SEBASTIAN FOTOUHI - Guitar, ukulele, Bass Guitar

Sebastian has taught for over a decade. He’s taught at schools around the Bay Area, Los Angeles, and even as far as Texas. Sebastian has played in many professional bands at some of the most iconic stages in the Bay Area including the Sleep Train Pavilion, Bottom of The Hill, as well as many festivals and private shows. He plays and teaches many styles and instruments. His goal in teaching music is to ensure each student receives a top notch music education focusing especially on real world skills and knowledge. On top of a great education, the other main goal is to have fun with music! It can be overwhelming to dive into the ocean of knowledge with no application for all the techniques and pieces you’re learning. Sebastian aims to make it fun, welcoming, and practical.

Sarah King - Guitar, ukulele, voice

Sarah is a seasoned teacher and performer hailing all the way from San Diego, CA. She has a broad background performing various church services, choirs, musicals, and operas. Her more notable roles include “Mother” in Amahl and the Night Visitors, “Martha” in Spring Awakening, and “Natalie” in Next to Normal. Sarah currently teaches basic musicianship, piano, and drama at Mission Hills Middle School in Castro Valley and Union City. Prior to moving to the Bay Area, Sarah earned her degree in Vocal Performance from San Diego State University. She had taught about 200, ukulele, guitar, and piano students around the San Diego metropolitan area from 2017 to 2022. She is very excited to keep her dream of teaching alive at Notes Music Academy! 

Lily ramus - guitar, bass guitar, ukulele

Lily Ramus is a musician and music teacher who has been passionate about music since learning to play the guitar and joining her first band in middle school. A decade later, she is a recent UC Berkeley graduate with a degree in music and enjoys teaching, performing with her band, and seeing live music whenever possible. Lily has experience playing and teaching a wide variety of genres and styles including, pop/rock, jazz, blues, metal, funk, country, and fingerstyle. Over the years she has played in many different bands and ensembles and in her current project she performs regularly at venues across California including, The UC Theatre, BandCamp HQ, The Pauley Ballroom at UC Berkeley, and 924 Gilman. In addition to teaching and performance, Lily is very involved in the local DIY music scene and for the past two years, she has organized several concerts and statewide tours highlighting queer and female-fronted bands and artists.

From preparing for a music theory exam to starting a punk band, Lily believes that learning music should be fun and self-fulfilling, and is committed to helping students reach their diverse personal
goals.

“My guitar is not a thing. It’s an extension of myself. It’s who I am.” - Joan Jett