Instructors

Gerri Alexander; Piano
Gerri Alexander is a graduate of Indiana University. She also studied at Carnegie Mellon University, Duquesne University with Madame Elsa Stockman of the Liszt Conservatory, and at the Mozarteum in Saltzburg, Austria. Her coaches on the West Coast include the distinguished pianist Adolph Baller at Stanford University and Julian White at U.C. Berkley. Gerri Alexander currently resides in the Bay Area and maintains a successful private teaching studio. In addition to duo and solo performances, she has appeared frequently in the Bay Area with Trio Allegro, the Clarion Trio, and the Alexander Trio which she formed in 1993.

Jimmie Adams III; Drums
Jimmie Adams began playing the drums at the age of six. Within a year, Jimmie was playing at church, where he received much of his early training. By the age of 13, he landed his first European tour playing for the Children Gospel Choir of America. In 1998, Jimmie was awarded a scholarship to the Berklee College of Music, but later decided to attend Bethany University where he received his B.A. in 2005. In 2001, Mr. Adams was a national finalist in Guitar Center's Drum Off – one of only six chosen out of hundreds of competitors. Jimmie currently serves as the head instructor of the Oakland Military Institute Drumline, is the primary drummer at Bethel Church, and is the drummer for the group Irvington, who recently released their new CD entitled Circles. Mr. Adams is an exceptional musician with years of experience as an instructor, clinician, recording artist, and performer.

Lisa Marie Baratta; Flute, Clarinet, Saxophone
Lisa Marie Baratta has B.A. and M.A. Degrees in Music Performance from the University of California at Los Angeles and San Jose State University respectively. She has studied with Gary Gray, Geoff Nudell, Don Raffell, Janet Averet, Isabell Starr, and Bill Trimble. She has performed for jazz greats Jamey Aebersold, Bud Shank, Buddy Collette, and Francisco Martinez, the Saxophone Professor of the Madrid Conservatory. She has been playing professionally and teaching private lessons for over 17 years. In Los Angeles, she played for the Maiden Voyage Big Band, the Santa Barbara Civic Light Opera, Conejo Symphony, several country clubs, salsa bands rock bands, pit orchestras, weddings, and parties. Since moving to San Jose, she has played for numerous big bands, the Adolphe Sax Orchestra, New Music Works in Santa Cruz, Kimbal's East in Oakland, and 330 Rich in San Francisco with Tito Garcia's Salsa Band. She has also played with the Bethel Orchestra, Mountain View Civic Arts Center, PCLO, and the Palo Alto Players. Lisa Marie Baratta also played with the Rome Festival Orchestra in Italy, in which she was a featured soloist. She also has her own CD, Struttin'.

Janny Choi; Piano (classical, jazz & worship), Music Theory and Composition
Janny Choi studied classical piano, composition, and electronic music at the San Francisco Conservatory of Music. She earned a Bachelor of Music and a Master of Arts Degree at San Jose State University, where she also worked as a pianist and accompanist for several concerts and the University Chorus. She has won several piano competitions, including The National Piano Competition for Youth, as well as various Chamber Music Competitions. Since 1991, she has worked with various artists as a producer, recording engineer, and performer. Ms. Choi's compositions have been performed numerous times throughout the San Francisco Bay Area as well as South Korea. Since 1992, she has produced and released six albums internationally and has been performing her works with her six piece band and Symphony Orchestras. She has over 20 years of teaching experience, having taught classical and pop piano, jazz, harmony, and choir at various schools in the bay area.

Ginger Fisher; Violin
Ginger Fisher is an excellent violinist that received her B.A. in Music and Teaching Credential from Bethany University. In addition to her years of teaching experience she has been a member of the Santa Cruz Symphony, the Monterey Symphony, and is currently a member of the Winchester Orchestra. Ginger is also a very valuable 30 year member and co-concertmaster of the Bethel Orchestra. Ginger is an outstanding musician with years of teaching experience and a gentle spirit – excellent with children and adults.

