Our teachers

Oksana Pavilionis

Distance is no longer a barrier to extraordinary music education. If you live outside of Benton, Arkansas—or anywhere in the world—you can study live with Oksana Pavilionis through personalized Zoom lessons from the comfort of your home.

Whether your dream is to play beautifully for your family, perform confidently on stage, improvise freely, or become a professional musician, your journey can begin today. The perfect time is not someday… the time is now.

Oksana teaches students of all ages—from young beginners to adults who are finally ready to follow their musical calling. Her online and in-person students receive the same personal attention, inspiration, structure, and artistic excellence.

Areas of study include:

  • Violin & Advanced Violin
  • Jazz Violin & Improvisation
  • Piano & Jazz Piano
  • Accordion
  • Voice & Performance Coaching
  • Classical, Jazz, Contemporary, Folk, Improvisation, and Creative Expression

At Ovation Music Academy, we do more than teach music—we help people discover confidence, discipline, creativity, and joy through performance.

Children. Adults. Beginners. Advanced musicians.
No matter where you live—your musical dreams are closer than you think.

Join us in person or online, and let’s create something extraordinary together.

Svyatoslav Bolubah

Svyatoslav “Slavek” Bolubah is an accomplished performer, multi-instrumentalist, and dedicated educator whose passion for music has inspired students for more than two decades. Known for his exceptional musicianship, versatility, and calm, encouraging teaching style, Slavek has helped countless children, teens, and adults discover their musical potential and grow into confident performers.

One of his students studied with him for over 10 years, developing from a young beginner into an outstanding drummer—a reflection of Slavek’s long-term commitment, patience, and ability to guide students toward true excellence.

As an active professional musician, Slavek performs regularly with multiple bands and ensembles, bringing years of real-world stage experience directly into every lesson. He is especially respected for teaching drummers not only how to play with power, precision, and strong technique—but how to play with sensitivity, musical awareness, and the ability to make everyone around them sound better. He teaches musicians how to listen, support, blend, and truly shine within an ensemble.

Slavek teaches:

  • Drum Set & Percussion
  • Piano
  • Brass Instruments
  • Woodwind Instruments
  • Rhythm Training
  • Improvisation
  • Ensemble Performance Skills
  • Audition & Performance Preparation

Students and parents consistently appreciate Slavek’s warm personality, professionalism, and ability to make lessons both challenging and enjoyable. His students build confidence, discipline, creativity, and a deep understanding of what it means to be a complete musician.

Whether you are a complete beginner, an advancing student, or an adult returning to music, Slavek welcomes you to study in person at Ovation Music Academy or online from anywhere in the world.

Learn from experience. Play with confidence. Become the musician others love to play with.

Lisa Pavilionis

Elizabeth (Lisa) Pavilionis is a versatile musician with a minor in French and a deep love for music, culture, film, and literature. In her teaching, she emphasizes foundational music theory to help students clearly understand what they are playing and why it works. Her goal is to make learning music engaging, thoughtful, and accessible, while encouraging curiosity and a deeper connection to the art.

Elizabeth holds a Bachelor’s degree in Music Performance, with concentrations in harp, violin, and piano. She performs professionally with the Texarkana Symphony Orchestra, appearing in concerts on harp, violin, and piano. Her diverse performance experience allows her to bring both technical excellence and musical depth into her teaching.

In addition to teaching students, Lisa plays an important role in mentoring and educating fellow teachers at Ovation Music Academy. She actively supports continuing musical education among the faculty, helping instructors refine their skills, expand their knowledge, and grow as musicians and educators. Through this collaborative approach, Lisa helps create a culture of constant learning, ensuring that both teachers and students continue to develop and thrive.

Hannah Gridley

Hannah Gridley is a dedicated and experienced teacher of violin, viola, and piano. Her musical journey began at the age of six when she started playing the piano, and she later took up the violin at age 16. With over two decades of experience playing piano, violin, and viola, Hannah has also been teaching music for more than 20 years.

Since high school, Hannah has been an active performer in orchestras. She is currently a violinist of the Saline Symphony Orchestra, where her talent and leadership shine.

Hannah is known for her kindness, professionalism, and innovative teaching methods. She tailors her approach to suit each student’s unique learning style, fostering a love for music and helping them achieve their full potential. Under her guidance, many students have grown into successful and confident musicians.

Hannah’s passion for music, dedication to her students, and extensive performance experience make her an inspiring teacher and mentor in the world of music education.

Jessica Lee

Jessica Lee is a passionate pianist, dedicated educator, and joyful mentor whose love for music shines through in every lesson. Deeply connected to the world of live performance, Jessica regularly attends concerts, studies great music, and continually grows as a musician—bringing that inspiration directly into her teaching.

Her students absolutely love learning with Jessica. Her warm personality, encouraging spirit, and engaging teaching style create an atmosphere where children feel excited to learn, confident to grow, and inspired to express themselves through music. Many students look forward to their lessons all week and leave feeling accomplished, motivated, and eager to return.

