WELCOME TO INNOVATIVE!
WORDS FROM THE FOUNDER & OWNER OF IPAS
Hi Guys! Alicia Ladson here! The Innovative team and myself are so excited to start this journey with you.
From day one, you will learn important foundational techniques to help you boost your skills and self-esteem. Here at IPAS we understand that each student has their own unique learning style, and it’s our duty to find out what that is and adapt our lessons accordingly. The ability to play an instrument or sing beautifully offers a lifetime of benefits. Music lessons also foster a student’s personal, social, and academic development. Innovative has made and continues to make the necessary step to invest in our team and provide an uplifting environment designed to foster creativity, confidence and joy.
Any and everyone can improve their musical skills. As a singer, musician, songwriter, and music teacher, I've witnessed hundreds of students transform their lives in ways they never imagined possible. We make it our mission to help students all over explore and develop their talents, wherever their curiosity and interests lead them.
Innovative Piano & Arts offers private 1x1 virtual music lessons. Our goal and mission is to provide quality lessons at an affordable rate to students all across the United States, push each student to become their best self in all areas of life and reach their full potential. Our instructors are educated and more than qualified to make online lessons seamless, educational, and fun.
We offer a well rounded curriculum which includes note reading, ear training, music appreciation, and much more. We focus on developing your own unique style and becoming an Innovative Musician. IPS is about having fun, discovering the music within, and learning tools to create and interpret the beautiful and powerful language of music! We believe that everyone is capable of learning and enjoying music.
The benefits of studying a musical instrument have been proven time and again to improve many areas of our lives! Music is a language that speaks to us all regardless of age, culture, native language, or life experience. Music touches our emotions, triggers memories, helps us move when we are happy, soothes our sorrow, and eases anxiety. When individuals embark upon a journey of musical discovery, no two paths are the same! We all learn in our own unique way and we all express ourselves differently. Music gives us an outlet to focus our attention, create disciplined practice habits, and touch others with its beauty.
Studies show that children who study a musical instrument have these outcomes:
• Score higher in math and reading
• Have improved hand-eye/ hand-finger coordination
• Have improved memory
• Learn to cope with stress
• Have better conflict-resolution skills
• Are improved in their athletic endeavors
• Have better time-management skills
• Learn healthy study habits
• Learn how to stick with things and see them through till the end
• Have improved self-esteem and fewer episodes of anxiety or depression
• Learn to read faster at the Pre-K level
• Learn rhythm and movement coordination
• Has faster development of fine/gross motor skills
• Music study creates new neuro-pathways in the brain
• Music study stimulates the same areas of the brain as one who is studying a second language
HERE'S WHATS HAPPENING
🎶 Save the Date! 🍁
Innovative Piano & Arts invites you to our 2025 Fall Recital — a beautiful celebration of music, growth, and creativity!
📅 November 22, 2025
📍 Greenville, SC
Join us for an inspiring afternoon featuring performances by our Piano, Voice, and Guitar students.
Stay tuned for more details — we can’t wait to share this special moment with our IPAS families and friends!
MEET OUR TEACHERS
Alicia Ladson - CEO and Lead Piano Instructor | Birmingham, AL
Alicia Ladson - CEO and Lead Piano Instructor | Birmingham, AL
Alicia Ladson - CEO and Lead Piano Instructor | Birmingham, AL
Alicia Ladson, founder of Innovative Piano & Arts (IPAS), is a music educator and vocalist who has been teaching since 2016. What began as a part-time piano studio grew into a full-time career in 2019 and later expanded in 2023 to include piano, voice, and guitar. In 2025, IPAS transitioned into a full online music academy, making quality
Alicia Ladson, founder of Innovative Piano & Arts (IPAS), is a music educator and vocalist who has been teaching since 2016. What began as a part-time piano studio grew into a full-time career in 2019 and later expanded in 2023 to include piano, voice, and guitar. In 2025, IPAS transitioned into a full online music academy, making quality music education accessible to students everywhere.
Alicia began playing piano at age 7, earning awards and performing at festivals hosted by institutions such as Lander University, the College of Charleston, Presbyterian College, and Bob Jones University. Today, she combines her background as both a pianist and vocalist with her passion for teaching, specializing in beginners, chord progressions, lead sheets, theory, and ear training. She is committed to helping each student find their unique sound and confidence as a musician.
