Daniel Louis Adams is an experienced violinist and instructor in Southern California.  Daniel has performed with and served as concertmaster for many different groups such as: The Orange County Symphony, The Cal State Fullerton Orchestra,  The Fullerton String Quartet, The Michigan State Orchestra, and the World Youth Symphony.  He has performed throughout the country in Southern California, Michigan, Florida, and toured across Eastern Europe and England.  Daniel is an experienced teacher who loves working with people of all different ages and backgrounds.  He is Suzuki Certified to teach violin, but also loves playing guitar, piano and drums.

Austin Andrade has had the blessed opportunity to play music for the last twelve years.  He has directed and led at his church for six years and fluently play a variety of instruments.  He has a degree in music education from Cal State Fullerton where his primary instrument was the French Horn.  He am currently pursuing his teaching credential, student teaching at El Dorado High School and several elementary schools.

It is his desire to share the joy and enthusiasm he has for music with all of his students.  He considers it a privilege to serve musically and delights with any opportunity to do so.

Jerad Atherton is a music producer, recording and live instrumentalist, worship leader, and teacher.  He has been playing guitar, bass, and drums for over 18 years, has been leading worship for 12 years, and has 16 years of teaching experience.  Jerad received his BA in Music Education with an emphasis in guitar performance in 2004.  He studied jazz guitar with Frank Potenza (USC Studio/Jazz Guitar Instructor) and classical guitar with Joe Jewell (double doctorate in guitar performance from USC).  Jerad was first inspired to play music by hearing artists like the Beatles, U2, Jimi Hendrix, and Stevie Ray Vaughn.  Since then, he has developed a passion for country music, modern rock, gypsy jazz, jazz, classical, folk, punk, hip-hop, and modern/experimental music.  Jerad finds a great deal of fulfillment in exposing new music to his students and teaching them how to accomplish their musical goals.

Skipping Stones

Benjamin Coyte is a performer and teacher in the Orange County area. He is a cellist in the California State University Fullerton Orchestra and in the Corona Symphony Orchestra and received a string musician scholarship from the Warne Family Charitable Foundation in the Fall of 2008 for his talent. Mr. Coyte has also performed as a soloist in the musical "Beauty and the Beast" and in Tchaikovsky's "Nutcracker Ballet" and has toured Europe performing in Hungary, Slovakia, and Poland with the California State University Fullerton Orchestra.

Michelle Do started the piano when she was six and has studied with Sofia Zukerman for the majority of her training, later studying the violin with Joanne Ausmus-Baker. Throughout her studies, she has earned recognitions in various competitions and performances such as the La Mirada Arts Competition which entitled her to a debut performance of Liszt’s orchestral transcription of Verdi’s “Rigoletto” aria with the La Mirada Symphony in the city’s Theatre of the Performing Arts. She has attended many piano institutes, including the Chamber Music Institute in Toronto, Canada, the Indiana University Piano Academy, the International Institute for Young Musicians, and the International Institute of Young Musicians. She has participated in MTAC’s Certificate of Merit program, advancing to both Regional and State Panel, where she performed in the Panel Honors Recital.

Michelle has also auditioned for the MTAC Young Artist’s Guild auditions, and was named a finalist. She has also been a winner of the National Piano Guild Auditions, recently earning the Paderewski Medal for musical excellence. Recently, she won in the Keyboard Division of the Music Associate’s Concerto Competition, and performed at the Music Associates Banquet following the competition. She has also performed in several masterclasses under teachers such as Nelita True, Eric Le Van, Susan Svercek, and Brian Ganz. She is currently a sophomore at Cal State Fullerton and is studying Piano Performance under Alison Edwards while maintaining a large private studio of her own.

Gaspard de la Nuit Ondine

Ashley Estrada graduated from Vanguard University with a degree in Music with an emphasis in Vocal performance. At Vanguard she was highly involved in their music department performing in the Concert Choir, Vanguard Singers & Band and the Beautyshop Quartet. As part of these groups she performed in Carnegie Call and has toured in South Korea, China, and Europe.

As a member of Vanguard's Beautyshop Quartet, she was introduced into the world of barbershop. She is currently performing in a Sweet Adelines Chorus called The Harborlites Chorus and sings bass in the Hypnotic Quartet. She also sings in the Sanctuary Choir at St. Andrew's Presbyterian Church where she also works as the Contemporary Worship Administrative Assistant.

The Prayer

Sean Grace has been playing guitar for over twenty years, and teaching for nearly ten.  Has been an active musician in the Long Beach/Los Angeles music scene since the late 90's.  Sean is a heavily experienced performer, and has appeared in countless venues, including college and university shows, benefit concerts, and TV and Radio spots.  Sean graduated from Musicians' Institute of Hollywood with a degree in music performance in 2006, and greatly enjoys teaching at Savannah.

Flying

Dru Huston has been playing drums and percussion for approximately 30 years. He has been teaching and playing professionally for approximately 20 years. In addition, Dru owns a recording studio and has produced and performed on numerous recordings.

