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Creative Arts and Music Image

Creative Arts and Music

 

Welcome to Creative Arts and Music for Orange County!

 

Special thanks to LYNN FREER, our generous program donor.

 

We are so glad you’re here. We offer free music classes, private instrument lessons, summer camps for music, and art, and more. Take a minute to explore our page. When enrolling, keep in mind the location you choose.

 

Locations

ARS: Anaheim Red Shield
1515 W. North St.
Anaheim, CA 92801

TR: Tustin Ranch
10200 Pioneer Rd.
Tustin, CA 92782

SAT: Santa Ana Temple
1710 W. Edinger Ave.
Santa Ana, CA 92704

Our Mission

Making quality music lessons accessible to every student in Orange County.

 

Our Vision

Improving students’ lives by awakening their ability and giving them the knowledge to make music.

 

We offer FREE group music classes on Wednesdays, as well as private one-on-one instrument lessons at different locations around Orange County. We also offer summer camps for music and art in a variety of mediums. Read on to find out how we can help bring the arts to you and your family.

 

The creative arts and music program also strives to provide music and art classes for our after-school program at the Henley Youth Center in Tustin and for survivors residing at our anti-trafficking facilities around the county.

Individual Music Lessons

Private, one-on-one lessons are offered at our 3 locations in Anaheim, Tustin Ranch, and Santa Ana on Mondays, Tuesdays, and Thursdays from 3:00pm to 7:00pm. Lessons are 30 minutes long and include piano, voice, guitar, drums, bass, ukulele, and mandolin.

Scholarships are available for students who qualify. Send us a message to inquire.

 

Cost

Individual lessons are $25 for 30 minutes.

Payments are due at the first lesson of each month. $105 per month covers both 4- and 5-week months and takes into account all holidays.

 

Register Now

 

Locations

ARS: Anaheim Red Shield
1515 W. North St.
Anaheim, CA 92807

TR: Tustin Ranch
10200 Pioneer Rd.
Tustin, CA 92782

SAT: Santa Ana Temple
1710 W. Edinger Ave.
Santa Ana, CA 92704

 

FREE Group Classes

The Freer Forte Music Program offers FREE group music classes on Wednesdays at 3:00, 3:45, and 4:30 at Anaheim Red Shield, 1515 W. North St, Anaheim, CA 92807.

Group Instrument Classes include Keyboard, Guitar, Singing, Drums, & Ukulele

Classes include up to 8-10 students per teacher (singing group has no limit) and utilize peer encouragement to learn and play simultaneously. Students learn theory in a fun and engaging way, while technique and performance play a large role. Group classes allow students to feel less pressure because the teacher isn’t scrutinizing their every move, but are free to focus on the joy and fun of playing music.

Students ages 7 to 14 can choose up to 3 different classes in Drums, Guitar, Keyboard, Voice, or Ukulele.

Each class is 45 minutes long. We provide instruments, music, and materials needed.

We exist to make quality music and art classes accessible to every student in our community, beginning with elementary school students.

Register Now

Meet Our Teachers

 

Alex Buster – Drums

Alex discovered his passion for drumming at the young age of 12 after seeing his first rock show. Born and raised in Orange County, Alex attended Mater Dei High School where he played snare on their championship-winning drum line and began playing drums in his first rock band. That was when he knew he wanted to dedicate himself to pursuing a career in music. Throughout his college years, Alex continued to develop his musical talents performing countless shows as well as recording and releasing multiple records with his band Bristol to Memory. After graduating from CSUF in 2011, Alex toured nationally and internationally, playing festivals, and his band’s music was featured on national television and radio programs, MTV, VH1, KLOS, and most recently, released musical collaborations with the Anaheim Angels and Ducks. Alex’s love and passion for music have led him to pursue teaching, sharing his knowledge and expertise with the next generation of drummers. His individualized approach to teaching focuses on each student's unique needs, engaging each student’s creativity, and teaching the music YOU want to learn in a way that’s fun and exciting.

