Do Re Mi Music School for young children

Dragana Rodriguez, the director and founder of the Do Re Mi Music School, received a degree in music composition in 1993 from the University of Art in the city of Novi Sad, former Yugoslavia. Upon graduation, Dragana immediately moved to Los Angeles where she attended and graduated in 1994 with “Highest Honors” and “Outstanding Vocalist” awards from the Musicians Institute in Los Angeles, CA. She has been teaching music to young children for the past 22 years.

Although Dragana taught herself how to play the accordion at the age of 4, her musical prodigy was surprisingly unnoticed by her parents. Dragana began singing at school events and was first asked to perform as a soloist when she was 4 years of age. Her family didn’t recognize her musical abilities, and although Dragana constantly asked her parents for a piano, music classes were simply not affordable.

One pivotal day in Dragana’s life took place when she was singing in a school concert at the age of 15. A famous European opera singer named Octave Enigarescu happened to be in the audience that night. He took a special interest in Dragana, met her parents, and insisted that Dragana take professional music lessons.

While the educational system in Yugoslavia was paid for by the government, enrollment was based on a student’s performance and achievements, and therefore highly competitive. Needless to say, only a very small percentage of students continued on to higher education.

Due to Octave Enigarescu’s reputation and influence, Dragana was permitted to enter the reputable music high school Isidor Bajic, where she would join the class at the age of 16, pretty late in the game.

Dragana’s first year at the music high school was difficult to say the least, as her peers had such a significant head-start. But, as Dragana was finally able to study what she loved best, she quickly excelled to the top ranking all within the first 12 months. She attained and maintained this ranking until her graduation and was accepted to the prestigious University of Art, where she received her degree in musical composition.

Throughout her school years she was frequently asked by teachers to tutor other younger students. Dragana was repetitively recognized as having a knack for explaining things to children. In addition to having an after-school job tutoring children while attending the musical academy, Dragana also performed in a number of television programs and theaters through out Yugoslavia as a jazz singer.

Upon moving to Los Angeles, Dragana received her Yamaha Teacher Music Certification by the Yamaha Music Educational Systems in 1996 in Buena Park, CA and was quickly appointed as a lead teacher at Los Angeles Yamaha Music School.

Dragana also researched, studied, and worked with a number of other musical training programs including Piano Play Music System and Music’n’Me, as well as taught music at numerous preschools and elementary school. She also became certified as a Kindermusik Licensed Educator in 2006 and Music Lingua Spanish Instructor in 2010.

After years of following other schools’ and programs’ curriculums, she started developing her own music curriculum for young students that strongly connects both the educational side as well as the element of fun. The Do Re Mi curriculum is best understood by experiencing it. It’s difficult to understand how a three year old can learn to play music until you witness it for yourself. Dragana has written all the Do Re Mi Material including: Do Re Mi Musical Medleys Vol. 1 and 2, Do Re Mi For Fun - Party Time, Ukulele Adventure and she continues to be inspired by working with children. Writing quality material and developing curriculum remains Dragana’s passion and true calling!

Adam Walters received his Bachelors Degree in Music Education from The Hartt School in West Hartford, CT. After graduation, he moved to New York City where he continued his musical studies as well as working as a professional dancer. As a performer, he has toured the country in such shows as CATS, Annie Get Your Gun, and The Radio City Christmas Spectacular starring The Rockettes. In search of warmer weather, he has recently located to Los Angeles and is very excited to begin his work with Do Re Mi Music School.

Nanea Miyata is a graduate of the University of Southern California, and music along with other performing arts has always been an important and driving force in her life. Having started out as a performer, Nanea's passions expanded to include work with music arrangement, direction and composition. Having previous experience as a children's musical theatre instructor, as well as giving group and private music lessons, Nanea could not be more excited to be joining the amazing team at Do Re Mi Music School. Currently Nanea is writing and composing an original musical entited The Bedroom Window, and is enjoying life as a creative artist in Los Angeles.

Fernanda Karolys is from a multicultural background. She studied at the Musicians Institute and the Universidad San Francisco de Quito in Ecuador as a Music major. She was raised in both Ecuador and the United States having worked in the arts since her childhood. Fernanda shares music and language by engaging her students in fun, educational classes. Students will be in a creative environment where they will explore music, culture and language while receiving a valuable enrichment experience. Fernanda plays the guitar, sings and has years of experience teaching preschool children. She is joining Do Re Mi as a Music Appreciation Teacher and Certified Music Lingua Teacher for Spanish.

Avelene Schodorf received her Bachelors Degree in Music from Scripps College in Claremont, CA. She has taught piano privately since her freshman year of college. After graduating college in 1999, she moved to the westside of Los Angeles and became a member of the Music Teachers' Association of California. In 2010 she became a mom and decided to stay at home to raise her son. Currently, when she's not chasing little Leo around she enjoys teaching private piano lessons for Do Re Mi!

Kenny Blunt began teaching piano in 2004 while attending Berklee College of Music, where he received his degree in Contemporary Writing and Production. He has composed, arranged and performed music with several ensembles, and enjoys songwriting in his spare time. He is currently a student of platinum and gold songwriter, Harriet Schock. Kenny has a great passion for music and teaching, and is very excited to teach piano and keyboard lessons as a member of the Do Re Mi team.

Trevi Fligg attended the University of Kansas on the Irene Peabody Scholarship for Music, where she received her Bachelors of Music in Vocal Performance. After moving to Los Angeles in 2004, she’s continued to pursue her passion for music by recording and performing with various local bands as well as performing solo. Trevi has performed at top music festivals such as SXSW, and venues such as the Staples Center and Disney Hall. Trevi is very excited to be joining the Do Re Mi music program and pursuing her music education career.