Meet Our Fabulous Teachers!
Lila Riley: Piano & Violin
Hi, I'm Lila, piano and violin teacher and founder of HeartStrings School of Music.
Music has been part of my life for as long as I can remember. I started piano at five and picked up the violin a few years later. My dad was a jazz pianist who played entirely by ear, and he was my biggest fan. I was trained classically, and he was proud of every note I ever played.
I grew up learning through the Suzuki method, which teaches listening before reading. That approach resonated with me. I had a strong ear, but reading music felt like translating a new language. That early experience shaped the way I teach today: with flexibility, creativity, and a deep belief that there’s no one-size-fits-all approach to learning music. My lessons combine ear training, music theory, and movement-based learning to help students truly understand and feel the music, not just play the notes. Rhythm games, silly memory tricks, or simply exploring sound... I'll use whatever helps kids connect with music.
Over the years I've performed in symphonies, chamber groups, and as a soloist, but my favorite moments still happen in the studio, like when a student finally nails the tricky rhythm they've been fighting with all month and beams with pride!
I've had wonderful teachers and a few not-so-wonderful ones, and those years taught me exactly what kind of teacher I wanted to be. Around here, we celebrate progress over perfection, and we make room for every kind of learner. If your child wants to play pop songs, if they want classical, or if they just want to explore and create, I'll meet them where they are and cheer them on every step of the way.
McKenzie Peterson: Group Piano
Hi, I'm McKenzie, and I teach two group piano classes at HeartStrings. I also lead our Music Together classes on Friday mornings at the HeartStrings studio.
My love of music started by plucking out tunes on the piano at five and singing as loud as humanly possible at church. That turned into formal piano lessons, then cello, then percussion in band, then teaching myself guitar and ukulele. If there was a musical, choir, play, or band event happening, I was in it. These days I'm constantly making up songs with my own kids, Mable and Henry, sometimes purely to get them into the car.
I started out as a children's and worship pastor, and co-founded and co-directed a nonprofit in Iowa called The Des Moines Dream Center, where teaching kids music through singing and silly rhythmic gestures was always my favorite part of the work. I spent ten years as a vision therapist and optician in between, mostly with pediatric patients, before coming back to music for good.
In the summer of 2020, my kids and I stumbled into a Music Together class in a park, and that was that. I've been teaching Music Together Family Music and Movement classes for four years and got certified through Music Together headquarters this March. I also teach general music in daycares, preschools, and lower elementary classrooms, and this year I launched a ukulele class for third and fourth graders.
I'm excited to teach group piano to brand new piano players at HeartStrings, and to keep filling Friday mornings with babies, toddlers, and a lot of joyful music. My goal is to keep kids hooked on being music makers for life.
Noah Marthe: Group Guitar
Hi, I'm Noah, and I'll be teaching group guitar class at HeartStrings starting this fall.
I picked up a guitar at 14 and never really put it down. I started my first band at 18 and I still tour and play with them today. I also started and run an independent record label and show promotion company in Portland. Rock music in all its forms is where I keep landing, mostly because of the sheer passion behind it, though I've spent years trying to learn every genre I can get my hands on. I'm primarily trained on modern string instruments, with a serious soft spot for percussion.
I currently teach kids at American Guitar Academy, and teaching turned out to be the part of all this I didn't see coming. Watching a student go from "I can't get my fingers to do that" to playing a song they actually want to play is a specific kind of great. Guitar sharpens your confidence and your precision, but more than that, it teaches you to slow down and think. It's a reminder to feel like a human being.
I could never have predicted the opportunities music would hand me, and getting to teach at HeartStrings is one of them.
Lana Pratt: Group Piano
Hi, I'm Lana, and I will be teaching a Music Makers Group Piano Class at HeartStrings this fall.
I started piano lessons at six on my great grandmother's piano. I still have it. I've been teaching for over 20 years now, in Taiwan, in Ohio, and here in Oregon, and I have my Master's in music from Portland State University. I've played with the Oregon Symphony, and flute is technically my main instrument, but piano is the one I love to play most. I also currently teach the band classes at Forest Hills Lutheran Christian School.
My husband, our three daughters, and I live in Cornelius. When I'm not teaching, my three favorite things are singing, walking at Scoggins Creek, and playing in the snow.
Kennedy Carsten: Teacher’s Assistant
Hi, I'm Kennedy, Teacher's Assistant at HeartStrings. I'm also Miss Lila's favorite daughter (and her only daughter).
I started playing at age 7, when my mom sat me down at the piano. At age 9 I picked up violin at school and played in the Strings Project at Pacific University, and somewhere in there I taught myself guitar. I played my first open mic when I was 11, singing a Billie Eilish song. Guitar is still my main instrument; I'm learning piano now, and I sing constantly. My superpower is my ear. I can pick out most things on piano or guitar just by listening.
In class, I help teach group lessons and lead activities. Behind the scenes, I do design work, lesson planning, design handouts and teaching materials, video editing, and whatever odd job needs doing around the studio. My favorite part is watching the spark kids get when something clicks. When a kid gets excited about what they're learning, it warms my heart to know I was part of that.
Outside the studio, I'm a full-time student at PCC, an artist, a dog person, and a committed night owl.
HeartStrings School of Music
Our Mission
To inspire and nurture a lifelong love of music by creating a fun, supportive, and engaging learning environment. At HeartStrings, we believe that every student deserves to feel confident, capable, and celebrated as they grow.
Our goal is to help children not only build strong musical skills, but also develop curiosity, creativity, and a lasting connection to the joy of making music.
HeartStrings School of Music is a welcoming community where our students discover the joy of music in a supportive, encouraging environment. We believe every child has the potential to grow and express themselves through music, and we’re here to make that journey fun, engaging, and meaningful.
Whether it’s through group piano classes, private lessons, ensemble workshops, or summer camps, we offer creative, low-pressure ways for students to explore and connect with music.
We focus on building confidence, creativity, and a lifelong love for music. Our teaching approach blends ear training, movement, music theory, and performance skills in a way that helps students truly enjoy the learning process. We celebrate progress, encourage curiosity, and believe that music should always feel joyful.
Come visit us at HeartStrings, sit in on a class, or join us for a recital and see what makes this place so special.
Our Vision
To build a vibrant music education community where students of all ages can explore, create, and grow through music.
To provide high-quality, innovative, and accessible music programs that inspire joy, creativity, and connection.
Our Core Values
❤️ Joyful Learning – Music should be fun, inspiring, and engaging at every stage.
❤️ Confidence Over Perfection – We celebrate effort and growth, not just flawless performances.
❤️ A Supportive Community – Music is best when shared, and we create a space where students feel encouraged and uplifted. We welcome students of all backgrounds, abilities, and goals.
❤️ Creativity & Expression – Every student’s musical journey is unique, and we encourage them to find their own voice.
❤️ Excellence in Teaching – We use proven methods blended with creative, hands-on learning to make lessons effective and enjoyable.
Ready to get started?
Send us an email and I’ll be happy to provide more information about our programs!
