instructor applications

want to become an instructor at groovecraft©? Fill out the application and we will contact you through Discord for further details!

benefits

• receive volunteer hours varying based on the amount of lessons and time you have committed to the platform!

• give feedback to young inspiring musicians that help them improve!

• be part of the groovecraft© platform

• raise money for instruments

• only 1 lesson required per month

instructors

Daniel Duan

Clarinet Instructor

Daniel is a currently freshman at Seven Lakes High School, under the teaching of Dr. Winnie Fan. He started his music journey at the age of 11 and began with 23rd and 10th chair placement in the prestigious TMEA (Texas Music Educators Association) region for middle school in 2021 and 2022. After that, he got 4th chair in the TMEA region for high school in 2023 and also advanced to the Area level. Beyond these competitions, Daniel has consistently earned superior ratings in solo and ensemble performances across 2021, 2022, and 2023. Daniel also took the TMTA music theory test, got a good score on the test, and participated in the AFA summer camp. The passion for music extends beyond personal achievement, as Daniel is actively involved in various community service initiatives. Through Music of Harmony, they contribute their musical talents for the betterment of the community, embodying the spirit of giving through art.

Eli Derden

Flute/Piccolo Instructor

Eli is a freshman at Seven Lakes High School under the musical instruction of full-time concert flutist Mrs. Katherine Rivas. Beginning his musical journey at the end of 5th grade, he has accomplished various achievements, such as making the Region 23 TMEA middle school band as well as making the Region 23 TMEA high school region band. Throughout his musical journey, he has also earned superior ratings in solo and ensemble competitions across the 2021, 2022, 2023, and 2024 seasons. Eli’s musicality and dedication to music can be seen not only from his individual achievements but also from his ambitions to join music-based organizations such as his school’s Tri-M Music Honor Society chapter, his involvement as an assistant in hosting his teacher Katherine Rivas’ flute summer camp, and his desire to receive a placement in the Houston Youth Symphony after this spring’s audition season.

Ares Zhou

Clarinet/Bass Instructor

Ares Zhou started pursuing music at the age of 6 on the piano, but that changed in middle school, as the clarinet became his instrument of choice. Currently attending Glenda Dawson High School as a sophomore and studying under Christian Schubert, he has placed within the high school region band and progressed to the area-level competition and this year, the TMEA All-state convention in the concert band. Other accomplishments include being a member of the Houston Youth Symphony and participating in the 2023 AFA summer music festival.

Daniel Bain

Clarinet Instructor

Daniel's musical journey began at age 10 when he started learning the clarinet in middle school with the school's honors orchestra. Attending DeBakey High School, Daniel participates in the full orchestra program directed by Jordan Stewart. He studies under the guidance of Chester Rowell. He has completed his first year at HYS (Houston Youth Symphony) and is currently enrolled, planning to continue next year. In the High School UIL Solo and Ensemble competition, Daniel achieved rank 1 and advanced to the state level. Additionally, Daniel participated in and won the 2023 AFA Concerto Competition, becoming the 26th grand prize winner, and performed with the AFA Symphony Orchestra. Furthermore, Daniel has been a finalist in the Juanita Miller Concerto Competition.

Efran Zhao

Head Violin Instructor

Efran is currently a sophomore at Dawson High School in Pearland, Texas. He started playing the violin at the age of 5, and has received many awards and accomplishments. He has participated in youth orchestras since 1st grade and performed as concertmaster multiple times. He has consistently placed first in his TMEA All-Region auditions every year since 6th grade. In 2022, he became the youngest-ever winner of the AFA Concerto Competition. He has made TMEA All-State for 2 years in a row, placing Symphony Orchestra 1st Violin both times, and has even performed at Carnegie Hall in New York as concertmaster. Driven by his love for music, he hopes to inspire the next generation of instrumentalists in his community.

