Guitar & Ukulele
One of the easiest instrument to learn is the ukulele. It is probably the most recommended for kids ages 4-6 who have a desire to learn an instrument. Our Guitar and Ukulele staff have extensive performance experiences and/or pedagogy degrees. Styles include classical, acoustic, rock, flamenco, and more. We offer performance opportunities in the form of at least 2 recitals per year, local street fairs and community requests, participation in rock and jazz ensembles. We are developing video classes on How to Play the Guitar, How to Play the Ukulele, and How to Change a String.
Our standard curriculum includes note reading, repertoire, music theory, scales and chord progressions, and sight reading as part of their weekly lesson. We accept students on the ukulele from age 4 and above, and on the guitar from ages 7 and above, though exceptions are made in an individual basis.
Our Guitar, Bass, Ukulele & Strummed Instruments Department
Jason Lee (guitar, bass, ukulele)
Jason Geunsu Lee was born in Seoul, South Korea. He earned a Bachelor’s degree in Jazz Guitar from Conservatorium van Amsterdam in the Netherlands. After returning to Korea, he taught private guitar lessons at Baekseok Arts University, Paekche Institute of the Arts, and Soongsil University as a lecturer. He then moved to Los Angeles to pursue his Master’s degree in Studio/Jazz Guitar program at the University of Southern California, where he was selected to perform with the USC Thornton Jazz Orchestra, directed by Bob Mintzer and Vince Mendoza’s combo. Both ensembles were selected to perform in the final round at the Monterey Next Generation Jazz Festival in 2016 and 2017. He studied jazz guitar with Bruce Forman as well as studio guitar with Richard Smith and Pat Kelly. He also had an opportunity to perform American Root music under Steve Trovato’s guidance. He completed his Master's degree with Pi Kappa Lambda Honors. With over 10 years of teaching experience Jason's mature and steady character makes him a very trustworthy teacher. His patience and love gives his students as sense of great encouragement. Fluent English and Korean.
Jason Geunsu Lee was born in Seoul, South Korea. He earned a Bachelor’s degree in Jazz Guitar from Conservatorium van Amsterdam in the Netherlands. After returning to Korea, he taught private guitar lessons at Baekseok Arts University, Paekche Institute of the Arts, and Soongsil University as a lecturer. He then moved to Los Angeles to pursue his Master’s degree in Studio/Jazz Guitar program at the University of Southern California, where he was selected to perform with the USC Thornton Jazz Orchestra, directed by Bob Mintzer and Vince Mendoza’s combo. Both ensembles were selected to perform in the final round at the Monterey Next Generation Jazz Festival in 2016 and 2017. He studied jazz guitar with Bruce Forman as well as studio guitar with Richard Smith and Pat Kelly. He also had an opportunity to perform American Root music under Steve Trovato’s guidance. He completed his Master's degree with Pi Kappa Lambda Honors. With over 10 years of teaching experience Jason's mature and steady character makes him a very trustworthy teacher. His patience and love gives his students as sense of great encouragement. Fluent English and Korean.
Sunday: 1:30-8:30pm
Ken Nagatani (guitar, bass, ukulele)
Received both a Master of Music and a Graduate Performance Diploma from the Peabody Conservatory of Music, where he studied with Manuel Barrueco, and completed the Doctor of Musical Arts degree at the University of Southern California in 2006 as a student of William Kanengiser. While at USC, he was the recipient of the Mary Pickford Foundation Endowed Scholarship in Classical Guitar and the Jack Marshall Memorial Scholarship. Ken has been active as a teacher and performer in Los Angeles area for the past 17 years, and is currently an adjunct instructor at East Los Angeles College, Long Beach City College, and Glendale City College.
Online only, Saturday 9:00am-5:00pm
Received both a Master of Music and a Graduate Performance Diploma from the Peabody Conservatory of Music, where he studied with Manuel Barrueco, and completed the Doctor of Musical Arts degree at the University of Southern California in 2006 as a student of William Kanengiser. While at USC, he was the recipient of the Mary Pickford Foundation Endowed Scholarship in Classical Guitar and the Jack Marshall Memorial Scholarship. Ken has been active as a teacher and performer in Los Angeles area for the past 17 years, and is currently an adjunct instructor at East Los Angeles College, Long Beach City College, and Glendale City College.
Online only, Saturday 9:00am-5:00pm
Leo Nobre (string bass, guitar) Leo has his bachelors degree in music from the University of Miami. A native Brazilian, Leo attended the American School of Rio de Janeiro, studying acoustic nylon guitar and string bass. As a high schooler he played with various Brazilian artists before being accepted to the University of Miami School of Music where he studied music theory, piano, arranging, and composition. He is a jazz musician, performing on and recording with many artists like Herbie Hancock, Stevie Wonder, Dori Caymmi, Airto Moreira, Jill Scott, Sergio Mendes, Hubert Laws, Black Eyed Peas, Shakira and many others. Leo has been awarded two Latin Grammy awards for playing with Sergio Mendez. Fluent in Spanish, Portuguese, and Italian. Vaccinated.
