About Our Teachers

Krista Antenucci is a brass player, pianist, and composer who is based out of Media, PA. She possesses a keen interest in music history, and historical performance. She performs in a variety of groups in the Philadelphia area, ranging from experimental music to classical and jazz. She studied music at Eastern University and West Chester University, and has a masters in music composition.
Krista is a graduate of West Chester University, where she received her masters in music composition. In addition to writing music, Krista plays multiple instruments, having played trumpet and piano from a young age. As a teacher, she believes in introducing music to her students from other cultures, places and times. She aims to teach them that there isn’t one single way to play music. In her free time, she enjoys teaching herself how to play renaissance wind instruments.

Tom Beideman, an Immaculata University Graduate, studied music under renowned teachers, and explored various genres like classical, jazz, rock, folk and blues. He has since performed in the Philadelphia area. Tom teaches beginner to advanced guitar and music theory, drums, piano, performance skills and interpersonal skills to students of all ages while also leading Learning Allegro's rock band program.

Katie Calderon received her bachelor's degree in music education from the Wells School of Music at West Chester University in 2017. Her teaching experience includes private flute, piano, and vocal instruction for 10 years in the Chester County area, and she has also served as a choral director and musical director at the high school level for four years. Along with this, Katie has years of experience performing as an instrumentalist and vocalist in community choirs, musical theater, and as a church musician. Katie has always had a passion for teaching and sharing her love of music and is really excited to be teaching at Learning Allegro! She is dedicated to providing high quality instruction that is tailored to each student's unique needs and goals, helping them reach their full potential as musicians.

David Deratzian graduated from SUNY Potsdam and began music studies on guitar at age six. He later studied piano, organ, bass, and other stringed instruments, including cello. David has studied with jazz and classical bassists Paul Kleinfelter and Lauren Pierce and works primarily in musical theatre as a stage and musical director. He performs in pit orchestras playing bass, guitar, mandolin, banjo, tuba, and keyboard and was Principal Bass for the Lehigh Valley Chamber Orchestra until 2023. David encourages students of all ages to enjoy music while developing technique, understanding theory, and preparing for advanced study when desired.

Sam Faust took their Masters in Performance at the University of Cincinnati-- CCM and has taught keyboard instruments (piano and organ) and coached vocalists for more than 15 years, with a passion for helping students find inspiration and role models for a lifetime of music love and learning. Their students have won awards in various music festivals in the Main Line and at the state level.

Olivia Flickinger has been playing the violin since the early age of four and regularly teaches and performs on both violin and viola. She graduated with bachelor’s degrees in Music Education and Violin Performance from West Chester University. Olivia is the current concertmaster of the WCU Symphony, Chamber, and Opera Orchestras, the founding first violinist of the Rosedale String Quartet, and professionally performs with musicians in the Lancaster and Greater Philadelphia Area, but has also made appearances across the nation. Through her instruction, Olivia caters to her students’ individual needs and abilities, primarily using classically-based instruction. She uses a combination of the Suzuki method with fundamental books, such as those by Mark O’Conner, Barbara Barber, and other supplemental materials. While she has a classical background, Olivia also enjoys playing and teaching pop, broadway, holiday, fiddle, jazz, and other genres.
As students progress, Olivia emphasizes the understanding of quality technique, while cultivating love and appreciation towards the art of string playing. Daily practicing, positive communication and commitment made by the student, family, and teacher will ensure success.

Molly graduated from the University of Wisconsin with a Bachelor’s degree in Music Therapy. She studied piano as well as 3 semesters of harp in college . Music has been a big part of her life from an early age. She started playing piano when she was 4 years old and took lessons on and off throughout school. She learned to play the accordion during elementary school and has used it in her music therapy practice. She also played violin in orchestra and clarinet in band in middle and high school. She was involved in marching band playing clarinet and started singing in choir in high school. She continued to sing in the choir throughout her college career. Molly loves to share her love and passion for making music with people of all ages. Due to the studies she has taken as a part of her coursework, she understands the way music affects the brain and the advantages of making music and also using it in a therapeutic setting.

Joseph O’Brien is a multi-instrumentalist with a 25-year background in clarinet. He was born and raised on Long Island, but graduated from Twin Valley High School in 2011. He studied with Naomi Drucker at Hofstra University for clarinet performance, and privately with the late Sanford Kravette of Bethlehem. For piano, he studied under the late Dr. Ori Steinberg and Marty Mellinger of Reading. He recently had a change of careers and is finishing his bachelor’s degree in music education at Immaculata University, alongside a performance certificate in clarinet. He is a member of the Immaculata Symphony, the concertmaster of the West Chester Band, and has spent several years as a clarinetist with the Ringgold Band in Reading who is celebrating their 174th season! At Learning Allegro, he currently teaches Clarinet, Cello, Piano, Alto & Tenor Saxophone, Flute, Trumpet Guitar, and Voice.

Julia Petters possesses 30 years of experience teaching woodwind, voice and piano lessons at various studios and private schools throughout the tristate area. She has taught all ages, levels and learning types with impeccable results. Many students have achieved acceptance in honors, district/regional choirs and bands, and many cast as leads in musicals. Her students have performance opportunities including local events, community groups, recitals at World Cafe Live and professional recordings (YouTube- Julia Petters Presents).
Julia has performed professionally for over 30 years. Her portfolio includes; large/small choirs, lead/backup vocals, musicals (acting and pit orchestras), large/small wind ensembles, orchestras, and big bands/ jazz combos. Julia is a West Chester University music education/ flute performance graduate.

Wendy Provencher has been teaching and performing professionally on violin and viola for the past 25 years. She currently owns Learning Allegro Music School leading a team of music educators helping guide future musicians on all instruments. Wendy also owns Allegro Event Music providing all types of music for weddings, private parties, and corporate events. In addition to her teaching schedule, Wendy also performs for local theater companies, with Bucks County Symphony Orchestra, and string quartets throughout the mid-Atlantic region. Wendy loves to share her joy of music with her audience. Although classically trained, Wendy loves to perform Classical, Pops, Broadway, Holiday and many other genres of music.

Chuck Ramsey teaches piano and guitar at Learning Allegro. Chuck is a singer/songwriter who has released four albums and eight singles since 2005. He’s been featured on film and television as a songwriter and performer, and his songs have received radio airplay on WXPN in Philadelphia, 94.4 FM in Salford, England, and elsewhere. Chuck is also sought after as a performer, having performed in New York City, Nashville, Philadelphia, and many other large music scenes across the country.

John Spangenburg has more than 30 years of experience in music education, teaching instrumental music lessons and conducting band rehearsals in schools throughout the Philadelphia region through Northeastern Music Programs. John earned a Bachelor of Science in Music Education from West Chester University and has continued graduate-level studies at Marywood University and Villanova University. His performance experience includes serving as co-conductor of the Diamond State Concert Band and performing with The Salem Brass Society, numerous high school musicals, and holiday services. John continues to actively study with George Rabbi while sharing his lifelong passion for music with students of all ages.

Stephen Tolnay has been playing professionally in the Philadelphia area for the past 20 years. A graduate of Temple University, he holds a Bachelor's of Music with a concentration in jazz drum set. He has been featured on a number of recordings, toured with various groups throughout the U.S., and consistently performs a wide variety of styles from pop to jazz, rock and musical theatre. Besides playing, Stephen has taught both individual and group lessons to students of all ages and abilities.