Belle Melodie Music

Gaiana Mndoian, born in Yerevan, Armenia, is a distinguished cellist and educator. She studied and later taught at Moscow's Tchaikovsky Conservatory under maestro Mstislav Rostropovich, and led the cello program at a prestigious Soviet college affiliated with the Conservatory.

Mndoian formed an ensemble of young cello virtuosos who performed at the Conservatory's Great Hall. Her students have joined major orchestras worldwide, including one winning the 1998 International Tchaikovsky Competition.

Mndoian conducted international cello seminars in France (1981-1985), taught and performed in Mexico and Costa Rica in the 1990s, and recorded a romantic cello-piano CD. She was principal cellist with the San Diego Chamber Orchestra (1998-1999) and a San Diego Symphony member.

In 1998, she toured Japan with the L’Amoroso Strings Quartet. Mndoian has taught at top private schools in San Diego and currently focuses on chamber music and mentoring young musicians, with her students achieving success in local competitions and the San Diego Youth Symphony.

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In Belle Melodie, Gaiana teaches Thu PM and Sun noon to PM. 

Dr. Yana Zixuan Yan, now based in San Diego, is a versatile musician experienced as a soloist, chamber musician, orchestral performer, and flute instructor.

She has a DMA from the University of Miami, a Master's from the University of Minnesota, and a Bachelor's from Wuhan Conservatory of Music.

She taught flute at Augustana College and Black Hawk College, and at the Quad City Symphony Orchestra from 2022 to 2023.

Dr. Yan has won awards at several music competitions and festivals, performed with major orchestras, and is active in the flute community, currently serving as the membership secretary of the San Diego Flute Guild.

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Yana teaches in Belle Melodie Sun

YunJin Kim, Pianist and Accompanist, graduated from Seoul National University of South Korea
with a Bachelor of Arts in piano performance.
She received an L.L.C.M. diploma from the London College of Music.

Ms. Kim came to the United States and earned a Master of Arts and Doctor of Musical Arts in
piano performance from Benjamin T. Rome School of Music of the Catholic University of
America. She won the Catholic University of America Concerto Competition and performed as
soloist with CUA Symphony. She studied with Thomas Mastroianni and with Luiz de Moura
Castro.

Current MTAC member, collaborative accompanist for solo instruments, choir and musical
theater

Pianist in the piano trio for the benefit concert for the local community and outside of America.

Ms.Kim teaches all level of students and focused in Certificate of Merit Program and many
Music Competitions in California

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Kim teaches in Belle Melodie Fri

Garet has been drumming professionally for over a decade. Touring both regionally and nationally, Garet has been able to create a sustainable career and provide stability through his passion.

He has performed at a top level in both individual and group performance competitions both in traditional solo competitions and professional drum corps.

Garet is not only a highly trained percussionist but also holds a degree in Music Business and has since graduated been active in the industry working in production, event planning and coordinating, marketing and promotions, and sales.

Garet is currently gigging locally in San Diego and recording both locally and remotely with various artists. During Garet’s time away from music he likes to be outside in nature spending time with his dog, Invictus.

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Garet teaches in Belle Melodie on Mon & Tue

Alexander Palamidis, the Principal Second Violin of the San Diego Symphony Orchestra and a member of its String Quartet, has an impressive musical background. He previously served as Concertmaster for several orchestras, including Orchestra Nova and the Istanbul Radio String Orchestra, and has been a soloist with the San Diego Symphony Orchestra. His extensive experience includes performances with the Istanbul State Symphony, Denver Symphony, and the L’Amoroso String Quartet.

Educationally, Palamidis earned a Master of Music in Violin Performance from the University of Southern California and studied at The Mozarteum Academy of Music in Salzburg. He is a graduate of the Istanbul Conservatory of Music and holds a Bachelor's in Mechanical Engineering.

Palamidis is dedicated to music education, providing master classes and coaching young musicians and ensembles. His personal interests include Eastern philosophy and travel.

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Mr Palamidis teaches master class every 3rd Wednesday of a month. 