Thursday 4pm-8:30pm
After moving from Scotland to Los Angeles to pursue a music career, John has been lucky enough to be able to be a professional musician for over 25 years. John is a has played and recorded with various performers such as Korn, The Chieftains, Michael Flatley, Charlotte Church, The Hollywood Bowl Orchestra, and The Tonight Show Band. John has performed at The Hollywood Bowl multiple times and at Coachella. He has also appeared and played in numerous movies, TV shows and stage comedies including Oscar-winning Best Picture, Million Dollar Baby, 911, Modern Family, How I Met Your Mother, Austin Powers 2, Primary Colors, The Tonight Show, The West Wing, Always Sunny in Philadelphia, Providence, and What About Dick?, among many others. John has written, produced and released four CDs and his music has been heard on over 100 radio stations all over the world including Sirius XM and KCRW.
Mondays 2pm-8pm
Mondays 2pm-8pm
Marcelo Soares is a classically trained violinist from Brazil who has more than twenty years of coaching and performance experience. During his extensive orchestral career, Marcelo served as the concertmaster of the Riberiao Symphony Orchestra, and appeared as a soloist with them on numerous occasions. Additionally, he was a member of the Sao Paulo Symphony Orchestra, and was a Titular First Section Violin under the direction of Marin Alsop. As an international soloist, Marcelo has performed works including Romance by Antonin Dvorak, Karl Goldmark’s Concerto for Violin, and Violin Concerto no. 1 by H. Wieniawsky. In January of 2020, he won first prize in the 6th edition of the Shenzhen, China music competition. Beyond his orchestral career, Marcelo enjoys private teaching, as well as coaching students for competition; in 2009, he was invited as a guest teacher at The University of Sao Paulo. He is dedicated to helping students prepare for their auditions and develop a fervent passion for music. Fluent in Portuguese. Vaccinated.
Tuesday 2:00pm-6:00pm, Wednesday 2pm-7pm
Tuesday 2:00pm-6:00pm, Wednesday 2pm-7pm
Jeffrey Tay (piano, voice)
Jeffery Tay is a singer-songwriter, Independent Artist, Producer. Jeffery started learning classical piano a at the age of 10, and shortly after began learning the ukulele and guitar. He majored in vocal studies and holds a bachelor degree from Xinghai Conservatory of Music where he was awarded “outstanding graduate student.” After graduation, he signed a contract with a Chinese label to be a singer and songwriter and released two original albums between 2013-2015. Soon after, he released 4 original singles as an independent artist, producing his own music videos, one which was pitched by MTV Chinese Channel and aired for more than one year. In 2018 Jeffery moved to Los Angeles and graduated from Musician Institute with a Certificate in Independent Artistry.
He holds awards as Top 4 in “The Guangzhou Foreign Language Singer Competition” (2009); Champion of “Budweiser of China Campus singer competition”; Top 10 in Hong Kong TVB “International Chinese New Talent Singing Championship” shows (2012); Top 4 in MTV China channel ‘Aloft Star’ (2015); Top 4 in Guangdong TV ‘Live casting idols of China’ (2016) Fluent in Mandarin and Cantonese.
upon request
Jeffery Tay is a singer-songwriter, Independent Artist, Producer. Jeffery started learning classical piano a at the age of 10, and shortly after began learning the ukulele and guitar. He majored in vocal studies and holds a bachelor degree from Xinghai Conservatory of Music where he was awarded “outstanding graduate student.” After graduation, he signed a contract with a Chinese label to be a singer and songwriter and released two original albums between 2013-2015. Soon after, he released 4 original singles as an independent artist, producing his own music videos, one which was pitched by MTV Chinese Channel and aired for more than one year. In 2018 Jeffery moved to Los Angeles and graduated from Musician Institute with a Certificate in Independent Artistry.
He holds awards as Top 4 in “The Guangzhou Foreign Language Singer Competition” (2009); Champion of “Budweiser of China Campus singer competition”; Top 10 in Hong Kong TVB “International Chinese New Talent Singing Championship” shows (2012); Top 4 in MTV China channel ‘Aloft Star’ (2015); Top 4 in Guangdong TV ‘Live casting idols of China’ (2016) Fluent in Mandarin and Cantonese.
upon request
Registration Private Music Classes
one on one or two on one private lesson with teacher