PIANOS FOR PEOPLE
LEADERSHIP AND STAFF
Andy Ament came to Pianos for People in April 2024 with an extensive background as a music educator, performer, and nonprofit arts management leader, having previously worked in a variety of roles at Jazz St. Louis, Hope Creates and Pop!Pop!Pop! At Jazz St. Louis, Andy served as Director of Education and Community Engagement, Director of Education and JazzU instructor.
As an educator, Andy has worked with students throughout the St. Louis region as a clinician, instructor, and adjudicator. As a musician, Andy plays saxophone throughout St. Louis and the Midwest with various jazz, pop, rock, funk, and dance bands. He has performed with such notable artists as Randy Brecker, Clay Jenkins, John Clayton, Dennis Mackrel, Jeff Coffin, Alan Ferber, and Motown legend Martha Reeves, to name a few. He is also a founding member of the jazz quartet, Utter Chaos, which pays tribute to the great baritone saxophonist Gerry Mulligan.
Andy received his Bachelor’s of Music in Jazz Performance and Music Education and Master’s of Education from Southern Illinois University Edwardsville.
Kayia Baker studied music at Southeast Missouri State University and Florissant Valley Community College, and business at Lindenwood University. She taught music for 7 years in the Riverview Gardens School District (Grades K-12) and has worked as a church pianist for 29 years in the St Louis area. She previously owned and operated her own music school for nine years where she served well over 400 students offering instruction in piano, voice, guitar and drums. She is passionate about music and loves to work with people and inspire them musically.
Kayia has been the Piano School Director at Pianos for People since June 2014 and has overseen the exponential growth of the student body and programming, including the introduction of summer camps and development of the Ferguson campus.
Danny Ravensberg began piano lessons at age eight and has played consistently ever since. Over the years, he has performed with numerous musical groups and studied musical composition at the University of Missouri.
Danny joined Pianos for People in 2018 teaching adult group piano classes. He taught one-on-one lessons from 2019 to 2025 and assumed the role of Piano Donations Coordinator in 2020. Over the last five years, he has expanded his expertise into technical work, where he now inspects, prepares, and tunes all donated instruments. Additionally, he maintains the pianos at the Pianos for People schools.
Danny strongly believes in the positive impact of music for everyone. He is dedicated to ensuring that people have access to a quality instrument that has a good sound and a good consistent feel throughout the 88 keys.
Angela has spent over 17 years working and volunteering in the nonprofit sector. She holds a Bachelor's degree in Business Administration with a focus on Human Resources from Southern Illinois University Edwardsville and a Master's in Gerontology from the University of Missouri–St. Louis. Music has always been a part of Angela’s life. She took piano lessons as a child, played viola in her high school orchestra, and even rocked out in an indie band during and after college. Now, inspired by her work with Pianos for People, she’s rediscovering her love for the piano.
Grace grew up playing cello, piano, and singing with a variety of wonderful St. Louis area music educational programs: the Saint Louis Symphony Youth Orchestra, Saint Louis Children’s Choir, and Opera Theater of Saint Louis’ Artists in Training program, to name a few. A great lover of music from every era and genre, she’s dabbled in all kinds of instruments—from viola da gamba to electric bass. She has a Bachelor’s degree in Politics and Cinema Studies from Oberlin College. In addition to her work at Pianos for People, she works in digital marketing and freelances as a graphic designer.
Eric started piano study at a young age and has directed and accompanied in several church music ministries since the age of nine. As a teenager, he studied at Alleda Ward Wells Music Studio and Community Music School. His studies continued at Florissant Valley Community College, Peabody Institute of Johns Hopkins University (B. Mus), and Indiana University (M. Mus with High Honors) where he continued to teach private and group lessons. After serving in the United States Marine Corps, he returned to St. Louis and acquired his Music Education Certification from UMSL. Subsequently, he taught piano, vocal music, and AP Music Theory in schools throughout the St. Louis area. He has also held adjunct positions at Washington University and UMSL. In 2005, Eric began work on a Doctorate of Music Degree at the Conservatory of Music - University of Missouri: Kansas City. He has adjudicated for the Missouri Federation of Music Clubs and other competitions/contests. Currently, Eric considers himself retired from working in schools, but not retired from sharing his gift of piano playing and making music.
