Blue Bear Spring 2016 Catalog

It’s tIme to play!

Marina | SOMA | Noe Valley | Mid-Market | Mill Valley

Blue BearSpring 2016

camps that rock!

sIgn up today!

bluebearmusic.org/summercamp2016

bluebearmusic.org Spring 2016 1

all agesprivate lessons 8 One-on-one instruction for kids and adults.

adults Band Workshops 10 Join a 10-week student band workshop and perform at a nightclub in April!

group classes 14 Guitar, vocals, ukulele, and more for beginning, intermediate, and advanced players.

songwriting/recording 28For those who prefer working on original music, songwriting, recording, and more.

Blue Bear spring Quarter 2016

about us 2 Why Blue Bear? 4 From the directors 6 spring Quarter calendar 7 policies & procedures 9 community programs 44

support 48 gifts, grants & scholarships 50 Board of trustees & staff 55 teacher Bios 56 general Info & locations 62 goings on 64

short seminars 29 A special week of one-night classes in between each quarter. Attend one free with your paid Member Fee!

teens, kids & toddlers group classes 30 After-school bands, voice, and instrument petting zoo!

summer camps 32 Weeklong music day camps in San Francisco.

all-star Bands 36 Weekend band workshops for those serious about developing ensemble playing skills.

little Bears 38Rockin’ music classes for infants and toddlers and their parent/caregiver.

2

group classesBlue Bear offers small group classes in guitar, voice, bass, ukulele, and music theory, run on an 11-week quarter system. They’re an affordable way to either start your adventures in music or enhance your skills and keep growing as a musician. see pages 14-27.

Band WorkshopsBand Workshops are the heart and soul of Blue Bear! Student bands rehearse for 10 weeks under the guidance of a professional musician and instructor and then perform a 40-minute set in a local San Francisco club. see pages 10-13.

songwriting/recordingFor those who prefer working on original music or recording, Blue Bear’s Creating Music Program offers songwriting classes and individualized instruction that use our in-house recording facility,

Studio Z. see page 28.

adultsabout us

short seminars Between quarters, Blue Bear offers Short Seminars, classes that only meet for one evening on a wide range of music topics. They are led by some of Blue Bear’s most popular teachers, along with special guest instructors. You can take one Short Seminar free with your annual membership fee. see page 29.

private lessons Blue Bear offers year-round private instruction on most instruments and voice, as well as music theory, composition, sight singing, ear training, and improvisation. Our students range from “square one”

beginners both young and old, to serious musicians

preparing themselves for study at places like Berklee College of Music and Musicians Institute. see page 8.


a local nonprofit arts organization.Blue Bear is a nonprofit organization founded in 1971. As the Bay Area’s preeminent school of rock, blues, jazz, folk, and other popular music styles, Blue Bear is a home for musicians of all skill levels and a place where each student’s unique talents and goals are recognized and supported.

We are located at Fort Mason Center in San Francisco, with satellite locations at Lennon Studios in SOMA, at the Center for New Music in Mid-Market, Noe Valley Ministry in Noe Valley, and at Sweetwater Music Hall in Mill Valley. Blue Bear also partners with local schools and community organizations to bring exciting music programs into the classroom.

group classes (ages 6 to 17)Blue Bear offers after-school classes like Instrument Petting Zoo and Singing and Performance, as well as After School Rock Bands for tweens and teens who are already rockin’. see page 30.

summer camps (ages 8 to 17)Blue Bear’s weeklong music day camps include rock band, guitar, voice, songwriting, and recording. see pages 32-35.

all star Bands (ages 11 to 17)Our youth All Star Band program is for young musicians in grades 6-12 who are serious about developing their musicianship and ensemble playing skills. All Star Bands rehearse on Saturdays and each band has the opportunity to play a live show three times during the year. see page 36.

little Bears (ages 4 mos. to 5 yrs.)Little Bears music classes are for the very young ones and their parent or caregiver. Our teachers are musicians who involve students in music through singing, rhythms, games, and movement to improve speech development, and motor skills as well as listening and concentration. see pages 38-43.

community programs Blue Bear is a nonprofit organization committed to making a difference beyond the scope of our in-house programs. We partner with a variety of schools and community centers to provide free and low-cost youth music education. Most Blue Bear Community Programs are partially or fully underwritten by our generous supporters. see pages 44-47.

teens, kids & toddlers

4 Spring 2016 415.673.3600

Why Blue Bear?

community Blue Bear welcomes everyone, whether you just want to play music for your own personal enjoyment or you’re seriously considering music as a career.

Blue Bear unites people who are passionate about music. Many of our Band Workshops have spun off practice bands that continue to play together long after the end of the quarter. Some have even turned into regularly gigging bands. And of course, many friendships (and a few marriages) have begun in Blue Bear classes!

Blue Bear fosters a casual and supportive atmosphere, free from the judgment, academic rigor, and competitiveness of some schools.

Blue Bear has a strong track record. We’ve offered popular music instruction since 1971, so our programming reflects deep experience and lots of student feedback.

students of all ages pursue music studies at Blue Bear, year after year. here are a few reasons why.

Individualized attention Blue Bear offers one-on-one consultations. As a new student, you’ll discuss your musical experience and goals with Program Director Dennis Criteser, who can answer your questions and work with you to determine which teachers and classes are best suited to your needs. Consultations are available whenever you have questions about what to do next.

Blue Bear keeps class sizes small. Most of our guitar classes are limited to six or seven students. Voice classes that involve solo singing are usually limited to five or six, while most vocal technique classes are limited to eight. At these sizes, our teachers can give individual attention as needed.

top notch teachers Blue Bear instructors are committed to teaching as a profession. Our teachers are here because they are dedicated to helping students meet their goals, not just to make some extra money on the side. And if a teacher you start with doesn’t seem like the right fit for you, it’s easy to notify our staff and request a different one.

Blue Bear teachers work as musicians. Our instructors are experts in their craft, with significant experience in all facets of the music industry (see pages 56-61).

convenienceBlue Bear has ample low-cost parking. Parking in the Fort Mason Center pay lot is easy and inexpensive, with free parking usually available nearby. If we know in advance that a Fort Mason Center event will make parking scarce, we’ll send you an e-mail alert.

Blue Bear provides flexible payment and scheduling options for private lessons. You can pay by the lesson, or prepay for four or ten lessons to get the lowest per-lesson rate. Refunds for unused lessons are available and you may cancel a lesson with two days’

advance notice. (Most schools don’t allow

cancellations at all.)

When you consider Blue Bear’s unique benefits and affordable cost, it’s easy to see why many students continue their studies here for several years.


6 Spring 2016 415.673.3600

Welcome to Spring at the Bear! As spring is the season of renewal, it might be a good time to renew your commitment to playing music. There is a dizzying list of benefits derived from studying music, but the sheer joy of playing has got to top the list!

We have been using the Albus Dumbledore quote from Harry Potter for a while now: “Ah, music,” he

said, wiping his eyes. “A magic beyond all we do here!” As magical as hearing music can be, it can’t approach the magic of playing music when you are “in the zone.”

I know - studying music can be frustrating, it can be challenging, but the results are nothing short of amazing! Besides the magical, indescribable part of music creation comes the many more direct benefits of studying music. These include the personal attributes of patience, perseverance, self-discipline, concentration and empathy; the practical attributes of problem solving, strategizing and teamwork; the physical attributes of brain function and coordination; and the undeniable fact that playing music simply increases happiness!

So, get in the zone! Play music. Relish the sound of your instrument or voice. Share your sounds along with your love of music and make a musical contribution to the great flowering of springtime!

And as always, please join with us as we continue our tradition of changing lives through the transformational power of playing music!

Steve Savage Co-Founder and Executive Director

spring Flowers


Blue Bear’s mission is simple: to empower you to play the music you love. To that end we offer a broad selection of programs for aspiring and accomplished musicians of all ages.

our little Bears classes, for ages 4 months to 5 years, are a wonderful introduction to the joys of music. For kids and teens we offer private lessons year-

round, and during the school year our after-school and All Star bands are back in action. And now it’s time to think Summer Camps for your young rocker - see page 32 for week-long day camps in songwriting, rock band, voice and guitar.

For adults we have private lessons, band workshops, and group classes covering guitar, voice, ukulele, bass, theory, and songwriting. If you’re free one night April 4-7, check out one of our Band Showcases at the Beat Box, 314 11th St. in the City. You’ll see Blue Bear students in action as they show off ten weeks of hard work. While most programs take place at our main Fort Mason campus, you’ll find some program offerings in Noe Valley, SOMA and mid-Market locations.

Back in 1979 and 1980 I studied piano and sax at Blue Bear. The lessons learned and the musical connections made helped many a musical dream come true for me. My sincere hope is that you too will discover at Blue Bear a place to enter into music or to deepen your musical skills as part of a community of people making and learning music together.

Dennis Criteser General Manager/Program Director

sprIng Quarter 2016 calendarWinter Band showcases april 4-7 short seminars april 4-7 little Bears classes april 11-July 3 (12 weeks) kids classes april 11-June 2 (8 weeks) adult classes april 11-June 27 (11 weeks) Band Workshops april 11-June 20spring Band Workshops showcases June 27-30

Blue Bear is closed for memorial day, but open saturday may 28

It’s time to play

pr

iva

te

le

ss

on

s

8 Spring 2016 415.673.3600

Blue Bear offers private instruction for students ages five years and up, on most instruments and voice, plus music theory, recording, songwriting, sight-singing, ear training, and improvisation. Our students range from “square-one” beginners to serious musicians preparing for study at elite music schools.

private lessons

prices, payments & schedulesstart lessons anytime — just give us a call at 415.673.3600 to discuss teacher and scheduling options.

• One-hour and half-hour lessons are available Monday through Thursday afternoons and evenings, and Saturdays during the daytime.

• You can schedule one-hour lessons either weekly or every other week.

• Purchase a 4-pack or 10-pack for a discounted rate.

• Take a trial lesson with a teacher at the single-lesson rate. To continue, you must pay our annual $35 Member Fee.

private hours

1 lesson 4 lessons 10 lessons most instruments $65 $245 $570 drums, Voice, studio $70 $265 $625

private half-hours or shared-with a-Friend hours (per student)

1 lesson 4 lessons 10 lessons most instruments $37 $135 $315 drums, Voice, studio $40 $145 $340

pr

iva

te

les

so

ns


If your lesson is on: you need to notify desk by: monday saturday 3pm tuesday anytime sunday (leave a message) Wednesday monday 8pm thursday tuesday 8pm Friday Wednesday 8pm saturday thursday 8pm

If you are behind on tuition, we will ask you to catch up before confirming your next lesson. We may sometimes call to ask if you’re able to move your lesson time on a particular date. If the change is not convenient, feel free to keep your usual time.

to drop your lessonsWe will reserve your spot on your teacher’s schedule until you tell us you want to discontinue your lessons, even when your lesson package ends. If you wish to stop, you must notify us at least two days before your next scheduled lesson. And just tell us if you’d like to try a different teacher or instrument anytime.

policies & procedures private lesson refunds Any remaining lesson credit is refundable for one year after your last charged lesson. For partial refunds on a 4-pack or 10-pack discount package, charged lessons will be pro-rated at the next higher rate.

to cancel a lesson

• Notify the desk in person.• Call the desk at 415.673.3600.• Email [email protected]. • Don’t cancel through your teacher.

