Westlake Music Academy Faculty

John Karkosiak has his Bachelor’s of Music in Guitar from the Jackie McClean Institute at the Hartt School of Music, Univerity of Hartford, where he studied under hard bop style guitarist Richard Goldstein. 

Samantha Loomis received her Bachelor’s in Vocal Performance at Ohio Northern University, and a Master of Music degree in Voice Pedagogy from the University of Southern Maine where she studied under internationally acclaimed opera singer Dr. Malinda Haslett. Samantha has privately studied classical, musical theatre and jazz voice.

Mary Krason Wiker is a dedicated voice instructor with over ten years of teaching experience. She holds a B.A. in Music from Franciscan University of Steubenville and an M.M. in Vocal Performance from Cleveland State University, where she studied under Alanna Keenan (FUS) and Elizabeth Unis Chesko (CSU).  Mary is currently a part-time member of the Cleveland Orchestra Chorus and has contributed as a soloist in the Cleveland, Pittsburgh, and greater Tri-State area.

Jacqueline received her Bachelor's degree in Music Education from Baldwin Wallace University. She went on to receive a Master’s in Flute Performance from Cleveland State University, studying under Sean Gabriel, principal flutist of the Blue Water Symphony.

Dr. Gary Alan Graning has over 40 years of experience teaching piano to children from the age of 5 up through adults. ary earned his Doctorate in Piano Pedagogy from Columbia University, Teacher’s College. He received his Master’s in Piano Performance from The University of Michigan where he studied piano pedagogy with Alice Mahler Kern, and his Bachelor’s in Piano Performance from Oberlin College Conservatory where he studied piano pedagogy with Janet Owens.  Gary taught at the Cleveland Institute of Music Preparatory Division for over 40 years.