American Music Store

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Jesse Charnow

Phone: 760-845-8448

Jesse began studying piano at 5 years old. At the age of 7, he began to study drums from private teachers. At age 13, he joined his first band as a drummer and began performing professionally in Southern California. Since then he has consistently been involved in musical performance and education.

Jesse has studied and played with Ravi Shankar, Anoushka Shankar, Tim Shea, Richard Wilson, Zoro, the Mira Costa Jazz Band, the New Haven Symphony Orchestra, the California Symphony Orchestra, and rock legend Ike Turner.

His performances cover a broad spectrum of music, including classical symphonic works, jazz, world fusion, blues, funk and rock. He has performed in many countries including, The United States, Canada, Australia, India, Bangladesh, Thailand, Scandinavia, The United Kingdom and throughout Europe. Based in Southern California, he is currently performing with San Diego based band Jazmin, and Steph Johnson. As well as being involved in various recording projects, live performance and education.

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Rod Contreras

Phone: 760-500-0640
Email: rodcontreras@hotmail.com
Website: http://www.encinitaspiano.com/

Rod has been teaching piano in the San Diego area for the past 14 years. He grew up playing classical piano and later furthered his studies in jazz and music composition while studying in Iowa and Illinois. He received a BA in Music from Cal State San Marcos. Through the hundreds of students that he has taught over the years, he has developed multiple teaching techniques that cater to each individual’s musical interests and learning styles.

• Receive a FREE introductory 30 minute lesson.
• Come experience a fun and personalized approach to learning the piano. Learn multiple musical styles including: Pop, Jazz, Classical and Rock.
• All ages and levels are welcome. Se habla Español.
• In order to help students in their practice between lessons, students receive personalized emailed recordings of the songs they are working on. Fun music apps are also used to accelerate the learning process.
• Service-oriented performance opportunities will be available throughout the year for all students at local retirement homes and other venues.
• Learn the workings behind music with in-depth music theory lessons and apply what you learn with optional expanded music composition classes. Learn hands-on with Logic Pro X or Ableton Live 9.
• Come learn at AMX in Encinitas or in my home studio.

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Peggy Lebo

Phone: 760-533-9652
Email: peggylebo@yahoo.com
Website: http://www.peggylebo.com/

Whether you want to sing or play piano professionally, find your unique voice as a singer-songwriter or just play and sing for yourself, I would love to support you in having fun singing and/or playing music that inspires you while learning skills to help you express yourself with greater freedom.

I spent my early career in Los Angeles working as a studio session vocalist and writing songs for other artists including "Celebrate," Elle Mac’s hit that reached #3 on the Billboard charts and aired frequently on MTV Road Rules and the song "Now I See" which was the title track and single released by Quincy Jones’ artist, gospel and R&B legend Tata Vega.

During my time in Los Angeles one of my favorite jobs was getting to help up and coming artists find their unique voice as a singer and songwriter. I had the opportunity to work on some great projects including artists being developed by RCA Records, CBS Records, Randy Jackson (American Idol), and independent labels.

Education:
BA Music - Voice and Piano, Gordon College - Wenham, MA (just north of Boston)

Contemporary Voice and Songwriting Degrees
Grove School of Music - Los Angeles

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Khrys Maxwell

Phone: 619-787-1013

As a guitar teacher for over 15 years, Khrys customizes lessons for each individual with an emphasis on learning their favorite songs, technique, music theory, ear training, songwriting, recording. If the student is just beginning, or has been playing for a while, Khrys can help them meet their goal as a guitar player. Most importantly, as a teacher and mentor, Khrys encourages his students to have fun!

Born and raised in the mid-west, Khrys' parents instilled in him the values of hard work, dedication, modesty, honesty and commitment. Always having to work for what he wanted and paying for it himself, Khrys got a job the summer he moved to Southern California and bought his first real guitar just before he turned sixteen, and a few months later he started taking private guitar lessons (that he paid for himself!). After graduating high school, Khrys then attended the summer program at Musicians Institute in Hollywood California. He then went on to complete the music program at Mira Costa College in Oceanside California. During this time Khrys began to give private guitar lessons, work the sales floor and do guitar repairs at American Music Exchange, which is where he continues to work today.

