Private Lesson Staff
Private lessons are a huge part of the past, present, and future successes of the Lake Highlands Band Program. Lessons are available to all brass, woodwind, and percussionists in grades 6-12. Lesson scholarships are also available to students and families with financial need.
Private lessons are weekly one-on-one sessions that are taught by a professional musician on your student's instrument. Lessons can occur before, during, or after school, depending on the schedule of the student and the private lesson teacher.
The best thing about private lessons is that they are completely focused on each student's learning and growth. If your student wants to learn above and beyond what their band class is doing, private lessons are the perfect way to encourage that extra growth. Private lessons are the #1 way for students to "get ahead" in learning and excelling on their instrument.
Below you will find the contact information for our private lesson staff. These teachers have advanced music degrees and have been thoroughly interviewed and vetted by the Lake Highlands Band staff as well as Richardson ISD. The information in the table is best viewed on a desktop browser.
If you would like to schedule private lessons for your child, please reach out to the teacher listed for the instrument that your child plays! If you have questions about the private lesson program or about lesson scholarships, please contact Mr. Cardenas at marcus.cardenas@risd.org.
Flute
Hannah Peterson
706-714-1020
Hannah Peterson is a Dallas-based flutist, teacher, and music theorist. Originally from Athens, GA, Ms. Peterson began playing flute in the 6th grade with no prior musical experience. She earned her Bachelor's in both Flute Performance and Music Theory from the University of Georgia, where she studied with Angela Jones-Reus. She moved to Dallas in 2020 to pursue a dual Master's in both Flute Performance and Music Theory Pedagogy. There she studied with Jean Larson Garver and Deborah Baron, both of the Dallas Symphony Orchestra. Ms. .Peterson currently plays flute and piccolo for the Lone Star Wind Orchestra and has also performed with the McKinney Philharmonic, East Texas Symphony, Opera Arlington Orchestra, Las Colinas Symphony Orchestra, and the Fort Worth Symphony Orchestra. As a soloist, she has been a finalist in both National Flute Association and Texas Flute Society competitions. Most recently, she placed 3rd in the prestigious Myrna Brown Competition in 2024. Her other primary teachers include Terri Sundberg and Rachel Simmons.
Ms. Peterson currently serves as the flute lesson teacher for both the Lake Highlands and JJ Pearce cluster in Richardson ISD, where she holds a studio of around 55. She has previously taught in the Garland, Carrolton, Dallas, and Aubrey ISD's. Her students have seen a lot of success, both inside and outside of RISD. They have regularly earned spots and won both the Lake Highlands and Pearce cluster concerto competitions. Ms. Peterson has had students selected for TMEA Region, Area and Allstate Bands. She also encourages her students to get involved in music outside of school, and they have performed with the SMU Young Artist Flute Choir, Greater North Texas Youth Orchestra, Lone Star Youth Winds, and Greater Dallas Youth Orchestra.
Oboe
Abigail Espinosa
abigailespinosaoboe@gmail.com
956-559-1082
Abigail Espinosa is a Dallas-based oboist committed to making a meaningful impact through musical collaboration. An active educator and freelance musician, she regularly performs with various ensembles across the DFW metroplex. Originally from Brownsville, Texas, she moved to North Texas in 2019 to pursue her studies in music. Ms. Espinosa earned her Bachelor’s degree in Oboe Performance with a minor in History from the University of North Texas, studying under James Ryon and Jung Choi. She went on to complete her Master’s degree at Southern Methodist University in 2025, where she studied with Erin Hannigan of the Dallas Symphony Orchestra. She has performed with several regional ensembles such as the Wichita Falls Symphony Orchestra, Texarkana Symphony Orchestra, Mansfield Philharmonic, and New Philharmonic Orchestra of Irving. Her musical journey has also included collaborations with renowned artists and composers such as Frank Ticheli, Wynton Marsalis and the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra, and Stewart Copeland, drummer of The Police.
Ms. Espinosa currently teaches oboe in Richardson ISD's Lake Highlands and Berkner clusters, as well as in Allen ISD. While she values every opportunity to perform, she takes pride in sharing the joy of music with her students. She believes there is something to learn in every musical experience, and teaching is no different. Her students are a great inspiration to her and she finds joy in learning from them every day. When she’s not teaching, performing, or making reeds, Abigail enjoys trying new recipes in the kitchen and spending time with her two cats, Bruno and Clara.
