With the Spring 2026 Semester, WPMA is proud to announce the addition of six new faculty members as we head into the new year!
These faculty members are artists, soloists, chamber musicians, and educators who began working with academy students this past semester to bring WPMA students a lived understanding of what it takes to practice perfectly, prepare mentally and physically for auditions, and pursue a deeper appreciation for music through learned understanding. These additions to WPMA’s faculty across multiple departments provides greater flexibility and individualized music study opportunities for academy students throughout Atlanta, GA.
About the Faculty
Jordan Johnson
Jordan Milek Johnson is the Bass Trombonist for the Houston Grand Opera and was a Fellow with the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra for the 2023-24 and 2024-25 seasons. He has also performed with the Houston, Alabama, and Hilton Head Symphony Orchestras, Savannah Philharmonic, and the Civic Orchestra of Chicago.
Jordan received his Bachelor’s from Columbus State University. His teachers include Hollie Pritchard, Dr. Bradley Palmer, Douglas Yeo, Nathan Zgonc, Michael Moore, and Randy Hawes.
Jordan is also an Artist with Bach Brass.
Kathryn Steely
Dr. Kathryn Schmidt Steely, formerly Professor of Viola, Baylor University School of Music, is an enthusiastic mentor for students and received the Outstanding Professor Award for Teaching in 2007. Her students are regularly accepted into the country’s leading conservatories and summer music festivals and are active in a variety of music professions. She has been a featured presenter at American String Teachers Association National Conventions and has presented master classes across the country, including two guest residencies at the Oberlin College Conservatory. She has been honored to serve on several occasions as a jury member for the Primrose International Viola Competition.
An avid chamber musician, Steely frequently collaborates with colleagues in exploring the broad spectrum of repertoire for small ensembles. She has performed at several International Viola Congresses, American Viola Society Festivals, National Flute Conventions as a member of the Brazos Ensemble, the Mostly Music series of the University of Chicago, Austin Chamber Ensemble’s Armonico Chamber series, and with Austin Chamber Music Center. She is a founding faculty member of the Credo Chamber Music summer festival in Oberlin, Ohio. Recordings include a 2024 Centaur album, “Music for Flute, Viola, and Piano” featuring recently composed works for that combination and a 2010 album of the Flackton Viola Sonatas on MSR Classics, reviewed by Fanfare as “a delight.”
Steely is also an experienced orchestral violist and has performed with the Atlanta Opera, Atlanta Baroque Orchestra, Joffrey Ballet of Chicago, Fort Worth Symphony, Dallas Chamber Orchestra, Fort Worth-Dallas Ballet, as a former core member of Florida’s Jacksonville Symphony Orchestra, the Akron Symphony, Ohio Chamber Orchestra, and the Wichita Symphony. She performs regularly with Philharmonie Austin, a period instrument ensemble. Steely has served as president of the American Viola Society and editor of the Journal of the American Viola Society. She holds degrees from Bethel College, the Cleveland Institute of Music, and Northwestern University.
Maran Karapetyan
Maran Karapetyan is an opera and musical theatre singer, vocal coach, and music educator with over 20 years of international experience, including more than four years of teaching in the United States. She holds a Master of Arts in Opera and Concert Singing from the Komitas State Conservatory of Yerevan, evaluated by WES as equivalent to a U.S. Master’s degree, with a specialization in Vocal Art and Classical Singing.
Alongside her teaching career, Maran has performed in opera and musical theatre, appearing in numerous stage productions and televised performances. She has also worked as a vocal coach for major public television vocal shows, including The Voice of Armenia (2013–2015) and Armenia’s Eurovision projects for two seasons, where she contributed both as a performer and a vocal coach.
Being honored with the “Best Voice Teacher of the Year” award by the AAD cultural organization in Armenia for her excellence in contemporary vocal instruction, Maran is celebrated for her original teaching method that fuses classical technique with modern vocal artistry. Her approach focuses on vocal transformation, stylistic versatility, and emotional communication, developing the voice into a strong professional instrument, building flexibility across genres, and mastering the technique of conveying emotion convincingly on stage.
Maran’s teaching philosophy is captured in her own words: “If you can speak, I can teach you to sing. If you want to glisten, learn how to listen.”
Chen-Fang Hsu
Chen-Fang Hsu, DMA Dr. Chen-Fang Hsu, a pianist and educator from Taiwan, specializes in collaborative piano. She earned her Doctor of Musical Arts in Collaborative Piano from the University of Colorado Boulder, studying under Dr. Alexandra Nguyen and Professor Margaret McDonald. She also holds a Performer Diploma in Collaborative Piano and a Master of Music in Piano Performance from Indiana University Bloomington, as well as a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Music Application from the University of Taipei.
As a collaborative pianist, Dr. Hsu has performed with the Boulder Symphony, Brevard Symphony Orchestra, CU Boulder Wind Symphony, and CU Chamber Singers, and has served as répétiteur for CU Boulder’s Eklund Opera productions. She brings extensive experience working with both vocalists and instrumentalists in recitals, studio classes, masterclasses, and competitions.