Devin Saljuud

Oboe Instructor

Devin Saljuud started his musical journey at the age of 5, learning the piano. At the age of 11, Devin joined his middle school band and unlocked a new door to his life. Currently attending Dawson High School as a sophomore, Devin is part of his school's Wind Ensemble which is their top band. He studies under Katie Hart, who has played in numerous professional orchestras across the country. Devin is a returning member of the Houston Youth Symphony (HYS) and is currently the principal oboist. Devin is also a 2x TMEA All-State musician and has just recently been placed in the Symphony Orchestra as the 3rd chair.

Benedict Le

Violin Instructor

Benedict Le is a sophomore attending Michael E. DeBakey High School for Health Professions. He found his love for music with the violin at the age of 11 and never stopped since. Throughout middle school and high school, he participated in TMEA All-Region and performed for UIL Solo and Ensemble. In his spare time, Benedict actively enjoys listening to the world of classical music and bench presses chemistry textbooks in his spare time

Matthew Lu

Violin Instructor

Matthew is a sophomore attending Michael E. DeBakey High School for Health Professions. He first began learning the piano and violin at the age of 7. Since then, he joined the school orchestra and competed in several piano competitions. At the beginning of middle school, Matthew shifted to playing the violin competitively, qualifying for TMEA All-Region each year and participating in UIL Solo and Ensemble. Besides playing the violin, Matthew also enjoys practicing the piano leisurely and producing music on FL Studio and GarageBand.

Aaron Joseph

Cello Instructor

Aaron Joseph, a sophomore at Michael E. DeBakey High School for Health Professions, began his musical journey at the age of 3, delving into the piano and later casually exploring various instruments such as the guitar, bass, and drums. Since the 6th grade, he has been an integral part of the school orchestra, with a primary focus on the cello, competing at numerous TMEA All-Region and UIL state events. Notably, he contributed to the success of his orchestra representing FBISD in 2022, receiving sweepstakes as a part of the Honors Orchestra during that time. Aaron continues his musical odyssey, playing in the advanced group under the guidance of Mr. Stewart at DeBakey HSHP.

Rosemary Chen

Flute Instructor

Rosemary Chen is a current junior at Jordan High School, under the teaching of Mrs. Rebecca Neal. She started music at the age of 7 when she picked up the piano but switched to flute in 6th grade. Since then, she has been a three-time TMEA All-Region top band—including being first chair in 2023—flutist, a three-time TMEA All-Area flutist, and a two-time TMEA All-State flutist. She has received the Outstanding Performer award at the Texas State Solo and Ensemble competition and has consistently earned the first distinction on all of her solos and ensembles. She has performed various repertoire as a part of her school’s concert band, marching band, symphony orchestra, various chamber orchestras, the University of Houston Summer Honor Band, and the Houston Youth Symphony. She also has a track record of tutoring TMEA etudes to high schoolers, where all of those she tutored made the TMEA All-Region band in 2024.

Ken Woodward

Violin Instructor

Ken Woodward is currently a sophomore Violinist of the Seven Lakes High School Symphony String Orchestra, through which he had the privilege of going to San Antonio to preform at Lila Cockrell Hall(SLHS won Honor Orchestra for TMEA in 2024). First only casually started the violin at age 6, and only really kicked things off 2 years later, he has been actively playing the violin for around a decade. Ken earns superior ratings in the solo and ensemble competitions and has been a part of the region orchestra. Actively involved and passionate about music, Ken does recreational music composition and is a part of the Tri-M honor society and the composition club at his school.

Shloak Mehta

Trumpet Instructor

Shloak Mehta is a sophomore currently attending Elkins High School, beginning his musical journey at 4, playing piano with lessons. He is currently studying under Dr Gerardo Mata. He had joined a band because of the required fine arts, but eventually realized that he had enjoyed it so much, that he would pursue music in high school (and beyond?). He has been a part of the award-winning Elkins Symphonic Band, being the principal player in his second and current year. He hopes to help people just like him, nervous about whether they are “good enough” to be accepted into the music community, where everyone is welcome