Studio 1
3237 S White Rd,
San Jose, CA 95148, USA
408-251-8509
Studio 2
1223 S Park Victoria Dr,
Milpitas, CA 95035, USA
408-251-8509

About Us

Our music school offers education that is both quality and fun! We believe that students who have fun learning stay interested and engaged longer. Our goal is to help your child become a lifelong musician.

Our Team

Our instructors are highly-trained and dedicated, with a mission to preserve the art of music for generations to come.

Darrell Leffler

(Director/Owner)
Darrell has owned the music school since 1989. He earned a BA in Music Education at San Francisco State University and an MA in Piano Pedagogy at San Jose State University. He has also won CreaTV’s best director for his television show Maestro Darrell’s Music Workshop. His mission is to make music affordable, fun and educational to as many young musicians as possible.

Paden Schmidt

(Guitar & Piano Instructor)

After growing up playing in rock bands all around the Bay Area, Paden Schmidt studied music at San Jose State where he graduated with a Bachelors in Music Composition. Since then, he has dedicated himself to teaching music with creativity and enthusiasm and performing music every chance he gets. A self-described music nerd, he loves playing and teaching everything from Beethoven to Black Sabbath. And he’s especially fond of music from video games and anime soundtracks.
IMG_1188 (1)

Aaron Bjorge

(Guitar & Piano Instructor)

Aaron started working at Darrell Leffler’s in his senior year of college at the end of 2012. He graduated in 2013 from SJSU with a Bachelor’s of Music in music composition. While in school, he wrote for many different classical chamber groups, but has since focused on more contemporary ensembles. He has performed as a founding member of the Night Owl Quartet, a classical guitar quartet, and as a bass player for the soul/funk band Wax Hunters. During the Pandemic, he ventured out into the electronic music genres as a producer and released several songs with co-writer and fellow teacher Paden Schmidt under the name Regal Spiegel. He has since pivoted back to playing rock music on electric guitar.

Jordan Leffler

(Piano/Saxophone Instructor)

Jordan is a graduate of The Haas School of Business at Berkeley. He recently ended his tenure as CEO of Baseball Buddies Foundation which he held since he was 16 years old. He now works for a Public Relations firm in San Francisco, but is still devoted to music. Jordan is a classical and Jazz pianist, plays the saxophone and the electric bass. Although he is beginning his new career, he remains loyal to his roots at Darrell Leffler’s Academy of Music where he learned his musical craft and continues to teach piano and saxophone.

Kevin Truong

(Guitar Instructor)

Kevin has been playing guitar since 2012. He has played different genres of songs from rock, heavy metal, classical, pop, and even instrumental. To this day, he still loves music and has an even greater passion for teaching it to students of all ages!
Kevin was a former student at Darrell Leffler’s Academy of Music for 6 years. He has grown up in our music school and is now sharing the joy of music with the next generation of musicians.

Matthew Leffler

(Private Piano Instructor)

Matthew grew up in his dad’s music school and began attending music programs, rehearsals, and piano classes at the age of 8. By 15, he became President of the Baseball Buddies Foundation, a nonprofit that donates used baseball equipment to children in need around the world. A talented musician, Matthew plays classical piano and jazz trumpet and joined his first band, *Little Boy Blues*, as a singer and trumpet player at age 10.
Matthew is a graduate of Mathematics and Computer Science at the University of San Diego. He is now completing his Master’s Degree at San Jose State University. He loves hiking and having fun meals with his friends.

Minh Thai

(Vocal & Piano Instructor)

Minh Thai earned his Music Degree from San Jose State University and provides expert instruction in vocals, piano, and guitar at Darrell Leffler’s Academy since 1997. Fluent in both English and Vietnamese, he currently serves as the Vocal Director. Minh’s is also the Choir Director and Performing Arts Department Chair at Oak Grove High School. Under his guidance, many of his private students have gone on to pursue music majors at universities across the United States or have become music instructors at Darrell Leffler’s Academy.

