Learning with Music Experts
The Freer Forte Music Program fall session is in full swing, and classes are growing with children learning music with joy. We are lucky to have Alisa Hopper, Director of Creative Arts and Music, bring in extremely talented teachers. Here is a brief bio on these talented musicians who are fabulous teachers. They’re the reason the classes are sold out each session!
Alex
Alex Buster discovered drumming at the age of 12 after seeing his first rock show. Alex played snare on the championship-winning drum line at Mater Dei High School and began playing drums in his first rock band. He currently records and tours both nationally and internationally. Recently, Alex’s band, Bristol to Memory, released musical collaborations with the Anaheim Angels and Ducks.
Ronnie
Ronnie Ciago has performed percussion/drum sets with Patrick Moraz (The Moody Blues), Percy Sledge, and many others. He teaches drums, piano, guitar, and percussion.
Ronnie is credited on over 600 albums. Once, when he was recording with Bill Ward from Black Sabbath, Ricky Lee Jones and Bill Ward were in the studio. Rickie asked Ronnie to play on his record and Bill added another song with Ronnie on his album, “Beyond Aston.” Ronnie created a ferocious double-bass drum groove that became the main theme for the whole song.
James
James Grover teaches guitar and has been playing since the age of 7. He has toured professionally with some of the greatest musicians in the genres of rock, jazz, and blues and has credits on many professional albums. James has also taught guitar and bass for over twenty-five years, and he is a skilled luthier (guitar-maker) and guitar technician. James also teaches veterans how to build, maintain, and repair guitars, and currently tours and plays guitar with Kevin Eubanks.
Ryan
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. Ryan tailors lessons to each student and meets them where they are mentally and musically.
Ryan is a fan of board games and is currently creating his own. He loves the idea of creating a world for other people to experience and enjoy.
Nmon
With multiple Grammy-winning albums to his credit, Nmon Ford began his musical journey at age three as a piano prodigy. Next season he will appear in leading roles with Pittsburgh Opera, Utah Opera Theater, and several other acclaimed venues.
Additionally, Nmon is Founder and Creative Director for OneWorld Productions, an entertainment media company currently partnering on projects with, among others, San Diego and LA Comic-Con, Wondercon, English National Opera, and Lincoln Center.
While he was singing in a children’s choir years ago, one of the older kids reached out, grabbed his jacket, and slowly pulled him a few steps from the mic because he was too loud. He started voice lessons the following week, which led to his amazing career.
Kimbra
Kimbra Westervelt performs regularly in Southern California. She has a background in both music and drama—having studied opera, pop, and jazz in college, as well as drama at the Lee Strasberg Theatre Institute in L.A. Her global tours with the USO have taken her to Africa, the Middle East, and Asia. Additionally, her performances in Italy earned her a Siggiorno eTurismo Milazzo award. She was the only American on an all-Italian celebrity tour.
Her acting credits span stage and screen, and her vocals have been featured in big commercial movies as well as art house films. Her work as a voice-over artist has been featured in a Netflix series, promos, and movie trailers. She is passionate about being a part of the artistic community and is dedicated to helping others.
Kimbra is also a podcaster. On her podcast CandidwithKimbra, she conducts interviews about music and other entertainment-related subjects.