Each of our 10 full time music instructors offers private lessons out of their personal air-conditioned, spacious studios. Please check out their profiles and feel free to contact them directly with any questions you may have. Or, if you need more information, feel free to contact our front office and we will be glad to place you with the teacher who is best for your needs.
Don’t see an instructor for the instrument you want to learn? Call us anyway. We are constantly adding new teachers of the highest quality to our database of referrals.
Remember we can help find you the right instrument. We stock a wide variety of instruments for rent and for sale. Let us be of service and find an instrument to suit your needs.
Rod Ratelle is an experienced professional of over 20 years, offering instruction for all skill levels and ages
on electric and acoustic instruments. Lessons are customized to each individual; learn music theory, reading,
rhythm, improvisation, or whatever you have in mind. Music styles varying from Jazz, Funk, Rock, Pop, Blues,
Christian Contemporary, etc... Rod is currently performing with PartyQuake, Robin Henkel, and The Rhythmakers
at local, national, and international venues. He is an experienced studio performer, has done radio/ television
commercials, and CD recordings for many artists.
E-mail: info@rodratelle.com
Web-site: www.rodratelle.com
Phone Number: (760) 602-0007
Greg Pusker has been playing guitar and teaching in the north county area for close to 20 years. He began his musical career when he got a job at Rich Hunt's guitar shop back in the early 90's. He worked for Rich Hunt for many years until Rich decided to sell the shop to another local musician by the name of Scott Burns. After having the shop for about five years, Scotty decided to close the guitar shop and move to Texas. Greg hates the heat so he decided to stay in North County and accept a job at B and H Music in Escondido teaching guitar and also doing extensive guitar and instrument repair.
Greg's musical style runs the gamut from finger-style acoustic guitar to hard rock. He also loves to explore musical avenues including jazz and chicken-picking country guitar. Greg was a teenager in the mid 80's, so of course his first true love was the Hair Metal bands of the 80's like Ratt, Warrant, Ozzy, Winger, and Stryper. He was also heavily influences by the guitar shredders of the day including Yngwie Malmsteen, Paul Gilbert, Vinnie Moore, and Chris Poland.
Greg has a love for guitar and teaching music and looks forward to helping you develop your own musical voice.
E-mail: gpusker@cox.net
Wout Wynants was born in Belgium and moved to the United States in 1993 as a music student. His musical education began at 5 when he started recorder. At 8 he started flute and in Middle school he added saxophone, clarinet, oboe and bassoon to his repertoire. Wout has studied with teachers in the Netherlands, Singapore, and the United States. Having performed in the past with artists such as Frank Foster, Marvin Stamm, Ernie Watts, and Wynton Marsalis, this is his first year performing as a soloist. Wout has been teaching woodwinds for 14 years and accepts students of all ages.
E-mail: badaboehm@yahoo.com
Joseph Penton has been playing guitar for 25 years. He graduated from San Diego State University in 1999 and studied classical guitar with Celin Romero of the world famous Romero guitar family. He has been teaching guitar for over twenty years and has taught in the Escondido area since 1992. For the last 15 years, Joseph has played with the enormously successful band The Detroit Underground. Joseph likes to combine his teaching with the student’s favorite music. All ages and levels of experience are welcome.
E-mail: josephpenton@juno.com
Hanna Kogan moved to the United States from Moscow 16 yrs ago. She graduated from the Moscow Conservatory of Music and has taught piano for 35 years to students of all ages. Many of her past students have or are currently attending conservatories of music all over the world. Hanna is a member of the Music Teachers Association of California, Music Teacher National Association, and American College of Musicians. In addition, she has a degree in Child Psychology and Family Counseling, and is an experienced conductor, performer, and composer.
Phone Number: (760) 443-0794
Lauren started piano lessons at the age of 5 and has played ever since. When she was 12 she began playing the piano at church and always seeks to glorify God in her music and teaching. Lauren appreciates many styles of music. She has a great love of children and enjoys being able to share her appreciation of music with them. As a native of Ramona, she spends time with her horses in those hours of her day not devoted to music. She offers lessons to all ages and accepts students at a variety of levels. Her students can participate in Recitals, Festivals, and Certifications.
E-mail: ne14asnickers@yahoo.com
John Pedersen was born in the suburbs of Chicago, IL in 1960 and moved to California just prior to his 8th birthday. Organ lessons started at age 11, and by age 15, John was already in his first band playing every weekend. At this time he also began playing organ at his church, a position that lasted 29 years. Although groomed into a proficient musician from further instruction in college, John went to work as a lab technician and it wasn't until a layoff 12 years later in the 1993, that he returned to his calling. For several years, John worked on backing tracks for musicals, was an accompanist for school choirs, continued as a church organist, played in a variety of rock and country bands and started teaching piano. In his spare time, John enjoys hiking and spending time with his wife and family. He listens to a lot of music as well, everything from jazz to classical.
