Originally from San Antonio, Chris began playing guitar and piano at age 14. He studied classical guitar and music theory in college before attending the Musicians Institute in Los Angeles, CA. Since moving to Austin in 2004, Chris has been teaching guitar, piano, bass and drums. He especially enjoys helping students unlock the connections between music theory and creative expression.

Chris grew up surrounded by music—classic rock from The Beatles, The Rolling Stones, Elton John, Fleetwood Mac, and The Doors from his parents, along with classical and film music from his dad. At 13, hearing Guns N’ Roses inspired him to pick up the guitar, which led to lasting influences like Randy Rhoads, Ozzy Osbourne, and many classical and contemporary composers. His inspirations range from Pink Floyd/David Gilmour, Howlin’ Wolf, and Tom Petty to Metallica, Faith No More, Alice In Chains, Joe Satriani, and classical masters such as Beethoven, Mozart, and Chopin.

For Chris, music is both universal and deeply personal—a blend of language, science, and emotion. He believes learning the “vocabulary” of music enhances its magic, and he loves watching students light up as that understanding takes shape.

Beyond teaching, Chris stays active in the music community. He founded Skunkfest, a music festival, and co-hosts the Eclectic Soundtrax podcast, blending interviews, comedy, and creative promotion. Outside of music, he enjoys visiting zoos, following Instagram animal accounts, and relaxing with a good book, movie, or TV series.

Although born in Texas, Glenn grew up in Lawton, Oklahoma, as part of a military family. He studied music at Cameron University as a saxophone major, though he often found himself working out theory assignments on the guitar. That passion quickly grew into a lifelong career—Glenn has been teaching guitar and bass for over 45 years.

Throughout his career, he has studied and performed in many different styles, specializing in improvisation across jazz, blues, pop, country, Latin, and more. His teaching focuses on building chordal knowledge, understanding the music of others, and equipping students with the tools to create their own.

Glenn first discovered music at age six by watching his oldest brother play and sing, then teaching himself by ear. Today, his favorite part of teaching is witnessing the moment when something “clicks” for a student and later seeing them grow into musicians who share their gifts with others.

His influences include an eclectic mix of greats such as John Coltrane, Kurt Rosenwinkel, Stevie Ray Vaughan, Jeff Beck, John Scofield, Steely Dan, Yes, Wayne Krantz, Allan Holdsworth, Danny Gatton, Joni Mitchell, Ray Charles, and Dumpstaphunk. He also credits his college saxophone teacher, David Pickthorn, with shaping his understanding of musical thought and expression.

Outside of music, Glenn is a voracious reader and loves exploring Big Bend National Park whenever possible. He enjoys photography, and traveling with his wife Beverly.

Fun facts: Glenn is full of trivia, can’t resist a pun (good or bad), and has no poker face when performing. He’s self-effacing, always roots for the underdog, and loves to find humor in the unexpected.

Malcolm was born and raised in Austin, TX, and studied Guitar Performance and Songwriting at Berklee College of Music. He teaches guitar, piano, ukulele, and bass, and especially enjoys helping students sing while playing their instrument—building confidence as both musicians and performers.

His own musical journey began with piano and violin lessons in elementary school, but in high school he discovered Metallica, picked up the guitar, and never looked back. Today, Malcolm’s favorite part of teaching is guiding students as they find their own musical identity and empowering them to create and enjoy music in their own unique way.

Malcolm’s influences include 90’s and 2000’s rock, metal, and pop artists such as John Mayer, Metallica, Killswitch Engage, and Jimmy Eat World. He enjoys exploring a wide variety of genres, from rock and metal to jazz and singer/songwriter pop.

Outside of music, Malcolm enjoys running, practicing martial arts, and spending time outdoors at the greenbelt or Barton Springs. Fun fact: he’s a skilled chess player and is currently learning how to two-step!

A Galveston native, Collin began his musical journey at age 11, learning guitar under Grammy-nominated Bert Wills. He later added percussion, jazz guitar, and piano to his repertoire, pursuing music studies at Austin Community College after moving to Austin in 2009.

Collin's performance career includes leading bands at SXSW showcases and touring nationally with Black Joe Lewis and the Honeybears. Over his 20-year journey in music, Collin has cultivated a profound appreciation for diverse styles, performing, producing, and teaching genres such as rock, funk, jazz, blues, R&B, classical, fusion, and hip-hop. His teaching approach emphasizes practicality, equipping students with the tools to explore their instruments as sources of creativity, confidence, and joy. Whether a student aims to play casually, jam with friends, or write original music, Collin is dedicated to helping them achieve their goals.

FUN FACT

When not teaching, Collin enjoys writing and recording music or spending time outdoors with his partner Kascidy and their dog, Misha.

Born and raised in Austin, TX, Kevin began playing music in 8th grade when he started learning bass guitar. By his junior year, he was playing both bass and guitar in a number of different bands. He went on to study at Texas State University, and has now been teaching guitar, bass, keyboards, and ukulele for 10 years.

