Our Piano Teachers in Huntington Beach
Meet Our Huntington Beach Piano Faculty
Our Teaching Philosophy:
01
Make Lessons Enjoyable
We use modern tools with fun teachers to help music students actually enjoy playing.
02
Pursue Musical Excellence
We emphasize strong foundations through a warm and fun style from the very beginning.
03
Build a Lifelong Love of Music
Students develop confidence in their abilities, and a lasting connection to music.
MEET THE DIRECTOREric Rinehart
Founder • Director • Piano Express® Teacher
Eric Rinehart believes the way we teach beginners decides whether a child sticks with music for life. Make the boring early mechanics joyful, and kids stop dreading practice.
Eric has taught since 2016 and holds the Licentiate Master’s Diploma (LRCM) from the Royal Conservatory of Music and holds the RCM Elementary Specialist title.
At home, he's dad to 4-year-old Scarlett and husband to Cassidy.
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
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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
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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.
Derrick Tureaud
Piano Express® Associate Teacher
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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.
Giovanni Smith
Piano Express® Teaching Assistant-
Giovanni 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.
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.