A wife and mom of five, Alicia pours her love for family, ministry, and creativity into everything she does building not just skilled musicians, but inspired individuals.
Brianna Davis - Voice & Music Theory Instructor | Greenville, SC
Alicia Ladson - CEO and Lead Piano Instructor | Birmingham, AL
Alicia Ladson - CEO and Lead Piano Instructor | Birmingham, AL
Born and raised in Greenville, SC, Brianna has always carried a deep love for singing and performing, participating in various music groups throughout her life. Her passion for music and leadership has guided her both on stage and in the classroom.
She earned my Master of Music in Voice from Southern Illinois University in Carbondale and a
Born and raised in Greenville, SC, Brianna has always carried a deep love for singing and performing, participating in various music groups throughout her life. Her passion for music and leadership has guided her both on stage and in the classroom.
She earned my Master of Music in Voice from Southern Illinois University in Carbondale and a Bachelor of Arts in Voice from Claflin University in 2017. Brianna’s dedication to choral excellence has been recognized through several accomplishments, including leading her middle school choir to win 1st place at the Christian Academy Music Awards in 2018 and receiving an Excellent Rating at the Festival of Music at Carowinds in 2025.
Currently, she serves as the Middle School Music Teacher at Legacy Early College, where she strives to inspire the next generation of musicians. In addition, Brianna serves as Minister of Music and Choir Director at Rock of Ages Baptist Church in Greenville, SC, where she continues to share her gifts in worship and community leadership.
Mike Szpakowski - Guitar Instructor | Ontario, Canada
Christian Yi - Piano / Organ Instructor | Chicago , IL
Christian Yi - Piano / Organ Instructor | Chicago , IL
With over 20 years of experience as a guitar instructor and live performer, Mike Szpakowski offers a dynamic, personalized approach to music education.
He has toured Canada and the U.S. with his original band 40 Sons (formerly 40 Sons and Daughters), performing at major festivals like Ozzfest and numerous large-scale events. His career spa
With over 20 years of experience as a guitar instructor and live performer, Mike Szpakowski offers a dynamic, personalized approach to music education.
He has toured Canada and the U.S. with his original band 40 Sons (formerly 40 Sons and Daughters), performing at major festivals like Ozzfest and numerous large-scale events. His career spans songwriting, studio recording, and performing with several cover and event bands—including Paradise Union Band, where he’s played at prestigious venues such as Langdon Hall, Elora Mill, Ancaster Mill, and various wineries across Ontario.
Specializing in rock, acoustic, classical, and fingerstyle guitar, Mike has taught students of all ages and skill levels—helping them grow from beginners into confident, expressive musicians.
His teaching style is relaxed, motivating, and student-focused, blending structure with flexibility. Mike believes the best way to learn guitar is through music that excites you, building essential skills like technique, rhythm, and ear training through songs you love. With a patient, encouraging approach and decades of real-world experience, he helps every student find confidence and joy in playing guitar.
Christian Yi - Piano / Organ Instructor | Chicago , IL
Christian Yi - Piano / Organ Instructor | Chicago , IL
Christian Yi - Piano / Organ Instructor | Chicago , IL
Meet Christian Yi !!
Based in Chicago, IL, Christian Yi is a talented musician, educator, and director with a passion for changing lives through music.
A pianist since the age of five, Christian’s journey has taken him from local stages to international platforms, performing at venues such as Andy’s Jazz Club, The Goodman Theatre, Willow C
Meet Christian Yi !!
Based in Chicago, IL, Christian Yi is a talented musician, educator, and director with a passion for changing lives through music.
A pianist since the age of five, Christian’s journey has taken him from local stages to international platforms, performing at venues such as Andy’s Jazz Club, The Goodman Theatre, Willow Creek Community Church, and The United Center.
He holds a Bachelor’s in Music Performance (Jazz Studies & Piano) from Northern Illinois University, where he was a Ron J. Modell Jazz Studies Scholarship recipient and recognized on the High Honors List for multiple years.
Christian’s experience spans classical, gospel, jazz, R&B, blues, pop, and contemporary Christian music, giving his teaching a rich and versatile foundation. His lessons blend structure with creativity helping each student develop strong technical skills while exploring the styles they love.
For all my aspiring jazz and gospel musicians… Christian is your guy!