WHO WE ARE

About Rags School of Music

About Michael Ragonese

FOUNDER | LEAD PIANO TEACHER

Michael Ragonese is a highly accomplished Los Angeles-based pianist with over 25 years of experience. Rooted in classical piano, he discovered jazz in high school and later earned a degree in jazz piano from California State University, Northridge.

Throughout his career, Michael has gained recognition by winning jazz festivals, performing and recording with some of the most notable names in jazz, leading popular jam sessions in Los Angeles, and releasing two original albums in 2019 and 2023. He has performed, recorded, and toured with esteemed artists such as Barbra Streisand, Engelbert Humperdinck, Dave Koz, Bennie Maupin, Charnett Moffett, Alphonso Johnson, John Daversa, Louis Cole, Darek Oles, Mark Turner, Walter Smith III, David Binney, Bob Reynolds, Bob Sheppard, Rick Braun, Aubrey Logan, and Grace Kelly.

Beyond his performance career, Michael is the founder of Rags School of Music, a program dedicated to teaching students the art of jazz improvisation. His school offers annual concerts, summer group workshops for aspiring musicians, and a team of four highly trained educators, all with degrees in music.

Meet the Teachers

At Rags School of Music, our teachers are active musicians with a passion for both performance and teaching. They are skilled in various genres, including pop, classical, and jazz. During your consultation with Michael, be sure to share your musical interests, so we can match you with the best teacher to meet your goals.

MEGAN SHULZE | VOICE

Megan Schulze has her MM in Vocal Arts from USC Thornton School of Music. She grew up singing in choirs and developed a love for opera and classical music. Now, she sings professionally as a soloist and in choirs throughout the greater Los Angeles area. Megan also has a passion for teaching and outreach. She teaches many genres of music to students of all ages. Megan teaches voice and piano at Monrovia Music Academy and is a Youth Program instructor for Pacific Opera Project. Her goal as a teacher is to provide a safe and fun environment for students to develop their musical abilities.

ELDER GINDROZ | PIANO

Elder Gindroz is jazz piano major currently studying at Cal State Northridge. He started playing piano at age seven and continued his passion throughout his school years. After starting with a classical background, he was introduced to jazz in middle and high school, and decided to pursue it seriously. He attended Hamilton High School’s Academy of Music and Performing Arts, and is now part of the CSUN Jazz A band and combos.

GREG SIM | PIANO

Gregory Sim is a multi-genre pianist residing in Los Angeles, with experience across classical, jazz, pop, rock, and funk. His performance history includes venues such as the Soraya, Gibson Amphitheater, Rose Parade, The Mint, Vitello’s, and The Baked Potato. He also performs frequently in small group settings, and was featured in a jazz combo in Downbeat magazine. At a young age, Gregory was initially focused on classical piano before picking up trumpet, where he was introduced to jazz. He continued to study both instruments before deciding to focus on jazz piano in college. Gregory has been teaching since 2015, with an emphasis on jazz piano, music theory, and ear training. From 2018 to 2021, he attended California State University Northridge under the Herb Alpert Foundation Scholarship, where he graduated with a BM in Jazz Studies/Piano Performance.

TATY RICHAUD | PIANO/FILM SCORING

Tatyana Richaud is a 20 year old film composer and singer/songwriter, currently studying screen scoring at NYU. She has arranged and scored numerous award winning short films, and has collaborated with top tier professional composers on TV series & features. She is currently studying at New York University where she's majoring in Screen Scoring. Taty has studied classical piano since the age of five and has written numerous songs and scores. An LA native, she has studied at Colburn Conservatory, Pasadena Conservatory, Riko Method and Silverlake Conservatory of Music. She was one of 5 musicians selected for KCRW's Young Creators Project, which spotlights the best emerging artists under 21 in Southern California. She is also the recipient of the prestigious Alan Menken Composition award, and a 2022 National YoungArts Foundation winner in Voice - Singer/Songwriter.

RICARDO MARTINEZ | PIANO/VOICE/GUITAR

Ricardo Martinez, BM is a Los Angeles professional singer actively taking on work for professional choirs and churches throughout the region. Ricardo is the recipient of the young artist award granted by Long Beach Camerata Singers to young professional musicians dedicated to making their careers in music. In addition to actively performing he is also a classical guitar, voice, and piano instructor emphasizing the importance of fundamentals to better equip musicians with the skills necessary to grow in their craft.

WHY CHOOSE RAGS SCHOOL

Get Personalized Attention

Private lesson curriculum is tailored to each student, and group classes are kept small so each student gets the support they need.

Find Relatable Teachers

At Rags School of Music, our teachers stay current with today’s music industry. For younger students, many have years of experience teaching at the elementary school level, scaffolding concepts for better understanding.

Gain Performance Experience

Recitals, showcases, and group performances are key opportunities for students to overcome stage fright, develop stage presence, and celebrate their growth as musicians.