Our Teachers
Julia Sansone, NCTM
Julia Sansone, NCTM is the owner of Allegro Music School and a classically trained pianist who has taught a successful independent music studio for over 26 years. It has been her honor and privilege to build this music school alongside an amazing team of talented young professionals. She is passionate about connecting with and nurturing students and helping them pursue musical excellence, becoming self-directed learners who use music to enrich their own lives and the lives of those around them. As a certified Strategic Intervention Coach, she has led workshops for state, national, and international teacher’s conventions offering music teachers fresh insights and practical teaching strategies for their own studios. Julia is the organist at All Saints Church in Lynchburg. Julia loves all her students, her two children, and her new Hubby, travel, dancing, and the never-ending quest for growth.
Piano
Sara Smola
Piano, Violin
Sara Smola plays and teaches multiple instruments, specializing in piano and violin. She has worked for many different studios throughout her 10 years of teaching and has taught with Allegro Music School since it was founded. Her passion is to see students not only excel in what they are playing but love it at the same time! She seeks to challenge students to expand their repertoire by playing classical music with precision, but also to play modern pieces, composition and improvisation! Sara does freelance work which includes performing in wedding ensembles, singing with the 100 Years Young Anton Coppola Gala with Opera Tampa, singing with Liberty University’s Choir at Carnegie Hall, playing in several orchestras, accompanying, performing in and music directing for theatre productions, and her greatest pleasure, resident and substitute church pianist. This past year she completed her Masters Degree in Music Education with an emphasis in Collaborative Piano that has expanded her knowledge base for teaching and accompanying. She is currently the staff accompanist at Randolph College where she works to assist the choir, orchestra, and theatre department as the pianist.
Eric Hollandsworth
Guitar, Upright Bass, Electric Bass, Mandolin, Ukulele, Cello
Eric Hollandsworth began his musical journey as a cellist, but in his early twenties, he fell in love with the upright bass and has performed, recorded, and taught extensively since then. He has taught privately for over 13 years, 7 years at Sweet Briar College, and is also an instructor at the University of Lynchburg. Furthermore, he previously acted as the Music Education Director at Lynchburg Music. Eric has shared the stage with Dave Matthews Band members and Grammy Award-winning cellist Zuill Bailey. Eric toured with Grateful Dead/Beatles Tribute Long Strange Night most recently. Eric has served as both principal bassist and cellist for the Lynchburg Symphony Orchestra, the Commonwealth Choral Society, and the James Chamber Players and also performs as a member of the Waynesboro Symphony Orchestra and the University of Lynchburg Wind Ensemble and Orchestra. His talents and teaching experience include upright bass, cello, electric bass, guitar, mandolin, ukelele, and musical theory/composition. We are so
happy to have Eric join us at Allegro Music! As only a small sample of Eric’s many talents and musical endeavors, please read more at: https://erichollandsworth.com/home
Elizabeth Killmon
Violin
Elizabeth Killmon is a music instructor, violinist, and award-winning composer with 15+ years of music experience. She has performed in orchestras with a variety of artists such as Michael W. Smith, The Collingsworth Family, Cece Winans, The Animaniacs Cast, and Marty Goetz. She has also performed in the Liberty University Symphony Orchestra, the pit orchestra for Masterworx Theater, and at Heritage Baptist Church. The Lynchburg Symphony Youth Orchestra premiered her original composition, “A New Chapter,” in April 2019. Her compositional works have appeared in the popular Chinese TV drama Stories of Lion Rock Spirit (2022). In 2023, she and her co-composer, Alory, won the Liberty University Cinematic Arts Award for Best Musical Score for their work on the short film "Sam," directed by Laura Palacio. Elizabeth has taught beginning through advanced violin students of all ages for five years and emphasizes the importance of reading music, rhythmic integrity, intonation, musicality, and technique. Each lesson is tailored specifically toward the student so they can enjoy and get the most out of their learning and musical experience!
Shannon Rahn
Guitar, Ukulele
Shannon Rahn is a guitarist, violinist, and music educator. She graduated from Liberty University with a B.M. in Music Education and is currently working on her Master of Arts in Music Education. She began her career at Rocky Bayou Christian School in Niceville, FL, where she taught elementary school music, group piano, group guitar, special education music, and drama. She taught at Amherst Elementary School as a teaching assistant and was the violin and guitar teacher at Onward Christian Academy. Shannon is a competent musician, but she is also a music educator at heart, with a talent and a passion for writing and developing teaching curriculum that assists students in learning in the most efficient and effective way possible while having fun in the process! Her goal is to help students develop a love for music and to achieve their full musical potential.
