Music Teachers

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Nazan Aktas

Cello

Teaches in-person at The Magic Flute

"I wanted to write something spectacular, because that's how I feel during and after my lessons. I'm an instructor in my field. It can be hard taking instruction for something I know nearly nothing about. Nazan has, and will continue, to help me fulfill this dream of mine. I cannot recommend her highly enough. She is really one of the most genuine people that I know and a terrific instructor." Larry (Adult Student)

When I was 14 years old, I saw my first rock concert. The band was Apocalyptica, an all cello (plus drums) metal band from Finland. I had no idea who they were and had never listened to metal before, but I instantly fell in love with their music and with the cello. As soon as I was able, I got my hands on a cello and started taking lessons, and I’ve never stopped!

I teach beginning-to-intermediate level. Students come to cello lessons with different skills, learning preferences and styles, and reasons for wanting to play music. I do my best to understand and adapt to what works best for them. I have experience playing many different musical genres and do a lot of sonic exploration with my students, who would say that I am a patient and calming presence to be with as they are exploring their cellos, and that we have a lot of fun together!

My approach to teaching is to create a unique and relevant experience for each student based on their age, personality, level, and goals. There is so much music in the world, and so much to learn, my hope is that I’m able to create an open and friendly environment that encourages listening, exploration, a desire to practice, and most importantly, enjoyment. When appropriate, I will include method books such as Suzuki or Strictly Strings.

I earned a Bachelor of Music from Sonoma State University, with a concentration in Performance and Jazz Studies and have been teaching for over three years. I’m passionate about music and as a life-long learner I love doing my part to pass on the knowledge needed to keep this art form alive. In addition to cello ( I have a very nice jean-Pierre Lupot copy and I love her!) I sing and I love to listen to the bass, piano and sarod (a stringed instrument used on the Indian subcontinent), gravitating to the beautiful sound these instruments produce. Pre-pandemic, I performed locally with colleagues and friends and participated in an ensemble piece for Ali Akbar College of Music’s 50th year anniversary concert.

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Nicco Alifano
Guitar, Ukulele

Teaches in-person at The Magic Flute

“Nicco Rocks! My two boys, 9 and 11, both love having Nicco as their guitar teacher…he really knows how to motivate the kids to play music. Sometimes I am completely surprised with the songs they work on together. Nicco seems to be able to adapt any kind of music to guitar, from popular radio songs, to more eclectic new age pieces, or even video game theme songs. Anything my kids throw at him as a request to learn, he will figure out how to teach it to them. If you really want your children (or yourself!) to get into music, I would recommend Nicco.”

—Lori, (Wolfgang 9 and Atlas 11 years old)

My musical journey began at age 7 when I told my parents I wanted to learn to play the piano. Three years later I realized that guitar was really my instrument so I switched gears and began my lessons with the great Paul Geller (another Magic Flute Music Lessons teacher), who understood my passion and helped me cultivate it such that I was fortunate enough to be accepted into the Rock Band and Choir programs at Marin School of the Arts (MSA) at Novato High School. At MSA I was surrounded by other students and teachers who shared my love for music and I dove deeply into music theory, composition and production. Through the Jazz Choir and Concert Choir programs I was able to study voice, another one of my favorite instruments!

Students like taking lessons with me because I make it fun by letting them pick the songs we’re going to learn together, an approach that really helps inspire and motivate a new player. Through the songs they want to learn, I’m able to challenge them and push their playing boundaries a little bit by teaching them progressively more challenging songs and techniques. While learning a new song or skill, I like to allow students time to experiment and think things through on their own. I won’t interrupt their process with teaching advice if I can see they are in the middle of figuring it out for themselves as I find this is a great way to build confidence.

I teach all levels, kids and adults, and work to make lessons fun and practice a priority. Starting with simple songs of the student’s choosing ensures that when they’re practicing at home they’re having fun and learning to enjoy playing the instrument even more (vs. skipping practice because they are tired of running scales). For example, maybe they are a huge fan of Green Day, if so we could start with the song Good Riddance that features mostly beginner open chords. From there, we could move onto another Green Day song that features power or bar chords, or other more challenging styles of play, continuing to progress one step at a time. This way, the student is learning, progressing, and improving their playing through the music they love which will motivate them to practice more often. Once they have some experience and a comfort level with their instrument, we dive into the more technical side and music theory.

I earned a bachelor’s degree from California State University at Chico where I focused on studying the Recording Arts and voice and I spent my last semester in Sweden studying Music Business and Industry as part of the Direct Exchange Study Abroad program. Since my return in 2017, I’ve been teaching guitar lessons and writing and recording my own music. During this time, I have also worked on various music projects and albums with and for other musicians.

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Chaco Amazè

Saxophone (Soprano, Alto, Tenor, Baritone)

Teaches in-person at The Magic Flute

Although I teach and play all types of saxophones, the tenor sax is my favorite instrument. Of all the melody instruments, the tenor sax is the most versatile and has the most potential. With music performance as my passion and my specialty, I play quite frequently at large festivals, public clubs, live-streamed, and private parties and events in a wide variety of bands, including big bands, jazz combos, rock bands, Latin bands, and reggae groups. By far the best part about performing is improvisation. In the moment, creating with a group of musicians who have honed their craft is the most fulfilling experience in life.

If you asked my students about me, they would tell you that when it comes to the sax, I know what I’m talking about. And, after a few lessons, they have more than just a teacher, they also have a friend. As a young teacher, I quickly connect with students near my age; I’m in touch with what is popular and trending in the music scene. That said, older students also enjoy lessons with me because of my obsessive, almost maniacal understanding of Saxophone, especially after they hear me play.