Kevin is inspired by classic country music, soul and R&B, traditional gospel, blues, and rock & roll, and considers himself fortunate to have been mentored by a variety of musicians, from youth leaders to touring pros. He is an active performer around the Austin area in several bands, and in recent years has enjoyed leading an annual live tribute show commemorating The Band’s concert/film “The Last Waltz.”

Kevin loves to teach because he discovered that it is a way that he can both give and receive joy in equal measure. He feels that music lifts the soul!

FUN FACT

Kevin and his wife are avid disc golfers- they play with friends and family every Sunday and enjoy checking out new courses when they travel.

James grew up in the Chicago area and earned his music degree from Lake Forest College, just north of the city. After years of professional musicianship in the local and regional Chicago scene, James decided he was ready for some warmer weather and made the jump to Austin about 8 years ago. He's been busy performing around town ever since.

James enjoys a variety of different styles, including rock, jazz, funk, and soul. Some favorite artists include Radiohead, Led Zeppelin, Hiatus Kaiyote, The Bad Plus, and D'Angelo, just to name a few.

James enjoys helping students to improve over time and loves to see their happiness and confidence grow week-to-week. His extensive experience as a performing bassist and drummer helps him give students of all instruments a well-rounded and open-minded approach to their musicianship.

Jason is a native of southern California and has been performing and teaching professionally for over 20 years. He holds multiple degrees in classical, jazz, film scoring and electronic music from the University of California Santa Cruz and the University of California Los Angeles. His teaching focus is on electric and acoustic guitar, piano, electric bass, mandolin and ukulele–specializing in rock, classical, jazz, blues, folk, and country. He enjoys teaching music literacy, technique, musicianship, songwriting and theory. Most of all, Jason aspires to make learning a new instrument fun and exciting.

Jason started playing guitar when he was 10 years old. He became inspired to learn music through hearing classic rock bands on the radio, seeing music videos on MTV and live concerts his parents took him to as a child.

Jason has musical influences from rock, pop, jazz, classical, world, film and electronic music. Some artists that have inspired him include; Led Zeppelin, The Beatles, Radiohead, Nirvana, Bob Dylan, Elvis Presley, Miles Davis, John Coltrane, Stravinsky, Bartok, Ennio Morricone, Bernard Herrmann, Ravi Shankar and Aphex Twin.

FUN FACT

Jason enjoys other activities including reading, traveling, swimming, camping, skiing, golf, tennis, ping pong, scary movies and spicy food.

Tristan Shinnick was born and raised in Austin, TX. After graduating from Westlake High School, he went on to study at the University of North Texas in Denton. He graduated with a degree in Jazz Guitar Performance and has now been a teacher for 15 years.

He enjoys teaching all ages and skill levels. As a performer, he plays acoustic and electric guitar and particularly enjoys fingerpicking on both.

FUN FACT

Tristan enjoys movies and comedy.

Originally from San Antonio, Chris began playing guitar and piano at age 14. He studied classical guitar and music theory in college before attending the Musicians Institute in Los Angeles, CA. Since moving to Austin in 2004, Chris has been teaching guitar, piano, bass and drums. He especially enjoys helping students unlock the connections between music theory and creative expression.

Chris grew up surrounded by music—classic rock from The Beatles, The Rolling Stones, Elton John, Fleetwood Mac, and The Doors from his parents, along with classical and film music from his dad. At 13, hearing Guns N’ Roses inspired him to pick up the guitar, which led to lasting influences like Randy Rhoads, Ozzy Osbourne, and many classical and contemporary composers. His inspirations range from Pink Floyd/David Gilmour, Howlin’ Wolf, and Tom Petty to Metallica, Faith No More, Alice In Chains, Joe Satriani, and classical masters such as Beethoven, Mozart, and Chopin.

For Chris, music is both universal and deeply personal—a blend of language, science, and emotion. He believes learning the “vocabulary” of music enhances its magic, and he loves watching students light up as that understanding takes shape.

Beyond teaching, Chris stays active in the music community. He founded Skunkfest, a music festival, and co-hosts the Eclectic Soundtrax podcast, blending interviews, comedy, and creative promotion. Outside of music, he enjoys visiting zoos, following Instagram animal accounts, and relaxing with a good book, movie, or TV series.

Although born in Texas, Glenn grew up in Lawton, Oklahoma, as part of a military family. He studied music at Cameron University as a saxophone major, though he often found himself working out theory assignments on the guitar. That passion quickly grew into a lifelong career—Glenn has been teaching guitar and bass for over 45 years.

Throughout his career, he has studied and performed in many different styles, specializing in improvisation across jazz, blues, pop, country, Latin, and more. His teaching focuses on building chordal knowledge, understanding the music of others, and equipping students with the tools to create their own.

Glenn first discovered music at age six by watching his oldest brother play and sing, then teaching himself by ear. Today, his favorite part of teaching is witnessing the moment when something “clicks” for a student and later seeing them grow into musicians who share their gifts with others.

His influences include an eclectic mix of greats such as John Coltrane, Kurt Rosenwinkel, Stevie Ray Vaughan, Jeff Beck, John Scofield, Steely Dan, Yes, Wayne Krantz, Allan Holdsworth, Danny Gatton, Joni Mitchell, Ray Charles, and Dumpstaphunk. He also credits his college saxophone teacher, David Pickthorn, with shaping his understanding of musical thought and expression.

