2021 La Honda Music Camp
Instructor Biographies
Our Instructors! (alphabetized by first name)
Andy Martin
Coming from a musical family, trombonist Andy Martin launched his career while still in his teens. His technique and virtuosity quickly established him on the Los Angeles music scene. As an instructor, Martin has influenced countless young players. He has appeared at many colleges and universities throughout the country as a guest artist and clinician.
A world-class jazz musician, Martin is featured as leader or co-leader on twelve albums. These albums showcase his collaboration with other top jazz artists such as the late Carl Fontana, Pete Christlieb, Bobby Shew, and Eric Marienthal. He has also collaborated as a sideman with jazz greats such as Stanley Turrentine and Horace Silver. Martin had a long association with British bandleader and jazz promoter Vic Lewis, and was the featured soloist on many of Vic’s CDs.
Martin is well known for his work as a lead player and featured soloist with virtually every big band in L.A. Martin is the lead trombonist and featured soloist with Gordon Goodwin’s Big Phat Band, the lead trombonist and soloist for The Tom Kubis Band, and was a featured soloist for the Bill Holman Big Band for 15 years. He has appeared in bands led by Jack Sheldon, Louis Bellson, Quincy Jones, Matt Cattingub, Bob Curnow, Patrick Williams, and Sammy Nestico, among others.
Martin has long been one of L.A.’s most prominent trombonists for commercial recordings, television and motion picture soundtracks and live theater. He has contributed on albums for many popular artists, including the Pussycat Dolls, Coldplay, and Michael Bublé. His television credits include the Grammys, the Emmys, the Academy Awards, the Golden Globes and the Screen Actors Guild Awards. Martin has been the lead trombonist on television shows Dancing With The Stars and American Idol, and has appeared regularly on the soundtracks of major television series such as Family Guy, American Dad, and King of the Hill. His motion picture credits span the soundtracks of over 150 major films.
Divesh Karamchandani
Divesh Karamchandani is a San Francisco-based percussionist and educator frequently engaged in chamber music and large orchestral projects throughout the Greater Bay Area. Karamchandani is the Principal Percussionist of Opera Modesto and One Found Sound. He is also a co-founder of the percussion duo, Prism Percussion. Other notable performances include the New Century Chamber Orchestra, Stockton Symphony, Monterey Symphony, San Francisco Contemporary Music Players, San Francisco Symphony, and Sacramento Philharmonic & Opera. Karamchandani is a Marimba One Educational Artist teaching at West Valley College and is a percussion coach with the San Francisco Symphony’s Music and Mentors program. Karamchandani holds a Bachelors of Music from California State University, Stanislaus, and a Masters of Music from San Francisco Conservatory of Music, having studied under the tutelage of Jack Van Geem, Jacob Nissly, James Lee Wyatt III, Chris Woodham, and Allen Brown.
Erika Wilsen
Erika Wilsen is an active freelance horn performer and an experienced educator currently based in Los Angeles. She maintains an online studio with students hailing from across the country and overseas. She is pursuing her Doctor of Musical Arts degree at UCLA. Most recently, she has performed with Pacific Symphony, UCLA’s Gluck Brass Quintet, Left Coast Quintet, and Pacific Sound Brass Quintet. She has performed extensively in Los Angeles, San Diego, and the San Francisco Bay Area. Erika was a founding member of the woodwind quintet Avenue Winds and performed with the ensemble for 11 years. In addition to playing principal horn for Peninsula Ballet Theatre and St. Peter’s Chamber Orchestra, she has performed with the symphony orchestras of Berkeley, Fremont, Santa Cruz and Vallejo as well as Opera San Jose, San Francisco Lyric Opera, and the San Francisco Choral Society. She has played with Josh Groban and Barry Manilow. Erika graduated with a double major in English and Music (Honors) at Davidson College and holds her Master of Music in Horn Performance from the University of Michigan. Her mentors include Amy Sanchez, Froydis Ree Wekre, Soren Hermansson, and Louis Stout. When Erika is not playing or teaching, she enjoys spending time outside and with her family.
