Staff

As Ascend Music Studios’ first student intern, Ellie has been teaching piano lessons to beginning students ages 5-15 since mid-2023. She is a high school senior and has taken piano lessons since 2012. Her students love how she incorporates fun games into lessons, provides positive corrections, helps build their confidence, and celebrates their success when they master songs. She also teaches group figure skating lessons for tots to adults, as well as child empowerment and teen/adult rape prevention self-defense classes.

Frank Meely

MBTI: ENFJ-A
Enneagram: 9
Birthday 1/13

Originally from Cleveland, Ohio, where Frank played Percussion and Saxophone throughout his middle and high school years. He then pursued a Worship Arts Leadership degree from Spring Arbor University in Michigan. Within the Worship Arts degree, he focused on voice and piano, with his teachers becoming direct mentors for both. He maintained a presence in the band in both the Percussion and Woodwind sections, and while his conducting focus was choral, he also studied score and composition one-on-one with the Chair of the Music Department.

Frank moved to California in 2009 and held a Sr. Instructor position at Leading Note Studios in Encinitas teaching mainly voice and piano. He also picked up several instruments in his tenure at LNS, such as cello and accordion.

After 10 and a half years at LNS, Frank decided to start Ascend Music Studios where he continues to teach piano and voice while maintaining the administrative and executive functions of the business.

Frank is known to be patient and knowledgeable as a teacher, while still maintaining a desire for excellence from all of his students. He understands that failure is only a stepping stone to success. Having written all of the core values of the studio, you could say that Frank is really passionate about all of them, but really desires to develop artists who are capable of being the leaders and catalyst for creative change in our culture for the better.

Jill has a background in sales and marketing, computer network and customer support call center management, and 10+ years of experience as a small business owner. She brings exceptional organizational skills, and handles all our operational needs from developing and executing marketing strategies to expand sales, to managing database administration, and implementing client and teacher infrastructure. Having taken piano lessons for over 12 years, she has a passion for supporting the arts, and is a strong believer in the power of music. Growing up in Del Mar, raising a family in Carlsbad, and watching her daughter gain confidence through piano lessons and teaching, Jill identifies closely with the needs of our parents and students.

Joshua is an experienced musician originally from New York, who has spent years playing and performing in both recreational and professional capacities, including church worship ministries, private events, and school functions. He grew up singing in the choir from elementary through high school, while also taking professional voice lessons and college-level music theory courses. He began singing in the choir at 11, playing bass at 12, and learning guitar at 15, and has been playing steadily since then. Joshua is eager to listen and learn in all areas and is excited to come alongside anyone on their musical journey. His favorite part of teaching is knowing it will be a tremendous growth experience for everyone!