Our Teachers
Sophia Gonzalez - ‘Ms. Sophia’
Sophia Gonzalez is a Moss Landing based mezzo-soprano, producer, and small-business owner. She holds double B.M. from San Diego State University in Vocal Performance and Music Education where she studied with Dr. Katherine Polit. A new music specialist, Sophia can often be found performing in the Bay Area and the Monterey Peninsula, choosing projects that champion community and spark creative conversation. At the end of 2024, she produced and performed in The Creative Voice’s ‘Baroque & Unknown’, a four part salon style concert series highlighting the very nearly forgotten voices of women composers of the Baroque era. Sophia is the new owner of CFMS, having taken over what was previously known as Class Act Music Academy, founded by her dear friend, Danielle Rahkshanifar. Sophia was born and raised in Gilroy and creating musical opportunities for the Gilroy community is something she has always been passionate about, she helped found the non-profit C.S.P.A.A. in 2020 with Danielle Rahkshanifar and Kira Dixon in an effort to provide more musical resources to kids in the South Bay Area and beyond. As an educator, Sophia combines classical technique with pedagogical techniques as well as intuitive learning styles to push students to achieve their goals and most importantly, to have fun making music.
sophia@thecfmusicstudio.com
Daniela Marquez - ‘Ms. Dany’
Daniela Marquez is a Gilroy based singer/songwriter and guitarist. Daniela has been teaching guitar, piano, ukelele, and songwriting privately for 6 years with CFMS as well as participating as an organizer for local non-profit C.S.P.A.A.’s annual summer music program. Her teaching style focuses on technical excellence combined with vital performance based skills including improvisation and songwriting. Daniela also serves as the administrator for CFMS, often helping with scheduling and other administrative tasks. She is currently finishing a B.S. in Business Management from San Jose State University. We at CFMS are incredibly grateful for her support in running our school.
daniela@thecfmusicstudio.com
Ella Duenas - ‘Ms. Ella’
Ella Duenas is a Gilroy based soprano early in her music career. Ella has been a musical leader in the Gilroy community for three years, serving as the soprano section leader with the CHS Chamber Choir. Ella is a a three time ACDA Regional Honor Choir member as well as a 2024 ACDA State Honor Choir member. In addition to choral music, Ella is also a budding soloist, having made her baroque debut with The Creative Voice’s ‘Baroque & Unkown’ series in October 2024. Ella is a passionate young educator who focuses mainly on early musical technique in both piano and voice with students K-5.
ella@thecfmusicstudio.com
Armando De La Torre - ‘Mr. Armando’
armando@thecfmusicstudio.com