Frank Casados
Frank Casados moved to Boston in 2006 and is a teacher, bassoonist and contrabassoonist born and raised in the San Francisco Bay Area. He received his Masters in Music Education from Boston Conservatory at Berklee in 2018, and his Bachelor of Arts degree in bassoon performance from California State University Hayward in 2003. Currently, Frank teaches music at Abigail Adams Middle School in Weymouth, MA. He is in demand as a bassoonist and contrabassoonist around New England, and has successful teaching studios in Needham, MA, and Milton, MA. Frank is on staff at the Hayward-LaHonda Music Camp in La Honda, California during the summer, and has been there since 1999 in various capacities. Frank’s primary teachers include Margaret Phillips, Ronald Haroutunian, Greg Barber, and Rufus Olivier. He has participated in master classes with Marc Goldberg, Alan Goodman, John Clouser, Whitney Crocket, Roger Birnstigl, Christopher Weait, Frank Morelli, Daniel Matsukawa, Bill Buchman, K. David Van Hoesen and Stéphane Lévesque. In 2003, 2007, and 2009, Frank participated in the Popkin Glickman Bassoon Camp in North Carolina. Frank holds the utility/contrabassoon chair with the New England Philharmonic, has held principal bassoon positions with the Rivers Chamber Orchestra, and principal bassoon with the All Winds Octet. He has performed throughout Boston and New England with many different ensembles.
Glenda Bates
Dr. Glenda Bates is a dedicated Teaching Artist who teaches oboe, piano, ukulele, voice, general music, and music theory lessons for people of all ages. She also writes original children's songs and early childhood music curriculum, and teaches music classes for infants through University level and adult students.
An avid performer, Glenda Bates is an innovative musician and interdisciplinary artist lending a fresh voice to the Bay Area music scene. She is a professional oboist who specializes in Contemporary Music, Electroacoustic music, Baroque music, and Improvisation. She is also an experienced jazz and contemporary vocalist, exploring the Great American Songbook and writing her own music. Learn more at www.glendabates.com.
Grace Lai
Dr. Grace Lai As an avid soloist, chamber musician and conductor in the Bay Area, Dr. Grace Lai performs with Fremont Symphony Orchestra, San Francisco Wind Ensemble, and Modesto Opera. In addition to being on the faculty at Las Positas College, Lai is the Concert Band Director at De Anza College, the Associate Director at Fremont Youth Symphony Orchestra, and Music Instructor of Fremont Education Foundation and La Honda Music Camp.
A native of Taipei, Taiwan, Lai holds a doctorate degree in flute performance from the University of Missouri – Kansas City. Lai has been the recipient of many music awards, including the UMKC Women’s Council Graduate Assistance Fund, the UMKC Conservatory Women’s Association Anniversary Scholarship, Yamaha Outstanding Musicians Scholarship, and the Mu Phi Epsilon Foundation Merle Montgomery Doctoral Grant.
Lai was invited to perform with the Chicago-based new music ensemble Fifth House in a radio broadcast of the Rush Hour Concerts at St. James Cathedral (Chicago) and at the Ravinia Festival. She also performed with multiple Grammy award-winning contemporary chamber music group Eighth Blackbird. Lai has worked closely with numerous composers, including Chen Yi, Zhou Long, Chingju Shih, and Asha Srinivasan, and has commissioned or premiered several new works.
Julia Marquis
Hello, my name is Julia Marquis and I have been one of the Art Instructors for the Hayward La Honda Music Camp for the past 4 years. My background is in Design, Illustration, and Papercrafting. I grew up in Hayward and earned a BFA in Design from California State University East Bay.
Katie Brunner
Katie Brunner received her bachelor’s degree in music from Indiana University, where she studied with Sidney Rosenberg and Kim Walker, and her master’s degree in bassoon performance and pedagogy from Northern Illinois University, where she studied with James Berkenstock.
An active freelance musician, Ms. Brunner enjoys playing in both small chamber ensembles as well as in orchestral settings. She is a member of the Livermore-Amador Symphony and regularly plays with other area ensembles. In addition to being a coach at the Hayward-La Honda Music Camp, Ms. Brunner maintains a private teaching studio, is a member of the music faculty at Las Positas Community College in Livermore, and coaches the bassoon students at Amador Valley High School in Pleasanton.
