Play Your Part, Inc. is a unique company designed to provide music therapy, music lessons, group music classes and contract music therapy services in Southern California. The name “Play Your Part” came from an anonymous quote on a necklace given to Brianna upon her high school graduation: “Life’s a symphony, play your part.” Inspired by this quote, Brianna focused on a career path that would enable her to use the universal language of music as a tool to help people learn, grow, and achieve success.
Brianna, Founder
Seeking a way to use her love of music to help and educate others, Brianna Shaffer, received her Bachelor of Music in Music Therapy with an emphasis in Piano Performance from Chapman University’s Conservatory of Music in 2009. After graduation, Brianna married her high school sweetheart, Teren. Shortly thereafter, she was selected for a prestigious six-month internship and residency at MusicWorx, Inc., which partnered with Scripps Hospital in San Diego, CA. Upon successful completion of this program and her board exam, Brianna, now Board-Certified, moved to Cincinnati, Ohio where she worked for Music Therapy Services..
At MTS, Brianna provided individual and group music therapy sessions for children and adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities. While at MTS, Brianna developed a passion for working with children and adults on the Autism spectrum. To that end, in April 2011, Brianna was honored with the Innovative Award from Ohio Choices for her ability to “build innovative relationships and supportive networks for youth with emotional or behavioral disabilities and their families.”
After returning to sunny California in July 2011, Brianna was selected to design and lead a music therapy program at a private school and clinic for children on the Autism spectrum, in Irvine, CA. The creation of this program provided Brianna with an opportunity to develop a complete music therapy curriculum that worked collaboratively with special education programs, as well as Speech, Behavioral, and Occupational therapies.
Brianna was on the Board of Directors of Music Movement, a non-profit whose mission is to bring music and instruments to individual and music programs in Southern California, from 2011-2021. Brianna has two children, Wesley (8), and Camdyn (5). Brianna enjoys socializing with her friends, baking, playing games with her kiddos, and traveling.
Isha, piano teacher
Isha Love began playing piano at the age of five and honed her craft at the world- renowned Berklee College of Music where she graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Piano Performance. While at Berklee, Love was hired as the primary accompanist for the Voice Department and received numerous invitations to play with such well- established artists as Andrae Crouch, Frank McComb, Lisa McClendon, Kim Burrell, Peter White, Gail Johnson, Karen Briggs, Jazz in pink, and Barbara Morrison, among others.
Today, Love is pursued by many artists and producers who look to her masterful keyboard playing and musical sensibilities for their studio and stage projects. Love released solo piano album “jars of waters” and is currently writing, arranging and recording her original compositions scheduled to be released soon.
Love has experience playing all styles of music with numerous musicians in many sessions and shows. She has taught piano for 15 years and can play and teach any genre of music, including pop, jazz, gospel, R&B, world music and classical. She can include help with reading scores, lead sheets or charts, or with transcribing piano parts from recordings in lessons. Love believes studying in a stress-free environment with lots of affirmations and encouragement can push people to perform at the best of their abilities.