{"id":13098,"date":"2023-01-01T14:59:00","date_gmt":"2023-01-01T22:59:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.pianote.com\/blog\/?p=13098"},"modified":"2024-04-05T15:10:56","modified_gmt":"2024-04-05T22:10:56","slug":"pianote-content-team","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.pianote.com\/blog\/pianote-content-team\/","title":{"rendered":"About the Team"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

The Note<\/em> is your go-to free piano resource on the web. Get to know us!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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IN-HOUSE CONTENT CREATORS<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

We\u2019re a dedicated group of music lovers and piano players, scripting videos, creating Instagram posts, and writing blog articles about the instrument we love.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Lisa Witt<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Content Director<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Lisa Witt has been teaching piano for more than 20 years! In that time she has been honored to have helped thousands of students learn to play the songs they love. Her contagious enthusiasm will have you excited to practice and return to the keys for your next lesson. Before Pianote, Lisa was an early childhood music educator and she loves helping people express and feel themselves more fully and honestly through music. As someone with ADHD, she\u2019s also passionate about helping fellow neurodivergents learn and express themselves in ways that make sense to them. <\/em>Oh, and did we mention Lisa is a vocal coach? For singing lessons, visit her at Singeo<\/a>! Outside of music, Lisa loves to spend time with her quarter horse Molly, who teaches her how to be brave and confident \ud83e\udd84<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Favorite Gear: <\/strong>All the Rolands, Fender Rhodes, and Dexibell Vivo H10
Favorite Songs to Play: <\/strong>\u201cGoodbye Yellow Brick Road\u201d (Elton John), \u201cA Case of You\u201d (Joni Mitchell), \u201cRainbow Connection\u201d (Peter Cincotti)
Social Media: <\/strong>@lisawittmusic (Instagram and TikTok)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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I play and sing because I can\u2019t not do those things.<\/p>\nLisa Witt<\/cite><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

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Kevin Castro<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Curriculum Manager<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Whether it\u2019s playing stadium shows around the world in front of tens of thousands of people, or watching the sense of pride and accomplishment from a beginner student\u2019s very first lesson, for Kevin Castro: it\u2019s all about the music. Kevin is a graduate of the prestigious MacEwan University with a degree in Jazz and Contemporary Popular Music, and is the Musical Director and touring pianist for JUNO-winning Canadian pop star, JESSIA. He loves breaking down seemingly complex and intimidating musical concepts into understandable and approachable skills that students can apply to their own playing. Work aside, Kevin enjoys soccer and NHL hockey (his favorite teams are the Canucks, Oilers, and Real Madrid), and jamming with his dad, who\u2019s also a jazz pianist.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Favorite Gear: <\/strong>Nord Keyboards, Fender Rhodes Mk1
Favorite Songs to Play: <\/strong>\u201cOver the Rainbow\u201d and anything by Bruno Mars!
Website:<\/strong> kevincastromusic.com 
Social Media: <\/strong>@kevincastromusic (Instagram)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Nothing makes me happier than to see videos of Pianote members learning new songs or trying out new ideas when they step out of their comfort zone.<\/p>\nKevin Castro<\/cite><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

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Cassi Falk<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Pianote Student Coach<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Cassi has an incredible love and understanding of piano technique, Beethoven, and all things classical piano! You may recognize her from her Technique Tuesdays series in the Pianote Members Area. Cassi holds her ARCT diploma from the Royal Conservatory of Music and is an RCM Intermediate Specialist. She was a private teacher before joining Pianote and has been on our team for over seven years. She loves the feeling of accomplishment after a good practice session and seeing students discover music. She would also love to take up cello someday… When she’s not busy with music, Cassi enjoys being creative and spending treasured time with her children, family, and friends.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Favorite Song to Play:<\/strong> Theme from Sesame Street<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Charmaine Li<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Content Marketing Strategist<\/em> – Editor of the Pianote Blog (The Note<\/em>)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Charmaine has been writing for Pianote since 2019 and is the editor and main writer of The Note<\/em>, Pianote\u2019s official blog and library of free online piano lessons. She has been playing piano for 23 years, earned her Associate diploma (ARCT) from the Royal Conservatory of Music at age 17, and taught piano and theory before finding her way to Pianote. In addition to her love affair with French \u201cImpressionist\u201d composers, Charmaine recently began exploring jazz with vigor. Her favorite thing about the piano is its ability to paint an entire sonic landscape\u2014all by itself! Charmaine lives in Vancouver, Canada, and is the author of Crash Landing<\/em>, a young adult novel.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Favorite Gear: <\/strong>Yamaha AvantGrand NX1
Favorite Songs to Play:<\/strong> \u201cRomance sans paroles\u201d (Op.17, No.3) by Gabriel Faur\u00e9, \u201cOne Summer\u2019s Day\u201d by Joe Hisaishi, \u201cBlue in Green” by Miles Davis
Social Media: <\/strong>@chartheshark (Instagram)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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The piano ain’t got no wrong notes.<\/p>\nThelonious Monk (Charmaine’s Favorite Piano Quote)<\/cite><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

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PIANOTE COACHES<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Get a lesson from one of today’s top piano players!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Erskine Hawkins<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

As a music director for Disney star Zendaya, producer and performer, Erskine Hawkins has done a lot. But his favorite thing in the world is playing gospel piano. After touring with Eminem and Rihanna, Erskine focused on his love for gospel music and playing in church. He has become a true master of the genre.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Free Lessons With Erskine Hawkins:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n