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, 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.

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)

MEET OUR instructors:

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Anthony  Contreras
lead GUITAR  instructor,
​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 
| Royal Conservatory of Music instructor for guitar and Preparatory piano

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)
| Flute, ukulele & beginner piano instructor at HMA since 2015

MEagan  ISaacks*
​lead voice Instructor, 
intermediate  piano  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)
| General music education teacher for grades K-5 (FBISD) & 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  ko
 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 
| 10+ years piano accompanist for multiple
churches
| 7+ years experience private piano instruction
| Beginner to advanced piano instructor at HMA since 2022

devin  maier
 voice  /  beginner  piano  Instructor

| Candidate for Associate of Arts in Music (College of the Mainland) 
| 5+ years private voice studies
​| 2+ years piano classes
| 3+ years music theory studies 
| Classical choral specialist 
| Voice & beginner piano instructor at HMA since 2022

Ingris  Rivera
​ Violin/viola/beginner   piano  instructor

| Candidate for Associate of Arts in Music (San Jacinto College)
| 10+ years private violin studies
| 5 years private piano studies 
| Performs with Pasasdena Philharmonic Orchestra
| Member of the San Jacinto College String Ensemble
| Plans to transfer to St. Thomas University to complete a Bachelor of Music degree. 
| Violin, beginner viola & beginner piano instructor at HMA since 2022

margo  mcdonald
senior  piano  instructor

| 15 years of private piano studies
| 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

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

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

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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

christian  stran
 piano / voice  instructor

| 8 years private piano studies
| 10 years private voice studies
| Accompanied vocal students for various competitions and performances
| Previous composition experience 
| 10 years Musical Theater performance experience
| Performed at Moore's School of Music at University of Houston 
| Made it through 7 rounds of American Idol auditions as a teenager! 
 | Voice and beginner to intermediate piano instructor at HMA since 2015

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*Not currently accepting new students