Music With Confidence
Music With Confidence is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization that goes beyond being just a music school. It utilizes performing arts and fine arts as tools to help students develop self-confidence, teamwork skills, and a sense of control and hope for their future. The organization actively collaborates with other groups to achieve shared goals, such as empowering children and fostering mental health.
Music With Confidence is affiliated with the Nevada Coalition for Suicide Prevention, demonstrating its commitment to mental health and well-being, and is approved by the Washoe County School District, ensuring its programs meet educational standards and effectively serve the community. Through these partnerships and its arts-driven approach, Music With Confidence creates meaningful opportunities for children to grow and thrive.
Music With Confidence is affiliated with the Nevada Coalition for Suicide Prevention, demonstrating its commitment to mental health and well-being, and is approved by the Washoe County School District, ensuring its programs meet educational standards and effectively serve the community. Through these partnerships and its arts-driven approach, Music With Confidence creates meaningful opportunities for children to grow and thrive.
Our Mission
Is to empower children with emotional and physical challenges using performing arts to build confidence and social skills.
What We Teach
At Music With Confidence, we offer a diverse range of classes taught by educational experts in their respective arts, including Piano, Guitar, Ukulele, Voice, Percussion, Violin, Cello, Dance, Acting, Bass Instruments, and Woodwind Instruments. Students participate in engaging and educational programs designed to teach the artistry of music, performance, and art, with options available for beginners and advanced learners alike. Our approach encourages exploration and creativity—students are never tied to a specific instrument or style.
They are free to discover their passions and, once they’ve chosen their focus, follow structured pathways to develop and refine their skills.
Beyond music and instruments, we offer courses in acting, stage lighting and sound, dance, and leadership allowing students to delve into other aspects of the performing arts. Our programs are designed to inspire confidence, creativity, and a lifelong love for the arts, giving every child the opportunity to grow both artistically and personally in a fun and supportive environment.
They are free to discover their passions and, once they’ve chosen their focus, follow structured pathways to develop and refine their skills.
Beyond music and instruments, we offer courses in acting, stage lighting and sound, dance, and leadership allowing students to delve into other aspects of the performing arts. Our programs are designed to inspire confidence, creativity, and a lifelong love for the arts, giving every child the opportunity to grow both artistically and personally in a fun and supportive environment.
Teaching Staff
Diana Hoffman
Voice Instructor, Piano Instructor, Violin Instructor, Acting Instructor
Miss Diana has been a leader in non-profit and for profit companies for more than 40 years. Starting a law firm, CEO of a life science company and other companies and all the time performing as an Opera and Musical Theater singer and actor. She is founder of Music with Confidence determining that it is not about the performance but the child's development!
JC Clark
Art Director, Arts and Crafts Instructor
This talented woman makes trash come to life in the most amazing art forms! She has a heart as big as the sun and loves to help children development their artistic talents and their joyous spirit. She has made community service her life through Rotary and Music With Confidence.
Mic Thompson
Choreographer, Dance Instructor
Mic has blessed MWC with his outstanding choreography adapted to children who have little or no background in stage movement. He is a world renown choreographer choreographer and on camera performer for animation motion picture capture department at Walt Disney studios and special events worldwide. He created the choreography for Disneyland’s Halloween spectacular. Those of you who have been watching "The Prom" on streaming will recognize Mic as lead dancer and those who remember the great late Michael Jackson, Mic was who Michael Jackson relied on for 9 years! We are so fortunate to have him not just for this workshop but in the past, the wizard of oz and this summer for a musical camp featuring the songs from “Oliver”.
Ed Chevalley
Guitar Instructor, Piano Instructor
With a passion for playing guitar (and a degree in music), Ed’s influences include Guy Van Duser, Chet Atkins, Merle Travis, George Van Epps, Ted Greene, Joe Pass, Doyle Dykes and many more. “My musical interests are quite diverse, which means that any style of music that involves the guitar has interested me at some point in my life. For the last few years I have been interested in the guitar as a solo instrument and have worked out many arrangements of standard tunes. I see every tune as a puzzle to put together until I get it to a level that works in a live situation.” Ed has been teaching young people the guitar for the last 20 years and enjoys working with the individual student to not only play the guitar by understanding music theory and reading music. Ear training is also included to listen to a piece music and by listening, learning to play it.
Darryl (DJ) Jackson
Audio Engineer Drums and Percussion Instructor, Audio and Tech Instructor
With over 50 years in the music business as a musician, performer, producer, and recording artist, Darryl (DJ) Jackson is an amazing composer, musician, producer, and audio engineer. He works with us to record some of our MWC students including; Darby Edberg, recorded a vocal demo for the Reno Pops Orchestra. Also in Nov 2023, Lilyan Bronk, another great young MWC vocalist, recorded her first vocal studio recordings at VectraSound. DJ also records and produces other recording artists within many genres. DJ is also available for Sound Recording for vocalists, solo artists, small bands, and producing Podcast shows. For more information go to: DarrylJacksonMusic.com or contact Diana Hoffman.