Susan Monteiro has been a professional violinist and educator for 25 years.  She is a classically trained violinist and violist and teaches traditionally as well as being certified to teach the Suzuki Method.  Her passion for educating young people led her to become the Board of Teachers and also the President of the non-profit school, Carlsbad Strings Education Association.  She has worked as a private and group instructor for the San Diego Youth Symphony and Conservatory.  As a professional violinist she has performed in orchestras all over the U.S. with such artists as Joshua Bell, Yo Yo Ma, Al Jarreau, Andre Watts, Joseph Silverstein and Harry Connick Jr.  Her students have gone on to Yale University, University of Notre Dame, Oberlin Conservatory of Music, U.C. Berkeley and UCLA.  As a teacher, she takes great joy in helping all of her students be the best they can be.

Mr. Yu graduated from the Sichuan Conservatory of Music in China in 1982 and taught there before earning his DMA from the University of Minnesota, where he studied under John Miller.

Mr. Yu won the University Symphony Orchestra Concerto Competition and has performed with the Minnesota Orchestra, West Virginia Symphony Orchestra, and South Dakota Symphony Orchestra, among others. He has appeared as a soloist with various ensembles and performed internationally, including at prestigious conservatories in China.

Mr. Yu is the founder of Golden Bamboo, a business specializing in double reeds. His recent collaborative performance was at Utah State University with Professor Dennis Hirst.

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Mr. Yu teaches at Belle Melodie on Mon and Wed Evening

Irvine based cellist Michael Ljungh earned his Bachelors of Music in Cello Performance from NYU. While attending NYU he studied with Marion Feldman and he performed widely in New York as well as the surrounding areas. His locally popular piano trio at NYU was also invited to perform abroad for six months. He earned a dual Master's Degree in Cello Performance and Suzuki Pedagogy from the world renowned Cleveland Institute of Music, studying under Richard Weiss while there. Following his years in conservatory, Mr. Ljungh was the Assistant Principal Cellist of the American Youth Symphony in Los Angeles from 2018-2023. He has performed with many different symphony orchestras all across the US, including most recently the Bakersfield Symphony. Mr. Ljungh has toured the world and had the honor of performing in great halls including Carnegie Hall, Sydney Opera House, Severance Hall, and the Walt Disney Concert Hall. He has been teaching students of all ages for over 10 years. Many of his students auditioned with success for prestigious youth orchestras as well as other music programs including SCSBOA’s All Southern California Orchestra and the Irvine Honor Orchestra. Mr. Ljungh’s teaching philosophy is creating a disciplined yet fun environment. With all new cello pieces being learned, he initially focuses on improving and maintaining proper technique. This allows his student’s to project their individual voice with excellent intonation, and a clear full cello tone.

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Michael teaches here Tue, Thu and Sun.

Joyce began learning piano before age 5 and took up the flute at 9. By 16, she was teaching flute professionally and playing in the local Philharmonic Orchestra. She earned a B.A. in Flute Performance from Towson University and pursued a Master’s in Musicology at Peabody Conservatory, now part of Johns Hopkins University.

From 2007 to 2020, she ran a full in-home teaching studio in Carmel Valley and co-founded the San Diego Coastal Flutes, organizing events and flute camps, including a notable 1990 event with Sir James Galway. A Certified Specialist with the Royal Conservatory of Music for over a decade, her students consistently achieved excellent grades in flute, piano, and theory; one even performed at Carnegie Hall in 2021.

Known for her passionate teaching and ability to connect with children, Joyce continues to teach at Belle Melodie. She enjoys reading, healthy cooking, baking bread, swimming, and kayaking.

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Joyce teaches at Belle Melodie on Wed PM

Born in 1981 in Yerevan, Armenia, Shushanik Hovakimyan displayed early musical talent, leading her to study at Alexander Spendiaryan Music School under Arkuhi Harutiunyan and later under renowned pianist Armen Babakhanyan. She gave her first solo recital in 1994 and won significant accolades, including the First Prize at the "Armenian Legacy, the Young Talents" piano competition in 1999. After moving to the U.S., she pursued further education at the University of Southern California and later at Yerevan State Conservatory under Babakhanyan, earning a Master’s and a Post-Graduate Certificate in Musical Art. As a teacher, her students have performed in major venues worldwide and pursued advanced musical studies, inspired by her passion and guidance.

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Shushanik teaches at Belle Melodie on Mon-Fri 4-8 PM