Illumination Learning Studio

Illumination Learning Studio offers Preschool and Pre-K Arts Immersion, school-year and summer camps, Afternoon Arts Programs, and music lessons in instruments such as piano, guitar, ukulele, percussion, and flute, as well as voice. The program also includes Toddler Music & Movement, Early Learning & Academic Arts Immersion, ILS Preschool for ages 2 to 3 years, ILS Pre-K for ages 4 to 5 years, Afternoon Performing & Fine Arts, and instruction in music, drama, voice, and fine arts. Performance and art are included in all classes and programs, and adventure-themed camps are offered when school is out.

• Ages: 2–11 years old

Illumination Learning Studio describes itself as a locally owned and operated cultural, performing, and fine arts academy that offers educational programs for early childhood enrichment in cultural, performing, and fine arts. It is an independent family business that employs specialty arts instructors and teaching staff who develop proprietary arts curriculum and offers a mix of cultural arts and academic-based learning. Its stated mission is to engage and enlighten young minds through interactive learning, music, performing, and fine arts programs.

The first Illumination Learning Studio concept opened in the Greenwood/Phinney Ridge neighborhood in April 2013. The leadership and teaching team includes Co-Founder and Preschool Music Teacher Mike Piper; Preschool Program Director, Co-Founder, and Lead Pre-K Teacher Molli Piper; Director of Operations Will Piper; Business Manager Tricia Piper-Bennett; Lead Preschool Teacher and Toddler Music & Movement Teacher Ky Osburn; Creative Arts Instructor for Drama Marissa Caraballo; Creative Arts Instructor for Visual Arts Brianna Eng; and Creative Arts Instructor for Dance (on leave) Bridget Kirk. Mike Piper has trained in a variety of musical instruments with a primary focus on piano, holds a degree in Early Childhood Education and Music, and worked for 17 years as a Music and Cultural Arts Instructor for the Chicago Parks District. Molli Piper holds a Type-04 Early Childhood Teaching Certificate and has over 15 years of experience teaching preschool-age children. Will Piper holds an MBA with an HR Management focus from Central Michigan and a BS in Organizational Leadership from Arizona State University, and has over 7 years of experience teaching music privately. Ky Osburn received a 2-year Certificate in Immersive Performance in Musical Theatre from AMDA in New York and a BFA in Musical Performance from AMDA Los Angeles. Marissa Caraballo is a graduate of Boston College with a Bachelor of Arts in Theatre and French. Brianna Eng holds a BFA in Interdisciplinary Studio Arts with a focus on drawing, painting, and design.

Illumination Learning Studio is a member of the Phinney Neighborhood Association, has formerly served on its small business advisory board, and is a member of the Ballard Alliance of Businesses. The program is active in the Ballard, Greenwood, Green Lake, and Phinney Ridge areas, participating in community events year-round and taking part in charitable giving.

Parent testimonials describe experiences with the preschool, afterschool, and music lesson offerings. One parent reported returning to Illumination Learning Studio after previewing other preschools in Seattle, stating there was nothing else like it. Another parent shared that a child who attended for three years would be more than ready for kindergarten, and others described children enjoying kindergarten, afterschool programs, piano lessons, and arts activities such as drawing, creating, singing, acting, and playing piano. Several parents noted that their children were eager to go to the program, enjoyed the teachers and programming, and looked forward to sharing what they had done each day.

Last updated January 8, 2026.