Adam Trelatsky (With Us Since 2002)

Instruments Taught:

Guitar,Ukulele,Bass Guitar & Upright Bass

Bio:

Adam is an experienced instructor of all genres on the guitar, bass, and upright bass. He has taught students of many ages with great success. He has preformed in venues around the world, such as the Netherlands' Graauw Rock music festival. Adam has played for many musical theater productions and several distinguished bands. He is also classically trained on the double bass and is fully proficient in bow technique in both German and French bowing style.

His primary vision is in teaching as efficiently as possible and prides himself in the ability to motivate people to learn their instrument with passion. He is well trusted for his ability to teach music in an energetic,yet stress-free environment.

Email: Maxschreckisgod@aol.com

Phone: 209-261-3580

Linda Cone

Instruments Taught:

Piano

Bio:

Linda has been employed with Gottschalk Music Center for over 8 years. She is responsible for receiving and maintaining inventory for both the Merced and Clovis locations. Linda is also a pianist with over 40 years of experience. She teaches music to beginners through intermediate levels of all ages. Linda has taught private and group lessons for over 7 years. She also frequently plays for her church and has accompanied at weddings and for choirs.

Phone: 209-769-1768

Shaun McDonald

Instruments Taught:

Guitar

Bio:

Shaun McDonald is a guitar player, composer, and performer from Merced, Ca. with over 18 years of experience on the instrument, he has performed in a range of settings and styles, ranging from popular local band (such as “Seamus the Dog”), to performing as a solo artist, as well as accompanying national touring arts such as Mic Gillette (of Tower of Power). Shaun has been a private guitar instructor since the year 2000, and has years of experience teaching in high school and Junior Colleges as well.

Email: shaunmcdonald@letsjam.com

Phone: 209-658-8441

Joe Onzo

Instruments Taught:

Piano, Violin &Trumpet

Bio:

Joe started performing in 1966 with the Merced Symphony when he was only 14 and continues to play with many bands and orchestras. Joe started teaching full time in 1978 and has experience in various music styles con sting of, but not limited to: latin, funk, fusion, country, jazz, and classical. Teaching and performing has been his sole occupation for over 31 years. His students are well known as performers and music teachers with some in Europe and Hawaii.

Email: astralknight@sbcglobal.net

Phone: 209-723-0528

Roddy Jackson

Instruments Taught:

Piano, clarinet, saxophone, Flute, trumpet, trombone & Voice

Bio:

Roddy has been a private music teacher for 27 years and taught music and theater classes in Merced county schools for 15 years. He personally plays 18 musical instruments, of which he teaches the following: Piano, Keyboard, Saxophone, Clarinet, Flute and Percussion-beginning through advanced, Trumpet, Baritone, Trombone and Tuba--beginning through intermediate. He also teaches voice, music theory, improvisation and composition. Roddy has had much experience as a performing musician, composer and arranger in various musical styles and tailors the to conform with the specific musical goals of each student.

Email: roddyjacksontmm@aol.com

Phone: 209-261-1366

Victor Ramos

Instruments Taught:

Drums & Percussion

Bio:

Victor Ramos has been playing drums for 9 years. He has been playing drums in the church for many years. He works well with all age student& enjoys watching them grow in their musical fields. He started playing drums when he was 12 years old. In high school he played the snare in marching band and in drum line. He also played drums for the jazz band in Livingston high school. After graduation he went to Instituto Canzion, to pursue a music career. He is currently enrolled in a music class at Merced College. He has been teaching drums for 2 years. His love for music inspires him to gain more knowledge so that he may share it with his students.

Email: biturr5@yahoo.com

Phone: 209-658-7096

Mikel Soria

Instruments Taught:

Guitar & Piano

Bio:

Mikel Soria has been playing guitar for over 20 years and has experience playing the jazz, rock, and classical genres. In addition to having taught guitar lessons since the age of 16, Mikel has performed at various venues up and down the Central Valley. In June of 2011, Mikel will have graduated from California State University Stanislaus and will have earned his Bachelor's Of Music in Jazz Studies.

Email: mikelsoria@mikelsoria.com

Phone: 415-706-5484

Website: http://www.mikelsoria.com/

Ben Wiles

Instruments Taught:

Guitar

Bio:

Ben has been teaching at Gottschalk Music Center for over 6 years. He started playing piano when he was 8 and later moved on to guitar, bass, and has dabbled in several other instruments including violin and mandolin.

Phone: 559-285-2191

Will Bollman

Instruments Taught:

Guitar

Bio:

Will has ten years of teaching experience and is well versed in a variety of musical styles which include rock, blues, bluegrass, country, jazz, fingerstyle, and slide guitar. Many of his students have gone on to form bands and become teachers themselves. He has hundreds of hours of studio session playing under his belt and has toured the country as a professional musician opening for acts such as Peter Frampton and Sublime. He studied music at Fresno City College and Fresno State University. It is his opinion that sharing the gift of music is the best gig he has ever had.

Phone: 559-355-2628

Steve Ono

Instruments Taught:

Guitar

Phone: 559-266-4762

Nate Schirmacher

Instruments Taught:

Guitar

Phone: 559-977-6610

Ryan Caldwell

Instruments Taught:

Percussion/Drums

Phone: 559-417-1308

Terry McDonnell

Instruments Taught:

Sax, Flute, & Clarinet

Phone: 559-229-7401

Pete Van Der Paardt

Instruments Taught:

Trumpet

Bio:

Coming soon

Phone: 559-824-6577

Marisa Aoki

Instruments Taught:

Trombone

Phone: 559-301-0658

Michelle Stuart

Instruments Taught:

Piano

Phone: 559-824-1314

Elliott Nelson

Instruments Taught:

Piano

Bio:

Elliott has been playing piano for over 15 years. His teachers included John Hord, Natasha Kislenko, and Andreas Werz. He is currently completing a Bachelors of Arts in Piano Performance at Fresno State University, and will pursue a Master of Arts in Piano Performance from Fresno State starting in Fall 2011.

Phone: 559-355-7239

Christie Bessinger

Instruments Taught:

Piano

Bio:

Christie has been with us since 2007, specializing in jazz, modern and contemporary piano. With a Bachelor's in Psychology from Fresno State, she didn't expect to become a music teacher, but believes her degree has helped her immensely with instructing so many diverse and talented students. Christie has worked with and been trained by some wonderful teachers, including Cheryl Nelson and Kevin Memley. She believes students benefit from public performance. Her most recent recital was featured on a local television station. Christie gives students the opportunity to master their favorite styles of piano, while encouraging a strong foundation in classical music and chord theory.

Check out some of her compositions and arrangements on Christie's MySpace page.

Phone: 619-592-5221

Rachel Ensley

Instruments Taught:

Voice

Bio:

Rachel studied as a music major with emphasis on vocal performance at CSU, Stanislaus and Fresno. In addition to vocal technique, she has studied acting, stagecraft, foreign languages, piano, dance, and the International Phonetic Alphabet.  She has many years of experience in solo and ensemble performance with groups such as Fresno Grand Opera, Townsend Opera Players, and Good Company Players.  She also performs for churches, private-party engagements, special events, and non-profit functions.

Phone: 559-978-2075

Caleb Sandersier

Instruments Taught:

Violin

Phone: 559-307-9644