Jaymes Forest
Drums and Percussion Instructor
Johanne Richard
Violin Instructor
Johanne has been a professional violinist with orchestras on the east coast and here in Reno (Reno Pops Orchestra). She is wonderful with our kids and is so supportive of their learning process. She is also a Mezzo-soprano having performed in church choirs as a soloist and in our production of "Oliver".
Sophie Duvall
Cello Instructor
Sophie Duvall is a lifelong musician, Reno resident, and a cellist of 8 years. Along with studying biochemistry, she is pursuing a music degree in Cello Performance under Dr. Dmitri Atapine at UNR. As someone pursuing both academia and music, she is well aware of the power of expressing yourself through music, and is eager to share that. While well-versed in classical repertoire and technique, she explores a wide variety of music in her listening habits and performances. That ranges from her love of jazz, to rock and folk, to K-Pop, and much of everything in between. In the realm of classical music, Sophie advocates for equal gender representation in music history, and hosts a show called Vignettes on Wolf Pack Radio. There, she researches and shares classical and jazz music by women composers of the past and present every week. Sophie hopes to help her students find their own language within music through sheer student creativity, while solidifying a strong foundation in music theory and ergonomic cello techniques. Cello is her primary instrument, but she is more than happy to aid students with composing and creating their own music as well.
Colton Michael Brown
Marking Director, Camp Director, Acting Instructor, Intern
Colton is a high school student at the Academy of Arts Careers and Technology (AACT) and an MBA High School of Business student specializing in Marketing and Sales. A talented artist, musician, and performer, Colton has acted in several notable productions, including:
You can find more information about me at my website!
Voice Instructor, Piano Instructor, Violin Instructor, Acting Instructor
Miss Diana has been a leader in non-profit and for profit companies for more than 40 years. Starting a law firm, CEO of a life science company and other companies and all the time performing as an Opera and Musical Theater singer and actor. She is founder of Music with Confidence determining that it is not about the performance but the child's development!
JC Clark
Art Director, Arts and Crafts Instructor
This talented woman makes trash come to life in the most amazing art forms! She has a heart as big as the sun and loves to help children development their artistic talents and their joyous spirit. She has made community service her life through Rotary and Music With Confidence.
Mic Thompson
Choreographer, Dance Instructor
Mic has blessed MWC with his outstanding choreography adapted to children who have little or no background in stage movement. He is a world renown choreographer choreographer and on camera performer for animation motion picture capture department at Walt Disney studios and special events worldwide. He created the choreography for Disneyland’s Halloween spectacular. Those of you who have been watching "The Prom" on streaming will recognize Mic as lead dancer and those who remember the great late Michael Jackson, Mic was who Michael Jackson relied on for 9 years! We are so fortunate to have him not just for this workshop but in the past, the wizard of oz and this summer for a musical camp featuring the songs from “Oliver”.
Ed Chevalley
Guitar Instructor, Piano Instructor
With a passion for playing guitar (and a degree in music), Ed’s influences include Guy Van Duser, Chet Atkins, Merle Travis, George Van Epps, Ted Greene, Joe Pass, Doyle Dykes and many more. “My musical interests are quite diverse, which means that any style of music that involves the guitar has interested me at some point in my life. For the last few years I have been interested in the guitar as a solo instrument and have worked out many arrangements of standard tunes. I see every tune as a puzzle to put together until I get it to a level that works in a live situation.” Ed has been teaching young people the guitar for the last 20 years and enjoys working with the individual student to not only play the guitar by understanding music theory and reading music. Ear training is also included to listen to a piece music and by listening, learning to play it.
Darryl (DJ) Jackson
Audio Engineer Drums and Percussion Instructor, Audio and Tech Instructor
With over 50 years in the music business as a musician, performer, producer, and recording artist, Darryl (DJ) Jackson is an amazing composer, musician, producer, and audio engineer. He works with us to record some of our MWC students including; Darby Edberg, recorded a vocal demo for the Reno Pops Orchestra. Also in Nov 2023, Lilyan Bronk, another great young MWC vocalist, recorded her first vocal studio recordings at VectraSound. DJ also records and produces other recording artists within many genres. DJ is also available for Sound Recording for vocalists, solo artists, small bands, and producing Podcast shows. For more information go to: DarrylJacksonMusic.com or contact Diana Hoffman.
Jaymes Forest
Drums and Percussion Instructor
Johanne Richard
Violin Instructor
Johanne has been a professional violinist with orchestras on the east coast and here in Reno (Reno Pops Orchestra). She is wonderful with our kids and is so supportive of their learning process. She is also a Mezzo-soprano having performed in church choirs as a soloist and in our production of "Oliver".
