MEET OUR INSTRUCTORS:
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Bass - Electric/Acoustic |
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Brass - Trumpet, Cornet, Trombone, French Horn, Low Brass |
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Dulcimer |
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Drums/Percussion |
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Guitar |
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Mandolin |
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Piano/Keyboard |
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Strings - Violin, Viola, Cello, Upright Bass |
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Voice |
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Woodwinds - Clarient, Flute, Piccolo, Saxophone, Oboe, Bassoon, Recorder |
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BASS - ELECTRIC/ACOUSTIC 
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Spencer Wright : Electric Bass, Double Bass
Spencer was born in Washington, D.C., and grew up in the Washington/Northern Virginia area. After playing bass guitar throughout high school, he attended the University of Miami School of Music, where he later earned a Bachelor of Music degree. While in Miami, he picked up the double bass, and was able to play with many legendary jazz musicians, including: Ira Sullivan, Duffy Jackson, and Darmon Meader of the New York Voices.
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Upon leaving Miami, Spencer relocated to Los Angeles, where he quickly became busy playing with groups in diverse genres such as: rock, pop, country, jazz, & blues. He has performed with many top name artists including: Ricky Fante, Richie Sambora, Aaron Carter & Kenny G. In addition to numerous independent albums and movies, Spencer has recorded for the movies “Flags of Our Fathers”, “War of the Worlds”, and the TV show “Malcolm & Eddie”.
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Chase Bland : Trombone and Low Brass
Chase is twenty-seven years old. He has been playing trombone for 14 years. He started playing trombone in high school and continued on to Citrus College where his real education of music began, studying with David Beatty, Craig Ware, and Bob Slack. Chase is currently finishing his Bachelors in music at Azusa Pacific University. Highly motivated and dedicated to musicianship, striving for perfection is his current goal. |
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Brandon Sherman : Trumpet
Brandon Sherman, a native of Southern California, has been playing music for 19 years starting with violin and piano and moving on to trumpet, French horn, and trombone. He started at age 10 playing his main instrument, trumpet, and began studying privately with such names as Los Angeles Trumpeter/Recording Artist Leslie Drayton, Bobby Shew, New York Trumpeter Ralph Alessi, and other New York names like Brad Shepik, John Hollenbeck, Jason Moran, and Jim Black. Throughout his high school years he played professionally on trumpet and French horn in the Los Angeles and Ventura County |
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areas in the Los Angeles Jazz Society, The Lane 29 Jazz Orchestra, and with many other groups. While making a name for himself in Reno, NV, starting in 2002, with his own groups as a jazz trumpet player and as a classical trumpet player with various Brass Quintets and Ensembles, he also studied with the past Principal Trumpeter of the Reno Philharmonic, Dr. Larry Engstrom, and earned a Bachelor of Music Degree in Jazz Studies. He is currently enrolled in the Master of Fine Arts program at the California Institute of the Arts while maintaining a healthy performance and recording schedule.
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DULCIMER
Jeff Stetson : Mandolin, Dulcimer, Guitar
Jeff Stetson received his bachelors degree in music from Cal State Los Angeles. Jeff has played with everyone from The Drifters, to the Tower of Power, to jazz trumpeter Bobby Bradford. He has led his own bands which have featured alumni from such luminaries as Stevie Wonder, Ray Charles, Jerry Lee Lewis, Tony Bennett and Count Basie. Jeff taught guitar, bass, mandolin, music theory and improvisation at Graham Music for 21 years, and presently at Groovin' On Music. |
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DRUMS/ PERCUSSION
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Matthew Moore : Drums and Percussion
Matthew Moore was born in England and raised in New Zealand. He started drumming at an early age and has never looked back. Matthew took to the stage performing with bands after having been playing for only a few months. After playing blues, jazz, rock, theater and big band for three and a half years, Matthew decided to head to Los Angeles. Upon arrival Matthew headed straight for the Los Angeles Music Academy where he studied and graduated in 2003. Matthew also was also certified in music performance from Tai Poutini Polytechnic in New Zealand. He has also performed on "The Morning Show", WXRT Chicago and Expose Cable Show. He has performed over 1,000 times with rock, pop, funk, and jazz groups and
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currently teaches drums at Groovin' on Music.
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Freddy Maciel: Drummer, Singer, Songwriter
www.fredmaciel.com www.myspace.com/fredmaciel
Freddy Maciel was born in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. He was a member of Herva Doce one of Brazil’s most successful Rock bands of the 80’s signed for major labels EMI Odeon and RCA. Freddy has worked and performed with many top Brazilian artist’s such as Lobao, Ney Matogrosso, Erasmo Carlos, Ritchie, Blitz, Evandro Mesquita, Joao Penca, Sandy & Junior, Zelia Duncan, Leo Jaime and many others. He has composed for Brazilian TV shows and Soap Operas for Globo, SBT and Bandeirantes TV Networks.
Freddy also plays guitar and sings, he is also known among Anime
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fans as the singer for the Japanese Anime TV Show Jaspion (Juspion) which was a huge success in Brazil.
