Sarah Robertson, flute,
co-founder
Sarah Robertson holds a Bachelor of Music in Flute Performance from Indiana University of South Bend and a Master of Music in Music Education from Wright State University. She has over twenty years of professional experience as a performer, conductor, freelance musician, solo and ensemble adjudicator, and music educator. Sarah has worked as a pre-k-6th grade music teacher, 5-12 band director, MS choir director, and served on the adjunct faculty at Edison Community College.
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Sarah loves performing, and in 2019, she founded her flute trio, Syrodesy, a sought-after group in the Dayton and surrounding areas due to their unique programming and style. In 2020, Syrodesy traveled to Virginia to perform at the Mid-Atlantic Flute Convention. Sarah loves collaborating with fellow musicians and creating performances that captivate audiences. She also plays in the Springboro Wind Symphony, subs in the Kettering Praise Orchestra, and plays frequently in local pit orchestras. ​
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Teaching brings incredible joy to Sarah. Whether she’s teaching a private lesson, flute choir, group class, masterclass, studio class, or workshop, her goal is to let her students take ownership of their music and musicality! She is well-versed in the most current flute curriculum and is known for creating a lesson environment centered on each student’s learning style, both in group classes and private lessons. Her students often advance to semi-final and final rounds in a variety of competitions, including Sound Espressivo, PANdemonium4, COFA, the Utah Flute Association Sonata Competition, and Floot Fire. Her highly-disciplined and motivated students often perform in local and state honor bands like the Wright State Honor band, District XIII Honor Band, and the prestigious Ohio All-State Honor Band.
Sarah has been featured on the Flute 360 and Full Voice podcasts, and in 2021, she was interviewed by Sound Espressivo. She is sought after as a clinician, specializing in young learners and music and movement in private lessons. Sarah is a regular contributor to Little Flute Magazine, a quarterly magazine that is translated into numerous languages and distributed throughout the world. Her professional affiliations and certifications include the National Flute Association, Kinderflute, The Flute Society of Washington, Flute Play, and the Dayton Music Club. She also serves as secretary on the board of the Springboro Wind Symphony. When not teaching or performing, you can find her playing with her two boys, running, hiking the trails of Ohio, and biking with her family. Contact Sarah at sarah@sanddollarmusic.com.
Christin Coffee Rondeau,
voice, co-founder
Soprano Christin Coffee Rondeau is obsessed with voices. Hers. Yours. Everyone’s. What makes them soar, shine, and sparkle. She holds a Bachelor of Music (Mercer University) and a Master of Music (Miami University) in vocal performance, along with numerous trainings in Orff Schulwerk and Estill. She’s performed in several seasons with the Dayton Opera Chorus, has been a featured soloist with the Cincinnati Pops Orchestra, the Kettering Praise Orchestra, and the Springboro Wind Symphony, and has performed considerable oratorio work (including the soprano solos in Schubert’s G Minor Mass, Haydn’s Missa Sancta Gabrielis, and Vivaldi’s Gloria). Though her formal training is strictly classical, don't let the degrees fool you. A warm and versatile performer, Christin's repertoire spans from art song to musical theatre to opera to jazz standards. There’s not much she won’t sing, but she’s happiest when collaborating on challenging musical projects with good friends.
In addition to her work as a performer, Christin is a veteran voice teacher, with nearly 20 years of teaching experience across 5 different states. (See? Ob.Sessed with voices--no matter where she is, she just ends up teaching people to sing!) A pioneer in the field of collaborative voice teaching, she co-presented, "With a Little Help From My Friends: Collaborative Teaching in the Voice Studio" at the 2020 National Association of Teachers of Singing Conference with Michelle Markwart Deveaux.
Her writing on vocal pedagogy has been featured in the 4th Edition of Dr. Robert Sataloff's "Professional Voice: The Science and Art of Clinical Care," in several NATS Inter Nos issues, and at The Full Voice. She has also been a guest on The Full Voice, The Voice Culture, and Vocal Fri podcasts. She is a sought-after clinician and coach and loves team-teaching and mentoring beginning voice teachers.
In addition to studio work, Christin keeps busy homeschooling her kids, practicing aerial silks, and wrangling her family's four cats. Contact her at Christin@sanddollarmusic.com.
As of August 2023, Christin's teaching schedule is full, and she is unable to accept new students.
Please inquire about working with one of our other fabulous voice teachers!!!
Coleman Clark, voice, piano,
collaborative piano
Equally adept on the stage and in the studio, pianist and baritone Coleman Clark has spent his life wooing and wowing audiences through art song, musical theatre, classic rock, and more. From Bach to Billy Joel, he lives for performing and sharing joy through music...and for equipping his students to do the same. He maintains a packed performing schedule of diverse styles and genres, and his favorite musical theatre credits include the roles of Perchik, Gaston, and Valjean.
In addition to his work as a vocalist, Coleman is a sought-after pianist, performing all over the midwest as both a soloist and collaborative pianist for singers of all genres. He has developed a "Master the Mic" presentation and workshop on microphone techniques for young singers, which he has presented to singers across the continental US. Coleman is a founding member, keyboardist, and lead vocalist for the band The Blue Leaf’s and wrote many of the orignal songs on their three albums, "I Just Met Her," "Shades of the Blue Leaf's," and "Rite of Passage."
