Teaching Staff

Tim Allen (Bass)
Tim is a graduate of the Bass Institute of Technology in Los Angeles and has been a professional recording and performing musician for the past eighteen years, currently working with Silver Creek. Tim teaches rock, metal, funk, slap, R & B, jazz, blues, country, pop, modern rock, and thrash bass styles with an emphasis on music theory, fingerboard harmony, basic chord charts, tablature, notation, and beginning/intermediate theory and fundamentals.

Peter Block (Flute, Saxophone, Clarinet, and Guitar)
Peter has taught for over twenty years, and many of his students have achieved top positions in honor bands and orchestras. Peter has performed and recorded with The Helios Ensemble and Gypsy Jazz, and guitarist Pat Martino with percussionist Zakir Hussain. Peter teaches classical and jazz styles, emphasizing fundamentals, technique, performance, tone production, theory, ear-training, and improvisation.

Jim Bruno (Voice)
Jim is a well-known vocal instructor, music innovator, performer, the founder of SMI and creator of music programs for adults and children. Jim's knowledge in the areas of holistic/alternative medicine contributes to the development of the complete vocalist. Jim teaches rock, jazz, blues, pop, world beat, R & B, and funk styles with emphasis on ear training, recording techniques, emotional delivery and live stage performance.

Dave Coldren (Keyboards)
Dave has been playing professionally for more than 30 years. He currently plays keyboards and sings in a Rock and Blues Band (Just Truckin) that writes, records, and performs original music. He has been in several area cover bands. Additionally, he is a music minister (piano and vocals for 3 different area churches) including one in Willow Glen where he has been for more than 20 years. Dave believes in a balanced approach between reading music and playing by ear. Students will learn theory, technique, and chord progressions - which are the underlying structure of music. Students will also receive ear training. Styles taught are rock, blues, pop, jazz, and country. A great goal for a student is to be able to pick up a fake book and play any song - whether performing for a crowd or getting a group of friends to sing songs they know. Piano should be fun!

Jimmy Cremona (Voice)
Born and raised in Saratoge Ca, he started performing at the age of 11. Jimmy studied vocals in LA and San Jose. A graduate of Musicians Institute of Technology in Hollywood Ca. with emphasis on vocals and drums, he teaches pop, rock, R&B, Funk, scat, jazz, standards and big band classics. Jimmy will work with each student closely with emphasis on pitch, phrasing, breath control, microphone and performance techniques. Jimmy sings at local spots such as Santana Row, Vivas in Los gatos, the Fairmont Hotel, and with the 18 piece big band "A touch of Brass". He has worked with Jim Carey, Harry Shearer of the "Simpsons", Woody Harrason, Martin MUll and composers Anthony Merrinelli and Ed Roscetti.

Jeremy Epp ("Metal" guitar)
A well disciplined hard rock player and performer, Jeremy has studied with local notables John Epp and James Robinson and presently is performing with the band "The Venting Machine". Jeremy is well versed in ear training, technique, improvising, and abstract scale patterns. He teaches the student who is beginning or who already has some knowledge and guitar technique and who is ready to venture into the heavy metal realm.

John Epp (Guitar and Bass) A popular teacher in the south bay area since 1975. "I love teaching..." All ages and levels. Very good with kids. Rock, pop, jazz, clasical,country, R&B, funk, ethnic...Flat pick and finger style picking. Notation, music theory, improvisation, ear training, tablature, and helpful suggestion on how to practice. Special services include transcribing music from CD's and tapes into notation or tab for learning or copywriting, and proper care and maintenance or your instrument. Science, athletic, and formal music backgrounds with a splash of humor contributes to a well-rounded teaching approach. Guitar influences: George Benson, Chet Atkins, Jeff Beck, John Williams, Ralph Towner, Wayne Krantz...Bass influences: Stanley Clarke, Jaco Pastorius, John Paul Jones, Paul McCartney, Flea, Less Claypool...Extensive performing and studio recording experience. Ask to see my detailed bio when you come in to Guitar Showcase. Now available, the "Nebulae" CD. Stop in to Guitar Showcase for your copy or contact John at johnepp@sbcglobal.net.

Scott Goldberg (Guitar)
A graduate of San Diego State, Scott is returning to SMI after a ten year leave. Scott has been playing and teaching guitar for over three decades. He is also a registered Pro Tools Instructor, He has taught all levels from beginners to professionals. Scott teaches all styles and specializes in fingerstyle guitar, blues, funk, flatpicking, bluegrass, slide, theory and harmony, any style of pop music, musicianship in general and composition.
Scott took some time off to teach Pro Tools in college, and to play out in the R&R world. He’s had the pleasure of playing with Jeff Foskett, musical director of the Brian Wilson Band, with the Beach Boys, Dickey Betts from the Allman Brothers, Jeff (Skunk) Baxter from Steely Dan and the Doobie Brothers, Paul Stanley, singer from KISS, Artimus Pyle, drummer from Lynrd Skynrd, Spike Edney, pianist and musical director from Queen and, many other well know players and many members of other well known R&R groups. Scott also owns Gold Recordings http://www.goldrecordings and has been
recording for many years. His work includes writing movie soundtracks, commercials
and award winning Cds. Scott was also asked to join the Jerry Garcia Band back in 1996.

