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

Established in 1986 by Margaret Sparks "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, and violin; performance vocal ensembles; and workshops during Spring Break and summer time!
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.

Harmony Music Academy closes for lessons on the following holidays:
Spring Break (Sunday - Saturday)
​Easter (Sunday only)
Memorial Day (Monday only)
​Independence Day 
Labor Day (Monday only)
Thanksgiving (Sunday - Saturday)
Christmas / New Year (2 full weeks)

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MEET OUR instructors:

david  bishop
 piano / guitar / ukulele  instructor

| Associate of Arts Degree in Music Theory and Piano Performance (Musician's Institute of Los Angeles)  
| 10+ years private guitar and piano lessons
| Recording credits include work as solo pianist and accompanist for singer/songwriter in Los Angeles 
| Multiple independently released album credits for instruments including: piano, guitar, bass guitar, ukelele, and vocals
| Piano, guitar & ukulele instructor at HMA since 2018

Anthony  Contreras
GUITAR / Ukulele / beginner  PIANo  instructor

| Bachelor of Arts in Music (University of Houston)
| Studied jazz and classical guitar
| Ingurgitate -- European tour (2012)
| Oceans of Slumber -- Multiple tours; 3 albums: "Atherial" (2013), "Winter" (2014), "Blue" EP (2015)
| Guitar, ukulele & beginner piano instructor at HMA since 2008 

 trevor grace
voice /intermediate  piano  instructor

| 9 years private piano lessons
| 5 years private voice lessons
| Studied Musical Theatre (Alvin Community College & National Conservatory of Dramatic Arts)
| Attended master classes with well-known broadway performers 
| Performed at Moody Gardens, East End Theatre Company, and Main Street Theatre
​| Voice & beginner-intermediate piano instructor at HMA since 2018

Jessica  Hillmon
 FLUTE / ukulele / beginner  PIANO  instructor

| 7 years middle school and high school band
| Member of the orchestra at Friendswood United Methodist Church (4 years)
| Member of the choir at Friendswood United Methodist Church (12 years)
| Vocals for Friendswood United Methodist Church (4 years)
| Flute, ukulele & beginner piano instructor at HMA since 2015

MEagan  ISaacks
lead voice Instructor, 
intermediate  piano  instructor

| 8 years of private voice lessons 
| 6 years of private piano lessons
| Bachelor of Arts in Communication, Minors in Theater and Math (Texas A&M, Corpus Christi)
| General music education teacher for grades K-5 (FBISD) & Junior High Choir Director (CCISD & SFISD)
| Piano accompanist for voice students
| Voice & beginner-intermediate piano instructor at HMA since 2015 

naghmeh  karimimanesh
violin  Instructor

| Over 12 years of private violin studies
| Master of Science in Geology
| Violin instructor at HMA since 2018

michelle  killgore
 piano  Instructor

| Over 12 years of private piano studies
| Studied piano performance 2 years (Angelina College & Stephen F. Austin University)
| Choir accompanist at Angelina College for 2 years
| Performed at various country clubs for private parties
|Candidate for Associate of Arts in Piano Performance (San Jacinto College) 
​| Piano instructor at HMA since 2019

margo  mcdonald
lead  piano  instructor

| 15 years of private piano studies
| Bachelor of Music in Piano Performance (University of Houston)
| Performed in multiple concerts across Texas from 1986-1991
| Piano instructor since 1986
| Founder and former owner/manager of Harmony Music Studio

craig perry
 guitar / beginner  piano  instructor

| Masters or Music in Classical Guitar Performance (San Francisco Conservatory of Music)
| Bachelor of Music in Classical Guitar Performance (Virginia Commonwealth University)
| Performed as a soloist with the San Francisco Civic Symphony
| Recipient of The Gibson Award from Grammy in the Schools (The Governors School for the Arts)
|"Himself" full-length album of original compositions for solo classical guitar
| Guitar, ukulele, & beginner piano instructor at HMA since 2019

Michele rutherford
 owner/piano  instructor

| 14 years of private piano lessons
| 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
| Current owner/manager of Harmony Music Academy

Sarah Smythe
 vioLIN   instructor

| Over 12 years of private violin lessons
​| Attended University of St. Thomas Summer String Program
| Candidate for Bachelor of Music in Violin Performance (University of Houston)
| Performed with San Jacinto College String Ensemble, Clear Lake Symphony, Cumberland Orchestra, and Sewanee Symphony
| Member of Moore's Orchestra and Moore's Opera
| Violin instructor at HMA since 2015

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