About the Teachers . . .

Guitar

Gary Mandell has given instruction in guitar and keyboard since 1968. He has played and taught Folk, Rock, Acoustic and Electric Blues, Jazz (improvisation), Country (including Chet Atkins style), and Classical styles as well as arranging and orchestration. His assignments have included arrangements and orchestrations for the L.A. Philharmonic, Rochester Symphony, and La Mirada Symphony to the Tonight Show band. He is the president/producer of Major Label recordings (available for sale at Blvd. Music coincidentally as well as majorlabel.com) which features harmonica virtuoso David McKelvy, singer/songwriter Noel Harrison, and country artist Rick Shea. His music production (composition, arranging) has recently included work for Fox as well as CBS television.

Christopher Sellers received a Bachelor of Arts in Guitar Performance at Loretto Heights College in Denver and took master classes with Christopher Parkening and Michael Lorimer. He is a former director of the Montana Guitar Society and instructor of classical guitar at Carthage College in Kenosha, Wisconsin. His musical approach includes classical, from renaissance to modern, as well as flamenco and pop.

Bernie Pearl has lived and played the blues in LA since the early 60's. An apprentice to legends like Lightnin' Hopkins, Mance Lipscomb, and Mississippi Fred MacDowell, Bernie often performed with his famous teachers. He's backed up a veritable who's who of the blues: John Lee Hoooker, Freddie and BB King, Big Mama Thornton and many others. One would be hard pressed to find a person who knows more about acoustic or electric blues than Bernie.

Ted Owens plays and teaches an assortment of different styles of guitar from flamenco and classical to rock and blues. With over 20 years of experience as a teacher as well as a recording artist, Ted is a welcome addition to our staff.

Keyboards/Piano

Gary Mandell (see bio in paragraph #1 above)

Aaron Goldstein plays and teaches in an assortment of different styles from classical to pop to jazz. A great player who teaches students from 4 years on up. Both of Aaron's parents are piano instructors, need we say more about his background?

Bass Guitar

Valda Hammick is truly a professional player/instructor who has worked as a guitarist/bassist doing recording and television shows in Australia. She has toured worldwide as bassist for singer Lovelace Watkins. She is also the author of a series of bass method books, Electric Bass Techniques, which received rave reviews in Down Beat jazz magazine.

Harmonica

Chris "Hammer" Smith has been teaching and playing harmonica for over 25 years. Comfortable playing and teaching in several styles including blues, jazz, country, pop, and more, he has recorded with numerous bands and solo artists. His credits include playing harmonica on Michael Jackson's #1 hit "Say, Say, Say", as well as recordings of Paul McCartney, Gary Wright, Dolly Parton, Smokey Robinson, and John Hiatt. His movie and TV recording credits are vast.

Violin/Viola

Sara Behar has more than 18 years experience teaching violin and viola as well as music and movement programs. A music specialist in early childhood development and teaching young children, she is currently a member of the Long Beach Symphony, and is principal violist with the Beach Cities Symphony.

Laura Kass has more than 15 years of teaching experience on the violin in the styles of Classical, Traditional, Blues, and Western Swing. She is currently a member of the Topanga Symphony as well as playing Western Swing with the Radio Ranch Straight Shooters.

Cello

Arlette Cardenas has an extensive background as an instructor and remains active performing in local symphonies as well as chamber ensembles.

Mandolin

Banjo

Herb Pedersen is now teaching Scruggs-style 5-string banjo at Boulevard Music. He has played with many first and second generation bluegrass greats, including Lester Flatt, Red Allen, Jim & Jesse, The Kentucky Colonels, Old & In The Grey, Laurie Lewis, David Grisman, Chris Hillman, Roland White, The Country Gazette, The Laurel Canyon Ramblers, etc... His website (herbpedersen.com) will tell you more of what Herb's up to right now, but he's looking forward to meeting new banjo students who are committed to the bluegrass tradition. Please sign up for a pretty cool experience!

Clarinet/Sax/Flute

Kyle O'Donnell

A graduate of the University of North Texas (the oldest jazz school in the country) Kyle teaches music theory and improvisation along with instrument fundamentals

Trumpet

Drums

Ken Elkind

Voice

Sharyn Scott developed her teaching program from working with well known vocal instructor Seth Riggs twice a week for over four years on various styles of music. Sharyn also studied Opera with Seth's wife Kathleen. Born in Cornwall, England, Sharyn began singing at the age of nine. At thirteen she landed a record deal performing her own material. She has performed in numerous musicals, appeared in two feature films and sung on a number of national commercials and recordings. Sharyn has worked with pop artists Kenny Loggins, John Denver, and David Foster. She has been teaching for over ten years.