I teach all age groups, from kindergartners to adults in their 70s—you can learn to play the sax at any age. The curriculum I prescribe can vary drastically from student to student based on skill level and interest. For a beginner we may focus on learning the fundamentals of musicianship—names of notes, time-feel development, and reading music. For a more intermediate player, we may focus on scales, proper airflow, articulation, and improving finger dexterity. For an advanced player, music theory application, transcription, and ear development may be where we pay the most attention. For all levels, tone development is often the most important objective. I also teach more niche techniques and concepts such as altissimo, overtones, circular breathing, growling, advanced jazz theory, and negative harmony.

I attended Sonoma State as a Jazz Studies major with an emphasis on performance and I have been performing, professionally, for over 10 years. As a teacher, I have taught privately, in groups, and in elementary/middle/high schools for the same amount of time. In addition, I’m a Brass and Woodwind technician at The Magic Flute where I help customers maintain their instruments to get the best sound and playing performance out of them.

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Steve Bergman
Clarinet, Saxophone, Flute, Recorder

Teaches in-person at The Magic Flute

“Steve's teaching and encouragement have helped me to grow technically, overcoming hurdles to become a better player. I am constantly impressed by the wealth of knowledge and experience Steve possesses and is willing to share.”—Charlotte, 18 years old

I play several woodwind instruments and enjoy them all. I have appeared as clarinet soloist with the San Francisco Symphony and have also appeared at the Monterey Jazz Festival with the saxophone. I have played flute in many settings, primarily in pit orchestras for shows. I love the recorder, both as a pre-piano instrument for young children and as a serious instrument. There is much beautiful music written for the recorder that is underappreciated.

My students benefit from my diverse and broad understanding of music. I have spent my life amassing musical knowledge in many styles and can easily write down a tune or an exercise on a moment’s notice. Working with me, students gain a solid knowledge of the instrument they are trying to learn. I make lessons fun, and I achieve that from a professional performer’s point of view. In the beginning, I use methods such as Standard of Excellence and Essential Elements, but more importantly I write out tunes and exercises that I have developed. I strive to distill my many years of performing experience into a concise form that a student can easily understand. I have found the personal touch of using my own materials aids learning tremendously.

I enjoy teaching all age levels and often transition from working with a 1^st grader on “Hot Cross Buns”, to helping a student on an audition for Juilliard. I enjoy the full range of musical expression. Currently, my youngest student is a 1^st-grade recorder player and my oldest student is a 91-year-old tenor saxophone player. Many of my students have gone on to Marin Youth Orchestra, San Francisco Youth Orchestra, California All-State Band, San Francisco Conservatory, California Jazz Conservatory, Stanford Jazz Camp, Cazadero Music Camp, Interlochen Arts Camp, among others.

My approach to teaching is to rely on insights and materials that I have developed over many years of performing and teaching. I like to make things fun, but I also strive to inspire and motivate my students to excel. I play the instruments that I teach on a high level. I use demonstration to help students understand concepts and I encourage them to participate in ensembles to broaden their perspective and grow. It gives them something to practice for!

I have a bachelor’s degree in music performance from University of North Texas, one of the nation’s premiere music schools. I have been teaching private woodwind lessons for over 45 years, have been a faculty member of the San Domenico Music Conservatory for 28 years and I perform on all the instruments I teach at a professional level in various ensembles around the Bay Area, the country, and the world.

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at Drina's Studio in Novato!

Drina Brooke
Piano, Recorder

Teaches ONLY at her studio in Novato

“For two years now Drina has been working with my daughters, teaching them piano. Drina’s love and respect for music is absolutely infectious. She delights in music and my children are intrigued by her joy and high level of playing...they get swept up in the excitement and are enthusiastic...which Drina uses to teach technique and to get down-to-business with difficult music...we highly recommend her.” —Kirsten, (Teya 9, Jensen 6 years old)

Drina Brooke comes to The Magic Flute with 35 years teaching and playing experience, a deep love of music, a great connection with children and adults alike, and a track record of inspiring her students to learn the joy and love of music as art. She has been praised by San Francisco Symphony cellist Barbara Bogatin as “an exceptionally fine piano and recorder teacher”, colleagues have written of her “remarkable enthusiasm” and she remains very popular with parents and students.

Drina teaches piano (beginning through early advanced) and recorder to all ages and levels (beginning through collegiate levels), though she does not recommend starting children less than seven years old on the recorder as their hands may not easily reach all the finger holes and this can be frustrating for little kids. That said, there are always exceptions. Her aim is to inspire musical art, an awareness of anatomy to foster outstanding ergonomic form, and to learn the art of How to Practice, which is an art of its own. Students learn phrasing, harmonies, history, and develop fine-tuned listening skills. Lessons for children include playing games, and their instruments, when reading music.

Students love her enthusiasm and she quickly develops rapport. She also has a unique method for helping people overcome stage fright and the fear of failure as they embark on their musical journey. Parents have praised Drina’s ability to hold very high standards without pressure, while a colleague wrote that her conducting and teaching “are infectious and motivating, without being pedantic or threatening”. She has been praised by parents as “very dedicated”.

Very often, students who take lessons with Drina fall in love with music and deepen their relationship to it. Students grow greatly in their full artistic process. Awareness, in regard to listening and playing, is a fundamental underpinning for continued musical growth. Drina’s goal is to help people understand the learning process itself, while greatly improving their technical form and reading skills. The posture, anatomy and movement techniques learned in the lesson, benefit in all areas of life, from sports to computer work, as well as in music.

Right from the very first lesson, in addition to learning reading and playing skills, we begin the work of phrasing and harmonies. Students will listen to themes and variations, then make up their own based on simple songs and “note spills” based on simple chords. The goal is to inspire, and to train the ear, which is the crux of all music! Music is a listener’s art!