Christie Berry
Christie Berry is a music educator working in the Lynchburg area, specializing in classical voice and elementary general music. She is the elementary music teacher at Onward Christian Academy and has just completed her master’s degree in music education with a vocal performance cognate at Liberty University. She is now an adjunct professor of voice in the School of Music at Liberty University! Christie was selected as a winner in the 2022 Liberty University Concerto Aria Competition and has performed with local organizations such as Opera on the James, Opera Roanoke, the University of Lynchburg Choral Union, and various local churches. Prior to graduate school, Christie studied Music Education at LU and worked in Bedford County Public Schools for seven years, where she taught music to elementary students in Preschool through fifth grade. She is also excited to be building her Mary Kay business!
Voice
Lainey Parker
Voice, Piano
Lainey Parker, a North Carolina native, is a trained vocalist, pianist, performer, educator, and administrator. In May of 2023, she completed a BM in Vocal Performance and is currently continuing her Graduate studies in Vocal Performance at Liberty University. In addition to her academic pursuits, she holds a crucial role as a Graduate Assistant within the School of Music, contributing to the educational environment that shapes the next generation of musicians. Lainey's notable performances include the Liberty University Opera Department's productions of Le Nozze di Figaro, Cosi fan Tutte, and Die Fledermaus. She also made her professional operatic debut this season with Opera on the James in Suor Angelica. Lainey has been involved with the Liberty University Chamber Singers for four years, as well as performed with the Roanoke Symphony Chorus. In addition to the academic realm, Lainey is also a licensed Kindermusik educator. With a deep passion for performing and teaching, Lainey is dedicated to cultivating a love for music in others by prioritizing student growth through technical expertise, vocal health, and artistic expression. Music is a gift, and she is excited to share it with others!
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Ayiana Figueroa
Ayiana Figueroa is a pianist and piano teacher from Florida who also enjoys accompanying and singing alto! Ayiana has taught private piano lessons since she was 16 years old. She participated in the choir and worship band at Faith Baptist Church in New Port Richey, Florida, throughout her teenage years. This past summer, she interned with the worship ministry at Faith Baptist and was given the opportunity to teach music theory at the summer children's camps. Ayiana is pursuing her BM in Music Education at Liberty University and is hoping to continue into the graduate program. She has worked as a teaching assistant in the LU School of Music, and she regularly performs on Liberty University concerts. Her passion for music traces back to when she was nine years old when her music teacher showed her the joy that music can bring to someone’s life, and she's been hooked ever since. Ayiana wants to bring that same joy to others by helping them grow in their musical capabilities and in cultivating a life-long love for music.
Piano
Kellan Mozzone
Administrative Assistant
Cello, Piano, Flute
Kellan Mozzone is a cellist, pianist, and flutist in the central Virginia area. In 2024, Kellan received her Bachelor of Music in Cello Performance with minors in Piano Performance and Flute Performance from Liberty University. She has significant ensemble experience from her time in college, including two scholarship ensembles. In past summers, she was selected for the Wintergreen Music Festival, the Adirondack Performing Arts Festival at CAMP-of-the-WOODS, and the Kutztown Chamber Music Festival. Currently, Kellan teaches private lessons at both Allegro Music School in Lynchburg and First Baptist Academy of Music in Roanoke. She also plays with the Lynchburg Symphony Orchestra and the Danville Symphony Orchestra, and she performs for weddings, churches, musicals, and other events in the area. Kellan is very passionate about music, and she loves to share this gift with others, whether through teaching or playing. She is very organized and is highly dedicated to everything that is important to her, including the Allegro community! Although music is her greatest joy, she also enjoys baking, weightlifting, and reading mystery books! Read more at https://kellanmozzonemusic.my.canva.site/.