 

Ronnie Ciago

Studied at Berklee College Of Music. Teaches drums, piano, guitar, percussion in class, clinic & private settings. Has taught thousands of students worldwide. Plays drum set, percussion, lead and background vocals. Ronnie is also a producer & songwriter. He has performed drum set/percussion live and or recorded with Bill Ward (Black Sabbath), Tito Puente, Robert Downey Jr. (Actor/Singer/Songwriter), Randy Stonehill (Christian Rock Legend), Rickie Lee Jones, Patrick Moraz (Yes, The Moody Blues), Brand X, Tony Kaye (Circa/Yes/Badfinger), Billy Sherwood (Circa/Yes/Producer), Michael Sambello, Hiram Bullock, Tony Newton TNT Xtreme (Funk Brothers/Tony Williams “Lifetime”), Mick Taylor (The Rolling Stones), Graham Bonnet, Jeff Berlin, Earl Slick (David Bowie), Circa, Leo Nocentelli & The Meters Experience, Riverdogs, Reeves Gabrels (David Bowie & Tin Machine), David Hentschel (Producer - Genesis, Elton John), Jack Douglas (Producer - John Lennon/Aerosmith, etc.), Brian Auger, Frank Stallone, Larry Blackmon, Ritchie Blackmore & Rainbow, Oskar Cartaya, Brandon Fields, Linda Perry (Producer - Pink, Christina Aguilera), Philippe Saisse, Marco Mendoza, Jaco Pastorius, John Pena (Bass), Kathleen Wilhoite, Mike Gibbs, Joe Vannelli (Gino Vannelli), Peaches & Herb, The Temprees, Al Jardine (The Beach Boys), The Persuaders, The Honeycone, Friends Of Distinction, Percy Sledge, Billy Paul, Blue Magic, Barbara Lynn, Sunny Ozuna, Sly, Slick & Wicked, Big Jay McNeely, Gene Chandler, The Floaters, Eddie Holman, The Moments, Paul Williams (Singer from Allan Holdsworth), Rob Lamothe, Mike Miller (Gino Vannelli, Airto), Lillix, Paul Rogers (Bad Company), Stix Hooper, David Kalish (Rickie Lee Jones), Tony Franklin (The Firm), Neil Larsen, Ndugu (Leon) Chancler, Malcom Cecil (Steve Wonder), Shani Sinnamon (Todd Rundgren), Ray Manzarek (The Doors), and many others. Ronnie Ciago has played on over 600 CD’s.

 

Rosiana Falzon – Voice, Ukulele

Born and raised in Huntington Beach, Rosiana (Rosy) has always had a love for all things music. Rosy graduated from Pomona College in Claremont, California, having majored in music with a focus in voice and music history, and minored in sociology. Her senior thesis, “Physical Gesture and Musical Rhetoric in Barbara Strozzi’s, ‘È Pazzo il mio Core’ (1664),” explored the ways in which physical gestures and musical figures interact with one another in Baroque Vocal music. Rosy also attended the Orange County School of the Arts for high school, where she studied classical voice for six years.

In college, Rosy sang with the Pomona College Choir and the Pomona College Glee Club,       tutored music theory, was a music librarian, and was an Assistant Choral Manager to the choir. In addition to classical and choral singing, Rosy has always had a passion for popular and electronic music, and was awarded the McCord Grant by Pomona College to take an online course through the Berklee College of Music on Ableton Live, a digital software program for creating music. Since graduating, Rosy has been doing outreach for The Music Center’s “Spotlight” Program, a performing arts competition for high school students in Southern California. She also teaches piano and voice lessons at JL Music School, and works for IUSD as a library media technician.

In teaching the next generation of musicians, Rosy is passionate about imparting practical performance skills and fostering a deep understanding and appreciation of how music works through discussing principles of music theory, composition, and history. She strongly believes that this holistic approach to music education is the future of music making, and hopes to impact students with skills that they can apply to all areas of their futures.

 

James Grover – Acoustic Guitar, Electric Guitar, Mandolin, Ukulele

James Grover has been playing guitar since the age of seven. He has toured professionally with some of the greatest musicians in the genres of rock, jazz, and blues and has credits on five professional albums. James has also taught guitar and bass for over twenty-five years, and he is a great luthier and guitar technician. He believes in keeping lessons fun and exciting, and motivating his students through the music they want to play.