Kids and adults beam with pride as they close their eyes when playing simple chords and scales, as a way to really get to know their instrument, and to gain deep awareness of their own playing form. Very gradually, students will learn to play short mini-phrases, extending to longer pieces as the years go on, with their eyes closed. Kids in particular, love to show this off! This fosters bodily awareness, while the ear is free to hear many details in the music, fine-tuning listening and musical interpretation, both alike. Reading music is very important, sight reading is required on a daily basis once students are ready, and it is included in every lesson. Kids will play “musical hopscotch” and other games to learn note reading. Children gain awareness of phrasing, chords and rhythms through movement to live music.

When working with adults, there is an intellectual component as they tend to have more questions, and need for explanation and discussion. For children, whose minds work more creatively, Drina uses mental imagery to describe the effect she’s looking for, particularly on the musical level. Students are encouraged to stay in touch with Drina during the week if they have any questions about how to practice their assigned pieces and exercises. There is no extra charge for five or ten minutes of Drina’s time during the week. Thank you for your dedication and commitment, and welcome aboard!

Drina studied piano in Vienna, Austria and harpsichord with Tamara Loring while majoring in music at Dominican University. To great acclaim, she has taught anatomically-informed ergonomic playing workshops to colleagues and students alike. Kids love this material, asking very smart questions! Her background as recorder chamber musician, with members of American Bach Soloists, is based on deep inspiration from her studies with internationally-acclaimed Eva Legene at the prestigious Indiana University School of Music, where she majored in Early Music and the recorder. Her recorder playing was noticed by six celebrities including the legendary Marion Verbruggen and lutenist-scholar Thomas Binkley. Life-long, Drina became ignited with the love of music from her private studies with Helga Tutschek, a member of the Concentus Musicus of Vienna. Teaching remains as fresh and fun to Drina as on the very first day!

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Katie Fritts
Bass Clarinet, Clarinet, Flute, French Horn, Piano, Trumpet, Ukulele, Voice

Sorry, Katie's schedule is currently full. Please contact us to discuss waitlist and other options.

Teaches in-person at The Magic Flute

“Katie has now been my daughter's Flute Teacher for the past two years. She is also teaching piano to my younger daughter. All I hear when I walk by their lessons is happiness and joy. I also hear beautiful flute and piano playing. My daughters have developed a love for the flute and piano and Kaitlyn has helped foster that for sure. She is so upbeat and knowledgeable, all at the same time. Extremely patient as well. And really no pressure at all. Katie brings joy into learning. — Allison

Growing up, every musical opportunity that was available to me, I took. I have first-hand knowledge and experience auditioning for, and succeeding in, youth orchestra, county and state honor bands, and various smaller groups. At age 15, I auditioned on trumpet, sent in my original compositions, and I was accepted to Berklee College of Music in Boston (though attending did not become my reality).

I started mentoring younger musicians, as a real job, as a teenager. It is a great privilege to be an influence in a young musician’s education, and it is especially important to teach young people to cherish their music, no matter the instrument or the level of skill. I believe that music is one of the closest things we have to real magic in our lives.

I play multiple instruments but if I had to choose a favorite, it would be piano, because my grandmother taught me to play. Her piano is now mine and I use it in my lessons today. I love teaching beginners through middle school because they get so excited about music! I try to get them to relate their instrument to different musical genres and styles, exploring the places ideal for their instrument and how to find a good expression for songs that do not necessarily seem to fit their instrument.

Before we begin playing, as we get acquainted during our first lesson, my students learn that "sound is everything". The simplest song played in a beautiful rendition is worth more than the most difficult song played with mediocrity. I vary lessons by age level and each students’ goals, always answering theory questions as appropriately as I can (and sometimes in depth depending on the students; there are plenty of 4th graders, and younger, who are capable and willing to understand the formula to a major scale). My approach is to support school music obligations first, then secondly, fulfill the students’ desire to learn how to handle their instrument. I often make custom arrangements of songs…. pop songs, electronic music, movie themes, and video game themes to keep my students engaged and aware of all the possibilities. My students are often the ones, in their music classes, with access to more notes as chromatic exercises are a key part of our studies. I use the Arban and Rubank books, and I rearrange for each specific instrument.

I am a Petaluma native, but San Rafael has been my home for the last 10 years. My husband grew up in the Dixie and San Rafael School Districts and we are raising our two children (4th and 1st grade) in the house that he grew up in, forever a musical home. We are both incredibly happy to have come from families who prioritized music lessons.

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at Paul's Studio in Terra Linda!

Paul Geller
Guitar

Teaches ONLY at his studio in Terra Linda

“This coming month, my son will have taken lessons with Paul for 11 years and his knowledge of theory, technique and overall musicality on the guitar has been incrementally improving lesson after lesson. What stood out to me was that Paul is an outstanding teacher for kids; his patience and kindness could teach all ages. My son started with Paul, a complete beginner, at 4 years old. Key achievements off the top of my head are probably him opening for the Mountain Play or performing for a jam-packed church during the Folsom Jazz Festival. His improvising, skill and style that got him these incredible performances wouldn’t be possible without Paul’s teaching.” — Bellavy (Noah, 15 years old)

I’ve been playing since I first picked up a guitar in middle school after hearing Van Halen’s full length debut album “Van Halen”, released February 10, 1978, which forever changed the way guitar players, myself included, think about lead and blues rhythm guitar. As a young practicing guitarist, I was heavily influenced by players like Eddie Van Halen and I still work hard, every day, to continue developing my own technique.

I teach all ages and levels, from beginner to advanced. Lessons are taught on acoustic, classical and electric guitars and styles range from rock, blues, metal, pop, R&B, funk, folk, jazz, and classical.

Students like to take guitar lessons from me because I’m not only a guitar teacher, but an actively performing musician, constantly evolving, exploring and learning—styles and techniques, which I pass on. Lessons cover sight reading, rhythm playing, soloing and improvising, chord voicings, scale studies, music theory, modes and music fundamentals. Students get to learn their favorite songs and guitar solos, plus cool slide riffs, alternate tunings, blues licks, finger picking, composing and songwriting.