In the US Freddy has performed with musicians such as Kleber Jorge, Mike Shapiro, Luis Conte, Bill Cantos, Luisa and Larry Dunn, Zé Luis and others.
He is currently a member of The Faded an established LA Rock band. The Faded has a new track scheduled for release in march and will be part of a CD compilation called High School Musical goes Punk featuring The Faded’s version of world smash phenomenon “Breaking Free”. The video is scheduled for release on YouTube anytime before the end of February 2008.
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GUITAR
Oz Fox : Guitar
Lead guitarist for the Christian rock group "Stryper". Oz has a history of professionalism with the ability to take intermediate players to a new level. Oz touches on basic theory focusing on diatonic mode and pentatonic patterns unleashing confidence in improvising on the spot solo-ing. For more info on Oz Fox, visit at stryper.com or ozfox.com |
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Mary Ann Graham : Guitar and Voice
www.MagsElement.com
Mary Ann Graham is a multi-faceted singer-songwriter-guitarist and performer. A native born Southern Californian, her life focus has always been music, from her beginnings as a little girl in the church choir to playing guitar in her first all girl band by age 12. She received her formal vocal training with Pollyanne Baxter at Cal State Los Angeles, where she received her BA in Music. Over the years she has performed her original music in coffee houses, and other venues. When she is not busy teaching, she is working on her new |
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CD. Her influences included, The Beatles, Eric Clapton, Sarah McLaughlan, Eva Cassidy, Jane Monet, Green Day, and Led Zepplin.
Vocal Instruction: Learn to sing with proper technique and confidence. She incorporates classical technique into all genres of singing to develop a healthy voice. Have fun exploring your instrument developing your range, hearing the results while performing music that you enjoy! Styles include Jazz, Rock, Blues, Pop, Country, and Classical.
Guitar Instruction: Learn to play the guitar with the music you like in combination with theory, note reading and tablature. She is especially good with small children. Styles include Rock, Blues, Pop, Country, Fingerpicking Styles. |
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George Wabisca : Guitar
George currently resides in Los Angeles, where he has worked as a professional musician for the past 12 years. A GIT Graduate, he has produced, composed and performed on numerous projects in the genres of Rock, Pop, Country and Blues with artists such as Rafael Moreira, Matt Sorum, Undercurrent, and currently Tony Gamble.
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Mike Albert : Guitar (specializing in Classic / Hard Rock)
Mike Albert started playing guitar at the age of 9. Since the age of 18, he has taught at many Southern California music stores including: Johnny Thompson’s (Monterey Park), Berry & Grassmuek's Music Store (Pasadena), and Moody's Music Store in (Garden Grove).
In 1978, Mike was asked to record with Frank Zappa's band "Ruben and the Jets." After his experience with Ruben and the Jets he did some work on movie sound tracks and commercials, including: Cheech & Chong's "Nice Dreams", Tia Carrera's "Hostile Intentions", a Bud Light commercial, and a Paul Rodriguez television special. In 1985, Mike toured over 40 cities throughout
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the United States with Megadeth during their "Killing My Business Tour," co-headlining with popular bands such as: Anthrax, Exodus, and Slayer. After Megadeth, Mike then focused on his own project, the "Mike Albert Project." Recently, Mike was honored to be recently selected by Guitar Center in Rancho Cucamonga, California as 1 of 3 judges for their "King of the Blues 2009" contest.
Mike has a great love for playing guitar and sharing his knowledge with others. His motto is: God has given it to me, I have to give back. It feels good to give back.
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Lucas Martinez : Guitar
Lucas Martinez is a guitarist, composer, and teacher in Pasadena. Originally from New Mexico, he began his study of classical guitar with Carl Bernstein (a student of Andres Segovia). He is currently completing his final year in the Studio/Jazz guitar program at The Thornton School of Music at The University of Southern California. As part of the Studio/Jazz Guitar program, Lucas has had the benefit of studying with the Thornton School’s world-renowned faculty to develop his own style as a versatile guitarist and composer. He is experienced in performing and teaching classical, jazz, pop, and rock as well as music theory and harmony. He has also performed with various rock and pop acts in the Los Angeles area.