Rich Hawthorne; Guitar
Rich Hawthorne has played guitar for over 25 years and has taught for over 15 years. He attended the University of Hawaii and received his B.A. Degree in Music Composition with an emphasis in Guitar Performance. Mr. Hawthorne is the founder of The Guitarist in Santa Clara and the co-author of I've Always Wanted To Play Guitar. He enjoys playing many styles of music such as contemporary Christian, rock, blues, classical, and Hawaiian-style slack-key guitar. Mr. Hawthorne has played in numerous productions and plays regularly with the Bethel Orchestra and Rhythm Section.

John D. Kraus; Violin
John D. Kraus attended Bethany College and received a Post-Graduate Degree from the Suzuki Violin School. He has toured nationally and internationally as a violin soloist and was chosen soloist for the International Suzuki Teacher's Association Convention in Mayzamoto, Japan. He was also the 1983 Teen Talent Search National Champion (Solo String Division). John Kraus has taught violin for over 16 years and has inspired countless students to excellence. Some of Mr. Kraus' advanced students have gone on to study in conservatories and play professionally. John Kraus is the director of the John Kraus Studio String Ensemble and plays regularly with the Bethel Orchestra. He is also currently working on a solo recording project.

Van Krueger; Piano/Keyboard, Song Writing, Music Theory (Jazz and Classical)
Van Krueger is an exceptional musician whose versatility, professionalism, and expertise are extraordinary. Mr. Krueger received his B.A. and M.A. Music Degrees from San Jose State University and has been teaching piano/keyboard, composition and music theory for over thirteen years. His piano/keyboard specialties are in the area of contemporary worship styles, classical music, sight-reading, jazz voicing and progressions. He has been Bethel's premier pianist, accompanist, and keyboardist since 1992 and has written and produced several self-released albums under his own label.

Harold Litfin; Trumpet, Piano/Keyboard, Song Writing, Music Theory
Harold Litfin received his B.A. and M.A. Degrees from San Jose State University and has studied with Claude Gordon, Bruce Haag, James Dooley, and Elizabeth Bean. He has served as the Associate Creative Arts Director at Bethel Church since 1991 and has been the Bethel School of Music Director since 2001. Mr. Litfin has been teaching trumpet, piano/keyboard, MIDI applications, song writing and composition, orchestration, and music theory for over fifteen years. His piano/keyboard specialty is in the area of reading chord charts and contemporary worship styles.

Patricia Meyer; Cello
Patricia Meyer bestows over 30 years of teaching experience and fosters students to have a love for the cello, a solid foundation in technique, ear training, rhythm, tone quality, and confidence in themselves. She is a graduate of the University of Washington with a B.A. degree in Musicolgy and has studied with Boris Blinder - former principal cellist of the San Francisco Symphony, Misha Schneider - former member of the Budapest Quartet, and Colin Hampton - former member of the Griller Quartet. Patricia played in the San Jose Symphony and is currently the principal cellist in the South Valley Symphony, South Valley Quartet, and the Alexander String Trio.

Soyoung Paik; Piano
Soyoung Paik earned her Bachelor of Music degree from the Yonsei University in Seoul, Korea. She earned her Master of Music degree from the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor, Michigan. Soyoung has over ten years of teaching experience and serves as pianist and organist at the Korean First United Methodist Church in Fremont. She also accompanies the Salt and Light Ensemble in Palo Alto and the John Kraus Violin studio.

Olena Ross; Violin, Piano
Olena Ross earned her B.A. Music (Violin Performance) from the Kharkov Music College (Ukraine) in 1997 and then earned her M.A. Music Education from the Kharkov Pedagogical University in 2002 where she studied piano and conducting in addition to her violin studies. After graduation, Olena successfully taught violin at the Private School of Art for Gifted Children (Ukraine) and then moved to the United States in 2003 where she has continued her professional music career teaching private violin students, playing with the Nova Vista Symphony Orchestra, and teaching at the Polonsky Piano School and Avloni Academy of Music. Olena combines Suzuki and traditional European methods to teach students of all ages and abilities. Olena especially enjoys teaching children and loves seeing how the music lessons shape their character and brings joy and fosters their interest in music.