For lessons canceled with two days’ notice, you will not be charged. Lessons canceled with less than two days’ notice will be charged in full so your teacher can be paid for the reserved time.

ad

ult

cl

as

se

s

10 Spring 2016 415.673.3600

Get placed in a band after a brief discussion with Program Director Dennis Criteser. You’ll help choose the songs the band plays, and an experienced professional will guide the rehearsals. A full band consists of two singers, two guitarists, bass, drums, and keys. Horn players are welcome too. We’ll supply the drums, amps, keyboard, and PA. Band workshops are 10-weeks long plus performance and cost $395 (or $135x3). To enroll, students must be current with their annual $35 Member Fee.

rock & Blues Wide open to style, material may range from oldies to blues, alternative to Top 40—you name it!

rock, soul and r&BIncludes material from classic artists like James Brown and Aretha Franklin.

Blues, soul & roots Covers classic electric blues and its influences, including roots rock and roots country.

classic rockDraws mostly from the repertoire of the 1960s, ‘70s, and ‘80s. Students decide what “classic” means!

adult Band Workshopsthe heart and soul of Blue Bear! our band workshops are student bands that rehearse and later perform a 40-minute set of material at a san Francisco club.

ad

ult

cl

as

se

s


modern rock & contemporary BandsYou’ll perform material from a broad range of artists and bands with releases from the past ten to fifteen years.

acoustic rockFor acoustic players including guitar, bass, keys, singers, and percussion, who want to play unplugged versions of their favorite rock tunes or songs from the indie/folk movement.

deep rock & Improv This band will tackle more complex material with an emphasis on soloing and arrangement rather than getting cover songs performance-perfect. In addition to challenging rock and funk material, simpler jazz tunes

will also be introduced. Group songwriting is a possibility, too. Rather than performing at the in-club Showcase, this band will headline Blue Bear’s new adult Rockcital in our performance hall, showing off some of their work in a lower-key setting. By audition, for intermediate players who can improvise and play from chord charts.

ad

ult

cl

as

se

s

12 Spring 2016 415.673.3600

at Fort mason center Basic rock & Blues mon 6-8:30pm 4/11-6/27 w/Jim Peterson

Basic rock, soul and r&B mon 8:30-11pm 4/11-6/27 w/Jim Peterson

Intermediate rock & Blues tues 6-8:30pm 4/12-6/21 (by audition) w/J.T. Locke

Basic rock & Blues tues 8:30-11pm 4/12-6/21 w/J.T. Locke

Intermediate contemporary Bands Wed 6-8:30pm 4/13-6/22 (by audition) w/Mark Schuh

Intermediate rock & Blues Wed 8:30-11pm 4/13-6/22 w/Mark Schuh

Basic rock & Blues thu 6-8:30pm 4/14-6/23 w/Amanda VanderMeer

acoustic rock thu 8:30-11pm 4/14-6/23 w/J.T. Locke

at lennon studiosBasic rock & Blues mon 6-8:30pm 4/11-6/27 w/Sean Leahy

Intermediate rock & Blues mon 8:30-11pm 4/11-6/27 w/Sean Leahy

modern rock tue 8-10:30pm 4/12-6/21 w/Janak Ramachandran

daytime rockers Wed 1-3:30pm 4/13-6/22 w/TBA

classic rock Wed 6-8:30pm 4/13-6/22 w/Sean Leahy

Basic rock & Blues Wed 8:30-11pm 4/13-6/22 w/Sean Leahy

deep rock and Improv Workshop thu 8:30-11pm 4/14-6/23 w/Jim Peterson

Blues, soul and roots sun 4-6:30pm 4/17-6/26 w/Randy Clark

Band Workshop schedule

ad

ult

cl

as

se

s


prerequisites Basic level bands do not require any previous band playing experience, though being able to learn parts by ear or with the help of a private instructor is best.

Intermediate level bands require at least a year of previous band experience along with the ability to read chord charts and learn parts by ear.

guitar players should be able to move easily between open and barre chords.

drummers should be able to play steadily at fast and slow tempi, fill comfortably, and play both rock and blues grooves.

Bass players should be able to play various grooves easily and lock with the drummer.

singers should be able to sing in tune and have a strong enough sense of time so that song entry points and phrasing can be consistently executed.

keyboard players should be able to form major and minor triads without notation.

performances Performances will be held June 27-30 at The Beatbox, 314 11th St., San Francisco. Deep Rock workshop performs at Blue Bear on June 30.

Be sure to check out the Winter Quarter Band Showcases at Beat Box on April 4-7 from 7:30-11:30pm.

ad

ult

cl

as

se

s

14 Spring 2016 415.673.3600

guitar for the square-one BeginnerAlways wanted to learn how to play the guitar, but not sure where or how to start? This class is for you! You’ll start rocking out with hands-on playing time the very first day, and you’ll begin learning folk and rock songs using basic chords and strums.

tue 7-8pm 4/12-6/21 w/Janak Ramachandran @ Lennon

Wed 6-7pm 4/13-6/22 w/Janak Ramachandran

Wed 8-9pm 4/13-6/22 w/Kent Brown

thu 7-8pm 4/14-6/23 w/Kent Brown

guitar for people Who know a littleIf you have a few months playing experience and know handful of chords (about eight of the following: E, A, D, G, C, Em, Am, E7, A7, D7) but aren’t quite making all chord changes smoothly, this class will help you expand on what you already know and take your playing to the next level. This class covers more songs and skills, including basic fingerpicking.

mon 7-8pm 4/11-6/27 w/Brian Gire

mon 7:30-8:30pm 4/11-6/27 w/Devin Lane @ Noe Valley Ministry

Wed 8-9pm 4/13-6/22 w/Mike Rao

thu 6-7pm 4/14-6/23 Kent Brown

adult guitar classesgroup classes cost $260 (or $90x3) and are 11-weeks long, except where noted. to enroll, students must be current with their annual $35 member Fee.

ByogBring your own guitar!

acoustic (or electric) guitar is required.

ad

ult

cl

as

se

s


guitar for people Who know a little more For graduates of Know a Little or those with about six months of playing experience, you’ll continue working on songs with an emphasis on more advanced chords. You should know 10-15 chords and be able to make many of the chord changes smoothly. You may still have some difficulty playing the four-string (non-barre) F chord, and no one at this level is playing barre chords yet. You may or may not have learned some fingerpicking.

tue 9-10pm 4/12-6/21 w/Mark Schuh

Wed 7-8pm 4/13-6/22 w/Brian Gire

thu 8:15-9:15pm 4/14-6/23 w/Janak Ramachandran

acoustic guitar IV For graduates of Know a Little More or for those with nine months to a year of playing experience, Acoustic Guitar IV will expand song repertoire and skills using both rhythm and fingerstyle playing and begin work on barre chords.

mon 6:30-7:30pm 4/11-6/27 w/Devin Lane @ Noe Valley Ministry

mon 8:15-9:15pm 4/11-6/27 w/Janak Ramachandran

Wed 7-8pm 4/13-6/22 w/J.T. Locke

continuing acoustic guitar Intended for those with more experience. Call 415.673.3600 for accurate placement.

acoustic Vmon 6-7pm 4/11-6/27 w/Kent Brown

acoustic VI.1: mon 8-9pm 4/11-6/27 w/Kent Brown

acoustic VI.2: Wed 7:15-8:15pm 4/13-6/22 w/Janak Ramachandran

acoustic VII: Wed 8-9pm 4/13-6/22 w/Brian Gire

acoustic IX: tue 8-9pm 4/12-6/21 w/Kent Brown

acoustic XIII: tue 8-9pm 4/12-6/21 w/Brian Gire

acoustic XX: mon 7-8pm 4/11-6/27 w/Kent Brown

ad

ult

cl

as

se

s

16 Spring 2016 415.673.3600

neW! Boomer’s Banquet This class is for strummers who would like to play and sing through the great songs of the ‘50s, ‘60s, and ‘70s in a fun and supportive group setting. Folkies and retired rockers, please apply!

tue 3-4pm 4/12-6/21 w/Brian Gire

electric lead guitar For guitarists who are comfortable playing open position and barre chords but with little previous lead playing work, this class will focus on

scales and improvising within blues and rock chord progressions.

thu 6:30-7:30pm 4/14-6/23 w/J.T. Locke

electric lead guitar IIIFor graduates of Electric Lead Guitar II, this class will continue to develop soloing skills over blues and rock chord changes by expanding your scale knowledge and with lots of in-class playing.

thu 7:30-8:30pm 4/14-6/23 w/J.T. Locke

adult guitar classesclasses cost $260 (or $90x3) and are 11-weeks long, except where noted. to enroll, students must be current with their annual $35 member Fee.

ad

ult

cl

as

se

s


electric rhythm guitar This class will focus on improving timing, reading basic rhythms, and integrating right hand muting and accenting techniques. You’ll then apply these skills to tighten up your groove, and make you a more confident rhythm guitarist. Musical examples by Johnny Ramone, Keith Richards, Jack White, and other rhythm legends will provide fun riffs to practice on. For guitarists who are comfortable playing open position and bar chords.

thu 8-9pm 4/14-6/23 w/Randy Clark

electric rhythm guitar XI For graduates of Electric Rhythm Guitar X

tue 6-7pm 4/12-6/21 w/Randy Clark

neW! note for note with JimiIn this class you’ll learn some classics of the master: “Purple Haze,” “The Wind Cries Mary,” and “Red House.” In addition to learning to play these songs you’ll discuss Hendrix’s technique and his influences ranging from Curtis Mayfield and Albert King to British psychedelia.


