Our Team
Abbygayle Baker
Assistant Director/Associate Teacher (Laurel Heights)
Abbygayle Baker, a native of the Bay Area, earned her B.M. in Piano Performance, with highest honors, from the Paul T. Plew School of Music in Southern California. She has performed at Carnegie Hall with The Master’s University Chorale, has led workshops for young musicians both locally and internationally, and is an active member of the Music Teachers’ Association of California.
Abby is passionate about a holistic approach to teaching that balances classical discipline with fun, creative expression. She focuses on the mind-body connection, integrating mindfulness techniques to help students move with ease, clear their thoughts, connect emotionally with music, and express that connection to others.
Christian Douglas
Associate Teacher
Christian is a pianist and composer who has performed internationally, and has been a top prizewinner of numerous competitions. He has also performed with orchestras such as the LACHSA Symphony and Variations Havana Chamber Orchestra. Aside from solo work, Christian is an active chamber musician and composer. His original compositions can be heard in short films and video games.
Christian is currently completing his M.M. in Piano Performance at the San Francisco Conservatory of Music, and received his B.M. in Piano Performance on full-scholarship from NYU. Prior to his collegiate studies, Christian attended The Colburn School in Los Angeles. He is also an accomplished violinist and past member of the NYU Symphony Orchestra and Park Avenue Chamber Symphony.
Felix Cave
Associate Teacher
Felix is multi-instrumentalist and video game sound designer from Southern California. Alongside piano, Felix also enjoys playing trumpet and bass guitar. He had the privilege to perform at Carnegie Hall in 2017, and was awarded the Louis Armstrong Jazz Award in 2018. Felix also composes soundtracks and produces sound design for the SFSU Film and Game Design departments, and has arranged a wide variety of compositions for group ensembles.
Felix received a B.M. in Music Composition from SFSU, specializing in Video Game and Film Scoring. Since 2020, Felix has taught piano and music theory to students of all backgrounds and ages. He believes that music should be a source of fun and connection with others and is passionate about curating lessons and repertoire to his students.
Ichko Batnasan
Associate Teacher/Facilities Coordinator
Ichinkhorloo (Ichko) was born in Mongolia and began taking piano lessons at the age of 7. She has won various top prizes in national and international pianists’ competitions beginning at age 10, including the American Protégé International Music Competition prize to perform at Carnegie Hall in 2013. Ichko completed the first two years of her Bachelor’s degree in Ulaanbaatar, and third year at the Universidad X el Sabio, Madrid. Ichko received her B.M. from the Mongolian National University of Arts, and an M.M. in Piano Performance from SFSU. She has studied with Enkhtur Tsendorj, Mendma Dorzhin, and Roger Woodward. Ichko has over 10 years of experience teaching piano to students of all ages, and believes that every student has a unique style of learning and self-expression.
Isabelle Otillio
Associate Teacher
Since 2020, Isabelle has been dedicated to sharing her love of piano with students of all ages. As a committed music educator, Isabelle is passionate about nurturing the musical talents of her students and fostering a supportive and enriching learning environment. Her goal is to not only impart technical proficiency but also to instill a lifelong appreciation for music in her students. Through her guidance, she aims to empower them to explore their creativity, cultivate their musical skills, and experience the joy of self-expression through music.
Isabelle furthered her musical education at Cal Poly Humboldt, where she pursued a Minor in Music alongside her degree focused in Education. She participated in various ensembles, including the esteemed Calypso band, Jazz band, University Singers, and World Percussion ensemble.
Jason Zucker
Associate Teacher
Jason is a multi-faceted keyboardist, sound designer, educator, and performer. He studied piano extensively across many styles at The New School for Jazz and Contemporary Music and recently participated in a radio tour with British pop artist Izzy Bizu (Sony Music Entertainment), playing piano and singing backup vocals at iHeartRadio and Radio One. He has also performed with many local acts in the New York and Bay Area, such as R&B Vocalist Jo-B Sebastian, singer Bianca Muniz, vocalist and composer Ruby Greenberg, and the Neo-Soul group Conundrum. Jason was frequently found playing at New York venues such as The Bitter End, Rockwood Music Hall, Bowery Electric, Pianos, and many more. He has spent time under the tutelage of Jason Lindner, Dave Glasser, Charles Tolliver, Andrew Cyrille, Reggie Workman, Kirk Nurock, Garry Dial, and Doug Weiss. Jason has 8 plus years of experience teaching students of all ages.
Josephine Yun
Associate Teacher/Student Engagement Coordinator
Josephine (Jo) is an experienced pianist, educator, and writer who received her B.A. from Johns Hopkins University and returned to the Bay Area in 2016. After receiving her formative piano training from JoAnn Stenberg of Burlingame, she studied at the Westminster Conservatory of Rider University and Peabody Conservatory under the tutelage of Phyllis Alpert Lehrer, Corey McVicar, and Ernest Barretta.
