Instructors
Christine Favata, Owner
Piano, Voice, Preschool Programs
Christine received her Bachelor of Vocal Performance with Honors from The University of the Arts in Philadelphia, focusing on classical music. While at The University of the Arts, she was accepted to perform in “Die Fledermaus” in Rome, Italy, as an understudy. She received a Promising Artist award three consecutive years and The University of the Arts School of Music Service Award. She studied classical voice under the late Patricia Hoy-Conrad, Patricia Stasis-Winter, and long-time Opera Company of Philadelphia member, Lisa Hummel Thomas.
After graduation, she wrote and recorded her own songs, sang and played piano in numerous cover bands, including reggae and pop, and performed in an experimental show, The Rainbow Caberet, in NYC. She’s performed in the Philadelphia area, NYC, and Jersey Shore. Most recently, she was a member of The Bach Choir of Bethlehem. Christine taught private lessons in suburban Philadelphia for 10 years before attending West Chester University to pursue her teaching certificate. She taught kindergarten and worked in Boyertown School District for before deciding to stay home to raise her three children and open Creative Learning Lab with her husband, Frank.
Tara Santoro, Illustration and Mixed Media
Tara is an illustrator who lives in Macungie, PA. She is currently studying to receive her Certificate in Illustrations from UC San Diego Extension. She is an award-winning colored pencil artist whose work has been featured in Allentown’s Urban Fences exhibit, Ann Kulberg’s Color Magazine, and Colored Pencil Magazine’s 2020 Look Book. In a previous life, Tara was a bookstore manager who enjoyed the voice, chaos, and color of the Children’s Department. Today she is a freelance artist, art instructor, and mentor. She is an active member of the Emmaus Arts Commission and a member of the SCBWI since 2014. Currently, Tara is taking UC San Diego taking classes to attain Certificate in Illustration.
Stacy Gabel
Guitar, Piano, Voice
Stacy is an accomplished performer with a passion for writing songs with catchy lyrics and memorable melodies. She has won numerous Lehigh Valley Music awards over the last few years. When not in the studio recording, Stacy can be seen performing at local festivals, local wineries, resorts and theatres. She enjoys connecting with her audience, leaving each show with new friends and putting a smile on everyone’s face. Stacy has a degree in Musical Theater, TV/Film & Children’s Television Production. Stacy Is a member of Secret Coda (Acoustic Duo), The SwingTime Dolls (Andrews Sister’s Tribute), and the Bach Choir of Bethlehem. She has sang in several radio/TV jingles + voiceovers including Nickelodeon & Nick at Nite.
Katherine Kaiser,
Voice, Piano
Katherine teaches in the Theatre Department at NCCC, where she has directed numerous NCC Summer Theatre shows and in the music department at Muhlenberg College. She holds a Ph.D. in Music History and Theory from Stony Brook University and a B.A. from Mount Holyoke College. As a singer, she specializes in early music: she has performed at the Boston Early Music Festival and at venues throughout New England and the mid-Atlantic region. She is a member of the trio, Nights Black Bird (nightsblackbird.org), which performs and conducts masterclasses at numerous universities. She currently sings with The Bach Choir of Bethlehem and serves as soprano section leader at the Church of the Mediator in Allentown. Prior to coming to Allentown, she served as the director of the youth choir at Caroline Church of Brookhaven for over a decade.
Stephen Pettinelli
Guitar, Ukulele, Piano, Brass,
Songwriting and Theory
Stephen Pettinelli graduated from Raritan Valley Community College with an Associates of Fine Arts in Music Degree. Living in New Jersey, Stephen has performed in a variety of ensembles over the past seven years including the Central Jersey Symphony and Region Symphonic Band. He has worked on various film scores throughout the years and most recently has been focused on his own musical endeavors. Stephen is comfortable teaching all styles of music; including but not limited to, classical, indie, pop, experimental and jazz. Additionally, Stephen enjoys teaching songwriting and advanced music theory.
Stephen’s teaching style is unique to the individual. He caters to each person’s different interests and learning styles. Moreover, he keenly personalizes lesson plans for the specific student. Stephen strives to facilitate the growth of his students’ musical knowledge and musicianship. He is an experienced musician who can take on any level student.
Josh Klein
Guitar, Ukulele, Drums
My name is Josh Klein, director and lead coordinator of Music Maker. I am a Berklee graduate and licensed K-12 Music teacher, specializing in Modern Band/Rhythm Section music (that's music for Guitar, Bass, Drums, Keyboard and Vocals). Even though I teach most instruments, my principle instrument has always been guitar, so here as part of our member site you will find a specialized video guitar curriculum, which I have designed just to help you reach the next level of your playing.
Wendy Barkan
Piano, Fashion Illustration
Wendy started studying piano at age 4. By Age 16, she studied under classical under Alan Birney, the conductor of the Allentown Symphony Orchestra. After mastering her classical skills, Wendy moved into the genre for which she developed a passion and studied electronic music with Ed Novogratz, a Berkley School of Music graduate residing in the Lehigh Valley.