Keith Lawrence
Keith "Law" Lawrence, an accomplished violist, vocalist, composer, and arranger with talent, style and presence that earn him respect from fans and musicians alike is a powerhouse of a musician. Originally from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, Law began his musical studies at 10 years old, later becoming a graduate of the Conservatory of Music at Oberlin College and DePaul University's School of Music where he received his bachelor's and master's degrees in viola performance. A California resident since 2008, Law specializes in various styles of music and has been Grammy nominated for his work with Quartet San Francisco, performs regularly with the Berkeley and Santa Rosa Symphonies, works on television shows, video game and movie soundtracks, and has performed with the likes of Solange, Peter Gabriel, Bjork, Diana Krall, Quincy Jones, Tony Bennett, Josh Groban, and Andrea Bocelli, to name a few. Currently, Keith spends his time as the founder/ director of Unicorn Breeding Ground, violist and vocalist for Cosa Nostra Strings(Jazz Mafia), one half of electronic music duos, KraftLaw, O'Brien@Law, Rosebrook@Law, and a member of the Tulsa Symphony Orchestra, always exploring the limitless possibilities of musicianship and the creative world at large.
Melissa Neyer
Melissa Neyer is a New York based music educator and double bassist having graduated from NYU in 2018 with a BM in Double Bass Performance and MA in Music Education. Pre-pandemic she was an active member of the Brooklyn Symphony Orchestra as well as the New York Chamber Players. Currently, she teaches Music and Strings for Peekskill City School District in Westchester and holds a private studio of violin/viola, cello and bass students throughout the Lower Hudson Valley and Long Island. Melissa is also the manager of the music school New York Music and Arts in Queens.
Robert Brown
Robert Brown is an active educator, conductor and composer who primarily works in the San Joaquin Valley and bay area of California. As a percussionist, Robert has studied with notable central valley percussionists such as Kenneth Crosby, Brian Kendrick, Dr. Jonathan Latta, and Allen Brown. Robert studied music at San Joaquin Delta College for 3 years before transferring to the University of the Pacific Conservatory of Music. Robert graduated from the Conservatory of Music in the Spring of 2017 with a Bachelors of Music in Music Education and a California State Teaching Credential. While studying at the Conservatory of Music, Robert earned the Excellence in Performance scholarship and won the 2017 University Symphony Orchestra’s Concerto Competition. Robert currently teaches in Stockton Unified School District while he is pursuing his Masters of Music in music education at the University of the Pacific Conservatory of Music.
Sarah Lee
Violist Sarah Lee has performed with numerous orchestras, and chamber ensembles, and internationally performed solo works. Sarah is a member of the Monterey Symphony, the Santa Cruz Symphony, and performs with several other distinguished Californian symphonies. In addition, she performs in diverse Bay Area ensembles such as Opera Parallele, One Found Sound, and the Lucky Devils Band.
Sarah was featured as a soloist at Oxford Music Festival and has participated in other festivals, including National Repertory Orchestra, Kent Blossom Music Festival, and Aspen Music Festival. She’s been Principal Viola at the San Francisco Conservatory of Music, Indiana University, National Music Festival, Texas Music Festival, and the Orchestra Institute of Napa Valley. She has also performed in orchestras with world-renowned classical soloists Joshua Bell, Jaime Laredo, Elmar Oliviera, and Orion Weiss.
Besides performing with classical musicians, Sarah has performed with various pop artists such as Michael Bublé, Childish Gambino, Sarah Brightman, Lights, and actor Leonard Nimoy. She performed at historic venues at Davies Symphony Hall, Hearst Greek Theater, Herbst Theater, and SF Masonic Auditorium.
Sarah is a passionate and dedicated educator. She is Suzuki certified and is faculty at Crowden Music Center, where she teaches group classes as well as individual lessons. Sarah also teaches at Harmony Project, an El Sistema Based program that provides high quality music education to underserved communities. She is also excited to be an Applied Music Faculty for violin and viola at West Valley College. She received Suzuki training from Cathryn Lee and attended a Teacher Workshop Retreat with Mimi Zweig at Indiana University. Alongside, she has a private violin and viola studio in San Francisco.