As a business major, he attended Chapman University on a four-year, maximum music scholarship where he was first-chair in the Symphony Orchestra, Chamber Orchestra, and Percussion Ensemble (as well as many other ensembles). Fortunately for him, he is married to his favorite singer in the world and has been blessed with three wonderful sons.

Dru deeply enjoys different genres and believes that proficiency in many will garner a unique and special voice for any artist. For example, his first recording sample entitled “Beautiful” blends a multi-percussion inspired part (intro), with a quasi-pop feel (verses and interlude), along with a Ghanan drumset rhythm.

Beautiful

A graduate in voice from Concordia University in Irvine, Kris Huston has studied and performed in multiple genres of music including theater, classical, pop, barbershop, and jazz. She currently serves as Director of Music and Worship at Christ Lutheran Church and School in Costa Mesa, and along with teaching private voice since 1996, Kris has directed and recorded numerous vocal ensembles in the Acappella Vocal Outreach program at Concordia University in Irvine since 2004. Kris is currently recording her second worship album with plans for release in 2011, and her original 2006 album, Enter In, was a chosen as a finalist for the Independent Music Awards Best Christian Album of the Year.

Higher Than You Know

Elizabeth Lauritsen has been playing violin, piano, and singing from a very young age. Her mother was instrumental in bringing the Suzuki method to the U.S. Elizabeth has performed in numerous musicals, and has been teaching for 30 years.

Elizabeth Lowe, mezzo-soprano, recently graduated from California State University at Fullerton earning a Bachelor’s of Music degree in Vocal Performance. At the University, she was rigorously involved in the choral and opera programs, participating in the scenes program for ten semesters. Elizabeth had the pleasure of performing the roles of ‘Cherubino’ in Le nozze di Figaro and ‘Arnalta’ in L’incoronazione di Poppea in their entirety as an undergraduate. In 2007, she received the “Voices On Stage” scholarship, and the “Vocal Area Award” in 2009 at Cal State Fullerton. She currently studies with Wendy Kikkert, director of The Intimate Opera company of Pasadena, California. Elizabeth currently teaches voice at Savannah Music in Yorba Linda, California, and is alto section-leader at St. John the Baptist Church in Costa Mesa.

Gypsy Song

Jon Mann is a working bass player and music educator in the Orange County/LA area. He has a BA in Music Education/Bass Guitar Performance and a Single Subject Music Teaching Credential from Azusa Pacific University. He is currently working on a MA Degree in Education. Jon teaches band and orchestra in the Tustin Unified School District and has also served as a Jazz and Brass coach in multiple other districts. As a bassist, his specialty is in the commercial and rock realm. He has performed in numerous clubs and other venues as well as assisting on production of several recordings.

Nikki Nielsen has been singing since she was 3 years old. Her first concert was held in her backyard where she sang "Jesus Loves Me". Her stage was a tree stump and her microphone was a hairbrush. She grew up singing in choirs at church and school. She attended the University of Northern Colorado and filled her time singing in Vocal Jazz groups and Concert Choir while earning her Liberal Arts Degree in Music with a Voice emphasis. She graduated in the Fall of '95 and six years later moved from Colorado to California to work at Friends Church as the Administrative Assistant/Vocal Director for the Worship & Creative Arts department. In addition, she teaches voice lessons at Savannah Music. Her specialty is in helping vocalists take their singing to the next level.

Byron Panopio holds a bachelors degree in jazz and commercial music at CSU Fullerton where he studied with Dr. Chuck Tumlinson and Dr. Mark Garrabrant. Byron has performed in the Jazz Ensemble 1 (lead and jazz trumpet), Wind Symphony, and Jazz Combo 1 (as well as other groups at CSUF too numerous to mention). Byron has played professionally with various top 40 dance bands, salsa bands, big bands, musical pits, small jazz groups, and has played in many church orchestras around Southern California. Byron also paid his "theme park" dues as a "toy soldier" in the Disneyland Christmas parade and as a member of the "Hollywood Top Brass Band" at Universal Studios Hollywood. Byron works at the Evangelical Christian Credit Union during the day and teaches trumpet on Saturdays and one night during the week. He also takes drum set lessons with Dru at Savannah Music. Byron recently got married to his wife Kristyn and resides in Placentia, CA.

Too Close For Comfort

Jonathan Rowden is a working Saxophonist in Los Angeles and Orange County. He has played professionally in a variety of settings including small jazz groups, saxophone quartets, big bands, orchestras, wind ensembles and church orchestras. He has written and arranged music for church bands, high school show-choir, small jazz groups, big bands, etc. and has performed with artists such as Barbara Morrison and pop singer Bashirrah. He holds a Bachelor's of Music Performance from Vanguard University, and will be finishing his M.M. in Jazz Performance in Spring 2011.