Coleman holds a Bachelor of Music Education from Wright State University. He is music director at Fairmont Presbyterian Church and serves as voice and piano faculty at Sand Dollar Music in Dayton, Ohio. As a pianist, he specializes in jazz, rock, and pop and loves teaching young pianists to not only play the notes on the page, but also to read chord charts and lead sheets so they can be versatile, confident performers, no matter the genre.
When he's not teaching or performing, you can find Coleman spending time with friends and family, working out, kayaking, hiking, or mayyybe playing a little Rocket League or Call of Duty.
Mike Cage, voice
Bass Mike Cage holds a Bachelor of Music in Vocal Performance from Central State University and joined the Sand Dollar faculty in 2022. He has performed around the country with the CSU chorus and male quartet, and he has also performed in Austria, Germany, and three provinces in China.
He regularly sings with the Dayton Opera Chorus and a variety of other local organizations, including First Baptist Church of Dayton.
Mike has always loved the art of teaching voice and loves helping singers of all ages and skill levels define and achieve their singing goals. In addition to his work as a singer and voice teacher, Mike serves as a C-17 Crew Chief in the US Air Force Reserve. And if he’s not under a jet, on a stage, or in the teaching studio, you can probably find him in the gym.
Anthony Frazier, trumpet, French horn, and mellophone
Anthony comes from a background of adversity. Born missing his right hand, he quickly learned the value behind every experience in life. Because of this, he aspires to Sand Dollar students' experiences in the studio meaningful and valuable.
Originally from Kennesaw, Georgia, Anthony currently lives in Dayton, OH. He was a member of Rhythm X Winds group playing Mellophone from 2019-2020 and Rhythm X percussion Visual Ensemble in 2022. He was also with The Cadets playing Mellophone in 2020.
In addition to his work at Sand Dollar, Anthony is also on the Rhythm X Administration Team and teaches at Centerville High School and Kennesaw Mountain High School. When he's not teaching or playing,
you can find him enjoying some spontaneous adventures! :)
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Soraya Peront, flute and piano
Soraya Peront holds a Bachelor of Music Education from Cedarville University and thoroughly enjoys teaching all things music! She has taught K-6 general music as well as band and orchestra and elementary school choir. She currently plays flute in the Sinclair Community College Wind Symphony and clarinet in her church orchestra.
During undergrad, Soraya was principal flute in the Wind Symphony and Symphony Orchestra, performed in multiple solo and partner recitals, and even teamed up with a couple of her close friends to start an all-female a cappella group! She also earned multiple awards, such as the Research in Music Award and the Compton/Knight Family Music Scholarship.
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In addition to her training as an instrumentalist, Soraya has attended workshops in Orff Schulwerk, Suzuki, the Kodály method, musical theatre, and contemporary vocal techniques. She absolutely loves performing in musicals, and some of her favorite productions have been Titanic, The Addams Family, On the Town, and Oklahoma. She has also performed in the pit orchestra as a woodwind triple for numerous musicals such as Bye Bye Birdie, Pippin, Nice Work if You Can Get It, and The Addams Family. She is a mezzo-soprano who loves contemporary voice and teaching singers how to achieve a powerful and natural sound in a healthy way.
When she is not teaching, Soraya loves exploring new restaurants with her husband, knitting, crocheting, baking, doing hand embroidery, and cuddling her two cats, Claudia and Lucy.
Caitlin Coulson Pfeiffer, voice
Caitlin holds a Bachelor's and Master's of Music Education from Ohio University. She currently serves as director of choirs at Miamisburg High School where she is also the theatre department music director and the marching band drumline assistant instructor.
In addition to her work as a singer and conductor, Caitlin is a huge musical theatre fan, attending and performing in shows whenever possible. An accomplished percussionist, she performs in the Kettering Civic Band and the Springboro Wind Symphony. She will march snare drum in the 2023 Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade with the Band Directors Marching Band, following their 2022 performance in the Rose Parade.
When she's not performing or teaching, she enjoys crafting, hanging out with her husband (Nathan) and their cat (Mews), keeping her plants from dying, and all things having to do with true crime, horror, or Pokémon.
DeAnna Ullery, voice
DeAnna holds a Bachelor of Arts in Music Education with an emphasis in voice from Wright State University.
She currently serves as alto section leader and children's choir director at Fairmont Presbyterian Church.
DeAnna specializes in pop and a cappella styles, having performed in a cappella groups all throughout high school. She also directed her university's a cappella group, Ethos.
DeAnna is excited to help singers develop their skills, prepare for auditions, explore a new way of singing, or just polish that song that you can't get out of your head! In her free time, she enjoys reading, crocheting, and making jewelry.
Connor Barney, acoustic, electric,
bass, and classical guitar; ukulele; banjo
Dr. Connor M. Barney received a B.M. in guitar performance from Wright State University as a student of Jim McCutcheon. He went on to Indiana University as an Associate Instructor where he earned a M.M. degree in guitar performance as well as a D.M. degree in Music Literature and Guitar Performance with a Doctoral Minor in Music Education.