Outside of music, Glenn is a voracious reader and loves exploring Big Bend National Park whenever possible. He enjoys photography, and traveling with his wife Beverly.

Fun facts: Glenn is full of trivia, can’t resist a pun (good or bad), and has no poker face when performing. He’s self-effacing, always roots for the underdog, and loves to find humor in the unexpected.

Malcolm was born and raised in Austin, TX, and studied Guitar Performance and Songwriting at Berklee College of Music. He teaches guitar, piano, ukulele, and bass, and especially enjoys helping students sing while playing their instrument—building confidence as both musicians and performers.

His own musical journey began with piano and violin lessons in elementary school, but in high school he discovered Metallica, picked up the guitar, and never looked back. Today, Malcolm’s favorite part of teaching is guiding students as they find their own musical identity and empowering them to create and enjoy music in their own unique way.

Malcolm’s influences include 90’s and 2000’s rock, metal, and pop artists such as John Mayer, Metallica, Killswitch Engage, and Jimmy Eat World. He enjoys exploring a wide variety of genres, from rock and metal to jazz and singer/songwriter pop.

Outside of music, Malcolm enjoys running, practicing martial arts, and spending time outdoors at the greenbelt or Barton Springs. Fun fact: he’s a skilled chess player and is currently learning how to two-step!

A Galveston native, Collin began his musical journey at age 11, learning guitar under Grammy-nominated Bert Wills. He later added percussion, jazz guitar, and piano to his repertoire, pursuing music studies at Austin Community College after moving to Austin in 2009.

Collin's performance career includes leading bands at SXSW showcases and touring nationally with Black Joe Lewis and the Honeybears. Over his 20-year journey in music, Collin has cultivated a profound appreciation for diverse styles, performing, producing, and teaching genres such as rock, funk, jazz, blues, R&B, classical, fusion, and hip-hop. His teaching approach emphasizes practicality, equipping students with the tools to explore their instruments as sources of creativity, confidence, and joy. Whether a student aims to play casually, jam with friends, or write original music, Collin is dedicated to helping them achieve their goals.

FUN FACT

When not teaching, Collin enjoys writing and recording music or spending time outdoors with his partner Kascidy and their dog, Misha.

Tristan Shinnick was born and raised in Austin, TX. After graduating from Westlake High School, he went on to study at the University of North Texas in Denton. He graduated with a degree in Jazz Guitar Performance and has now been a teacher for 15 years.

He enjoys teaching all ages and skill levels. As a performer, he plays acoustic and electric guitar and particularly enjoys fingerpicking on both.

FUN FACT

Tristan enjoys movies and comedy.

Born and raised in Austin, TX, Kevin began playing music in 8th grade when he started learning bass guitar. By his junior year, he was playing both bass and guitar in a number of different bands. He went on to study at Texas State University, and has now been teaching guitar, bass, keyboards, and ukulele for 10 years.

Kevin is inspired by classic country music, soul and R&B, traditional gospel, blues, and rock & roll, and considers himself fortunate to have been mentored by a variety of musicians, from youth leaders to touring pros. He is an active performer around the Austin area in several bands, and in recent years has enjoyed leading an annual live tribute show commemorating The Band’s concert/film “The Last Waltz.”

Kevin loves to teach because he discovered that it is a way that he can both give and receive joy in equal measure. He feels that music lifts the soul!

FUN FACT

Kevin and his wife are avid disc golfers- they play with friends and family every Sunday and enjoy checking out new courses when they travel.

Jason is a native of southern California and has been performing and teaching professionally for over 20 years. He holds multiple degrees in classical, jazz, film scoring and electronic music from the University of California Santa Cruz and the University of California Los Angeles. His teaching focus is on electric and acoustic guitar, piano, electric bass, mandolin and ukulele–specializing in rock, classical, jazz, blues, folk, and country. He enjoys teaching music literacy, technique, musicianship, songwriting and theory. Most of all, Jason aspires to make learning a new instrument fun and exciting.

Jason started playing guitar when he was 10 years old. He became inspired to learn music through hearing classic rock bands on the radio, seeing music videos on MTV and live concerts his parents took him to as a child.

Jason has musical influences from rock, pop, jazz, classical, world, film and electronic music. Some artists that have inspired him include; Led Zeppelin, The Beatles, Radiohead, Nirvana, Bob Dylan, Elvis Presley, Miles Davis, John Coltrane, Stravinsky, Bartok, Ennio Morricone, Bernard Herrmann, Ravi Shankar and Aphex Twin.

FUN FACT

Jason enjoys other activities including reading, traveling, swimming, camping, skiing, golf, tennis, ping pong, scary movies and spicy food.

James grew up in the Chicago area and earned his music degree from Lake Forest College, just north of the city. After years of professional musicianship in the local and regional Chicago scene, James decided he was ready for some warmer weather and made the jump to Austin about 8 years ago. He's been busy performing around town ever since.

James enjoys a variety of different styles, including rock, jazz, funk, and soul. Some favorite artists include Radiohead, Led Zeppelin, Hiatus Kaiyote, The Bad Plus, and D'Angelo, just to name a few.