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MANDOLIN
Jeff Stetson : Mandolin, Dulcimer
Jeff Stetson received his bachelors degree in music from Cal State Los Angeles. Jeff has played with everyone from The Drifters, to the Tower of Power, to jazz trumpeter Bobby Bradford. He has led his own bands which have featured alumni from such luminaries as Stevie Wonder, Ray Charles, Jerry Lee Lewis, Tony Bennett and Count Basie. Jeff taught guitar, bass, mandolin, music theory and improvisation at Graham Music for 21 years, and presently at Groovin' On Music. |
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PIANO
Nicole De Jesus : Piano and Voice
Canadian born, Nicole De Jesus, is an upcoming singer/songwriter based in Los Angeles, CA. At 28 she is already a music veteran and performer who has had the opportunity to work with many of the most amazing musicians abroad and in the U.S. From musical theatre to pop/rock, Nicole has been trained by many of the most prestigious sought of instructors in Los Angeles, NY, and the Philippines. She is currently recording songs from her latest project, due to be released in 2007. |
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Catherine Johnson : Piano, Keyboard and Organ
Catherine has experience teaching piano, keyboard and organ to students of all ages and levels. She received her advanced music education at the McPhail School fo Music/University of Minnesota. She has served as Director of Music in several local churches. Her church duties include organist, pianist, and choir leader. She has organized and led a church orchestra dn Praise Groups. She holds one formal music recital each year. This is an opportunity for her students to display their skills and observe other musicians. |
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Christine Roberts: violin / piano
Christine Roberts, a native of Colorado, has been playing and studying music for over 20 years, beginning with piano lessons at age 7 and violin lessons at age 10. While attending The Colorado College for a BA in History, she studied violin with Michael Hanson and was co-concertmaster of the Colorado College Chamber Orchestra. She then went on to complete a masters degree in Theatre Education at the University of Arizona, where she played solo violin in the musical “Quilters” for the Arizona Repertory Theatre. She spent 5 years as a member of the Catalina Chamber Orchestra and also played with the Southern Arizona Symphony.
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| Throughout her musical career, she has taught both piano and violin to students of all ages and levels. For more than two years she volunteered to teach piano to children in the Big Brothers Big Sisters program, offering free lessons. She loves sharing the joy of music with others and watching her students progress and grow |
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Cory Wilson : Violin
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John Wang : Violin / Viola / Cello
John recieved his masters degree in Music Performance from USAU. He has been teaching music for over 25 years and has had some of his more successful students admitted into the prestigious Julliard School of Music. In 1988, John was the winner at the Young Musicians Violin Competition. He has for years been playing music all over Southern California, additionally playing on various recordings for TV and film. He is currently writing his own instructional book for violin.
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Christine Roberts: violin / piano
Christine Roberts, a native of Colorado, has been playing and studying music for over 20 years, beginning with piano lessons at age 7 and violin lessons at age 10. While attending The Colorado College for a BA in History, she studied violin with Michael Hanson and was co-concertmaster of the Colorado College Chamber Orchestra. She then went on to complete a masters degree in Theatre Education at the University of Arizona, where she played solo violin in the musical “Quilters” for the Arizona Repertory Theatre. She spent 5 years as a member of the Catalina Chamber Orchestra and also played with the Southern Arizona Symphony.
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| Throughout her musical career, she has taught both piano and violin to students of all ages and levels. For more than two years she volunteered to teach piano to children in the Big Brothers Big Sisters program, offering free lessons. She loves sharing the joy of music with others and watching her students progress and grow |
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VOICE
Mary Ann Graham : Guitar and Voice Instruction
www.MagsElement.com
Mary Ann Graham is a multi-faceted singer-songwriter-guitarist and performer. A native born Southern Californian, her life focus has always been music, from her beginnings as a little girl in the church choir to playing guitar in her first all girl band by age 12. She received her formal vocal training with Pollyanne Baxter at Cal State Los Angeles, where she received her BA in Music. Over the years she has performed her original music in coffee houses, and other venues. When she is not busy teaching, she is working on her new |
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CD. Her influences included, The Beatles, Eric Clapton, Sarah McLaughlan, Eva Cassidy, Jane Monet, Green Day, and Led Zepplin.
Vocal Instruction: Learn to sing with proper technique and confidence. She incorporates classical technique into all genres of singing to develop a healthy voice. Have fun exploring your instrument developing your range, hearing the results while performing music that you enjoy! Styles include Jazz, Rock, Blues, Pop, Country, and Classical.
Guitar Instruction: Learn to play the guitar with the music you like in combination with theory, note reading and tablature. She is especially good with small children. Styles include Rock, Blues, Pop, Country, Fingerpicking Styles. |
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Nicole De Jesus : Piano and Voice Instruction
Canadian born, Nicole De Jesus, is an upcoming singer/songwriter based in Los Angeles, CA. At 28 she is already a music veteran and performer who has had the opportunity to work with many of the most amazing musicians abroad and in the U.S. From musical theatre to pop/rock, Nicole has been trained by many of the most prestigious sought of instructors in Los Angeles, NY, & the Philippines. She is currently recording songs from her latest project, due to be released in 2007. |
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Eugene Perry : Voice Instruction
Mr. Perry was born and raised in Chicago IL, where he studied voice with Dino Bigali. During this period he preformed regularly with both The Windy City Opera, and the Opera Guild of Chicago.
Over the years, Mr. Perry has become known in the Los Angeles area for his work in local entertainment venues as well as singing for national audiences. He has been a long time member of the Europe Opera, both as a performer and serving on their Board of |
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| Directors. He has performed the National Anthem for the Clippers Basketball Team and given numerous recitals throughout Southern CA. His voice can be heard signing the well known song, Chances Are for the popular movie Stroker Ace, starring Burt Reynolds. He teaches Rock, Pop, Country, Jazz, Opera, and Broadway. |
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