Melanie Robinson is a teacher of over 20 years experience. Melanie studied piano from ages 7–18 under Mrs. Betty McNinch of Norfolk, VA, a graduate of The Julliard School. Following high school, Melanie continued studying piano at VA Wesleyan College in Norfolk, VA, later moving with her family to Tulsa, OK where she attended Oral Roberts University her senior year. Following ORU, Melanie studied and graduated from Rhema Bible Training Center during which time she began teaching piano. Melanie teaches traditional piano lessons for beginning to advanced level students along with writing piano music for her elementary to intermediate level piano students. Melanie’s books often include dog themed titles, regularly featuring pictures of her own dogs, Maisie and Bones. Beginner books teach a slow progression of note reading, timing, technique and dynamics, and several later elementary to intermediate books use dog themes to teach more advanced timing, technique or special directions. For many years, Melanie has been a member of The National College of Musicians, also referred to as The Piano Guild, in the states of Virginia, Texas and Oklahoma where most of her students received Superior ratings from the judges. Melanie loves teaching students from ages 5 to 90! And that’s no joke! She has even taught an 89 year old and an 81 year old because you are NEVER too old to learn!

Shaun Roberts began playing saxophone at age 12 at Oologah Public Schools. He has made every honor band in the green country and wider Oklahoma area on saxophone. In addition, Shaun received the OKMEA Outstanding High School Jazz Musician Award in 2023 and then the OKMEA Outstanding Collegiate Jazz Musician Award the following year. He studied all things saxophone privately with Dave Smith and Bobby Kitchen. Shaun currently studies at The University of Tulsa as a bachelor’s in music education, while maintaining an active performance schedule.

Brenda McGuire began her musical journey at the age of 8, developing a deep passion for the piano. She earned a Bachelor of Music degree in Vocal/Piano Performance from Oklahoma Baptist University. Before joining the Saied Music Family in 2006, Brenda spent many years teaching private lessons from her home. Throughout her career, she has remained an active member of her church’s musical groups. Brenda specializes in teaching beginner and intermediate piano students, ranging from age 5 to adults of all ages. She takes great joy in seeing her students thrive, helping them connect with music and make it a lasting part of their lives. Brenda is particularly fascinated by the way music stimulates the brain. “It’s incredible to watch my students improve week after week and truly enjoy the process. It’s a gift and a blessing to be part of their musical journey!”

Gracie is a dedicated voice teacher and professional vocalist who graduated from the University of Tulsa in 2023. With over four years of professional singing experience, she brings a wealth of knowledge and hands-on expertise to her lessons. Gracie is deeply passionate about the transformative role a great voice teacher can play in a student's development—not only in mastering technique but also in fostering confidence and self-esteem. Outside of teaching and performing, Gracie enjoys reading, drawing, and spending quality time with her family, friends, and two lively Boston Terriers, Luna and Remmy. Her music tastes are diverse, spanning from Arctic Monkeys to Hozier, and she loves discovering new genres and artists along the way. Gracie encourages anyone interested in music, whether as a hobby or a career, to follow their passion, stay dedicated, and always value the guidance of a great mentor!

Dave Mooney started playing the piano as early as he was able to crawl up to one. He started taking piano lessons at the age of 5, began playing guitar at the age of 7, string bass at the age of 10, trombone at the age of 11, tuba at the age of 13, and played a variety of the other woodwind and brass instruments through high school. Dave began playing with Theater Tulsa at the Performing Arts Center at the age of 14 and continued performing professionally in pit bands at the Heller Theatre and City Arts as well through high school and into his early 20s. He was hired for various performances by the University of Tulsa while still enrolled in high school. | After Dave’s senior year he attended the Berkley Summer Program and started playing in live bands regionally. Throughout his 20s, Dave toured with award winning groups, had written and produced one award winning album, and has spent many years in studio as a section musician for a number of artists on both coasts. Dave still continues to play recreationally every weekend and one of his fondest music memories is playing with his friend Brian Lee down in New Orleans. | Dave has taught privately for nearly 20 years and has spent two years as a music teacher for Tulsa Public Schools at Central High School. He is also currently a low strings instructor for the Tulsa Public Schools Sistema Honors Orchestra Program and has recently started producing commercials. | Dave teaches piano, guitar, bass guitar, percussion, and upright bass.

David Weldy has been teaching Piano, Cello, Accordion, and Voice at Saied Music since 2012. His musical journey began at the age of five when he started playing piano by ear. At eight, he took up accordion lessons, eventually progressing to piano, and later added Classical Organ and Cello during his college years. David earned a B.S. in Music from Southwest Baptist University in Bolivar, Missouri. In 1995, David attended Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, where he graduated with a Master of Music, Summa Cum Laude, and received the prestigious Lora Lee Keiser Award for Outstanding Music Graduate. In addition to his role at Saied Music, he directs four Senior Retirement Center choirs, performs both solo and with the Tulsa Accordion Band, and plays his accordion every weekend at Siegi’s Sausage Haus & Restaurant. David believes that a deep understanding of music theory is essential for unlocking creativity, no matter the instrument. He emphasizes proficient note reading while also promoting playing by ear and improvisation. Recognizing that every student is unique, David takes time and patience to find the best approach for each individual. In his free time, David enjoys arranging music for his accordion band, playing cards and games with his grandchildren, and traveling. He has visited seven European countries and 21 cities, exploring the homes of great composers. His favorite musical group is The Piano Guys.

