◈ Homepage — https://www.palakamusic.com/?utm_source=google&utm_medium=wix_google_business_profile&utm_campaign=11431885257289999785Skip to Main Content PALAKA Center Home About Us Our Services Book Online Contact Us Our Approach Blog Log In PALAKA Center for Music, Arts, Culture, & Healing Inspiring Creativity. Creating Community. Cultivating Connection. Class Schedules Be the first to know Subscribe to our newsletter to receive news and updates. Enter your email here Sign Up In 2024, we moved to our own space in Rockridge! And then in 2025, we moved to a bigger space! As of Feb 1, 2025, we are now at 5549 Claremont Ave! More details to come! Kickstart Our Move! Goodbye Laurel! We expanded to 4148 MacArthur Blvd, Oakland Laurel in May 2023 and will miss it dearly, but we're in a new space now! Our Studio Instruments 12 Deskbell Sets 10 Xylophones 14 Full-Sized Keyboards 4 Floor Pianos Featured Group Classes Detailed information can be found on our services page  Preschool Prodigies (10-month program) Perfect for curious toddlers and pre-schoolers wanting to play pitched instruments! ​ More information here! Enroll Now Preschool Piano Does your little one already know their Left from their Right Hand and count to 5? They can start learning the piano!  ​ More information here! Enroll Now Youth & Teen Piano Has your child or teen been wanting to learn how to play the piano? Join our group beginner classes! ​ More information here! Enroll Now Figuring out where your child would fit? Check out this infographic below. ​ Or schedule a time to meet with Miss Heidi to discuss what you're looking for! Chat with Miss Heidi Glimpses of Our Original Garage Studio Dance Ring Draw Play Additional Offerings: Piano Lessons & Camps Detailed information can be found on our services page  Private Piano Lessons for Youth and Teens Adult Piano Lessons Piano Camps About PALAKA Music & Arts Studio PALAKA Music and Arts Studio offers group music classes for toddlers and preschoolers, group piano classes for preschoolers, and piano classes and lessons for youth, teens, and adults in Oakland and the East Bay Areas ​ We envision healing, restoring, and transforming the world through music & arts, one child at a time  via public health prevention models with youth and families in the East Bay Area and beyond ​ We strive to engage in, develop, and deliver programs with a decolonial, anti-racist lens, to revolutionize music and arts education for our communities, this generation and beyond.   PALAKA Founder, Owner, and Educator Heidi Kelly-Tuason birthed the idea of the studio during the COVID-19 pandemic, integrating 15+ years of community health experiences with 20+ years of musical theater and church musician experiences, combining her education and training: BA Ethnic Studies + BS Biology (UCSD), MPH Maternal & Child Health (UC Berkeley), DrPH-PhD Community Health (UCLA), Postpartum Mental Health Peer Support Specialist Certificate (PSI), Pastoral Music & Liturgy Certificates (LMU), Early Childhood Education & Music (Santa Monica), Piano Teaching (Las Positas), and MA Music Education (San Jose State). Read More Contact Us General Information: [email protected] Group Classes: [email protected] Join our listserve! Full Name Child's Name and Age Email Phone Got questions? Let us know! Submit PALAKA at 5549 Claremont https://maps.app.goo.gl/aci2uWKz7pnCad649 © 2022 by PALAKA Music and Arts Studio. Proudly created with Wix.com ◈ Interior Pages — 9 pages crawled--> Palaka Music And Arts Studio | Music Classes | Piano Lessons | Oakland top of page PALAKA Center Home About Us Our Vision Meet Our Staff Our Locations Our Services Book Online Contact Us Our Approach Blog More Use tab to navigate through the menu items. Log In PALAKA Center for Music, Arts, Culture, & Healing Inspiring Creativity. Creating Community. Cultivating Connection. Class Schedules ​ ​ Follow us on Instagram #wix @wix Load more Be the first to know Subscribe to our newsletter to receive news and updates. Enter your email here Sign Up Thanks for submitting! In 2024, we moved to our own space in Rockridge! And then in 2025, we moved to a bigger space! As of Feb 1, 2025, we are now at 5549 Claremont Ave! More details to come! Kickstart Our Move! Goodbye Laurel! We expanded to 4148 MacArthur Blvd, Oakland Laurel in May 2023 and will miss it dearly, but we're in a new space now! Our Studio Instruments 12 Deskbell Sets 10 Xylophones 14 Full-Sized Keybo ards 4 Floor Pianos Featured Group Classes Detailed information can be found on our services page  Preschool Prodigies (10-month program) Perfect for curious toddlers and pre-schoolers wanting to play pitched instruments! ​ More information here! Enroll Now Preschool Piano Does your little one already know their Left from their Right Hand and count to 5? They can start learning the piano!  ​ More information here! Enroll Now Youth & Teen Piano Has your child or teen been wanting to learn how to play the piano? Join our group beginner classes! ​ More information here! Enroll Now Figuring out where your child would fit? Check out this infographic below. ​ Or schedule a time to meet with Miss Heidi to discuss what you're looking for! Chat with Miss Heidi Glimpses of Our Original Garage Studio Dance Ring Draw Play Additional Offerings: Piano Lessons & Camps Detailed information can be found on our services page  Private Piano Lessons for Youth and Teens Adult Piano Lessons Piano Camps About PALAKA Music & Arts Studio PALAKA Music and Arts Studio offers group music classes for toddlers and preschoolers, group piano classes for preschoolers, and piano classes and lessons for youth, teens, and adults in Oakland and the East Bay Areas ​ We envision healing, restoring, and transforming the world through music & arts, one child at a time  via public health prevention models with youth and families in the East Bay Area and beyond ​ We strive to engage in, develop, and deliver programs with a decolonial, anti-racist lens, to revolutionize music and arts education for our communities, this generation and beyond.   PALAKA Founder, Owner, and Educator Heidi Kelly-Tuason birthed the idea of the studio during the COVID-19 pandemic, integrating 15+ years of community health experiences with 20+ years of musical theater and church musician experiences, combining her education and training: BA Ethnic Studies + BS Biology (UCSD), MPH Maternal & Child Health (UC Berkeley), DrPH-PhD Community Health (UCLA), Postpartum Mental Health Peer Support Specialist Certificate (PSI), Pastoral Music & Liturgy Certificates (LMU), Early Childhood Education & Music (Santa Monica), Piano Teaching (Las Positas), and MA Music Education (San Jose State). Read More Contact Us General Information: [email protected] Group Classes: [email protected] Join our listserve ! Full Name Child's Name and Age Email Phone Got questions? Let us know! Submit Thanks for submitting! PALAKA at 5549 Claremont https://maps.app.goo.gl/aci2uWKz7pnCad649 © 2022 by PALAKA Music and Arts Studio. Proudly created with Wix.com bottom of page --> Contact Us | PALAKA Music Studio top of page PALAKA Center Home About Us Our Vision Meet Our Staff Our Locations Our Services Book Online Contact Us Our Approach Blog More Use tab to navigate through the menu items. Log In Say Hello Reach out to enroll in our classes, lessons, or to ask any questions. Phone 510-214-2664 Email [email protected] Social Media Full Name Child's Name & Age Email Question or Inquiry Send Thanks for submitting! Visit Us As a small start-up business, PALAKA Studios is currently located in our humble backyard studio.   We welcome you into our neighborhood and our space as we develop a love of music, arts, language, and culture and cultivate community in our diverse East Oakland neighborhood.   Our studio offers 12 sets of handbells, 10 sets of xylophones, 6 full-sized weighted keyboards, a Yamaha U1 Upright Piano, and several rhythm instruments (including egg shakers, tambourines, rhythm sticks, &  drums). Location Eastmont Hills, Oakland, CA 94605 Opening Hours Tues & Wed 3:00 pm - 7:00 pm Saturday 9:00 am – 12:00 pm ​Sunday 2:00 pm – 6:00 pm © 2022 by PALAKA Music and Arts Studio. Proudly created with Wix.com bottom of page --> Piano Camps | PALAKA Music Studio top of page PALAKA Center Home About Us Our Vision Meet Our Staff Our Locations Our Services Book Online Contact Us Our Approach Blog More Use tab to navigate through the menu items. Log In Piano Camps Want an opportunity to make music with peers  and learn at the piano  every day for 1-2 hours/day? Join a piano camp!  It's like having 10-20 half-hour lessons in a week!  