Music Programs
Little Musicians (Age 4 - 6)
Little Musicians class is full of fun musical activities to inspire your little maestro. We will explore music and movement, simple percussion, listening skills, introductory , ukulele and recorder skills. Wendi Kirby has over 30 years of experience teaching young child music education.
Piano
Wendi Kirby
Wendi’s passion for piano began at age five and she began teaching at age fifteen. She is a classically trained pianist who has received national recognition for her contributions in music education. Wendi has served as President of the California Association of Professional Music Teachers, Examiner for the Certificate of Merit Program, member of the State Presidents Advisory Council Chair for Music Teachers Association of California, and holds several accolades and roles with the Royal Conservatory of Music including acting as a center representative, advanced specialist, founding teacher, and holds the ARCT degree in piano performance.
Wendi turned her attention to her own compositions in 2020 and performs on stages throughout the US and Europe. Her music is known to be lyrical and cinematic with classical and jazz undertones. Wendi is passionate about helping others find joy in playing the piano while finding their own creative voice through mindset work and creative exploration.
Private Lessons and Group Classes Available
Click Register to Email Wendi for information and scheduling.
Songcrafting with George Woods
George Woods
Sing Your Stories.
Songcrafting 101 is a 10-Week Course that will teach you how to recognize your unique musicality and give you the tools to craft it into amazing songs.
Students will learn multiple tools and approaches to generate musical and lyrical ideas, and then how to edit and craft those ideas into complete original songs. The curriculum is designed to be accessible from a beginner to intermediate level of musicianship but has something to offer even the most experienced musicians.
Songcrafting 101 is on Tuesday nights from 6:00 - 8:00 PM. Spring Session begins April 16, 2024.
George Woods is a Professor of Songwriting at the acclaimed Berklee College of Music, and founder of the Monterey Song School.
Guitar and Ukulele
George Woods
George Woods is a Professor of Songwriting at the acclaimed Berklee College of Music (Boston, MA), and founder of the Monterey Song School.
Guitar lessons with George will provide you with the tools and music theory necessary to understand the instrument and will inspire you to play at your highest level. Group classes are a great way to accelerate your learning and join a supportive community of players.
Ukulele is the perfect entry-instrument to start your musical journey. It’s low cost, perfect for every sized hand, and you can start strumming along with your favorite songs within a few lessons. This beginners ukulele course is designed to take you from “Ukule-what-now?” to singing your favorites with a group of friends. Each class is designed to build on the next one, and we start with learning beginners “one finger” songs. No matter where you are in your musical journey this class will help you master the basics so that you can expand your repertoire and even begin creating your own original material.
You can expect a warm and welcoming atmosphere that makes you feel comfortable no matter where you are in your musical journey.
Youth Cohort - Ages 8+
Adult Cohort - Ages 18+
$60 per class
Voice
Julie Capili
Julie began singing and performing with her twin sister in church at a very young age. She participated in choirs and bands throughout high school and college, graduating from the University of Oklahoma in 1997.
In 1998 she moved to the Bay Area and studied at the San Francisco Conservatory of Music with Jazz legend Faith Winthrop and in 2000 worked with Professor Roger Letson at De Anza College.
She has performed throughout the Bay Area and Monterey Peninsula for 20 years, including with The Monterey Symphony and the Lodge at Pebble Beach.
In 2008 she recorded her first album “Passing Fancies” and toured throughout Europe. Her second album “ Round Midnight” was released in 2014.
She has taught voice for 5 years and is dedicated to helping people find and strengthen their voices and build their repertoires.
Bass
Zach Westfall
Zachary Westfall has been playing bass professionally for over a decade. He attended Berklee School of Music in Boston. Upon finishing he moved to Asbury Park, New Jersey. While on the east coast Zach performed with Gloria Gaynor, Wyclef John, Michael Franti, Tommy James, Steven Van Zandt, Steve Forbert, and Nicole Atkins, among many others. He has toured extensively throughout the US, Canada, UK, and Japan with various groups. Zach is also a seasoned Jazz musician. He has lead his own quartet. at the Monterey Jazz festival and San Jose Jazz festival. Zach is well versed in all styles and is ready to teach whatever an aspiring bassist might need.
Private Lessons and Group Classes Available
Click Register to Email Zach for information and scheduling.
