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Meet the Teachers

​Meet Our Talented Teachers

Piano Lesson
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Ruby Herrera

Ruby Herrera teaches Voice, Piano and Guitar at Music Junction.  She has many years of training and performing, while also recently obtaining her Bachelors of Music Degree in Vocal Arts Performance at California State University Northridge (CSUN) where she studied under Broadway alumna, Diane Ketchie.  She has performed in many operatic scenes, musical theater and choirs including the advanced group, Northridge Singers at CSUN.  In addition to these styles, Ruby also has background in performing and teaching pop music and vocal jazz.

 

Aside from teaching and performing music, Ruby is an actress having performed in theatrical works such as Pericles, Macbeth, and Shakespears’s The Comedy of Errors.  Ruby believes in the importance of constantly learning and developing ourselves as teachers, students and any other areas of life we find ourselves.  Ruby is committed to encouraging her students be the best that they can be on their musical and creative journeys.

 

Other than the language of music, Ruby also speaks English, Spanish, French, German, some Russian, Italian and Japanese too.  She always strives to learn more as it supports her with classical repertoire, and in coaching others to learn how to sing in these foreign languages. She continues to train in all of her instruments and expand her horizons in all her interests, as she believes it is important to always keep on learning, no matter where you are on your journey or what your level is.  

 

Bring you or your child’s musicality, self expression and confidence to the next level by scheduling lessons with Ruby!

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Teacher Giving Guitar Lessons

Renzo Cheesman

Renzo Cheesman is a Composer, Educator, and Multi-Instrumentalist with a Bachelor’s degree in Film Scoring from Berklee College of Music and an Associate in Arts in Music from Miami Dade College.  At Music Junction, Renzo offers lessons in Piano, Voice, Harmonica, Native American Flute, Ukulele, and Guitar combining his professional expertise with a learn-by-doing and creative teaching style.

 

Renzo has scored over 10 thesis films for senior students at major universities across the country and contributed to high-profile productions, including a project featuring Grammy-winning artist Finneas produced by Rolling Stone.  He also serves as the composer and music consultant for Rain4est, a New York-based company specializing in film and video.  Additionally, Renzo has worked at the Boston Conservatory at Berklee and at Symphony Hall with the Boston Symphony Orchestra and Boston Pops, gaining valuable experience in music and production.

 

He also co-founded the original band Mapache Orange, contributing as both a songwriter and performer. Renzo’s diverse musical background spans genres such as Orchestral music, American and British Classic Rock, New Wave, Blues, Folk, World Music, and more.  Having lived in various countries and cities, he brings a global perspective to his lessons, inspiring students to explore music in meaningful and creative ways.

 

Renzo believes in teaching through ear training, imitation, and hands-on experience, focusing on practical learning methods like playing songs and exploring music directly.  His goal is to help students build confidence and develop their skills while having fun.

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Piano Lesson
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Barun Sinha

Barun Sinha has been teaching for 8+ years and is also an accomplished multi-instrumentalist, songwriter, composer, producer and sound designer.  At Music Junction, Barun teaches Piano, Acoustic & Electric Guitar, Bass Guitar, Drums, Voice, Violin, and Music Theory.

 

Learning instruments from an early age, what got him started was focussing his attention on the bass guitar through which he provides rhythmic support and melodic interplay.  From there he stemmed out to other string instruments, voice and drums, becoming well-versed in a variety of instruments.  Barun has experience in several musical genres too, including progressive, alternative, indie, RnB and singer-songwriter.  Barun has played for several touring bands across different countries and also works as a sessions musician in the recording studio.

 

Barun got into music production early in his career and he works with artists from around the world.  He has recently completed certificates for Music Production and Game Audio Design from Berklee College of Music.

 

Barun is a firm believer in bringing organization, time management and teamwork into the structure of his lessons so that the students benefit optimally while learning the techniques and creative aspects of instrumentation.  He is a collaborative team player who is always searching for opportunities to impart valuable insights and opportunities to enhance his students’ and his own skills too!

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Teacher Giving Guitar Lessons

Adrian Bañuelos

Adrian Bañuelos is a multi-instrumentalist, singer, and composer born in Los Angeles. He began his music studies in a rock and roll setting which eventually led him to study classical music at California State University of Northridge and California State University of Fullerton. He has been teaching music since 2010 and enjoys teaching what he’s learned over the years to students who share the same passion for music.

