Meet Our Music Instructors
Passionate educators. Dedicated mentors. Lifelong musicians.
We can't wait to meet you.
Our instructors are the heart of our studio. Each brings a unique background, teaching style, and passion for music—and each is also an active musician in the local community—united by a shared commitment to helping students grow, gain confidence, and enjoy the process of learning.
NINA BOYCE, FOUNDER - VOICE, PIANO, MUSICAL THEATRE
Nina Boyce is a vocalist, choir director, and the founder of Boyce Music Studio in Concord Township, Ohio. She holds a degree in Music Education from Otterbein University and spent seven years teaching middle school choir for Olentangy Local Schools in Columbus, Ohio. During her time there, Nina taught and directed over 500 students across two school buildings, led an award-winning competitive show choir, and created meaningful performance opportunities for her singers—including taking a group of middle school students to perform in New York City and at Carnegie Hall.
After relocating to the Cleveland area to be closer to family, Nina founded Boyce Music Studio in October 2023. What began as a small private piano and voice studio has since grown into a thriving community of over 60 students, offering instruction in voice, piano, guitar, and drums.
In addition to her work at the studio, Nina is the director of Lake Youth Chorus, a community choir serving students across Lake and Geauga counties. She is also an active performer in the area, regularly sharing her love of music both on stage and in the classroom.
Nina is a mom of two amazing girls and enjoys spending time with her family and husband, Cody, who is also a local musician and guitar and drum instructor at the studio.
Nina holds a Bachelors of Music Education Degree K-12 from Otterbein University and a Masters degree in Special Education from Otterbein University.
CODY BOYCE - GUITAR, DRUMS, BASS GUITAR, SONGWRITING & PRODUCTION
Hey, I’m Cody.
I was lucky enough to get a guitar for my 13th birthday, and I’ve been playing ever since. Like many guitarists, I started off learning my favorite songs by Metallica, Blink-182, and Led Zeppelin from guitar tabs and by ear. That early passion led me to study music and audio production at Otterbein University, where I dove deep into jazz, classical, and popular styles.
While guitar was my primary focus, I also learned drums and bass to better understand arranging, performing, and producing music with a full band, and dabbled in composition, medieval music, and jazz theory.
Over the past decade, I’ve taught guitar lessons, gigged with local bands, and written and produced original music. Today, I also work professionally in podcast production, with thousands of published episodes for dozens of shows.
Lessons are built around each student’s goals, whether that's learning songs, jamming with friends, or writing original music. Once students understand the basics, the focus shifts to practical skills: playing along with favorite tracks, understanding song structure, and feeling confident improvising and learning to solo.
Music theory is taught in a clear, creative way, explaining how songs are built, how chords and melodies work together, and how to play by ear. Instead of solely learning chord shapes and tabs, students learn to listen, adapt, and create.
Cody holds a B.A. in Music Business from Otterbein University. He is skilled in teaching advanced guitar, bass guitar, drums, and beginning piano.
MADDIE FERGUSON - VOICE, PIANO, GUITAR, UKELELE, BASS, CLARINET, FLUTE, SAX, OBOE, BASSOON, PERCUSSION
Maddie Ferguson is a multi-instrumentalist from Chagrin Falls, OH. She grew up working with the Chardon theater and has been singing and performing ever since. She studied music education at Baldwin Wallace University and recently graduated summa cum laude. During her time at the Conservatory of music she TA’ed for keyboard classes, conducted the wind ensemble and concert band, took clarinet lessons with Dan McKelway of the Cleveland Orchestra, and managed and performed with the BW Beatles (a Beatles tribute band).
When she’s not at school, Maddie works with community theater company Curtain 440 as a frequent music director for youth, teen, and adult productions. She has music directed a myriad of shows including, “Something Rotten,” “Six Teen Edition,” “Beauty and the Beast,” “Beetlejuice Jr.,” “Seussical the Musical,” and “Chicago Teen Edition.”
Maddie’s passion is helping students find the music that inspires them. With a student guided learning, lessons with Maddie include a laid back approach to fundamentals, learning through games, and inspiring self-confidence. Maddie teaches voice, piano, guitar, ukulele, bass guitar, clarinet, sax, flute, oboe, bassoon, and percussion.