 

Ryan McLaughlin – Violin

Mr. Ryan McLaughlin works with violin students of all ages and helps each individual to play exceptional music as well as learn to laugh and enjoy the process of becoming a virtuosic violinist.

 

Alek Lucatero – Drums

Hello! I'm Alek, drum teacher and member of Circuit Rider Music. My journey with drums began when I was young, and it's been a life changing adventure ever since. As a drummer, I love bringing energy and soul to each show and set with the band, not just creating unforgettable musical experiences. Teaching is a passion of mine; in my classes, I focus on helping each student find their unique rhythm and develop their skills, whether they're beginners or advanced players. Being part of my students' growth and sharing the joy of drumming is incredibly rewarding for me. Join me, and let's embark on a journey of rhythm, learning, and fun!

 

Miwha Choi – Piano

St. Luke Lutheran’s new church music director, organist, and pianist, MiWha Choi, was born and raised in Seoul, South Korea. She started playing the piano at five years old. She holds a bachelor’s degree (2001) and a master’s degree (2004) in church music from the Chong Sin University. After graduation, MiWha began organ lessons and graduated with a master’s degree in Organ (2013) from the University of Houston. MiWha began her teaching career in 1996 with a diverse group of children and adults. As a graduate student in Korea, she taught group lessons for adults at the Gal Wol Welfare Center.

As a performer, MiWha has played in different churches around the world, especially in Japan and the United States. From 2002 to 2005 she was the pianist for the Lampas Ensemble with whom she recorded an album and became music director. She gained a full scholarship at the University of Iowa as well as a fellowship and the scholarship at the University of Texas for organ majors for a Doctorate of Musical Arts (D.M.A.). While in Iowa, she became a music director at Grace United Methodist Church in Tiffin, IA. Her latest degree is a doctorate in church music (D.C.M.) with a concentration in orchestra from at the World Mission University in Los Angeles. MiWha has collaborated on various projects with her sister MiRa, a professional modern jazz dancer; another sister, Milly Choi Sullivan of New York, a professional graphic designer; and, her brother-in-law, Adam Sullivan, a song writer. 

MiWha has come to appreciate the richness and depth of traditional western liturgy as expressed in the Lutheran tradition. She finds her inspiration in the classic musicians and authors in that tradition, such as Johann Sabastian Bach. MiWha believes that church music in worship is Soli Deo Gloria, “to the glory of God.” And, like Bach, she is a tireless worker perfecting her gifts. She believes whatever is performed in worship should be done to the best of our ability.

 

Alisa Hopper – Director

Alisa Hopper joined the Salvation Army OC staff in January 2023 as the Director of Creative Arts and Music. She has been teaching, preaching, and leading worship in churches, schools, and organizations for over 30 years and hopes to always be teaching in some capacity. Her first instruments are piano and voice. Alisa deeply believes in music as the universal language and that it brings people closer to God, closer to each other, and makes us better humans overall. Her desire with the creative arts and music program is to see lives changed and improved because of making music in the name of Jesus Christ.

  

Summer Camps

Interactive Summer Day Camps in music and art will include keyboard, guitar, choir, and drums, as well as various art mediums such as painting, drawing, polymer clay, and mixed media. Camps will be one week long, June 24–28, Monday-Friday from 9:00am–12:00pm and will be packed with valuable lessons taught by local musicians, artists, and educators. On the last day of each camp, from 11:30am–12:00pm, parents will be invited to a concert or art exhibit to see what their students have been creating and practicing.

Registration opens in March 2024.

Registration opportunities

 

Free Class:

Private Drums:

Private Acoustic Guitar:

Private Piano:

Private Violin:

Private Voice:

Private Ukelele:

Private Bass:

Private Electric Guitar:

Private Mandolin:

Questions?

Interested in enriching music education for your child? Please feel free to submit the form with any questions you have, and we'll get back to you as soon as we can.