Jessica believes music is more than notes on a page—it is confidence, creativity, discipline, and joy. She helps each student develop beautiful musicality, strong technique, expressive playing, and a genuine connection to their instrument.

Families appreciate Jessica’s kindness, professionalism, and her ability to help students grow not only as musicians, but as confident young people.

Come experience lessons filled with inspiration, growth, and a true love for music.

Zane Lee

Zane Lee is an inspiring guitarist, performer, and dedicated music educator whose passion for teaching is felt from the very first lesson. Known for his warm personality, engaging teaching style, and genuine connection with students, Zane creates an environment where children, teens, and adults feel excited to learn, challenged to grow, and confident to express themselves through music.

Students absolutely love working with Zane—many never want their lessons to end and leave each class feeling motivated, accomplished, and eager to come back for more. His ability to connect with each student personally, while building strong technique and musical confidence, makes every lesson both productive and genuinely enjoyable.

Zane specializes in helping students grow step by step—from complete beginners picking up a guitar for the first time to advancing musicians ready to perform with confidence. His lessons focus not only on learning songs and technique, but on developing creativity, rhythm, stage presence, musical expression, and a lifelong love of music.

Zane teaches:

  • Acoustic Guitar
  • Electric Guitar
  • Beginning through Advanced Levels
  • Chords, Scales & Technique
  • Rhythm & Improvisation
  • Songwriting & Creative Expression
  • Performance Coaching

Whether you are a child discovering music for the first time, a teenager ready to perform, or an adult finally pursuing a lifelong dream, Zane Lee will help you grow with confidence, joy, and inspiration.

Available for in-person lessons at Ovation Music Academy or live online Zoom lessons from anywhere in the world.

Come experience lessons that students never want to leave.

Charles Zaremba

Charles Zaremba is a rising young artist, dedicated educator, and passionate performer who brings energy, excellence, and inspiration to every lesson. With over three years of teaching experience, Charles has already made a strong impact on students of all ages through his patient guidance, encouraging personality, and ability to make learning both exciting and rewarding.

A skilled performer on both violin and viola, Charles is a proud member of the donor-sponsored Morgan Quartet with the Arkansas Symphony Youth Orchestra, where he continues to perform at a high artistic level alongside exceptional young musicians. He also performs regularly for concerts, special events, and professional engagements, bringing valuable real-world performance experience directly into his teaching.

Students and families quickly connect with Charles’s warm, positive teaching style. His lessons are focused, motivating, and designed to help each student build strong technique, musical confidence, beautiful tone, and genuine artistic expression. Many of his students continue reaching higher levels of playing, developing not only as musicians, but as confident performers.

Charles teaches:

  • Violin
  • Viola
  • Beginning through Advanced Levels
  • Audition Preparation
  • Orchestra Preparation
  • Solo Performance Coaching
  • Technique, Tone Development & Musical Expression

As a young musician actively performing and growing in the professional music world, Charles brings fresh energy, modern teaching ideas, and a deep passion for helping the next generation fall in love with music.

In-person lessons at Ovation Music Academy or live online Zoom lessons available.
Come study with a teacher who inspires students to grow, perform, and achieve their highest potential.

Nam Le

With five years of dedicated musical experience, Nam has distinguished himself as a versatile and accomplished musician. For three years, he earned a coveted spot in the Arkansas Symphony Youth Orchestra, where he showcased his exceptional skills. Nam also served as the principal flutist in the All-Region Junior High Band for two consecutive years, demonstrating his leadership and artistry.

In addition to his performance accolades, Nam actively engages in music communities, striving to inspire and connect with others through his passion for the art. He was a semi-finalist in the prestigious Stella Boyle Smith Competition, further cementing his reputation as a rising talent.

Currently studying under the esteemed Dr. Phoebe Robertson at Arkansas Tech University, Nam combines his own experience with a commitment to teaching. He excels at guiding his students to success in orchestral settings, as solo performers, and in preparation for All-Region tryouts or any type of audition. Nam’s dedication to both his craft and his students ensures they are equipped with the skills and confidence to excel in their musical studies.

Daniel Malek

Daniel Malek is an electric bass, upright bass, and beginner guitar instructor at Ovation Music Academy. A dedicated bandleader, sideman, and lifelong student of music, Daniel has studied under acclaimed bassists Gary Willis (Tribal Tech, Allan Holdsworth) and John Ferrara (Consider the Source).

A versatile composer, performer, and arranger, Daniel explores a wide range of musical styles—from Bebop to Heavy Metal. His broad appreciation for music informs his teaching approach, helping students develop the skills to pursue their own unique musical journey. Daniel’s lessons focus not only on building a solid foundation in music theory and technical proficiency, but also on fostering creativity, self-expression, and personal freedom in the art of music.