 

Adrian has performed in various types of productions such as rock bands, church choirs, operas, wedding and funerals; just to name a few. His passion lies in composing and performing new music. Adrian is a very talented and passionate teacher, and Music Junction is thankful to have him on the team!

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Piano Lesson
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Gaetano (Guy) Grippo

Gaetano (Guy) Grippo teaches Guitar, Piano, Ukulele and Bass at Music Junction.  Gaetano’s teaching style honors his teachers’ styles who really knew how to zero-in and engage him and others in music in the most optimal way.  Gaetano believes that each student is unique in their learning process and identifying that path for each of them is his passion.  With that efficiency in teaching as a foundation, Gaetano’s student learn and thrive powerfully in their musical journeys!

 

Gaetano discovered the guitar first at the age of eleven after first hearing the music of Led Zeppelin.  He began his studies at a local music school and by the time he reached high school, found himself playing in bands and constantly working to feed his ever-evolving taste in music--a taste that grew to include various rock styles, heavy metal, blues, and jazz.  In his senior year of high school, an internship at the studio where he took lessons helped him discover an innate knack and passion for teaching.  

 

Gaetano graduated from the University of Maryland and taught music in the Washington DC area at that time.  In 2014, Gaetano shifted his music teaching, education and career to Los Angeles where he completed a certificate program in guitar performance at Musicians Institute in Hollywood.  Gaetano continues to develop his skills as a private instructor teaching Guitar, Ukulele, Piano and Bass, and has become involved with the local music scene, participating in freelance recording and performance opportunities with singer-songwriter artists.

 

As a teacher, Gaetano loves being an educator and strives to make his lessons enjoyable and informative, and he works to give his students the tools they need to accomplish their specific music-related goals. 

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Violin Player
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Hua-Hsuan Tseng

Hua-Hsuan Tseng teaches piano, cello and violin at Music Junction and has been actively involved in music instruction, production, composition and performance since she was young.  She takes the experience of all of this well-rounded background in music to nurture the talents of her own students, and her passion for teaching others the joy of music is evident through her attentive, personalized instruction.  

 

Originally from Taiwan, she has been inspired from an early age with the exposure to piano and cello.  Hua has specialized in music education since childhood throughout high school and then at university levels too.  Holding a Bachelor of Fine Art degree in Chinese Music from the National Taiwan University of Arts and a Master of Art degree in Music Composition for the Screen from Columbia College Chicago, Hua’s background in music lends to her delivery of comprehensive and engaging lessons.  Her expertise spans all ages and levels, creating a tailored and engaging learning experience for each student.

 

When Hua is not teaching, she continues to thrive in the world of music whether it be composing, writing, recording and playing live!  She’s worked for composers Stephanie Economou, Allyson Newman, Tom Howe, Nathan Wang, to name only a few, assisting on their film and television scores.  Some projects she was involved with include 'Assassin's Creed Valhalla: Dawn of Ragnarök' (2022), 'Commitment to Life' (2023) and 'More Than Robots (2022).  She was also a mentee of the 2022 Society of Composers and Lyricists (SCL) Mentorship program.

 

Hua's music covers a wide range of musical styles, including classical, electronic, Chinese, and pop.  Her experiences in the Western and Eastern musical worlds extend her musical palette by exploring refreshing sounds, unique techniques, and colorful textures.  Her impressive blend of these musical voices allows her to bring something new and exciting to her compositional techniques within her scoring process.

 

Hua’s teaching style incorporates fostering excitement for learning music while instilling discipline and setting attainable goals.  She prioritizes creating a positive learning environment, infusing each lesson with enthusiasm to cultivate a genuine love for music!

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Piano Lesson
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Dan Sabatino

Dan Sabatino is a distinguished music education specialist and multi-platinum award-winning professional. His ability to joyfully connect with music lovers of all ages has been recognized by millions of people worldwide. 

 

From early childhood to collegiate, Dan is an inspirational and fun teacher who leads by example. Youthful and wise beyond his years, Sabatino is a true musical polymath. His advanced expertise of both the American and Western European canons of the guitar, piano, drums, voice, ukulele, and recording technologies is felt by all who enter our studio at Music Junction. 

