Learn from Great Improvisation Teachers

Lisa Mezzacappa is a San Francisco Bay Area-based composer, bassist, bandleader, and producer. Called “one of the most imaginative figures on the Bay Area creative jazz scene” by The Mercury News and “a Bay Area treasure” by KQED public radio, she has been an active part of California’s vibrant music community for nearly 20 years.

What started as a childhood fascination with the guitar grew into a lifelong pursuit of music. I picked up the bass in middle school and high school, but it wasn't until I found myself living in New York City that I began seriously studying and performing on the instrument — diving deep into jazz, blues, and funk and never looking back.

Reza Houshvar grew up in a family full of music. His mother was his first mentor, singing for him and teaching him Persian classical modal systems (Dastgahs). He began with “setar” when he was only 9, learning basic techniques from Maestro Behnam Vadani. Then, he followed Maestro Masoud Shoari for a long time, learning “Radif” and “Ostad Saba” style.

Give me the music you love. If it exists as a sound, I can work it out and teach it to you — on guitar, bass, drums, piano, ukulele, or almost any other instrument. I’ve been transcribing music by ear for more than 20 years — guitar, bass, drums, piano, vocals and other instruments — and have worked out thousands of pieces.

Kal Ferretti is a 21 year old jazz trumpet player based in New York City and is in her fourth year studying jazz trumpet performance at The New School for Jazz on a full scholarship. At school, Kal studies privately under Tatum Greenblatt and Alex Norris.

I've been making music since the age of 5 and have been teaching since I was 15. I'm deeply rooted in music and have a very strong & individualistic knowing and understanding on how to view every student as unique unto themselves, therefore I would teach you the foundations you need and will know, yet focus on the details of what you feel you truly want out of the instrument, and…

I have had two careers in my life. I went to school from classical trumpet and received B.M. in music performance, The Crane School of Music, and a Masters of Music from Arizona State under David Hickman. I then played as principal trumpet of the Musica Nova Orchestra for four years. I left Arizona to pursue playing and touring with a traditional Jazz performing group.

Jazz and rock guitarist Scott Burton loves teaching kids and adults, beginners and beyond, how to play and how to listen. He loves helping people discover new sounds and new ways of approaching music, all while learning fundamentals and songs they have a personal interest in.

Music Teacher-Piano, Guitar, Ukulele, Recorder, Theory PIANO: All ages. Beginners to Advanced Intermediate (grade 6) All styles. As solo and accompaniment instrument. UKULELE: All ages. Beginners to Advanced (grade 3). I mainly use this instrument as accompaniment as I am a singer first, but I cover melodic solo pieces for ukulele too, including music literacy. RECORDER: All ages.

A talented and fun guitarist who has traveled and played professionally for 20+ years. Jay holds a BA in contemporary performance an AA in contemporary guitar (both) from Musicians Institute, as well as an AA in music Ed. Jay has taught all ages and skill levels over the years, he loves to see his students reach goals and have breakthroughs!