James enjoys helping students to improve over time and loves to see their happiness and confidence grow week-to-week. His extensive experience as a performing bassist and drummer helps him give students of all instruments a well-rounded and open-minded approach to their musicianship.

Originally from San Antonio, Chris began playing guitar and piano at age 14. He studied classical guitar and music theory in college before attending the Musicians Institute in Los Angeles, CA. Since moving to Austin in 2004, Chris has been teaching guitar, piano, bass and drums. He especially enjoys helping students unlock the connections between music theory and creative expression.

Chris grew up surrounded by music—classic rock from The Beatles, The Rolling Stones, Elton John, Fleetwood Mac, and The Doors from his parents, along with classical and film music from his dad. At 13, hearing Guns N’ Roses inspired him to pick up the guitar, which led to lasting influences like Randy Rhoads, Ozzy Osbourne, and many classical and contemporary composers. His inspirations range from Pink Floyd/David Gilmour, Howlin’ Wolf, and Tom Petty to Metallica, Faith No More, Alice In Chains, Joe Satriani, and classical masters such as Beethoven, Mozart, and Chopin.

For Chris, music is both universal and deeply personal—a blend of language, science, and emotion. He believes learning the “vocabulary” of music enhances its magic, and he loves watching students light up as that understanding takes shape.

Beyond teaching, Chris stays active in the music community. He founded Skunkfest, a music festival, and co-hosts the Eclectic Soundtrax podcast, blending interviews, comedy, and creative promotion. Outside of music, he enjoys visiting zoos, following Instagram animal accounts, and relaxing with a good book, movie, or TV series.

Malcolm was born and raised in Austin, TX, and studied Guitar Performance and Songwriting at Berklee College of Music. He teaches guitar, piano, ukulele, and bass, and especially enjoys helping students sing while playing their instrument—building confidence as both musicians and performers.

His own musical journey began with piano and violin lessons in elementary school, but in high school he discovered Metallica, picked up the guitar, and never looked back. Today, Malcolm’s favorite part of teaching is guiding students as they find their own musical identity and empowering them to create and enjoy music in their own unique way.

Malcolm’s influences include 90’s and 2000’s rock, metal, and pop artists such as John Mayer, Metallica, Killswitch Engage, and Jimmy Eat World. He enjoys exploring a wide variety of genres, from rock and metal to jazz and singer/songwriter pop.

Outside of music, Malcolm enjoys running, practicing martial arts, and spending time outdoors at the greenbelt or Barton Springs. Fun fact: he’s a skilled chess player and is currently learning how to two-step!

A Galveston native, Collin began his musical journey at age 11, learning guitar under Grammy-nominated Bert Wills. He later added percussion, jazz guitar, and piano to his repertoire, pursuing music studies at Austin Community College after moving to Austin in 2009.

Collin's performance career includes leading bands at SXSW showcases and touring nationally with Black Joe Lewis and the Honeybears. Over his 20-year journey in music, Collin has cultivated a profound appreciation for diverse styles, performing, producing, and teaching genres such as rock, funk, jazz, blues, R&B, classical, fusion, and hip-hop. His teaching approach emphasizes practicality, equipping students with the tools to explore their instruments as sources of creativity, confidence, and joy. Whether a student aims to play casually, jam with friends, or write original music, Collin is dedicated to helping them achieve their goals.

FUN FACT

When not teaching, Collin enjoys writing and recording music or spending time outdoors with his partner Kascidy and their dog, Misha.

Tristan Shinnick was born and raised in Austin, TX. After graduating from Westlake High School, he went on to study at the University of North Texas in Denton. He graduated with a degree in Jazz Guitar Performance and has now been a teacher for 15 years.

He enjoys teaching all ages and skill levels. As a performer, he plays acoustic and electric guitar and particularly enjoys fingerpicking on both.

FUN FACT

Tristan enjoys movies and comedy.

Born and raised in Austin, TX, Kevin began playing music in 8th grade when he started learning bass guitar. By his junior year, he was playing both bass and guitar in a number of different bands. He went on to study at Texas State University, and has now been teaching guitar, bass, keyboards, and ukulele for 10 years.

Kevin is inspired by classic country music, soul and R&B, traditional gospel, blues, and rock & roll, and considers himself fortunate to have been mentored by a variety of musicians, from youth leaders to touring pros. He is an active performer around the Austin area in several bands, and in recent years has enjoyed leading an annual live tribute show commemorating The Band’s concert/film “The Last Waltz.”

Kevin loves to teach because he discovered that it is a way that he can both give and receive joy in equal measure. He feels that music lifts the soul!

FUN FACT

Kevin and his wife are avid disc golfers- they play with friends and family every Sunday and enjoy checking out new courses when they travel.

Jason is a native of southern California and has been performing and teaching professionally for over 20 years. He holds multiple degrees in classical, jazz, film scoring and electronic music from the University of California Santa Cruz and the University of California Los Angeles. His teaching focus is on electric and acoustic guitar, piano, electric bass, mandolin and ukulele–specializing in rock, classical, jazz, blues, folk, and country. He enjoys teaching music literacy, technique, musicianship, songwriting and theory. Most of all, Jason aspires to make learning a new instrument fun and exciting.

