High School

I grew up in Philadelphia and Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania and studied cello with the great Orlando Cole. His appreciation and love for music, not just cello music was so inspiring, and I often hear his words in my head when I'm teaching. After I graduated from the Curtis Institute which was the best place to learn chamber music, I went to Italy to play for 5 years. During that time, I started to study baroque cello, and played many many operas, ballets and symphony concerts with excellent conductors and soloists.

Andres Felipe Gomez-Montoya has privately studied classical guitar with Scott Kritzer, jazz guitar with Portland guitarist Dan Balmer and Scott Pemberton, contrabass with Larry Zgons, and Indian tabla with Nisha Joshi and Douglas Scheuerell. Mr. Gomez has a Masters in Music Composition from the San Francisco Conservatory of Music. As a composer Mr. Gomez has collaborated with choreographers, visual artists, and theater directors. He was commissioned by Lewis & Clark College Theater Department to write the music for "Yerma" in 2004. Mr.

As a child and young adult Lila studied for many years with assistant to Jascha Heifetz, Sherry Kloss and performed in many solo competitions, orchestras, and theatre productions. At home, she would "jam" with her dad who plays guitar and taught her how to improvise. Lila became fascinated with the music of the Middle East and the Balkans in her early 20s and eventually toured playing Turkish Sufi music.

Sarah Jo Zaharako began her musical training at age five in Indiana. She studied classical violin as a child and attended Oberlin Conservatory. Sarah moved to the Bay Area in 1999 in order to expand her musical scope. In 2002, she completed a Masters of Fine Arts at Mills College where she studied violin with David Abel and improvisation with Fred Frith. Sarah now performs and composes for creative music ensembles in the San Francisco Bay Area including Gojogo and Matt Small's Chamber Ensemble. She also collaborates extensively with choreographer Kara Davis.

I believe that music study is essential and can bring a person so much joy. It is a wonderful challenge and keeps us in touch with excellence.

I myself started piano lessons at age 7, and violin at 10. And I started the pipe organ at age 32 and study of the Kodaly Method of Music Education at age 43!

Singing is the most natural 'first instrument.' It encourages our musicality and expression, which we can then strive to emulate on our instruments. Listening to our tone is crucial to beautiful playing. I like to encourage my students in this direction.