 

Not one for jargon, Dan is playfully entertaining and engaging while communicating high level knowledge that everyone understands. It consistently results in elite students who achieve peak performance and a genuine sense of pride. 

 

Dan’s credibility in the music business comes from a career that spans a who’s who of the major record companies. Sabatino got his start after college managing an artist with Quincy Jones Productions. He spent five years working with UMG, Sony Music, and Warner Music Group in various consultant capacities that earned ten platinum plaques and a JUNO Award - where he too served as judge and academy delegate for the organization. Sabatino most recently played a role in the world’s first ethical AI music language translation for the Universal Music Group. He is a young musician that built his reputation as a producer, composer, and performer on over 300 records, mobile games, and music libraries used on countless hit songs and blue chip advertisements.

 

Born in Toronto, Canada, Sabatino studied Orff-Schulwerk and Suzuki at the Royal Conservatory of Music where he earned Distinction with First Class Honors on certifications in guitar, piano, percussion, theory, history, and education. Dan received his B.Mus Summa Cum Laude in Composition with additional certificates in business administration and marketing from the University of Toronto. Sabatino also trained ten years while teaching enriched students at the Merriam School of Music, an innovator and leader at the intersection of 'Contemporary Pedagogy and European Traditions of Excellence’ in North America. As an examiner on the adjudication panel he produced lecture masterclasses, taught privately, and contributed to curriculum development.

 

Always a student, always a teacher, and always of the craft, his philosophy “no two flowers are the same yet grow in the same soil” resonates because when our individual learning personalities are nurtured, it is with the same roots we all blossom. 

 

He currently lives and works in Los Angeles, CA.

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Singer

Manfred Anaya

Manfred Anaya is a multi-instrumentalist and classical singer in the LA area, teaching voice, piano, flute, clarinet and saxophone at Music Junction.

 

Manfred has been involved with music since the age of 9 playing in orchestras and bands.  He became proficient in the flute first, studying for ten years straight, which then led him to exploring other winds, the sax and clarinet.

 

In voice, he specializes in classical training, musical theatre, pop, contemporary christian, and jazz.  

 

A recent graduate of University of Cincinnati's College-Conservatory of Music, Manfred is a professional musician having worked with companies like Des Moines Metro Opera, Opera Theatre of Saint Louis, Dayton Opera, Cincinnati Opera, Pacific Opera Project, and Opera Santa Barbara.

 

His prolific background, scholastically and professionally, is also complimented by a passion and dedication to fostering inspiration and growth in his students’ musical development.  Manfred brings his skills, his patience and his kind demeanor to each lesson with students of all ages, creating the space for each student to thrive and find the fun in the music learning process!

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Acoustic Guitar

Luis Gutierrez

Luis Gutierrez is a Music Educator, Session Guitarist, Composer, Producer and Orchestrator for Visual and Interactive Media.  At Music Junction Luis offers lessons in Piano, Guitar, Ukulele, Bass, Banjo and Drums.  

 

He holds a Dual Major Degree in Film Scoring and Professional Music (Performance, Composition and Jazz Composition) from Berklee College of Music.  With over 16 years as a Guitar Performer, and 5 years of teaching in the Music Education field, he is highly proficient in different ranges of genres that go from Rock, Pop, R&B, Classical to Fusion, Contemporary Progressive Metal/Rock and Jazz.  

 

Education highlights include Guitar Private lessons with Virtuoso guitarists Tim Miller and Berta Rojas; Big Band Arranging and Post Bebop Advanced Modal Harmony classes with Jazz Legend Greg Hopkins.  He has toured with the Peruvian band Ankh, and works as an arranger and producer for the Solo Artist Noir.

 

Originally from Peru, Luis is also the feature Composer, Orchestrator, and Music Editor for Best Narrative Award Winner (Special Jury Mention at the Oscar-Qualifying New Orleans Film Festival NOFF) short film Burnt Roux (2023) by Director Keisha Davis.  He is featured also as a guitar player in the upcoming Colombian film Colibri (2024).  Other works include indie games such as Wobble Warriors, District N and The Double.  Luis has also worked for Hollywood composer and Emmy nominee, Ryan Shore, as a Music Editor and Composer Assistant.