Jason started playing guitar when he was 10 years old. He became inspired to learn music through hearing classic rock bands on the radio, seeing music videos on MTV and live concerts his parents took him to as a child.

Jason has musical influences from rock, pop, jazz, classical, world, film and electronic music. Some artists that have inspired him include; Led Zeppelin, The Beatles, Radiohead, Nirvana, Bob Dylan, Elvis Presley, Miles Davis, John Coltrane, Stravinsky, Bartok, Ennio Morricone, Bernard Herrmann, Ravi Shankar and Aphex Twin.

FUN FACT

Jason enjoys other activities including reading, traveling, swimming, camping, skiing, golf, tennis, ping pong, scary movies and spicy food.

James grew up in the Chicago area and earned his music degree from Lake Forest College, just north of the city. After years of professional musicianship in the local and regional Chicago scene, James decided he was ready for some warmer weather and made the jump to Austin about 8 years ago. He's been busy performing around town ever since.

James enjoys a variety of different styles, including rock, jazz, funk, and soul. Some favorite artists include Radiohead, Led Zeppelin, Hiatus Kaiyote, The Bad Plus, and D'Angelo, just to name a few.

James enjoys helping students to improve over time and loves to see their happiness and confidence grow week-to-week. His extensive experience as a performing bassist and drummer helps him give students of all instruments a well-rounded and open-minded approach to their musicianship.

Originally from Washington State, Sadie grew up in a musical household. Both of her parents are musicians, and they all played music together at home. She started piano lessons when she was 3 years old, and then discovered the trombone in 4th grade band class. She went on to earn her degree in Trombone Performance from BYU and has been teaching since 2014.

Sadie teaches tenor and bass trombone, trumpet, and piano. She specializes in classical and jazz, but enjoys all kinds of music, including pop, country, rock, Broadway, and more! She particularly loves the music of the Romantic Era, jazz in its many forms, trombone artists like Christian Lingberg and the London Trombone Sound, and the great singers Ella FItzgerald, and Natalie Cole.

Sadie loves to help students have fun while building a strong musical foundation. She encourages her students to embrace their own creativity, helps them develop their confidence, and guides them as they explore the music that inspires them!

Kaye was born and raised in the Philippines and grew up in a very musical family. She began playing the drums at just 3 years old, attended summer extension classes at the University of the Philippines by age 10, and started performing professionally at 16. With over 24 years of experience in performance, studio session work, and teaching, Kaye brings both skill and passion to every lesson.

One of her favorite parts of teaching is watching her students grow as drummers and helping them achieve their goals. She draws inspiration from drumming greats such as Thomas Lang, Matt Garstka, Tony Royster Jr., Neil Peart, Larnell Lewis, and Benny Greb. Outside of music, Kaye enjoys cooking and painting.

FUN FACT

Kay used to be a hip-hop dancer!

Originally from Oklahoma, Josh McClellan is a percussionist and educator now based in Austin, TX. After earning his bachelor's degree from Nashville’s Belmont University, he went on to get his master’s in Music Performance from the prestigious Eastman School of Music in Rochester, NY. He has appeared as a guest artist at venues such as Tanglewood Music Festival in Boston, the Lincoln Center in NYC, and the Aspen Music Festival. He is an active freelance player here in Austin, performing in a variety of indie & alternative bands, Latin percussion groups, and classical ensembles.

He loves to help students of all ages and skill levels find their niche and have positive encounters with all different kinds of music.

FUN FACT

Josh enjoys cooking, brewing specialty coffee, traveling, and exploring national parks. He is also an avid soccer fan and performs regularly with La Murga de Austin at Austin FC matches and related events.

James grew up in the Chicago area and earned his music degree from Lake Forest College, just north of the city. After years of professional musicianship in the local and regional Chicago scene, James decided he was ready for some warmer weather and made the jump to Austin about 8 years ago. He's been busy performing around town ever since.

James enjoys a variety of different styles, including rock, jazz, funk, and soul. Some favorite artists include Radiohead, Led Zeppelin, Hiatus Kaiyote, The Bad Plus, and D'Angelo, just to name a few.

James enjoys helping students to improve over time and loves to see their happiness and confidence grow week-to-week. His extensive experience as a performing bassist and drummer helps him give students of all instruments a well-rounded and open-minded approach to their musicianship.

Originally from San Antonio, Chris began playing guitar and piano at age 14. He studied classical guitar and music theory in college before attending the Musicians Institute in Los Angeles, CA. Since moving to Austin in 2004, Chris has been teaching guitar, piano, bass and drums. He especially enjoys helping students unlock the connections between music theory and creative expression.

Chris grew up surrounded by music—classic rock from The Beatles, The Rolling Stones, Elton John, Fleetwood Mac, and The Doors from his parents, along with classical and film music from his dad. At 13, hearing Guns N’ Roses inspired him to pick up the guitar, which led to lasting influences like Randy Rhoads, Ozzy Osbourne, and many classical and contemporary composers. His inspirations range from Pink Floyd/David Gilmour, Howlin’ Wolf, and Tom Petty to Metallica, Faith No More, Alice In Chains, Joe Satriani, and classical masters such as Beethoven, Mozart, and Chopin.

