We asked 2025 Lessonface Teacher of the Year in Bossa Nova Guitar, João Vasconcelos, to share his perspective on teaching this rich and expressive musical style. In this Q&A, João reflects on growing up immersed in bossa nova through his family, the importance of deep listening in developing an authentic feel for the genre, and the thoughtful, well-equipped home studio he uses for online teaching.
We asked 2025 Lessonface Teacher of the Year in Spanish, Carolina Amoruso, to share her perspective on learning and teaching one of the world’s most widely spoken languages. In this Q&A, Carolina highlights Spanish as a gateway to global communication, culture, and connection.
We asked 2025 Lessonface Teacher of the Year in Native American Style Flute, Ami Sarasvati, to share her perspective on teaching and musical growth. In this Q&A, Ami reflects on the intention she brings to each lesson, the thoughtfully designed studio space that supports her work, and her emphasis on slow, mindful practice.
We asked 2025 Lessonface Teacher of the Year in Classical Voice & Opera, Denise Bayraktar, to share what draws her to this art form and how she supports singers at every stage of their journey. In this Q&A, Denise discusses the expressive power of the human voice, her highly individualized and goal-oriented teaching approach, and the importance of body awareness as the foundation of healthy, expressive singing.
We asked 2025 Lessonface Teacher of the Year in Loog Certified Guitar, Gina Sobel, to share what inspires her approach to teaching beginning guitarists. In this Q&A, Gina highlights the Loog guitar as an accessible, confidence-building entry point for kids and adults alike, and reflects on helping students start making music quickly while developing a genuine connection to the instrument.
We asked 2025 Lessonface Teacher of the Year in R&B Voice, Julieta Pizarro, to share insights into her journey as a vocalist and educator. In this Q&A, Julieta reflects on what drew her to R&B’s soulful blend of emotion and groove, how she creates a calm and welcoming teaching environment, and the mindset she encourages students to cultivate as they develop confidence in their own voice.
We asked 2025 Lessonface Teacher of the Year in Acting, Stephanie Barton-Farcas, to share insights into her journey as a working actor and educator. In this Q&A, she reflects on what drew her to acting, why understanding the realities of the entertainment industry is essential, and how she structures a focused, professional learning environment for her students.
We asked 2025 Lessonface Teacher of the Year in French, Evelyne K., to share insights into her approach to language learning and teaching. In this Q&A, Evelyne reflects on her experience as a native French speaker, why French remains such a popular language to learn, and how she creates a calm, supportive online teaching environment.
We asked 2025 Lessonface Teacher of the Year in French Horn, Olivier Blakney, to share insights into his journey as a French horn musician and educator. In this Q&A, he reflects on what first drew him to the instrument and the rich emotional range that makes the French horn such a compelling voice.
We spoke with 2025 Lessonface Saxophone Teacher of the Year, Andrew Larsen, about his journey as a performer and educator. In this Q&A, Andrew shares what first drew him to the saxophone, how he creates a student-centered and supportive teaching environment, and the mindset he encourages students to adopt as they build both skill and confidence.
