ROCK NATION INSTRUCTORS & DIRECTORS
Below highlights the caliber of Rock Nation educators. Learn from the best in industry....Rock Nation!
TONY AVALON - MUSIC OPERATIONS & MASTER OF GUITAR
Picking up the Bass at the age of 12 inspired Tony to become a professional musician. Tony honed his skills as a guitar player and made his mark playing on numerous recordings, movie soundtracks and television shows. His mix of natural talent, and professional music education resulted in Tony being invited to perform with many top notch acts such as: Marilyn McCoo & Billy Davis Jr., Lou Christie, Gary Puckett, Lesley Gore, Bobby Rydell, Fabian, Frankie Avalon, The Coasters, The Spinners, Frankie Valli, Bobby Kimball, Gary Richrath, Robin McAuley, Stevie Ray Vaughn, Chuck Berry, etc. Tony now lends his expertise and enthusiasm to make Rock Nation the ultimate Southern California rock experience.
CHASEN HAMPTON - MUSIC DIRECTOR, AGOURA HILLS
You might have seen Chasen Hampton in the early 90's singing with stars like Christina Aguilera, Justin Timberlake, Ryan Gosling, Keri Russell and yes, Britney Spears in the "Mickey Mouse Club" seen everyday on the Disney Channel. After 7 seasons Chasen signed with Hollywood Records. Here he recorded five cds and touring the world, Playing on MTV and VH1 and working with producers and singers like Dr. Dre, Teddy Riley, Little Richard, Jennifer Holliday, Taylor Dayne, Bon Jovi, Gary Hoey, Josh Kelly and many more. His many talents have landed him roles on Buffy The Vampire Slayer, 7th Heaven, X-Files and "The Rules of Attraction" to name a few. Chasen now plays in the rock band "Buzzfly” www.buzzfly.com and feels his soul and experience can help you to be the perfect front-man.
TEVIS SAUER- MASTER INSTRUCTOR, ASSISTANT MUSIC DIRECTOR
Tevis Sauer is a highly experienced musician, singer, vocal coach and music teacher with more than 15 years worth of instruction and training. A veteran piano and keyboard instructor, she also plays acoustic guitar, electric bass and drums. A 1999 graduate of the Musicians Institute of Hollywood, Sauer went on to study singing for eight years under five separate coaches. From 1997 through 2004, she added education in piano, song writing, acoustic guitar, electric bass, music business studies, harmony and ear training. As a performer, she appeared as a headlining act both as a duo and lead band member at The Green Room, The John Raitt Theater, The Crooked Bar, Highland Grounds, Kulaks Woodshed, The Cat Club and the Universal Bar and Grill. For the last eight years, Sauer taught music and voice privately for the Music Education Center and Eine Kleine Music Klasse.
YUKIHIDE TAKIYAMA - MASTER INSTRUCTOR
Taki left Japan to attend school in the United States at the Berklee College of Music in Boston, Massachusetts. He studied Music Arrangement, Orchestration, and went on graduate with a major in Contemporary Writing and Production with Cum Laude. Toward the end of stay in Massachusetts, he also began teaching himself to play the bass guitar and was immediately drawn to it. Taki then moved to Los Angeles, California where he soon began forming music connections and building his career as a working musician. He joined a band which opened up for 2000 Pat Benatar Tour, performed at major festivals, awards, and clubs. Around the same time, he joined another band called KOKOPELLI, founded by Scott Baldyga (former keyboardist for Ziggy Marley). In 2000, he became a member of THE BOXING GANDHIS and released two albums from Atlantic Records. Taki made TV appearances, performed and toured in the U.S. with the band. In 2006, he joined the band of SUMMER ROSE (Ruckus Entertainment), produced by David Holman (No Doubt, Bush, Oda Tetsuro, etc). With award winning guitarist Mitch Perry (Michael Schenker Group, Talas, Steelers, Cher, Edgar Winter, etc.) at their side, Summer Rose and the band received 2006 LA Music Awards "Independent Superstar of the Year", and 2006 Rock City Music Awards "Best New Band.”
