Our Learning Partners & Staff
Joseph Aguilar
Director of Operations
Joseph Aguilar serves as Director of Operations for The Well Music & Arts Foundation. He is a musician with a background in music education, student support, and community-based arts. Joseph is excited to be part of the team and help support the foundation’s work in music, education, and the arts. Outside of work, he plays bass and enjoys being involved in the local music community.
Sarah Sillifant
Team Lead - Piano - Voice - Bass Guitar - Ukulele - Elementary Music
Sarah Sillifant is a music teacher, studio musician, and recording artist from Tehachapi, CA! She teaches piano, voice, bass guitar, ukulele, and elementary music lessons with The Well Music and Arts Foundation. She loves the next generation and seeing children of all ages equipped to lead, play/write excellent music, and know and understand who they are as musicians, and loves equipping the teaching team to do the same as Team Lead.
Sarah holds a BA in Music in Piano Performance from California State University, Bakersfield, she has taught in four countries, and her work in the music classroom has even been featured on Voice of America! When Sarah is not teaching, she can be found playing with her dogs, travelling with her husband, or writing and recording music under the pseudonym Sarah Joyy.
Miss Lilly
Piano - Guitar - Drums - Voice - Elementary Music - Spud Choir - Group Classes
Meet Miss Lilly, a music teacher who’s passionate about music and has over a decade of experience under her belt. She’s an expert in drums, guitar, and piano, and she’s known for her unique ability to inspire creativity. She encourages her students to explore their musical instincts and express themselves through different styles. With a background in both performance and education, Lilly creates a supportive and dynamic learning environment where every student feels empowered to discover their own musical voice. Her approach combines technique with improvisation, making lessons not just educational, but also a joyful journey of artistic exploration.
Matthew Brandon
Drums - Guitar - Bass - Piano - 8-bit - Improv
Matthew Brandon is a music instructor specializing in drums, guitar, bass, and piano. He brings a creative, encouraging approach to each lesson, helping students build confidence, rhythm, and musical expression. Matthew also teaches the 8-Bit Video Game Music course and leads the Improv group, where students explore creativity, collaboration, and performance in a fun, supportive environment.
Stephanie Trautman
Piano
“I am a passionate & dedicated piano teacher who believes music should be a joyful, confidence-building experience. I create a warm and supportive learning environment where students of all ages feel encouraged to explore, grow, and express themselves at the piano. I meet each student where they are, blending solid musical foundations with patience and positive reinforcement. Whether a student is just beginning or continuing their musical journey, my goal is to help them develop strong music reading skills.”