Khrys has played, recorded, and toured with many bands over the years including Los Loaded Saints, Whole Hog, Call Me Alice, Chica Diabla, Full Boar, The Spyderz, Exposed, 13a, Festerbilt and Electric Junkyz.

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Jerry McCann

Phone: 760-633-1942
Website: http://www.jerrymccann.com/

Jerry McCann is a GRAMMY® nominated musician who has been playing guitar for 56 years. He has been teaching for 25 years. In addition to teaching he is a recording artist, performer and composer. He teaches all styles, beginning, intermediate and advanced. He also teaches Bass, Harmonica, Vocals, Songwriting, and beginning Flute.

Students are encouraged to pick the songs and styles they want to learn.

Lessons cost $35.00 for 30 a min. lesson. If you buy 4 or more lessons the cost drops to $30.00. All ages are welcome.

Call (760) 633-1942 now to make an appointment or go to jerrymccann.com.

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Jerry Michelsen

Phone: 760-943-8684
Email: jerry@jazzgrew.com
Website: http://www.jazzgrew.com

• I teach piano lessons, music theory, and harmonica lessons.
• I've been teaching here, at AMX for 18 years.
• A free, 45 minute lesson is the best way to see if I can help you. Call or email me to set up a lesson, no charge.
• I'm a performing pianist, composer, and arranger but I also really enjoy teaching.
• My studio is comfortable and has a beautiful, Kawai baby grand piano.

I tailor lessons for adults and kids in a way that fits your learning style. Jazz, Blues, Rock, Pop, Classical, Boogie, piano chords, reading notes or playing bey ear, advanced Lydian Dominant Hexatonic Jazz Theory or Twinkle Twinkle Little Star, Sinatra or Adele. Besides Improv, I also teach standard, beginning, intermediate, and advanced classical piano lessons; Bach, Beethoven, Mozart. Whether for enjoyment of music as a hobby, or as a professional performer, you'll have fun playing the piano from the first day.

These are my rates:
30 minutes, $42
45 minutes, $63
60 minutes, $84

Here's a video of me playing a song I wrote, and recorded:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NG35zJ9h84s

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Jeff Moore

Phone: 760-212-5878

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Debbie Nicastro

Phone: 760-519-3370

In my 40 years as a professional musician/actor I have come to be humbled by the opportunity music gives one to constantly discover and transform. Whether the student is interested in musical theatre, bands, acting, or building on vocal technique, its my goal to guide them toward their most authentic expression.

I have been blessed to have had the opportunity to study with vocal coach to the stars, Ron Anderson; vocal science innovator, Martin Grusin; and celebrated Alexander Technicians, Kate Conklin and Eileen Troberman.

After 30 years here in North County I am lucky to call this music community my family. I have extensive relationships with Moonlight Amphitheater, Moonlight Youth Theatre, Star Reperatory Theatre, Starlight Theatre, Premiere Productions, C.A.S.T Productions, Mission San Luis Rey Choral dept, El Camino High School Drama dept, Phil-Am Cultural Association, Del Mar Middle School, Encinitas Country Day, Horizon Prep, and numerous working bands.

"Behind every favorite song, there is an untold story," so let's discover yours.

Monthly Rates:

30 min: $143
45 min: $211
60 min: $286

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Chris Prescott

Phone: 760-688-6802
Email: cp@chrisprescott.com

Hello! I am longtime Encinitas resident and have enjoyed teaching music since 1991. The approach I take with teaching varies quite a bit since I try to tailor each lesson to the students' needs and interests. Topics covered during lessons range from traditional rudiments and reading to popular song transcriptions as well as song structure and performing tips. As a multi-instrumentalist I have a unique perspective on drumming to support the music and ways to interact with your fellow band members.

