April Balay is a Durham native who recently returned to the area after the completion of her Master of Music in Music History at the University of South Carolina. She is looking to pursue studies at the doctorate level in the future. Before graduate school, she taught elementary music for three years in the NC public school system. During that same time, she also taught private piano and voice for about five years, but considers herself a lifelong student of the instruments. She loves to read and write about popular music, learn new hobbies, listen to new music and spend time with her cats. She is inspired by the prospect of instilling the love of music in children and looks forward to working with them!