My approach is not one-size-fits-all, I create a customized lesson plan fit to the individual based on their style, experience, skill level and interests and what they want to accomplish. Not every student learns the same way, or retains information in the same manner; I strive to gain an understanding of each student to develop the best learning approach for them personally. For younger students, I will often use guitar methods by the FJH Music Company, to teach the important fundamentals of music and note reading.

Born and raised in Marin County, I went to Terra Linda high school and majored in Music at College of Marin. I’ve been teaching private lessons for over 30 years, and have taught group lessons for grades 3-8 in the Ross Valley School District. I enjoy and play many types of guitar—acoustic, classical, dobro, steel, jazz and electric and I myself have taken lessons from some of the best teachers and players (Neal Harris, Nick Shyrock, and Mark Goldenberg).

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Willa Grey
Songwriting, Ukulele, Voice, and Intermediate Only Piano

Teaches online only

“Thank you for being such a positive influence in Anna Grace’s life. You have such a gift—both with teaching children and with musical creativity.” —Allen and Serena (Anna Grace, 6 years old, piano)

Though a classically trained pianist, and a singer-songwriter, the ukulele holds a special place in my heart. I used to own thirteen ukes(!) but I have since pared-down my collection to two—an indestructible water and weather-proof uke that accompanies me on my stand-up paddleboard and camping adventures, and a solid Koa-wood Kala concert uke. The low G warmth and resonance of my Kala has kept it by my side for 11 years.

I like to teach all ages and levels, typically starting piano students around age 7 and ukulele students at age 8 (with exceptions of course!). My students quickly recognize how much I love music and love what I do, with the songs they want to study quickly becoming “our new favorites”. We laugh a lot together as they learn. I have fully embraced online teaching and my students are thriving in this new format, meeting and often surpassing their personal goals.

It is important to me that my students get to study the music they already love and that is what inspires them, while also being exposed to a wide range of genres and artists to spark their creativity and broaden their artistic horizons. I help them to develop good technique, and an understanding of what music is and how it is structured and formed. The direction we take with lessons is centered around their goals and what part they want music to play in their lives. My teaching approach is individualized to each student’s interests and learning style. At the end of the day, I’m here as an artistic educator to make my students' lives deeper and richer through their engagement with music.

Willa is a Perry & Walters Music Foundation Scholar who graduated cum laude with a Bachelor of Music (classical piano). She's been teaching private lessons for 13 years and continues to actively compose, record and perform.

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Paul Gruen
Guitar, Ukulele, Banjo

Teaches in-person at The Magic Flute

“I've been studying with Paul for a little over a year now, and it's incredible how much I've been able to improve with his teaching. ...he's boosted me to a point I would not be at were it not for his help. He's helped me with basics like shifting chords and important information like what kinds of scales to use to get better at soloing. I think that one of the things that has helped me the most is his use of songs to help teach specific techniques, as when I was learning Europa by Santana he used it to help strengthen my ability to associate the melody with the chord progressions.” — Alejandro

From early on playing fretted instruments defined me. I was only 11 years old when I performed classical guitar at a celebration honoring Spanish composer Castelnuevo-Tedesco. At age 17, I won first place in advanced bluegrass banjo in the Topanga Banjo and Fiddle Contest. I have created over a hundred ukulele arrangements of all sorts of music. I cannot choose a favorite, as I love the guitar, banjo and ukulele equally and I play each one, almost every day, just for fun!

My students tell me they appreciate my patience, but they also like the fact that I help them with technique, as they are usually worried about developing bad habits. They also like that I help them learn the types of music they want to play—even the specific songs they like—which contributes to their motivation to learn and practice and enjoy the process. I work to get them “off the page” and to learn to play using their ears.

My approach to teaching varies by age level and instrument. I tailor lessons to the individual based on age, musical experience, abilities and interests. In general, I work with beginners to learn chords, with strumming and singing along if they want to. If they do like to sing, I transpose songs into their vocal range for accessibility. We will do scales, arpeggios, strums and fingerpicking, and we will cover basic chord structure. Reading music and/or tablature depends on the student. I try to throw in as much theory as they want. Banjo playing is a bit more standardized in the beginning, tablature-based, which I combine with learning by ear. For all instruments, I provide video and audio of songs for play-along, changing the tempo of the audio to match the student’s ability.

I have been playing guitar, banjo and ukulele for more than 30 years, performing throughout, and teaching for over 15 years. I studied classical guitar with Ronald Purcell, Cal State University Northridge, and jazz guitar with Gerry Mancuso. While at UCLA, I honed my skills playing and performing in various contexts. I performed locally as the lead guitarist with rock icon David Laflamme in the Gypsy Jazz Quartet “Bo Django,” performing at the “Djangofest” in Mill Valley and other venues.

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JT John
Drums

Teaches in-person at The Magic Flute

As the father of two children, JT has a good understanding of how kids learn and take in information, especially as it relates to learning music and playing an instrument. After having such a wonderful experience playing music with his own children, he’s excited to share his time with other kids who are ready to learn. JT enjoys helping students increase their proficiency and understanding of musical language, which in turn helps them play well and musically connect with others, including being part of a band if that’s what a student aspires to do.

When taking drum lessons with him, his students appreciate his patience and that he makes lessons fun. They learn quickly that he makes it his personal mission to figure out what they’re into and what they want to get out of lessons, rather than forcing them into a preset box. It’s important to teach the basics, but it’s also important to be inspired and if there is something…a technique, a style or a song that sparks a student’s interest, and encourages them, they explore it together.

