Meet the Newest Members of the Cornerstone Music Studios Faculty
The Cornerstone Blog | October 2026
We’re excited to welcome three new members to the Cornerstone Music Studios faculty! Each of our new teachers brings their own musical background, experience, and approach to music education, and we’re thrilled to have them sharing their talents with our students.
Get to know our newest faculty members below, learn more about the instruments they teach, discover what inspires them as music educators, and find out a few fun facts along the way!
Meet Nathan Anderson
Voice & Piano
We’re excited to welcome Nathan Anderson to the Cornerstone Music Studios faculty, where he teaches voice and piano! Nathan brings a background in classical vocal training and music theatre coaching to his teaching, along with a passion for helping students discover both a love of music and a love of learning.
Nathan trained as an opera singer at Tennessee Tech University and Westminster Choir College, and he also has experience working as a vocal coach for musical theatre. His own musical background has shaped his belief that music is a unique combination of technical skill and creative discovery.
As a teacher, Nathan hopes his students develop the skills they need to become confident, independent musicians. For his voice students, that means building strong vocal technique while still allowing them to sing with their own voice and bring their own artistic ideas to the music. For his piano students, Nathan focuses on building a strong musical foundation that can extend beyond the piano and prepare them to explore other instruments and areas of music in the future.
One of the most important questions Nathan brings into his lessons is simply: “Why?” Even with his youngest students, he encourages them to understand the reasons behind the musical choices they are making rather than simply following directions. His goal is to help students develop the knowledge and confidence to make their own choices and expand their artistry.
Nathan is also always exploring music himself. One of his current favorites is Gustav Holst’s orchestral suite The Planets, which he has recently rediscovered. He especially enjoys the way the work captures powerful emotions while drawing connections to classical literature and mythology.
Fun fact: Nathan graduated with not one, but three minors alongside his Music major—Mathematics, Business, and Psychology!
Meet Elana Duggan
Voice & Piano
We’re excited to welcome Elana Duggan to the Cornerstone Music Studios faculty, where she teaches voice and piano! Elana’s connection to Cornerstone goes back years—before becoming a member of our faculty, she was a Cornerstone student herself.
Elana has been performing since childhood and recently graduated from William Paterson University, where she studied music and music business. Her own experiences as a performer and musician have shaped her approach to teaching and her passion for helping students discover their own artistic voices.
For Elana, teaching music is about much more than developing technical skills. She loves helping students connect with their most authentic selves and develop their artistry. She hopes her students leave their lessons with greater confidence and empowerment through their musicianship and creative voice.
Her teaching style is especially student-centered. Rather than following a one-size-fits-all approach, Elana allows her students to help guide their lessons. She wants to know what they are interested in learning, what they want to explore, and what skills they hope to develop, then works alongside them to support those goals.
When it comes to her own musical inspirations, Tori Amos is at the top of Elana’s list. She admires Amos as a pianist, songwriter, and artist, and considers her a major inspiration. Her favorite Tori Amos album is Under the Pink.
Fun Fact: And perhaps the most fun part of getting to know Elana? She was once in our students’ shoes! After attending Cornerstone as a high school student and participating in our rock band program, she has now returned to the studio as a member of our faculty. We love welcoming former students back to Cornerstone and watching their musical journeys continue in new ways!
Meet Raphael Klayman
Violin & Viola
We’re excited to welcome Raphael Klayman to the Cornerstone Music Studios faculty, where he teaches violin and viola. An accomplished performer and dedicated music educator, Raphael brings decades of professional experience to his teaching and has performed on stages throughout the United States, Europe, and Japan.
Raphael’s performing career has included solo, chamber music, orchestral, and Broadway work. He has performed at renowned venues including Carnegie Hall, Alice Tully Hall, Merkin Hall, and the Kennedy Center, as well as internationally in Switzerland and Japan. His career has also included performances with the American Symphony Orchestra and the New York Pops, along with work as Concertmaster for a variety of ensembles and productions.
His experience extends beyond the classical concert stage. Raphael has worked with artists including Tony Bennett, Ray Charles, Regis Philbin, and Clay Aiken, and was invited to serve as Concertmaster for a Broadway tour of Miss Saigon. He has also appeared in an award-winning music video with Rascal Flatts.
A graduate of the Mannes College of Music, Raphael studied with distinguished violin teachers including Glenn Dicterow, Aaron Rosand, and Charles Libove, following his early studies with former students of legendary violin pedagogue Leopold Auer. He also completed advanced training in Nice, France.
Alongside his performing career, Raphael is a dedicated teacher whose students have gone on to become professional violinists and educators themselves. He currently teaches at multiple music schools and maintains a private studio, bringing his extensive performance experience and deep knowledge of the violin to the next generation of musicians.
Outside of music, Raphael enjoys walking, meditating, and collecting books, art, and musical instruments. He has also written professionally, with several of his book reviews published in The Strad, a leading international violin publication.
Fun fact: Raphael’s performances have taken him to some unexpected places—including a gondola in Manhattan’s Central Park, where he once played violin for a wedding proposal!