Meet The Team

Kirk Taylor

Kirk Taylor

Director | Scottsdale and Desert Ridge

Kirk has been teaching and playing piano professionally since high school. He has travelled from the Soviet Union to Alaska and Rawhide as a performer. He teaches all styles from classical to jazz and works primarily with more advanced students at both studios. Here is a recording of one of Kirk’s former student, Harley Jay, on one of Kirk’s originals.......read more

Ashton began studying music at the age of 14 and obtained her Bachelor of Music in Vocal Performance from Arizona State University. Ashton has placed at NATS (National Association of Teachers of Singing), has performed for and helped host the Arizona High School Regional Choir Competition, and has extensive..........read more

Ashton Bates

Ashton Bates

Voice & Piano Instructor | Scottsdale and Desert Ridge

Billy Cioffi

Billy Cioffi

Guitar, Bass, Ukulele, Banjo, Mandolin, & Songwriting Instructor | Scottsdale

Billy Cioffi, a 35-year veteran of the grueling and magnificent Los Angeles music scene, was born in Albany, NY. At age 16 he was signed with his band, The Grey Things, to Laurie Records and toured as the opening act of musical icons (The Allman Brothers, The Velvet Underground, The Byrds, the Lovin Spoonful, and The Rascals).. .....read more

Bob joins us as he begins a new phase of his career, out of New York and into the Arizona desert. Bob has performed and taught professionally in New York for over 25 years. He has accompanied numerous choruses and orchestras as well as performed as a sole pianist for many New York and private clubs......read more

Bob Weir

Bob Weir

Piano & Violin Instructor | Scottsdale

Conor Lafferty

Conor Lafferty

Guitar, Bass & Ukulele Instructor | Desert Ridge

Conor Lafferty has been drawn to the instrument of guitar since the young age of 10, and his ventures into music eventually led him to begin taking lessons during his sophomore year of high school at Kirk‘s Studio in 2015. Since then, his skills have grown exponentially, as he began to absorb as much music as possible. His skills have grown.........read more

After a successful career in real estate, Eric Meyers is thrilled to devote himself full-time to his real love: music! Eric has been playing and performing since his younger years and has trained with some of the best in the business. He specializes in.......read more

Eric Meyers

Eric Meyers

Guitar, Voice & Songwriting Instructor | Scottsdale and Desert Ridge

Dr. Erik Sloyka

Dr. Erik Sloyka

Guitar, Ukulele, & Banjo Instructor | Scottsdale and Desert Ridge

A native of Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, guitarist Erik Sloyka holds a B.M. in Guitar Performance from the Eastman School of Music, M.M. and D.M.A. in Guitar Performance from the Herberger Institute for Design and the Arts—School of Music......read more

Talk about an absolute treasure. Flora began her musical career after turning down an offer from the Juilliard School to attend Manhattan School of Music on scholarship where she completed her Master’s of Music. She played for rehearsals for the.....read more

Flora Mogerman

Flora Mogerman

Piano Instructor | Scottsdale and Desert Ridge

Frank Morrison

Frank Morrison

Percussion & Drums Instructor | Scottsdale

Frank comes from an illustrious pedigree of percussionists. His instructors include: John Robinson, most recorded drummer in history and toured with Michael Jackson; Joe Morris, drummer for Whitney Houston and toured with Esteban. Frank has a six-year degree in music studies .......read more

Gabriella began studying music at the age of 9. A native of Tucson, Arizona, she moved to Tempe on a full scholarship to The Herberger Institute for Design and the Arts at Arizona State University. .......read more

Gabi Cavalcanti

Gabi Cavalcanti

Voice & Piano Instructor | Scottsdale

Max Young

Max Young

Drums & Guitar Instructor | Scottsdale and Desert Ridge

Max has been drumming professionally since high school and started teaching at Kirk’s shortly after graduating from Desert Mountain........read more

Peter grew up in Budapest Hungary and has been playing piano since the age of four. He studied classical music at the Franz Liszt Music Academy in Budapest – the most prestigious music university in Hungary. Here, he earned his Masters.......read more

Peter Vamos

Peter Vamos

Piano & Music Theory Instructor | Scottsdale

Roger McKay

Roger McKay

Voice & Acting Instructor | Scottsdale

Roger has been teaching voice and acting at Kirk’s Studio since 2006 and is a veteran of the entertainment industry. He’s done everything from acting classes with Richard Dreyfuss to co-directing with Don Bluth.......read more

About Gina

Gina has been greeting students since 2014 and has become an integral part of the Kirk’s Studio family. She’s always friendly and super helpful. Here’s your chance to get to know her a little better. : )