Damien Gonzalez (Percussion - Drumsets, Hand Drumming)
Damien has been involved in music for over 30 years, focusing on drums and percussion for the last 25. In 1996 he received a Bay Area Music Award as a member of
local band Squeeze the Dog. He has shared the stage with various artists including, Train, Everclear, Tower of Power, Deep Blue Something, Firefall, WAR, Linda Perry, A Flock of Seagulls, Primitive Radio Gods, and Smashmouth. He has studied with Mike
Curotto, Terry Carlton, Ron Bender, and Norm Taylor as well as assorted workshops at Rhythm Fusion in Santa Cruz, Lenny White, Marc Egan, Tony Levin, Sheila E, Teri Lynn Carrington, and Buddy Rich. While continuing to play drums he is currently playing bass with the celtic rock band Tempest. Damien teaches all aspects of drumming while having fun focusing on rhythmic theory, song structure, style selection, reading and
writing, studio and live performance techniques, and expressing oneself creatively through the drumset. In addition to drumset, Damien also teaches hand drumming, ethnic percussion, and is starting to accept bass guitar students.

Steve Meehan (Guitar)
Steve has taught privately since 1985 and has a patient, flexible teaching style. He has played professionally for 15 years and toured throughout the United States, the Caribbean Islands, and Europe. " I have played on hundreds of recording sessions including nationally released CDs by Les Dudek and Tracy Balin, jingles for KFC and Taco Bell, and shows at Disney World and Epcot Center. I currently perform four to five nights a week in several popular bands: Velvet Jones, Getting Even, and Uncle Melvin." Steve teaches Rock, Blues, Funk, Jazz, Slide, Country, and R&B.

Christopher O'Hara (Guitar)
Chris has a Bachelor of Music/Music Production and Engineering from the Berklee College of Music in Boston and has been teaching for over 8 years. He plays in a variety of bands and styles including jazz, funk, rock and blues and writes, arranges and records his own music and music of other musicians. He works for several professional recording studios among which are the Music Annex and Plant Recording Studios. He spent several years as leader of the 10 piece band aboard the Carnival Cruise Lines. He teaches all levels of guitar, composition as well as recording studio techniques. cobluess@hotmail.com

Russ Pettit (Guitar)
Russ has 19 years of guitar playing experience in original, cover, blues,rhythm and blues, and jazz bands. He has been teaching and recording for the past 14 years. He studied with Joe Satriani as well as at Los Medanos College. Russ teaches in various styles including rock, metal, grunge, jazz, blues, r & b, reggae, classical for electric guitar, beginning acoustic classical and finger picking. Having taught at the Martinez Boys and Girls Club and various music stores, Russ has extensive teaching experience with all levels from the complete beginner to the advanced. He teaches sight reading, improvisation, theory, and ear training. You can currently find Russ playing throughout the South Bay with the band The Switch. To see Russ in action go to; http://russpettit.com/

Regi Rockinelli (Keyboards)
Regi has taught and performed professionally for over 30 years, and currently works with the oldies group Daddy-O. Regi teaches rock, boogie-woogie, ragtime, blues, country, and New Orleans styles, emphasizing technique, theory, performance, chords, improvisation, music history. Regi prefers the folk teaching method as opposed to reading music, only so the student will learn the components of playing songs and learn to play without just memorizing notes.

Ken Schroeder (Guitar)
Ken holds a B.A. degree in classical guitar & composition, and an M.A. in composition and has been teaching guitar privately and at SMI for over 30 years. Ken has toured with blues legend Albert King and has also professionally performed blues, jazz and classical music throughout the Bay Area. Ken teaches classical, jazz, blues, rock to all levels with emphasis on theory and composition. Ken considers it his role as a teacher to help his students define and successfully attain their musical goals.

Chris Sears (Drumset / Percussion)
With over 15 years of experience Chris has been guiding many of todays young and experienced players in everything from fills and phrases, to tuning and helping drummers find their own sound. With a well disaplined background in styles from Rock to Jazz, Blues to Fusion, and every style that lies in between, his teaching style helps you become the drummer you want to be. His approach to teaching is great for beginning drummers to well experienced pro's. Chris decided to take up teaching 5 years ago while working for several other bay area music stores. "I had taken lessons all over the bay area from a lot of great players, studied tons of videos and books, and learned every groove I heard. When I started teaching I wanted to do it differently. Instead of teaching from a book or a drawn out plan that never changed I wanted to teach what the student wanted to learn." His teaching method makes it so you'll learn everything you should while you're at your pace to your favorite music. "Telling someone to go home and practice their paradiddles or sixtuplets never works. But after you show them how to play a paradiddle that's in one of there favorite songs you can't get them to stop!" Chris uses his student's favorite music to help them learn how to lock down grooves while braking down fills and phrases. He is also plays all over the bay area in various bands.
For more info, questions, or to see where Chris is playing next e-mail chris@guitarshowcase.com