From a young age, I have been deeply involved in the musical community. I began studying piano when I was three, and throughout my education, I’ve learned from such accomplished instructors as Belle Mehus and Christopher Taylor. After receiving a Bachelor’s Degree in Piano Performance from The University of Mary in North Dakota, I continue to study, teach, perform, and compose. I’ve also studied guitar and bass for nearly twenty years.  I love playing and teaching these instruments because of the strong correlations between the way they are tuned and played and the way western music theory works—as well as the pure enjoyment that comes from them!  Additionally, I have twenty years of education in oboe and other woodwind instruments. I was principle oboist for two orchestras and reached the third round of auditions for 3rd oboe in The Minnesota Orchestra in 2006. Lastly, I have been an active vocalist since being a boy soprano in Menotti's Amahl and the Night Visitors...

My goal as a teacher is to make music enjoyable and educational for any student. I meet each of my students at their level and my passion is to ensure that all of my students' musical dreams come true.

I have studied classical guitar and saxophone since 1999. I continued my studies of both instruments while at university. While at UNT, I learned how to play all of the wind and percussion instruments and I studied piano as well. I have played in several bands and I have recorded three albums with those various groups (all original music).

Education/Work Experience

-Earned undergraduate degree in Music Education from the University of North Texas

-Earned a Master's Degree in Music at the University of Southern California

-Certified public school teacher

-Local area Session Guitarist/saxophonist

-8 years of private teaching experience; I have taught 100 students since opening my private music studio. I have taught students as young as 6 and as old as 48. I...

Bram, a graduate of the Eastman School of Music is an experienced performer and instructor of woodwinds. He is a well respected and accomplished musician both in Los Angeles and abroad, specializing on saxophones, flute and clarinet. Starting on piano at a very young age, he has been playing music all of his life. At the early age of 6, he received a standing ovation for is performance of "Hill Street Blues on piano! A few years later, he decided to pursue the saxophone, and not long after, he was studying the clarinet and flute as well. As his skill and talent progressed, the window of opportunities opened up.

While attending Hamilton High School's Academy of Music in Los Angeles, Bram started to get involved in numerous projects and bands. At the age of 16, he had the opportunity to travel to Japan to play with the Monterey All Star High School Jazz Band. He has received multiple awards and scholarships, from prestigious organizations such as the Thelonious Monk...

From childhood I considered myself to be a singer and entertainer. Feeling called to a career in music, I began my undergraduate studies in piano and voice performance at the Wheaton College Conservatory near Chicago, Illinois. I then spent two years in France studying voice at the Conservatoire de Nancy and was awarded the Médaille d’Or in 2004. I then returned to the United States to pursue my singing career. In 2005, I had the honor of being selected to join the Maryland Opera Studio at the University of Maryland. As a member of this prestigious opera program, I performed the roles of Sophie in Massenet's "Werther", Anne Sexton in Conrad Susa's "Transformations" and Rose in the World Premiere of John Musto’s "Later the Same Evening." My love of new music has lead me to collaborate with Opera Lafayette of Washington DC and with Chantry, one of Washington's leading Renaissance vocal ensembles. I have also performed new music with Washington D.C.’s Great Noise Ensemble, the...

Raffia Biography

Nadine Raffia is a New York born-Los Angeles based singer and songwriter. Raised a short distance from New York City in the suburbs of Long Island, Raffia was constantly surrounded by a rich culture of soulful music, dance, and meaningful art which later served as a foundation for her own musical talents.

At the tender age of five, young Raffia discovered her passion for singing, and further recognized her God given gift to perform. As a child, she was a standout vocalist as a member of the Children’s Church Choir, during which time she made her solo debut. At an early age, she chose to focus on developing her vocals skills utilizing her involvement with the choir as a means of displaying her singing ability.

Years later, Raffia began writing compositions with musical inspiration from such artists as Whitney Houston, Rachelle Ferrell, and Anita Baker to name a few. Her voice could be best described as soulful, sultry, and passionate. From her ballads,...

Hello, my name is Cindy and I am a vocal and instrumental instructor. I received my BA and MAT degrees from Pepperdine University. I have taught privately for over 25 years in the San Fernando Valley, along with Pasadena and Simi Valley areas. During college I performed in several operas including The Magic Flute and Hansel and Gretal with the Burbank Symphony Orchestra. After college, I was a member of Musical Americans, a select touring group from Southern California under the direction of K. Gene Simmonds that toured South America and Japan. I also served as a minister of music at a local church for several years.