Benjamin Newman
Flute, Clarinet, Oboe, Bassoon, Saxophone
Ben Newman is an oboist, bassoonist, saxophonist, and music educator. He is currently working for his Bachelors of Music degrees in Music Education and Oboe Performance at Liberty University. He has prior experiences playing principal alto saxophone, percussion, baritone saxophone, principal oboe, English horn, and principal bassoon in groups such as the Liberty University Symphony Orchestra, Wind Symphony, and Woodwind Quintet. Additionally, he has performed in the Liberty University Solo Honors Recital and VMEA Collegiate Honors Recital. Outside of school, he has performed with the University of Lynchburg Orchestra, University of Lynchburg Wind Ensemble, multiple church orchestras, and as a soloist with the First Presbyterian Church of Lynchburg Choirs on oboe. Ben has also served as the Oboe Specialist and Cane Researcher for Hodge Products, the Head Music Theory and Musicianship Grader and Tutor for Liberty University, and a Woodwind, Leadership, and Conductor Tech for Patrick Henry High School's marching band in Roanoke. Ben is driven by his love of teaching, love of music, and goals of high-achievement and passion for music. He strives to make advanced musicianship and passion for music more accessible in his woodwind students of all ages.
Sabrina Vaughan
Harp
Sabrina Vaughan was introduced to the harp at age six, through her grandparents who built Celtic harps together. She began her formal music training at age nine at the Louisville Harp Academy. Sabrina graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Instrumental Music and a Minor in Global Studies from Liberty University, 2022. She was awarded the Roslyn Rensch Harp Fellowship at the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign, where she is currently earning her Master’s degree in Harp Performance and Literature. Sabrina enjoys performing as both a soloist and as an orchestral harpist. She played as Principal Harpist with the Liberty University Symphony Orchestra and the Liberty University Wind Symphony 2019-2022, and has appeared as a guest harpist with other ensembles, including the Missouri Symphony Orchestra and the Champaign-Urbana Symphony Orchestra. In addition to performing classical repertoire, she enjoys collaborating with worship teams in music ministry and arranging hymns for harp. Her most recent harp composition, Resurrection (2023), was selected for the American Harp Society Young Composer’s Project 2023, and will be premiered at the AHS Summer Harp Institute in June. Read more at https://www.sabrinaroseharpist.com.
Sarah Gates
Sarah Gates is a multi-instrumentalist from Colorado. She has been playing piano and clarinet for over 15 years and graduated with a Bachelor of Music degree for each instrument in 2023. She began teaching after coming to college in 2018 and found a deep love for it. Her favorite part of teaching is helping students overcome challenges through finding approaches as unique as they are and watching their enjoyment of music grow! Sarah does freelance work in the Lynchburg area and beyond as a wedding musician, accompanist, church pianist, and chamber musician. She is currently pursuing her Masters in Piano Performance at Liberty University, where she teaches group piano classes as a Graduate Student Assistant.
Piano
Madison Warren hails from San Antonio, Texas and has emerged as a soprano of exceptional artistry and versatility. Her academic journey, marked by a Bachelor of Music in Vocal Performance from Liberty University and a Master of Music from the University of Michigan, laid the foundation for a career that spans from opera stages to concert halls. Madison's recent highlight includes a performance as Soprano Soloist for Beethoven's 9th Symphony with the Fairbanks Symphony Orchestra, showcasing her ability to captivate and move audiences with her voice. Her repertoire is diverse, having delved into roles from Mazzoli's "Proving Up" to Donizetti's "Lucia di Lammermoore" and beyond, demonstrating her range and adaptability. Madison's professional debut as Konigin der Nacht with El Paso Opera underlines her prowess in demanding operatic roles. Currently, she enriches the musical landscape of Lynchburg as an Adjunct Professor of Voice at Liberty University and Randolph College, sharing her passion and expertise with the next generation of singers. Madison has a passion for teaching voice and has taught everything from classical, musical theater, rap, Japanese Pop, and contemporary worship music.
Madison Warren
Voice
Noah Caldwell is an assistant organist at Rivermont Evangelical Presbyterian Church, All Saints Episcopal Church, New Covenant Schools, and as of 2025, First Christian Church. Noah believes that musical mentorship is the duty of a good musician - to pass on the investment he has received to other students. In addition to his private piano students, Noah has directed Rivermont EPC’s Chimes Choir for the past two years and has frequently accompanied there. He also teaches Shakespearean literature at The Columns Academy. Noah was awarded the Excellence in Fine Arts Award from New Covenant’s School of Rhetoric in 2024. Noah graduated from New Covenant in 2024 and is currently pursuing a B.A. in Music Education with a focus on Vocal Studies at the University of Lynchburg.