JT teaches students of all ages and levels, finding something unique and interesting about each. In his approach he reminds his students that everyone has a heartbeat, so we all have rhythm we can look to, and he uses lessons to bring it out through drumming. He enjoys watching a new student when they first realize they are truly playing a beat. With an understanding of the student’s personal goals, whether it’s to learn a specific song or develop their rhythm, JT works out and shares a lesson approach that incorporates basic techniques and fundamentals to help them get there. His philosophy on practice is straightforward… you need to put the time in to get where you want to go. Though it may be painful, hard, or foreign at first, he encourages his students to find a way to relax into it and develop a consistent routine that feels comfortable. Frequent short practice is better than infrequent long practice as consistency and routine creates habit and looseness. So important for drumming!

JT attended Berklee College of Music, where he studied Performance Drum, and is a prolific performer, performing multiple times a week all over Marin County and beyond with many known local bands and players such as Jerry Hannan, Danny Uzilevsky, Shannon Morrison, The Little Gems, The Starling Six, Chris Peck, and many others. He’s a versatile player who can teach rock, blues, country, jazz, and funk. JT taught drums for 6 years, before taking a break and he’s excited to be teaching again with The Magic Flute Music Lessons.

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Chris Lege
Trombone, Trumpet, Tuba, Baritone Horn, Euphonium, French Horn

Teaches in-person at The Magic Flute

At 9 years old, Herb Alpert and the Tijuana Brass was Chris’ introduction to the brass section, and he immediately fell in love with the sound, energy and arrangements, starting first with trumpet, before moving on to playing trombone in middle school concert and stage bands. When he was growing up, there were no cell phones or video games, and less focus on sports, so being in a band was a cool way to go. By 16, he was getting paid to play trombone, full-time, with Joy Cayler’s Brass Beat for the Seventies (a non-profit organization dance band that performed 1940’s era big band music from Tommy Dorsey to Glenn Miller). Over a 2-year period he performed with the band more than 80 times before heading off to college.

Chris has been teaching off and on since 1980 and one of the things really loves about it is introducing and connecting future talent with techniques and theory, opening the door to their successful pursuit of music. Working with a professional helps young musicians gain the knowledge and confidence to perform in front of an audience. A fact evident by the high number of Chris’ students who become first chair in their school bands.

Students find Chris’ high level of proficiency and his performance experience exciting and inspirational. They often tell him that their goal is to reach his level of playing, and he is right there with them. He’s their biggest cheerleader when it comes to helping them reach their goal.

Chris teaches all levels and when first meeting with a student, he starts with an assessment, before formulating a music strategy covering all aspects of playing including tone, articulation, ability to read music, and pitch. Pitch, tone, range, and flexibility are the key skills needed to become a solid brass player. After establishing the student’s level and capability, lessons incorporate various music publications that Chris has personally and professionally worked with, and learned from, for many years; tools that assist with skill and tone comprehension level development, with concentration on pitch, range, and flexibility. He strives to instill a sense of competition and achievement in his student’s brass delivery from the inside out, assuring his students get better with every lesson. His top priority is to build performance confidence.

Chris earned a degree in Music Performance and Theory from Metropolitan State University of Denver and has over 45 years stage performance experience across musical styles and genres including salsa, jazz, reggae, big band and more. Most recently he has performed with Bammie-award winning salsa band Avance, Johnny Vegas and the High Rollers, and The Blues Brothers Cover Band. What he adores about performing is making a living doing what he loves and getting to work with the most elite musicians in the Bay Area!

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John Mayer
Trombone, Trumpet, Tuba, Baritone Horn, Euphonium

Teaches in-person at The Magic Flute

“My son just started trombone lessons with John and it’s been incredible. John has an easy, flexible and relational teaching style, works with how my son learns and adapts lessons so that he feels successful."

– Darrah (Casey 11 years old)

Though I teach the full range of brass instruments, trombone is closest to my heart. I first picked up a trombone because it’s what my dad played, and it looked like fun. I later found out that every guy in my family for the last 5 or so generations has played the trombone, it must be in my genes!

Through private lessons over the past 6 years, and in the classroom for 2 years, I’ve taught beginning-to-advanced level students whose ages ranged from 3 years to over 80 years old. What I love about teaching music is the opportunity to inspire musicality and guide my students along their musical journey, helping them grow and achieve their goals. As a player, I understand that to be good at your instrument, you need to put in the work. I'm here to guide students in the right direction as they discover their skills and passion for playing.

If you asked one of my students about me, they’d probably say I was a music nerd, which is a compliment in my book as they probably mean that I give very technical explanations, breaking it down into small steps, so that anyone can comfortably learn to play.

My approach to teaching starts with meeting the student at their current level, then guiding them to where they want to be. I start by having the students play, then we talk about what they want to achieve, what we can do together to get them to the next level, and how to practice. A good private teacher will provide the tools and guidance for self-directed, continual development outside of weekly lessons.

I earned a Bachelor of Music Education, with a concentration in trombone, and a K-12 Music Teaching Credential from Sonoma State University. I teach all brass instruments at a beginning level, and trombone, bass and alto trombone, and euphonium at an advanced level. In addition to teaching, I enjoy performing live music as it lets me be in the moment, with my instrument, doing what I love! During college, I performed with every ensemble I could such as the Sonoma Brass Quintet and with symphonies like the Mill Valley Philharmonic. I currently play with a rock band called Happy Hour, The Generation Gap Big Band, and Salsa Rosa, and I often sub-in at Sacramento State.

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Emma Rose Neal
Piano

Teaches in-person at The Magic Flute

Emma’s musical journey began when her grandmother gave her a little 30-key toy piano from Toys R Us for her 4th birthday. Fast forward 10 years and she was performing classical pieces at competitions, but this time on Steinways. Though she was aware of her high skill level, her true love for music wasn’t developed until years later when she performed Somewhere Over the Rainbow at her beloved grandmother’s funeral. It was the first time she experienced the strong emotional power of music on herself, as well as the audience. It was then she realized that she had been too serious and technical in her approach to music, and that skill does not equate to passion. This lesson continues to influence her teaching style, balancing technical skills with creative development.