Kristy earned a Bachelor’s degree in Social Work from MacMurray College, an accredited institution, where she developed a strong foundation in helping others. Throughout her career, she has worked with a variety of populations, providing compassionate support to those in need.
In addition to her professional work in social services, Kristy has a deep passion for music. She has played piano for 40 years, starting lessons at the age of 5. Kristy continued her studies privately throughout her youth, ultimately earning a college scholarship for her talent. During her time at MacMurray College, she was selected as the Concert Choir Pianist II and had the honor of accompanying the college organist. Her love for music extends to the new age genre, which remains her favorite style to this day.
Kristy was thrilled to join Pianos for People in September 2024 as a teaching artist, where she has enjoyed working with students in the Music Theory Lab and Group Classes.
After being inspired by her grandmother, a lifelong church pianist and organist, Hannah began piano lessons at age 7. She went on to earn a double major in Piano Performance and English Literature from Missouri State University. During her high school and college career, Hannah competed in local and national competitions, accompanied a variety of vocalists and instrumentalists, and taught students ages 7-18. She now plays regularly with the St. Louis Civic Orchestra. In her free time, you can find her at a St. Louis Symphony concert, on a long walk, or reading.
Mike teaches both piano and music production at the Ferguson studio. He is a Music Graduate from the prestigious University of North Texas, with a specialty in Jazz. He is a well-known performer in the St Louis area, and his expertise in improvisation and jazz has added an exciting dimension to our piano program. The “Learning to Improvise” workshop is highly popular, particularly with our more advanced students.
Stanley is a St. Louis native with a bachelors of Music Education and a Masters from Webster University. For 40 years he taught within the Wellston, Jennings, St. Louis and U. City public schools. He has received numerous honors for his teaching excellence and community endeavors, including a 2009 Distinguished Music Educator Award from Yale University and a Child Advocate Award from Annie Malone Children & Family Services. Stanley has also directed several award-winning jazz bands and collaborated with numerous musical virtuosos as a saxophonist.
Luane began playing the piano by ear at age 5. After several years of traditional lessons, she began competing in regional and state competitions. She was also the main accompanist from her high school for vocalists and instrumentalists who competed in state competitions. Music remained an important part of her life even after she stopped taking lessons and competing. It was a respite in times of struggle, and a source of joy in everyday life. For the past 20+ years, she has served on the worship team at her church. Playing with a band composed of guitarists, drums, and vocalists has led her to develop new skills. When you are a musician, there are always things to learn, so she continues to be a lifelong learner in the wonderful and vast world of music!
Blair helped launch the music theory program at Pianos for People, implementing creative ways to teach young pianists the fundamentals of music. She began playing piano herself at eight years old. Blair attended the High School for the Performing and Visual Arts in Houston, Texas, where she studied vocal performance and classical piano. She has a bachelor’s in mass communications from Sam Houston State University. In addition to her role at Pianos for People, Blair is a Morning News Anchor for St.Louis’s number one morning show on FOX 2 News Monday-Friday from 4 -7 a.m. It was a full circle moment to join the organization after covering their 400th piano delivery on-air. Blair is passionate about using the magic of music to instill confidence, strong work ethic, and resilience in musicians.
Linda started piano at age 7 studying with the patient Hildegard Lameroux. At age 9, she moved to St. Louis and began taking lessons at the Community Music School under Larisa Goredecka, who also taught young Ingrid Jacoby. Linda continued her studies with Jane Allen, and won the MMTA state competition her freshman year studying under Miss Allen at UMSL.
