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Noriko Olling is SMPLA's accompanist. She is also a professional Keyboardist, Composer, Arranger, and Musical Director.
Originally from the city of Kanazawa, Japan, she displays versatility in her musicianship, as in all of her work. She has performed/toured and/or musical directed for some of the biggest artists in the U.S. and abroad (Chaka Khan, Patti Austin, Gladys Knight, Natalie Cole,etc..). She has also been a vocal coach / accompanist at the American Music and Dramatic Academy for the last 7 years, and is very passionate about mentoring her students. As an accompanist, she strives to give singers/instrumentalists the support they need to help them look and sound their best on stage. Her latest spiritual album ,“My Path,” is out on all music platforms, and she hopes to give people love and joy through her music. |
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Margaret Chen is recognized as a professional piano accompanist for over twenty years. Ms. Chen has worked with many well respected and renowned violin teachers in the LA area in either their private studios or universities such as Colburn School of Music, USC, UCLA, California State University, Northridge, Los Angeles, and Long Beach campuses. Her ample experience in accompanying violin students of all levels finds her in many concerts, recitals, violin master classes, and competitions in southern California.
Ms. Chen was born in Taiwan and began playing the piano at an early age. She spent her childhood attending a school with a strong music academy. At fifteen, she immigrated to the US with her family to further advance her music education and earned a BA from UCLA in piano performance. Ms. Chen is currently the piano instructor and staff accompanist for the school choirs for the Music Academy Program at Heritage Christian School in Granada Hills. |
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Dafna Low-Smith began her Suzuki violin training with Elizabeth Mills, one of the original organizers of the Suzuki Music Program of Los Angeles. At age 12, she traveled to Japan and studied under Dr. Shinichi Suzuki. During her college years, she studied under Dr. Ted Brunson, head of the Music Department at San Diego State University.
Mrs. Low-Smith is an experienced teacher in both private and group settings. She is currently head of the string department a the prestigious Campbell Hall School in North Hollywood. She also organized and has taught with "Sweet Strings," a program designed for disadvantaged students. Mrs. Low-Smith's students have performed at the Governor's Inauguration and at the Hollywood Bowl. She currently teaches in Sherman Oaks and the South Bay area. You may contact her at (310) 644-6758 and at thelowfiddler@aol.com |
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Anita Swearengin has been an amazing accompanist for SMPLA for over 30 years. Additionally, she accompanies students of all levels for graduation, Senior Recitals, and other important events. She teaches piano privately in her home in Van Nuys as well. She may be contacted at (818) 988-3050.
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Rachael Swearingin Longeran is a talented Suzuki Cello teacher and has been teaching since 1989. She was a coach for the Suzuki Music Program of Los Angeles for twelve years. Since 2003, Rachael has taught chamber music classes at The National Cello Institute. In 2006, Rachael started the San Fernando Valley Cello Ensemble (SFVCE), which consists of students from her studio. Since 1996 she has been the director of Suzuki Cello Graduation for the Suzuki Music Association of California Los Angeles branch.
As a performer, Rachael was principal cellist of the West Valley Chamber Orchestra for eight years. Her students participate in chamber music programs at Colburn and other local youth orchestras. Numerous students have won concerto competitions and have performed solos with various orchestras. She may be contacted at cellopwr@aol.com and (818) 782-2988, Van Nuys, CA 91406 |
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