Composition/Theory

Alden Jenks

I am now teaching part time at the San Francisco Conservatory and teaching some of the time at my home in North Oakland. You can read about me at http://www.aldenjenks.com/#!aboutaj/c2414 and at this same site you can hear many examples of the music I have composed.  I would recommend me if you are looking for a teacher of wide experience who is well schooled in the fundamentals of music. My approach to teaching is determined by the student; but the fundamentals of music are, well, the fundamentals. Accent on "fun".

Mark Tuning

MARK TUNING is Music Director of Voices of Musica Sacra and at Mt. Diablo Unitarian Universalist Church. He served as Assistant Director for the San Francisco City Chorus for seven years and on the music faculty of the Conservatory of Vocal and Instrumental Arts, a public K-8 charter school in Oakland. He sings tenor with Les Hommes, a men’s ensemble consisting of choral professionals.

Nicholas Isaacs

Full bio and statement available at Community School of Music and Arts (www.arts4all.org). I have taught piano, accompanying, chamber music, theory, history, and been active as recitalist, chamber musician and conductor for 45 years. I supervised the development of all curriculum at CSMA from 1985-2010. I teach beginning through professional levels, using ABRSM syllabus as an excellent guide to standards and milestones.

Iliana Nikolova

Iliana was born in Ruse, Bulgaria, and began her piano studies at the
age of four. At 14, she was accepted at the Veselin Stoyanov School of
Music, from which she graduated with a Diploma in Piano Performance and
Pedagogy. After moving to Vancouver, Canada, Iliana went on to study at
the University of British Columbia under Professor Jane Coop, one of
Canada's most prominent and distinguished pianists. In 2003 she received
her Master's Degree in Piano Performance from UBC and founded a

Janis Mercer

I am a pianist/composer living in San Francisco with 30 years of experience teaching piano privately, at all levels and ages. I have coached middle school and high school-aged chamber musicians for about 15 years. I start beginners with a foundation in theory and technique, in addition to repertoire material. I have prepared students for various levels of ABRSM exams. My goal is to provide a relaxed, though disciplined approach. I teach remotely, via Skype or FaceTime. Website: https://janismercer.com.

Jill Cohn

Singer, songwriter, instructor, pianist and guitarist Jill Cohn has been a full-time musician and touring songwriter since 1996, independently releasing 8 critically acclaimed CDs. She has opened for Dave Matthews, JEWEL and was a top-five finalist in the nation-wide Lilith Fair Talent search.

Huei-Ping Lin

My name is Ariane Cap, I am the founder of Step Up music.
I am a bassist and educator. I perform regularly with various bands and I teach bass, piano and group classes at Step Up, I teach at the Academy of Art University San Francisco, and facilitate seminars and band camps throughout the country. (Read my bio here). Busy as I am, Step Up is my heart's work and my passion. Make sure to let me know how I can make your experience here at Step Up stellar.
Step Up Music currently has 13 teachers teaching a variety of instruments and classes.

Melva Wheelwright

I began teaching at the University level before moving to California where I taught choir and drama in middle school and assisted at the high school. I have directed or performed in numerous Broadway-style musicals and also worked on film crews, as well as singing in concerts and operas. I enjoy teaching voice students of all ages and abilities from the non-singer to the very talented.