Levels offered will depend on student interest and demand. Winter Break Beginning Piano Camps $128 for 5 days WINTER 2022  Session 1 AM: Dec 19-23 @ 9-11am (virtual) Session 1 PM: Dec 19-23 @ 1-3pm Session 2 AM: Dec 26-30 @ 9-11am (virtual) Session 2 PM: Dec 26-30 @ 1-3pm  ​ Students will learn the basics of rhythm, pitch, and keyboard geography during this 1 week piano camp. We will use Alfred's Piano Camp curriculum. Books will be provided. ​ Geared toward kids ages 5-10 with less than 1 year of piano experience. ​ Email [email protected] to enroll. Winter Break Intermediate Piano Camps $200 for 5 days (10 hours) Learn to play Disney and Musical Theater songs! ​ Winter 2022 Session 1: Dec 19-23 @ 4-6pm (Disney) Session 2: Dec 26-30 @ 4-6pm (Musical Theater) ​ Prerequisite: At least 1 year of playing piano (or other instrument). ​ Email [email protected] to enroll. Spring & Summer  Break Beginning Piano Camps $128 for 5 days Students will learn the basics of rhythm, pitch, and keyboard geography during this 1 week piano camp. We will use Alfred's Piano Camp curriculum. Books will be provided. ​ Geared toward kids ages 5-10 with less than 1 year of piano experience. ​ Level 1 May 29-June 2 June 20-23 June 26-30 July 3-7 July 24-28 July 31-Aug 4 ​ Level 2 July 31-Aug 4   Additional levels available upon request. ​ Enroll here Spring Break Collaborative Piano Camp Learn to play with other instrumentalists! (guitar, strings, horns, reeds, percussion) ​ Session 1: April 3-7 @ 4-6pm Session 2: April 10-14 @ 4-6pm ​ Prerequisite: At least 1 year of playing piano (or other instrument). ​ Email [email protected] to enroll. © 2022 by PALAKA Music and Arts Studio. Proudly created with Wix.com bottom of page --> Blog | PALAKA Music Studio top of page PALAKA Center Home About Us Our Vision Meet Our Staff Our Locations Our Services Book Online Contact Us Our Approach Blog More Use tab to navigate through the menu items. Log In All Posts Top 5 Resources for Teaching Your Toddler to Play Music Most piano teachers won't take students until they are at least 6 or 7 years old, or at least until they can read and sit still for 30... Palaka Arts and Music Feb 19, 2023 4 min read © 2022 by PALAKA Music and Arts Studio. Proudly created with Wix.com bottom of page --> Wix Book Online | PALAKA Music Studio top of page PALAKA Center Home About Us Our Vision Meet Our Staff Our Locations Our Services Book Online Contact Us Our Approach Blog More Use tab to navigate through the menu items. Log In Home Services Our Services Service Information 1-on-1 Meeting 10 min Request to Book © 2022 by PALAKA Music and Arts Studio. Proudly created with Wix.com bottom of page --> Our Services | PALAKA Music Studio top of page PALAKA Center Home About Us Our Vision Meet Our Staff Our Locations Our Services Book Online Contact Us Our Approach Blog More Use tab to navigate through the menu items. Log In Group Classes & Private Lessons Start 'em early! Music education as early as the toddler and pre-K  age is great because it is prime brain development time for possibly developi ng a sense of "perfect pitch."   We teach our kids their ABCs and colors at this age - why not teach them pitches and rhythm? ​ We encourage you to start your child as early as you and your child are ready!  Start Now Group Lessons Preschool Prodigies  (Levels 1-10) Ages 2-4 ​ Length: 40 minutes ​ Learning the language of music (rhythm and pitch) are some of the first steps in learning how to play an instrument, including piano. Y our child will learn how to keep a steady beat, to play basic rhythms (quarter notes, half notes, whole notes, and eighth notes), and to hear, sing, recognize, and play notes. ​ We will play with rhythm instruments, clap and use body percussion, and experiment with deskbells and xylophones to play simple songs.   This group will also incorporate movement and coloring activities and games that support the learning of notes, rhythms, and songs.  ​ No previous e xperience required. Enroll Now Ukulele Basics for Kids Ages 5-12 ​ Length: 50 minutes ​ Students will learn the fundamentals of ukulele in a supportive and fun group setting.   Why group? Research shows that kids are able to grasp matching pitch and rhythm more easily as beginners when in a group!   We will focus on ukulele strumming basics, rhythms, chords, and song structures. Enroll Now PreK Piano (Levels 1-5) Ages 4-5  ​ Length: 45 minutes ​ Your child will learn the basics of music (rhythm, melody, note recognition) and learn to play them on several pitched instruments, starting with the deskbells, xylophones, and building up to the piano.   We will focus on learning correct posture and form at the piano, developing recognition of rhythms and notes, and learning how to study music and develop a practice routine.   