Bassoon
Dr. Kristen Goguen
859-948-1514
Dr. Kristen L. Goguen is currently the Professor of Bassoon at Texas Woman’s University located in Denton, Texas. In addition to her position at TWU, she is also the Bassoon Professor at Dallas College-Brookhaven Campus. Dr. Goguen is also the Bassoon Teacher for the Lake Highlands High School and Berkner High School Clusters in Richardson ISD as well as the Flower Mound High School Cluster in Lewisville ISD. Originally from Kentucky, Dr. Goguen moved to Dallas in 2017. Dr. Goguen received her DMA in Bassoon Performance and Pedagogy from the University of Colorado Boulder in August 2015 under the tutelage of Dr. Yoshiyuki Ishikawa. While in Boulder, Dr. Goguen performed regularly with Boulder Chamber Orchestra, Longmont Symphony and the Boulder Opera Company. Dr. Goguen received a MM and Professional Artist Certificate from the University of North Carolina School of the Arts where she was a student of Saxton Rose and Mark Popkin. She was second bassoonist of The Chamber Orchestra of the Triangle and also performed regularly with the Winston-Salem Symphony, Charlotte Symphony, and Fayetteville Symphony. While at UNCSA, her quintet, Halcyon Winds, toured throughout North Carolina and placed second at the MTNA National Collegiate Chamber Music Competition in 2010.
Since moving to Dallas, Dr. Goguen has been active as an educator and clinician. Most recently, she was selected as TMEA Bassoon All-State Etude Selector for 2022. This included presenting a clinic and performing the All-State etudes at the Texas Bandmasters Association Conference in July 2022. For the past three years, Dr. Goguen has been on the TMEA All-State Placement Judges Panel for 5A and 6A Bassoons. Dr. Goguen is a full time member of The Premier Lone Star Wind Orchestra and is also a freelancer throughout the DFW area. Dr. Goguen also works extensively with Bocal Majority, a double-reed organization based in Richardson. As a part of the Bocal Majority team, Dr. Goguen has served as a site manager and instructor for summer camps and other double-reed events. Dr. Goguen resides in Dallas with her dog, Pepper. When she’s not practicing, making reeds, teaching, or performing, Dr. Goguen enjoys going on adventures with Pepper and enjoying living close to family for the first time in over a decade.
Clarinet
Alondra Nina
alondranina@gmail.com
936-668-0895
Alondra Esperanza Nina Meneces is a clarinet performer, clinician, and teacher based in the DFW metroplex. She won the first version of the Bolivian Clarinetists and Saxophonists National Competition in 2006 in Bolivia, her birth country. In 2014 she migrated to the United States to pursue an Undergraduate Degree at Sam Houston State University and a Graduate Degree at University of North Texas under Dr. Patricia Card and Dr. Phillip Paglialonga respectively. She has performed in festivals in Bolivia, Argentina, Houston, Dallas, Kansas, and Colorado. Alondra, along with her duet partner Jessica Hill, founded the Opal Duet which performed at the Scheherazade Chamber Music festival and the most recent ClarinetFest in FortWorth.
Alondra has played with the Bolivian Philharmonic Orchestra, Cochabamba Philharmonic Orchestra, Toccare Winds, Mansfield Philharmonic Orchestra, Mansfield Winds, North Texas Philharmonic Orchestra, NCTC Winds, among others; and regularly performs with the San Angelo Symphony and the Millennial Orchestras and Choirs. Alondra is a private instructor at Richardson ISD, and Garland ISD.
Saxophone
Ryan Montemayor
210-827-9761
Ryan Montemayor is a saxophonist and educator from San Antonio, Texas, and is currently based in the DFW area. He earned undergraduate degrees in Music Education and Music Performance from Texas Tech University, where he studied with Professor David Dees. He recently completed his Master’s in Music Performance at the University of Arkansas under Dr. Sarah Hetrick, where he also served as a Graduate Teaching Assistant. As an educator, Ryan’s students have earned top ratings in Solo and Ensemble contests and have been selected for both TMEA and AMEA Region Bands. As a performer, Ryan has appeared as a soloist and chamber musician at events including MTNA, North American Saxophone Alliance Conferences, the Midwest Clinic, and the University of Arkansas Honors Recital. When he is not teaching or performing, Ryan enjoys spending time with his cat, Cricket!
Saxophone
Collin Miller
collinmillermusictx@gmail.com
817-487-1407
Casting aside ego and vanity to create ‘hip’ and engaging music is Collin's way of creating something that is not just for his own enjoyment, but something that evokes emotions in others. As a jazz saxophonist, arranger, and composer, Collin creates and writes music to speak with the soul and groove of those who desire to physically connect with the music. Collin began studying for his undergraduate degree in jazz saxophone performance at the University of North Texas in 2016 and graduated in 2020. During his time at university, he studied with many amazing professors such as Bradford Leali, Mike Steinel, Richard DeRosa, and Dave Meader amongst others. As a saxophonist and performer, he has played in the North Texas area with jazz small ensembles and big bands alike. Collin has worked with the North Texas Lab Bands, Gainesville Swing Orchestra, and recorded with school peers at the Panhandle House in Denton. He has also had the pleasure of working with the Metro Praise Youth Orchestra and the Texas Youth Saxophone Ensemble as both a guest performer and educator.
