MEET YOUR INSTRUCTORS:
Darya Babenko-Sheppard - Classical and Contemporary Piano, Voice, Composition, Songwriting, Music Theory - a Ukrainian born and raised, whose home resonated with the vibrant sounds of Beatles, Queen, and ABBA, Tchaikovsky and Debussy. Growing up, she explored various art forms, from ballet to hip-hop dance to piano and voice lessons, embodying a love for music and movement from an early age.
In 2007, Darya embarked on an exciting journey to the United States through the reality show "American Chance," chasing her musical aspirations in Los Angeles. Despite leaving her studies at R. Glier College of Music in Kyiv, Ukraine, she secured a record deal with Ukrainian records- Universal, igniting her pursuit of a musical career.
Graduating from Musicians Institute with a Vocal Performance Degree in 2011, Darya poured her heart into recording her band's first EP, "Don't See a Reason." Continuing her educational journey at Portland State University, she earned a Bachelor's in Music Composition in 2017.
But Darya's journey didn’t end there—she discovered a newfound passion for teaching music to children, inspired by her own musical experiences. From Los Angeles to Portland and back again, she shared her expertise as a Vocal and Piano instructor at various schools, including California Music Academy, Portland School of Rock, The Music Junction. Eventually she founded Elf Music Academy in July 2020.
For parents seeking to enrich their children's lives through music, Darya is not only a gifted singer-songwriter, composer, and arranger but also a dedicated educator with a heart for nurturing young talents.
Liza Chkhaidze - Classical Piano, Voice, Composition and Songwriting
Elizaveta (Liza) Chkhaidze is a Los Angeles–based pianist, composer, and educator originally from Tbilisi, Georgia. A classically trained musician with a diverse creative background, she offers piano, voice, songwriting, and composition lessons, combining high-level training with a nurturing and structured teaching approach.
Liza holds a bachelor’s degree in Film Scoring from Berklee College of Music and also studied piano performance at the Boston Conservatory at Berklee. She began her musical training at the age of four and went on to study under distinguished pianists, including Natalia Natsvlishvili, Tamara Poddubnaya, and Michael Lewin. In recognition of her achievements, she was named a Forbes Georgia “Under 30” honoree in 2023 in the field of culture and arts.
As a performer, Liza has won international piano competitions and appeared as a soloist with orchestras, as well as in televised performances. Her work as a composer includes writing for film, television, and media projects, including the main title for the Georgian game show “Mtavari Chkviani,” along with soundtracks for various organizations and creative productions.
In addition to her classical background, Liza is an active songwriter and recording artist who has been releasing original music since her early teens. She is also a co-founder of the band Beyond Niagara, where she explores a blend of pop, jazz, and electronic styles.
As an educator, Liza is deeply committed to creating a positive, engaging, and professional learning environment for young students. She tailors each lesson to the child’s individual needs and learning style, while emphasizing strong technical foundations, musical understanding, and creative expression. Her goal is to help students build confidence, discipline, and a genuine, lifelong love of music—while ensuring that lessons remain enjoyable and inspiring.
Darrin Stafford - Contemporary Voice, Piano, Songwriting
Darrin Stafford is a singer, keyboardist, songwriter, and dedicated music educator originally from Southwest Missouri. He holds a Bachelor’s degree in Music Education and a Master’s degree in Jazz Performance, bringing both strong academic training and real-world professional experience to his teaching.
Darrin is deeply passionate about helping students learn and grow as confident and expressive music makers. He believes that music lessons should be both inspiring and supportive, and he works closely with each student to create an encouraging environment tailored to their unique goals, interests, and learning style. Whether teaching beginner students discovering music for the first time or advanced singers and pianists refining their artistry, Darrin is known for his patience, positivity, and ability to connect with students of various ages ranging from teenagers to adults.
As a performer, Darrin was an early member of the professional chamber choir Seraphic Fire in Miami, Florida, and was featured on several of their acclaimed recordings. He continues to perform regularly throughout the Los Angeles area as both a vocalist and keyboardist, bringing active industry experience directly into his lessons.
In addition to private instruction, Darrin serves as an adjunct music professor at LA City College and LA Valley College, where he teaches private voice lessons, music history, music theory, and songwriting. His broad background in classical, jazz, contemporary music, and composition allows him to offer students a well-rounded and engaging musical education that builds strong technique, creativity, and confidence.
