Strings

My name is Ariane Cap, I am the founder of Step Up music.
I am a bassist and educator. I perform regularly with various bands and I teach bass, piano and group classes at Step Up, I teach at the Academy of Art University San Francisco, and facilitate seminars and band camps throughout the country. (Read my bio here). Busy as I am, Step Up is my heart's work and my passion. Make sure to let me know how I can make your experience here at Step Up stellar.
Step Up Music currently has 13 teachers teaching a variety of instruments and classes.

I love to teach the cello! Over the past 20 years, I have learned from my teachers all the ins and outs of playing cello - this includes how to specifically use the arms, fingers, hands, elbows; when to use the different parts of the bow (the lower half, middle and upper half); when to use different bow strokes (using the hand at the frog, the forearm in the middle to upper half); and also things such as relaxing the shoulders, keeping the elbow higher than the wrist in the upper half, angling the bow on the different strings, not leaning too much in the left hand.

Evamarie Raboca Barlaan is a music educator, violin soloist, active orchestral member, and chamber musician. She made her orchestral debut with the El Camino Youth Symphony in Palo Alto, California, performing Edouard Lalo­s Symphonie Espagnole at the age of 17. Her principal teachers have been Vitaly Leykin and Joan Mulfinger of the Eastman School. She holds a B.M. in Violin Performance from The Boston Conservatory where she studied with Ronan Lefkowitz of the Boston Symphony Orchestra.

Rachel Xu is an active musician and teacher in the Bay Area. The major roles on her are cellist, teacher, and conductor. She holds a master’s of Music Performance. She won the rating of “Excellent Performer” at the 1st Session in the National Cello Competition (China).

In over 20 years teaching experience, Rachel has taught students from all ages and all levels including college students. She has been a professor of cello since 2000, Judge of Cello of the Music Grading Committee. She is founder of the Star-Success Music School.

Born in Honolulu, Hawaii I started playing ukulele then moved to violin in Elementary School. I performed in small and large classical and non-classical groups whenever possible receiving awards and performed as soloist with the Honolulu Symphony at 15 years old. Performing for dancers and vocalists came after studying dance and voice at U of Hawaii, U of Illinois, and NC School of the Arts. After studying violin with Paul Rolland, I taught at N Carolina School of the Arts using his method successfully.

www.lamonicaensemble.com

 After
many years of performing, I opened Harps Etc., the only full service
harp store in California and began a full time teaching studio. I have
students of all ages and abilities from age 4 to their 80's.
I have
been fortunate to have students who have gone on to become professional
players. My goal is to take you to where you want to be on the harp.
Many of my students play for fun, with community orchestras, in our harp
ensembles and recitals.

Cynthia is a classically trained harpist and pianist who has been
performing on both instruments since childhood. She is a graduate of the
University of Minnesota, with B.S. degrees in music education and music
therapy. Cynthia is a well respected performer, teacher and early
childhood music specialist. Cynthia enjoys teaching piano, harp and
preschool music classes. Seeing the need for children’s musical
experiences to start before formal music lessons begin, she researched,