Instructor Sophia

Sophia Pereyra-Johnston is the Founder and Director of Piano Playground, and has been teaching and developing piano programs in Seattle since 2007.  Sophia has taught as a lead piano instructor at various elementary schools within Seattle Public Schools (SPS) as well at the Piano Playground studio in Green Lake.  As an enrichment vendor for SPS, she now trains and places other piano teachers in local schools to offer private and group piano classes.  In 2017 and 2018, Piano Playground was honored by ParentMap as the winner and finalist for the best after school enrichment program in the Puget Sound.  As an active Board Member At-Large for Seattle Music Teachers Association, Sophia designs and implements member engagement and recruitment initiatives to build the community of Seattle-area music teachers.  Sophia began student-teaching in 1997 through the Snohomish County Music Teachers Association, and studied piano performance and pedagogy with Dr. Susan Chan as an undergraduate at Washington State University; she received an ALB in psychology from Harvard University, Division of Continuing Education where she is currently a candidate for an M.L.A. in Industrial Organizational Psychology.  After many years of performing in piano competitions, Sophia now enjoys regularly playing professionally, and volunteering piano music at various organizations within the community.  Before beginning her piano teaching career, Sophia worked for the Harvard Graduate School of Education on research related to No Child Left Behind, the University of Washington College of Education - Experimental Education Unit, and as the Chess Coach for Bagley Elementary (Seattle) through Chess Mates Foundation.

Member of:

Music Teachers National Association

Seattle Music Teachers Association - Board Member

Harvard Alumni Association

CONTACT Sophia:    sophia@pianoplayground.org


Instructor Cliff

Clifford Dunn has been playing music for audiences big and small for over thirty years. He is an active musician teaching students from ages 5 to 53 for the past 20+ years, and performing throughout the greater Seattle area on a consistent basis. He performs regularly on flute, piano, and saxophone. He is most inspired by free improvisation, jazz, noise, and finding the beauty in what is traditionally perceived as "ugly" sounds. This has led to a musical career that has taken him around the world performing in many world famous venues. Though he is mostly focused on the music of modern times (and hopefully future times!), he has a great pedigree in the classical music tradition and a solid foundation of technique and theory that he tries to impart in all of his students. Clifford has a Bachelor’s of Music in Flute Performance, a Master’s of Music in Music Composition, and a second Master’s of Music in Music and Technology. His first two music degrees were from Central Washington University while his Master’s of Music in Music and Technology was awarded from the Hogeschool voor de Kunsten, Utrecht in the Netherlands. Clifford’s teaching process is to first generate a comfortable relationship with the student and get to know them as people. It can be daunting to be thrust into a room with a complete stranger and be expected to express yourself! After this, his lessons focus on the three key areas of:

1. Technique. This is the physical act of playing music on our instrument of choice. There are no
secrets and no tricks. The only way to improve technique is through consistent practice. And
EVERYONE can improve their technique.
2. Theory. While we often hear about successful musicians that don’t know how to read and
analyze music, this is like trying to succeed as an actor without knowing how to read. It might be
possible, but your life will be more fulfilled and you’ll have a deeper understanding of this art by
learning the theory that goes along with it.
3. Literature. This is the music that inspires the student most. This is why people want to learn
music! They want to play songs or pieces or improvise music! Clifford believes in letting the
student use their musical interests as a jumping off point to finding proper literature whether it
be a Mozart sonata, a jazz standard, or an Elton John song. Good music exists across all genres
and a great deal of learning can be had with it all. The most important thing here is to keep the
student’s enjoyment active and inspired.


Instructor Sanjana

Sanjana Bajwa is a lifelong musician, who began her musical journey at age 5 on the piano.She has participated in numerous competitions and conventions and graduated at age 16 from the Music Teachers of California’s certificate of merit program, which is equated to a college degree in music. Since then she has continued to improve both her performing and teaching skills, working with all ages and all levels of students. She has been teaching since 2016 with various different programs and schools in California and in Washington. She is self taught on several instruments outside of piano, and spends her free time expanding her skills on her secondary instruments, particularly guitar. A recent graduate of the University of Washington, Sanjana is excited to work together with students to help them along their musical journey! 

Instructor Joel

Joel is a student at Seattle Pacific University studying Music Therapy. A lifelong learner, he has been passionate about music since his childhood. His first instrument was percussive in nature, while his adult years have had a focus on melodic instruments. Currently able to teach piano, drums, guitar, voice, and ukulele. Specializing in teaching beginners, younger students, and those who may need extra inclusive support. With over eight years teaching experience, Joel strives to be a positive musical influence and engaging educator. Music is the greatest adventure of a lifetime, and a boundless source of expression through creativity.  


Instructor Rana 


Rana’s interest in learning the piano sparked at the age of five when she was inspired by a pianist at a concert. As her passion grew, she began taking graded examinations with the Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music (ABRSM), the largest music education body in the U.K. At the age of seventeen in June 2017, she attained the Licentiate of the Royal Schools of Music in Music Performance. Throughout her years of learning the piano, she performed a wide variety of repertoires, and participated in numerous competitions where she won several awards; among them, the First prize in the First U.A.E International Chopin Competition. Rana performed in many concerts, including the High Scorer’s concert for ABRSM examinations. She had master classes with the renowned French pianist Hugues  Leclere, and has experience in accompanying various instruments. Rana is currently a student in the University of Washington, and she enjoys being with children and teaching the piano in her spare time.


Instructor Audrey


Audrey has been teaching for the better part of a decade, all ages, and all genres.  Her Bachelors is in Sculpture, and her Masters is in Voice and Piano, which provides a colorful landscape for how she structures her lessons.  She approaches each student individually, assessing their needs, abilities, and passions as she goes along, striving to make each lesson successful and illuminating.  Above all things, she wants the student to have fun and leave with a smile and a sense of accomplishment.  She also likes to supplement lessons with a variety of games, visual art components, the use of other instruments, and lots of composing.  She is an active musician, performing in operas, theatrical productions, choirs, bands, orchestras, solo works, anything and all things music and art based.

Member of :

MTNA - Music Teachers National Association

MMTA - Massachusetts Music Teachers Association

email Sophia@pianoplayground.org with any lesson inquiries, or enroll on registration page.