The hope is that once your child finishes the prep classes, they will be ready to start private piano lessons (or join the group piano classes). Enroll Now Youth & Teen Piano (Levels 1-5) Ages 5-12 and 13-18 ​ Length: 50 minutes ​ Students will learn the fundamentals of piano in a supportive and fun group setting.   Why group? Research shows that kids are able to grasp matching pitch and rhythm more easily as beginners when in a group!   We will focus on piano basics (finger numbers, finger independence, piano geography), recognition of rhythms, notes, chords, and song structure as well as sight-reading.   Offered at various levels, students will have opportunities to play various music literature (pop, broadway, R&B) and develop their ability to listen and play collaboratively with other musicians and singers. ​ Enroll Now Private Lessons (limited availability) Private Piano Lessons Ages 5+ ​ Length:  30 minutes for beginner 45 minutes for intermediate 60 minutes for advanced ​ Private piano lessons are the standard way most students learn piano. We encourage beginning students to start with group lessons and then when they have determined it is a good fit, to join private lessons if they would like.   New students are accepted by interview only - must have a mastery of finger numbers, consistently play keys with finger independence in both hands (separately and simultaenously), the musical alphabet, piano geography, be able to play in rhythm (whole notes, half notes, quarter notes and eighth notes,), and have a basic understanding and ability to identify line and space notes in treble and bass clef. ​ ​ (Quarterly, semi-annual, & annual package discounts  available  upon request) ​ Inquire Now Semi-Private Piano Lessons For siblings or friends ​ Length: 60 minutes for 2 students ​ Great for families or friends who would like the special attention of private lessons but in a more affordable and fun way with a partner.    (Quarterly, semi-annual, & annual package discounts  available  upon request) ​ Inquire Now Adult Piano Lessons and Group Classes Ages 18+ ​ Length: 30-45 minutes for lessons 50-60 minutes for classes ​ Would you like to learn how to play the piano, but never had an opportunity to when you were younger? Or did you take lessons before, but haven't played in a while? Or just want to improve your piano chops?    Adult lessons and classes will focus on adult students' "goal pieces" and teach technique and literature that will help students to achieve their goals. ​ ​ (Quarterly, semi-annual, & annual package discounts  available  upon request) ​ Book Now Newest Offerings We are launching these in Spring & Summer 2023! Piano Camps and Workshops Enroll Now Week-long piano camps (during winter, spring, and summer breaks) and themed piano workshops ​ Filipino Roots   Tagalog+Music Classes Inquire Now Kids will learn to sing and play Filipino/Tagalog folk songs on the deskbells, ukulele, piano, and rhythm instruments ​ Musical Theater Sing-alongs, Classes, Camps, & Workshops Enroll Now Opportunities to be involved with youth and adult musical theater production s: acting, singing, dancing, and playing New Weekday Offerings for Tots! Starting Spring 2023 Music Playdates Book a Playdate Ages 0-5 Certain weekend & weekday mornings - Check Current Schedule     Drop-in class on certain weekdays for music playdates as we play with the deskbells, piano, and other rhythm instruments. Please register in advance. ​ ​ Multi-session passes available! Future Offerings We hope to offer the following services in the near future! Musical Theater & Church Musician Training Programs Coming Soon ​ Training the next generation of musical theater and church musicians through year-long training programs and apprenticeships ​ 6- 12  month training program s By audition only ​ Inquire h er e Jam Sessions, Piano Bar Singalongs, & Open Mics Coming Soon ​ Opportunities for young musicians to "jam" with others, developing ability to collaborate and improvise ​ Friday Jam Sessions Saturday Open Mics ​ Inquire here Creativity Circles / Showcase Vendor Fairs Coming Soon ​ Gatherings of musicians and artists of all kinds to come together and showcase artwork, music, and creative endeavors ​ Once a month on weekends ​ Inquire here Mama Support Services 1 Toddler Mama Circles Ms. Heidi is the mama of a 3 year old who was born during the pandemic. She hopes to create spaces that allow for mamas to connect around the struggles and joys of having a kid under 5 while also balancing a career. ​ With her Masters' degree