Our Teachers
Danielle McNamara (she/her) - Co-Owner/CEO
Mini MelodieS DIRECTOR/Instructor
Danielle is a professional musician who loves her dogs and singing in her garden! Acting credits include: My Way (San Luis Little Theatre/SLO REP), The Secret Garden (Pioneer Players), Sweeney Todd (Kelrik Productions), Some Enchanted Evening (San Luis Little Theatre), A Chorus Line (San Luis Little Theatre/SLO REP). Directing credits include: The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee (Kelrik Productions), The Rocky Horror Show Live (Kelrik Productions), Arsenic and Old Lace (Sorcerer Productions), Opus (Ubu’s Other Shoe), 4000 Miles (Ubu’s Other Shoe) and assistant director on Avenue Q (Kelrik Productions) and A Christmas Story (San Luis Little Theatre/SLO REP). She was a Resident Artist for the Children’s Creative Project and is a registered Music Together® teacher. She is the owner of Mini Melodies offering parent/child group music classes. Danielle earned her BA in Theatre Arts with a minor in music from California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo.
“Its very freeing to have a well “oiled” instrument and to know that my vocal cords are working in a healthy way. Danielle is a wealth of vocal knowledge on all levels and it shows in her work with her students!”
Lacey McNamara (she/her) - co-owner/CFO
Piano, Voice, Flute, Piccolo, GUITAR, Mini melodies Instructor, adult voice class accompanist
Born and raised on the Central Coast, Lacey grew up in a very musical family. She started taking piano lessons when she was four years old and continued playing through college (and still does!) Her first experiences with theatre were sitting on her father’s trumpet case in the orchestra pit while he played for musicals with Pioneer Players in Paso Robles. For over 30 years, she has been involved with over 200 theatrical productions with companies from Paso Robles to Cambria to Santa Maria, serving as actor, volunteer, technician, stage manager, accompanist, and music director/conductor. You may have seen her conducting at PCPA, tickling the ivories at The Great American Melodrama, or gracing the stage at SLO REP! Lacey holds a BA in Business Administration from University of La Verne. She has accompanied the choirs for the Atascadero and Paso Robles school districts as well as the voice classes for the Coastal Adult School. She enjoys SCUBA diving, volunteering at the Pride and Diversity Center, boogie boarding, cuddling her dogs, and advocating for the protection of sharks!
“We are very fortunate to have Lacey as our Piano Teacher. She is very accommodating and inspirational. Thank you for believing in my daughter Abby.”
Clare Olson (she/her)
Piano, Adult Voice Class Accompanist
Clare was born and raised in Los Osos and holds a Bachelor of Arts in Music from Cal Poly, with a focus in Piano Performance. She has been an active musician in the area for many years, playing piano for organizations such as the Los Osos Middle School and Morro Bay High School choir programs, local churches (where she learned to play the organ), and a variety of voice classes through Cuesta College and the San Luis Obispo Adult School. Additionally, she sings in the San Luis Obispo Master Chorale. In 2020, she earned a Teaching Credential in Music from Westmont College, and hopes to continue nurturing young musicians through choir performance. Some of Clare’s favorite types of music to listen to and play include classical and musical theater repertoire, and she especially enjoys the challenge of learning new pieces and collaborating with other musicians.
Isaiah Hutto (he/him)
Guitar, Ukulele
Isaiah is an outgoing and inviting individual. They first began playing guitar at the age of nine when he and his twin brother were gifted an acoustic guitar for their birthday. Since then, Isaiah has been both self-taught and received formal education in music theory, to include experience with multiple instruments. Isaiah has a wonderful wife and daughter who have attended Mini Melodies classes since their daughter was an infant. Isaiah’s favorite activities include time with his family, time at the beach, performing music made with friends and time spent producing music at his home studio. Isaiah has published music under his own aliases and produced music for several other artist across the country. Isaiah is excited to work with both adolescents and adults alike to gain new skills and experiences!
KRISSIE MILLER (SHE/HER)
VOICE, BEGINNING PIANO, MINI MELODIES INSTRUCTOR
Krissie was born and raised in SLO and is so thankful to be back home building roots after traveling for her education. She earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree for Acting at Academy of Art University in San Francisco with an emphasis in Musical Theatre Performance. Growing up, Krissie was involved in community theatre and choral groups in SLO as well as attending summer camps at PCPA. She later went on to be the President of SLO High Drama Club as well as the Improv Troupe, creating a welcoming environment for students from a multitude of backgrounds and lifestyles. Currently she has music out on all platforms under the artist name Krissie Meadows, fuzing pop styles with her love for jazz and soul music. Krissie is ecstatic for the opportunity to share her knowledge on performance, vocal technique, and provide mentorship to instill long lasting confidence!
ROUVAISHYANA (HE/HIM)
Piano, Voice
Rouvaishyana, piano and voice teacher, has a Bachelors degree in Music from Western Michigan University. He studied theory and composition, with a performance area in vocal and choral music, and studied piano, keyboards, and electronic music through college, then spent a year studying the classical music of north India. Returning to western music, he sang in small vocal ensembles, performing madrigals and other early music. He was a late starter in opera, beginning in his 40s, and has had a career at Opera San Luis Obispo: chorus, support roles, Chorusmaster, and currently Assistant Conductor. He has also sung with San Luis Obispo Master Chorale and Central Coast Gilbert & Sullivan. Previously, he taught private lessons in piano and voice for 8 years at a music studio in northern California, integrating music theory and ear training in his teaching practice. He is a language enthusiast, speaking Spanish as a second language, Portuguese at a basic level, and has experience with Hebrew, Hawai'ian, Japanese, Hindi, Navajo, and Samala Chumash as well.
Katherine Arthur (she/her)
Adult Voice Class INSTRUCTOR
Katherine Arthur holds a Master of Arts degree from the University of California Santa Barbara. She was a renowned instructor of voice at Cal Poly from 2002 to 2023. She has appeared in music festivals across the U.S. and Europe, and presents recitals throughout California. She has sung and recorded with the Southwest Chamber Music Ensemble, recorded a solo CD with Orfeo records, and has been a frequent guest soloist with the Santa Barbara Oratorio Society. She presents a solo recital every year, and has also been featured as a soloist in several Cal Poly Choir and San Luis Obispo Master Chorale concerts. She served as director of UCSB’s Opera Workshop program. Arthur is a certified Alexander Technique Teacher. http://katherinearthur.com
Robin Patrick-Miernicki (she/her)
Mini Melodies INSTRUCTOR
Robin Patrick-Miernick grew up on the central coast. While attending Cuesta College, she took Early Childhood Education classes and worked at a preschool. Now, married with three daughters, music remains a very important part of her life. She has been playing the djembe for over 14 years now, and drums for an African dance class in town. She is so excited to combine two things she loves - children and music - to create a fun and magical environment where we all just get to let loose for a while and be silly!
SARAH WHEELER (she/her)
Mini Melodies INSTRUCTOR
Sarah is very excited for the opportunity to lead your kiddos in music class! She started with Mini Melodies with her daughter when she was about 2 months old and decided Sarah loved it so much, she applied for the teaching position. She has lots of experience with childcare and music, both growing up and currently. She is thrilled to continue her journey in these areas. One of her favorite parts about working with kids is being able to be silly and have fun while learning!