Briar Thomas Conservatory

Amora Bussey, Founder

Piano, Flute, Voice, Cello Instructor

Theory Instructor

Toddler Time Director

Chamber Ensembles Director

Choir Director Amora Bussey has been a music educator for over 25 years, with a focus on piano, flute, and vocal performance. Recognized by the HCPC as a BAMT-trained music therapist, Amora has worked in schools across Western Europe, bringing music to life within communities of special needs children and adults. Now settled in the great Pacific Northwest, Amora offers lessons to students both locally and internationally, who seek to receive instruction delivered through the comfort and understanding of adaptive teaching methods. Currently, the Washington State Music Teachers Association, Puyallup Valley Chapter President, Amora is also the recipient of the Paul Mazzola Best Teacher in Your Area, Puget Sound Award of 2020, 2022, and 2023. A guest performer at the Opening Ceremony, Salt Lake 2002 Winter Olympic Games, and recipient of The Semper Fidelis Award from The United States Marine Corps, for Musical Excellence, Amora now serves as the founder of the Briar Thomas Conservatory.

Puyallup City Commissioner, Arts and Culture Commission 2023-Present

Washington State Music Teachers Association (WSMTA)

Puyallup Valley Chapter, WSMTA President 2022-Present

Music Teachers National Association (MTNA)

National Federation of Music Clubs (NFMC)

Washington State Federation of Music Clubs (WSFMC)

Puyallup Federated Music Club (PFMC)

National Top Pro Awards of 2023 recipient.

Best Teacher in Your Area, Puget Sound Award of 2023 recipient.

Best Teacher in Your Area, Puget Sound Award of 2022 recipient.

Best Teacher in Your Area, Puget Sound Award of 2020 recipient.

Guest Performer at the Opening Ceremony, Salt Lake 2002 Winter Olympic Games

Recipient of The Semper Fidelis Award from The United States Marine Corps, for Musical Excellence.

Leadership Seminar, Washington State Music Teachers Association; Guest Presenter “Building Bridges: Connecting Music Schools with the Association” 2021

State Conference, Washington State Music Teachers Association; Guest Presenter “Adaptive Teaching Techniques for the Neurodivergent Learner” 2022

Eric Humiston

Percussion Instructor

My name is Eric Humiston! I’m a hardworking machine operator during the weekend and a full-time family man. I welcomed my newest daughter in November 2021 and have also inherited three amazing bonus kiddos. I will be getting married this summer (2022) to my beautiful fiancé, Nastasha. I started playing music at a young age and have always found music to be my foundation in life. Instruments such as the piano and saxophone pushed my creativity and led me down a long road of learning any instrument, I could get my hands on. I played guitar, bass, and drums with many other musicians throughout my life. Music motivates and inspires me to overcome any obstacles I face. I look forward to teaching the importance of music to a new generation. Drums can be very therapeutic and can help mold minds in creative ways.

Jenessa Gonzales

Piano Instructor

My name is Jenessa Gonzales! I am delighted to be joining Briar Thomas Conservatory as a piano instructor. I graduated with a Bachelor's in Music, with an emphasis in Communications. I believe music has filled my life in all seasons: from playing on my college worship team in Israel to incorporating music into my nanny job in Alaska. From teaching music at daycare to finally opening my own studio and teaching full-time. From beginner lessons with some of my own small nieces to running a music appreciation class for seniors, the music spans ALL ages and walks of life, and I'm grateful to be a part of it! As a member of the Puyallup Valley Chapter of the Washington State Music Teachers Association, I enjoy learning and growing from the community we have and sharing the healing, joyful, emotional power of music with students.

Queency Robinson

Piano, Voice Instructor

My name is Queency Robinson! I have been studying piano since age 4 and have been teaching privately since graduating from Bonney Lake High School and Pierce College Running Start in 2019. I have worked with numerous teachers and professors of music within the US, and have participated in an array of festivals, contests, and local piano competitions as a student member of the Puyallup Valley Chapter. Now as a member in the teaching position, I provide a classical style method of instruction. I have answered my calling to join the next generation of musicians.

I have significant choral training in the chamber, symphonic, jazz, and treble ensembles; having traveled and performed nationally. With considerable experience participating in WMEA, NWACDA, and ACDA national & regional honor groups throughout my musical career, I am excited to join Briar Thomas Conservatory and grow in my abilities as a music educator. Connect with Queency to bring the joy of music to your family!

Washington State Music Teachers Association (WSMTA)

Puyallup Valley Chapter, WSMTA President 2022-Present

Music Teachers National Association (MTNA)

Ezzra Prather
Piano Apprentice

Ezzra is 17 years old. She grew up in Tacoma and is currently a junior at Franklin Pierce High School. Ezzra is also a running start student, and currently taking college courses toward her AA degree, at Tacoma Community College. Ezzra is working towards earning a degree in music therapy, and pursuing a career as a music therapist and teacher. Ezzra has taken music lessons through BTC for just over 9 years. Ezzra worked as a lifeguard over the summer of 2022, and is CPR certified. She is a talented, very ambitious, and goal-oriented person. She has always been great with kids and discovered her love of teaching while helping her younger sister practice. She is a kind and spirited young woman, who is always bringing out the brightest in others.