E-mail: whiteowlmusic@hotmail.com
Camila Arnold was raised in Germany where she received most of her musical training. She started piano lessons at the age of 10 and was soon accepted at the local conservatory in Erlangen/Germany. In 1987 she moved on to the Christian-Ernst-Gymnasium, a music school equivalent to an American performing arts academy or high school. She began her vocal training at age 15 under Norma Lerer in Nürnberg/Germany and Professor Charlotte Lehmann in Hannover/Germany. She performed as “Nancy” in the musical “Oliver” at the Theater in Erlangen/Germany. She also performed as a soloist in various concerts and recitals. In 1989 she was awarded a scholarship for outstanding vocal performance. In 1990 she graduated from the Christian-Ernst-Gymnasium and was immediately accepted at the Music University in Würzburg. Before finishing her studies she moved to the USA/California where she spent the next 6 years in Los Angeles. During this time she performed as part of a vocal ensemble during annual functions with up to 4000 participants. She was also featured as a soloist in one of the function’s theme songs, recorded at the A&M Record Studio, Hollywood, Los Angeles. In 1998 she moved to San Diego County to resume her music studies at Palomar College. She has performed as a soloist with the Palomar Choral and is featured as soloist on the Perti CD, which was released in the fall of 2001. In May of 2001, she sang with the San Diego Opera in the Verdi Requiem. In December of 2001, she gave a series of Christmas concerts - featuring rare Christmas carols from all over the world in their original languages. Ms. Arnold has also sung with The First Presbyterian Church in Oceanside and Trinity Church in Escondido. In February of 2002 she was named the Musical Director for the children’s & youth theater, Arts Off Broadway, at the California Center for the Arts in Escondido. In December of 2002 her first CD featuring classical, inspirational vocal music was released and is available for sale now. Ms. Arnold performs regularly in Vienna/Austria for the Austrian Society of Music and the Austrian Society of Contemporary Music as well as for the Vienna Music Festival Weeks. She is the co-founder of the Austrian Californian Society of Music (ACSOM) with headquarters in Los Angeles. Ms. Arnold performs as featured soprano soloist with orchestras, in chamber music concerts and solo recitals within California and nationally.
E-mail: Camila_Arnold@sbcglobal.net
Tiffany teaches private and group voice, piano, and acting classes, at her private studios in Poway and Escondido. A life long goal of hers has been to provide children with programs for creative expression. Tiffany is currently the Music Director at Country Montessori School in Poway and the Artistic Director, Musical Director and co-founder of Center Stage Productions, a unique theatrical company dedicated to teaching music, drama, and dance to youths 6-18. Her professional experience includes working with several North County theatre organizations as Artistic Director, Musical Director, and Choreographer; Ms. Lopez is also experienced in teaching ballet, tap, and jazz dance. Tiffany is currently pursuing a Masters of Arts degree in Music at San Diego State University. At present, she holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Interdisciplinary Studies with a special emphasis in music, theatre, dance, and psychology.
E-mail: Tiffini_Lopez@Yahoo.Com
Jack Lang was born in Yokohama, Japan. He started taking trumpet lessons at the age of 9 in San Diego and began playing professionally at age 16 with Higher Ground, a well established top forty club band. He has since played/performed as a soloist and section player at different churches in the San Diego area and with numerous other club/Big Bands. In addition to performing, Jack has done studio work for many local musicians. He has played lead trumpet with The Royal Caribbean Cruise Orchestra backing up artists such as the Platters, The Diamonds, Peter Noone, Mickey Dolans, etc… Currently, he is playing with The Detroit Underground, a local R&B band, voted Best cover band in San Diego at the San Diego Music Awards in 2004. Jack began teaching Trumpet and other lower brass instruments (trombone, baritone. . .) at the age of 17 at the Thearle’s Music Store in San Diego. He has assisted at many local High School Band rehearsals and is currently teaching brass at B&H Music in Escondido.
E-mail:jlang716@cox.net
Izabella graduated from the Music College in the Republic of Georgia USSR with a BA in Music (Emphasis in violin teaching and artist of the orchestra). In 1991 she moved to the United States where she now teaches Violin & Viola to all levels and ages. Her teaching emphasizes the European School of Classical Music. Izabella is a member of the Music Teachers Association of California and has taught for over 20 years. She has played in many ensembles both here and in Russia. Currently she performs in a quartet.
Phone number: (858) 560-8755