Music School

At the Carriage House

Who we are and what we offer:

The Music School at the Carriage House offers kids and adults the opportunity to learn or enhance their musical talents! We currently offer piano, cello, group classes and soon violin. Our goal is to help bring music to the Williamsport community! We believe that music connects people, and we would love to see our community connected! So please reach out to learn more, or join our email list so that you can know when public recitals will be held! We look forward to connecting with you!

Meet Our Teachers:

  • Ellen Boll is a collaborative pianist, music director, and music teacher based in central Pennsylvania. She currently serves on the faculty at Lycoming College and has a piano studio in Williamsport, PA. Ellen frequently collaborates with university students and has worked with students at Bucknell University, Penn State University, Mansfield University, Lycoming College, Florida State University, and Wheaton College. She has also had guest residencies at Bob Jones University and Purdue Fort Wayne, where she gave masterclasses, performances, and workshops on career and entrepreneurship.

    As a choral pianist, Ellen has worked with numerous choirs including the Williamsport Civic Chorus, the Lycoming College Choir, and the Wheaton College Women’s Chorale.

    As a young artist and collaborative pianist, she performed with festivals around the United States and internationally including at La Musica Lirica (Novafeltria, Italy), the Collaborative Piano Institute (Baton Rouge, LA), Camp Musical des Laurentides (Saint-Adolphe-d’Howard, Quebec), Masterworks Festival (Spartanburg, SC), and Credo Chamber Music Festival (Oberlin, OH). She also has held the positions of Pianist–Coach for Don Giovanni with Music on Site, Inc. in Wichita, KS, and Collaborative Piano Fellow at Musiktheater Bavaria in Oberaudorf, Germany. She performed in Source Song Festival’s 2024 and 2025 seasons as part of the MNDuo Program in Minneapolis, MN. As a music director, Ellen was a part of the production staff for Encore productions of Sister Act and Anastasia and was the music director for the Community Theater League’s 2026 production of Godspell.

    She also appeared as a featured soloist at the Southern Illinois Music Festival performing the Florence Price Piano Concerto and was the 2026 winner of the Virginia Allison Collaborative Award from the National Federation of Music Clubs.

    Ellen holds a G.D. in Collaborative Piano from the Cleveland Institute of music, an M.M. in Piano Accompanying from Florida State University, and a B.M. in Piano Performance and Pedagogy from Wheaton College. Her primary teachers include Anita Pontremoli, Christine Hill, John Simmons, Timothy Hoekman, Valerie Trujillo, Karin Edwards, Amanda Gunderson, and Kilsun Kim

Ellen Boll: Piano

Lydia Krizan : Group Lessons

  • Lydia Krizan is a music educator and performer based in central Pennsylvania. She holds a degree in Music Education from Lycoming College and has developed diverse experience in classroom teaching, choral music, piano accompaniment, and community music-making. She completed her student-teaching semester at Montoursville Middle School and Hepburn- Lycoming Primary School and currently serves as a substitute teacher in the Montoursville Area School District, gaining experience working with students across multiple grade levels. She has also taught beginning-level music classes at Uptown Music Collective.

    As a pianist, Lydia serves at a local church, accompanying Sunday services and special events. As a vocalist she has also collaborated with ensembles in the community, including the Williamsport Civic Chorus, where she was honored to appear as a soloist in a performance of Vivaldi’s Gloria. Her community involvement also includes volunteering with the Williamsport Youth Choir.

    During her time at Lycoming College, Lydia was an active member of several ensembles, including the Lycoming College Tour Choir, Chamber Choir, Concert Choir, and Lycoming College Larks. Within these ensembles, she frequently led sectionals and served as a rehearsal pianist for one year. She was also a four-year member of YABO, serving as its harpsichordist throughout her time at Lycoming. In addition, she participated in the college band for one semester and performed with the jazz ensemble on several occasions.

