Bethel's School of Music
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.
Stephanie Allen; Piano (Intern)
Stephanie Allen is a gifted pianist and vocalist that offers a balanced approach to piano instruction which combines classic piano study with the study of contemporary styles and reading chord charts, especially as it relates to worship music. Ms. Allen has studied with Nate Hamilton, Valerie Noonan, Michelle Lee, and Gerri Alexander, and is currently a music major at Bethany College. She has received top honors at the regional A/G Fine Arts Competition and has made it to the National A/G Fine Arts Competition three consecutive years. Stephanie Allen joins our staff as an intern instructor; an instructor that is still in the process of completing their music degree but has demonstrated outstanding knowledge and potential as an instructor. As an intern instructor, her monthly tuition rates will be lower than the rates of our top level instructors who have already earned their music degrees and have many years of teaching and performance experience. Stephanie Allen would be a great choice for those whose budgets or goals may not afford or require our top level instructors.
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.
Joseph R. Coray; Voice
Joseph Coray earned his Bachelor of Arts degree in Music Education at San Jose State University with an emphasis in Vocal Performance. Mr.
Coray is a gifted vocalist and pianist that has been actively singing as a soloist, choral member, and worship leader for almost 10 years. Experienced with both classical and popular styles, Mr. Coray has studied with Dr. David Rohrbaugh, Associate Director of Opera San Jose, has sung with the award-winning SJSU Choraliers under the direction of Dr. Charlene Archibeque, and was appointed the assistant conductor of the SJSU Concert Choir under the direction of Professor Elena Sharkova. Mr. Coray sings lead vocals in the Touch of Brass Big Band and serves as keyboardist and vocalist at Westgate Church. He enjoys singing, playing, and teaching many genres of music, especially gospel, worship, contemporary Christian, popular, country, blues, classical, and choral music. His wealth of knowledge and ability as a vocalist and instructor are exceptional.
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.
Kin-Wing Hung; Piano
Kin-Wing Hung received his B.A Degree in Piano Performance from San Jose State University and graduated with distinction. He studied with John Delevoryas, Donna Stoering, and Raymond Foote. He has been the winner of the San Jose Symphony Association Regional Competition for Pianists and the San Jose State University Symphony Piano Competition. Kin-Wing Hung has been a featured soloist with the San Jose State Univeristy Symphony, San Jose Youth Symphony, Holy Names Symphony Orchestra in Oakland, and the Bohemian Club Orchestra in Portola Valley. He has also served as the music director and accompanist for the Lord's Grace Christian Church in Palo Alto. Kin-Wing Hung is a member of the Music Teachers Association of California and has been a faculty member of the Community School of Music and the Arts in Mountain View and has been faculty member of the Bethel School of Music since 2001.
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.
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.
Kanako Rascento; Piano
Kanako Rascento is a musical artist who maintains an active international career as a concert pianist, chamber music specialist, and piano instructor. She has also played for film, television, and radio. She has won numerous piano competitions throughout the world and has studied with some of the finest teachers in Asia, Europe, and the United States. Her performances have received rave press reviews, including her performance for the Emperor and Empress of Japan. Ms. Rascento received a Special Diploma of Music from the Vienna Music Academy in Austria, Gold Medal from the Universite Musicale Internationale de Paris in France, and a B.A. Degree from the Tokyo Conservatory of Music in Japan where she graduated in first place. In addition to her performance career, Kanako Rascento maintains a successful private piano studio and is on the teaching faculty of the Bethel School of Music and Bethany College.
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.
Kathy Self; Watercolor Art
Seeing colors and patterns of beauty has been my vision since I was very young. I've always played with paints and papers, making my own colorful versions of what I see and touch around me. My art education includes private drawing lessons, art classes at DeAnza and Foothill Colleges, and a continual study of the many art masters in history. I am currently a member of the Los Gatos Art Association and CIVA (Christians in the Visual Arts), and have been teaching art to children and adults for over a decade. I welcome this opportunity to share the joy of painting with my students, and in the midst of a very busy society, how good it is to not only stop and smell the roses, but to paint them as well! You can see samples of my art at www.colorbrush.com.
Peter H. Thompson; Viola
Peter H. Thompson is a professional violinist, violist & teacher (Local 153 American Federation of Musicians). He has maintained a private studio in Saratoga since 1976. Peter is a member of the Music Teachers Association of California, currently a board member & past Vice-President of the Santa Clara Co. Branch. Many of his students are enrolled in the Certificate of Merit Program of the MTAC. They also perform at MTAC Monthly Recitals at the Le Petit Trianon in San Jose, and the Corinthian House Residence in Campbell. He is the MTAC State Co-Chair for the VOCE Competition (for Voice Orchestral Instruments & Chamber Ensembles), winners performing at the annual MTAC State Convention. Faculty, Polyphony Music Academy.
He serves as Principal Violist for the Bohemian Club in San Francisco. Solo & Recitals include; Premier of the "Concerto for Viola & Chamber Orchestra" by Dr. Yuan-Mei Chou, with the Polyphony Chamber Orchestra (Santa Clara University 2005), Noontime Concerts at St. Patrick's Cathedral in San Francisco (Solo Viola 2003), the "Thompson Trio" (Violin, Cello & Piano at Foothill College Festival of the Arts, and performances for children in over 38 schools with grants from the cities of Cupertino, Saratoga and Music Performance Trust Fund). Additional solo performances include MTAC annual Conventions, community events and charity fund-raisers and the Saratoga Los Gatos Symphony.
Peter has performed with the Bethel Orchestra going back to the days of Pastor Paul Ferrin in the 70's and also with the orchestras at Los Gatos Christian Church & Fremont Community Church. He has also performed with the Goldovsky Opera, Hidden Valley Opera, San Jose Monterey & Santa Cruz Symphonies. Popular & Shows include; The Brian Farnon Orchestra (Harrah's Tahoe), and Shows with Smokey Robinson, Johnny Mathis, Natalie Cole, Sarah Brightman, Diane Warwick and many others with the Terry Summa Orchestra.
Peter received his Bachelor of Music in Violin Performance & Strings with Honors, from the University of the Pacific, Conservatory of Music. (Soloist with Conservatory orchestra) Violin studies w/ Dr. Warren Van Bronkhorst . Graduate Studies in violin, viola & chamber music with William Kroll, (Coolidge Quartet) at Mannes College of Music (New York City), Masters candidate in Music Theory, "Queens College" City University of New York, Viola Studies with Gennady Kleiman (Leningrad & San Francisco Symphonies and currently instructor at Leland Stanford Junior University). |
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