background in Maternal & Child Health, she decided to become certified as a Peer Support Specialist and also train in Perinatal Mental Health Support. She hopes to create spaces of support for mamas. Connect with us 2 Infertility Support Circles Ms. Heidi struggled through 2 years of infertility and 5 rounds of treatments. She hopes to create spaces of support for those who have experienced infertility, or went through or are undergoing fertility treatments. ​ With her Masters' degree background in Maternal & Child Health, she decided to become certified as a Mental Health Peer Support Specialist and also train in Perinatal Mental Health Support. She hopes to create spaces of support for women who have experienced similar struggles. Connect with us 3 Postpartum Support Circles Ms. Heidi struggled with pregnancy complications, birth complications, postpartum hemorrhage, and postpartum mental health complications.   With her Masters' degree background in Maternal & Child Health, she decided to become cert --> Our Approach | PALAKA Music Studio top of page PALAKA Center Home About Us Our Vision Meet Our Staff Our Locations Our Services Book Online Contact Us Our Approach Blog More Use tab to navigate through the menu items. Log In PALAKA Music and Arts Studio | Music School | Piano Lessons | Preschool Piano Prep About Our Approach We want you and your children to enjoy music. Guiding Principles 1 / An Appreciation & Understanding of Music We hope to create a learning environment where youth develop an appreciation and basic understanding of music, regardless if your child continues with playing the piano (or goes on to sing or play another instrument, or just listens to music). ​ Music principles translate to all kinds of other skills, such as math (fractions), physics, sports, dexterity, listening, collaborative work, and social-emotional learning. 2 / Enjoyment of Learning & Creating Music We want to support your child in "learning how to learn" music: developing a practice routine, identifying and setting goals, conducting self-assessment, and finding what motivates them.   We use tracking cards with stickers, the Practice Space app, certificates, and public boards to develop self-tracking skills and showcase our students' successes. We also provide regular lesson notes to help with remembering what we learned each week and what to practice in the next week. ​ We welcome you to join us for however long your child is enjoying the classes and lessons!     We understand that music, our approach, or our teaching style may not be for every child or every family, so we encourage you to check out our classes and lessons and see if it's a good fit. We want to support your child to enjoy the process of learning music! 3 / Music Styles, Sight Playing, Ear Training We were trained to play both classical and popular music, and now mostly play musical theater, church, and popular music. We would like to teach your child to play these kinds of music (and others!) in addition to basic classical foundations, if they so desire.  ​ What is more important to us is that your child develops the ability to hear and play and read music so they can play whatever genre they would like to. Thus, we have a specific focus on sight reading (also known as sight playing), ear training, and basic musicianship. Just like a language, if these things are learned early, it will stick much better and provide a foundation for future endeavors (musical and beyond).   If you are interested in having your child train to be a classical pianist or to pass national music examinations, we may not be the best fit for you, and we recommend other studios in the Bay Area which specialize in that kind of training. 4 / Family and Community-Based Music We encourage parents and family members to accompany their child to lessons - not just to drop them off and pick them up after. We see your child for less than an hour a week, but family sees them for many more in the week. We hope that you will be aware of the curriculum and what your child is learning, so you can encourage and support your child. ​ We also encourage students to join the group classes (even if they are also taking private lessons) in order to learn alongside their peers. Music created in community is often more enjoyable and motivating, and we would like to provide spaces for this for youth. 5 / Showcases and Performances (vs. recitals) We believe it is important for students to have an opportunity to share their learnings with others, including family and friends.   