Blues/Jazz guitar IVFor players conversant with 12-bar blues and soloing, this class will build on your understanding of key centers, music theory, comping and improv. You will also cover arpeggios, scales and modes using the CAGED system.


ad

ult

cl

as

se

s

18 Spring 2016 415.673.3600

acoustic Jam Basics II Graduates of Acoustic Jam Basics will continue to learn new songs and scales and work on their soloing skills.

tue 9-10:15pm 4/12-6/21 w/Brian Gire • $320 (or $110x3)

acoustic Jam repertoireNew guitar, mandolin, fiddle, Dobro, and banjo students with strong scale knowledge and soloing experience can join Acoustic Jam Repertoire, an ongoing class of regulars who have been jamming together since 2009.

thu 7-8:30pm 4/14-6/23 w/Brian Gire • $380 (or $130x3)

acoustic Jam Basics IIIGraduates of Acoustic Jam Basics II will continue to learn new songs and develop soloing skills.

thu 8:30-10pm 4/14-6/23 w/Brian Gire • $380 (or $130x3)

Intermediate acoustic Jam IV Graduates of Intermediate Acoustic Jam III will continue to learn new songs and develop soloing skills.

tue 7-8pm 4/12-6/21 w/Brian Gire • $260 (or $90x3)

Intermediate acoustic Jam V Graduates of Intermediate Acoustic Jam IV will continue to learn new songs and develop soloing skills.

mon 8-9:30pm 4/11-6/27 w/Brian Gire • $380 (or $130x3)

adult Jam classeshave fun playing with others! In a relaxed setting, you’ll learn and play through tunes from folk, bluegrass, celtic, and rock traditions. you can take solos and sing if you’d like, or just play rhythm with the group. Jam classes are open to guitar, mandolin, fiddle, and banjo. new students can join ongoing classes; call 415.673.3600 to discuss placement options.

ad

ult

cl

as

se

s


Beginning ukuleleClass members will learn to play basic chords and to play songs in folk and rock styles. Also covered: tuning, ukulele care, and basic strums. No prerequisites, but a ukulele is required.

mon 8:30-9:30pm 4/11-6/27 w/Mark Schuh

ukulele II For graduates of Beginning Ukulele or for those who have learned some basic chords on their own, students will expand their chord vocabulary and learn to play more songs in folk, rock, and Hawaiian styles.

tue 8-9pm 4/12-6/21 w/Mark Schuh

ukulele III Graduates of Ukulele II or those with a handful of chords under their belt will learn a repertoire of fun songs, work on new strumming patterns and expand their chord vocabulary. Singing will be encouraged.

mon 7:30-8:30pm 4/11-6/27 w/Mark Schuh

adult ukulele classesgroup classes cost $260 (or $90x3) and are 11-weeks long. to enroll, students must be current with their annual $35 member Fee.

ad

ult

cl

as

se

s

20 Spring 2016 415.673.3600

singing for people Who can’t sing You know who you are! But this class will prove you wrong. By the end of eleven weeks, you’ll see improvement and enjoy increased confidence.

mon 7-8:15pm 4/11-6/27 w/Lauren Ona @ Center for New Music

tue 7-8pm 4/12-6/21 w/Lauren Ona • $260

more singing for people Who can’t singGraduates of Singing for People Who Can’t Sing will continue to

adult Voice classesgroup classes cost $320 (or $110 x3) and are 11-weeks long, except where noted. to enroll, students must be current with their annual $35 member Fee.

strengthen their voice and work on new songs and singing skills.

thu 8:30-9:30pm 4/14-6/23 w/Mindy Knight • $260

continuing Voice w/lauren onaGraduates of Lauren’s Can’t and Can Sing classes will apply the vocal techniques previously covered to both group and solo singing, refining and expanding their understanding of good tone production.

mon 8:15-9:30pm 4/11-6/27 w/Lauren Ona @ Center for New Music

ad

ult

cl

as

se

s


learn to sing: group singing for BeginnersThis class begins with a solid foundation in technique and you’ll learn to apply those basic ideas in guided group singing of classic songs. Topics covered include fundamentals of posture and breathing, vowels and consonants, resonance and tone, and basic principles of song delivery.

thu 6-7:15pm 4/11-6/27 w/Janak Ramachandran

learn to sing II: group and solo singingGraduates of Group Singing for Beginners will continue vocal development with more challenging exercises and group singing of songs designed to hone the techniques already learned. Topics include harmony and interval training, singing into the bridge, and range development.

thu 6-7:15pm 4/14-6/23 Janak Ramachandran

ad

ult

cl

as

se

s

22 Spring 2016 415.673.3600

adult Voice classesgroup classes cost $320 (or $110x3) and are 11-weeks long, except where noted. to enroll, students must be current with their annual $35 member Fee.

learn to sing IV: Finding your style and using a micGraduates of Learn To Sing III will begn to focus on individual material, working with a microphone and practicing stylistic techniques that enhance the emotional delivery of a song. Opening warm-ups and exercises developed in previous Learn to Sing classes will strengthen technique and prepare for a move to the stage in next quarter’s Rock/Pop Vocal Performance class. (New students may join Learn to Sing IV with teacher’s approval.)

Wed 8:15-9:30pm 4/13-6/22 Janak Ramachandran

singing I with libby lavellaYou think you can’t sing and you have no experience, but there’s something there! This class will prove you can sing, as you learn the fundamentals of the voice as an instrument through simple exercises and group songs.

By the end of eleven weeks you’ll know what is involved in making your voice “sing.”

thu 6-7pm 4/14-6/23 w/Libby Lavella • $260 @ Noe Valley Ministry

singing II with libby lavellaFor those who have taken Singing I with Libby Lavella, this class will continue to work on vocal technique with more in-depth explanation and a broader range of exercises. With group work and some one-on-one instruction and solo singing, you’ll gain confidence as you experience your own improvements and witness the improvements of others.

thu 7-8:15pm 4/14-6/23 w/Libby Lavella @ Noe Valley Ministry

ad

ult

cl

as

se

s

“Voice 1 was a ton of fun and Janak is such an enthusiastic and supportive teacher. I absolutely would take any class he is teaching in the future. he made

class so enjoyable.”– michelle d.


ad

ult

cl

as

se

s

24 Spring 2016 415.673.3600


singing III with libby lavellaSinging III is the next best thing to private instruction. These sessions will introduce vocal performance with more attention to detail and exercises tailor-made for each singer. We will cover how to build strength, improve tone, and sing with more confidence. Open to four people by instructor consent.

thu 8:15-9:30pm 4/14-6/23 w/Libby Lavella • $500 @ Noe Valley Ministry

singing for people Who can singFor those with some band, theater, or choral singing experience but little or no previous vocal instruction. Sessions will cover the basics of proper vocal technique: breathing and support, warm-

ups, developing your range, tone, placement and articulation. There’ll be lots of group vocal drills and some individual presentation of songs with work on mic technique.

tue 8-9:15pm 4/12-6/21 w/Lauren Ona

more singing for people Who can singGraduates of Singing for People Who Can Sing will continue to work on harmonic ear, vowel embellishment, inner music, vocal tuning, vocal scales for strengthening the voice, increasing vocal range, breathing, singing triplets and individual presentation of songs.

Wed 7:15-8:30pm 4/13-6/22 w/Lea Centauri

ad

ult

cl

as

se

s


Vocal technique with raz kennedyFor experienced singers, this class is an overview of the basic principles needed to sing expressively and unhindered, utilizing a comprehensive method which provides an effective, safe, and healthy approach to singing which is applicable to any musical dynamic, genre, or style.

tue 8-9pm 4/12-6/14 (10 weeks) w/Raz Kennedy • $305

Vocal technique II w/razThis class will continue to work on refining your technique. For students who have worked with Raz before in Vocal Technique I or in private lessons.

tue 7-8pm 4/12-6/14 (10 weeks) w/Raz Kennedy • $305

Beginning Jazz VocalsThis class will introduce you to the repertoire and the stylistic approaches taken by both classic and contemporary jazz singers. Sing to music-minus-one recordings and receive one-on-one coaching. Space is limited to four students.

Wed 6-7:15pm 4/13-6/22 w/Lea Centauri

Jazz Vocal performance Intermediate to advanced vocalists will rehearse and perform a repertoire of jazz songs with expert piano accompaniment, leading up to a performance in a San Francisco club. Open to singers who are new to jazz as well as those who are familiar with the repertoire. Tuition includes a rehearsal with a bassist and a drummer. Space is limited to five students.

sat 1:30-3pm 4/16-6/18 (10 weeks plus performance) w/Sharman Duran • $455 (or $155x3)

adult Voice classes

ad

ult

cl

as

se

s

26 Spring 2016 415.673.3600


rock & pop Vocal performance Designed as a follow-up to Janak’s Learn to Sing series, or for vocalists in or preparing for a band or Band Workshop, this class combines vocal style and performance instruction with individualized coaching on material you want to sing. The vocal style component will guide students in how to affect the vocal delivery of songs from varying genres with an emphasis on tools that bring the emotional content of the lyric to

life. The stage presence section of the class will introduce students to techniques from the acting world that allow the student to marry the emotional choices they are making vocally with stage movement and behavior. This class is, ideally, for students with some vocal training and can be repeated as needed. Space is limited to four students.

thu 7:15-8:30pm 4/14-6/23 w/Janak Ramachandran

ad

ult

cl

as

se

s


Beginning BassThis class is a square-one beginner class. We expect you know nothing about music and that you are picking up the instrument for the first time. If you have played guitar before, you should try Accelerated Bass for Guitarists.

sat noon-1pm 4/16-6/25 w/Kai Chu

accelerated Bass for guitarists If you already play guitar, then you’re ready to get on the fast track to becoming more in-demand by learning the bass! This class will teach right hand fingering technique and will reveal how the bass, working with the drums, provides the foundation for most songs. You’ll learn bass lines in different styles and upon graduation will receive a $100 discount toward playing bass in one of Blue Bear’s Band Workshops.

sat 1-2pm 4/16-6/25 w/Kai Chu

music theory for guitarThis class is for guitarists who have finally realized that they need to learn the basics: music terminology and basic theory taught in terms of standard music notation, in addition to how things look on the fretboard.

Wed 7-8pm 4/13-6/22 w/Kent Brown

chord magic for guitaristsThis class will explain the basics of chord construction with a minimum of “theory talk.” Chords and chord progressions are the juicy part of music theory, and this class will have you naming and creating chords, analyzing progressions, and understanding music in a new way.

tue 6:30-7:30pm 4/12-6/21 w/Mark Schuh

adult Bass & theory classesgroup classes cost $260 (or $90x3) and are 11-weeks long. to enroll, students must be current with their annual $35 member Fee.

