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LILY HIGHT
Sound Beginnings | Let's Play Music | Presto | Bridge | Ukulele
Lily is the owner of Best In Music and the Best In Music Education Center. She enjoys operating the business with her husband, Marcus, and they have 5 children. She has taught piano for over 20 years, has been the president of the Utah Music Teacher's Association Provo/Orem chapter, and is the creator of the Let's Play Music Bridge program. She is also part of the curriculum development team and the teacher training team for the Sound Beginnings program and enjoys this collaborative work in the professional music industry. Lily LOVES teaching and is passionate about helping students become the musician they want to be.
Sound Beginnings | Let's Play Music | Presto | Bridge | Ukulele
Lily is the owner of Best In Music and the Best In Music Education Center. She enjoys operating the business with her husband, Marcus, and they have 5 children. She has taught piano for over 20 years, has been the president of the Utah Music Teacher's Association Provo/Orem chapter, and is the creator of the Let's Play Music Bridge program. She is also part of the curriculum development team and the teacher training team for the Sound Beginnings program and enjoys this collaborative work in the professional music industry. Lily LOVES teaching and is passionate about helping students become the musician they want to be.
ALICIA FALCONBURY
Woodwinds | Bassoon
Alicia is the Director of Education at BIMEC. She holds a Bachelor of Musical Arts degree from BYU-Idaho with an emphasis in composition. She has played the bassoon for over a decade and held the position of assistant principal bassoon in the Idaho Falls Symphony for several years.
Alicia worked for two years as an adjunct faculty member at BYU-Idaho teaching music theory. Since moving to Orem, she has worked as a freelance bassoonist, playing with local orchestras and groups including the Timpanogos Symphony Orchestra, Utah Valley Symphony, and Utah Valley University orchestras.
She believes strongly in the power of music to make better people, better hearts, and better communities.
ANGELA ROMNEY
Flute | Voice
Angela earned a bachelor’s degree in music with an emphasis in voice from Utah Valley University with honors. She has played the flute since elementary school and was part of the first flute choir at UVU, where she was awarded a Dean’s grant for a music research project, founded the UVU Opera Club, and served in various positions with NAFME.
Angela was actively involved in her local community theaters for many years, playing a variety of roles and garnering diverse experience with the many facets of theater production. From 2002-2004, Angela wrote two original children's operas in partnership with Utah Opera. The operas were performed in Herriman, UT with hundreds of youth participants.
Since joining the staff at BIMEC, Angela has helped develop curriculum for children's courses, including our World Music for Kids class and Musical Theater Workshop. Angela also manages our education center social media.
Angela was trained classically but encourages her students to explore a variety of musical genres and focuses on healthy vocal technique. She is passionate about personalizing lessons to enable students to reach their goals and complement their unique abilities and their potential. Her goal is to teach each student to read music fluently and understand it aurally, visually, and emotionally.
BRYSON VANDERWEL
Woodwinds | Saxophone | Clarinet
Bryson has had a passion for music from a very young age. He started learning the piano and the violin shortly after at 8 years old and played in his schools' top orchestras all through Jr. High and High school. He started playing the clarinet and bass clarinet in 8th grade and picked up the saxophone in 9th grade after hearing a jazz solo at a concert and fell in love with the saxophone, and it quickly became his passion. Bryson played lead tenor for Caleb Chapman's Crescent Super Band for two years, which has been named by Downbeat magazine as the best high school aged Big band in the world. He recorded on two albums with the band including one with the saxophonist from Dave Matthew's band, Jeff Coffin. He also performed at the 2016 Essentially Ellington festival in New York City's Lincoln Center where he earned the "Outstanding Tenor Sax solo" award. Bryson now studies Saxophone Performance at Brigham Young University where he studies with Dr. Ray Smith and plays 1st tenor with the renowned band, Synthesis and 1st alto with the colleges top Wind Symphony.
