Instructors

Sophia Beckett

Cello

Matt Cameron

Guitar, Bass, Drums, Ukulele, Banjo, Mandolin, Ensemble

Matt Cameron is a senior partner and has taught at the Ukiah School of Music for over 27 years. Currently a member of the Take 4 Jazz Quartet, Matt has played with local bands including Tension, Midnight Rose, and Gigantic, as well as the Mendocino College Jazz Ensemble. He has directed the after-school guitar program at Ukiah High School, as well as taught for the Rock Band program at Pomolita Middle School

Matt’s approach is to teach and encourage the love of music.  He accomplishes this through a balance of technique, sight reading, music theory, ear training, and improvisation.  He wants his students to fully understand the intricacies and nuances of both their instrument, and the piece they are playing.  Matt encourages his students to explore and appreciate all genres of music.  

When Matt is not teaching he enjoys spending time in his recording studio, and has produced recordings for his students as well as some local artists.

Michael Coughenour

Piano

Michael Coughenour has been teaching piano in Ukiah since 1982 and was a member of the California Association of Professional Music Teachers (CAPMT) for many years. He was a student of San Francisco Symphony pianist Willem Van Overeem. He is a founding member of Ukiah School of Music. His solo piano compositions may be heard on two CDs titled “Laughter in the River” and “Redwood Aire”. Formerly, he was co-owner of Ukiah Music Center. 

Michael has a YouTube channel filled with beautiful original piano music that includes stunning nature photography together with his live piano performances. Featured music includes original, classical, jazz, rock, new age, improvisations, video game, movie, and instructional videos. As a piano teacher of many years, there will also be a category for student pieces in the playlist that will feature many popular teaching pieces.

@veganpianist on YouTube

Mark Gander

Guitar, Piano, Voice

Mark is a multi-instrumental musician and teacher.

Tom Ganoung

Piano

Tom Ganoung earned a Bachelor of Arts in Music Composition from Kalamazoo College. He has given piano instruction since 1988, and in 1993 co-founded the Ukiah School of Music. He offers both online and in-person lessons. Tom has performed for 28 years at the Professional Pianists Concerts in Mendocino County and for 6 years at the Soper Reese Theatre Pianist Benefit Concerts in Lake County. Several video performances are available on YouTube.

Tom created the Allegro Scholarship Program in 2000 which provides tuition assistance scholarships for gifted and talented musicians in financial need. He has released several CDs of his own compositions and a holiday CD. Tom very much enjoys playing Jazz, performs as a solo artist at area venues, private events, receptions and has been performing with Take 4 Jazz Quartet for six years.

Will Kaizen

Guitar, Piano, Voice

Thalia Luciani

Flute, Violin, Piano

Thalia has studied music since childhood, playing in the Lake County Symphony and Ukiah Symphony Orchestra. While majoring in music at Mendocino College, they studied composition with Clovice Lewis, Rodney Grisanti and Phillip Lenberg.

As a teacher, Thalia’s goal is to pass on their knowledge and love of music to the next generation of artists.

In addition to being a musician, Thalia is a tattoo artist and plant-lover.

Ed Reinhart

Piano

Ed has been a professional musician for over 40 years. He grew up in a musical family and attended many music camps and seminars where he studied music theory.

Ed was associated for over a decade with Randy Sparks and was a member for a short while of Randy’s group, the New Christy Minstrels. Ed toured with various bands, has played solo, been rehearsal pianist to the Mary Knight Dance Studio (now the Mendocino Ballet), played for silent films, and spent a decade as artist in residence at an Italian agriturismo resort in Italy. “Variety is the spice of life,” he says.

Ben Rueb

Piano

Jonathan Van Pelt

Piano, Voice, Guitar, Bass, Ukulele, Percussion

An instructor at the Ukiah School of Music since 2009, Jonathan specializes in many areas, including small groups, vocal ensembles and bands, music theory, ear training, and sight reading. Jonathan’s approach to teaching music has a strong focus on the individual student, fostering their strengths and abilities. He encourages his students to play music regularly with other musicians, in addition to daily personal practice.

Jonathan is a graduate of Mendocino College’s Music Theory program and earned a California teaching credential in Music and Performing Arts in 2015.  Beginning in 2011, Jonathan helped create an after school music program at Potter Valley Jr./Sr. High School, and became a full-time teacher at the school for four years. In addition, Jonathan has led music programs at Redwood Academy in Ukiah, as well as Willits Charter School.

He is currently teaching music full time at Ukiah School of Music, in addition to working on his piano compositions and other original music.

Wenbo Yin

Saxophone

Dr. Wenbo Yin (wenboyinmusic.com) is a versatile saxophonist skilled in classical, jazz, contemporary, and beatbox saxophone. His performances include being a soloist at Carnegie Hall, as a member of the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra, and collaborations with prominent artists like GRAMMY®-nominated guitarist Alex de Grassi and saxophonist Charles McNeill. Dr. Yin has also been invited to give masterclasses and lectures across the U.S., Bhutan, and China.

As co-founder of the One Heart Institute (oneheartinstitute.org), Dr. Yin integrates music, wellness, and mindful living to foster balance and harmony of mind and body. He has performed internationally, including at the Reimagining Education Symposium in Bhutan, the NASA Biennial Conference, and Music China in Shanghai. His world premieres include works by composers such as Jeffery Gao, Brian Raphael Nabors, and Evan Williams. He has received numerous accolades, including First Prize at the Golden Classical Music Awards International Competition, laureate of the Carnegie Hall Gala Audition as a featured soloist with Orchestra Manhattan, and finalist in the PBS Celebration of Music talent search.

Dr. Yin’s debut album, Reflection (2022), explores the versatility of the saxophone with a mix of original compositions and classical transcriptions. As an educator, he has taught at the University of Cincinnati and served as a woodwind specialist, assistant director of the Bearcat Jazz Band, and saxophone faculty at CCM Preparatory Department.

Dr. Yin holds degrees from Ithaca College (BM) and the University of Cincinnati-College Conservatory of Music (MM and DMA). His doctoral studies focused on saxophone performance, Jazz, and wind conducting. He has recently performed a solo recital at the San Francisco Conservatory of Music, appeared as principal tenor saxophone with the Ukiah Symphony Orchestra, and guest artist at the 32nd Professional Pianist Concert produced by Spencer Brewer. He is also a Tai Chi instructor, offering workshops for musicians and the public.

Robin Zickel

Snare Drum and Drum Set Technique

Recording artist for Higher Octave Music with the group Crystal Wind, Robin Zickel currently performs with The Real Sarahs featuring Alex De Grassi, The Mendocino College Jazz Band and other groups in Mendocino, Marin, Sonoma and Napa Counties as well as San Francisco and the surrounding Bay Area. He has studied with world-renowned drummers George Marsh, David Getz and Ralph Humphrey. His teaching focuses on the Moeller Method in popular styles on Drum Set and Snare Drum Technique.