If you have at least 9 months experience on bass and can learn and play a variety of different bass lines, join one of our rewarding Band Workshops! (see pages 10-13).

ad

ult

cl

as

se

s

28 Spring 2016 415.673.3600

Write your First songIn this introductory class you’ll learn about song forms and how to write chord progressions, melodies, and lyrics. In-class assignments will guide you step-by-step through writing a complete song and give you the tools you need to generate ideas and complete songs on your own. In the final weeks of class you’ll make demo recordings of your work in Blue Bear’s Studio Z.

mon 8-9:15pm 4/11-6/27 w/Pamela Parker

songwriting/recordingWork on original music

make your First demoFor songwriters and musicians eager to make demos that best show off your work, this interactive class will cover how to prep for a recording, mic placement and proper mix techniques that can be translated to a home studio or a pro studio. Also included will be studio etiquette and some of the science behind recording. Upon completion, students will have a recording of their own material along with some practical studio experience.

Wed 8-9:30pm 4/13-6/22 w/Erin Tadena • $380

songwriting Workshop With peter case In this workshop, Case offers secrets of the craft that will have you immediately writing more powerful and interesting songs. The atmosphere is fun, comfortable, and at times humorous, but the content is serious and will enable you to surprise yourself with a new batch of songs composed in weekly assignments.

mon 7-10pm 4/4-5/9 (six weeks) $425

ad

ult

cl

as

se

s


triad powerThis seminar will reveal the tremendous benefits that come from understanding the structure of three-note chords on your guitar, and how they appear on the fretboard. Special emphasis on using triads as the jumping-off point for soloing.

mon april 4, 7-9pm Brian Gire • $30

rock song analysis: an Intro to theoryGain a new appreciation for some classic rock songs, and at the same time begin to understand some important concepts of music theory.

tue april 5, 7-9pm Brian Gire • $30

Voice!This seminar is a wonderful overview of the voice as the most basic tool of human expression. You’ll work with breath and the ear, and learn about

styles of singing from jazz and pop to show tunes and rap. Includes group singing and vocal exercises.

Wed april 6, 7-9pm Lea Centauri • $30

tetrachordsA tetrachord is a four-note scale structure. These compact scale and mode builders are the answer for the guitarist seeking to learn all those scale patterns that lie on the other side of the pentatonic ocean. Building on the “less is more” philosophy, this seminar will show a clear pathway through the world of scales and modes by means of combining simple tetrachord patterns. In no time, you’ll be playing scales like B melodic minor, G Lydian dominant and D Dorian, and amazing friends and family in the process!

thu april 7, 7-9 pm Brian Gire • $30

adult seminarsBlue Bear offers one-night-only seminars on a variety of topics, led by some of our most popular teachers and special guest instructors — a low-cost way to dip your toes in the water!

yo

ut

h c

la

ss

es

30 Spring 2016 415.673.3600

after school rock BandThese bands will learn and play songs by a variety of contemporary and classic bands and perform before an audience. Members should already be proficient on their instrument, and ideally be in private lessons concurrently. This is a chance to put the hard work of learning your instrument into practice, in real time, with other young rockers.

thu 4:30-6pm 4/21-6/2 (7 weeks)w/J.T. Locke • $245

kids & teens group classeskids and teens group classes are 8-weeks long, except where noted. to enroll, students must be current with their annual $35 member Fee.

your own rock BandIf you have a minimum group of four young musicians who would like to be coached as a band together, we can schedule an after school or weekend rock band session to start anytime. call 415.673.3600 for details.

singing and performance I (grades 2-5) Students will learn how to sing and perform songs from popular artists and also develop songwriting skills. In addition to solo and group singing, kids will also work on routines and stage presence.


yo

ut

h c

la

ss

es


singing and performance II (grades 6-8) This class is the same as Singing and Performance I but for 6th-8th grades.


Instrument petting Zoo (grades 2-4)This class is for beginners who are curious about music and want to learn about different instruments before choosing one to focus on. Students sing songs and play the four main rock band instruments—drums, bass, guitar and piano. They’ll learn fundamental concepts of rhythm, melody, harmony, meter, tempo, scale, and key. In addition, related concepts in basic math, pattern relations, and emotional qualities will be explored.

thu 4-4:45pm 4/14-6/2 w/Devin Lane • $185

yo

ut

h c

la

ss

es

32 Spring 2016 415.673.3600

get ready to rock (grades 4-6)

Beginning musicians with six months of lessons on an instrument will play easy songs, sing, jam, try out different instruments, and play musical games. Includes individualized instrument and vocal instruction.

girls rock! (grades 4-7)

Campers will learn to play simple pop and rock songs, try out new instruments, and perform at the end of the week. Some musical experience is helpful, but is not a requirement. Includes individualized instrument and vocal instruction.

rock u 1 (grades 6-8)

These young musicians get to play the music they like with their peers. A minimum of one year of lessons is required. A typical day includes group lessons in the morning, a lunchtime jam with staff, and band rehearsals in the afternoon. Repertoire is selected by the group.

rock u 2(grades 7-10)

This camp is similar to Rock U 1, but the students are little older. A minimum of one year of lessons is required. Repertoire is selected by the group.

kids & teens summer campsBlue Bear’s summer camp program offers exciting opportunities for kids in grades 4-12 to make great music with their peers—monday through Friday—with individualized and group instruction, full band rehearsals, and Friday performances.

yo

ut

h c

la

ss

es


rock u 3 (grades 8-12)

These musicians have been playing for a minimum of three years and get lots of hands-on experience jamming, soloing, songwriting, and playing complex arrangements. Repertoire is selected by the group.

hard rock u 2 (grades 7-10)

These musicians rock hard! A minimum of one year of lessons is required and the repertoire is selected by the group. A typical day includes group lessons in the morning, a lunchtime jam with staff, and band rehearsals in the afternoon.

yo

ut

h c

la

ss

es

34 Spring 2016 415.673.3600

songwriting campsCampers who want to create and play original music learn how their favorite bands write songs through workshops on lyrics, form, arranging, and more, and will write, arrange, perform, and record their own songs.

songwriting 1 (grades 6-9)

songwriting 2 (grades 8-12)

kids & teens summer campsguitar camp (grades 7-11)

Campers will work on lead and rhythm guitar techniques, writing guitar parts, learning classic guitar solos, and crafting tones with amps and effects. Campers should have been playing for two years or more and know open chords, E- and A-form barre chords, and minor pentatonic scales.

yo

ut

h c

la

ss

es


enrollment Information

For skill level guidelines and enrollment info,

visit bluebearmusic.org/summercamp2016 and click on your desired

camp. please note that some of the advanced

camps may require an audition, while

others will work with whatever skillset you

bring to the group.

Voice campsThese campers will expand their vocal abilities through group and solo singing with musical accompaniment. Topics include techniques and warm up, harmony and round singing, musical games, musicianship, and more. If you have a singing kid, this is the camp for them!

Voice camp 1 (grades 3-6)

Voice camp 2 (grades 6-9)

yo

ut

h c

la

ss

es

36 Spring 2016 415.673.3600

During every All Star Band performance, there isn’t a moment when I am not blown away by our young performers, lighting up the stage. After weeks of rehearsing they show up and somehow always exceed my expectations. Some say “it’s only rock and roll,” but I see teamwork,

commitment, growth, courage, responsibility, stage professionalism, and most importantly, fun!

Students learn what it actually takes to thatch together individual assignments to create a piece of artistic expression. During this process, they learn about their own instrument and craft, yet also learn to listen to what other students are playing. I believe music is a collective conversation with your band mates, portraying a story to the listeners. Students learn that craft of conversation, but also learn to reflect on the dialogue and strengthen the intended delivery. I have no doubt that developing this skill is one of the most important processes for the program, but it’s also an important process for future success anywhere outside the bandstand.

When we started the All Star Band program, we intended to create community, skill building, and a fun platform to rock out. We wanted to give young rockers the best atmosphere for learning and to give them the opportunity to perform in real, professional venues. Now I see we’ve managed just a little bit more than that. What we’ve created is a collective of dedicated young players willing to learn and develop the traits for success, on and off the stage.

Ryan Hickey, All Star Band Director

rock out!


yo

ut

h c

la

ss

es

What is all star Band? All Star Band is a comprehensive 9-month performance and education curriculum for kids in grades 5-12. Using rock music as a platform, students strengthen their instrumental technique, ensemble playing, performance, improvisation, music theory, and songwriting. This unique program provides fantastic opportunities to play real shows in real venues around San Francisco. Students participate in weekly rehearsals, with guided instruction by inspirational teachers. There are multiple bands within the All Star Band program.

program requirementsAll Star Band requires a commitment of the majority of weekly rehearsals. Students may audition for fall in September 2016 and will be placed in the program based on age, skill level, and availability. Students must have a basic understanding of their instrument or voice and we highly recommend current, ongoing music lessons. We offer payment plans and income-based sliding scale. Tuition for September 2016-May 2017 is $1450

kids & teens all star Bands

see our youth all-star Bands rock the hotel utah on march 20!(See page 65 for more details)

yo

ut

h c

la

ss

es

38 Spring 2016 415.673.3600

Little Bears instructors are working musicians who know how early childhood music education helps develop speech, hand-eye coordination, and creativity. Little Bears offers classes to suit any kid and their accompanying parent or caregiver (we want to make this fun for everyone in the classroom). Music affects all people of all ages; that’s why we began teaching classes for children as young as four months.

What can a newborn really do in a music class? A lot! At birth, children are receptive to sounds, vibrations, and voices, so in our Baby Bears classes parents guide the lessons with gentle clapping and singing, learning to incorporate music into everyday routines. I’ve heard from many families over the years that before their child could stand, walk, or talk, they could mimic clapping and memorize and respond to rhythm patterns from class. For our active new walkers and future rock star preschoolers, we offer Bouncy and Boogie Bears classes. Our teachers have developed special curricula that get everyone singing, doing far-out dance moves and adding a healthy dose of music education that is actually fun! Did I mention intense drum circles?!

With the song birds singing, and the longer days ahead we welcome Spring and all of the Little Bears to get down, get funk and make some noise! Rock out with us in the Marina, Noe Valley and at our new hip den The Sweetwater in Mill Valley!

Tanya Yule Little Bears Director

Who and What are little Bears? simply put, little Bears bobble, weave and dance to their own beat.

excellent music classes in her futu

re

Little Bears Program Director, im

agin

ing

yo

ut

h c

la

ss

es


Why little Bears? 1. Our teachers are actual musicians who love making music. 2. Singing helps children with vocal and speech development. 3. Dancing and instrument play help children develop motor skills. 4. Aural training helps children build listening and concentration skills. 5. Because kids and adults LOVE to rock. So let your little ones sing their

hearts out, move to the music, and make some noise!

sliding scale Blue Bear wants to ensure that everyone has an opportunity to participate in music education. Thanks to community support we have been able to provide a generous sliding-scale program for our tiniest of rock stars, offering from 20%-85% off. For more information or to see if you qualify, please call 415.673.3600

yo

ut

h c

la

ss

es

40 Spring 2016 415.673.3600

group classes Baby Bears (4 months-1 year)This class will introduce your child to the wonderful world of music through lap songs, finger-plays, sing-alongs and rhythm-based activities. Parents in this class learn to sing a variety of playful and soothing rhythms and melodies to bring home and use for bath time, dinner time, play time and sleepy time. Please bring a blanket.