For Chris, music is both universal and deeply personal—a blend of language, science, and emotion. He believes learning the “vocabulary” of music enhances its magic, and he loves watching students light up as that understanding takes shape.

Beyond teaching, Chris stays active in the music community. He founded Skunkfest, a music festival, and co-hosts the Eclectic Soundtrax podcast, blending interviews, comedy, and creative promotion. Outside of music, he enjoys visiting zoos, following Instagram animal accounts, and relaxing with a good book, movie, or TV series.

Malcolm was born and raised in Austin, TX, and studied Guitar Performance and Songwriting at Berklee College of Music. He teaches guitar, piano, ukulele, and bass, and especially enjoys helping students sing while playing their instrument—building confidence as both musicians and performers.

His own musical journey began with piano and violin lessons in elementary school, but in high school he discovered Metallica, picked up the guitar, and never looked back. Today, Malcolm’s favorite part of teaching is guiding students as they find their own musical identity and empowering them to create and enjoy music in their own unique way.

Malcolm’s influences include 90’s and 2000’s rock, metal, and pop artists such as John Mayer, Metallica, Killswitch Engage, and Jimmy Eat World. He enjoys exploring a wide variety of genres, from rock and metal to jazz and singer/songwriter pop.

Outside of music, Malcolm enjoys running, practicing martial arts, and spending time outdoors at the greenbelt or Barton Springs. Fun fact: he’s a skilled chess player and is currently learning how to two-step!

A Galveston native, Collin began his musical journey at age 11, learning guitar under Grammy-nominated Bert Wills. He later added percussion, jazz guitar, and piano to his repertoire, pursuing music studies at Austin Community College after moving to Austin in 2009.

Collin's performance career includes leading bands at SXSW showcases and touring nationally with Black Joe Lewis and the Honeybears. Over his 20-year journey in music, Collin has cultivated a profound appreciation for diverse styles, performing, producing, and teaching genres such as rock, funk, jazz, blues, R&B, classical, fusion, and hip-hop. His teaching approach emphasizes practicality, equipping students with the tools to explore their instruments as sources of creativity, confidence, and joy. Whether a student aims to play casually, jam with friends, or write original music, Collin is dedicated to helping them achieve their goals.

FUN FACT

When not teaching, Collin enjoys writing and recording music or spending time outdoors with his partner Kascidy and their dog, Misha.

Tristan Shinnick was born and raised in Austin, TX. After graduating from Westlake High School, he went on to study at the University of North Texas in Denton. He graduated with a degree in Jazz Guitar Performance and has now been a teacher for 15 years.

He enjoys teaching all ages and skill levels. As a performer, he plays acoustic and electric guitar and particularly enjoys fingerpicking on both.

FUN FACT

Tristan enjoys movies and comedy.

Born and raised in Austin, TX, Kevin began playing music in 8th grade when he started learning bass guitar. By his junior year, he was playing both bass and guitar in a number of different bands. He went on to study at Texas State University, and has now been teaching guitar, bass, keyboards, and ukulele for 10 years.

Kevin is inspired by classic country music, soul and R&B, traditional gospel, blues, and rock & roll, and considers himself fortunate to have been mentored by a variety of musicians, from youth leaders to touring pros. He is an active performer around the Austin area in several bands, and in recent years has enjoyed leading an annual live tribute show commemorating The Band’s concert/film “The Last Waltz.”

Kevin loves to teach because he discovered that it is a way that he can both give and receive joy in equal measure. He feels that music lifts the soul!

FUN FACT

Kevin and his wife are avid disc golfers- they play with friends and family every Sunday and enjoy checking out new courses when they travel.

Jason is a native of southern California and has been performing and teaching professionally for over 20 years. He holds multiple degrees in classical, jazz, film scoring and electronic music from the University of California Santa Cruz and the University of California Los Angeles. His teaching focus is on electric and acoustic guitar, piano, electric bass, mandolin and ukulele–specializing in rock, classical, jazz, blues, folk, and country. He enjoys teaching music literacy, technique, musicianship, songwriting and theory. Most of all, Jason aspires to make learning a new instrument fun and exciting.

Jason started playing guitar when he was 10 years old. He became inspired to learn music through hearing classic rock bands on the radio, seeing music videos on MTV and live concerts his parents took him to as a child.

Jason has musical influences from rock, pop, jazz, classical, world, film and electronic music. Some artists that have inspired him include; Led Zeppelin, The Beatles, Radiohead, Nirvana, Bob Dylan, Elvis Presley, Miles Davis, John Coltrane, Stravinsky, Bartok, Ennio Morricone, Bernard Herrmann, Ravi Shankar and Aphex Twin.

FUN FACT

Jason enjoys other activities including reading, traveling, swimming, camping, skiing, golf, tennis, ping pong, scary movies and spicy food.

Tristan Shinnick was born and raised in Austin, TX. After graduating from Westlake High School, he went on to study at the University of North Texas in Denton. He graduated with a degree in Jazz Guitar Performance and has now been a teacher for 15 years.

