Teaching Staff

Terry Allen (Guitar, Bass)

Terry has over 40 years of playing experience in many styles of music focusing on Rock, Blues and Classical. Terry’s approach to guitar is a Virtuoso technique based on the classical Pianist(i.e. Hannon, Bach, Beethoven and others). “It’s All about the Fingers”
From Beginning Students as well as experienced players you can benefit from my style of playing Guitar. My focus on Technique gives my students the ability to learn and play any style of music.Notation, music theory, improvisation, tablature, and practice methods are a big part of the course as well as Guitar Setup and how to keep you guitar well Maintained.
As a certified Gibson and Fender Specialist I am also able to teach you all aspects of the Guitar from building them to playing them.
I also am able to teach you specific styles and songs of Rock Guitar Hendrix, Page, Clapton, Iommi and Richie Blackmore and other’s, as well as give you the ability to figure it out for yourself. Part of my approach to Guitar playing is How to get your Tone and the use of effects pedals and tone modifiers. (What gear you need to make the magic).
I have performed with many rock acts like Robin Trower, Ian Gillian (Deep Purple), Frank Marino and Mahogany Rush, Y&T and others. Also I play with two bands, Bass in Black Sunday Dream and Guitar in Cream of Rock (Classic Rock Cover Band).

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.

ITunes link for "Firedance"

ITunes link for "A Kind of Sorcery"

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.

Reggie Coates (guitar)
Reggie Coates offers over 35 years of music experience as an educator, artist, worship leader and motivational speaker. His emphasis is teaching church musicians. Each lesson is tailored to you specifically! You will have fun and be challenged whether you want to learn guitar, voice, music theory, songwriting, worship leading, bass guitar, concert artistry, band dynamics or any combination. Reggie holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Music and a Teaching Credential in Music Education from San Jose State University. He is currently the Worship & Arts Ministry Pastor with Creekside Community Church in Alamo. He has taught music in public and private schools, elementary through college. He is the Executive Director of Heartfelt Music Ministry (see http://heartfeltmusic.org), and is the Moderator for the Christian Fellowship Discussion Forum at www.guitarnotes.com. He has 12 recordings with his most recent entitled "Here to Worship". He has led music and workshops at conferences such as Spirit West Coast, NAMM Show, Mount Hermon Christian Conference Center, and the Christian Artists Music Seminars in Europe and the United States.
“Reggie Coates provides an atmosphere for young and old guitarists to be around other musicians, receive encouragement to be the best they can be, and experience their potential as musicians. He encourages an atmosphere of anticipation and fun while each guitar player senses his significance as a musician.” Phil Keaggy, Concert and Recording Artist

Dave Coldren (Keyboards)
Dave has been playing professionally for 30 years. He currently plays and sings with two working bands (Mack the Knife and Tuxedo Park). Additionally, he has been playing piano and singing at his church in Willow Glen for 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 music. Styles taught are rock, blues, pop, 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 (Guitar)

Hello Everyone, to those that are well versed in music to those who are picking up a guitar for the first time, if you have made it to this site and my bio, WELCOME. I am a well know guitarist in the Nor-Cal metal music scene. I have spent most of my life studying and playing guitar, driven by classic rock, heavy metal, and modern rock. Inspired by Randy Rhoads and Van Halen, I began playing guitar in the late 80's. I quickly developed the passion, discipline and the sheer will to be the best musician I can be, since then, I have never looked back. I have been teaching at Showcase Music Institute since 2002 and have been actively performing live with ‘The Venting Machine’ since 1998. Recently, I have embarked on a new music project with the legendary metal drummer, Paul Bostaph (Testament/Slayer/Exodus) and Dan Nelson (Anthrax) so stay tuned for this up and coming metal band!

I teach all ages and levels. I have an Associate Degree in music/performing arts and I’m well versed in ear training, technique, improvisation, utilizing abstract scale patterns along with theory, transcribing in tablature and guitar set up. A couple of my specialties include marring technique with imagination and preparing students for the big stage. I can remember the exact steps I took to become the player I am today, and It feels amazing to be able to pass it all on to my students. Whether it is learning your favorite song, or building a guitar solo from scratch. You as a student can benefit from my hands on experience and fun, down to earth, teaching approach. As a bonus, I am also a skilled drummer, which gives my students a chance for us both to jam in a "band" type setting, so they can put their hard work and practice to practical use.

Musical Influences: my father John Epp, Van Halen, Randy Rhoads, Jake E Lee, Zakk Wylde, James Hetfield, Dimebag Darrel, Ozzy, SRV, Marty Friedman, Dave Mustaine, Joe Walsh, Jimmy Hendrix, Jimmy Page, Yngwie Malmsteen, Jeff Beck, Tony Iommi, Paul Gilbert, Steve Vai, my beautiful wife, family and three kitties.....