Bouncy Bears (1-3 years)Children in this class will create musical sounds and rhythms with their voices and bodies, play finger games, dance and move to the music, hear familiar and new songs and rock out during the percussion instrument jam. Parents be warned: there will be lots of jumping, bouncing, moving, grooving and playing in this class!

Boogie Bears (3-5 years)These preschoolers are ready to rock and roll, raise the roof and jam out! Children will discover their own talking and singing voices, dance to the beat, and explore rhythm with real musical instruments. Let’s make some music and boogie down to it!

mixed Bears (6 months-5 years)This class is specially designed for parents with more than one child. Babies, toddlers, and big kids all join in the music making fun, watching and learning from one another. There will be plenty of music, movement and instrument play for children of all ages.

enroll online! bluebearmusic.org/littlebears Check the Little bears site for schedule updates and class cancelations.

yo

ut

h c

la

ss

es


Fort mason center2 Marina Blvd. Bldg. D, Rm. K

Baby Bearsthu 11-11:45am 4/14-6/30 • $275 w/ Rachel

Bouncy Bearsmon 10-10:45am 4/11-6/27 • $255 w/ Michaelmon 3:30-4:15pm 4/11-6/27 • $255 w/ Ayeshatue 10-10:45am 4/12-6/28 • $275 w/ RachelWed 10-10:45am 4/13-6/29 • $295 w/ Barbthu 10-10:45am 4/14-6/30 • $275 w/ Rachelthu 3:30-4:15pm 4/14-6/30 • $275 w/ MichaelFri 11-11:45am 4/15-7/1 • $275 w/ Ayesha

Boogie Bearsmon 11-11:45am 4/11-6/27 • $255 w/ Michaelmon 4:30-5:15pm 4/11-6/27 • $255 w/ Ayeshathu 4:30-5:15pm 4/14-6/30 • $275 w/ Michael

mixed Bearstue 11-11:45am 4/12-6/28 • $275 w/ RachelWed 11-11:45am 4/13-6/29 • $295 w/ BarbWed 12-12:45pm 4/13-6/29 • $295 w/ BarbFri 10-10:45am 4/15-7/1 • $275 w/ Ayeshasun 11-11:45am 4/16-7/3 • $275 w/ T. Lin

little Bears class schedule For schedule updates and more, check bluebearmusic.org/littlebears

noe Valley ministry1021 Sanchez St. @ 23rd St.

Baby Bearsmon 2:30-3:15pm 4/11-6/27 • $275 w/ BarbWed 11-11:45am 4/13-6/29 • $275 w/ Rachel

Bouncy Bearsmon 10-10:45am 4/11-6/27 • $255 w/ Rachelmon 3:30-4:15pm 4/11-6/27 • $275 w/ BarbWed 10-10:45am 4/13-6/29 • $275 w/ Rachelsat 10-10:45am 4/16-7/2 • $275 w/ T. Lin

Boogie Bearsmon 4:30-5:15pm 4/11-6/27 • $275 w/ Barb

mixed Bearsmon 11-11:45am 4/11-6/27 • $255 w/ Rachelsat 11-11:45am 4/16-7/2 • $275 w/ T. Lin

the sweetwater music hall19 Corte Madera Ave., Mill Valley

Bouncy Bearsthu 10-10:45am 4/14-6/30 • $275 w/ Ayesha

mixed Bearsthu 11-11:45am 4/14-6/30 • $275 w/ Ayesha

yo

ut

h c

la

ss

es

42 Spring 2016 415.673.3600

rachel hoiem“It brings me great joy to see my love of music passed on to

new generations.”Rachel incorporates off-the-wall songs, amazing boogie woogie piano, and epic percussion breakdowns. Born and raised in San Francisco, she has a B.A. in music from SF State. Rachel also plays guitar and ukulele.

ayesha mcgowan “I love working with children, their excitement

constantly reminds me of why I fell in love with music when I was their age!” Ayesha McGowan hails from the East Coast but now calls the Bay Area her new home. She incorporates a range of folk, pop, soul, and kiddie classics to get those toes tappin’ and fingers snappin’ and has lots of experience working with infants as young as two weeks old! Ayesha plays violin, piano, guitar, and ukulele.

Barb murphy “Blue Bear makes musical dreams come true!“

Barb Murphy, aka Teacher Barb, has been rockin’ out with Little Bears since its inception in 2007. Her legion of devoted followers chant “Teacher Barb” when they see her in the halls; when in class Barb incorporates a range of folk, original numbers, and of course some good ol’ fashioned rock ‘n’ roll. Become one of her devotees this Winter!

t.lin chase“music really feels like love and family to me.”

Still being a kid at heart, T.Lin loves to work with lil’ ones to inspire them musically by incorporating a variety of percussion and drum based activities in her classes, along with thoughtful and inspired tunes that will keep you and your tot grooving all the way home!

michael chulada “I love Blue Bear’s passion for rock and roll, ‘cause I love

rock and roll!”Michael Chulada joined Blue Bear this year working at many of our off-site community programs with after school kids. While studying for his certificate in early childhood development, the connection was made that Little Bears would be an awesome fit! Michael has played in many San Francisco bands and has a real knack for picking out fun songs that will get everyone movin’ and shakin’!

meet the little Bears teachers!

little Bears FaQ I have more than one child. do I need to pay full tuition for both of them?We offer $40 off for additional siblings’ tuition when registered for the same class.

do you offer trial classes?To keep our class sizes consistent and rockin’, we don’t offer free drop-in trial classes. All students need to enroll and pay tuition in advance. However if it isn’t a good fit for any reason we are more than happy to issue a 100% refund. Just contact us two days before your second class.

do you have a sliding scale?Blue Bear provides significant savings to students of all ages with financial need through our sliding scale tuition program. The amount of support you receive is based on your gross income from your tax return. See bluebearmusic.org for more details.

do you pro-rate?We are able to pro-rate after the second week of classes at a rate of $25/class. Please contact the front desk at 415.673.3600 to enroll.

What if I need to drop a class? If you decide to discontinue a class for any reason, please contact us at 415.673.3600 two days prior to the second class meeting for a full refund. After the second class, no refund shall be given. However, we understand children live on their own schedules and we will do our best to figure out a good solution for you.

yo

ut

h c

la

ss

es


For more

frequently-asked

little Bears

questions, visit

bluebearmusic.org/

littlebears

“thanks to Blue Bear’s sliding scale, we were able to give our son the ability to experience

music at a young age...which in turn, established a foundation and a love of music for life.” - Justin W.

Co

mm

un

ity

44 Spring 2016 415.673.3600

It’s an unfortunate truth that public school offerings of arts and music have suffered cuts that only seem to get deeper. In response, Blue Bear’s outreach and

community programs for our city’s youth have expanded. Serving hundreds of music-starved children in public and private schools and in community centers citywide, Blue Bear’s programming fosters the musical flame in those who have it, and lights a spark in those who don’t.

With offerings like Digital Audio Production and Songwriting for teens in Bayview and Instrument Petting Zoo for elementary students in Twin Peaks, our community programming has something for everyone, regardless of ability. Our rock band programs—now at the Academy of Arts and Sciences and Rooftop Elementary—have produced bands that not only have performed in school talent shows but have graced professional stages at Cafe Du Nord and Bimbo’s as well. These programs have led to wonderful partnerships with organizations like the YMCA, Boys & Girls Clubs, GLIDE Memorial Church, SFUSD, The Mix at the SF Public Library, and more.

Most important, we have witnessed first-hand the powerful and positive changes that involvement in the arts can bring our kids. Students in the Bayview neighborhood of San Francisco have created incredibly poignant and personal songs, demonstrating the cathartic power of writing and performing music. Some of our programs have produced young musicians who’ve been accepted at the prestigious Ruth Asawa School of the Arts to continue their artistic growth, while others have received scholarships to further their passion. Blue Bear’s outreach programs are indeed transforming lives! To set up programming at a location near you, don’t hesitate to contact me at [email protected].

MUSIC SAVES!

Cole Odin Berggren Community Programs Director

reaching out!

communityprograms

In addition to our digital audio programs we also offer Instrument petting Zoo, rock Band, Voice, and guitar classes.

co

mm

un

ity


digital audio program Our dedicated Studio 101 Program at Bayview Hunters Point YMCA empowers at-risk youth to write, produce, and record their own original music in a professional studio with state-of-the-art equipment and software such as GarageBand, Ableton, Logic and Pro Tools. Students can gain pre-professional skills in the fields of digital audio and video production and engineering.

other digital audio classes studio 101 This beginning digital audio production course teaches students to create their own original songs using GarageBand. They work with a professional Blue Bear instructor to write, arrange, and record instrumental and vocal tracks for their own compositions, or use

GarageBand “clips” or samples to create their own remixes (a simpler version of this course is available for younger students). At the end of the class, the students receive a CD of their original songs.

studio 201 This course furthers the instruction of Studio 101 and offers a glimpse into other more advanced programs such as Ableton, Logic, and Pro Tools. It’s designed to begin the transition into a more professional use of digital audio. Collaborative partnerships with onsite visual arts classes are also a possibility.

hey dJ!Our teachers cover the history, technique, and equipment used to DJ, using media of all types from classic vinyl to CDs, and newer methods including “laptop DJing” using Serato and Ableton Live. Students learn about various styles and genres of DJing from hip hop to techno, with potential performance opportunities at completion of the course.

current partner sites:

• Bayview Hunters Point YMCA • Tenderloin Community Center • GLIDE Family, Youth, and

Childcare Center • George Peabody Elementary • SF Montessori School • Rooftop Alternative School • Creative Arts Charter School • The Academy of Arts and Sciences • Gateway Middle School • The Ranch • The Mix at SF Public Library • St. Vincent De Paul • St. Joseph’s Family Center • Argonne Elementary

past partner sites:

• Ida B. Wells Continuing Education High School

• Bayview Opera House • International Studies Academy • Boys and Girls Clubs • Friends of the Children • Real Options for City Kids • Streetside Stories • Telegraph Teen Center • Miraloma Elementary School • Lincoln High School • James Lick Middle School • Starr King Elementary School • Claire Lilienthal Alternative School • Commodore Sloat

Elementary School

Co

mm

un

ity

46 Spring 2016 415.673.3600

1. GLIDE Family, Youth & Childcare Center 2. Rooftop Elementary School 3. George Peabody Elementary School 4. Creative Arts Elementary School 5. Academy of Arts and Sciences 6. Miraloma Elementary School 7. Gateway Middle School

8. The Mix at the SFPL 9. St. Vincent de Paul Society 10. St. Joseph’s Family Center 11. Tenderloin Community Center 12. Bayview/Hunters Pont YMCA 13. The Ranch 14. Argonne Elementary

9

43

13

11

7

8

2

5

6

10

12

14

locations

community programsA wide range of community programs stem from Blue Bear’s commitment to social equity through teaching popular music and making it accessible to greater numbers of youth in our community. This has been part of the Blue Bear culture for more than 44 years. Our community programs range from fully or partially underwritten, to fee-based and parent-supported.

