sylvan music instrument lessons

Sylvan Music has some of the finest music teachers in Santa Cruz, and one day we hope to have them all back here teaching lessons in person. Below is a list of our former in-store teachers (left side), several of whom are teaching via Zoom or in-person outdoor lessons. The right side of the list are other local teachers in the Santa Cruz area.
 Need an instrument, but not ready to commit yet? Check out our Instrument Rentals.

Teachers List

Other Local Referrals

Ron Work...................831-334-3865
Guitar - electric/acoustic - rock, jazz, blues (all ages)

Amanda West............831-246-4590
Guitar/Voice/Songwriting - Children & Adults

Dave Guarente...........831-359-1129
Banjo, Ukelele - bluegrass, & hot pickin', finger style guitar (all levels) - www.santacruzbanjo.com

Rory Cloud…….......415-730-2189
Guitar - all styles & all ages

Laurie Tanenbaum.....831-423-4719
Violin - all styles - children & adults (beginner to advanced)

John Davies..............831-419-0715
Violin, Viola, & Fiddle - classical, Celtic, bluegrass - beginning ukulele

STEVE PALAZZO ...831-239-4571 [email protected] - Bluegrass, Folk
LISA GRAD.............................831-458-9033
piano - all ages, west side
SHELLEY PHILLIPS.............831-427-2980
harp - west side
DAN ROBBINS......................831-419-3073
upright, electric bass
ALLEN MACMORRIS.........650-384-5828
drums, percussion
DAVID JOHNSON ............. 831-427-0842
flute, clarinet, sax
COLE BERRY........................ 831-359-9132
drums, percussion
GIANNI STAIANO..............831-227-4948
piano, organ, accordion 
ANNE CLEVELAND...........831-359-1281
​flute, voice, beginning piano
MICHAEL LEVY..................831-427-9916
piano
VANESSA ROSE................. 510-342-6881
piano
ILAN HEER............................831-661-0995
Flamenco Guitar
TRUDY MOCK....................831-247-9850
piano, voice, theory
HEATHER J. MORRIS......925-324-4619
piano, clarinet, composition & theory
ASTRID HUALA..............831-335-3469
violin, viola
JON JIMMERSON...........505-720-4617
dobro, pedal steel, banjo
CRAIG SIMMONS...831-419-1266  [email protected]
trumpet, clarinet, piano, drums
ARIEL THIERMANN.........831-234-9189 www.getvocalnow.com
voice, singing     
PRESCILLA FISHER...831-252-1827 [email protected]
violin     
NEAL HELLMAN...............831-345-4576
mountain dulcimer (all levels)
PATTI MAXINE...............831-566-6206
lap steel, all levels
JULIANN FRENCH.........818-795-5259  [email protected]
violin & piano
SOPHIE SCHOEPP .831-246-4104 [email protected] 
bass (upright & electric) & piano
LAUREL THOMSEN......831-224-0913 [email protected] 
violin/fiddle, viola, cello
ELISE MACGREGOR FERRELL…831-429-8220 
(call, don't text)
bagpipes (for real!)
ROWAN O’NEAL......831-239-0756   [email protected] 
violin (all levels)
MACEO HASTINGS PORRO......831-212-3409 
guitar (all levels)
DAVID ZIMBALIST......347-495-6342  [email protected]
​Violin, viola (all levels)