Charissa Body
Violin, Viola, Piano Instructor
Chamber Orchestra DirectorHi, my name is Charissa Body! Music has always been a very important part of my life and I value every chance I get to share my love for the art with others. I’ve played violin and piano for 12 years and have pursued both viola and vocal training as well throughout that time. Teaching music has been a passion that I’ve grown into throughout the last 5 years by giving private lessons and, more recently, student teaching under my own instructor. I am so grateful for the opportunity to support and educate the next group of musicians in their solo and ensemble performance skills through BTC!

Guitar Instructor

Trevor Black joins BTC with extensive credentials and experience within the community and abroad. Trevor is a teacher, composer, and performer transplanted to Washington by way of Virginia. While at Duquesne University, he studied composition and the Shearer Classical Guitar Method, ultimately earning a Bachelor of Music degree with a focus on Technology and Composition. Since graduating in 2013, Trevor has cherished a variety of musical experiences. He has produced albums by Boys and Girls Club members in Boston and worked in Hans Zimmer’s film music studios in Santa Monica. Trevor’s music has appeared in several video games, commercials, and a streaming series for Sony. He has also developed curriculum for several music schools while living in Texas and has shared his love of guitar with students ages 5 to 75 using the Kodaly approach. When Trevor’s hands are not on a guitar, they are used for sipping coffee, eating bowls of fancy ramen, playing Magic the Gathering, or hugging his wife and dog.

Nick De Los Santos
Violin, Viola, Cello, Piano, Mandolin Instructor

Hi, my name is Nick! I'm excited to join the Briar Thomas Conservatory faculty! I started playing the piano and violin around the age of 11. Earning my Bachelor's of Musical Arts degree from Pacific Lutheran University in December 2019, I had the chance to study with various world class musicians including, Dr. Jane Harty, Dr. Oksana Ezhokina, Dr. Gregory Youtz, Dr. Lark Powers, Dr. Ricardo de la Torre, and many more. While my studies were primarily focused on piano, I also was a member of the University Symphony Orchestra for 2 years as a violinist performing incredible works such as Shostakovitch's Symphony No. 5, and premiered various works from contemporary composers. I also love playing chamber music, and collaborating with other musicians. I have an unending thirst for knowledge, a passion for teaching, and believe in a holistic approach to music. Anyone, anywhere, at any age and any ability, music is for all; whether listening, playing, performing for a packed crowd or at home for pleasure.

Washington State Music Teachers Association (WSMTA)

Puyallup Valley Chapter, WSMTA President 2022-Present

Music Teachers National Association (MTNA)

Colin Speirs
Brass Instructor

Hello. My name is Colin Speirs. I studied Music Education at Northern Arizona University and earned my Master's in Horn Performance from Ithaca College. I have been teaching music in Western Washington Public Schools for the past 7 years and regularly perform with the Rainier Symphony. At the Briar Thomas Conservatory, I specialize in beginning Brass instruction. It is such a joy to hear and help the youth make big sounds and create a sense of confidence and character. Music is an art that has been cultivated by every culture of humanity independent of one another, and as such has a special place amongst study and play. I am also a father of four wonderful children.

Aletta Cotto, RYT 200

Musical Mindfulness Instructor

Hello, my name is Aletta! For as long as I can remember I have had a passion for music and performing arts. I love to sing and dance… I feel it soothes the soul. Last year I started taking vocal and piano lessons with Ms. Amora and this year I joined the choir. I feel so honored to have been asked by Ms. Amora to teach a musical mindfulness class. I received my yoga teacher training certificate in 2020 and I am beyond excited to be a part of the BTC team. I look forward to sharing not only my love for music but also the benefits of yoga. Namaste

Mariah Buck RYT 200
Musical Mindfulness Instructor

Hello there! My name is Mariah. I started Yoga as a healthy hobby to fill my free time. After my first week of taking classes at a studio, I began to see extremely positive changes in my body, from the inside out, I was hooked and feeling great! My hobby became a passion and I’ve been practicing yoga for almost 7 years now. My life improved so much after starting yoga; I want everyone to feel that same transformation. That's when I decided I wanted to be a teacher. I completed my RYT200 at the Hot26 Yoga Teacher Training in the Spring of 2017. One of my favorite parts about teaching yoga is when I can connect my words with my student's bodies, and not just "instruct" yoga to them, but really TEACH them yoga. I really appreciate it when I come to a class with a teacher who is gentle but encouraging and truly accepts where I'm at in my practice that day. My favorite teachers are focused on their students and are dedicated to helping us improve in the time they have with us. I hope to be that teacher for you all. See you soon!

Diona Wiant
Administrative Assistant

Ms. Diona has spent 10 years in the Pacific Northwest, where she had the pleasure of joining the Briar Thomas Conservatory, as an administrator. Ms. Diona is a loving wife, and homeschooling mother of two wonderful children, who are piano students in the conservatory. Having recently relocated back to her hometown of San Diego, CA, Diona looks forward to continuing to connect with conservatory families virtually.

Shana Radach
Administrative Assitant

Shana Radach is a wife and mother of one energetic boy. She has lived in Puyallup for over 30 years and had previously worked with the founder of BTC. Since 2010, Shana has been working with children as a certified occupational therapy assistant to provide quality care and support to families with special needs. Within her scope of practice, Shana has seen and implemented the power of music including being one of the first occupational therapy assistants in the state to become an Integrated Listening Practitioner, utilizing music as a treatment modality for regulation and improving skills. Regardless of diagnosis, Shana sees the child for who they are and helps them achieve their own goals through play and encouragement. Shana will be bringing her playful nature to the administration team and looks forward to working alongside all of those who call BTC home.