Our teachers are carefully screened. They value strong parental support, a student centered curriculum, and the opportunity to establish enduring relationships with their students. Their philosophy is that all students have the potential to excel by simply following the right learning method. A few words about some of our teachers: Veronica Kara Veronica Kara has been the owner and principal of Bates School of Music, Art and Tutoring since 1994. Mrs.Kara is originally from Bulgaria, Eastern Europe, where she completed Musical High School with major in piano and voice, and Undergraduate Institute for musical pedagogy. In 1975 Mrs.Kara continued her education at the Kiev Conservatory in Ukraine - a former Russian republic. In 1980 she completed with honors her 5-year study and received a Master's Degree in Musicology, Music History and Theory and Pedagogy. Mrs.Kara also received the highest award as recommendation to work on her doctorate degree at the same Conservatory. Since then her activity included writing articles for various musical magazines, lecturing, guiding piano and music theory students throughout the pursuit of their musical careers. Mrs.Kara has also guided many piano and music theory students throughout the pursuit of their musical careers. Mrs.Kara has been living and teaching in San Diego since 1990. Prior to becoming the owner of Bates School, she was running a successful private piano studio. During these years she taught music privately, as well in public schools, and in addition was an organist at a church. Presently, Mrs.Kara also teaches music at Cuyamaca College. She is a member of the Music Teachers Association of California. Many of her students who have performed at competitions, public concerts and events, have been awarded and recognized.   Aleksandr Agamirzov Born in Baku, Azerbaijan, Aleksandr Agamirzov was drawn to music at a very early age through the influence of his mother singing folk songs, popular arias and romances. He graduated from Preparatory Conservatory of Music in 1976, then he acquired degrees as Choirmaster and Pianist in Music Institute. After being discovered by his vocal professor as a tenor with a clear expressive voice, he continued his music career as a vocalist in M. Glinka's Conservatory of Music in Nizhny Novgorod. After graduating from Conservatory with Master's Degree in vocal performance and vocal pedagogue, he moved to Lithuania where he performed the roles of Duke in Verdi's Rigoletto, Alfredo in La Traviata, Pincerton in Madama Butterfly and many others at Vilnus Opera House and Kaunas Musical Theater. He traveled abroad from 1990-1996, singing in Finland, the Netherlands, Germany and Spain. At the same time, he was teaching students at the Academy of Music in Kansas. During 1987-1996, Aleksandr won several vocal competitions in Lithuania and Russia. In 1996, Aleksandr immigrated to the United States and continued his career as a classical singer. He has performed with the Los Angeles-Petersburg Orchestra, the La Jolla Symphony and Chorus, the San Diego Opera and the Choir of Episcopal Church of St.John. In recent years Aleksandr performed at Carmel Valley Library, San Diego Lyceum Theater, Los Angeles Ford Amphitheater, St.John's Church, Mandeville Auditorium, Santa Barbara Lobero Theater and Hemet Concert Auditorium. He sang arias from operas, romances and sacred works. Aleksandr Agamirzov was awarded second place at the 1998 International Vocal Competition in San Francisco. In 2000 he earned a special recognition at the 13th Annual Violetta DuPont Vocal Competition.