1

co

mm

un

ity


giv

ing

48 Spring 2016 415.673.3600

Why give? Just imagine a world without music... A donation to Blue Bear is an investment in a vibrant, effective nonprofit organization that improves lives, one note at a time. With the disappearance of music programs in schools, Blue Bear is an increasingly important community resource. Making music helps make the world go ‘round and here are some reasons why our work is important:

• Music is a deeply meaningful and core mode of human expression, for all ages.

• Music can serve as a gratifying counter balance to demanding professional lives.

• Making music together gives people a positive social experience.

• Learning music enhances brainpower and improves academic performance.

• Making music has proven health benefits.

• Music gives young people a way to express themselves and even to find themselves.

What your gift supports • Thirteen off-site Youth Outreach

Programs in public schools and community centers.

supportthere are many ways to support Blue Bear and you can designate your gift to specifically benefit one or more of our programs.

giv

ing


• Blue Bear’s Music Production Workshop for kids at The Mix at the San Francisco Public Library.

• Multiple Youth All Star Bands for talented teens.

• Sliding scale tuition assistance and scholarships, ensuring access to Blue Bear programs for all.

Feed the Bear Playing music changes lives, and you can make a difference by helping us provide both free and very affordable music education—at a time when music programs have been slashed throughout the public school system. Contributions to our 2015-16 “Feed the Bear” campaign make Blue Bear’s day-to-day operations possible.

please donate online any time at bluebearmusic.org/donate—it’s easy thanks to our partnership with Network for Good.

how to contribute • Make a one-time, monthly or

quarterly donation on our website. • Send a check by mail. • Donate musical instruments or

equipment in good working condition. • Include Blue Bear as part of your

planned giving. • Set up a matching grant through

your employer to make your gift go even further

Blue Bear is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. Please contact our Manager of Individual Giving, Alycia Moore, at [email protected] or 415.673.3600.

Blue Bear has helped over 35,000

students discover their musical

talents, cultivating skills for a lifetime

of learning and enrichment. your

charitable support for our nonprofit

work is crucial – without it, we

cannot continue to offer affordable

(and free) music education.

giv

ing

50 Spring 2016 415.673.3600

scholarship super sponsors Anonymous

Mike Kappus - The Rosebud AgencyBonnie Raitt

scholarship sponsors Anonymous (2)

Henry E. Martens in memory of Baxter Reade

Amy Nicholson

Teresa Odom

Donna Ozawa and Indigo Som

steve strauss Founders Fund Joan Barnes

Richard Strauss

keith allen memorial scholarship Fund Patricia & Thomas Allen

Charles Felsenthal

Ned & Robin Selfe

Bill graham memorial scholarship

Bill Graham Supporting Foundation of the Jewish Community Federation

& Endowment Fund

The Walther Foundation

ted o’connell memorial scholarship Fund

AnonymousArch and Stella Rowan Foundation

Sydney Rowan - In Honor of my brother Ted O’Connell

scholarship donors

gifts, grants & scholarshipsBlue Bear thanks the many individuals and organizations providing

contributions received between January 1st, 2015 and december 31st, 2015. our educational work could not continue without your support.

giv

ing


super heroes ($50,000+)

Anonymous Maria Cardamone & Paul Matthews

Chauncey & Marion D. McCormick Family Foundation

heroes ($10,000+)

Anonymous The Bothin Foundation

Walter & Elise Haas FundThe Libra Foundation

super Benefactors ($5,000-9,999)

AnonymousRobert Emery

Ira & Leonore Gershwin Philanthropic Fund

John Brockway Huntington FoundationElisabeth & Howard Jaffe

James MellonThe Walther Foundation

Benefactors ($2,500-$4,999)

Graham GreenBrett May

The pH Fund

Blue Bear donorsJeffrey Shaw - To Jim Peterson for

all his hard work and dedication

super sponsors ($1,000-$2,499)

Block Communications, Inc.Mark Brueckman

Friends - In Memory of Eric SchultzPaul Goldman & Monterey International

The Grey Family FoundationMr. Christopher Lord

& Ms. Coltrane C. LordByron Mellberg

The Arch & Stella Rowan Foundation SFT Endowment for Technology,

Education and the ArtsKathy Taylor Strachan

Jill Suttie & Don ArbitlitUnion Bank Foundation

Paul Winston

matching grants Adobe Matching Gift Program

Business Wire

GE Foundation

Levi Strauss Foundation Matching Grants

giv

ing

52 Spring 2016 415.673.3600

sponsors ($500-$999)

AnonymousCalifornia Accounting Center CPA’s

Mike & Pat EvansMark Mayper

Julie & Jonathan MeyerJosina Reddy

Renee RichardsonPauline Ayako Uyeda

gifts grants & scholarshipsthank you

donors ($250-$499)Holland Bender

Mark Gunther & Anne M. KrantzAdrienne Hirt & Jeff Rodman

Jocelyn Kane & Kevin B. CaseyMichael Keys

Susan & Gregg LustigPat & Lori Martinez

Paul SaraceniSteve Savage & Tamara Bock

Richard StraussTamyra ThomasMark Williams

giv

ing


supporters ($100-$249)

Action Donation ServicesKit Anderton

Susan Gracie AthertonKeysha Bailey

Warren Bellows & Will Kent

Wendy BolkerJeffrey Briss

Thomas E. Churchill IIJohn Close

Genevieve ConatyJoycelin Craig

& Conrad LopezSusan & Ed CroftGerry Ehrmann

Catherine Federico in support of the work of

Maria CardamoneElizabeth Finlayson

& Jim NadelAnne & Mason Flemming

Dustin Frazier

Theresa GarciaGeras Tousignant Gallery

Brian GiffordKevin Gill

Dominic HaighPatricia Hammond

Bonnie HayesJudith Hill-WeldBrenda HillmanRobert S. HodasHenry Hooker

& Janine RoethSue HubbardAmy JohnsonStephen Kaus

Ruth KirschnerElisabeth LewisBoris Lieberman

Gail J. & Robert B. Loveman Fund

Tim LynchThe Mahon Family

Susan McGarryBruce & Hilda Mendez

David G. & Sheree L. Meyer

Lisa NelsonDianne Younger Rosse

Matt RozenLeigh Sealy

Dimitri SerafimidesThe Singer’s Workshop

Richard SloanMiles V. Smith

Charitable FundKatherine & Andrew

StephensJim Tepperman

Bill Tiedeman, L.C.S.W.Ashley Valentine

Hailey WhiteDr. Richard Wolitz

Melvin Wong, Blackbird Music

Albert YeeMatthew Zlatunich

In honor of Max Zwerin

“We look forward to many more years at Blue Bear.” – uma & george lerner

giv

ing

54 Spring 2016 415.673.3600

gifts grants & scholarships

AnonymousBay Area Producers Conference (BAPC)

Bob BrownConstance Cartwright

Andy CoblentzFender Musical Instruments Corporation

Brooks FrankGeras Tousignant Gallery

Brian GingerichWaleed Haddad

Jeff Harter

Estate of David G. HelderBethany Hellerich

William HoRonald LightJay Margolis

Cristophe MoskalonekXuemei Ouyang

A. Hamilton Rowan IIIAdel TaslimiJoe Torrano

In-kind donors

Ian & Joanie CrombieRuth Kirschner

Josh Norek

associates ($60-$99)

AdrienneJustin Bass & Marisa Rolland

Michael Drew In Honor of Johnny NitroDavid & Debra Hoiem

Tim HughesLeslie Ann JonesMichael Juster

The Koenig FamilyDavid Lehr

The LeMaitre Cunningham FamilyPeter Logan

Julian LopezDonald M. Maus

Linda MullerBernice Musante

Jim PetersonDavid SampsonJim Semitekol

In Honor of Richard SmithCarol Snow & David Matchett

Queenie TaylorCarol Wong

Friends ($1-$59)


maria cardamone Chair

steve savagePresident

Jay r. shah, cpaVice Chair

Brett mayTreasurer

Bonnie hayes

rose kirkland

Jim peterson

renee richardson

richard strauss

paul Winston

steve savageExecutive Director

dennis criteser General Manager/Program Director

Jackie andrews Marketing & PR Director

cole odin Berggren Community Programs Director

tanya yule Little Bears Director

ryan hickey All Star Band Director

colin hayesFinance Director

alycia moore Manager of Individual Giving

kristina melendez Office Manager/HR Generalist

ashley mcknightFront Desk Staff

tennessee mowry Production Assistant

genesis ValentineMarketing Assistant

Board of trustees

program & administrative staff

56 Spring 2016 415.673.3600

Summer camp instructor cole odin Berggren

has drummed in bands for 20 years and is also

a trained glassblower and prominent local DJ.

Currently, he is the primary songwriter and sing-

er/multi-instrumentalist for his own pulsing,

psychedelic, electronic rock band OWNERSHIP.

Cole also teaches at Blue Bear’s Bayview YMCA

Digital Music Program and is Blue Bear’s Com-

munity Programs Director.

kent Brown was a professional actor, singer,

and guitarist in Atlanta and the Southeast for

11 years before moving to San Francisco. An in-

structor at Blue Bear since 2000, Kent teaches

group lessons in all levels of acoustic guitar as

well as private lessons in acoustic and electric

guitar and bass. His cover band Suite Love Ex-

press plays regularly throughout the Bay Area.

peter case is a three-time Grammy-nomi-

nated, performing singer/songwriter, guitar-

ist and producer who brings over 25 years of

songwriting experience to his popular work-

shops. A founding member of the Nerves and

the Plimsouls, Case’s songs are consistently

discovered by each new generation, covered

and performed by his fellow songwriters (Chris

Smither, John Prine, and Alejandro Escovedo,

among others), and featured on film and tele-

vision, most recently in True Blood and Friday

Night Lights.

t.lin chase is a working musician who also has

a Ph.D. in computer science. She loves helping

young people develop a love of learning and

achievement in both the arts and the sciences.

teachers

Blue Bear’s instructors are experienced mentors committed to helping you reach your musical goals. they are passionate about sharing the knowledge they’ve gained both from traditional training and from performing, on the stage and in the studio. With impressive biographies, Blue Bear teachers have played and recorded with a long list of “who’s who” in the popular music world.


lea centauri has been singing since age four

and is the author of two vocal programs. She

lived in Paris for several years, performing and

teaching throughout Europe. She is a vocal

coach for all genres — jazz, pop, blues, R&B,

rock, show tunes, hip hop and rap — working

with individuals and groups on technique and

preparation for recording and performance.