Maddie holds a Bachelors of Music Education Degree K-12 from Baldwin Wallace University.
CHASEE MCCOWN – VOICE, PIANO, BRASS
Chasee McCown is a graduate of Geneva College with a degree in Music and minors in Conducting and Psychology. During her time in college, she performed throughout the United States and Canada with an a cappella ensemble, building a strong foundation in vocal performance, musicianship, and collaborative music-making.
Chasee is passionate about helping students grow in both confidence and creativity through music. She enjoys working one-on-one with students of all ages and experience levels, focusing on healthy technique, musical expression, and creating a supportive learning environment where students feel encouraged to thrive.
LAUREN MCNANY - PIANO AND VOICE
Lauren McNany, LPMT, MT-BC is a board certified and licensed music therapist with over 10 years of experience working with people of all ages and abilities. Her first love is the piano, but she plays multiple instruments and has been singing ever since she could talk.
Lauren has had a wide-ranging musical career that includes private practice music therapy, K-12 music education, private lessons, and church musicianship. She currently works full time at University Hospital's Geauga Medical Center as a music therapist, providing support to patients on an inpatient and outpatient basis through Seidman Cancer Center.
She is extremely passionate about fostering a love of music in her students and making music accessible and enjoyable for everyone.
Lauren holds a Bachelor of Music degree with a concentration in piano from Grove City College, a Bachelor of Arts in Music Therapy from Slippery Rock University, and holds national certification and state licensure in Ohio for music therapy.
MEKAILA PEARL - VOICE, VIOLIN, PIANO
Currently, MeKaila plays violin in 2 orchestras in the Cleveland area and works full time as a music therapist with a large hospital system. She supports people with varying mental health needs who are actively in crisis. MeKaila believes that all people deserve access to music and seeks creative ways to make this dream a reality!
MeKaila Pearl Holly holds a B.M. in Music Therapy from Appalachian State University in North Carolina.
HANYUE ZHANG - VOICE + PIANO
Recent performance highlights include the role of the Witch in Hänsel und Gretel at the Cleveland Institute of Music and Donna Elvira in Don Giovanni at Prague Summer Nights, performed at the historic Estates Theatre in Prague. She has also appeared in orchestral concerts, opera productions, and recital performances, building a diverse repertoire in opera and art song.
Since 2020, Hanyue has taught both private voice lessons and group music classes, working with students from young children to adults.
Her teaching experience includes one-on-one instruction as well as leading music classes in kindergarten settings, allowing her to adapt her teaching
approach to different ages, learning styles, and musical goals. Whether students are singing for fun or pursuing more advanced musical goals, she strives to help them develop healthy vocal technique, discover their unique potential, and gain the confidence to express themselves freely.
MEGHAN SLUSARSKI - BEGINNING PIANO AND CELLO
Meghan has been surrounded by music since she began playing cello at age four. Her extensive classical training includes the Cleveland Institute of Music’s Suzuki program as well as studying privately in high school and college.
Meghan loves introducing beginning piano students to the keys, combining her deep understanding of music fundamentals with a warm, encouraging style to help every student thrive from their very first lesson!
Meghan is a Cello Performance graduate from Miami University.
SUSIE MENGYAO - BEGINNING - ADVANCED PIANO
Susie Mengyao Sun is a pianist and piano instructor pursuing her Doctor of Musical Arts in Piano Performance at the Cleveland Institute of Music, where she studies with Antonio Pompa-Baldi. Before beginning her professional music studies, she earned a bachelor’s degree in Materials Chemistry from Fudan University. She brings both the discipline and precision of her scientific background and a warm, individualized approach to her teaching.
With nearly a decade of teaching experience, Susie helps students develop strong technique, musical confidence, and an independent connection with music. She also enjoys collaborating with singers and instrumentalists and has participated in musical theater and opera productions as a music director, vocal coach, and collaborative pianist.
Susie loves exploring a wide range of music, including classical music, musical theater, opera, and pop music, and looks forward to discovering inspiring music together with each student.
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