Dave Janssen's School of Music


Teachers



Dave Janssen



Specialty: Guitar/Bass (All Styles)



GIT Graduate, UCLA Music Business, Toured with Danger Zone (X Vanilla Fudge/Mark Stein), (X Badlands/Greg Chaisson), Leo (X Black Sabbath/Dave Spitz), Rocknee, Born Jovi (Bon Jovi Tribute Band), Renaissance Rock Orchestra. Session/Studio guitarist for soundtracks and commercials. Dave is available Monday through Friday



Charlie Michener



Specialty: Piano (All Styles)



Charlie began his career in music at age eleven after being forced into playing piano before he could be allowed to play guitar. Little did he know that pianos and synthesizers would become his biggest passion in life, leading to several years of performing on tours across the country, recording, and teaching. Since then, he’s picked up bass, guitar, drums, banjo, mandolin, and is also now a producer, audio engineer. Charlie is available for online lessons only


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Chris Jacks



Specialty: Guitar/Bass (All Styles)



Chris Jacks is a guitarist and multi-instrumentalist, with over 30 years of playing, recording and composing experience. An MI graduate with over 15 years of teaching experience from total beginners to advanced, helping to improve technique, theory and how it applies to the instrument with an emphasis on composition and creativity. Chris is available for online lessons only


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Thomas Lovasz



Specialty: Cello



Thomas Lovasz, a native of Pecs, Hungary, began playing the cello at the age of eight, inspired by his mother, a choir director and music teacher. By the age of fourteen, he has won several regional music competitions and was accepted to the Bela Bartok Secondary School, the Preparatory School of the Franz Liszt Academy of Music in Budapest, Hungary. Thomas is available on Tuesdays


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Mariana Ramirez



Specialty: Vocals and Piano



Mariana has been teaching for eight years and has performed for more than 15 years. BM degree in Vocal Performance, and studied intensively with Carlo Bergonzi in the Bergonzi Masterclass Workshop in 2006. Vocal styles taught are classical, musical theatre, pop, rock, jazz and folk. Mariana is available Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday


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Clay Zimmerman



Specialty: Drums and Percussion



Clay is a graduate of James Madison University in Harrisonburg, VA with a BA in Media Arts and Design and Music Industry. While a student there he was a member of the Jazz Ensemble and Marching Royal Dukes. He's since been teaching and playing in LA after moving in 2021. Drumming styles taught include rock, jazz, funk, metal, and marching percussion (marching snare, tenors, rudimental playing). Clay is available Monday through Friday


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Shahid Yasser Osuna



Specialty: Flute



Shahid is an LA-based flutist and teaching artist. In 2019, he graduated from California State University, Northridge with a degree in Wind Performance, where he studied with David Shostac. In 2021, Shahid completed his Master of Fine Arts degree in InstrumentalArts at the California Institute of the Arts under Dr. Rachel Rudich. Shahid is available on Thursdays


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Rachel Greenup



Specialty: Violin and Viola



Born and raised in California, Ms. Rachel pursued the arts at a young age. Dancing was her first love when she started taking ballet lessons at the age of three but it was her ear for music that inspired her to study violin. She was 8 years old when she joined the Ojai Youth Orchestra, 3 months after learning to play, then a couple years later earned the role of first violinist. Some of her earlier musical accomplishments include receiving awards at various competitions and being accepted to the prestigious Idyllwild Arts Academy Highschool where she studied under Todor Pelev. ​Rachel is available on Fridays


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Ro Meraz



Specialty: Drums and Percussion



Ro has been playing drums for 30 years. He started playing drums in 4th grade in his school’s music program. He was also a Music Major at Santa Barbara City College in 2002, and a Graduate from Musician’s Institute 2006 in the P.I.T. Program (Percussion Institute of Technology). He has a background in Punk, Rock, Metal, Blues and Jazz. Ro is available on Saturdays


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Andrei Iwata



Specialty: Guitar/Bass/Ukulele



Andrei has had a lifelong connection to guitar, having played for over 10 years. Growing up in the area, he started out at Dave Janssen’s School of Music throughout his childhood. The skills that he learned have carried over into his adult life as he has become a teacher himself. He has experience with rock, metal, blues, funk, and more. Andrei is available Fridays and Saturdays


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Benjamin Fortin



Specialty: Guitar/Bass/Banjo/Mandolin



A New Hampshire native, Benjamin Fortin moved to Los Angeles to study in the prestigious GIT program at Musicians Institute. During his studies, he joined a 10-piece jazz/fusion instrumental band by the name of Mr. Giant. Additionally, he gigged with many local Hollywood artists. Immediately after earning his Associates Degree in Guitar Performance, he made his way into the local music scene as a work-for-hire musician. Ben is available Monday through Thursday and Saturday


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