Dr. Hsu is also a dedicated teacher with experience in both private and institutional settings, working with students of all ages, skill levels, and musical goals. As a Teaching Assistant at Indiana University, CU Boulder, and the Brevard Music Festival, she coached vocalists and instrumentalists in chamber music and vocal coaching. In addition to teaching college-level students, she completed coursework in piano pedagogy and began teaching young beginners, incorporating aural skills exercises to strengthen listening and build a strong musical foundation. Most recently, as Adjunct Faculty at Westminster College (PA), she worked with student musicians in weekly coaching sessions and served as rehearsal pianist for the choirs. These experiences have prepared her to adjust her teaching style to support students at all stages of learning.
As a solo pianist, Dr. Hsu has been recognized with multiple awards, including First Prizes at the Amadeus Music Competition (2013), Wei Wu Ying National Competition (2012), Taiwan-Asia International Piano Competition (2012), Excellent Music Open Competition of Taiwan (2012), and Tainan International Music Competition (2011). She has also received Second Prizes at the Japan Classical Music Competition (2013) and Wei Wu Ying National Competition (2013), and was selected to represent the University of Taipei in receiving the Taipei Juridical KHS Musical Center Scholarship (2012).
Passionate about music-making in partnership with others, Dr. Hsu continues to balance an active performing career with her commitment to teaching and mentoring the next generation of musicians.
Grace Lee
Grace Lee is a versatile flutist recognized for her expressive sound, refined technique, and engaging stage presence. Her musical path began in San Francisco, California, where she studied at the School of the Arts High School and the San Francisco Conservatory of Music Preparatory Division. There, she built a strong classical foundation and earned first place in the Concerto Competition for her performance of Chaminade’s Concertino.
She later attended Pepperdine University on a full scholarship, completing dual bachelor’s degrees in Flute Performance and Music Education. Grace continued her studies at Azusa University, where she earned a Master of Arts in Flute Performance, also as a full scholarship recipient. During her graduate work, she further refined her artistry, deepened her interpretive insight, and strengthened her preparation for a professional career in music.
Grace’s performance background spans a wide range of ensembles, including the Pepperdine University Orchestra, Wind Ensemble, and Collegium Musicum. She has also performed in numerous opera and musical theater productions, such as Così fan tutte, Les Misérables, L’elisir d’amore, Oklahoma!, and Die Fledermaus. These varied experiences highlight her adaptability and comfort across diverse musical genres.
Since 2009, Grace has remained active as a private flute instructor, music theory tutor, and recital hall staff member, contributing both in the studio and behind the scenes. Her early experience with video recording and editing opened the door to creative work beyond live performance, allowing her to engage in multimedia collaboration as well.
As an educator, Grace Lee is dedicated to helping students build strong technical fundamentals while encouraging personal expression and musical confidence. She continues to find inspiration in connecting with students through music. Grounded in technical precision and emotional depth, and guided by a commitment to lifelong learning, she aims to create meaningful musical experiences for all of the students that she teaches.
Clarissa Tamara
An Indonesian violinist, Clarissa Tamara, attained global acclaim as the “world’s fastest violinist”. At the age of fourteen, she made history by performing Flight of the Bumblebee at an astonishing 273 beats per minute, playing approximately eighteen notes per second through the organization, Record Holders Republic. This remarkable achievement propelled her career and established opportunities for performances across Indonesia and the world. She has performed in countries such as the United States, South Korea, Japan, Singapore, and Malaysia.
Clarissa began her musical journey at an early age. By 9 years old, she had already released 2 albums. One of her albums, Clarissa Tamara “8” was awarded as the “Best Instrumental Album” and “Best Instrumental Production” by the Indonesian Music Awards in 2008. Over the years, Clarissa has performed on numerous stages, including Suntory Hall in Tokyo, Gyeongju Performing Art Center in South Korea, Mastercard Theatres at Marina Bay Sands in Singapore, and Kuala Lumpur Performing Arts Center in Malaysia. Additionally, Clarissa has also been featured in prominent media outlets and appeared in various television programs. Her passion for the violin and her dedication to music continue to bring immense joy and captivate audiences, inspiring listeners around the world.
Besides performing, Clarissa has been dedicated to teaching violin since the age of 14. Trained and educated in multiple different methods and approaches, Clarissa adapts her instruction to meet each student’s unique needs, learning style, age, and skill level. As a Suzuki-certified teacher, she embraces the philosophy that “Every Child Can” learn an instrument with the right guidance, encouragement, positive environment, and support.
Clarissa is currently pursuing a doctoral degree in Violin Performance at the University of Georgia under the guidance of Levon Ambartsumian with a teaching assistant position. Through UGA, she also recently received her master’s degree in Violin Performance. Clarissa graduated with a Bachelor of Music in Violin Performance at the University of North Texas under the guidance of Julia Bushkova. She was pursuing this degree with a full scholarship through the UNT College of Music undergraduate string quartet program.
About William Pu Music Academy
The William Pu Music Academy is a private, award-winning, conservatory-style music academy in Atlanta. WPMA offers music education programming taught by the finest musicians and pedagogues in all of Georgia. In addition to taking 1-on-1 instrument lessons with highly-trained faculty, students at WPMA study music theory & sight-reading, participate in monthly recitals, studio classes, masterclasses with guest artists, and perform in chamber and orchestra ensembles. Academy students receive a rich and comprehensive music education, supported by a dedicated faculty. In this environment distinguished by its community and learning opportunities, WPMA students frequently compete and succeed in state and nation-wide auditions. Learn more about WPMA at wpmusicacademy.com.