Jo enjoys performing as a soloist and four-hands partner, tutoring and teaching, accompanying, and writing about music. She has over 9 years of experience working with students and musicians of all ages, and is passionate about people connecting with themselves and others through music.
Malaya Gabriel
Associate Teacher
Malaya is a pianist from the San Francisco Bay Area, and received her B.M. in Piano Performance at SFSU under the tutelage of Dr. Victoria Neve and was the 2024 recipient of the MTAC-SF Pedagogy Award. Malaya has performed and collaborated with bands, jazz ensembles, and various choirs. She is the accompanist for the Praise and Glorify Choir based in South San Francisco, and also the accompanist for several local churches and schools throughout the Bay Area.
She enjoys working with students of all ages and believes each student has a unique learning style and a special way of expressing themselves through music.
Varun Bathija
Associate Teacher
Varun has always been passionate about music and people—especially in the ways that people connect to music. With a B.M. in Music with emphasis in Piano and a minor in music production from SAE Expression’s College, Varun has a unique outlook and approach to teaching. Varun focuses on establishing a strong foundation of musical basics, and then incorporates students’ love for music and their favorite songs into lessons. Varun has taught piano for over 5 years, and is continuously learning and growing as a teacher and musician. His favorite genres and styles to play are classical, modern, and R&B. He enjoys teaching students of all ages.
Xiaotian Liu
Associate Teacher
Xiao grew up in Xi'an, China, and has lived in the U.S. since 2009. She has a B.A. in Music Education from the University of Kansas, and an M.F.A. in Interdisciplinary Arts from the California Institute of Integral Studies. Having studied piano from a young age, Xiao has taught piano privately while song-writing independently and collaboratively. She has also worked as a music therapist in various medical settings with a focus in hospice and palliative care. Xiao works well with piano students of all ages and abilities, and is passionate about working with her students to cultivate the connection between music and their personal experiences.
Yuki Yokota
Associate Teacher
Yuki began her musical journey at age three. After moving to the United States at age seven, she took private lessons and attended piano courses as a pre-college student at USC. As a young artist, Yuki has appeared in numerous solo and concerto competitions.
Yuki obtained her B.M. in Piano Performance degree at the Bob Cole Conservatory of Music, and M.M. in Piano Performance degree at University of Cincinnati - College Conservatory of Music with the support provided by prestigious scholarships. Yuki continues to pursue a Professional Studies Certificate in Keyboard at the San Francisco Conservatory of Music.
Abbe Skinner
Administrative Assistant
Abbe’s musical journey began in kindergarten with piano lessons, followed by playing trumpet during her middle and high school years. She pursued her passion for music academically, earning a B.A. in music from Smith College and an M.A. in music from Rutgers University. Following her music education, Abbe spent nine years in the classroom teaching elementary special education, and then transitioned into fitness and entrepreneurship. Now, as a proud co-owner of Bay Breakers Boxing Gym in Pacific Heights, she eagerly intertwines her diverse experiences to support the Plumrose community in her role as Administrative Assistant
Alex Lin
Administrative Assistant
Alex enjoys being part of the talented Plumrose team. He has over 10 years experience in customer service and support. He is dedicated to solve problems for students, and provide support for teachers and the studio. Alex is here to help!
In his spare time, Alex is a visual artist working in painting and sculpture. He is inspired by design, music, dance and traditional crafts. He firmly believes that music, art and performance arts empower us to share, play, and innovate.
Brite Zhou
Director/Teacher (PPS Parkside)
Brite Zhou is a classical pianist from the San Francisco Bay Area, and is trained in both Eastern and Western styles of piano teaching and techniques. Brite has a M.A. in Music Education and B.M. in Piano Performance from San Francisco State University, as well as B.S. in Psychology from U.C. Davis.
Brite is passionate about teaching children and adults about the joyful and rewarding experience of playing piano. He believes that music is an art form that embodies expressive language and emotional comprehension.
Brite is an active member of the Music Teachers’ Association of California and is an avid food enthusiast that likes to explore what the Bay Area has to offer.
Susie Fong
Owner/Director
Susie received her B.A. in Music from the University of California at Berkeley and has an M.M. in Harpsichord Performance from the San Francisco Conservatory of Music. She is an accomplished solo and chamber pianist, harpsichordist, and continuo player. Susie has performed with Liaison Baroque Ensemble, Handel Opera Project, Classical Revolution, the Pacific Chamber Symphony, Bay Area Classical Harmonies, and the San Francisco Bach Choir. Susie has recorded with the Vinaccesi Ensemble and can be heard on their Centaur Records CD, Benedetto Vinaccesi: The Solo Cantatas.
Susie began her journey as a music educator in 2000, and is an active member of the San Francisco Branch of the Music Teachers’ Association of California. She resides in San Francisco with her husband, two children, and two cats.