KESTRA DAROWSKI
Piano | Let's Play Music | Presto | Bridge | Oboe | Flute | Voice
Kestra Darowski has experience with seven instruments, especially voice, piano, oboe, and flute. Throughout her life, she has been part of many bands, choirs, and performance groups, and has sung and played internationally. Kestra has a degree in music from UVU, where her studies included music theory and vocal training. She loves all things Disney and has even worked for a time at Disney World! She and her husband have two young children. Kestra has loved being a Let's Play Music and Bridge instructor with Ms. Lily for the past 3 years and enjoys sharing the joy of learning music with her students. She is also looking forward to teaching the Bridge curriculum privately as well! In addition to group instruction, Kestra teaches piano, flute, oboe and voice lessons at the Best In Music Education Center.
ASHLEY RANDS
Brass | Trombone
Currently studying trombone performance at BYU, Ashley is from Tennessee where she was a part of the pre-college scholarship program at Vanderbilt for two years. She has played in various groups at BYU including the Wind Symphony, Philharmonic, and Synthesis Jazz Band. Ashley loves listening to and playing lots of genres of music and hopes to show more people how beautiful the trombone can be.
EJ MIRANDA
Brass | Trumpet
EJ grew up in Southern California where he began playing the trumpet in the 5th grade. Since then he has gained recognition as an outstanding musician at the local, state, and national levels. At the state level, he was selected to be a member of the All-Southern California Honor Band/Orchestra from 2014 through 2017 and was principal trumpet in the Orchestra during his 11th grade year. He was also a member of the All State Honor Band/Orchestra from 2013-2018 and was the principal trumpet in the Orchestra for his 11th and 12th grade years. Nationally, he was selected through an audition process to be a member of the Honors Orchestra of America and to be a member of the National Youth Orchestra of the USA.
While in the NYO-USA, under the direction of Marin Alsop, he toured Guadalajara, Mexica, Quito, Ecuador and Colombia as a Music Ambassador for the United States. EJ is currently on a half scholarship as a Trumpet Performance Major at BYU and studies with Dr. Jason Bergman. At BYU he is principal trumpet in the Philharmonic, Wind Ensemble, Chamber Orchestra and the Brass Quintet. EJ enjoys teaching trumpet and sharing his love of music with others.
MEGAN GRAVES
Strings | Violin | Viola | Cello
Megan Graves graduated in Music Education (Emphasis in String Teaching) from BYU and has taught children and teens in orchestra, singing, or general music and theater since 2004. She's produced and directed multiple community musical theater performances accompanied by a live orchestra, organized fundraising concerts and shows, and just loves teaching and performing in the fine arts in general!
Megan has played with the BYU philharmonic, and was concertmistress of the BYU Symphony orchestra during her time as a music major there. She has also been principal violist with the Nebo Philharmonic and played viola with the Draper Philharmonic as well. She learned violin starting at the age of 4 years old with the Suzuki Method and utilizes concepts from that method as well as Kodaly in her teaching. She specializes in violin and viola, but can also teach beginning bass and cello and guitar, or music theory/reading. Her most recent fun musical adventures are performing fiddle for a new short film soundtrack, "Rustlers," playing violin as a “street musician” on a Hallmark Christmas movie, and entertaining guests as a traveling minstrel/fiddle player at Evermore Park. When she’s not teaching or performing she works with her friends running a small local carpentry business “Nature Built Designs,” designing and building wooden toys & garden furniture, etc.
NOAH GUZMAN
Cello | Piano
Noah Guzman is a pianist, cellist, and organist currently studying Music Education and Commercial Music at Utah Valley University. Noah has performed around Utah and Ohio for various professional, school, religious, and service functions. He has taught both privately and in the public school system and has experience as both a choral and orchestral director. Noah also composes and arranges his own music.
Outside of music, Noah enjoys going on hikes and walks and generally being outdoors. He is a board game enthusiast, loves history, and is always down for a good joke.