Sarah has a Master's of Music degree from the San Francisco Conservatory of Music (SFCM), where she studied with Jodi Levitz as well as San Francisco Symphony members Yun-Jie Liu and Jonathan Vinocour. She received her Bachelor’s of Music degree from Indiana University under the tutelage of Stephen Wyrczynski.
Scott Martin
Not many artists can boast about their Latin Jazz influence and their Soul Jazz leanings like saxophonist Scott Martin can. Scott Martin started his own Latin-Soul band after more than fourteen years of playing with the Poncho Sanchez Latin Jazz Band. He was an influential part of the Poncho Sanchez Band winning a GRAMMY® Award with the band, touring the world. He has recorded with Ray Charles, Billy Preston, Sam Moore, Mongo Santamaria and many other jazz and soul greats.
Since 2016, Scott has been the saxophonist for the iconic 70’s band WAR. Performing and touring, playing their many hits including: ‘Low Rider’, ‘Cisco Kid’, ‘Why Can’t We Be Friends’, ‘The World is a Ghetto’ and many more.
Scott Martin has been recording and performing with his own band Scott Martin's Latin Soul Band. They have toured Japan, Malaysia and Canada and all over the US. He has recorded 7 CDs and 2 EPs as a leader.
Scott’s numerous compositions have been recorded on his solo releases and also featured on Poncho’s recordings, as well as on TV shows such as “Sex and the City”, “The Jimmy Kimmel Show”, “As The World Turns” and more.
Scott Martin has performed and recorded with many artists and performers such as Poncho Sanchez, WAR, Celia Cruz, Tito Puente, Jose Rizo’s Jazz on the Latin Side All Stars, Mongo Santamaria, Francisco Aguabella, Ray Charles, Fred Wesley, Pee Wee Ellis, Barry Manilow, Dr Dre, Alex Acuna, Eddie Harris, Chick Corea, Karrin Allison, Diane Reeves, Larry Coryell, Joe Sample, Wilton Felder, Joey Defrancesco, Sam Moore, Billy Preston, Pete Escovedo, Eddie Palmieri and many others.
Scott’s father Dave Martin was one of the founders of Hayward-La Honda Music Camp in 1962. He was there with his mother and father and 2 brothers, Stan Martin and Andy Martin at the very first camp.
Learn more at www.ScottMartinJazz.com.
With his brothers at www.MartinBrotherHorns.com
Stan began playing trumpet at age nine with the music program at his elementary school. He displayed natural ability and excelled, winning many awards during school years. He was principal trumpet in the All Southern California High School Honor Orchestra in 1974. By the late 70’s Stan was touring, recording, writing and arranging with two groups; SIDE EFFECT and THE L.A. BOPPERS. He was one of the founding members of THE L.A. BOPPERS and continues today. From the late 1980’s through 2001 Stan toured extensively with many contemporary artists, including Latin Jazz star PONCHO SANCHEZ, with whom he recorded 2 albums. He was the lead trumpet for PAUL ANKA, DONNA SUMMER and TOM JONES and performed for their world tours. Stan has also performed as a lead and solo trumpet player for many notable Jazz artists including STANLEY CLARKE. He accompanied BARRY MANILOW as lead trumpet and featured trumpet soloist for 3 years including his 2001 tribute to Sinatra world tour. Stan has enjoyed participating in the Long Beach Municipal band as featured soloist every summer for more than 20 years. As a writer/arranger Stan has written for just about everything from a solo trumpet to full orchestras. He also wrote songs for THE L.A. BOPPERS.
Yoon Choe Mitchell
Having grown up in Hayward, Yoon is a long time Camp veteran! She received her Bachelor’s degree in Music from University of California, Berkeley, and came back to Hayward to earn her Teaching Credential from Cal State Hayward. She is now enjoying her 21st year of teaching in Hayward Unified.
Zoe Kitinoja
From Woodland, CA, Zoe started her musical journey by learning the trombone at age 9. Throughout high school she attended La Honda Music Camp and later became a camp counselor after graduating, since it was so much fun. She received her Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Trombone Performance from California State University, Northridge and the University of Denver. Zoe has had the pleasure of performing in some amazing venues such as Carnegie Hall (2015), the Kennedy Center (2012), the Chicago Symphony Hall (2016), and the Lincoln Center (2019). Along with trombone playing, she loves composing pieces for chamber groups.