Students love Emma’s positive and encouraging approach. She creates a safe space for them to explore their musical interests and sometimes even step outside of their comfort level. She works to ensure students are enjoying themselves while gaining the knowledge and skills needed to achieve their musical goals.

In lessons with Emma students develop a repertoire across a variety of music genres and are encouraged to learn songs of their choice. If the student’s song choice is too difficult, she will transcribe it to their level. She also encourages her students, even the youngest ones, to create their own pieces. Throughout the creative process, students learn to explore sounds on the piano, transcribe the notes, and memorize their song.

Emma employs a variety of teaching strategies to tailor lessons to each individual student’s interests and learning style. Alongside with using lesson books, she incorporates engaging games and activities that teach sight-reading, rhythm, and ear training. Throughout the creative process, students learn to explore sounds on the piano, how to transcribe notes, and memorize an original piece that is special to them. She finds duets to be particularly important in her lessons for students to experience a connection with another musician while developing rhythmic and listening skills.

Emma is currently a piano pedagogy student at the Royal Conservatory of Music and a communications major at College of Marin, has been teaching music for over 3 years and looks forward to working with students not only to help them grow as musicians but to continually improve as a music teacher.

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Joe Nemzer
Bass (Electric & Upright)

Teaches in-person at The Magic Flute

A consummate and versatile player, Joe has been performing all around Marin and the San Francisco Bay area for over 20 years; currently playing jazz twice a month with The Charles Unger Experience at the Sheba Lounge in San Francisco. “It feels good when I know the people like the music we’re playing and appreciate it…. it’s an indescribable feeling of satisfaction to share what you’re feeling through the music with an audience.…"

In lessons with Joe, students learn all about music, not just how to play the few songs they like. In addition to showing them how to play their favorite riffs, he expands their musical experience by providing them with the tools to figure out, on their own, how to play anything they hear. Students learn early on that lessons with Joe are fun because they spend some of the time playing together, with time dedicated to focusing on the style the student is interested in, and because he’s able to share a ton of valuable information about music (theory, technique, style, and performance experience).

Joe teaches all ages and levels and thoroughly enjoys working with students who come to lessons with an open mind, eager to learn. He believes that learning about music, theory, melody, harmony, etc. is a crucial part of learning to play any instrument. He’s not the kind of teacher that will just tab out a few riffs and send you on your way. His students learn all about how music works, from the bass perspective. He finds it very rewarding to see his students improve and apply the tools he’s taught them to become better players.

He graduated from Redwood High School where he performed in the Concert & Jazz Bands, then attended Humboldt State University where he performed in the Intermediate Orchestra, Big Band and Jazz combos, before moving on to earn an AA Degree from the Selkirk Contemporary Music & Technology Program in Nelson, B.C., majoring in performance (School Jazz Big Band and Fusion Band).

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Ezra Palmer-Persen
Trombone, Trumpet, Baritone Horn, Euphonium, Tuba

Teaches In-Person at The Magic Flute

“Ezra has been my son's trumpet teacher for the last several years. He started in 4th grade and is now in 10th. Ezra was careful to teach him the correct embouchure, which, as a brass player myself, I knew was important. He can now hit high and low notes with ease because he was taught the correct way. The best thing about Ezra, though, is that he has made trumpet playing FUN and my son enjoys it immensely as a result. He is the 1st chair trumpet at Redwood, and he LOVES playing alone or in a group. I would recommend Ezra in a heartbeat.”—Cheryl (Jacob, 15 years old)

I have been teaching for over 30 years and play several instruments, but ever since I was a little kid I have been captivated by the Trumpet. Why? Because it was, and still is, a socially acceptable way for a 10-year old to make some good noise. I am still fascinated by how much sound you get out of only three valves.

I teach all age levels, kids can start young, they only need to be able to hold their instrument! Students have said that I am one of their more engaging music teachers (even sometimes funny) and I think it’s because I really try to understand and help them overcome their musical challenges which is often simply finding the time and mental space to practice. When learning a wind instrument, it is all about practice--how to practice and what to practice, to achieve the constancy, range and endurance you need to play like a professional.

Through years of teaching I have developed a unique and effective approach that works in person as well as in virtual lessons. I start with an understanding of where the student is emotionally and how much they want to learn at that moment, then I meet them there, so that the most learning can occur. This is especially effective in teaching different age levels as I’m able to adjust to the student. The key is patience and the desire to give every student a chance to learn, correctly, at their own pace.

I have been passionate about brass playing for over 50 years. I have worked with artists such as Barbara McNair, The Whispers, Barbara Lewis and Gladys Knight and the Pips. With a Bachelor of Arts in Music from San Francisco State University and certification as a Claude Gordon Brass Instructor for all the “cupped” brass, I have been teaching continuously since 1988.

NOTE: This teacher has availability on Saturdays. Please give us a call (415-479-3112) or email us ([email protected]) for details.

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Jim Talley
Piano, Organ, Songwriting

Teaches in-person at The Magic Flute

“My two boys started the piano with Jim when they were both 9 years old. They are now 12 and 15 and they play beautifully. They love it… and are really excited about the music they learn from month to month. Jim's approach is really engaging for young people.. I believe my boys’ piano success is due to how Jim has taught them over the years. —Justin

“Our son started learning piano with Jim as a beginner at age 5, and has continued to study with him for the past five years because he has enjoyed it so much and has remained challenged, but never overwhelmed. Jim is a very patient teacher who teaches with a lot of respect for his students. We also love that he is a performing musician himself and can share this with students. Our son has now been able to translate his piano skills into playing percussion in a youth orchestra, even as he also continues piano.” — Tara, (Gabriel, 10 years old)

“Jim is an awesome teacher! He listens to what his students want to learn, and allows leeway when it comes to expressiveness, such as adding minor ritardandos. He is a very nice, warmhearted person. I have been studying with Jim for 5 years. My skills have grown tremendously, if I do say so myself. It’s been a very fun 5 years.” — Gabriel

My mom got me started with the piano (sort of forced lessons upon me with the hopes of me becoming a classical pianist one day!) a few weeks before my 4th birthday. In high school I started going to rock and jazz concerts and saw how much fun music could be so I decided to attend a college with a great jazz program. I was musically inspired and influenced by jazz greats such as Keith Jarrett, Chick Corea, Herbie Hancock, McCoy Tyner, and Bill Evans and rock gods such as the Grateful Dead, Hendrix, Allman Brothers, Dylan, Beatles, Santana, Neville Brothers, Dr.John ....the list goes on and on! I play piano, electric keyboards, melodica and a Hammond organ.