Jonathan has been teaching privately for 8 years, and has also taught and directed general music to elementary and middle school and directed wind ensembles and jazz ensembles from the elementary to college level.

Greek Samba

Lauren Salamone has been playing piano for over 16 years. She holds a Bachelor's Degree in Music with an emphasis in Piano Performance from Vanguard University. Lauren enjoys playing a wide range of music, including Classical, Jazz, and Rock. At Vanguard she performed with several chamber music groups, the Jazz Band, and served as the accompanist for the Womens' Chorus. Lauren currently accompanies the Laguna Road Elementary School Choruses of the Fullerton Public School District and plays in an actively performing rock band called "The New Limb".

Rachmaninoff Prelude in G Sharp Minor, Op. 32, No. 12

Phillip Siordia has dedicated his life’s work to education and music. As an active member of his community, Phillip is very involved with teaching music demonstrations and clinics, classroom music lessons, and private instruction.

As a free lance performer himself, Phillip has a wide range of experiences that stem from playing in Symphonic Orchestras and Wind Ensembles, Big Bands and Latin Jazz Groups, and marching Drum and Bugle Corps with the Santa Clara Vanguard. Phillip teaches and plays multiple instruments but specializes on trombone and brass performance.

Phillip Siordia holds his Bachelors of Arts Degree in Music Education and a California Teachers Credential from California State University Fullerton.

Joshua Smith has been playing saxophone for nearly 20 years. Joshua has participated in elementary bands, Jr. High and High School concert band, jazz band, and marching bands, including concerts, festivals/competitions, and auditions.
During his formal studies he attended Fullerton College where he studied under renowned saxophonist Bruce Babad. Joshua completed his B.A. of Music Education at Vanguard University of Southern California where he developed his instrumental skills on the saxophone, flute, and clarinet. Joshua has studied under and played with several jazz greats including Don Lanphere, Bill Perkins, and Bud Shank. He has also studied under high caliber musicians such as Dr. Ken Foerch, Ron Stout, Darrel Gardner, Don Sheldon, and many more. Joshua is especially known for his teaching skills. Josh has completed his academic work for CA Teaching Credential at Biola University and is well versed in a variety of teaching techniques, which cater to the diverse needs of individual students. In addition, Joshua has “grown up” in the elementary and Jr. High/High School band environment, which gives him a unique, first hand perspective on the needs of elementary and Jr. High/High School band students. Currently Joshua teaches 7th – 12th at OCCS, where he has held his position for nearly 6 years.

Nate Sousa has been playing guitar since he was 14 years old. He began taking music lessons at age 8; but for piano instead. He then moved to drums and eventually ended up sticking with the guitar. Doing mostly church music, Nate works at Friends Church as the Assistant to the Music Director and also enjoys teaching at Savannah Music.

Nate received his BA from Azusa Pacific and recently completed his MA at Fuller Theological Seminary. He loves listening to U2, Radiohead, Coldplay, Death Cab for Cutie, and Jimmy Eat World.

E=MC2

Oboist Dana Sundene earned her Bachelor of Arts degree from California State University in Fullerton. She studied with William Criss at USC, and has also studied with Catherine Del Russo and John Larry Granger. Dana has been principal oboe of the Golden State Pops Orchestra since 2004, is a member of the Vista Winds woodwind quintet, and also performs as principal oboist with the Los Angeles Chamber Players, Culver City Chamber Orchestra, Cypress Pops Orchestra, and West Covina Symphony. Dana is an active chamber music performer and freelance musician in Los Angeles and Orange Counties and has performed with the Crystal Cathedral HOP Orchestra, the Santa Monica Symphony, the Culver City Chamber Orchestra, the Rio Hondo Symphony and the San Fernando Valley Symphony. She has been a frequent soloist at St. Francis Episcopal Church in Palos Verdes, has performed as soloist with the Glendale College Community Orchestra, and has recorded for various pop CDs. Dana is on staff as oboe instructor at the Savannah Music School in Yorba Linda, CA and also coaches the oboe section at Loara High School.

David Taylor has been playing piano for over 16 years. He holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Music with an emphasis in Piano Performance from Hope International University. David enjoys playing pieces from a variety of time periods ranging from Baroque to Modern music. David has performed regularly in recitals and student workshops for the last 16 years and has more than 6 years of experience using his gifts to lead worship at churches, universities, and camps.

Tyrone Warren, originally from Long Beach, joined the Savannah Team after a 2 year stay in Boston to complete his Bachelor's at Berklee College of Music. Tyrone has studied and has experience playing almost every style of Guitar, and specializes in Contemporary Worship, Rock, and Metal, as well as Acoustic Fingerstyle and Classical Guitar. He also has over 6 years of teaching experience. In his heyday Tyrone played in a number of groups, including Tooth and Nail's "Off the Record", and the Boston-based "Brain Police". Tyrone graduated magna cum laude with a BM in Professional Music from Berklee College of Music, Boston, MA.

Live performance of "Carol of the Bells", First Christian Church, 2007