SARAH WISCOMBE
Strings | Violin
Sarah Wiscombe has played violin for 20 year and has a Bachelor's degree in Violin Performance from Brigham Young University - Idaho. She has played in orchestras and various ensembles for over 15 years.
Sarah teaches through the Suzuki method but loves to implement other pieces as well to help her students have the best experience. She is passionate about sharing her love for the violin through teaching and is excited to join the ranks at the Best in Music Education Center!
GARY ARGYLE
Guitar | Ukulele
Gary has been teaching guitar for ten years and has taught all ages, levels and styles. He received his education from Utah Valley University, where he received the Exceptional Performance Scholarship for guitar and played for the UVU Jazz Band and Classical Guitar Ensemble.
Gary has also written his own book for beginning guitar with more to come.
GEORGE WILKES
Guitar (ONLINE ONLY)
While George is an accountant by profession, he is a musician by choice. He brings over 40 years of playing and teaching experience, including being the lead guitarist in local bands for more than 35 years. His teaching proficiency includes both electric and acoustic guitar, and Rock and Roll, Country, Blues, Folk, and Jazz music. His favorite aspect of teaching is the relationship he builds with his students.
George currently teaches online only with BIMEC.
MAC WRIGHT
Guitar | Ukulele | Banjo
Mac hails from Los Angeles, CA and has been playing music in various professional settings since he was 14. He plays around 10 instruments and has been teaching for 10 years. His teaching style is based around understanding Theory and the language of music, and applying it in practical and performance settings. And at the end of the day, he just wants his students to have a good time and feel motivated to continue pursuing their passions.
MIKE ROSS
Guitar | Ukulele | Banjo | Mandolin
Mike has inspired and taught beginner through advanced students in banjo, guitar, ukulele, mandolin, bass guitar, violin, and piano for over 15 years. Mike teaches youth and adults in a theory based methodology and pedagogy with string instruments. Mike has played professional in several bands and orchestras, including Battle Creek, Blue Grass Thunder, The Founding Father’s Blue Grass Band, and a variety of theatrical performances.
CAROLINE ARONI
Piano
Caroline grew up in Salt Lake City and started taking piano lessons when she was about 8 years old. She began teaching her own piano students at 17. She participated in numerous choirs, musicals and dance groups, and furthered her musical knowledge with advanced music theory classes, more music lessons, and singing in auditioned choirs at BYU.
Her enthusiasm and love for music is what she wishes to pass on to her students. She believes music lessons should be more than a weekly checkbox, but a fun experience and tool for expression, growth, and delight.
Her goal is to help her students achieve the connection to music that leads to fulfilling, lifelong skill that enriches their lives as well as the lives of those around them. She has now been teaching piano to all ages for 10 years and
she loves it more than anything!
CYNTHIA HANSEN-MCKEE
Piano and Harp
Cynthia Hansen-McKee found her passion for music at a very young age. She has studied piano, performance, and music theory her entire life and also studied music while attending Brigham Young University.
Cynthia has taught piano lessons for over 30 years. It is through her experience that she is able to teach students through a variety of methods and tailors each lesson to the student. Additionally, Cynthia began her study of the harp in 2004. She loves to help passionate new harpists get a great foundation for lifelong learning.
It is Cynthia's goal to instill an excitement for music and love for piano or harp within each student, just as she received throughout her education. Along with teaching in our piano area, Cynthia is also our Assistant Director! She is thrilled to be part of the Best in Music team!
KESTRA DAROWSKI
Piano | Let's Play Music | Presto | Bridge | Oboe | Flute | Voice
Kestra Darowski has experience with seven instruments, especially voice, piano, oboe, and flute. Throughout her life, she has been part of many bands, choirs, and performance groups, and has sung and played internationally. Kestra has a degree in music from UVU, where her studies included music theory and vocal training. She loves all things Disney and has even worked for a time at Disney World! She and her husband have two young children. Kestra has loved being a Let's Play Music and Bridge instructor with Ms. Lily for the past 3 years and enjoys sharing the joy of learning music with her students. She is also looking forward to teaching the Bridge curriculum privately as well! In addition to group instruction, Kestra teaches piano, flute, oboe and voice lessons at the Best In Music Education Center.
