Piano Education With Purpose
Eric’s Piano School is more than a place to take lessons. It’s a complete musical pathway—designed to help children grow from their very first musical experiences into confident, capable musicians.
What truly sets our studio apart is that piano becomes more than a weekly lesson—it becomes something students feel personally invested in.
Students form friendships in the studio. They share classes, piano playdates, and milestones together. Over time, they’re welcomed into a culture of music-making—one shaped by recitals twice a year, exams, festivals, and meaningful goals that give their practice real purpose.
Eventually, piano stops feeling like something they do once a week and starts feeling like part of who they are.
Sometimes that love of music shows up in unexpected places!
Our goal has always been simple—and everything we do supports it:
Help kids fall in love with music, and actually get good at it.
How We Teach Makes the Difference
Our philosophy rests on three core principles:
Make Lessons Enjoyable
Kids learn best when they’re engaged. We use modern tools, clear goals, and music students actually enjoy playing.
01.
Pursue Musical Excellence
Fun without progress isn’t enough. We emphasize strong reading skills, technique, expression, and musical understanding from the very beginning.
02.
Build a Lifelong Love of Music
Through confidence and mastery, students develop pride in their abilities, and a lasting connection to music.
03.
MEET THE DIRECTOREric Rinehart
Founder • Director • Piano Express® Teacher
Eric Rinehart didn’t build a piano school by accident.
He built it by living inside music and teaching for most of his life.
Born into a 5th-generation piano family, Eric grew up with music woven into daily life. Piano practice happened between Mario Kart races. His musical journey expanded into trumpet, saxophone, guitar, jazz ensemble, marching band, and eventually world-class performance, earning two Drum Corps International World Championships as a euphonium player with the Concord Blue Devils.
In college, Eric initially pursued a Biochemistry degree, driven by a love of learning and structure. But his true calling was impossible to ignore.
So in 2017, Eric founded Eric’s Piano School in Orange County with a clear vision:
Piano education should be joyful, structured, and capable of producing real results.
Since then, Eric has:
Taught 16,000+ lessons
Maintained a full studio of 50–60 weekly students
Grown Eric’s Piano School to hundreds of students supported by a multi-teacher faculty
Earned Royal Conservatory of Music (RCM) certification, specializing in elementary-level instruction
Eric is deeply inspired by structured systems like Piano Express® and the RCM curriculum, because clarity creates confidence. He believes that pursuing mastery in music doesn’t just create better pianists, it helps shape better humans.
Outside the studio, Eric enjoys life with his wife Cassidy and their daughter Scarlett, and continues to study, refine, and elevate the standards of his school.
OUR FACULTYExcellence • Fun • Consistency
Behind every great student is a great teacher, and behind every great piano school is a unified teaching team.
Cassidy Rinehart
Music Together Early Childhood Teacher-
Cassidy Rinehart is a licensed Music Together® teacher and an integral part of Eric’s Piano School’s early childhood program. She brings a warm, parent-centered approach to music education, shaped both by her professional training and her role as a mom.
Cassidy has a long history of working with children—as a camp counselor, nanny, and now early childhood music educator. Her classes focus on joyful music-making through singing, movement, and play, helping young children build confidence and foundational musical skills during critical developmental years.
Cassidy is passionate about showing parents that you don’t need to be a musical expert to support your child’s growth. She creates a welcoming environment where families learn together and music becomes a natural part of everyday life.
Sam Sohmer
Pianist • Vocalist • Composer • Teacher-
Sam Sohmer is a classically trained pianist, vocalist, and composer with a diverse background in performance, music education, and film scoring. Raised in Illinois and now based in Orange County, Sam brings both technical excellence and creative versatility to his teaching.
He has extensive experience in classical piano and voice, musical theater, and choral performance, earning ILMEA All-State honors and performing in numerous stage productions. Sam studied music and education at Belmont University, Vanguard University, and Liberty University, completing a degree focused on music, business, and education.
Sam’s teaching style emphasizes musical expression, confidence, and adaptability, helping students connect deeply with the music they play.
Ai Vo
Pianist • Performer • Content Creator-
Ai Vo began studying piano at the age of five and continues her advanced studies under the private instruction of Dr. Samuel Grodin. She is also a trained violinist and an active performer, frequently collaborating with ensembles and church music programs throughout Southern California.
Ai serves as pianist, organist, and choir director across multiple organizations, with performances broadcast on international Vietnamese media networks. Beyond performance, she is also a prominent music content creator, reaching over 250,000 followers across social platforms.
Ai is passionate about inspiring students to experience the joy of music and to see piano as both an artistic skill and a powerful form of expression.
Eliza Hagy
Pianist • Composer • Violinist • Violist-
Eliza Hagy is a multi-instrumentalist and composer who has studied piano since the age of five. She has trained under esteemed instructors including Tatiana Scott, Dr. Lorna Peters, and Dr. Samuel Grodin, and has performed at Carnegie Hall.
By age fifteen, Eliza completed all ten levels of the Music Teachers’ Association of California Certificate of Merit on piano, violin, and viola. Her background spans solo performance, orchestral playing, chamber music, and composition.
Eliza has won state-level composition awards and is currently exploring electronic music and film scoring. She brings creativity, curiosity, and deep musical knowledge to her teaching.
Emerson Smith
Pianist • Teacher-
Emerson Smith is a dedicated piano instructor currently studying piano performance at the Bob Cole Conservatory of Music at California State University, Long Beach, under Craig Richey. She has earned numerous awards, including 2nd place at the George and Beverly August Competition.
Emerson’s training includes study at the Pasadena Conservatory of Music and California School of the Arts–San Gabriel Valley, where she received both the Chopin Award and a Department Director’s Award. She has performed in masterclasses with internationally recognized artists.
In addition to music, Emerson holds a black belt in Taekwondo and brings focus, discipline, and enthusiasm to every lesson.
Derrick Tureaud
Piano Express® Teaching Assistant-
Derrick Tureaud is an assistant piano teacher who supports students across multiple age groups at Eric’s Piano School. He graduated from Orange Coast College, where he developed strong performance and music theory skills.
Derrick is also a composer with a passion for video game music, blending classical training with modern, immersive sound design. His creativity extends beyond music into visual art, digital design, and storytelling.
As a teaching assistant, Derrick helps students stay engaged, confident, and motivated—especially during practice and skill development.
Michael “Gio” Smith
Piano Express® Teaching Assistant-
Michael “Gio” Smith is an assistant piano teacher who earned his Associate of Arts in Music from Orange Coast College. He is deeply passionate about composition and creative music-making.
Michael supports students during lessons and practice, helping reinforce concepts and maintain momentum between sessions. His calm demeanor and encouragement help students feel supported as they develop new skills.
Kathryn Ford
Piano Express® Teaching Assistant-
Kathryn Ford began studying piano at the age of five and recently earned First Class Honors on her Level 8 Royal Conservatory of Music examination. She brings both strong musicianship and a nurturing teaching presence to the studio.
Kathryn enjoys working with younger students and often teaches her own siblings at home. In addition to music, she is actively involved in speech and debate, as well as her family’s ministry at Fountain of Life Church.
Her patience, communication skills, and positivity make her a valued mentor for developing pianists.
Give Your Child the Right Start in Music
Choosing the right piano school matters. That’s why we invite families to experience our approach firsthand.
Your free trial lesson allows your child to explore the piano, engage with our teaching system, and feel what makes Eric’s Piano School different, before making any commitment.