Piano
Julianne Hansen
Piano - Voice - Guitar - Ukulele - Harmonium
Julianne grew up in a musical home in Cupertino California, where singing around the piano with her family was a central form of pleasure and bonding. She was greatly influenced by her grandfather who performed as a tenor in the Metropolitan opera and various theaters. Classical piano and voice studies commenced at an early age, as Julianne went on to perform in over eight ten-grand-piano productions at San Jose State University, under the direction of the Judy Wely Suzuki piano school. She also held many lead roles in middle and high school theater productions. Her favorite role was that of the scarecrow in “the Wiz,” revealing her more soulful voice to herself. Julianne also sang in a touring bay area choir in high school, serving as an accompanist both senior years and featured as a soloist in many productions. Her entrepreneurial spirit budded at age 14 when she opened her own Suzuki-method based piano school of 20 students during high school, to pay for her university studies.
Julianne attended Brigham Young University where she studied medicine and music. She was part of the first co-ed A cappella group, performing in various events as well as the BYU singers and the jazz clubs. She moved to Germany after college and performed classical piano in various concert halls for religious groups and clubs. Julianne wrote her first album while in Germany and recorded it with the San Jose State University jazz club, turning to music as a vital part of self expression. When it comes to learning voice, her belief is that everyone can learn to sing and find their own unique soulful expression. Although she was quite shy singing in public at a young age, she worked hard and found that behind that fear was the potential for great joy and fulfillment! She wishes for her students to move into confident expression and to find the authentic voice that is true to them.
Julianne performs locally in Bend as well as abroad, in solo, duo, and band projects. Her current project, The Shaggy Mains, is a neo-soul funk project that weaves the styles of Erykah Badu and similar artists with her own cohesive style. Julianne has one daughter who enjoys dabbling in the violin and strapping on Irish dance shoes for a few reels.
Andres Rodrigues
guitar - Piano - Ukulele - Brass Instruments
Andrés Rodríguez is a guitarist, pianist, and composer. His passion for music ignited at a young age, nurtured by his father, a music professor. This early exposure to music education instilled in him a lifelong dedication to the arts and a profound understanding of nurturing young talents.
He pursued formal music education at Pacific Union College and the University of Oregon, earning a B.S. in Horn Performance and an M.M. in Orchestral Conducting, respectively. This academic foundation deepened his love for playing, conducting, and composing music.
As an assistant conductor and composer, Andrés gained valuable experience working with regional and youth symphonies, collaborating with professional and young musicians alike. He also actively composes music for film and television, contributing to various networks and streaming services.
As a guitar teacher in Warm Springs and Madras, Andrés had the opportunity to work closely with students interested in forming a rock band program. Guiding them through weekly lessons, Andrés’ approach emphasized both individual development and collective cohesion within the band. The environment was that of creative exploration, encouraging each member to find their unique sound while also instilling a sense of unity and synchronization.
Outside of music, Andrés enjoys playing video games, building PCs, and going on hikes with his two dogs in Bend.
As a music teacher, Andrés enjoys guiding young musicians on their path and being a part of their growth. He’s dedicated to creating a nurturing, supportive, and encouraging environment where they can explore their talents, allowing them to reach their full potential.
Christian Nicely
Guitar - Piano - Ukulele
Christian is a seasoned multi-instrumentalist and music educator from the town of Truckee, California. He developed an early love for blues music and the guitar which sparked a lifelong journey in music. At the early age of 4, Christian immersed himself in the world of music, guided by the influences of blues legends introduced by his father. Later on, he had opportunities to take guitar lessons from many great local musicians and guitarists in the Reno/Tahoe area, which expanded his musical world. High School band proved to be a pivotal period of growth for his musicianship, where he participated in many honor jazz bands on guitar, including the California All-State Jazz Band.
Venturing beyond the local scene, Christian enriched his musical knowledge through participation in jazz workshops in New York City with some of the guitar greats. His educational journey continued with an associate's degree from Santa Barbara City College, complemented by a proud stint in the University of Nevada, Reno jazz band.
