Our Team
Erica Ogden
Erica Ogden is a 2007 graduate of Pensacola Christian College holding a Bachelor of Arts degree in Music with a Concentration in Piano Pedagogy. With over seventeen years of experience teaching music at the world premier Pensacola Christian Academy and her own private studio, she has taught piano, choir, and music theory. Upon moving to Avon, she built her own private piano studio. She is active in her community and is also a CDL licensed bus driver for Brownsburg Community School Corporation and the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Museum.
Erica is a member of the Music Teachers National Association (MTNA), and President of the Indiana Music Teachers Association (IMTA).
Cindy Porzio
Cindy Porzio graduated with a Bachelors of Music in Vocal Performance from the D’Angelo School of Music at Mercyhurst College in Erie, Pennsylvania. She has over thirteen years experience teaching private voice lessons, as well as substantial performance experience.
Working with vocalists to expand their musical knowledge and help them develop their own unique voice is Cindy’s main goal during lessons.
When she is not singing or listening to music, she enjoys gardening, reading, and meeting new people. She is a member of The National Association of Teachers of Singing as well as a singer in the Threshold Choir of Hendricks County.
Lisa DeHart
Lisa DeHart is an accomplished musician and performer who has been engaged with music from an early age. Her musical journey began in third grade with piano lessons and culminated in more than thirty years studying and using music in a variety of environments, including piano accompaniment and vocal performance, church worship, nursing home service, ensemble and solo performances. Lisa’s most recent musical exploration and study includes learning to play the guitar, ukulele and Reverie harp.
Lisa’s teaching experience includes providing individual and group piano lessons to children and adults, as well as teaching young children music in lively Music Funtime classes. She is an Indiana University graduate with a bachelor's degree in Psychology and a bachelor of science degree in Music Therapy. As a board-certified Music Therapist, Lisa provides home-based therapeutic services that assist children and adults in attaining non-musical goals through the use of music-based interventions.
Lisa is passionate about helping others pursue their musical goals and aspirations—and works hard to facilitate learning opportunities that inspire joy, creativity, skillfulness, and passion.
Jill Shepard
Jill is our office coordinator here at Westside Music Academy. As a graduate of Indiana State University, Jill holds a degree in Mathematics and has a background in middle school education. She gained valuable experience working with children in a classroom setting. She brings her organizational skills and her passion for education to her role at WMA.
Jill also has a love for music. She played the oboe in concert band and pep band all through school. Jill is dedicated to helping our staff and students thrive in a positive atmosphere. She believes that a supportive atmosphere is key to helping everyone thrive!
Cordale Hankins
Cordale Hankins is a recent graduate from the University of Indianapolis with a Bachelor of Music in Music Education. While studying at UIndy, Cordale served as the president of the university’s chapter of the Collegiate National Association for Music Education (NAfME) in 2022. In 2023, he was awarded the Lamberson Memorial Award for Achievement in Keyboard Studies. Cordale has numerous years of performance experience throughout Indiana, and strives to provide quality music education to aspiring musicians.
Jacob Henson
Jacob Henson began their musical path in Indiana, developing a passion for the blues under the mentorship of Duke Tumatoe from ages 8 to 18. By twelve, Jacob was performing with local blues bands. As a teen, they formed their own group, wrote and recorded an EP at Static Shack Studios, and toured the region with the Jake Henson Band, playing both original works and classic jazz, blues, and rock.
While at Ben Davis High School, Jacob played guitar in the jazz band, percussion in the concert band, and contributed to musicals and show choir ensembles, gaining experience in ensemble and stage performance.
After high school, Jacob joined Backroad 39 as lead guitarist, touring the Midwest and opening for national acts. Their teaching career began at R&R Music in 2018, and they’ve since continued private instruction, helping students of all ages discover their musical voice. Jacob combines technical skill, creativity, and a genuine passion for music to guide each student in realizing their potential.
Bella Meier
Bella Meier is a student of Butler University. She will graduate in the Spring of 2026 with a Bachelors Degree in Instrumental Music Education as well as Piano Performance. She has studies under Dr. Kate Boyd for the past 5 years. Bella has been an active educator and performer in her community. She has taught private lessons, assisted in teaching ensembles, and has worked the Butler’s jazz and Piano Camps.
Her goal is to spread a love of music while encouraging students to explore their creativity. Outside of piano she enjoys reading, hiking, and trying new foods!
Emily Schroeder
Emily Schroeder is a freelance horn player and teacher based in Indianapolis. She earned a Bachelor of Music Education from Ball State University and Master of Music in Horn Performance from the University of Northern Colorado, where she served as the Graduate Teaching Assistant. Emily is the Principal Horn of the Youngstown Symphony Orchestra and regularly plays with several other orchestras in the Midwest.
Emily has over nine years of private teaching experience and has also taught in large classroom settings. Emily’s private students have earned honors including gold ratings at both regional and state solo/ensemble contests and acceptance into accredited college music programs.
Myo Aung
Myo Aung graduated with a D.M.A., composition from the Ohio State University in 2022, and he also held M.A., composition from Kent State University in 2019. In his undergraduate, he studied piano performance at Silliman University, Philippines, and performed in several recitals and local concerts. He also wrote for a variety of classical compositions, including choir and chamber works. He has been employed as a director of music in churches around Indianapolis, and has experience being a music instructor as well, recruiting and training musicians. He also has had experience as a music lecturer at the Kachin Theological College and Seminary in Myanmar, known as Burma. Myo Aung has shown to be exceptional at conducting, audio editing, and aptitude in a variety of instruments including the piano and violin. He is passionate about teaching, whether in a group setting or as an individual tutor. He is versatile and can adapt to multiple different age groups, children and adults, being able to provide education catered for his student’s best interests.
Ally Wren
Ally is a musician and teacher in the Indianapolis area and has been playing the flute for 14 years. She holds a Bachelor of Music in Performance and a secondary degree in French from Butler University.
Her playing has received multiple honors, including scholarships, festival recognitions, and multiple masterclasses. Ally has a passion for live theatre, both as an audience member and pit orchestra musician. She is a member of the Sigma Alpha Iota Music Fraternity and has earned the Global Seal of Biliteracy in the French language.
When teaching, Ally focuses on making music come to life. From beginner to advanced musicians, she tailors lesson plans to each individual, allowing them to feel free to create and grow. Her students have competed in ISSMA Solo & Ensemble competition and have received gold medals at both the district and state levels.
When Ally is not pursuing musical endeavors, she loves to read, go on hikes, and play with her dog, Daisy.