He enjoys teaching all ages and skill levels. As a performer, he plays acoustic and electric guitar and particularly enjoys fingerpicking on both.

FUN FACT

Tristan enjoys movies and comedy.

Jason is a native of southern California and has been performing and teaching professionally for over 20 years. He holds multiple degrees in classical, jazz, film scoring and electronic music from the University of California Santa Cruz and the University of California Los Angeles. His teaching focus is on electric and acoustic guitar, piano, electric bass, mandolin and ukulele–specializing in rock, classical, jazz, blues, folk, and country. He enjoys teaching music literacy, technique, musicianship, songwriting and theory. Most of all, Jason aspires to make learning a new instrument fun and exciting.

Jason started playing guitar when he was 10 years old. He became inspired to learn music through hearing classic rock bands on the radio, seeing music videos on MTV and live concerts his parents took him to as a child.

Jason has musical influences from rock, pop, jazz, classical, world, film and electronic music. Some artists that have inspired him include; Led Zeppelin, The Beatles, Radiohead, Nirvana, Bob Dylan, Elvis Presley, Miles Davis, John Coltrane, Stravinsky, Bartok, Ennio Morricone, Bernard Herrmann, Ravi Shankar and Aphex Twin.

FUN FACT

Jason enjoys other activities including reading, traveling, swimming, camping, skiing, golf, tennis, ping pong, scary movies and spicy food.

Heather started playing violin at 9 years old in Vancouver, WA, where she grew up. She took Suzuki lessons, played in the school orchestra, and even performed with the Portland Youth Philharmonic. She started her college career at Mt. Hood Community College and went on to earn her Music Education degree from the University of Arizona.

Aside from the uncontested “greats” of classical music, Heather has been influenced by all kinds of music- jazz, country, bluegrass, rock, and beyond. In fact, you may have seen Heather playing stages across Austin in one of her many bands. Her favorite thing about teaching is helping students develop the skills they need to play whatever kind of music inspires them!

FUN FACT

Heather loves cats, vintage clothing, and enjoys a good craft beer.

Ivan was born in Chihuahua, Mexico, and grew up in Austin, TX, where he received his education and musical training. He earned his Bachelor’s degree in Music from the University of Texas and is currently pursuing his Master of Music in Violin Performance at UT Austin under Professor Brian Lewis. Ivan also holds a Suzuki Violin certification and adapts his approach to meet the unique learning styles of each student.

As a teacher, Ivan’s favorite part of the job is watching students gain confidence and celebrating their musical milestones. His musical influences are wide-ranging, from Hilary Hahn, Brahms, and Juan Gabriel to Selena Quintanilla, Dolly Parton, ABBA, Lady Gaga, and Beyoncé.

FUN FACT

Outside of teaching and performing, Ivan enjoys watching Grey’s Anatomy and other TV shows, horror movies, and collecting perfumes. He also loves spicy food and thinks almost everything tastes bland without a little heat!

Heather started playing violin at 9 years old in Vancouver, WA, where she grew up. She took Suzuki lessons, played in the school orchestra, and even performed with the Portland Youth Philharmonic. She started her college career at Mt. Hood Community College and went on to earn her Music Education degree from the University of Arizona.

Aside from the uncontested “greats” of classical music, Heather has been influenced by all kinds of music- jazz, country, bluegrass, rock, and beyond. In fact, you may have seen Heather playing stages across Austin in one of her many bands. Her favorite thing about teaching is helping students develop the skills they need to play whatever kind of music inspires them!

FUN FACT

Heather loves cats, vintage clothing, and enjoys a good craft beer.

Ivan was born in Chihuahua, Mexico, and grew up in Austin, TX, where he received his education and musical training. He earned his Bachelor’s degree in Music from the University of Texas and is currently pursuing his Master of Music in Violin Performance at UT Austin under Professor Brian Lewis. Ivan also holds a Suzuki Violin certification and adapts his approach to meet the unique learning styles of each student.

As a teacher, Ivan’s favorite part of the job is watching students gain confidence and celebrating their musical milestones. His musical influences are wide-ranging, from Hilary Hahn, Brahms, and Juan Gabriel to Selena Quintanilla, Dolly Parton, ABBA, Lady Gaga, and Beyoncé.

FUN FACT

Outside of teaching and performing, Ivan enjoys watching Grey’s Anatomy and other TV shows, horror movies, and collecting perfumes. He also loves spicy food and thinks almost everything tastes bland without a little heat!

Barbi earned her degree in Commercial Music Business from Florida Atlantic University and has been teaching vocal performance professionally for 3 years. She first started singing when she joined the school chorus in 3rd grade. She wrote her first song when she was 12 years old, and it’s been her passion ever since!

Barbi’s favorite thing about being a teacher is sharing her love of music with others. She relishes the opportunity to explore new genres and styles with her students, and to see them grow in confidence and technical ability as they learn to express themselves through music. She enjoys a wide range of styles but some of her biggest influences include Cher, Rihanna, Taylor Swift, Lady Gaga, Demi Lovato, and Harry Styles. Whether it’s a hobby or a more serious pursuit, Barbi loves helping her students build strong technique and musical foundations through studying the music they love.