Christian's musical endeavors extend beyond the classroom; he has been a dynamic force in various groups, gracing stages with mentors and friends, and contributing to the recording of numerous albums. His passion, however, lies in the creation and recording of music in his home studio, with select pieces available for online listening.
With a music education career beginning at the age of 16, Christian finds joy in guiding aspiring musicians on their musical journeys. Specializing in guitar, piano, songwriting, theory, music production, and ukulele lessons, he hopes to help people experience the joy of making music and realizing their potential as musicians. Christian’s experience as a music instructor at the Tahoe Truckee School of Music (prior to landing in Bend) allowed him to help a variety of students and musical interests in this way.
Beyond the notes and chords, Christian finds solace in outdoor activities including hiking, biking, and skiing. His love for card games complements his enjoyment of spending quality time with friends and family.
With Christian, students find not just an educator but a passionate mentor committed to fostering musical creativity, growth, and the sheer joy of making music.
Susan Sheets
piano - voice
Susan is a native Oregonian growing up in Keizer, near Salem. She began singing and playing the piano at a very young age, and participated in school and church choirs, competing ensembles and soloing, pageant contestant, featured soloist and acting in drama/musical productions. She went on to study music education in college. While attending college and after graduation she was a musician for hire performing at various events and a choral director at a local church. Susan has over 30 years of experience in music education, and directing choral and drama productions in schools, colleges and churches to all ages across the country. She has taught private voice and piano lessons since 1990, operating a piano lesson school with an average of 45 students, ages 3-70 in Oregon, Washington, California, Pennsylvania and Missouri. She loves playing and teaching improvisation because of the freedom to create and play more decorative in style. She has developed her own curriculum for teaching the chord and improv method. Her philosophy of teaching piano is to establish a solid musical foundation, but to also allow students to be creative and make their own music. Susan communicates the musical concepts in an easy relaxed and fun way. “I have found that if a student, no matter what age, can play the songs they love, see progress and be creative in the process, they will be more motivated to learn and develop their skills and play for a life time”.
Susan and her husband Dwight are empty nesters and recently moved to Sisters to be near their project of restoring the historic CCC built Santiam Pass Ski Lodge on Santiam Pass. They have three grown sons, two married, and the youngest away at college.
Mary Kellogg
piano - voice - guitar
Mary was born into a musical family who expressed creativity through the piano, organ, harmonica, guitar, and singing. It is second nature for her to encourage her students to bring forth their innate abilities and confidence that might not be acknowledged in traditional school settings or academic programs. Accessing areas of natural inclination that each student is drawn to can help build a strong foundation of musical skills that often springboard unique interests and goals.
It was an exciting time in Sacramento when Mary was studying jazz and classical music performance and theory at American River College and Sacramento State University. Jazz vocal and instrumental programs were taking root and expanding exponentially with the expertise of internationally renowned choir director Perla Warren and world-class pianist Dr. Joe Gilman. Mary moved to Bend in 2012 and decided to further her studies in music composition and performance. She recently attained a Bachelor Degree at Eastern Oregon University where she graduated with Summa Cum Laude Honors.
Highlights of her career include a USO Military Tour of Alaska with a country/bluegrass band based in San Francisco; featured performances in the Artist in the Schools program through the California Arts Council; Choir Director of the Children’s Conservatory of Music in Roseville, California; active leader and soloist of a professional quality church band in Bend; and seven years of solo performances at a venue in the Old Sacramento downtown tourist district.
Mary teaches beginning, intermediate, and advanced piano. Her vocal instruction emphasizes techniques which support a full and lifted tone. For jazz vocal, phrasing is highlighted in singing both lyrics and scat syllables. Guitar teaching focuses on strong rhythm and can be combined with singing and playing favorite songs in the student’s vocal key. She has been teaching for over twenty years with a special heart-felt intent of bringing out the innate best in each student.