    Lydia’s musical accomplishments have been recognized with the Dr. Will George Butler Choral Award and Michelle Bohlin Awards in Theater & Music for excellence in her musical studies, twice. Through her experiences in music education, performance, ministry, and community engagement, Lydia brings a versatile and collaborative perspective to her work as a music educator and musician.

  • Rachel Boll is a cellist based in central Pennsylvania. She holds a M.M. in Cello Performance from Carnegie Mellon University and a B.M. in Cello Performance from Wheaton College. An experienced chamber musician, Rachel won first prize in the Carnegie Mellon University Chamber Competition in both 2025 and 2026 and received an Honorable Mention at the 2023 Chamber Music Competition at Wheaton College. As a two-time member of the Carnegie Mellon University Honors Quartet, Rachel has been featured on faculty chamber series recitals alongside CMU professors and Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra musicians. Additionally, Rachel has performed at a variety of chamber festivals in Illinois, Pennsylvania, Michigan, and Louisiana and was a member of the Fellowship Quartet at the 2023 Credo Chamber Music Festival in Ohio. Rachel has also performed at Carnegie Hall as principal cellist of the string ensemble for the Getty’s 2022 “Sing! An Irish Christmas” tour. As a soloist, Rachel has appeared as a guest artist at the 2026 New Ground Orchestra Festival at Pennsylvania State University where she performed alongside mezzo-soprano dawn pierce. Rachel was also featured as a soloist at the 2022 Wheaton College Christmas Festival.

    Rachel is passionate about promoting new music, especially new chamber music, and is a member of The Lilac Hour, a trio committed to bringing to life contemporary music focused on women’s voices and experiences. While students at Carnegie Mellon University, the group was a catalyzing force in creating a school of music fund for student winners of the chamber music competition to commission brand new pieces. As the first recipients of this fund, The Lilac Hour commissioned a piece by composer Amelia Brey and recently completed a tour performing Brey’s piece at a variety of venues throughout the Pittsburgh area. 

Rachel Boll: Cello

  • Violinist and violist John Vaida enjoys a versatile career as a soloist, recitalist, and chamber musician, actively performing across the United States. His recent engagements include performances and teaching roles at prestigious festivals such as the Killington Music Festival and the International Chamber Orchestra of Puerto Rico, with regular appearances on regional radio and television. A Pennsylvania native, he co-founded and serves as the Executive Director of the Northeastern Pennsylvania Chamber Music Society, leading the way for the growth and awareness of chamber music in the Northeastern Pennsylvania region through a series of carefully curated concerts, workshops, and educational programs.

    Mr. Vaida currently holds positions at Mansfield University, Lycoming College, and Wilkes University. His students consistently achieve top honors at competitions and gain acceptance to leading conservatories, festivals, and orchestras. A sought-after clinician, he presents workshops nationally, including at notable conferences such as the American String Teachers Association (ASTA) National Conference and the New York State School Music Association conference. He currently serves as Past President of the Pennsylvania-Delaware String Teachers Association since spring 2024.

    Mr. Vaida’s principal teachers have included Charles Stegeman, Daniel Phillips, and Zvi Zeitlin. He holds degrees from Duquesne University and the Eastman School of Music, and has studied chamber music with Randolph Kelly, Jean Barr, Richard Killmer, and members of the Ying Quartet.

John Vaida: Violin

We hope to offer a variety of instruments with a fantastic selection of Teachers! If you are interested in teaching with us please send us an email so that we can get into contact with you!

Group Class Information:

  • Wednesdays from 10:00-10:50am

  • Grades 3rd-5th

  • September 2026-December 2026. 14 total classes

  • $280 Per Student 

❋ Homeschool General Music Class:

  • Wednesdays from 4:00-4:50pm

  • Ages 7-9

  • September 2026-December 2026. 14 total classes

  • $280 Per Student

❋ Beginner Piano

Apply Now!

Please let us know if cost is an issue so that we can help you look into scholarship options!