We strive to provide a low-pressure environment in which students can develop the confidence to perform for and with others.  If students are able to memorize their music, great! But we will not require students to have their music memorized by the showcase or performance.   Students will not be strictly evaluated or graded, but rather will be given an opportunity to receive positive and constructive feedback from their peers, family, friends, and instructors.  If your child would like to compete in piano competitions, then another studio would be best suited for that kind of preparation and training. ​ We will hold regular showcases and offer opportunities for public performances, such as in parks. We like to frame it in this way, rather than as recitals, and support our students in being successful at this endeavor. © 2022 by PALAKA Music and Arts Studio. Proudly created with Wix.com bottom of page --> About Us | Palaka Music And Arts Studio | Oakland top of page PALAKA Center Home About Us Our Vision Meet Our Staff Our Locations Our Services Book Online Contact Us Our Approach Blog More Use tab to navigate through the menu items. Log In PALAKA: WOC-Owned COVID-Conscious  Small Business Music School Learn More About Us Birthed in the pandemic, PALAKA (meaning "frog" in Tagalog)  has become a symbol of hope and joy. PALAKA is short for Pilipino American Language Arts Kultura ATBP ("at iba pa") - conceptualized as a safe space to create & explore language, arts, culture, & other creative endeavors.   Founded by a 2nd-generation Fil-Am Pinay from the Bay Area, our dream was to offer music and arts programming to Pilipino-American and other black and brown communities, extending also to all communities in our neighborhoods in Oakland, the East Bay Area, and beyond. ​ Stemming from our experiences with piano, musical theater, and churches, we hope to offer and produce: Music Classes for Kids  |  Group Piano Classes  |  Private Piano Lessons Musical Theater Productions  |  Musician Training Camps Creativity Circles  |  Open Mics  |  Vendor Fairs  |  and more! ​ Our Vision We envision healing, restoring, and transforming the world through music & arts, one child at a time  via public health prevention models with youth and families in the East Bay Area and beyond ​ We strive to engage in, develop, and deliver programs with a decolonial, anti-racist lens, to revolutionize music and arts education for our communities, this generation and beyond. ​ PALAKA Founder, Owner, and Educator Heidi Kelly-Tuason birthed the idea of the studio during the COVID-19 pandemic, integrating 15+ years of community health experiences with 20+ years of musical theater and church musician experiences, combining her education and training: BA Ethnic Studies + BS Biology (UCSD), MPH Maternal & Child Health (UC Berkeley), DrPH-PhD Community Health (UCLA), Postpartum Mental Health Peer Support Specialist Certificate (PSI), Pastoral Music & Liturgy Certificates (LMU), Early Childhood Education & Music (Santa Monica), Piano Teaching (Las Positas), and MA Music Education (San Jose State). Meet Our Staff We are a woman-of-color-owned small business started in 2022 out of our humble home in East Oakland. Envisioned by Heidi Kelly-Tuason and operated by our simple family. Heidi T. Kelly-Tuason, Founder & Owner Music Educator, Piano Accompanist, & Music Director Heidi has been playing the piano for over 30 years, and has been a gigging musician for nearly 20. She has played nearly two dozen musicals for community theaters and at over two dozen churches in the Bay Area and Los Angeles, including the Cathedral of Christ the Light in Oakland.   She first started studying piano in 1991 under Keyboard Educators instructor Bob Poverello. She learned how to play for orchestras, musical theaters, choirs, and bands under Nick and Janet Sablinsky at St. Ignatius College Prep in San Francisco ('00-'03), and also was mentored to play Liturgical Music by teachers Mary Abinante, Patricia Zatkin, Ted Curry, and Grace Gamoso at St. Ignatius College Prep. She continued to study Pastoral Music and Liturgy under John Flaherty at Loyola Marymount University '16-'17. Her musical training continued at Santa Monica College for her Associates' degree in Music and at Las Positas College for Piano Teaching Certificate. ​ Heidi has worked in the field of public health for over 15 years, but birthed the idea of the studio during the COVID-19 pandemic, integrating 15+ years of community health experiences with 20+ years of musical theater and church musician experiences, combining her education and training.   