Luis' philosophy of "Painting with Sound... One Note at a Time" characterizes his friendly and patient approach to teaching music in an engaging way.  Music Junction is proud to have Luis on their team of talented and experienced teachers!  

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Playing Guitar

Jude Wright

Jude Wright, raised in Houston, TX, is a talented teacher and multi-instrumentalist.  In fact, Jude plays more instruments than you can count on all ten fingers!  Although he grew up playing Violin, Piano and Guitar, as well as Singing in church and school, Jude also is well-versed in Ukulele, Mandolin, Drums, Electric Bass, Upright Bass, Viola, Pedal Steel and Banjo.   

Jude studied Guitar, Bass, Piano, Voice and Drums at the reputable Musicians Institute in Hollywood.  He went on to perform Guitar, Bass, Keyboard, Ukulele, Fiddle, Pedal Steel and Voice with touring musical acts and musical theater pit orchestras.

Jude can even build his own instruments.  What?!  He’s played and constructed musical instruments professionally for over 15 years.  As a builder, he’s created Cellos and Ukuleles but has made many custom, often strange, musical instruments for film and television composers!

Jude believes that learning a second or third (or even seventh!) instrument isn’t just a lot of fun, but helps to understand every other instrument and music as a whole.  Jude’s teaching approach is friendly, playful and his excellent listening skills allow him to connect with students quickly and apply the right teaching tools tailored for each student’s success.

Book Jude for quality, private, music lessons at Music Junction while there are still openings!

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Female Singer and Bass Guitar
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Kurman Lam

Kurman is an independent artist from England based out of LA, who teaches Voice, Guitar, Piano and Ukulele at Music Junction.  

 

At a young age, Kurman didn't initially want to be a musician.  His passion was playing Soccer (Football), and still today, he plays soccer and coaches kids in soccer programs and camps. However, once his studies in music allowed him to progress to the point of writing songs and eventually performing for audiences, his love for music was solidified, and he then knew that music would be the dream he lives every day for the rest of his life.

  

His inspiration comes from all genres across the industry, and his sound and influences rely heavily on earlier decades, including 70s classic pop rock. The music industry's rich history deeply touches every song he composes and writes.

 

Kurman started off teaching music lessons to whomever was close to him, family members, friends and co-workers.  Then he moved into teaching in private music institutions, developing an effective and unique teaching style.  Kurman’s teaching style is based in positive-encouragement creating engagement and accomplishment in each of his students.  He tailors his lessons to each student’s goals, and allows room for discoveries to happen in any given lesson. Kurman’s goal is to have every student walk out of each lesson with something new and inspiring to keep them practicing and exploring their instrument at home and out in the world!

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Piano player

​Reese Massey

Reese Massey is a recent music education graduate from Berklee College of Music in Boston, MA. Having grown up in Los Angeles, Reese spent her childhood singing in every choir she could find. She started taking vocal and piano lessons at a young age, but soon learned that her passion was singing with others. At Berklee, Reese performed in countless shows as a soloist, background vocalist, choir member, and accompanist.

 

Additionally, she spent her time arranging a cappella music, songwriting, and directing numerous choirs. With vast performance experience, Reese enjoys singing and performing all genres from classical to jazz! However, her biggest passions lie in teaching music.

 

Reese has a focused and engaging teaching personality. She strives to be genuine in everything that she does and believes her teaching reflects that. Being a preschool music teacher at Small World Child Care helped her to become comfortable teaching younger ages and meeting students where they were. She learned how to balance making music class fun while also making sure the students were learning important skills. Additionally, during her time at Berklee, Reese focused on vocal pedagogy where she learned vocal anatomy as well as how to communicate vocal concepts and techniques to a variety of different ages. She prides herself in her ability to teach the same concept in a multitude of ways, an essential skill for a voice teacher.

 

To Reese, teaching music is not a back-up, but her goal. The more she learned about music education and vocal pedagogy, the more she fell in love with teaching. In fact, Reese comes from a long line of music teachers. There has been a music teacher in every generation of her family starting with her great great grandparents! Reese truly feels a passion for teaching and showing children the joys of music as an art as well as sharing the socio-emotional benefits of music with her students.

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