Lea is also a songwriter and teaches beginning

piano.

kai chu began his music education on piano,

then graduated from Berklee College of Music

studying guitar, voice, and music business. Now

a bassist, Kai has performed for large audiences

at renowned venues like Red Rocks Am-

phitheater in Colorado, the LA Fo-

rum, The Warfield, and Bill Gra-

ham Civic Auditorium. Kai gigs

regularly on the local scene

and also plays double bass in

the San Francisco Civic Sym-

phony.

Our offsite program in-

structor michael chulada

has played synths and piano

in many bands over the last 25 years

and has performed in almost every ven-

ue in San Francisco. He has released numerous

studio recordings, most recently with san fran-

psyche rock band The Rabbles. When not tearing

it up with The Rabbles, he's busy working on his

solo synthesizer-based project The Pre's, paying

homage to the ambient ‘80s. One of Michael's

greatest joys is sharing his love and wonder of

music and sparking that love with others.

With a music degree from Ithaca College,

randy clark has been teaching guitar and

amazing audiences with his critically acclaimed

playing since the early 1990s. His band, Crow-

song, has released three records. Randy has

also composed for films and written for Guitar

Player magazine. He specializes in slide guitar

and roots music genres.

caroline dahl plays boogie-woogie, blues and

rock piano and is frequently seen wearing se-

quins. Caroline currently plays with the Cajun/

American roots band Tom Rigney and Flam-

beau, and also plays solo piano regularly on

Sundays at Mama’s Royal Cafe in Mill Valley. She

has played solo at piano boogie woogie and

blues festivals in France, Switzerland, Norway,

Belgium, Denmark, Canada, and at numerous

venues in the United States.

sharman duran, vocalist and keyboardist,

has been performing jazz standards, top 40,

soul, rock, pop, and Latin jazz in bands since

1976. She also specializes in teaching music to

pre-school children. She has performed

throughout Europe and Asia, and

gigs regularly in the Bay Area.

Summer Camp teacher and

guitarist nils erickson grad-

uated with honors from

Berklee College of Music and

has played and taught music

in the Bay Area for over twen-

ty years. Nils has been lead

teacher in Blue Bear’s camps for

over ten years, and has performed in

venues like LA’s Disney Hall, The House of

Blues, The Brooklyn Bowl, The Knitting Factory,

and Bimbo’s 365 Club among many others. He

currently plays with the Michael Jackson trib-

ute group Foreverland.

Brian gire has been teaching and playing mu-

sic for over thirty years. Initially inspired by

watching the late John Hartford on television,

Brian has developed an eclectic approach that

ranges from Bartok to hard rock to Doc Wat-

son. He teaches both acoustic and electric

guitar (in styles including jazz, blues, classical,

rock, bluegrass, and more), banjo, mandolin,

piano, and bass.

Peter Case

58 Spring 2016 415.673.3600

raz kennedy has worked as a vocalist, vocal

coach, and producer in the Bay Area since 1980.

His performance credits include six years as a

founding member of Bobby McFerrin’s Voic-

estra, as well as projects with June Watanabe

Performance Ensemble, Rebeca Mauleon, Bob

Ostertag, Bonnie Hayes, Linda Tillery, George

Coates Performance Works, and Oberlin Dance

Collective. He has a long list of recording and live

credits (Narada Michael Walden, Todd Rundgren,

Whitney Houston, etc.) and has coached artists

ranging from Adam Duritz (Counting Crows) to

Rancid, among many others. Raz is an authorized

CVT (Complete Vocal Technique) instructor, hav-

ing studied for nearly four years in Copenhagen

under the direction of the creator and founder of

CVT, Cathrine Sadolin. Raz is available for limited

private instruction on Tuesdays; call for rates and

availability.

devin lane has taught guitar privately and in

schools and summer camps since 2007. He has

also taught bass, drums, piano, voice, and record-

ing techniques. With a B.A. from UC Santa Barbara,

where he studied electronic music composition,

music theory, piano, and English literature, Devin

has performed in local bands and completed a

musical journey of Latin America with perfor-

mances in Mexico, Colombia, and Peru.

Ben goldstein was born and raised in Memphis,

where he learned to play and sing blues, rock,

soul, funk, gospel, boogie, and folk music. In his

studies at Middlebury College, he dove into jazz

and compositional theory. He has played keys

and sung with dozens of bands in Tennessee

and Vermont, writes and records original mu-

sic, and also has ten years of experience in vocal

arrangement.

ryan hickey has studied music theory, compo-

sition and performance, teaches piano and gui-

tar, and is Blue Bear’s All Star Band director. He

has performed in orchestras, symphonies, and

marching bands; has toured the U.S. with funk,

reggae, bluegrass, jazz, world, hip hop, and rock

bands; and continues to have his work featured

in international publications. His musical inspi-

rations start with Ravi Shankar, Oscar Peterson,

Jimmy Smith, The Grateful Dead, John Coltrane

and Steely Dan.

rachel hoiem has studied music for over twenty

years, including several years on scholarship at

Blue Bear. With a B.A. in Jazz Piano from SF State,

she gigs regularly in her bands Light Fantastic,

Bellavista, and Rachel and the Rats. Her Little

Bears song repertoire includes everything from

The Beatles to Beastie Boys, along with her own

originals, keeping things fresh and fun for all.

teachers


Australian-born libby lavella is a Grammy-nom-

inated singer and vocal coach. She has taught

both signed artists and non-singers, including

non-singing actor Mark Webber who she prepared

for his lead-singing role and soundtrack work on

the 2010 film Scott Pilgrim vs. The World. Libby

has worked with Courtney Love, Smash Mouth,

Jamie Lynn Spears, Wendy Melvoin, Latin Pop

artist Gustavo Galindo, and many others. She re-

cently released an EP with her LA-based harmony

group, The Amber. Libby is available for limited

Artist Vocal Development private lessons; call for

rates and times.

Berklee School of Music grad sean leahy has

toured the States and Europe with Kofy

Brown, Red Archibald, Marginal

Prophets, Boomshanka, Four Year

Bender, Guitarmageddon, and

London Street. An experienced

guitar teacher and band work-

shop leader, his first influences

include Hendrix, Duane All-

man, and Angus Young. Sean

gigs regularly throughout the

Bay Area and beyond.

J.t. locke has been playing guitar, and

writing and arranging songs for over 20 years,

recording and performing across the country for

over 10 years, and teaching professionally since

2007. J.T. trained at PCC Music program in Port-

land and M.I.T in Los Angeles. He offers instruction

in rock, jazz, classical, blues, metal, pop, and other

styles as well as in songwriting. His current band is

Deathtrap America.

mindy knight has been singing since she

could speak, and from the age of eight she

sang in choirs and ensembles of nearly every

style. She studied music education, piano and

anthropology in addition to receiving her BA

in voice from the University of North Texas.

Her voice and love of music have taken her to

various regions of the world, having performed

in Colorado (USA), Brasil, Hungary, Ghana, and

throughout Texas. Her favorite styles to sing

include Folk music, Jazz, Soul/Motown, and

Musical Theater! Mindy is currently half of a

two-piece group called Vista, who play around

San Francisco.

Summer camp songwriting teacher Ira marlowe

grew up listening to jazz and show tunes, begged

for guitar lessons at 8, finally got them at 13, and

experienced a high school conversion from folk-

ie to rocker. At 19, he started penning songs that

sounded somewhere between Daltrey/Townsend

and Lerner and Loew. His awards include the SF

Weekly “Best of the Bay” song contest and a Napa

Valley Music Festival award.

shaun mcgonegal is a seasoned drummer with

over thirty years of experience in perfor-

mance and studio work. Along with

contributions to many albums,

he is a GrooveZoo.com Groove

Crew Member, actively con-

sulting for the site. His formal

training began at Ontario Col-

lege of Percussion and contin-

ued with Pete Magadini, John

Pickering, and jazz great Tony

Williams. Shaun has mastered styles

from rock, R&B, blues and funk, to Latin,

jazz, and hip hop.

Little Bears instructor ayesha mcgowan hails from

the East Coast but now calls the Bay Area her new

home. She incorporates a range of folk, pop, soul,

and kiddie classics in her classes and has lots of

experience working with infants as young as two

weeks old! Ayesha plays violin, piano, guitar, and

ukulele.

tennessee mowrey is a multi-instrumentalist and

singer/songwriter who has written for folk, rock,

reggae, and punk bands as well as for film and

theater. Proficient in guitar, bass, drum kit, hand

percussion, mandolin, and ukulele, he has released

multiple self-produced solo albums as well as al-

bums with his various bands including Borneo and

Electric Tiger Lily. Tennessee graduated from Wes-

leyan University with High Honors in Music in 2014.

Janak Ramachandran

60 Spring 2016 415.673.3600

Barbara murphy helped start Blue Bear’s Lit-

tle Bears Program in 2007. With her powerful

voice, positive energy, and diverse repertoire,

Teacher Barb has touched many small hearts

over the years. She plays guitar and piano and

emphasizes voice, tone, movement, rhythm,

and basic musical concepts in her classes. Her

album Train to Sleepytown has been a hit!

Vocalist, musician, songwriter and entertainer

lauren ona is driven by the act of inspiring and

being inspired by others. Her teachings con-

sist of helping her students to understand the

physiology of the voice itself and to find and

learn about their own voice on a deeper, more

personal and transformational level. She per-

forms regularly with various corporate bands,

and also appeared on ABC’s first season of the

TV show “Rising Star.”

pamela parker is a multi-instrumentalist and

vocalist schooled in classical, jazz, blues, clas-

sic rock, recording, songwriting, producing and

performing. She holds two degrees in music,

has started two music schools, works at Hyde

Street Studios in San Francisco, and has been

practicing music since the age of 7, including

piano, violin, drums, bass, guitar, singing, song-

writing, and recording.

Jim peterson has played and taught saxo-

phone and woodwinds for more than 25 years.

He studied in his early days at Blue Bear and

then at Berklee School of Music. Jim has played

with Beaufunk, Mitch Woods, Steve Lucky, and

President’s Breakfast and is a founding mem-

ber/composer for MoFone, Giant Trio, Mumbo

Gumbo, and The New Squatoolas. He has per-

formed at jazz festivals in Canada and Europe

and at the Monterey Jazz and Blues Festivals.