She has double bachelor's degrees from UC San Diego  ( BA Ethnic Studies + BS Biology ), a master's of public health from UC Berkeley ( MPH Maternal & Child Health ), and is currently finishing her dissertation for her doctorate at UCLA  ( DrPH-PhD Community Health).    Her dissertation digs deeper into Filipino-American suicidal ideation via the FACES study, comparing by gender, education, immigration status, generation (1st, 2nd, 1.5, 1.25, 1.75, and more!), military affiliation, and legal status. She also looks at how ethnic community involvement & belonging, ethnic identification and pride, Filipino language ability and use, and homeland connection affect the association between childhood trauma and suicidal ideation. ​ She has also obtained post-graduate certificates in Pastoral Music & Pastoral Liturgy from Loyola Marymount University . As a lifelong learner, she continues her training in Early Childhood Education, Music, and Piano Teaching, and is currently completing a 3-summer Master's of Music Education program at San Jose State University . ​ Her planned MA Music Education project are literature review, program planning, and evaluation portions of a behavioral health grant application (to the county health departments she used to work for). She hopes to use public health and educational research to justify the use of arts and music programming for youth of color in Oakland for the outcomes of youth mental health and suicide prevention, violence/drug/pregnancy prevention, & educational retention. ​ Pianist LinkedIn Profile Public Health LinkedIn Profile MUSE (Musicians United for Social Equity) Member / Maestra Member David V. Kelly-Tuason, Supportive Husband Musical Theater Bass Player,  Church Piano Accompanist, and Music Instructor David is Heidi's husband and is also an accomplished musical theater and church musician. He has played over 3 dozen musicals in the Bay Area and is the regular choir director and accompanist for the 8am mass at St. Anthony in Oakland and Sunday afternoon mass at Holy Names University. David has a B.S. in Chemistry from UC Berkeley and works full-time as a financial analyst for school districts. Zeke and Stanley, Loving Little Ones Artists-in-Residence: Resident Toddler and Pug Zeke is Heidi and David's first child and was one of Heidi's inspirations for creating PALAKA Music and Art Studio. He is a budding musician and enjoys playing (banging on?) deskbells, tambourines, egg shakers, drums, piano, and ukulele. ​ Stanley is a rescue pug from Tiny Paws Pug Rescue who joined the Kelly-Tuason family in March 2021. His real name and age are unknown as he was abandoned in the streets of Lake County. His eyesight and hearing are limited (so his appreciation of music is unclear) but he is a source of emotional support, laughter, and fur shedding for the Kelly-Tuason household. Due to declining health, he was released over the rainbow bridge on Aug 10, 2023. He continues to watch over the studio from above. ​ In January 2024, Heidi and David fostered another Tiny Paws Pug Rescue dog, and "foster failed" meaning that they ended up adopting her - her name is Marnie and is a bundle of energy, having had several litters of puppy at her young age, and now being rescued, can be a young pug herself again. ​ In January 2025, Heidi and David welcomed their second child, Mikhaela, who was born after 2 rounds of IVF (and after a miscarriage in December 2023). She is their rainbow baby and also an inspiration for building and growing the PALAKA space to be a place to inspire creativity, hold space, and create community. Musical Theater Musician for 20+ Musicals List of Musicals Played 20+ Years Experience as a Church Musician Glimpses of PALAKA Classes and Spaces Our History of Locations In 2022, Our Home Garage Studio in Oakland Eastmont Hills In 2023, The Back Room of Left Coast Power Yoga, Oakland Laurel  In 2024, 5332 College Ave, Suite 2, Oakland Rockridge NOW As of 2025, 5549 Claremont Ave, Oakland Rockridge) © 2022 by PALAKA Music and A --> Book Online | PALAKA Music Studio top of page PALAKA Center Home About Us Our Vision Meet Our Staff Our Locations Our Services Book Online Contact Us Our Approach Blog More Use tab to navigate through the menu items. Log In © 2022 by PALAKA Music and Arts Studio. Proudly created with Wix.com bottom of page