Trumpet
Aaron Olson
956-358-5465
Teaching Music in: Carrollton, TX | From: McAllen, TX | Plays: trumpet
Originally from McAllen, TX, Aaron Olson has had a passion for playing trumpet and studying music since middle school. He enjoys playing and teaching all genres of music. Aaron taught privately in the Denver area and has performed throughout Colorado. Mr. Olson achieved many All Region and All State awards at McAllen Memorial High School under the instruction of Lucio Diaz. In 2019 Mr. Olson received his bachelor’s degree in trumpet performance from West Texas A&M University. During that time Aaron toured the Czech Republic, Austria, and Hungary with the symphony orchestra, competed annually at the National Trumpet Competition, and performed with the Amarillo Symphony Orchestra. Aaron received a master’s degree in music in 2021 as well as a certificate in jazz performance in 2022 from the University of Denver. Recently he has performed with the Boulder Symphony Orchestra, the Symphony of the Rockies, and the Diamond Empire Band. Along the way he was able to learn and perform with outstanding musicians such as William Takacs, Al Hood, Sam Oatts, Jon Faddis, Jerry Junkin, John Marchiando, Alan Vizzutti, Jeff Coffin, Phil Smith, Joe Alessi, Chris Colletti, Ronald Romm, and John King.
Mr. Olson has always found time to teach and believes that “the more you learn and play, the more you want to share the experience.” When teaching Aaron has seen what an impact music has on others. That moment you see someone create music and share it is the reason he keeps pursuing this path. “Music builds better people, better students, and enhances every aspect of life.” Although new to the Dallas area, Mr. Olson is an avid sports fan and is looking forward to seeing the wide variety of professional sports in the Dallas area and rooting for the Wildcat Band and teams every chance he gets.
Horn
Miranda Smith
972-983-3019
Miranda Smith is a French hornist based in Dallas, Texas. Raised in Flower Mound, Texas, she discovered her love for music upon beginning to play the horn at age 11. As a young musician, Miranda was an avid member of her high school's marching band and enjoyed playing with the Greater Dallas Youth Orchestra. Following high school, she moved to Evanston, Illinois. Under the tutelage of Gail Williams and Jonathan Boen, Miranda graduated Cum Laude with a Bachelor of Music from Northwestern University. Her undergraduate studies specialized in horn performance with a minor in Spanish. She is currently pursuing a Master of Music degree from Southern Methodist University in Dallas, Texas. Miranda currently studies with hornist David Heyde. In addition, she is an active freelance musician in the Dallas-Fort Worth area and a private French horn instructor. In her free time, Miranda enjoys practicing yoga, camping, and crocheting.
Trombone
Michael Swann
214-538-7331
Trombone
Michael Rundgren
214-980-5077
Michael was born and raised in Waxahachie, Texas, where he served as the drum major his junior senior years and graduated as the Salutatorian of the class of 2017. Following high school he enlisted in the United States Marine Corps, where he served in the infantry before his career was cut short with a medical discharge. Michael graduated summa cum laude from Navarro College where he also served as a drum major before transferring to Southern Methodist University for his junior and senior years. Here he studied Music Education and Trombone Performance under Jon Kitzman and Barry Hearn, the former and current principal trombonists of the Dallas Symphony Orchestra, respectively. Completing his student teaching at the Lake Highlands schools, Michael graduated summa cum laude from SMU in the fall of 2023. Michael now works as one of the trombone private lessons instructors for Lake Highlands as well as a personal trainer while he is completing his graduate program in Music Composition at SMU.
Euphonium and Tuba
Dr. Seth Shaffer
817-575-7471
Dr. Shaffer is the Tuba and Euphonium Instructor for the J.J. Pearce and Lake Highlands band clusters in Richardson ISD. He is a graduate of Texas Christian University (BME), University of California Los Angeles (MM), and Texas Tech University (DMA) and has taught private lessons since 2014. Dr. Shaffer currently performs with the Lone Star Wind Orchestra.
His students have won numerous accolades, including placement into TMEA All-State Bands and Orchestras, All-Region Bands, and World Class drum corps. In his spare time, Dr. Shaffer enjoys video games, reading, and running. He lives in Euless with his wife, Rose, and cat, Patches.
Percussion
Eric Martin
eric@ericmaterinpercussion.com
940-594-1473
Eric Martin is a vibraphonist and percussionist living in the Dallas-Ft. Worth area. While specializing in Brazilian jazz, Eric has performed with groups of all styles including symphonies, big bands, salsa groups, and jazz combos. His debut solo vibraphone album “Snapshot” was released in 2019.
In addition to performing, Eric is an accomplished educator, giving clinics, masterclasses, and maintaining an active private studio. His educational books are used in schools across the country. He has previously held positions at University of Texas at Arlington, Texas State University-San Marcos, and Texas Lutheran University.
As a composer and arranger, Eric has had pieces performed at such prestigious conventions as the Percussive Arts Society International Convention, the Midwest Clinic, and the Texas Music Educators Association convention. He has been published by Keyboard Percussion Publications, K. Wylie Publications, and on his own ericmartinpercussion.com.