Born and raised in Michigan, I have been a music lover all of my life. I
started playing trumpet in 5th grade and never looked back. While in
San Francisco working on my Masters degree in trumpet performance I was a
soloist with the San Francisco Chamber Orchestra and the Palo Alto
Chamber Orchestra. I love the trumpet and am committed to passing on the
knowledge and helping students find success in music.
An active performing artist throughout the U.S. and abroad, mezzo-soprano Abigail Nims has performed with such renowned orchestras and opera companies as the San Francisco Symphony, Wexford Festival Opera, New York City Opera, the Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra, Santa Fe Opera, and the São Paulo Symphony. Also a highly dedicated teacher, Ms. Nims has taught at Yale University, the Peddie School (NJ), and has maintained private studios in New York City, Connecticut, and Ohio.
Monica Williams teaches private flute lessons to students of all ages and levels. Lessons are catered to meet every individual's needs. Students will learn techniques to improve technique, tone, rhythm, musicality, breathe control and posture all while playing music they love! Many of my students have placed first chair in school bands, Berkeley Youth Orchestra, Diablo Valley Regional Orchestra, and Northern California County Honor Band. My students have won concerto competitions such as the SOTA Concerto Competition and the BYO Concerto Competition.
Nick Burdick is a professional Singer, Trumpet player, and Conductor. He has sung with the San Francisco Symphony Chorus, American Bach Soloists, the Luther College Nordic Choir, and the Monteverdi Consort. As a trumpet player, he has played for the Flagstaff Symphony Orchestra, Saratoga Symphony, Mill Valley Philharmonic, and Musica Nova. His conducting credits include the Northern Arizona Youth Orchestra, NAU Wind Ensemble, NAU Collegiate Band and NAU Symphony Orchestra. He is currently studying voice with Karen Clark.
Brenda is internationally recognized for her oboe, english horn and oboe d’amore teaching skills, and remains as devoted to total beginners as she is to advanced players. Every lesson is fun! She’s taught master classes throughout the United States and worldwide and has built both her teaching and playing careers on versatility, making the oboe and its music accessible to almost any audience.
Cynthia is a classically trained harpist and pianist who has been
performing on both instruments since childhood. She is a graduate of the
University of Minnesota, with B.S. degrees in music education and music
therapy. Cynthia is a well respected performer, teacher and early
childhood music specialist. Cynthia enjoys teaching piano, harp and
preschool music classes. Seeing the need for children’s musical
experiences to start before formal music lessons begin, she researched,
I have been playing the violin for almost 50 years and have been teaching for over 30 years. I love teaching students of all ages and am patient and knowledgeable. I start beginners at age 4 and up using the Suzuki method. My students love playing and are excellent note readers as well as performers. We have group classes and I encourage them to perform in school or local orchestras as well as perform in my recitals. Perspective students are encouraged to observe a lesson and I will supply references upon request.
My students vary from those who want to play in a band, to church musicians, as well as retired adults who studied as young children. I teach all ages. At the college piano class I teach 20 beginners functional skills - that means they make music from the beginning. The students learn the chords and are able to play with others within a few lessons. Some of my private lessons also focus on functional skills.
I also have a select group of students who perform professionally and come to me for technical coaching.
Charlton Lee, violist, founded the award-winning Del Sol String Quartet in 1992. Critically acclaimed and two-time winner of the top Chamber Music America/ASCAP Award for Adventurous Programming, Del Sol explores new ways to interact with audiences, composers and artists across cultures and art forms. Del Sol commissions and performs new music from the brightest living voices around the world. Many of the group's captivating performances include innovative collaborations with electronica and traditional instruments from other cultures: Asian, Latin American and indigenous Australian.