Piano teachers
Dana Salzman - Piano, voice (ONLINE ONLY)
Pianist, singer, composer, producer and musical director Dana Salzman creates funky, flavorful tunes that re-imagine jazz, funk, hip-hop, soul, Latin and R&B music and illuminate her sultry voice, fine-tuned piano technique and talent for composition and arrangement. An enthusiastic collaborator and mistress of improvisation, she blends together fresh beats and lyrics into vivid arrangements that ignite all five senses and explore the intense dimensions of raw human emotion. Salzman began to study piano at age four with her mother (an internationally renowned classical piano teacher) and then went on to earn a degree from the New School of Jazz and Contemporary Music in New York City. Salzman has had the opportunity to work closely with many celebrated musicians and songwriters during her career, including Mike Marshall (Timex Social Club), Samuelle Prater (Club Neaveau), Tony Flores (Marvin Gaye,. Bobby Womack), Pete Escovedo, Rappin 4Tay, Valerie Troutt, Tiffany Austin, and more. Now based in Oakland, CA, Salzman does all her own production, writing and arranging and is also an in-demand piano and voice teacher.
Ed Grey - piano, Bass Guitar, upright bass, Cello
Ed Grey is an avant-garde composer and performer currently living and working in the East Bay. He's got over a decade of experience composing, performing, and recording/mixing musical art. Like any working composer, he's spent a lot of time with multiple instruments: violin, viola, cello, piano, guitar, bass guitar, and his main squeeze, the stand-up bass. Rather than being limited to it, his formal, classical training has guided him to other forms of music, into improvisation, and genres ranging anywhere from jazz to rock to electronic music to musique concret. He's performed and recorded with modern jazz artist Zae Tinaza, as well as various artists through the Oakland collective Supervoid.
Stefan Frazier - Piano
Bay area based pianist, piano teacher, songwriter, producer & music director. Stefan has focused on giving his audiences & students a sense of interdependence and authentic expression, while also celebrating his passion for the arts. He's lead in the composition and production of a Neo-Soul project in addition to playing piano since he was 8 years old.He has performed in Minneapolis and Santa Cruz and continues to produce for contemporary dance groups in the bay area. He recently taught private piano lessons at the Starving Musician of Santa Cruz and facilitated lessons and a band workshop at the Boys and Girls Club in two different locations of Santa Cruz. He currently enjoys playing contemporary piano songs and performing in a rock group called Kali Ra in Oakland.
Sarah King - Voice, Piano, Ukulele, Guitar
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!
SEBASTIAN FOTOUHI - Piano, GUITAR, UKULELE, BASS
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.
Ryan lee - Piano, saxophone
Ryan Lee is a music teacher at KIPP King Collegiate High School, where he teaches music theory, composition, and jazz ensemble and directs the KKC Drumline. Mr. Lee received a Bachelor of Music in K-12 Music Education with an instrumental concentration from the Bienen School of Music at Northwestern University (Summa Cum Laude). While at the university, he studied classical saxophone with Taimur Sullivan. In his teaching philosophy, he believes strongly that music is an incredible conduit for expression and connection, but also to learn invaluable skills that apply to any facet of life. In lessons, students will ultimately grow through a truly quality musical experience that elicits a lifelong appreciation for not only music-making, but also the process of deliberate, continuous, and joyful progress. He concentrates in and is fascinated by the beginning stages of music learning and teaching Music Theory, and is open to learners of all levels with any level of musical fascination. He currently offers lessons in beginning/intermediate piano, saxophone, flute, or clarinet, as well as tutoring in Music Theory or composition
MINDY KNIGHT (MK) - Piano, VOICE
Mindy Knight has been singing with and around others since age 11. After graduating from the University of North Texas with a Vocal Degree, the Bay Area became home. MK has been teaching singing and piano lessons for almost ten years. For MK, musicianship is inherent in every person, and the only question to answer is really the “How”. Playing piano is a wonderful way to open to the world of sound. MK is proud to offer beginners and mid-range learners an easy way to learn piano, starting with a playing-based method, and graduating to reading and theory models as the student gains proficiency. MK has performed in nearly every variety of ensemble and solo act, including Choral/Church Ensembles, Jazz (think Wine Bar/Speakeasy), Musical Theater (Rent, Chicago, Wicked), and most recently as an independent songwriter. MK has sung in Hungary, Ghana, New York, Texas, New Mexico, and of course various places in California. As an indie musician, has played in the Bay Area at Golden Bull, Bottom of The Hill, Hemlock (RIP), The Hotel Utah, Bazaar Cafe, Milk Bar, The Lost Church, Pop’s, and Brick & Mortar, to name a few. Currently MK is focusing on writing music for their band and hoping to release it this year!
Grace pottebaum - Piano, clarinet
Grace holds a Bachelor of Music from Wheaton College Conservatory of Music, where she specialized in classical piano and clarinet under Dr. Aaron Stampfl and Dr. Karen Edwards. While attending Wheaton College, she studied piano pedagogy and was the assistant accompanist for Wheaton's Community of Arts Youth Orchestra, where she taught group music theory and improvisational technique. In addition to the piano, she is a multi-instrumentalist and can offer clarinet lessons. She performed in large ensembles and played the clarinet and bass clarinet for Wheaton College's Symphonic Band under the guidance of Timothy Yantz. She complements my music instruction by incorporating fundamentals of music theory, aural skills, and classical technique. She works with students through private lessons to create and achieve their personalized music goals and foster a positive, long-lasting relationship with music.