ERICA KLOSS
Erica Kloss was born and raised in Central California and made the move to Los Angeles in July of 1999. After working for 5 years in Reality Television, she decided to make a change and follow her true love: music. In 2004, she attended the Conservatory of Recording Arts and Sciences in Tempe and Gilbert, Arizona, where she studied audio engineering, live sound, and the music business. After completing the course, she interned at Swing House Rehearsal and Recording Studios, where after a year she was promoted to Recording Studio Manager. After leaving Swing House, Erica helped Sound Live Recording Studios start up their business, as well as worked at Music.com, a website dedicated to making music accessible and anyone and everyone around the world. She then made the move to Rock Nation, where she currently enjoys working with kids who are excited to learn about music.
MARTIN FERA
Marty attended the Dick Grove School of Music in L.A., and is an award winning graduate of the Musician’s Institute of Technology of L.A. Marty has also had private study with Lou Singer, Joe Porcaro, Ralph Humphrey and Steve Houghton. Marty’s many credits include working with Glenn Frey, Joe Walsh, Vince Gill, Joe Cocker, Jimmy Buffet, Coco Montoya, The Temptations, The Pointer Sisters, Bruce Willis, Johnny Rivers, Paul Butterfield, Walter Eagan, Finas Tasby, Cory Stevens, Mitch Kashmar, The Pontiacs, The Malibooz. Marty is currently working with The Rhythmic Arts Project (TRAP) along with founder Eddie Tuduri. TRAP is essentially an education program utilizing drums and percussion to address many basic life skills in the field of developmental disabilities. His teaching philosophy is that every student, beginning or advanced, young or old, are individuals and that both their strengths and weaknesses should be assessed and then move from there. A strong foundation is the key that opens doors to new levels of performance. The more enjoyment a student gets out of playing music, the better they become. We at Rock Nation share Marty’s excitement and belief that learning and playing should be FUN!!
RYAN O’CONNOR
Crashing cymbals and driving beats have propelled Ryan to be recognized as a drummer with skills and talent. Having won 9 National Association of Jazz Educators awards for "Outstanding Musician” and "Outstanding Soloist”, Ryan now imparts his drum skills and knowledge as a Rock Nation instructor. He has worked for Warner Electra Atlantic, Pacific Coast One Stop CD distributors and Album Network Magazine, and has 5 full-length CD credits. Ryan has been teaching for over 6 years where his students benefit from his industry experience and knowledge.
BJORN ENGLEN
Bjorn started playing the bass in Sweden at the age of 13. He moved to Los Angeles in 1993 to attend B.I.T. at The Musicians Institute in Hollywood, where he ended up teaching a couple of years later. He went on to play bass for Quiet Riot in 1994-95, Heaven & Earth (featuring members of Foreigner, Dio & Sweet) 1999-2000, Robin McAuley (of MSG, Survivor) 2004-06 and Yngwie Malmsteen in 2007. Bjorn has also recorded and played for Takara, Bleed, Ashen, Soul Sign, Joshua Souder, Tamplin and members of Ozzy, Elton John, Steve Vai, Megadeth and many more. His technique, style versatility, theory skills as well as many years as a live performer, studio musician and instructor greatly supports the bass students at Rock Nation. www.BjornEnglen.com
ANGELA GRANT
At the age of 13, Angela looked to the instrument her father played as her source for her creative output - the guitar. After relocating from Honolulu to Hollywood, she played in a variety of bands along the West Coast and L.A. club scene before attending the world renowned Musician's Institute. Graduating in 2004, Angela is currently teaching private lessons and studying Film Scoring and Orchestration at UCLA.