Around the age of 19, Wendy started gigging with groups throughout the Lehigh Valley, eventually moving to Holland where she recorded her own tracks and ending up in NYC in the 80’s to live and breath the New Wave/Punk music scene.
While in NYC, Wendy’s fascination with electronic and techno music led her on an amazing journey. She joined the band Lisa and the Loft, having rubbed elbows with some of the greatest New Wave/Punk musicians of the time, including Blondie, The Ramones and The New York Dolls. She’s opened for Brian Setzer and others at different famous venues, such as CBGB’s, Max’s Kansas City, The Mudd Club, Danceteria, The Limelight, Peppermint Lounge, and the Pyramid Club.
After returning to the Lehigh Valley in 2003, she started teaching privately in both the classical and jazz format.
“I thrive on seeing the process and growth in my students, taking them step by step, helping them developing their individual skills.” She uses her experience with special needs kids to alter lessons based on each student’s personal learning curve.
While still in NYC, Wendy studied at the Fashion Institute of New York, earning her degrees in Fashion Illustration and Graphic Design. While there, she also studied at the Art Student’s League of New York where she focused on developing her figure drawing skills. She worked in the garment industry as well. Needless to say, Wendy feels a unique connection between visual and musical art, stating they balance each other out.
Allan Meyerson
Saxaphone, Flute, Clarinet
Allan Meyerson has been playing and teaching saxophone, flute and clarinet for over 50 years. He is an accomplished classical as well as jazz and blues musician. He started playing professionally in NYC in the late 60’s. Allan attended Queens College CUNY as a music major while recording and playing with many local bands and musicians. His private teachers ranged from Nat Shapiro, an NBC studio musician, to jazz great Lee Konitz as well as NEA Jazz Master David Liebman. To his credit, he has played or recorded with Pepper Adams, Jon Faddis, “Marky” Markowitz, Charles Fambrough, Jim Fielder, Marvin Stamm, Bill Warfield, Gene Perla and Tony Marino to name a few. In 2013 Meyerson published his book, First Steps to Improvisation (ISBN 978-0- 9911661-0-7), to fill a gap in the music education of today’s students. Allan’s goal is to pass on his knowledge of music to his students and guide them to be the best they can be. He believes everyone learns at their own pace and encourages his students without pressure.
Josh Gilgoff
Drums and Beginner Piano
Josh currently teaches music part-time at a Charter School in Pottsville, in addition to playing with local organizations. He teaches at Lehigh University and works with Emmaus High School's drum line and pit percussion. You can also find drummer/percussionist Josh Gilgoff currently touring behind 5-time Grammy® Nominee David Arkenstone! In May of 2022, Josh was honored with a national Jazz Rd Tour Grant. 2022 also blessed him with performances of his innovative technique “TeleVibe” on 7 National & 2 International Tours! We’re excited to have Josh join our team of highly-credentialled instructors.
Thomas Hart
Guitar, Bass Guitar and Trumpet
Thomas Hart has been an accomplished performing musician in the greater Lehigh Valley area since 2017. Thomas has attended Moravian College as a Jazz Major and is currently working on a degree in Music and Audio Production from Lehigh Carbon Community College. Thomas has a passion for teaching and helping other musicians grow and develop.
Gray Rosario
Strings and Beginner Piano
Gray Rosario is a classical violist native to the Lehigh Valley; having majored in instrumental music for four years at the Lehigh Valley Charter High School for the Arts, Gray’s well-rounded musical background enabled them to access opportunities in the performance industry prior to collegiate studies, including chamber ensemble experience for four years at Lehigh University coached by Dr. Michael Jorgensen, as well as the opportunity to participate in the world premiere of Swara Leela, the first ever concerto composed for sitar and tabla with orchestra and choir at Lafayette College, conducted by Dr. Jennifer Kelly in 2017. Now, Gray is a recent graduate from the Schreyer Honors College at Penn State University, where they graduated with a BMA and honors in music performance under the tutelage of Dr. Timothy Deighton for four years, and wrote an honors thesis on advancing diversity, equity, and inclusion within the musicological canon. While in undergrad, Gray also led a project involving the collaboration of multiple master’s degree students to create a new edition and critical report for the recently discovered Bridgetower Jubilee String Quintet. Gray’s experience over the years includes performances with the Altoona Symphony Orchestra, Penn State Philharmonic Orchestra, Lafayette College, PMEA competitions, Young People’s Philharmonic Orchestra, the Elysium String Quartet, and more. On the side, Gray is passionate about musical theatre, and has experience both performing in and directing student pit orchestras for several shows, including Evita, The Drowsy Chaperone, and Sweeney Todd. They are also very enthusiastic about video game and film soundtracks and love to draw, write, and play games in their spare time.