Seminar instructor Ilya portnov is an inno-

vative harmonica player who transforms its

rustic simplicity into a sophisticated, expres-

sive sound capable of conveying the most

challenging music. He is equally comfortable

swinging a Brazilian choro, navigating a sinewy

Balkan dance, or celebrating harmonica’s roots

in the blues. Ilya completed an M.A. at the pres-

tigious New England Conservatory, the only

person playing diatonic harmonica to have ever

done so.

Janak ramachandran is driven to inspire, con-

nect, and enlighten via his teaching philosophy

of “motivating encouragement, concrete guid-

ance, and playful musicality.” Once a student at

Blue Bear, he is now one of a handful of teach-

ers to receive Blue Bear’s Outstanding Facul-

ty Award for his work in teaching voice/vocal

style, guitar, bass, piano, theory/songwriting

and stage performance.

teachers


mike rao, a graduate of G.I.T. in Los Ange-

les, studied solo jazz guitar with Ted Green.

He loves blues and classic rock and has fif-

teen years of teaching experience. Mike is well

known for his systematic and comprehensive

approach to building skills in his group classes.

He also leads youth bands and guitar classes in

Blue Bear’s offsite programs.

Summer camp instructor erik schramm is a

Bay Area guitarist who for the last several years

has toured the U.S. with the band Super Dia-

mond. He performs often in San Francisco with

artists Brandi Shearer, Clay Bell, Matt Verba, and

Strip Club. He also does sessions for songwrit-

ers, commercials, and independent films.

His playing is a mix of pop, blues,

funk, rock, and a taste of country

for good measure.

mark schuh has toured the

country as guitarist, bassist,

keyboardist, and singer in

numerous projects and can

often be found singing and

playing solo guitar at SF’s Durty

Nelly’s where he’s been a resi-

dent musician for the last ten years.

He studied music with the infamous Joan

Wildman at UW-Madison and at Blue Bear with

jazz guru Jeff Massanari. Mark is currently lead

guitarist for SF’s New Orleans-inspired Fatcat.

Girls Rock! camp teacher karen segal has been

teaching bands in the Bay Area since 2000 and

rocking out since she was 11. She’s performed

at the Hard Rock Cafe, Bottom of the Hill,

Yoshi’s SF, Savanna Jazz, Rassela’s, and Cafe

Du Nord. Karen teaches band at SF’s Brandeis

Hillel Day School, and has a diploma from the

Musicians Institute in L.A., a Master’s of Educa-

tion from UCLA, and a California State Teaching

Certificate.

S u m m e r c a m p s o n g w r i t i n g t e a c h e r

Bill “sputnick” spooner is a guitarist, singer/

songwriter, and the founder of The Tubes, a

band known for its legendary theatrical rock

concerts. Bill has also released three solo al-

bums, First Chud, Mall to Mars, and Demolicious.

Summer camp instructor Bob tatum, a graduate

of Percussion Institute of Technology in L.A., has

been teaching drums and performing in the Bay

Area since 1999. In addition to being the house

drummer for the Blue Lamp in San Francisco,

Bob has played with bands and artists such as

Jimmy Two Times, Noelle Hampton, Storm

Large, Bonnie Hayes, and Heather Combs.

With an early background in trumpet, piano,

and voice in concert bands, marching bands,

community symphony orchestras, and barber-

shop quartets, John turner eventually

settled on the keys, touring with

national recording groups and

working as a session player. He

has also accompanied cab-

aret acts and played for top

40 and show bands, upscale

restaurants, five-star hotels,

corporate events, and private

parties.

amanda Vandermeer graduated

with high honors from Portland Com-

munity College’s professional music program

and has been playing and writing music for 25

years, touring the globe and releasing two stu-

dio albums. Since 2006, she has taught a wide

range of ages in drums, piano, vocals, music

theory, and songwriting. She plays drums in her

current band Deathtrap America.

Brandy Washington is a self-taught singer,

songwriter, keyboardist, rapper, drummer, and

producer who writes and performs under the

moniker BEDAZAE. Her songs and instrumentals

have been used for various underground proj-

ects. Brandy is a co-teacher for the Blue Bear

Digital Audio Production program at the Bay-

view YMCA.

Mark Schuh

62 Spring 2016 415.673.3600

sliding scale tuition available: Income-based sliding scale tuition is available for all Blue Bear instruction and summer camps with potential savings of 20% to 30% or more. Please visit bluebearmusic.org/sliding-scale to see whether you qualify!

please note: Blue Bear School of Music does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national and ethnic origin, age, political affiliation, disability, gender, sexual orientation, or religious belief in administration of its educational policies, admission policies, scholarship programs, and other school administered programs or in affording students the rights, privileges, programs, and activities generally accorded or made available to students at the school.

office hoursmonday to thursday: 1-8pm saturday: 10:30 am-3:30pm Friday & sunday: closed

addressBlue Bear School of Music Fort Mason Center 2 Marina Blvd. Bldg. D San Francisco, CA 94123

contact Info phone: 415.673.3600email: [email protected]

general Informationenroll online: go to bluebearmusic.org and click on “sign up” to get started today!

parking at Fort masonFunds generated from parking in the paid lot are allocated for the preservation and restoration of Fort Mason Center, a National Historic Landmark. Vehicles can enter the lot at any time, however overnight parking is not permitted. Sometimes spots are available just outside the Fort Mason gate, next to where the boats are moored, and that parking is free.

Weekday rates Weekend rates

0-1 hr $2.00 0-1 hr $2.00

1-2 hrs $4.00 1-2 hrs $5.00

2-3 hrs $6.00 2-3 hrs $7.00

3-4 hrs $8.00 3-4 hrs $10.00

>4 hrs $10.00 >4 hrs $12.00

outdoor bike racks are located throughout Fort mason center. at this time there are no indoor racks.

private lesson changes are handled by phone—be sure to leave a message—or by email at: [email protected]


locations

Fort mason center2 marina Blvd., Bldg. d Blue Bear is on the 2nd floor of Building D. Most of Blue Bear’s classes and private lessons for all ages take place at this location.

lennon studios271 dore st. @ harrison st. & 9th st. Band workshops, group guitar classes and limited guitar, voice and sax lessons take place at this SOMA location.

noe Valley ministry1021 sanchez st. at 23 st. Little Bears classes and adult group voice and guitar classes take place at this location (no private lessons).

center For new music55 taylor st. near 6th and market Group voice classes take place at this Mid-Market location.

sweetwater music hall19 corte madera, mill Valley Little Bears classes take place at this Mill Valley location.

Market

Peninsula

Lombard

Fort Mason Center

FirehouseGatehouse

Herbst

Pavilio

n &

Cowell

Theate

r

Festival P

avilion

ABCDE

Bay Chestnut

Buch

anan

Fillm

ore

Lagu

na

Van Ness

Franklin

Gough

Octavia

Powell

Embarcadero

Beach

Golden Gate Bridge

Bay Bridge

N

Marina Blvd.

vehicleentrance

pedestrianentrance

ChapelGeneral’sResidence

vehicleentrance

SAFEWAY

28

22

43

30

4947

64 Spring 2016 415.673.3600

On February 27, Blue Bear youth students rocked the Fillmore’s poster room stage in support of the alo sing-along for kids! This special all-ages matinee show was part of ALO’s annual Tour d’Amour that raises money for kids’ music education programs in California.

deathtrap america featuring Blue Bear teachers Amanda VanderMeer and JT Locke

are recording their second full-length, titled Things That Make You Feel Human. Check out a track off the new

album, “Vigilante,” currently streaming at reverbnation.com/deathtrapamerica. Stay tuned for the band’s soon-to-be-announced summer show schedule!

The 10th annual Blue Bear Benefit featuring allen stone with matt Jaffe & the distractions is happening Saturday,

March 19! Our VIP guests will get to see Allen share a stage with rock legend elvin Bishop and our Youth All-Star Bands will have incredible opportunity to play the main stage at the historic Fillmore Theater! Thanks to our generous sponsors, including our presenting sponsor

WhereWelive, Blue Bear is able to host this important fundraising event to provide vital music education programs

for all, regardless of income. Find out more about the show at bluebearmusic.org/benefit2016.

Thanks again to our presenting sponsor, WhereWelive, a social utility that helps you make better decisions by

crowdsourcing observations from other users. Does the WiFi suck? Is there a place to sit? What’s the wait time?

Your reports help others (and their reports help you) make better real-time decisions about where to go and

what to do. Download the app at the Apple AppStore.

Blue Bear is a proud sponsor of sF psychedelic poster movement: 50th anniversary celebration on Saturday, March 26 at the San Francisco Public Library. This free event will feature Blue Bear youth student performances, a panel conversation with poster legends like stanley mouse and live printmaking – not to be missed! Co-sponsors include the

Haight Street Art Center and the San Francisco Public Library.

goings on…


All Star-Band Showcase

march 30 12:30- 5pm

Hotel Utah Saloon 500 4th St.,

San Francisco all ages

After School Band Showcase

aprIl 17 12:30- 5pm

Hotel Utah Saloon 500 4th St.,

San Francisco all ages

Come on down and see our young students flaunt their talents on the Hotel Utah stage! The cover charge is sliding-scale donation-

based, but no one is turned away for lack of funds.

sp

rin

g Q

uar

ter

20

16

• C

lass

es S

tart

Ap

ril 1

1

• s

lid

ing

sca

le

tuit

ion

ava

ilab

le

It’s

tim

e to

pla

y!

• p

riva

te l

esso

ns

• B

and

Wo

rksh

op

s

• In

stru

men

t &

V

oic

e c

lass

es

• K

ids

& T

een

s

su

mm

er c

amp

s

• y

ou

th a

ll s

tar

Ban

ds

Fort

Mas

on

Ce

nte

r2

Mar

ina

Blv

d. B

ldg

. D

San

Fra

nci

sco

, CA

94

123

NO

NP

RO

FIT

OR

G.

U.S

. PO

STA

GE

pa

IdSA

N F

RA

NC

ISC

O, C

AP

ER

MIT

NO

. 10

148

blu

ebea

rmu

sic.

org

4

15.6

73

.36

00

mar

ina

so

ma

n

oe

Val

ley

mid

-mar

ket

mil

l Val

ley

IT’S

TIM

E

TO

P

LA

Y!

ne

W t

o B

lue

Be

ar

? m

en

tIo

n t

hIs

ca

ta

log

to

re

ce

IVe

$2

0 o

FF

Five

co

nve

nie

nt

loca

tio

ns!

Blue Bear Spring 2016 Catalog

Documents

Transcript of Blue Bear Spring 2016 Catalog