NOAH GUZMAN
Cello | Piano
Cello | Piano
Noah Guzman is a pianist, cellist, and organist currently studying Music Education and Commercial Music at Utah Valley University. Noah has performed around Utah and Ohio for various professional, school, religious, and service functions. He has taught both privately and in the public school system and has experience as both a choral and orchestral director. Noah also composes and arranges his own music.
Outside of music, Noah enjoys going on hikes and walks and generally being outdoors. He is a board game enthusiast, loves history, and is always down for a good joke.
SAMUEL HERRERA
Jazz Piano
Sam Herrera is a keyboardist, songwriter, and producer from Provo, UT. He holds a Bachelor of Musical Arts degree with an emphasis in Commercial Music from BYU. He has played keyboards for BYU's premier jazz ensemble, Synthesis, as well as for artists such as David Archuleta, Colbie Caillat, and Alex Boyé. He has been studying jazz performance and jazz keyboard harmony for over 10 years. He has 6 years of experience playing trumpet in big bands and jazz ensembles. He has also studied the French horn privately for 6 years under Kathy Colton and Laurence Lowe.
Sam strongly believes in the power of good music education to inspire and expand one's passion for music. He sees music as a language that will enhance and deepen your ability to communicate with others and to learn about yourself. He is passionate about sharing his vision of music with others. He loves discovering what others are seeking in music and helping them to find it.
ANGELA ROMNEY
Flute | Voice
Angela earned a bachelor’s degree in music with an emphasis in voice from Utah Valley University with honors. She has played the flute since elementary school and was part of the first flute choir at UVU, where she was awarded a Dean’s grant for a music research project, founded the UVU Opera Club, and served in various positions with NAFME.
Angela was actively involved in her local community theaters for many years, playing a variety of roles and garnering diverse experience with the many facets of theater production. From 2002-2004, Angela wrote two original children's operas in partnership with Utah Opera. The operas were performed in Herriman, UT with hundreds of youth participants.
Since joining the staff at BIMEC, Angela has helped develop curriculum for children's courses, including our World Music for Kids class and Musical Theater Workshop. Angela also manages our education center social media.
Angela was trained classically but encourages her students to explore a variety of musical genres and focuses on healthy vocal technique. She is passionate about personalizing lessons to enable students to reach their goals and complement their unique abilities and their potential. Her goal is to teach each student to read music fluently and understand it aurally, visually, and emotionally.
Flute | Voice
Angela earned a bachelor’s degree in music with an emphasis in voice from Utah Valley University with honors. She has played the flute since elementary school and was part of the first flute choir at UVU, where she was awarded a Dean’s grant for a music research project, founded the UVU Opera Club, and served in various positions with NAFME.
Angela was actively involved in her local community theaters for many years, playing a variety of roles and garnering diverse experience with the many facets of theater production. From 2002-2004, Angela wrote two original children's operas in partnership with Utah Opera. The operas were performed in Herriman, UT with hundreds of youth participants.
Since joining the staff at BIMEC, Angela has helped develop curriculum for children's courses, including our World Music for Kids class and Musical Theater Workshop. Angela also manages our education center social media.
Angela was trained classically but encourages her students to explore a variety of musical genres and focuses on healthy vocal technique. She is passionate about personalizing lessons to enable students to reach their goals and complement their unique abilities and their potential. Her goal is to teach each student to read music fluently and understand it aurally, visually, and emotionally.