Andrew has been teaching music for over 15 years, with 9 of those at Saied Music. He studied guitar, piano, and voice at TCC, earning his associate's degree in Music in 2013, and developed a strong background in classical, jazz, classic rock, and alternative rock. Whether teaching guitar, piano, ukulele, or music theory, Andrew adapts his lessons to fit each student's goals and learning style — from structured methods to learning by ear or casual jamming — always putting encouragement at the heart of his teaching. Outside of lessons, Andrew has built a rich performing career around Tulsa at weddings, private events, and venues like The Colony, The Gypsy, and Yokozuna’s. If you’ve ever heard Spanish classical guitar drifting through downtown Tulsa after a show, it may have been him. His passion for teaching comes from his own journey: he knows firsthand how valuable it is to have a knowledgeable mentor to help navigate the frustrations and breakthroughs of learning music. Andrew strives to be that guide, sharing not just skills but also meaningful life lessons with his students. When he’s not teaching or performing, Andrew enjoys studying the Bible, spending time with his wife and pets, and diving into creative projects like video editing and D&D. His musical tastes range from J.S. Bach and Spanish classical guitar to jazz legends and classic rock icons. He believes that with curiosity, resilience, and the right guidance, anyone can grow as a musician — and he’s passionate about helping his students along that journey.

Garrett Minor has been passionate about music for over 20 years, beginning violin at age four before shifting his focus to drums at nine. He went on to earn a bachelor’s degree in Drumset Performance and has since built a full-time career as a versatile performer. Garrett’s experience spans churches, jazz groups, country and funk bands, pit orchestras, and Top 40 cover groups, where his ability to quickly learn and authentically perform hundreds of songs has made him a sought-after musician. He currently performs with Tulsa’s Freak Juice and works as a sideman for artists including Ari Yvon, Kaitlyn Kilian, Tory Rae, and Cody Hibbard. Garrett also plays with private event bands like Wavetones and the Jordan Kahn Music Company, while serving regularly at Life.Church across Tulsa and Oklahoma City. In addition to live performance, he records in studios, with several tracks available on streaming platforms. When he’s not on stage or in the studio, Garrett creates drum content from his home recording space, a pursuit that has led to an artist endorsement with Safari Pedals.

Natalie Taylor is a Vocal Performance graduate from Oklahoma City University with a passion for music and performance. She has graced the stage in several local productions, including Theatre Tulsa’s Annie and Kinky Boots, as well as American Theatre Company’s A Christmas Carol, among others. Specializing in vocal performance, Natalie is dedicated to helping others discover their unique voice or refine their existing talent. She is eager to collaborate with individuals looking to develop their skills and reach their full potential.

Linda, a Tulsa, Oklahoma native, began her musical journey at the age of 10 when she started playing the violin. She quickly became an active member of the Tulsa Youth Symphony for two seasons and participated in All-City Orchestra, the Messiah Orchestra, and All-State Orchestra for two years. Linda received a music scholarship to the University of Oklahoma, where she studied Violin, Viola, Piano, and Voice. However, after two years, she decided to switch her focus to English Language and Literature, though she continued to pursue her passion for music through violin lessons and performance. After receiving multiple scholarships from the University of Tulsa, Linda returned to her hometown to complete her education. She was selected as a Graduate Teaching Assistant in the English Department, where she also worked as a Graduate Assistant under Dr. Joseph Rivers, former head of the Piano Department. Linda earned her Bachelor of Arts in English, her Master of Arts in English, and later, her Ph.D. from the University of Tulsa. Upon relocating to Dallas for work, Linda further honed her violin skills under the tutelage of Malvena Kessleman and Diana Neretina. She also played with several local orchestras, including the New Philharmonic Orchestra of Irving, under the direction of Maestro Richard Giangiulio. In her free time, she performed with a local string quartet and taught beginning and intermediate string students. Now, Linda shares her love of music by teaching violin, viola, and cello, helping students of all levels explore the beauty of the string family.

Long before Darren became a professional teacher or earned a music degree at Wheaton College, he found joy in sharing knowledge with others. Whether it was helping a friend solve a math problem or mastering a video game, he was always thrilled to see someone achieve something they once thought impossible. While there are many rewarding aspects of teaching, this sense of shared accomplishment has always been one of the most fulfilling. Throughout his career, Darren has worked with a wide range of memorable students—from a hall-of-fame football player recovering from a busted pinky to a high school student who skipped his senior year after being recruited by a college in Tulsa. He’s also been deeply inspired by a blind man he taught Spanish guitar and a high schooler with physical disabilities whom he helped explore the world of synth music and DJ software. But no matter who the student is, the greatest reward for Darren is always witnessing their excitement when they achieve something they once thought was out of reach. Darren understands that every student has unique goals and reasons for learning, so he tailors his approach to meet their individual needs. Whether it’s a young person just beginning their classical music studies or an adult eager to play their favorite songs, his aim is to guide each student toward their own musical success. Whether working on guitar, piano, or ukulele, Darren’s students will not only learn the music itself but also the fundamental building blocks of music—chords, scales, rhythms, and more—that come together to create the music we love. Darren looks forward to accompanying YOU on YOUR journey of discovery and growth!

From the age of seven, Victoria Alli embraced the violin, embarking on a journey fueled by her passion for music. With a Bachelor's degree in Violin Performance from the University of Tulsa, she now dedicates her talents to inspiring the next generation of musicians through programs like Sistema Tulsa, Harmony Project Tulsa, and the OKMozart music festival. Having performed with numerous symphonies and chamber ensembles in the Tulsa area, Victoria is committed to uplifting the local music community by sharing her knowledge and nurturing aspiring musicians.