Our Teachers

Scott Mitchell   teaches woodwinds - clarinet, flute, and saxophone. He has been playing woodwinds for over 40 years. His students have held first chair at San Fernando, Granada Hills, Chaminade, Reseda, Sherman Oaks C.E.S. and Highland Hall High Schools. His students have gone on to play at University of Arizona, UCLA, CSUN and Cal Poly Pomona. Scott is in demand not only as a teacher, but as a player with many professional groups including the Ventura Jazz Orchestra and Captain Cardiac and the Coronaries. He has worked with numerous recording artists including Al Jardine and Jim Fuller of the Surfaris.

Christina Burbano-Jeffrey   has degrees in violin performance and ethnomusicology. She has been teaching for 28 years. Christina teaches violin, viola, cello, string bass, piano and guitar. She has performed nationally and internationally with many orchestras as well as with recording artists such as Yes, Phil Keaggy/Glass Harp, and Twila Paris. She has also performed with jazz, chamber, country and Mariachi groups.

Jim Jeffrey  teaches guitar, electric bass, banjo, mandolin, and ukulele. He has a bachelor's degree in guitar with an emphasis in jazz and classical guitar and a Master of Fine Arts Performer/Composer from California Institute of the Arts. He is also in demand as a solo and ensemble performer. Jim is a recording artist and engineer/producer as well. Jim teaches jazz, blues, rock, classical, finger picking and also specializes in teaching songwriting and improvisation. He is currently writing a guitar method book. Here's a link to a video of Jim introducing the concept of slide guitar. Visit Jim's website at www.jimjeffreymusic.com

 

 

Greg Burkher  teaches piano and keyboard. Greg holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Music Composition and Piano Performance from UC Santa Barbara. He also hold a Technical Degree in Computer Electronics Technology from San Jose State. Greg possesses perfect pitch and incorporates musicianship and theory into his students' lessons. In addition, Greg is in demand as an instructor not only in the San Fernando Valley, but also in Hollywood, Ventura, and Santa Clarita. Here is a clip of Greg playing Fly Me to the Moon. Visit Greg's website at www.gregburkhermusic.com

 

 

 

 

Joe Nelson is a well versed and educated musician from the Washington DC area. With a bachelor's degree in Commercial Music and Jazz Guitar he has spent the last decade touring, recording and teaching with many different types of musicians. He has played for major label artists such as 'The Wanted' (pop), 'Automatic Loveletter' (alternative), 'I Set my Friends on Fire' (scremo) and 'Driving East' (punk rock). He has toured around the world, including many stints on The Vans Warped tour, The Karrang! Magazine Tour, 70,000 tons of metal tour and many other various tour packages. Joe Nelson currently plays around LA with his gypsy jazz quartet, 'The Hot Club Vignati' and works with the heavy metal group 'Nekrogoblikon'. He has had over 10 years of experience teaching children and adults of all ages in the DC area, Richmond, VA and now in Los Angeles, California. Joe teaches the guitar, bass, mandolin and ukulele. If you want an experienced, patient and very upbeat teacher Joe Nelson is your guy!

 

Brian Bio Pic

Brian Manchen began playing drums and percussion at a young age and quickly discovered his passion for music.  He maintains a regular performance schedule on both drums and the accordion, playing many different genres from symphony orchestras to musical theatre and beyond.  He has been teaching drums in California for the last eight years and prides himself on helping students accomplish their musical goals.  

Brian holds a bachelor of music from the Shepherd School of Music at Rice University where he studied orchestral Percussion He also studied drums with Dave Elitch (Mars Volta/ Miley Cyrus).   Brian is currently the drummer for the progressive rock band ‘Chickenbox’ and the accordion player for the German Polka Band ‘Die Sauerkrauts’. 

 

Betty Intagliata first started teaching violin at Cassell's Music in 1978 while studying violin as a music major at Cal State Northridge. In the mid 80's, she took some years off to raise her family, returning later to college to finish her degree in Early Childhood Education at College of the Canyons. She specializes in teaching young beginners the basics of music and violin technique while instilling in them a love of music and music making. And by the way, she is married to Ed, the store owner!