My involvement with music began at age 5 finally picking up the drums and guitar in 1982. After years of playing in bands and touring, I decided to learn more about the academics of music. I completed my degree in music from UCSD with academic distinction and college honors, graduating Summa Cum Laude. My studies there included classical percussion, marimba and an emphasis on jazz theory and performance. Additionally I have had the honor of studying with world renown percussionists Steve Schick, Peter Erskine, Willie Jones III, Jeff Hamilton and Gerry Hemmingway.

In addition to my formal academic background I have been an active touring musician over the past 25 years. My concert tours have taken me all over the globe to far away places such as Russia, Japan, Europe, Australia and all over North America. I have performed on over 60 recordings and have made several TV appearances with my music groups. Some bands I've toured with include Pinback, Rocket from the Crypt, No Knife and others. In 2010 I published my first book on drumming entitled Creative Construction and from this launched a career of writing for Modern Drummer Magazine.

Please Email me if you have any questions about my teaching or credentials. References are available on request. I am currently teaching at AMX in Encinitas. For appointments please call (760) 688-6802 or email me at cp@chrisprescott.com. Thanks! I look forward to hearing from you.

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Tom Sanchez

Phone: 760-521-4473
Website: http://www.tomsanchezguitarist.com

A graduate of Berklee College of Music, Tom Sanchez has performed on countless TV & radio commercials and many CD's. He has toured extensively throughout the US, Canada and Mexico as well as performing festivals and club dates in Japan, Europe and Turkey.

Highlights of his touring career include openings for rock icon Sting, blues royalty B.B. King, jazz legend George Benson, and many more.

Tom has been a member of the AMX staff, teaching guitar of all styles & levels, since 2001 (outside of his 6 1/2 year vacation in the Midwest).

Having received a GRAMMY NOMINATION for his work with the Chicago based Acid-Jazz pioneers Liquid Soul, Tom continues to teach, record and perform in the San Diego area.

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Dean Smith

Phone: 760-436-0846
Email: profut63@gmail.com
Reverb Nation: http://www.reverbnation.com/kdeansmith
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AudioPainter

I toured Europe, the U.S., and recorded with Captain Beefheart in 1974. A DVD surfaced just a few years ago of an English TV show titled "The Old Grey Whistle Test,” that featured several of my performances with Captain Beefheart. A number of years followed, with short stints as a guitar player for Mark Lindsay and Spencer Davis, then it was “Goodbye L.A.” I returned home to Encinitas, CA and played locally with various bands while developing my songwriting, recording, and producing skills. I recorded a lot; demos for my publisher Criterion and records for myself. I didn't care whether I had a record deal or not. As it turns out, all I ever wanted to do was make records.

And thank the gods for mostly phasing out record companies and blessing us with world wide internet exposure (most excellent). Also check out my 2005, 10 song album "K Dean Smith,” available now on the CD Baby music store.

These days I gig, write, and record with the band "Rocket Science,” also on CD Baby, founded by legendary songwriter Jack Tempchin ( Eagles "Peaceful Easy Feelin,” "Already Gone,” and more). Also In recent years I have been playing Bass guitar for well known folk artist Tim Flannery. Through the off season, (Tim is 3rd base coach for the San Francisco Giants and a former San Diego Padres player and coach), Tim plays concerts and records until it's time again for spring training.

More music will be on the way from me soon, stay tuned...

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Sean Walsh

Phone: 760-815-3145

Sean Walsh is an award winning composer whom for the past twenty years has worked extensively as a music teacher, session musician, engineer, producer, performing artist, foley artist, film composer, & instrument repair technician. His love for all styles of music has contributed greatly to his versatility as a musician & undying pursuit of new methods & techniques on his instrument from the studio to the stage.

From teaching students the music of their favorite artists to showing how to create original compositions & arrangements, Sean’s lessons promise to be fun & engaging for beginners to advanced students. Sean’s main goals as an instructor are to facilitate information in a clear & concise manner while catering to the needs of the individual.

Lessons offered include: Guitar, Bass, Ukulele, and Recording Techniques.