Jose Sanchez

(Trumpet & Guitar Instructor)

Jose B. Sanchez is an active trumpet player and Baritone in the San Francisco South Bay Area with experience in classical, jazz, latin, and musical theater genres. He holds a Bachelor’s of Music Degree with a concentration in Trumpet Performance from San José State University where he studied with Dr. Kathryn Adduci and John Freeman. He teaches full time at Darrell Leffler’s Academy of Music in Milpitas, CA and is also the music director for Mariachi Oroazul de SJSU. He is the current Principal trumpet player for the Chabot Wind Symphony in Hayward, CA and has recently joined the Cumbia/Latin music group, Sonora San Jose.
As an educator, Jose teaches group piano and guitar classes for ages 6 – 18 and also works with adults in a one-on-one private lesson setting. Jose’s students have auditioned and won seats in several youth ensembles such as: San Jose Youth Symphony; California Youth Orchestra; Mission Peak Youth Symphony; and have also been placed first chairs in their school band/orchestra.
— Additional Info —

Sky Nguyen

(Piano Instructor)
Sky began playing piano at the age of six and has been immersed in music ever since. A longtime student of Darrell Leffler’s Academy of Music, Sky started lessons at the Alum Rock location with Darrell Leffler before continuing under several instructors at the studio. Minh Thai later guided Sky through the final years of study at the Evergreen location, leading up to his time at San Jose State University.
Now a piano instructor, Sky focuses on both classical and contemporary styles, creating a fun and encouraging environment that helps students appreciate the joy of music while developing strong technique and musical understanding.
Outside of teaching, Sky enjoys going to concerts, camping, motorsports, biking, and collecting cacti.

Andrew Le

(Piano Instructor)

Andrew grew up studying both piano and guitar at Darrell Leffler’s Academy of Music’s Evergreen location as one of the first students to sign up. With many years dedicated to music, Andrew has achieved mastery over various instruments, including piano, guitar, violin, and saxophone.
Now returning as a piano instructor for children, he continues to nurture his love for music through teaching. Andrew is currently studying Biochemistry at San Jose State University, intending to attend medical school and pursue a healthcare career. Outside of music, Andrew loves to lie down at beaches, weightlifting, and is adventurous with new food spots!

Caylee Correia

(Lead Vocalist)
Caylee began pursuing music during the pandemic, when she studied piano and voice from the ages of 14 to 18 under Vocal Director Minh Thai. She is currently a first-year student at Santa Clara University and a member of SCU’s Chamber Singers, singing as a soprano. She is double-majoring in music and communications, as well as minoring in musical theatre. With these degrees in mind, Caylee intends to pursue a career in the entertainment industry, either as a professional performer or in a business role. Fun fact: Caylee was the lead vocalist in the Darrell Leffler’s Academy of Music 2025 Summer Rock Camp!
Besides her love for performing, Caylee is a passionate composer who writes for various ensembles, including orchestral, SATB choir, piano, and traditional rock band. She also enjoys drawing, writing poetry, gaming, trying new foods, going on road trips, and visiting cat cafes!

Shreya Dhiman

(Music Teacher)
Shreya has been part of Darrell Leffler’s Academy of Music since childhood. She studied with many teachers throughout her years including vocal lessons with Greg Farbizio and piano/theory lessons with Darrell Leffler. She is currently studying music education at San Jose State University School of Music. Shreya loves to sing, play the guitar and perform. Being that she has studied at Darrell Leffler’s Academy of Music, she knows the program will and share the same experiences with her students.

Eric Li

(Piano Instructor)
Eric has been playing piano since 2011 and brings years of performance and teaching experience to the studio. A highlight of his musical journey was performing at Carnegie Hall with his high school band, an experience that reinforced a lifelong commitment to music.
Currently a piano instructor, Eric helps students that are just beginning their music adventure build both their skills and their love for music. He works to create a positive and organized learning space that encourages growth, confidence, and a lasting enjoyment of playing.

Gisselle Torres

Music Discovery Workshop Instructor (specializing in ages 4–5)
Gisselle has been part of Darrell Leffler’s Academy of Music for many years. She joined the Piano Workshop class at the age of eight. After a few years in the Piano Workshop, she was promoted to private lessons and studied with current teachers Matthew Leffler and Connor Corona. Gisselle is currently studying sociology at Mission College. She will then transfer to SJSU with the goal of earning a degree in Social Work.
Gisselle has a big heart and wants to devote her life and career as a child and family social worker. She loves to bake, work on arts and crafts, travel and listen to music. Her specialty is bringing the joy of music to our youngest musicians in our Music Discovery Workshops, ages 4 and 5.
Office 1
1223 S. Park Victoria Milpitas,
California 95035
Office 2
3237 S. White Road San Jose,
California 95148