About Us

Dragana Rodriguez is the founder and director of Do Re Mi Music School. She has been teaching music for over 20 years. She was born in Belgrade, formerly Yugoslavia, where her interest in music became apparent at the early age of four. When she was eight, her family moved to Novi Sad where she studied music at the University of Art. She attended the reputable Music High School Isidor Bajic. While a high school student, one of her teachers recognized her sense for working with young children. She formed her first music class in 1990 teaching music fundamentals to four year olds. Dragana graduated and received a Degree in Musical Composition in 1993. While a full time student at the University of Art, tutoring other students and teaching young children became a second full time job.

In March of 1994 Dragana moved to Los Angeles where she has been residing and working ever since. Her teaching experience and education continued to grow in Los Angeles. In June of 1995 Dragana attended the Yamaha Method Training School and became a certified Yamaha Music Educator for young age. She was one of the lead teachers in Los Angeles Yamaha Music School from 1994 – 1998. Her teachings expanded to many different schools where she taught various musical classes. Dragana has taught for Los Angeles Yamaha Music School, Oaks Elementary, Piano Play Music School, Sunset Montessori, Shir Hashirim Montessori, Exploring Minds Montessori, Music’n’me… to name a few.

Dragana developed her unique Do Re Mi Method that proved most successful throughout her teaching career. The Do Re Mi Music School was formed to bring to your child the musical instruction that results from many years of direct teaching experience and course development.

Kelby Thwaits earned a Bachelor of Music degree in Vocal Performance with an emphasis in Acting from the University of Arizona. He started playing the cello at age 9 and later took up guitar, electric bass, drums, and MIDI programming. His professional performance experience includes musicals, plays, operas, and rock bands. He has been teaching music, voice, songwriting and acting to children of all ages since 1997, and is excited to be a part of Do Re Mi Music School. He is currently teaching music appreciation classes and group keyboard classes in collaborating preschools.

Kelby is also accomplished musical producer. He produced curriculum CD for Group Piano Level One Class - Do Re Mi Musical Medleys Volume One.

Elise Ackermann, a native of Tucson, AZ, studied classical piano and violin as a child and grew up playing the fiddle and drums in local dinner theaters, developing a love for performing and diverse musical interests. Elise recently graduated from Boston University with a Bachelor's Degree in Vocal Performance. While studying in Boston, she had the wonderful opportunity to perform with theBoston Symphony Orchestra, Boston Pops, and study abroad in London, England. She thoroughly enjoys working with children, having served as musical director in children's theater groups, and teaching private lessons. Elise is very excited to be teaching with Do Re Mi, and embarking on her musical career in California! She is currently teaching after-school programs, Do Re Mi group classes, and private lessons in voice, violin, and flute.

Katie Sippel graduated from the University of Southern California (USC) with a Bachelor of Music degree with an emphasis in Jazz Voice. She began playing piano at the age of 7, and has been singing since the time she could talk. Katie has sung in choral groups of all sizes throughout high school, in her home town of Duluth, MN, and during her time at USC, including chamber choirs, large a’cappella choirs, jazz ensembles, and collegiate a’cappella groups. She currently writes original music and performs around Los Angeles. Katie is thrilled to be teaching with Do Re Mi, where she will lead group keyboard classes, music appreciation classes and teach private lessons in piano and voice.