Thanks for taking the time to check me out, and I look forward to working with you. Lets get shredding!

You can check out Jeremy's music, videos and photos at:
www.myspace.com/ventingguitarist
www.reverbnation.com/theventingmachine

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)
Christopher O’Hara has been an active musician for nearly 20 years. Chris is a masterful improviser whose style generally falls somewhere between post-bop, funk edged jazz, blues, rock, and R & B. His tasteful use of guitar effects augment his melodic sensibility.

Born in Cupertino California, Chris decided to take up the guitar after hearing the infamous “Eruption” by Eddie Van Halen. After high school Chris moved to Santa Barbara where he immersed himself in the local jazz scene and become actively involved with the music department at SBCC. Three years later Chris decided to move to Boston where he could attend the Berklee College of Music.

In 1997, Chris earned his bachelors degree in Music Production/Engineering and soon found himself in Miami where he began playing 6 nights a week for Carnival Cruise Lines. During his tenure with Carnival, Chris was chosen to be a part of an elite team of musicians to promote the launch of a new cruise ship. This venture brought him to New York where he spent several months playing for thousands of industry VIPs.

In 2000, Chris moved backed to the bay area where he currently resides. Since moving back to the Bay Area, Chris has been involved with many projects/bands, interned at Music Annex and Plant Studios, and has performed in a variety theater productions including: Jesus Christ Super Star, Hair, Kiss Me Kate, All Shook Up, and Little Shop of Horrors.

Chris continues to expand his music knowledge and has spent time studying with many Bay Area virtuosos such as Randy Vincent, Rick Vandivier and George Marsh. His passion and ability are constantly growing and dedicates much of his time to practicing, writing, transcribing, recording, and teaching what he has learned.

Chris’s skills and knowledge are not limited to music. He recently finished his M.B.A. with honors at San Jose State University with a focus on financial analysis, new venture marketing, economics, and e-commerce.

”I think a good teacher needs to possess not only a great love for the content, but also a love for the process of helping others engage that material. Music is difficult, but I’ve developed, through years of teaching, an agile approach that targets each student’s personal learning style.”

Musical influences include: John Scofield, Pat Metheny Bill Frisell, Mike Stern, Herbie Hancock, Charlie Parker, Wayne Shorter, James Brown, Eddie Van Halen, Led Zeppelin, ACDC, Nick Drake, Radiohead, Johnny Cash, Stevie Wonder, Stevie Ray Vaughan, Robben Ford, David GIlmour, Grant Green, Wayne Krantz, Tower of Power, Meters, Chick Corea, Maceo Parker, and Bill Evans.
Creativethinking.ohara@gmail.com

Russ Pettit (Guitar)
Russ has 28 years of guitar playing experience in original, cover, blues, rhythm and blues, and jazz bands. He has been teaching and recording for the past 19 years. He studied with Joe Satriani and Doug Doppler 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 Uncle Melvin, as well as doing guitar clinics for Hamer guitars, and performances with his own band “Russ Pettit and the Opening”.

To see Russ in action and to read more on his cd reviews go to; http://russpettit.com/
Also, he has now self published his first Guitar method book Called "Heavy Metal Mechanics". It is a book to help others with their Heavy metal rhythm guitar playing. Those interested in purchasing this book can do so by contacting him via email at this time. The book is $20.
russpettit@yahoo.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 15 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 (Percussion Instructor - Drum Set / Hand Percussion / Marching)
Chris is an accomplished musician working in the bay area. He teaches rock, pop, blues, latin, country, and jazz styles. Chris teaches students to play their favorite music while emphasizing fundamentals, technique, theory, ear-training, and improvisation. He began teaching in 2001 and since then has helped guide many of today's young and experienced musicians.
Chris grew up with a family full of musicians. "I remember my first gig. My parent's drummer suddenly left and they needed a replacement for a few shows. At that time I had been playing for 10 years at my school, taking private lessons, and jamming with my friends. They let me sit in at a few practices until they finished auditioning for a replacement, but surprisingly I knew the material and had a good feel to out-do the more experienced drummers that auditioned. A couple weeks later I was playing my first paid gig at age 15."
Chris prides himself on his unique teaching style. His teaching method makes it so you'll learn everything you should and would learn out of a book, but you do it while playing your favorite music. "Telling someone to go home and practice their Paradiddles or Swiss Army Triplets doesn't work. But when you show them how to play a paradiddle that's in a song they want to learn you can't get them to stop! Face it; drummers aren't excited about practicing rudiments. Why shouldn't instructors kill two birds with one stone and have students learn songs that use those rudiments." Chris helps students learn how to lock in grooves, brake down fills and phrases, and develop a style while they learn to play their favorite music.
If you would like to sign up for lessons, have questions, or want to know where Chris is playing next, e-mail Chris at drumlessons@gmail.com