Acoustic Beginning Group Guitar Lessons
Anne Sibley
Singer-Songwriter and Songwriting Coach Anne Sibley has been playing acoustic guitar for over twenty years. She is good enough to keep herself out of trouble and to play songs she wants so she can sing to her heart’s content! Anne has performed across the U.S, released albums, and has worked as an educator all her life. She loves to nurture a lifelong relationship in others with their creativity.
Strum and Sing! Acoustic Group Guitar
for Singers & Beginners with Anne Sibley
Youth & Adult Cohorts
Want to build your confidence and sound great accompanying yourself singing your favorite songs?
Want to get better at playing guitar and enjoy the way you sound?
Often beginner guitar players might struggle with: fingering, hand coordination, strumming, tuning, building strength, reading tablature, nervousness in front of others, and finding motivation. A group lesson is a fun and effective way to improve! You are guaranteed to have fun, be inspired, learn new things and improve your guitar playing!
Click Register to Email Anne for information and scheduling.
Saxophone, Clarinet and Flute
Arman Sangalang
Saxophonist and composer Arman Sangalang has been garnering attention as one of the up-and-coming jazz musicians on the Chicago music scene. Now based in Monterey, California, Arman is eager to share his talents on the West Coast. As a bandleader, he currently leads the Arman Sangalang Quartet which feature his compositions that are informed by jazz, folk, and improvised music. His debut record “Quartet” was released in 2023 on Calligram Records and showcases Dave Miller on guitar, Matt Ulery on bass and Devin Drobka on drums.
Throughout his career, he’s had the honor of sharing the stage with notable jazz artists such as Bobby Broom, Lenard Simpson, Reggie Thomas, Clark Sommers, Camila Mennitte, and countless others. His music has been performed at prestigious venues like the Hyde Park Jazz Festival, Clifford Brown Jazz Festival, and Chicago Jazz Festival. Other notable venues include The Green Mill, Andy’s Jazz Club, Hungry Brain, The California Clipper, The Whistler, Cliff’s Bells, Merriman’s Playhouse, and Jazz Central Studios.
Arman has also received various accolades in the last few years. In 2023, he was selected to be apart of the Boysie Living Jazz Residency in Delaware. In 2022, IRIS, a quintet formed by Arman, was one of four groups across the U.S. selected for the Jazz Aspen Snowmass Academy. The same year, Arman was also the awardee of the Jazz Institute of Chicago’s Jazz Links Fellowship. He also holds a B.M. from Indiana University, and an M.M. in Jazz Studies from Northern Illinois University.
In addition to being an active performer, Arman is a committed educator. While at NIU, Arman held a graduate assistantship where he coached jazz combos and taught courses. Most recently, he was a teaching assistant at Birch Creek Music Performance Center in 2023. He currently coaches a jazz combo with the Chicago program, After School Matters and maintains his own private studio. He also held positions at Stafford Music Academy in Bloomington, IN, NIU Community School for the Arts and South Suburban College.
Private Lessons and Group Classes Available
Saxophone - Beginner - Advanced
Flute and Clarinet - Beginner - Intermediate
Click Register to Email Arman for information and scheduling.
Piano, Theory, Ear Training
John Wilkinson
John was first captivated by music at age 11, initially playing bass and guitar.
At 19, he began playing piano mentored by Seaside native Milton Fletcher. John co-founded the Monterey-based jazz duo Moment to Moment with trumpeter Dan Herrera and studied classical piano with Melinda Coffey.
In addition to proficiency on the piano, John is a dedicated vocalist. He has performed with several choral ensembles, including the Carlos Tottress Gospel Choir, ICantori di Carmel with Daniel Henricks, Rob Klevans Vocal Jazz Ensemble, Monterey Chamber Singers led by Cyril Deacanoff, and sang the German Requiem of Brahms with the Carmel Bach Festival Chorus under the baton of Doctor Andrew Megill.
John loves to guide students in a personal and enjoyable relationship with music, with a focus on the fundamentals applicable to every facet of musical activity. John naturally helps students to become proficient while inspiring students to discover their musical goals and aspirations. John invites students to embark on a rewarding journey of discovery and growth, where learning is as fun as it is enriching!
Private Lessons
Click Register to Email John for information and scheduling.
More Instruments Coming Soon