KESTRA DAROWSKI
Piano | Let's Play Music | Presto | Bridge | Oboe | Flute | Voice
Kestra Darowski has experience with seven instruments, especially voice, piano, oboe, and flute. Throughout her life, she has been part of many bands, choirs, and performance groups, and has sung and played internationally. Kestra has a degree in music from UVU, where her studies included music theory and vocal training. She loves all things Disney and has even worked for a time at Disney World! She and her husband have two young children. Kestra has loved being a Let's Play Music and Bridge instructor with Ms. Lily for the past 3 years and enjoys sharing the joy of learning music with her students. She is also looking forward to teaching the Bridge curriculum privately as well! In addition to group instruction, Kestra teaches piano, flute, oboe and voice lessons at the Best In Music Education Center.
Piano | Let's Play Music | Presto | Bridge | Oboe | Flute | Voice
Kestra Darowski has experience with seven instruments, especially voice, piano, oboe, and flute. Throughout her life, she has been part of many bands, choirs, and performance groups, and has sung and played internationally. Kestra has a degree in music from UVU, where her studies included music theory and vocal training. She loves all things Disney and has even worked for a time at Disney World! She and her husband have two young children. Kestra has loved being a Let's Play Music and Bridge instructor with Ms. Lily for the past 3 years and enjoys sharing the joy of learning music with her students. She is also looking forward to teaching the Bridge curriculum privately as well! In addition to group instruction, Kestra teaches piano, flute, oboe and voice lessons at the Best In Music Education Center.
PATRICE GARRIGUES
Voice
Voice
Patrice grew up in a music-loving family who spent a lot of time together singing and playing instruments. Patrice started playing piano at a young age and participated in many piano festivals and recitals throughout middle school and high school. As a teenager she decided to study voice more seriously by taking lessons and participating in singing competitions, many choirs including All-State Choir, and high school and community musicals.
Patrice is now a Senior at Utah Valley University pursuing a Bachelors of Music in Vocal Performance. She has been focusing on Opera and Art Song for several years, and has been a student of voice for 10 years. While in college she has participated in several opera productions, many concerts, and classical recitals. She has a passion for learning and teaching people about the human voice, and with a focus on healthy singing she helps people tap into their natural potential.
NATHAN HURST
Percussion | Drums
Percussionist Nathan Hurst is equally at home with performing with soloist Itzahk Perlman as he is on drum set with Randy Brecker. With energy at the core of his artistry, Hurst has performed in Mongolia, China, Japan, South Korea, Austria, Germany, England, France, and Switzerland.
Beginning as a self-taught musician at the age of seven, Hurst’s accomplishments to date include winning the BYU Philharmonic Concerto Competition, working with Vietnamese composer’s P.Q. Phan on his new music opera premiere of “What the Horse Eats,” and performing with musicians of The Symphony Orchestra of the Central Conservatory of Music in Beijing, China. In addition to appearing on stage with Collin Raye, he has collaborated with Ed Calle, Rubén Álvarez, Keith Carlock, among others.
A recipient of the Artist Excellence Award, Nathan Hurst graduated with a Master’s degree in Percussion Performance from the Jacobs School of Music at Indiana University and received a Bachelors of Music in Percussion Performance from Brigham Young University. His primary teachers include Joseph Gramley (Silkroad Ensemble), John Tafoya (Former Principal Timpanist National Symphony Orchestra), Kevin Bobo(world-renowned marimba soloist and composer), Craig Hetrick (Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra), Dr. Matthew Coleman (Brigham Young University), and Dr. Darren Bastian (Brigham Young University).
Come join our Best in Music Education Center team!
BIMEC is always accepting resumes for music teachers of all kinds! We also maintain a list of qualified substitutes, so if you are interested in teaching for us, please fill out our application here and send your resume to the Director of Education, Alicia, at bimecdirector@gmail.com, or you can contact her at 801-802-0625.
BIMEC is always accepting resumes for music teachers of all kinds! We also maintain a list of qualified substitutes, so if you are interested in teaching for us, please fill out our application here and send your resume to the Director of Education, Alicia, at bimecdirector@gmail.com, or you can contact her at 801-802-0625.