DAWN FULTON
Born and raised in Pennsylvania, Dawn began playing guitar at the age of 16. Inspired by Randy Rhodes and George Lynch she then began her studies in classical guitar and theory under Dave Pedrick of the Pedrick / Hudson Duel. Dawn was a natural talent and had the privilege to perform for The Philadelphia Classical Guitar Society in addition to local recitals. In the fall of 2002, Dawn moved to Hollywood, California to attend Musicians Institute to become a well rounded musician. Needless to say, Dawn soaked things up like a sponge and developed a strong work ethic that was hard to ignore. At Musicians Institute Dawn had the opportunity to attend master classes with Jennifer Batten, Larry Carlton, George Lynch and Robben Ford. Dawn was awarded with The Most Improved Student in Guitar and earned her Professional Certificate at Musicians Institute. Soon after graduation, she was hired by Musicians Institute as a teacher’s aid and tutor due to her wide range of styles and influences. Dawn has played around the Los Angeles Area doing anything from country to gospel but is mostly know for her playing in Mistress of Reality an All Female Tribute to Black Sabbath. Dawn had the opportunity to record with Mistress of Reality and can be heard on Girls Got Rhythm along with other well known female tribute bands. Dawn enjoys teaching with passion and takes great pride in providing students with what they need in developing their skills.
JERAMY GRITTER
Started playing guitar at age 10 CURRENT BANDS * WHITESTARR, classic rock * BEARDO, rap / punk rock * RUN RUN RUN, Indie rock * EAST-COAST BANDS * 1313, punk rock * Pendulum, punk rock * The Jeramy Gritter Project, jazz * EDUCATION * University of the Arts, school of music jazz performance, music education, theory, ear training, writing, and reading music * Studied with Jimmy Bruno, Pat Martino, Dan Lamb, and Mike Stern TOURING HISTORY * Opened shows with Alice Cooper, ZZ Top, Pretenders, Stray Cats, Buckcherry, Poison, Mickey Avalon, Ima Robot and Candle Box.
TONY LUCCA
For an artist four albums, one DVD, a handful of live records into his career, having had songs placed in several prime time TV shows, (including the critically acclaimed ABC series, Brothers and Sisters and NBC’s Friday Night Lights) and having shared the stage with everyone from *NSYNC to Marc Anthony, Macy Gray to Chris Whitley, you would think Tony Lucca might be a household name by now. Instead, Lucca manages to stroll casually under the radar, patient though persistent and completely content with his place in today’s so-called "music business." Born in Michigan to a large music-making family, Lucca began playing guitar and singing amidst a backdrop of natural talent and endless charisma. By age 10 he was performing in various bands and by age 15 had found his way to the world of television, having been cast in Disney’s All New Mickey Mouse Club. From there, a career in entertainment was all but inevitable. In 1995, Lucca moved to Los Angeles and quickly became a familiar face to several casting directors and producers. After starring as a lead character in the short-lived NBC/Spelling series, Malibu Shores, as well as numerous made-for-television movies and indy films, Lucca returned to music, writing and performing throughout the LA area. In 1997 he released his independent debut, So Satisfied, followed by Strong Words, Softly Spoken in ‘99. By 2002 Lucca had pushed close to 10,000 units and found himself the opening act for fellow ex-mousketeers, JC Chasez, Justin Timberlake and the rest of *NSYNC on their 2002 Celebrity Tour. Immediately following, he took to the road opening for Marc Anthony on his 2002 North American Tour. After several months on the road, Lucca returned to the studio to produce his third album entitled, Shotgun.
BREEANN POHLMAN
Breeann is a local girl graduating from Agoura High School in 1997. That same year she moved to Long Beach and attended Long Beach City College taking courses in child development and music education. She has a passion for music and truly enjoys working with the kids in the community. Her love of music started as a child and has always been a huge part of her life. She has been singing since she was a child and can often be heard singing around the school. She has great energy and enthusiasm which makes her a perfect fit for Rock Nation.