Mr. Allen has been in education for 30 years, both as a student and as a teacher. He looks forward to using his experience and knowledge in music to help others start musical journeys of their own. He grew up in Arizona but has also spent time living in Utah, Wyoming, and Montana. He started singing and playing the piano at a young age, and even as a child he knew that he was going to be a music teacher. When Mr. Allen was 7 years old his mother told him that he could start piano lessons and even do this day he remembers the excitement from beginning his piano lessons. He has been hooked ever since; he also sang his first solo in church when he was 8.

Mr. Allen is a father of five and a grandfather of five as well. He loves working with kids and enjoys watching their eyes light up when they learn something new. Helping them learn and grow as individuals is the greatest part of the experience for him. Mr. Allen believes that music is one of the most fulfilling things one can do in one’s life: besides being an emotional outlet, music exercises the entire brain, creating new and efficient pathways in the brain, allowing them to excel not only in music but in other academic subjects as well.  Music teaches students organization, perseverance, and hard work. Making a difference in people’s lives is what drives his passion for music education, he is excited to be a piano and voice teacher at the East Valley School of Music.