Learn more about what we do and get to know our HMA Instructors.

Established in 1986 by Margaret McDonald "Ms. Margo," Harmony Music has been a pillar in the Friendswood community for more than 30 years! In May of 2017, Michele Rutherford "Ms. Michele" acquired ownership and Harmony Music Academy was born!
At HMA, we offer private lessons in piano, voice, guitar, violin, and ukulele.
​Our goal is to make music enjoyable!  We want all of our students to learn and grow, to strive for creativity, and to gain confidence in themselves.

instructors:

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Kate bonaobra
voice / beginner  piano instructor

| Associate of Arts in Music (Alvin Community College)
| Candidate for Bachelor of Music in Vocal Performance (Houston Christian University)
| 2+ years of collegiate-level private piano studies
| Performed in various musical theater productions, choir competitions, solo competitions, and elite ensemble shows
| Received perfect scores in solo and ensemble performances 
| Directed student-organized choir at University of Houston 
| Voice and beginner piano instructor at HMA since 2024 

Anthony  Contreras
lead GUITAR  instructor,
​ukulele / beginner piano instructor

| Bachelor of Arts in Music (University of Houston)
| Studied jazz and classical guitar
| Oceans of Slumber - Multiple tours; 3 albums: "Atherial" (2013), "Winter" (2014), "Blue" EP (2015)
| Member of multiple different touring bands over 2 decades 
| Guitar, ukulele & beginner piano instructor at HMA since 2008 
| Royal Conservatory of Music instructor for guitar and Preparatory piano

MEagan  ISaacks*
​lead voice Instructor

| 8 years of private voice studies 
| 6 years of private piano studies
| Bachelor of Arts in Communication, Minors in Theater and Math (Texas A&M, Corpus Christi)
| High School & Junior High Choir Director (CCISD & SFISD)
| Voice & beginner-intermediate piano instructor at HMA since 2015 
| Royal Conservatory of Music instructor for voice and piano

kayla  henderson
​piano  instructor

| Bachelor of Music in Piano Performance  (Moore's School of Music, University of Houston)
| Competed in the Fort Worth Music Teacher Association solo contest 
| 7+ years experience private piano instruction
| Beginner to advanced piano instructor at HMA since 2022
| Royal Conservatory of Music instructor for piano

margo  mcdonald
senior  piano  instructor

| Bachelor of Music in Piano Performance (University of Houston, Moore's School of Music)
| Performed in multiple concerts across Texas from 1986-1991
| Piano instructor since 1986
| Founder and former owner/manager of Harmony Music Studio
| Royal Conservatory of Music instructor for piano

Camryn  Owens
voice / beginner piano  instructor

| 6 years of private voice studies
|2+ collegiate-level private piano studies
| Candidate for Associate of Arts (College of the Mainland) 
| Participated in multiple various choir productions and competitions in high school
| Choreographed / assistant directed youth theater productions
| Voice and beginner piano instructor at HMA since 2024

Ingris  Rivera
​ Violin/viola/beginner   piano  instructor

| Candidate for Associate of Arts in Music (San Jacinto College)
| Candidate for Bachelor of Music (St. Thomas University)
| 10+ years private violin studies
| 5 years private piano studies 
| Performed with Pasasdena Philharmonic Orchestra
| Violin, beginner viola & beginner piano instructor at HMA since 2022

Nicholas  robertson
 voice / beginner  piano   instructor

| 8+ years of private voice studies
| 5+ years of private piano studies
| Candidate for Bachelor of Arts (Houston Christian University) 
| Choral section leader for professional choir at First Methodist Church Commerce
| Former interim choir director at Santa Fe Highschool 
| Voice and beginner piano instructor at HMA since 2024

Michele rutherford*
 owner/piano  instructor

| 14 years of private piano studies
| Associate of Arts in Music (San Jacinto College)
| Independent piano instructor while in high school and college (3 years)
| Keyboard/Vocals for Baypoint Community Church (3 years)
| Piano instructor at HMA since 2011
| Owner/manager of HMA since 2017
| Royal Conservatory of Music instructor for piano

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Sarah SMYTHE*
 lead vioLIN   instructor

| 13+ years of private violin studies
| Bachelor of Music in Violin Performance (University of Houston, Moores School of Music)
| Performed with San Jacinto College String Ensemble, Clear Lake Symphony, Cumberland Orchestra, and Sewanee Symphony
| Former member of Moores Orchestra and Moores Opera
| Violin and beginner piano instructor at HMA since 2015
| Royal Conservatory of Music instructor for violin

stephen  smith
  Guitar / Bass / beginner piano instructor

| Associate of Art in Teaching (San Jacinto College)
| 20+ private bass, guitar, and piano studies
| 5+ years private instruction experience 
| 20+ years composition / arranging expereince
| 20+ years performance experience in greater Houston area
| Candidate for Bachelor of Art in History/Philosophy (University of Houston)
| Guitar, bass, & beginner piano instructor at HMA since 2021

chrstian  stran
piano  / voice instructor

| 10+ years private voice studies
| 8+ years private piano studies
| Performed in multiple performance competitions in the Houston area for over a decade 
​| 8+ years private teaching experience
| Beginner to intermediate piano and voice instructor at HMA since 2017 (inconsecutively) 

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*There is a waitlist for these instructors