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ROCK NATION SANTA- MONICA
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JOHN HULDT
Music Coordinator and Master Guitarist
Grew up in Sweden, started playing piano at ten and guitar at 14. I got influenced by players like Van Halen, Yngwie Malmsteen and Steve Vai. in 2006 I moved to Los Angeles and I started working for Rock Nation in late 2008.
Personal Quote: Study everything, keep what's working - Bruce Lee.
www.johnhuldt.com |
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PETER SMITH
Drums and Percussion Coach
Peter Smith has grown up around all styles of music
and has een an active drummer for over 25 years. Born and
raised in Santa Monica, California, he attended Roosevelt
Elementary School, Lincoln Junior High School and
Santa Monica High School. Playing drums in Rock and Roll
bands since the age of 13, he continued his journey to
becoming an all around musician and educator. Furthering his
studies throughout Junior High and High School, he played in
the Orchestra and Concert Bands. This would eventually
lead him to Colorado State University where he received a
Bachelor of Music degree in Music Education (Percussion).
Through all
of these years he has taught drum lessons privately in his
home studio and has played with multiple bands and singer /
songwriters throughout the Los Angeles area. His
current Rock band "The Dichotomy" has played in many
venues including The El Rey Theater, Key Club, The
Joint, 14 Below, The Derby and Knitting Factory to name
a few. He is also currently the manager and
technical assistant for the Santa Monica College Music
Department where he has held that position since 1996. In
continuing to convey his love of music and Rock and Roll
specifically, he is very excited about being a member of the
teaching staff at Rock Nation School in Santa Monica
Personal Quote: "Drop beats, not bombs!"
www.myspace.com/petersmithdrums |
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YUKIHIDE TAKIYAMA
Guitar Coach
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.”
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MAUREEN "MO" DAVIS
Master Vocal Instructor
Mo has been singing in Los Angeles for 10 years with her band The Flutterbies. She has shared the recording studio and/or stage with Michelle Shocked, Dan Navarro (Lowen & Navarro), Keiko Masui, Taylor Dayne and Bernadette Peters. Broadway credits include the original cast of the Tony-award winning "Into The Woods". She sang at Carnegie Hall with vibraphonist Gary Burton – touring Japan & Russia with him as well -Training: New York's Paul Gavert (master instructor for Betty Buckley, Mandy Patinkin, Joel Grey) and Hollywood's Molly Pasutti (singer/vocal arranger Luther Vandross, Kenny Loggins, Keiko Matsui),vocal performance and dance at the esteemed Musical Theatreworks Conservatory in New York. Mo customizes lessons to each Rock Nation student's personal style and vocal challenges -Each lesson is taught with great care and a wacky sense of humor - so that each Rock Nation singer can become a truly unique rock star. |
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Katie Sylvester
Santa Monica Branch Manager
Katie Sylvester doesn’t play any instruments, and you’ll probably ask her to stop if she starts singing - but she loves music! After finally breaking out of the corporate world and moving back to the West Coast from NYC, Katie is ready for something new. Originally from Detroit (Rock City!), she went to school in the middle of the cornfields at Central Michigan University, studying Public Relations and Journalism. Her favorite color is purple and she is always accepting suggestions for a new book to read or band to listen to!
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