I began playing the piano at the age of 7. My mother and sister were taking lessons and, when they had finished practicing I would go into the piano and play what they had just played. My mother figured that I was the one with the talent so I got the lessons. When I was 9, I became interested in the violin. Back in those days, it was required for you to take...

I have 40 years of Music Educational experience. Starting with a B.A. in Music Education and a B.S. in Music Composition & Theory. Both degrees are from Eastern Washington University.

I had the pleasure of teaching at King's Schools in Seattle, and Christ the King Academy in Poulsbo, Washington with a total of 8 years between the two. This included teaching Beginning and Intermediate Band classes for Elementary students. Band classes for the Jr. High and High School, Jazz Ensembles, Brass Ensembles, Orchestra and String Ensembles.

I also taught Choir for Elementary, Jr. High and High School, along with a special Vocal Ensemble.

Another fun thing I got to do was also coach teams in football, baseball, gymnastics, track and golf.

Since my Senior year in College I have been teaching private music lessons on many instruments. Because of my musical training, I am able to play and teach on all the Band and Orchestra instruments, including Combo instruments.

Another...

Hello there! My name is Fernando, and I bring lots of profession playing and teaching experience to the table. I am an active musician in several local bands of various styles and genres, including jazz bands, latin jazz bands, sax quartets, church groups, and musicals. I have played across southern California, several other states including Nevada (Reno Jazz Festival), Portugal, and Mexico.

I am also an active woodwind teacher for various high schools across southern California, as well as a marching/visual coach for marching bands.

I am in the process of finishing my first album, I manage my own band, yet I still manage to dedicate lots of time and effort to my students and make sure that I am always doing my best to see them succeed.

I can teach everything from jazz, to classical, rock, blues, latin genres (salsa, merengue, bolero, mambo, etc.), and even contemporary Christian music in both English and Spanish.

I mix all of these experiences and knowledge...

My name is James and I have earned a Master’s degree in Music Performance and graduated from Cal State Fullerton. I also have a Bachelor’s degree in Music Education received from the University of Redlands. I have performed with a variety of musical ensembles (college, orchestra, band, chamber groups) and have experience in all musical genres. Currently I am Co-principal of the Corona Symphony Orchestra and play in other groups throughout Southern California as well as the Elementary level band instructor in the Monrovia Unified School district. I have also taught and coached at several middle and high schools for the past few years, and I teach privately throughout the San Gabriel Valley and the Inland Empire. My passion is educating the musicians of tomorrow and helping them discover their innate musical abilities and desires.

Kris has been a private vocal, flute and piano instructor since 1984, and has been teaching in the Santa Clarita Valley since 1994. Her students have gone on to perform in the Los Angeles Opera Company, and in Regional Theatre and National Touring Companies for Hairspray, The King And I, The Music Man, Jekyll and Hyde, A Little Night Music, Fiddler On the Roof, My Fair Lady, Edges, Cats, and many other great musicals. She has been an Individual Voice Instructor at The American Musical and Dramatic Academy in Los Angeles since the Fall semester of 2004, and also teaches at a private studio in West Hollywood. She has taught vocal workshops from coast to coast, in Musical Theatre and Rock styles.

Kris has been the Vocal Director for the Southern California Childrens' Music Theatre productions of And The World Goes 'Round, Zombie Prom and Footloose, and was also the Vocal and Musical Director for their production of Once Upon A Mattress. She was the Vocal Director for...

I'm a pop/rock singer from New Jersey with a B.A. in Music Education from Fairleigh Dickinson University. I majored in voice where I had to sing classical music (!) and I minored in piano. After I graduated, I went on tour with a Broadway review and shortly after that, recorded my first hard rock album. Right now, I have my own band where I sing, play keyboards and Latin percussion. I can not only help you to sing in tune and with confidence, I can help you learn to perform and connect with an audience. I'm also an accomplished songwriter with hundreds of songs of all styles placed in film and TV. I can teach you how to construct a pop song.

Originally from Chicago, I attended Chicago Musical College for 2 years before moving to Calif. and receiving my B.A. in music from Cal. State Northridge. I also have an M.A. in Education from there. I have been a band director in public schools for over 40 years. My bands have won over 50 1st place awards in music competitions. I have been playing keyboard professionally since the age of 14. I truly enjoy working with both kids and adults on a one on one basis, and provide a relaxed and friendly, yet goal-oriented experience.