Zyan Trager, Owner and Instructor
I started piano lessons at the age of five after my aunt gifted my family with an upright piano, and I loved it! By fifth grade, my teacher encouraged me to participate in the piano competitions at my school and did so up to my senior year of high school. Along the way, I picked up learning clarinet, violin, and guitar as well. By age thirteen, I began offering beginner piano lessons to the children at my church. Ten plus years later, I'm so encouraged to hear from them that they are still involved somehow in the music ministry at their local churches.
I hold a Bachelor's degree in Music Education from Bob Jones University in South Carolina, and after college, I came back to Illinois and began teaching at the private K-12 Christian school that I graduated from. My first year, I began teaching general preschool and elementary music classes, junior choir, and private piano lessons. Later on, I even gained experience teaching junior high and high school handbells, high school choir, as well as three different levels of band. While I'm grateful for the opportunity to have taught in the classroom setting for five years, I was ready to pursue my passion in studio teaching, full time. I truly enjoy the opportunities to build relationships with students and be a part of and witness the musical progress that they make!
Grace Silos, Instructor
Music and teaching have always been two of my greatest passions - I am thrilled to be combining the two here at Garcia Music Academy! My love for music began in elementary school when I began playing the flute in band. I played for various groups all the way through college and also participated in various competitions and performances. I added piano to my musical repertoire in high school and one of my greatest joys is being able to play for my church throughout the years wherever I have had the opportunity to.
My teaching experience started with a degree in Education from Bob Jones University with a minor in music. I also obtained a Master’s degree in Counseling because my desire in teaching has always been to educate the whole person. I have taught in varied settings, from high school and college classrooms, to young kids classes in church, to private lessons, to homeschooling my own children, and now I am loving the unique dynamic of small group lessons that we are able to provide at Garcia Music Academy.