Meet our Teachers
Administration
Ms. Monica Flores
Owner & Founder, First Notes, Kinder Prep, Piano, Voice
Hi! My name is Ms. Monica Flores and I am the owner of Music Tree. I would like to personally welcome you to Music Tree. It is my desire that you experience a fruitful Music education here. We provide private lessons in a variety of different instruments.
I started my music school in April of 2014 with the hopes that I could bring to the community a place where people could have the seed of music planted in them, and that it could grow deep roots and create an everlasting love for music. It has been more than a dream come true to be able to offer you lessons from twelve different teachers that create a nurturing environment for you to grow into the best musical version of you! I invite you to sign up for a demo lesson in the instrument of your choice and start your fruitful Music journey today!
I look forward to seeing you in your first lesson!
Galatians 5:22
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness...
Ms. Steffanie Altig
School Director, Beauty of Broadway, First Notes, Piano, Parent and Me Preschool, Voice
Steffanie Altig is a voice and piano teacher from San Diego, CA. Growing up, she learned music mostly by singing in her church’s kid’s choir and adult choir. Steffanie graduated from California Baptist University in Riverside, CA in 2012 with a Bachelor of Music: Vocal Performance Degree, and again in 2014 with a Master of Music: Vocal Performance Degree.
Steffanie has been teaching voice and piano all over Southern California for 10 years. At Music Tree, she is currently serving as the Program Director, and teaches beginning to advanced voice and beginning to intermediate piano. She has been teaching at Music Tree for over five years and loves watching her students’ growth as they work to master their craft.
Steffanie’s past performing experience includes Suor Angelica, H.M.S Pinafore, and Amahl and the Night Visitors with the Riverside Lyric Opera and Gianni Schicci, Carmen, and Pirates of Pinafore with the Utah Vocal Arts Academy in Provo, Utah.
Music
Mr. Adam Gomez
Guitar, Music Production, Piano
Adam Gomez is a piano, guitar, and audio engineering instructor at Music Tree. He graduated from Citrus College with an A.S. in Social Behavior Science and an A.A. in Recording Technology. in May of 2019, Adam completed his Bachelor’s Degree in Music Industry Studies at Cal Poly Pomona. When he is not teaching students at Music Tree, he works as an Audio Engineer at a recording studio in L.A., or producing and writing his own music.
Dr. Elaine Huang
Voice, Piano
Chinese soprano Zhengyingyue (Elaine) Huang has been an apprentice with the Russia International Art Festival at the Moscow P. I. Tchaikovsky Conservatory and the San Miguel Institute of Bel Canto in Mexico. She has performed several roles with LAH-SOW Minneapolis Opera, Crittenden Opera Workshop, Landlocked Opera, Music On Site, and Lyric Opera of Orange County in the U.S.A. Her past roles include Cio-Cio-san in Madama Butterfly, the Second Witch in Dido and Aeneas, Mutter in Hänsel und Gretel, the Second Lady in Die Zauberflöte, Mrs. Gobineau in The Medium, Pierrette in Pierrette et Jacquot, and the title role in Suor Angelica.
Dr. Huang has participated in various music festivals and competitions, winning top prizes in the Russian International Opera Competition, Minnesota NATS Competition, Kansas City Musical Club Miller Scholarship Award, Ordin International Competition, London International Classical Music Competition, and Charleston International Contemporary Music Competition. In addition to opera, she has worked as a pianist at the Tyrolean International Piano Academy in Austria. She is an active member of the Music Teachers National Association (MTNA) and the National Association of Teachers of Singing (NATS).
A new music enthusiast, Dr. Huang premiered the chamber opera Snow Angel, which explores the rediscovery and reclamation of personal identity and agency following a sexual assault. As a musician passionate about social justice and ethnic diversity, she founded the Asian Classical Music Initiative (ACMI) in 2021. ACMI aims to recognize and celebrate the contributions of Asian, Asian American, and Pacific Islander classical music composers. The organization presents diverse musical styles and traditions, both classical and contemporary, to promote a greater understanding and appreciation of the rich cultural heritage of the Asian and Pacific Islander communities.
Dr. Huang holds degrees from East China Normal University (B.A.), Temple University (M.M.), and the University of Kansas (D.M.A.).
Mr. Chen Chu
Violin, Viola, Cello
Chen is a music teacher, violinist/violist, and conductor with over 20 years of experience. While attending New York University (NYU), he majored in music education and studied with Mark Steinberg of the Brentano String Quartet. As a firm believer that music changes lives, Chen thinks private lessons is the best way to establishing a solid foundation on which one can further pursue great music making, be it in a solo or group setting. Learning a musical instrument can definitely be a challenge, however, Chen has developed a knack for turns it into a fun experience that is rewarding for both teacher and student. As a teacher, he has conducted several youth orchestras in NYC and LA. A sought after chamber music coach, he also maintains a private studio of violin, viola, and cello students. As a performer, he has played at Carnegie Hall, Avery Fisher Hall, and Alice Tully Hall on many occasions with world renowned artists including Lukas Foss, Leon Botstein, Quincy Jones, Peter Serkin, Michael Kamen, Clark Terry, David Sanborn, Shawn Stockman, and Richard Drefuss. In his spare time, he enjoys cooking and traveling with his wife and daughter.
Dance
Mrs. Lindsey Humphreys
Dance Director, Acting for Stage, Ballet, Broadway, Hip Hop, Tap, Tiny Tot Dance
Lindsey Humphreys graduated from University of Riverside with her degree in Dance. Prior to UCR, she received her Associate’s Degree in Musical Theatre, Music, and Dance from Citrus College. At Citrus, she was a member of the Women’s Ensemble for 2 years, and she has danced and choreographed for the Citrus College Dance Company. Ms. Lindsey is also a dance instructor at Eisenhower High School in Rialto, where she attended school and was a member of the advanced show choir and dance team. Lindsey’s past performance experiences include musicals such as Shrek, You’re a Good Man Charlie Brown, Seussical, and The Producers with The Rialto Players. She seeks to become a dance instructor and choreographer.