Conservatory, and has served as resident string bassist for the Lincoln Way Area Chorale, in pit orchestras for numerous high school musical productions, and at jazz engagements throughout Chicago.
Brian has also contributed to several school music programs in the Chicagoland area, including Marian Catholic High School, where he served as Director of Choral Activities and Fine Arts Coordinator, Joliet West High School, John F. Kennedy Middle School, and the Orland Park School District Summer Music Program. Brian currently serves as Band and Choir Director at Speedway High School, where he continues to inspire and develop young talent through the Band and Choir programs.