Sophie Duvall
Cello Instructor
Sophie Duvall is a lifelong musician, Reno resident, and a cellist of 8 years. Along with studying biochemistry, she is pursuing a music degree in Cello Performance under Dr. Dmitri Atapine at UNR. As someone pursuing both academia and music, she is well aware of the power of expressing yourself through music, and is eager to share that. While well-versed in classical repertoire and technique, she explores a wide variety of music in her listening habits and performances. That ranges from her love of jazz, to rock and folk, to K-Pop, and much of everything in between. In the realm of classical music, Sophie advocates for equal gender representation in music history, and hosts a show called Vignettes on Wolf Pack Radio. There, she researches and shares classical and jazz music by women composers of the past and present every week. Sophie hopes to help her students find their own language within music through sheer student creativity, while solidifying a strong foundation in music theory and ergonomic cello techniques. Cello is her primary instrument, but she is more than happy to aid students with composing and creating their own music as well.
Colton Michael Brown
Marking Director, Camp Director, Acting Instructor, Intern
Colton is a high school student at the Academy of Arts Careers and Technology (AACT) and an MBA High School of Business student specializing in Marketing and Sales. A talented artist, musician, and performer, Colton has acted in several notable productions, including:
- Theater Works of Northern Nevada’s Treasure Island
- Mater Academy of Northern Nevada Theater’s Aladdin
- Music With Confidence’s productions of Oliver! the Musical and The Sound of Music.
- Best Youth Actor at the Boys and Girls Club of America Film Festival
- Placed in the Rotary Club of Sparks Music Competition in 2023 and 2024.
You can find more information about me at my website!
Board of Directors
Diana Hoffman
President and General Director
Ms. Hoffman has led for profit and non-profit Boards and companies for more than 30 years. Miss Diana has performed in Operas, Musical Theatre, and concerts and has also produced and directed various shows.
Melinda Hearn
Bookkeeper
Ms. Hearn has had her independent bookkeeping and accounting support firm for more than 20 years. Previously she had been a
paralegal with local law firms. She has many local businesses both for profit and non-profit as clients and is pleased to join Music With
Confidence's Board of Directors as both Treasurer and member.
Darryl (DJ) Jackson
Board Member
Darryl (DJ) Jackson (DarrylJacksonMusic.com) is a musician/composer/producer with over 50 years’ experience in performing live and in the studio. Darryl is a published solo recording artist and brings his years of live performance, studio recording, production, and audio engineering talents to MWC. He also is the Audio Engineer at Music With Confidence and teaches Drums and Percussion. DJ also teaches sound design and audio support for MWC events.
Linda Smith
Board Member
Linda W. Smith has called Reno home since 1980 and has dedicated her life to community service and leadership. For nearly four decades, she has been actively involved with the Alliance of the Washoe County Medical Society and the Nevada State Medical Association, serving in roles such as Board President and Legislative Chair. Linda’s passion for advocacy extends to the Susan G. Komen Foundation, where she co-chaired the Race for the Cure and served as Board Chair, as well as the Community Foundation of Northern Nevada, where she was Board Chair and Development Committee Chair. Professionally, Linda has worked as a high school English teacher, real estate agent, program facilitator, and parent education coordinator. She earned her B.A. in English from Pacific Lutheran University and studied at Oxford University. As a member of the Music With Confidence board, Linda continues her dedication to empowering children and fostering creativity within the community.
President and General Director
Ms. Hoffman has led for profit and non-profit Boards and companies for more than 30 years. Miss Diana has performed in Operas, Musical Theatre, and concerts and has also produced and directed various shows.
Melinda Hearn
Bookkeeper
Ms. Hearn has had her independent bookkeeping and accounting support firm for more than 20 years. Previously she had been a
paralegal with local law firms. She has many local businesses both for profit and non-profit as clients and is pleased to join Music With
Confidence's Board of Directors as both Treasurer and member.
Darryl (DJ) Jackson
Board Member
Darryl (DJ) Jackson (DarrylJacksonMusic.com) is a musician/composer/producer with over 50 years’ experience in performing live and in the studio. Darryl is a published solo recording artist and brings his years of live performance, studio recording, production, and audio engineering talents to MWC. He also is the Audio Engineer at Music With Confidence and teaches Drums and Percussion. DJ also teaches sound design and audio support for MWC events.
Linda Smith
Board Member
Linda W. Smith has called Reno home since 1980 and has dedicated her life to community service and leadership. For nearly four decades, she has been actively involved with the Alliance of the Washoe County Medical Society and the Nevada State Medical Association, serving in roles such as Board President and Legislative Chair. Linda’s passion for advocacy extends to the Susan G. Komen Foundation, where she co-chaired the Race for the Cure and served as Board Chair, as well as the Community Foundation of Northern Nevada, where she was Board Chair and Development Committee Chair. Professionally, Linda has worked as a high school English teacher, real estate agent, program facilitator, and parent education coordinator. She earned her B.A. in English from Pacific Lutheran University and studied at Oxford University. As a member of the Music With Confidence board, Linda continues her dedication to empowering children and fostering creativity within the community.
