Matt Murray
Piano and Guitar
Matt received his Bachelor of Arts in Music Education from Chapman University and has been a private music instructor since 1999. In 2013, seeing a need to make private music education more accessible to homeschooling families, Matt founded M3 Creative Academy. Through his unique, parent-supported, student-oriented approach to virtual music lessons and education, families are able to experience the benefits of private music education while still balancing their schedules of other activities and interests. Matt’s vision is for all students to grow in their enjoyment of making music while learning and growing in valuable skills that extend into all areas of life.
Lisa Carter
Piano
Lisa grew up on Orcas Island, Washington. She started learning violin at the age of four, then switched to piano at the age of ten and learned to improvise and compose. Since 2014, she has played harp and piano as part of a wedding trio called Almost Classical that is located on Orcas. She has also been involved with Biola University’s chapel program as a pianist and has taught VBS and Sunday school music. She received a Bachelor of Music in Composition from Biola University in the spring of 2019.
Darby Gerlicher
Piano and Viola
Darby Gerlicher grew up in Illinois and graduated from Wheaton College in 2015 with a Bachelor of Music in Piano Performance. Her love of playing with other musicians drew her to learn the viola as well. She has enjoyed many collaborative opportunities, including accompanying other soloists and performing in piano trios, string quartets, and orchestras. Darby has four years of teaching experience and is passionate about establishing a healthy technique and drawing out students’ musicality from the beginning.
Kara Machos
Flute, Clarinet, Saxophone
Kara grew up in San Juan Capistrano, CA, and has lived there her whole life. She started playing flute when she was ten and has also picked up saxophone and clarinet. Kara has four years of teaching experience, both private and in schools, and is a substitute flutist for the Dana Point Symphony. Kara earned a degree in Music Education from Biola University in 2019 and graduated from Biola's Torrey Honors College.