Staff
 | Christopher Ahn
(cello) A native of Los Angeles, Christopher Ahn received his Bachelor of Arts with distinction from UCLA, pursued graduate work at the Cleveland Institute of Music, and received a Masters in Music from the University of Michigan. Chris has performed solo and chamber music extensively across the U.S. as well as abroad in Germany, South Korea, Poland, South Africa and Canada. He has had the opportunity to attend prestigious summer programs at the Meadowmount School, Aspen Music Festival, Schleswig-Holstein Music Festival, and the Banff Masterclasses. An alumnus of many local music programs, Chris has performed with the Pasadena Youth Symphony Orchestra, Claremont Young Musicians Orchestra, Los Angeles Philharmonic Honors Orchestra, YMF Chamber Series, and American Youth Symphony. He has enjoyed teaching students of all ages and levels for the last ten years. |
 Gary Blumer
(piano, composition) www.myspace.com/garyblumerjazzpiano Holding a masters degree in Composition from Wayne State University, he's been performing at the piano for over 35 years in jazz, classical and pop genres. Band leader, freelance pianist, composer/arranger and educator - having taught at WSU for 13 years - are all areas in which Gary has many years of experience. |
| Benjamin Chan (guitar) Benjamin Chan is a music composer, producer and music supervisor with credits that range from anime to television to feature films. He studied guitar performance and music technology at Berklee College of Music in Boston. He went on to earn a B.A. in Music Industry Studies from California State University, Northridge, where he won the Outstanding Music Industry Student award and worked as the Executive Producer for the Music Industry Studies project. Benjamin was also awarded a special scholarship from The Recording Academy, Los Angeles Chapter, while attending school at California State University, Northridge. He is currently studying for his Masters in Commercial Music at California State University, Los Angeles. |
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Kristin Caliendo (flute) Kristin Caliendo earned her masters degree in flute performance from Arizona State University and has her Bachelors degree in flute performance from Grand Canyon University where she graduated Summa Cum Laude. The winner of the Bay View Music Festival concerto competition and two-time winner of the Maricopa Community College “Outstanding Performers Instrumental Competition,” Kristin is currently working towards earning her Doctorate of Musical Arts in flute performance with an emphasis in music education. Kristin strives to provide her students with instruction and experience that develop proficiency on the flute in an encouraging, positive, and enjoyable atmosphere. |
 Perfecto
De Castro (guitar)www.perfdecastro.com Perfecto is a multi-awarded guitarist proficient in Classical, Flamenco and Electric Rock Guitar Styles. He is an active performer, having given concerts and recitals in Southern California, SF Bay Area, Portland OR, Chicago, New Jersey, Connecticut and the Philippines. Highly in demand as a teacher, Perfecto’s instruction involves modern methods in music theory, ear training, positioning and proper muscular movement, tone production, and sound design and manipulation. |
 Kenny
Elliott
(percussion, drumset)Kenny’s career as a professional drummer began at age 12 when he performed under the direction of the Red Saunders Orchestra at the Regal Theater. He was the staff drummer for Brunswick Records while teaching at the American Conservatory before moving to Los Angeles . Kenny toured with such greats as Lou Rawls, Aretha Franklin and Natalie Cole and performed with Ella Fitzgerald, Lucy Arnez, Diahann Caroll, Carol Channing, Ray Charles, Al Green, Eddie Harris, Al Jarreau, Chaka Kahn, Cheryl Lynn, Billy Preston, Helen Reddy, Dionne Warwick, and Stevie Wonder among others. He enjoys teaching and working with people. |
 Aubrey
Foard
(tuba, low brass)Aubrey Foard (b. 1982 Milwaukee, WI) is principal tubist with the West Virginia Symphony Orchestra and with the Albany Symphony Orchestra. He has held positions with the symphony orchestras of Canton and Youngstown and has performed as a substitute with The Cleveland Orchestra and the Los Angeles Philharmonic. As a soloist, he has been heard on National Public Radio’s “Performance Today” as well as WQXR New York, KUHF Houston and KDB Santa Barbara. Mr. Foard holds a bachelor’s degree from the Cleveland Institute of Music and a master’s degree from Rice University’s Shepherd School of Music. As a low brass teacher, he advocates an inspired and philosophical approach to music and has been teaching successfully as a private instructor for over two years. |
 Peter Huerta
(percussion, drumset) A charismatic teacher and performer, Peter has played on SNL, David Letterman, Good Morning America, Ellen Degeneres, Jimmy Kimmel Live, MTV TRL, Teen Choice Awards, and with Gwen Stefani. He has been the Toy Soldier in the Disneyland parade, and recently on America’s Got Talent finals with “All That.” Serving as a percussion instructor to various high schools throughout the southland, Peter brings a lot of personality, accomplishment, and care to the studios. |
 Louis
Van Taylor (sax,
flute, clarinet)A professional musician, Louis' instrumental voice can be heard on movie soundtracks such as "Hurricane", "Friday", "Coneheads" and the "Temptations Story". On CD's with such notables as Kool and the Gang, Ray Charles, Mariah Carey, The Temptations, Amanda Marshall, Donnie, Carl Anderson, and many, many others. Louis, a former staff member of the USC Jazz Studies Dept, currently provides instruction for the Dorothy Kirby Center for special education and is a clincian for the Los Angeles Jazz Society and the Theatre of the Hearts Youth First Program. |
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Greg
Sanford (voice)  |
Caster Teoh (trumpet) Caster performed professionally with the Malaysian Philharmonic Orchestra, Orquestra Sinfônica Brasileira, and numerous other symphonic groups througout the world. In addition, he has participated in the Campos do Jordão International Winter Festival in Brazil, the Chosen Vale International Trumpet Seminar in the US, the Domaine Forget Music Academy in Canada, the Kumamoto Youth Music Festival in Japan, and the International Festival Santa Fiora in Musica in Italy. A graduate from the University Of Iowa School Of Music, Caster is a member in the Pi Kappa Lambda and Phi Beta Kappa Honor Society. Currently, he is pursuing his master degree at the USC Thornton School of Music. |
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