Machaela Danko, Piano Teacher:

Machaela Danko is a pianist, drummer, percussionist, vocalist and performer from the Portersville area. Machaela began studying piano at the age of 4, drums/percussion at 16, and vocals/general performing as long ago as she can remember. Her passion for music led her to major in music at Westminster College, New Wilmington, PA where she graduated with a degree in piano performance.

During her time at Westminster College, Machaela had the honor of being a member of many ensembles in the school of music as a pianist, percussionist and vocalist, including wind ensemble, percussion ensemble, instrumental jazz ensemble, marching band, symphonic band, and concert choir. Alongside these, she held the presidential title for Westminster’s all-female a cappella group, The Sweet Trebles, sang for Westminster’s jazz combo band, The Jazz Cats and, having developed a passion for composing along her college journey as well, Machaela was able to have two of her own jazz charts premiered by Westminster’s jazz combo band titled, “Like Thin Air,” and “Simple, Though They Say.” She began to teach through Westminster College’s student teacher internship program in 2018, taking on private students in the New Wilmington area. She continued to build her studio for her four years at Westminster and private teaches in the New Wilmington area still to this day.

Alongside her journey towards a bachelor’s degree in music performance, she has been a musician for Calvin Presbyterian Church since 2017, where she is featured not only on piano/keyboard, but on drum set, percussion and vocals. With much instrumental and vocal experience at Calvin Church as well as Westminster College, she has also played piano for high school musicals in her area, played drum set and percussion for multiple local music groups and bands, and works as a vocalist and performer around Western PA through Sound Advice Entertainment.

Machaela is experienced in many different genres in music for piano, voice and drums. She loves each style there is to perform and takes pride in being a well-rounded musician, able to utilize different mindsets and techniques where they’re needed. As a teacher, Machaela’s goal for her students are to meet their individual needs and wants as musicians and artists while giving them the tools to maintain good technique and providing them with an in-depth understanding of music theory. The most important thing to Machaela, however, is that her students never lose their passion for creating and sharing music.