He competes regularly and has been awarded first price in three international competitions, which garnered him a Carnegie Hall debut. Connor has taught at the elementary, high school, and collegiate levels, and he is the author of E Pluribus Unum: A Comprehensive Ensemble-Based Guitar Method, designed for beginners.
Connor's free instructional videos, performances, and arrangements can be found on his YouTube channel, "Dr. Guitar." in his free time, he enjoys hiking, exploring cities, and playing chess (elo 1902).
Jason Swann, sax, clarinet, jazz piano
Jason is a Dayton-based musician with 17 years of professional performance experience. Native to Centerville, he has performed with the CHS Marching Band, Jazz Band, Concert Band, and the Third Stream Quartet, led by his teacher, Bill Burns.
Jason continued his music education at the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music where he learned from jazz greats like Arturo Sandoval, Winton Marsalis, and Bob Minter. While at CCM, he joined the regionally acclaimed group, the Cincy Brass. During the years that followed, Jason collaborated with a variety of prominent figures in the music industry, including Bootsy Collins and The Cincinnati Pops Orchestra, under the baton of John Morris Russell. The group won three consecutive Cincinnati Entertainment Awards, and they opened for 311, Sublime with Rome, Foreigner, Journey, and more.
After over a decade of performing, Jason returned to school and completed his Bachelor's in Music Performance from the University of Dayton where he received the Senior Award for "Outstanding Contributions to the University Jazz Bands."
Originally from the Chicago suburbs, Sydney spent the last four years in Cincinnati and holds a Bachelors of Music in Music Education from the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music.
She loves teaching and performing, and her years as a musician have led her from musical theatre to jazz and marching band. Her primary instrument is percussion, and she is also an accomplished guitarist, vocalist, and pianist.
Sydney currently teaches music in the Kettering school district. In addition to her work as a musician and music educator, she loves plants and dogs, and in her downtime, she can be found embroidering, baking, or playing Animal Crossing.
Caroline Benton, violin and viola
Sydney Hanlon, voice, piano, guitar, ukulele, percussion
Caroline is a violin major at Sinclair and will be transferring to Wright State University to pursue a Bachelor's Degree in Music Performance. She has played violin for 13 years and during her time at Sinclair, she has also studied voice, piano, and viola!
She is a member of WSU's Chamber Orchestra and Symphony Orchestra, and she plays violin for her church worship band. At Sinclair, she works as a tutor for music theory, aural skills, piano, and violin, and she enjoys helping other students reach their musical goals. Caroline loves performing as a soloist and collaborating with other musicians in the Dayton area.
When not playing or performing, she is usually at a coffee shop, reading, attending concerts, exploring vintage shops, or spending time with her family.
Hilary Toerner, flute
Hilary Toerner holds a Bachelor of Music from Wright State University. She has worked as a PreK-8 music teacher as well as a 5th-8th grade band director. Hilary loves learning different ways to teach music and holds her Orff Level 1, First Steps in Music, and Conversational Solfege certifications. She performs in the Sinclair Community College Wind Symphony and sings in her church choir.
When not teaching, Hilary enjoys spending time with her husband and 3 children exploring national parks, hiking, skiing, reading, and attending her children's sports and music activities.
Inger Neighbours, flute
Inger Neighbours, flutist, received her BM in Flute from the University of Arizona and MM from the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music, where she was a recipient of a full scholarship. She has performed with the Springfield Symphony, Sorg Opera, Dayton Bach Society, and the Lebanon Symphony in Ohio, has toured the United States as solo flutist with the Mantovani Orchestra, and was recently a featured performer on WDPR’s Music on Main. As a member of the Musica del Sol wind quintet, she performed extensively throughout the United States and Wales. Inger has been teaching privately since 1993, and currently maintains a thriving private studio in her home in Yellow Springs, and teaches flute students in the Beavercreek and Bellbrook Schools. She has fostered considerable ongoing success with OMEA solo & ensemble and other contests, and many of her students attend elite schools after graduation. She and her husband, WSU Professor Christopher Chaffee, are the proud parents of Yellow Springs Schools students, Tristan and Brodan. Inger is a regular at Glen Helen, the library, and is a parent volunteer at the school. Inger believes the Arts are an integral part of a well-rounded education at any stage in life, and has deep experience with students from ages five through eighty.
Yoshiko Kunimitsu,
violin and viola
Yoshiko received her Bachelor of Music from the New England Conservatory of Music, Master of Music from the University of Cincinnati College Conservatory of Music and also received additional training at the Universitat Mozarteum in Salzburg Austria. During her formative years, her summers were spent at Aspen Music Festival and School, National Repertory Orchestra and American Institute for Musical Studies in Graz, Austria. In addition to maintaining a private studio in the South Dayton area, she is also a member of the Dayton Philharmonic and is owner of the Rosé Strings. She considers teaching to be her true calling – her top students have gone on to pursue music professionally. They have also won competitions at various levels and have won competitively auditioned titled chair positions in local youth orchestras.
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