I've been teaching private lessons for over 22 years in Marin and I've had the pleasure of working with well over a hundred students. Oh, I really love teaching! To watch my kids grow with the lessons is so rewarding. I like to do annual student showcases letting the kids (and adults) perform for their families and friends. It’s such a thrill. I've had quite a few students turn pro playing gigs all over the place with some even becoming music teachers themselves.

If you were to ask my students about me, they would say "Wow, he's really into this and is so positive and patient! Plus after we’re up and running, he lets us bring in our own pieces, the music we like and want to learn, which is super fun." Music is a life-long journey and I'm so happy to be able to help my students on their path. As they get older and more experienced I like to branch out from the classical format and help them explore other genres they may become interested in like jazz, show tunes, rock, blues and pop. I've found that once they’re able to play the tunes they like to listen to, their interest level skyrockets!

I have a general program for beginners, kids or adults, but I've learned over the years how to customize the lessons to fit the student once they gain some skills. One size does not fit all. Music is such a joyful, spiritual practice that I vowed, after my traumatic early childhood piano training, to always be super-nice and supportive with my students as I want them to see piano lessons and music as FUN....not like school, which can seem like drudgery to them.

I teach all ages, and have had students from 5 to 89 years old. I like teaching kids a lot but it's also fun to teach older players who already have some experience. I particularly like teaching jazz improv to classical players who have never improvised.

For beginners, I start them out with finger exercises which lead to major and minor scales, also learning how to read music and of course playing little pieces right away to ramp up the fun quotient. I use different books depending on the age and interests of the student (all of which can be purchased at The Magic Flute).

In addition to classical piano lessons I have studied choir and was a tenor singer and choir pianist in Junior High School. Before moving to Marin, I attended Cabrillo College in Aptos where I studied jazz in class as well as in private lessons. I've taken the Monday Night Big Band class at the SF Jazz Center with Adam Theis (Jazz Mafia) and have also taken a lot of singing lessons. This resulted in my becoming the front man and keyboardist for my New Orleans funk band Talley Up! which has performed all over the Bay Area for the last ten years. I have also performed internationally in Amsterdam, Thailand and Costa Rica.

Check out Jim playing his original composition “Good Doctor” dedicated to Dr. John:

And, Tang-a-Lang, both recorded at Hyde Street Studios, San Francisco:

And, Student Jake Lovett just ripping through Chopin's Valse in C# Minor:

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at Rob's Studio in Mill Valley!

Rob Thomure
Guitar, Ukulele

Teaches ONLY at his home studio in Mill Valley

“For anyone looking for a guitar teacher who can inspire and guide young musicians, Rob is an excellent choice. It's his patience, kindness, and commitment that have truly enabled my kids to explore their musical potential.”—Ximena (Eliz 12 and Sergei 9 years old)

“Rob has helped me make great progress on the guitar. I really appreciate his tailored approach to teaching and his deep knowledge of music. Highly recommended!” —Anand

“We thank Rob from the bottom of our hearts for his patience, coaxing and making guitar seem cool. Arlo even got an opportunity at a music studio this summer, helping younger kids make bands. He is going to live a richer life because he has music in it. Thank you!” —Heather (Arlo, age 13)

“I’m taking guitar lessons after 20 years of self-taught bad habits. Rob finds a way to promote proper technique. Great music teacher.” —Mark

Guitar is truly a portable orchestra, with an endless palette of sonic colors. I’ve been captivated by this instrument for over 40 years, inspired as a child when I heard the famous Romeros Guitar Quintet, not to mention The Beatles and other great music of the day. When I played a Carcassi classical piece before an audience, although I was nervous, I found that I really enjoyed performing and I’ve been composing, recording, performing, and teaching ever since.

I teach beginning-to-advanced guitar and ukulele for kids and adults, acoustic and electric, all styles, bringing a broad background and perspective, and many years’ experiences, to my lessons. My students find me compassionate, encouraging and patient, and good at assessing what they really need from me. I’m able to challenge them so that they are motivated and feel like they’re making progress, but not challenged so much that they get discouraged, which is important in working with young players. They like learning something new and get excited to play new songs. Parents have thanked me for the endless inspiration I share with their children, nurturing their love of music.

When teaching, I like to balance theory and technique by learning the songs students want to play so they get excited. Using a variety of materials, I tailor the lesson plan to the student, so it aligns with their interests and goals, inspiring them to stick with their lessons. With younger students, I emphasize the basics and teach good habits. With older students, who have played previously, I might spend more time undoing bad habits. :-) No matter what age the student is, I love to nurture breakthrough moments and see their joy as they progress to the next level.

I attended the University of Chicago, studied classical guitar with a private teacher and I’m a member of the Classical Guitar Corner Academy. I’ve been playing electric, acoustic, and classical guitar for 40 years; composing music, being a music studio owner and musician, and audio director and sound designer for film, video, and games, including the Rock Band series. Currently, I’m teaching in a music enrichment program at a local K-8 school (Marin Country Day School) and for the last 20 years, I’ve taught private lessons to students of all ages, with my youngest student 5 years old and my oldest 104!