Amber Heath
violin - piano - ukulele
Amber began her music education at the age of eight in Ohio, when her parents surprised her with a new piano. Before they could even save their money to begin lessons, Amber had worked out all of the major and minor scales on her own, as well as creating her first violin by holding a toy guitar on her left shoulder. After enrolling in both piano and viola lessons Amber pursued a classical music education, in high school having the privilege of performing under the tutelage of renowned Boston Pops Orchestra conductor Keith Lockhart. Amber graduated from Ohio State University School of Music, where she studied viola with Emeritus Professor and ProMusica Chamber Orchestra performer Edward Adelson, as well as working with Robert Gillespie, director of one of the most extensive string pedagogy programs in the nation. After graduation, Amber expanded her musical repertoire to include violin and fiddle, performing in various folk and rock ensembles in Columbus, Ohio and later, in Portland Oregon. Here in Central Oregon, she currently performs violin, viola, ukulele, and vocals with singer/songwriter Beth Waters. Amber has been teaching piano, violin, and viola since 1995 and has been a full-time career music teacher in classroom, ensemble, and private instruction for 13 years. She prides herself on her commitment to developing confidence in young people, understanding music education to be much more than teaching a particular skill. To Amber, teaching a person how to create music opens up a whole world of expression, creativity, and self-esteem that can aid in all aspects of life. She considers each student as a unique individual, with his or her own strengths, interests, experiences, and attitudes. And it is her personal goal to work with each student to help them achieve their personal best every day!
Alex Bakkom
piano - voice - ukulele
Alex is a recent Oregon State graduate with her masters in music education. Her love for singing started at an early age and has developed through various choirs, musicals, and operas. In high school she took leadership roles in her choir that received first place at the OSAA Choir State Championship. She also was musical director for her A Cappella group, arranging music, teaching harmonies, and cultivating a productive and fun environment. Alex's time at Oregon State shaped her philosophy; everyone is capable of achieving musical abilities with the right individualized instruction and positive space to learn in. Her primary job is at North Star Elementary School where she will teach music and art starting this fall. She looks forward to expanding her scope of teaching and working with students of all ages through private voice and piano lessons. She hopes to uplift and inspire students to freely express themselves and find their voice, making meaningful connections to music.
Andy Jacobs
Guitar - Bass - Drums - Piano - Voice
Born in Bend during the early 80’s, Andy developed an intense passion for music at an early age. His parents exposed him to the oldies they grew up with, ranging from Elvis and Buddy Holly to Motown and The Beatles. In 1994, while Andy was in 8th grade, a Jimi Hendrix cover band played at his school and blew his adolescent mind. At that moment, he decided to use the money he earned delivering the local newspaper on his bike to purchase his first electric guitar. Immediately, he began to learn the instrument on his own by playing along with his favorite albums of the early 90’s. It wasn’t long before he was playing in bands and gigging out regularly. Andy has played in countless bands around town over the last two decades. ‘Goodbye Dyna’ is Andy’s solo project that has released a few albums in which he writes and plays everything on them. Andy is also an accomplished drummer and can be found playing in the local band ‘The Color Study’. He is also currently playing lead guitar and singing for the Beatles tribute band, ‘Magical Mystery Four’. Some other bands he currently plays with are 'Wild Bells', 'Weez-It', 'Natty Red', and 'Toothpick Shaker'. Previous bands include 'Juju Eyeball', 'Subliminal', 'Drunk Pilot', 'Sons of Dirt', 'Blame Amy', and 'Thought Police'. Andy has been teaching private lessons for 15 years now and has also taught the ‘School of Rock’ class at Cascade School of Music. He is also well-versed in vocal training and can offer this service as well to aspiring performers. For those students looking to approach music from a songwriting perspective, Andy is able to combine vocal coaching with other instrument instruction. He was taught voice by Don Hoxie, who studied under the same instructor for Ann Wilson of the iconic rock band Heart.
Andy also just recorded an original album with Goodbye Dyna at the legendary Abbey Road Studios in London.