Middle School

Allegro Chorus

Allegro Chorus is the intermediate division of YWCP, and is a place to improve vocal skills and musicianship and meet other girls who love to sing. It has between 25-40 young women in grades 5 through 10 from across the Bay Area. Members of this ensemble receive vocal and musical training, including music theory, ear training, sight-reading, vocal technique, and performance skills. This chorus sings a wide variety of music styles in up to 3-4 parts, and performs at least 4 times per year. Allegro Chorus made its debut in fall 2013 and is led by Kodály music educator Danelle Johnson.

Jesse Shepherd

I am a Marin County native currently residing in Santa Rosa. A 2002 semi-finalist of the Pacific Piano Competition for California Community College Pianists and a recipient of the Carolyn D. Witt Memorial Music Department Scholarship, I transferred to Sonoma State University where I studied general music and gave a senior piano recital in 2006.

Nicholas Isaacs

Full bio and statement available at Community School of Music and Arts (www.arts4all.org). I have taught piano, accompanying, chamber music, theory, history, and been active as recitalist, chamber musician and conductor for 45 years. I supervised the development of all curriculum at CSMA from 1985-2010. I teach beginning through professional levels, using ABRSM syllabus as an excellent guide to standards and milestones.

Sabrina Brown

I sing like I mean it every day of my life. I want to teach that ability to everyone who wants it. I teach primarily in a classical method, but with a style tailored for each student. The art of singing is intangible because it is reliant on the individual. What works for one student will not necessarily work for the next, so I teach to the needs, abilities, and desires of each person. I have been teaching privately since 2000 in the Humboldt region and in the Bay Area since 2005. I am currently accepting new students, and look forward to hearing from you!

Michael Graham

I am a cellist and a cello teacher, performing frequently with the Oakland Symphony, the San Francisco Ballet, the New Century Chamber Orchestra, in San Francisco productions of Broadway musicals, and on tour with singer/songwriter Van Morrison.

Clio Tilton

Using a curriculum ranging from the baroque/early classical era and fiddle tunes for beginners to a more advanced and diverse repertoire for intermediate and advanced students, I aim to give each student a solid foundation on the violin or viola. This prepares my students to be able to read music and to play by ear and take the violin in whatever direction they choose later on. Using a combination of scales, exercises, rhythm games, I teach my students how to be comfortable and facile on their instruments and to be over all well rounded musicians.

Deanna Said

I am a freelance violist and experienced teacher in the bay area. I offer lessons at my home in Alameda and in Mountain View. I am principal violist for the Susanville Symphony and I often play with many groups in the bay area- including Berkeley, Monterey, Sacramento, Modesto and Merced Symphonies.
I received my BM from the San Francisco Conservatory, working with Jodi Levitz and my MM from the University of Nevada-Reno as a graduate teaching assistant to Stephanie Sant'Ambrogio.

Nicola Gruen

A Bay Area native, Nicola Gruen performed for several years as a violinist in the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra and freelanced with the Halle Orchestra, Ulster Orchestra, Bournemouth Symphony and English National Ballet. She is recorded on numerous film soundtracks, including "Moulin Rouge," and she played regularly in the award winning musical "Martin Guerre." An alumna of The Crowden School, Nicola's mentors have been Anne Crowden, Colin Hampton, Virginia Baker and Emanuel Hurwitz.