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Rachel Unterseher
Violin, Viola

Teaches in-person at The Magic Flute

“Good fit for young kids! She starts with the basics to give a good foundation for playing. She understands the attention problems of young children and knows how to work with them. She is also very friendly and honest.” —Michelle

“Rachel, I really enjoy having violin lessons with you, and I think that all my success in orchestra, and not having much trouble understanding violin, has all to do with you! Thank you for being amazing!” —JK, 8th Grade

I fell in love with the sound of the violin as a child. It is the closest instrument to the human voice and it has the magical capacity to communicate feelings and ideas beyond words. One can play any type of music, from anywhere in the world, on the violin. Teaching allows me to share my passion for this beautiful instrument, and help students develop a love for music and accomplish their musical goals. My goal as a teacher is for students to gain the skills to be the musicians they want to be, and to foster the experience through music that everyone is connected and a part of something greater.

Having a diverse background in my musical experiences and education helps me to be flexible in serving students with varied backgrounds and interests. I am able to adapt teaching methods to meet the learning goals and style of the student. Whether one is an auditory, visual or kinesthetic learner, or whether one wants to learn classical, film music, pop, fiddle tunes or the Classical music of India, I am able to help them learn what they want to learn.

I began teaching at age 18 and have taught for over 20 years. I teach all ages and levels beginning as early as age 4. Lessons are geared to create a love of music in the student and are tailored to the student’s interests, age, and level. It is important to me that student’s learn music as a language. I have developed a teaching method based on the experience of studying with many different teachers and studying many different pedagogical approaches. In the beginning Suzuki literature and approaches are used as a foundation as well as the ideas of Paul Rolland and traditional methods of teaching violin and viola where the student learns music theory, how to read music, and develop proper playing position and posture. Games, duets, music activities and recordings are incorporated to keep lessons fun.

I have a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Music and Violin Performance with Honors from Mills College, where I studied with violinist David Abel, plus additional undergraduate music education from Cal State Northridge where I studied with violinist Joseph Genualdi who studied with Ivan Galamian concurrently with Itzhak Perlman.

Growing up, I performed in the Nevada State Honor Orchestra and was a member of the Cal State University Northridge Youth Orchestra. I studied violin with Vivian Woolf, a member of the LA Philharmonic. In college I was a member of the Cal State University Northridge Symphony, Chamber, and Opera Orchestras. I also performed with the Arkansas Festival Orchestra and participated in the Idyllwild School of Music and the Arts Festival Orchestras.

My additional training and experience includes the Indiana University Jacobs School of Music String Academy Pedagogy for Violin and Viola Teachers workshop with Mimi Zweig (Director), Brenda Brenner (Co-Director), Rebecca Henry, James Przygocki, and Sherry Sinift; Suzuki teacher training with violinist Kasandra Klassy, who studied directly with Dr. Suzuki in Matsumoto, Japan; and Suzuki pedagogy workshops with Cathryn Lee and James Pecoraro. Additional studies were in Classical Music of India at the Ali Akbar College of Music with Maestro Ali Akbar Khan for 20 years on violin, viola and vocal, and with violinists Sisirkhana Dhar Chaudhuri and SatyaDev Pawar.

Rachel is a regular performer throughout the Bay Area. She has performed as a soloist on violin and viola, in small ensembles and as a part of the Vasundhara Orchestra and the Ali Akbar College of Music Orchestra. She has also performed for radio and television.

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Brody Valentino
Piano, Guitar, Bass, Ukulele, Voice

Teaches in-person at The Magic Flute

“We love Brody so much! He is a wonderful and patient teacher that explains things in a way that his young students can understand. He really makes it fun to learn. He is consistent and reliable, friendly and kind, and has really made my son feel comfortable and excited about guitar in such a way that he has stuck with it longer than any other activity. He’s become an important mentor to my son and he occupies a special place in our lives. Thank you Brody!” —Lisa (Noah, started when he was 12 years old, ended when he went to college)

"Brody is an excellent music teacher! He really makes learning and playing fun. I was able to play some of my favorite guitar riffs and bass lines in the first few weeks of lessons. He also is very knowledgeable about music culture and this helps students feel connected to rock and roll lineage. If you want to learn keyboard, synths, guitar and bass, music production and songwriting... and have a good time doing it, go see Brody!" —Sean

My passion for music started when I was very young. I was 7 years old when I first picked up the guitar, and though it was the early 2000’s, I was drawn to late 1960’s rock! At that young age I was thoroughly inspired by the greats such as Jimi Hendrix, Deep Purple, and Led Zeppelin. Seven years later, I had the opportunity to work as a volunteer instructor at Fairfax Rocks Music Summer Camp. When camp ended, several of the younger kids continued lessons with me. So, at 14 years old, I was teaching guitar and have been doing so ever since-–and I love it! It wasn’t until I was 19 that I started teaching students older than myself. I love bringing joy and meaning to someone’s life through music.

Students who study with me benefit from my ability to adapt to them, their skill level, and musical goals and interests. Not every student learns the same way so I focus more on playing and doing, learning through hands-on experience.

If you were to ask one of my students about me, they would say I am easy going and make playing music fun!

I teach ages 7 and above, all skill levels. My approach to teaching is to get the student playing as soon as possible. Depending on the instrument, I will teach pieces of songs such as riffs and little melodies, so the student can build strength in their hands as well as develop their internal rhythm. When a student gets to a certain level of their musicality, I encourage them to play their favorite songs as I have found that without a genuine connection to the songs that a student is playing, and practicing, they tend to not progress on their instrument. .

I’m a local guy, having graduated from Archie Williams High School, completed courses with the Stanford Jazz Institute, and I’m currently attending the Berklee School of Music Online Degree Program for Songwriting and Music Production. I am a recording artist and I recorded, mixed and mastered my debut album “Do Ya Feel the Magic?”, which is available on all streaming platforms under the name Brody Valentino.

Nazan Aktas

Chaco Amazè

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