A place to explore, grow, and inspire.
Katrina Van Maanen (she/her) is a coloratura soprano, vocal pedagogue, and the founder of Van Maanen Studios — a metro Detroit studio serving musicians of all ages since 2015.
Katrina’s approach to teaching is rooted in the belief that each voice is entirely unique — and that the most important thing a teacher can do is help a student find their own path as an artist. She draws on contemporary vocal science to build technique that is healthy, sustainable, and adaptable to any genre.
Drawing on her background in music therapy, Katrina has developed Van Maanen Studios into a neurodiverse-affirming space that celebrates learners of all abilities.
Katrina is equally passionate about lyric acting — helping singers become not just technically accomplished, but equally compelling storytellers on stage. And she’s committed to helping each student discover what makes them specifically gifted, whether that’s a finely tuned ear, a talent for composition, a gift for performance, or something that extends well beyond the stage entirely.
She is a member of the National Association of Teachers of Singing and serves on the voice faculty at Oakland University’s School of Music, Theater, and Dance. She is certified in Level 2 Estill Voice Training. Katrina holds a Master of Music in Vocal Performance from the University of Houston and a Bachelor of Music from Western Michigan University.
For more on Katrina’s performance experience, visit www.katrinavanmaanen.com.
Specialties: All-Ages, Musical Theater, Pop, Rock, Jazz, Classical, Songwriting, Choral, Piano, International Phonetic Alphabet (IPA), Music Theory, Acting, Audition Prep, Neurodiverse Affirming, Gender Affirming
Cole VanAmberg (he/him) is a Metro-Detroit based musician and actor with a BA in Music and a BA in Theatre from Wayne State University. Favorite regional stage credits include Prince Eric in The Little Mermaid, Grace Farrell in Annie, and Jamie Gangel in Beautiful Thing. In addition to performing, Cole has also music directed at both the educational and professional level, including shows such as Les Miserables, Annie, and The Mad Ones. Previously, he has served as Music Instructor for both Cranbrook Theatre School and Kingswood Day Camp. He is an advocate for students to find and develop their own passions while guiding them with repertoire and theory skills to create a well-rounded performer.
Specialties: Youth, Musical Theatre, Pop, Acting, Piano, Music Theory, Audition Prep, Neurodiverse Affirming
Bella Williams (she/her) Bella Williams (she/her) is a 2026 graduate in Vocal Music Education from Oakland University. During her time at Oakland, she was actively involved in the University’s premier vocal and jazz ensembles, including the Oakland Chorale, Golden Grizzlies Jazz Ensemble, and Blue Grizzlies Jazz Ensemble. Bella also served as President of Sigma Alpha Iota (SAI), demonstrating her commitment to music education, leadership, and service.
Bella has extensive experience in musical theater, having performed in more than 10 productions. Some of her favorite roles include Marjorie in The Musical Comedy Murders of 1940 and Rosalia in West Side Story. As both a performer and educator, she is passionate about helping students develop confidence, creativity, discipline, and a lifelong love of music.
Bella believes music is one of the most impactful subjects for young people, fostering critical thinking, emotional intelligence, perseverance, and collaboration. She strives to create an encouraging and engaging learning environment where students of all ages can achieve their musical goals while discovering the joy of making music.
Specialties: Youth, Adults, Musical Theater, Songwriting, Pop, Rock, Jazz, Classical, Choral, Piano, Guitar, International Phonetic Alphabet (IPA), Music Theory, Acting, Audition Prep
Jessica Covian (she/her) is pursuing a Vocal Music Education major at Oakland University where she is involved in the Oakland Chorale and Golden Grizzlies Jazz Ensemble. Her love for music began at a young age, when she would perform small “concerts” on the fireplace at home. At five years old, she began piano lessons and quickly fell in love with the instrument, continuing her studies throughout high school.
Growing up with a mother who is a choir teacher, Jessica was immersed in the world of choral music from an early age, attending numerous choir concerts and musical theater productions. She has performed in productions such as Shrek and Newsies, as well as Mozart’s Così fan tutte.
Today, Jessica continues to enjoy singing and playing the piano and is passionate about sharing her love of music with her students. She is excited to inspire young musicians and help them grow through meaningful musical experiences.
Specialties: Youth, Adults, Musical Theater, Songwriting, Pop, Rock, Jazz, Classical, Choral, Piano, Music Theory, Audition Prep
Dr. Sitong Liu (she/her) Born in Guangzhou, China to an artistic family, Sitong Liu brings a rich and diverse background in both performance and teaching artistry. Her multifaceted career spans education and appearances with esteemed organizations across the United States, Australia, and China, including the Los Angeles Philharmonic, Opera Australia, Pacific Symphony, and the Mediterranean Opera Studio and Festival.
A passionate educator, Liu has spent over a decade teaching voice, lyric diction, performance workshops, stage directing, piano, music theory, and musicianship across three continents. Liu has degrees from California State University, University of Sydney, and earned her Doctor of Musical Arts in Voice Performance from the University of Michigan.
Maggie McKelvey (she/her) is a pianist based in Metro Detroit who is deeply passionate about teaching piano to students of all ages and levels. She loves curating a musical journey for children as young as three years old, to adults returning after years off or starting for the first time. For her very young students, 3-6 year olds, she uses a program that incorporates movement and songs to internalize the piano/musical concepts of each lesson. To help her students have a well rounded musical experience, Maggie incorporates music theory and music history into weekly lessons. It is important to Maggie to collaborate with her students to understand their individual interests and to help them achieve their musical goals. Maggie holds a Bachelor of Arts in Music with a concentration in Piano Pedagogy from Oakland University. She has been teaching piano since 2015. When she is not teaching music, Maggie is out hiking with her dog Artemis or curled up reading a book with a large cup of tea.
Specialties: Youth, Adults, Piano, Songwriting, Music Theory
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