Many years and a career in Taxation later, Linda started as a volunteer with PFP in 2017. She has grown from group classes to becoming a teaching artist giving private lessons to talented students at the Ferguson studio.
Linda believes in the power of piano lessons to improve a student's intelligence, confidence, and joy.
Bio coming soon!
Bio coming soon!
Stephanie earned her B.A. in music from Truman State University and has been teaching piano for 13 years. In addition to teaching, she has accompanied soloists at district and state music festivals, and played piano for musical theater productions. Her other musical pursuits include playing violin in community orchestras and singing in the church choir. Inspired by a piano student with autism, Stephanie decided to study to become an occupational therapy assistant, earning her credential in 2019. She is passionate about the arts being accessible to people of all ages and abilities and loves bringing her knowledge and experience to Pianos for People.
A native St. Louisan and University of Kansas graduate, (Bachelor of Music Education), Andrea briefly taught elementary and middle school music with the St. Louis Public and Confluence school districts. She resided and worked as a full time musician, recording artist, (9 CD’s) and piano/vocal instructor, (YTI Youth Theatre Interactives) in New York City for many years. She is also a singer/songwriter, flutist, self-published children’s book author and visual artist (The HumAnnity Collection). Andrea is the proud mother of two.
Marvin is a musician, composer, educator, and minister with a lifelong commitment to music, faith, and service. He is currently pursuing a Doctor of Ministry through the Interdenominational Theological Center in Atlanta (online). Marvin holds a Master of Music in Theory, Music Composition, and Organ from Georgia State University, and a Bachelor of Arts in Theory, Music Composition, Conducting, and Organ from Morehouse College. His professional experience includes serving as Associate Minister and Minister of Music at a Christian Methodist Episcopal Church in St. Louis since 2010, along with prior roles as a music instructor teaching theory, composition, and piano at Mars Music Center in both Atlanta and St. Louis.
He has also worked as a librarian associate in music score preparation with the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra and performed as a pianist at the Hilton Airport Hotel and Lambert International Airport’s “The Music Spot.” Marvin is an active member of the American Society of Composers, Authors, and Publishers (ASCAP), the American Guild of Organists (AGO), and the Society of Composers, Inc. (SCI).
Cheryl received her Bachelor of Music Education degree with an emphasis on piano from Jackson State University, Jackson, MS. She received the M. of Ed. degree in Curriculum and Instruction from National Louis University, Chicago, IL. She is a Retired Vocal Music Teacher and Piano Lab Instructor from the Ferguson-Florissant School District in St. Louis, MO where she taught on the elementary and secondary levels.
Additional accompanying has been with the Legend Singers Choral Ensemble, the In Unison Chorus of the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra, the Gospel Symphonic Choir, under the director, Dello Thedford. She also accompanies the Community Gospel Choir, Suzanne Palmer, director. Included in organizations she accompanies is the Lincoln University Vocal Ensemble and University Choir in Jefferson City, MO. She also fills in as a substitute musician at a host of churches, like The First Presbyterian Church of Alton, IL, Cote Brilliante Presbyterian, and Centennial Christian Church.
She is the former Music Coordinator and Chancel Choir accompanist for the Antioch Baptist Church in St. Louis, MO. She is forty+ year member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. and charter member of the St. Louis Metropolitan Alumnae Chapter in St. Louis, MO. Ms. Walker accompanies solo/ensemble festivals, musicals, various programs and events in the St. Louis and surrounding areas.
Bio coming soon!
Joe is a music enthusiast with a knack for teaching and performing. After studying Biology and Health Science at Truman State University, Joe followed his true passion for music. He's a multi-instrumentalist specializing in piano and guitar, and has a solid background in music production. Joe's journey in the music world has taken him from Nashville and St. Louis, where he is now settled and continuing to share his love for music by teaching piano and guitar.
At Pianos for People, Joe leads the music theory labs, helping students understand the intricacies of musical sound. He's all about empowering his students with essential aural skills and guiding them to create their own compositions.