The purple piano: Music, Mindfulness & Movement
Meet the teachers

Haley Shapiro
Piano & Yoga Teacher, Founder Haley is a devoted musician and teacher. She began taking piano lessons at age six, and soon after began composing, singing, recording, and performing. She volunteered as an accompanist at her local temple and assisted living home, and worked with children through babysitting, volunteering at elementary school aftercares, and teaching piano lessons. She then found yoga in college to help cope with stress and illness, and has been practicing regularly since. Studying Music Business at New York University led Haley to work at recording studios, record labels, and music publishers. This gave her indispensable knowledge about what it takes to be a successful musician in the music industry. Haley has always known that her purpose is to help musicians thrive. Fully realizing her passion for teaching, Haley attended Teachers College at Columbia University and graduated with a Master of the Arts in Music Education. She learned to teach music to students in pre-k-12th grade with a foundation in fostering an engaging, student-centered, and inclusive learning environment. Her studies focused on incorporating mindfulness techniques into the music classroom and performance hall. Haley is also a Certified Children’s Yoga Instructor, and uses music, dramatic play, and fun games/activities to make meditation, mindfulness, and yoga accessible to the youngest of children. She also applies these tools to teaching music lessons to foster positive musical experiences.

Daniel McIntyre
Piano Teacher Daniel McIntyre has been dedicated to studying the piano since 2008, when he first started playing. He quickly grasped the art of piano performance and was accepted in the music program at West Chester University in PA. Throughout his time at WCU, Dan performed numerous recitals and concerts; solo and with ensembles. Most notable was his performance at Carnegie Hall with WCU's Wind Ensemble performing David Maslanka's Symphony No. 4. He also taught private piano lessons to students of all ages. In 2018, Dan moved to Boulder to attend University of Colorado pursuing a Master of Music in Piano Performance. During his time at CU Boulder, he also studied piano pedagogy with notable piano teacher Alejandro Cremaschi to hone in his teaching skills. Dan performed frequently in solo recitals, ensemble groups, and master classes, while also teaching piano lessons through the CU Youth Piano Program. Dan has invested himself in pedagogical studies. During his studies he focused on the art of piano teaching and how to apply his knowledge to students of all levels. He has taught a wide range of ages and skill levels with the goal of inspiring creativity and musicality. Using a variety of techniques, he focuses on creating interest in music by sharing his own passion for it. Dan is available to teach lessons in student homes in the Louisville, Lafayette, Superior, Boulder, Niwot, Erie, and Broomfield areas.

Will Jones
Piano Teacher Will is a dedicated piano instructor, church accompanist, and music producer. He found purpose and mental wellness through artistic expression, most notably writing music. He taught himself keyboard, music production, and music theory, and even had an internship at Eagle Wind Sound as a production intern for grammy award winner PJ Olssen. Shortly after, he began taking private piano lessons and couldn’t get enough. He continues to take private piano lessons, and is also learning how to play guitar. Will has committed himself to teaching piano, writing music, and playing keyboard in local bands around Denver. He is also a professional graphic designer and graphic design instructor, having graduated from Colorado State University in Fort Collins with a Bachelor’s degree in Journalism and Media Design. Inspired by his own teachers, Will is currently teaching piano across Northern Colorado and is excited to transfer his passion for music to students of all ages and abilities. Open to new ways of teaching, he loves arts and crafts, and believes that music and visual art are very connected, with supplementary learning exercises being an essential tool. Will aims to make learning the piano fun and give back to the community by making the world a better place through music. He is available to teach in-home lessons for piano throughout the Boulder-Denver metro area.

Anna Dean
Piano Teacher Anna Dean is a passionate teacher with over 15 years of piano experience. She began playing piano at the age of six in Steamboat Springs, Colorado and has nurtured her love for music ever since. After years of study and dedication, she continues to share her passion for piano with others in her community. She has taught piano for four years to primarily beginner-level students ages 6-15. After graduating from Colorado State University with a Bachelor of Science in Psychology, Anna has since worked as a preschool teacher and daycare worker. These experiences have enhanced her ability to connect with students of all ages and foster an encouraging, positive learning environment. Anna’s teaching philosophy centers around making music both enjoyable and accessible, aiming to cultivate a sense of accomplishment and joy in every student. With a deep commitment to bringing the joy of music into the lives of her students, she is excited to guide and inspire the next generation of pianists in their musical journeys. Whether teaching beginners or more advanced players, she believes that music can be a powerful tool for personal growth and expression. Anna is currently accepting new students for in-home lessons!

Sabrina Zirakzadeh
Piano, Guitar, Voice & Ukulele Teacher Sabrina Zirakzadeh is a passionate musician and educator who has performed around the world. A dedicated vocalist and songwriter, she is happy to teach students of all ages in piano, guitar, and voice, and specializes in sight-reading and chord theory- based playing. Sabrina grew up in Louisville and began her musical journey performing with the Boulder Youth Chorale and studying at Interlochen Arts Camp as a child. After earning her bachelor’s degree in Vocal Performance from the University of Colorado Denver and a master’s degree in Popular Music Studies from the University of Glasgow in Scotland, she taught pre-school through high school in Japan from 2012-2022, including 4 years as music teacher and curriculum head for a newly created K-12 English Immersion program. When she returned to Colorado in 2022, she taught music and 5th grade drama at Bixby Elementary School in Boulder until 2025. She has also taught private lessons for voice, guitar, piano, flute, and ukulele around the world since 2007. Sabrina believes that everyone can find something they love in music lessons, whether it’s performing, discovering the science and math behind music, or music appreciation. Her favorite part of teaching is when a student discovers they can do something they never thought they could, like playing a song from start to finish without stopping for the first time or successfully solving a music math or spelling challenge. She also loves to find the fun in lessons, so be ready for plenty silliness with a purpose in her classes!

Eric Rodriguez
Piano, Guitar, & Bass Teacher Eric Welty Rodriguez is a musician, composer, producer, bandleader, and teacher currently residing in the Denver, Colorado area. Eric graduated with a Bachelor’s Degree in Jazz Performance Guitar. As a multi-instrumentalist - he currently teaches piano/keyboard, guitar, bass guitar, songwriting/composition to students of all ages and backgrounds. He believes every student should follow their own unique and creative musical journey, and aims to make lessons fun and engaging. For the last 10 years, he has been dedicated to writing, performing, and teaching music with the community of collaborators he surrounds himself with. From performing original music in various projects, to teaching local students, music has always been a deep and profound experience for him. He is currently accepting students throughout the Boulder/Denver metro-area and looks forward to sharing his passion for music with new students!