FUN FACT

Barbi is also an experienced makeup artist- she’s worked in fashion, doing special effects on film sets, and is even working on her own cosmetic line!

Janine grew up right here in Austin. She signed up for choir class in middle school simply because she had to... Then one day her teacher showed the class how to sing harmonies and she was completely hooked! She started taking voice lessons soon afterward, and the rest is history. She went on to earn her bachelor's in Vocal Performance at the University of Houston and her master's from the University of North Texas.

Janine's specialty is classical Bel Canto technique (aka... Opera!), but her experience doesn't stop there. She's performed and taught musical theater, pop vocals, and jazz. She even sang in an 80s cover band!

Janine loves to help students connect with their voices. She believes that everyone's voice is their own personal instrument- you only get one and every single voice is unique. Learning how to "play" your instrument can be a deeply self-affirming process that can impact so much more than just your ability to nail a karaoke song!

Originally from Liberty, TX, he began learning saxophone in 1999 and was quickly enamored with the way music can inspire self-expression. He played in marching band and participated in UIL competitions throughout high school, then went on to study saxophone at Sam Houston State University, clarinet at Angelo State University, and learned jazz piano and harmony at Texas Tech.

Will began playing professionally during college and became a full-time musician when he moved to Austin in 2012. He is currently the sax player and musical director for Austin R&B legend Soul Man Sam, leads his own band, Will & the Hip Pockets, performs and composes original music for a local cabaret company, and even has his own record label called Blue Vada Records.

His favorite thing about being a teacher is sharing his passion for music. He loves watching students get excited about their progress and helping them feel empowered in their journey. Will once asked an accomplished musician if they had advice for someone seeking success in the world of music. They replied, “Always have a teacher.”

FUN FACT

Will enjoys traveling, cooking, visiting family and hanging with his cat, Tupelo Honey.

Originally from Liberty, TX, he began learning saxophone in 1999 and was quickly enamored with the way music can inspire self-expression. He played in marching band and participated in UIL competitions throughout high school, then went on to study saxophone at Sam Houston State University, clarinet at Angelo State University, and learned jazz piano and harmony at Texas Tech.

Will began playing professionally during college and became a full-time musician when he moved to Austin in 2012. He is currently the sax player and musical director for Austin R&B legend Soul Man Sam, leads his own band, Will & the Hip Pockets, performs and composes original music for a local cabaret company, and even has his own record label called Blue Vada Records.

His favorite thing about being a teacher is sharing his passion for music. He loves watching students get excited about their progress and helping them feel empowered in their journey. Will once asked an accomplished musician if they had advice for someone seeking success in the world of music. They replied, “Always have a teacher.”

FUN FACT

Will enjoys traveling, cooking, visiting family and hanging with his cat, Tupelo Honey.

Originally from Washington State, Sadie grew up in a musical household. Both of her parents are musicians, and they all played music together at home. She started piano lessons when she was 3 years old, and then discovered the trombone in 4th grade band class. She went on to earn her degree in Trombone Performance from BYU and has been teaching since 2014.

Sadie teaches tenor and bass trombone, trumpet, and piano. She specializes in classical and jazz, but enjoys all kinds of music, including pop, country, rock, Broadway, and more! She particularly loves the music of the Romantic Era, jazz in its many forms, trombone artists like Christian Lingberg and the London Trombone Sound, and the great singers Ella FItzgerald, and Natalie Cole.

Sadie loves to help students have fun while building a strong musical foundation. She encourages her students to embrace their own creativity, helps them develop their confidence, and guides them as they explore the music that inspires them!

Originally from Washington State, Sadie grew up in a musical household. Both of her parents are musicians, and they all played music together at home. She started piano lessons when she was 3 years old, and then discovered the trombone in 4th grade band class. She went on to earn her degree in Trombone Performance from BYU and has been teaching since 2014.

Sadie teaches tenor and bass trombone, trumpet, and piano. She specializes in classical and jazz, but enjoys all kinds of music, including pop, country, rock, Broadway, and more! She particularly loves the music of the Romantic Era, jazz in its many forms, trombone artists like Christian Lingberg and the London Trombone Sound, and the great singers Ella FItzgerald, and Natalie Cole.

Sadie loves to help students have fun while building a strong musical foundation. She encourages her students to embrace their own creativity, helps them develop their confidence, and guides them as they explore the music that inspires them!

Originally from Oklahoma, Josh McClellan is a percussionist and educator now based in Austin, TX. After earning his bachelor's degree from Nashville’s Belmont University, he went on to get his master’s in Music Performance from the prestigious Eastman School of Music in Rochester, NY. He has appeared as a guest artist at venues such as Tanglewood Music Festival in Boston, the Lincoln Center in NYC, and the Aspen Music Festival. He is an active freelance player here in Austin, performing in a variety of indie & alternative bands, Latin percussion groups, and classical ensembles.

He loves to help students of all ages and skill levels find their niche and have positive encounters with all different kinds of music.

FUN FACT

Josh enjoys cooking, brewing specialty coffee, traveling, and exploring national parks. He is also an avid soccer fan and performs regularly with La Murga de Austin at Austin FC matches and related events.