Drum & Percussion Faculty
Ryan Gordon
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Ryan Gordon is a multi-talented musician and instructor. He has been playing musical instruments since age three. Ryan considers one of his strengths to be the ability to connect with children, and emphasize enthusiasm for the instruments. At age eight, Ryan was mentored by a professional drummer and sound engineer, and it developed Ryan’s love of songwriting, which ultimately proved to be a catalyst that would help Ryan to seek out more formal training in multiple instruments on alto saxophone, drum set, piano, electric bass, guitar, ukulele and upright bass. Since high school, Ryan has sought out music theory concepts, Bach voice leading techniques, to Gil Evans voice voice-leading techniques, which have all contributed to the piano style that Ryan uses today. Additional materials that Ryan has studied on piano include The Mark Levine Jazz Piano book, Oscar Peterson's Night Train’ transcription book, and Debussy's Children’s Corner’ and ‘Claire De Lune.’ As a bassist, Ryan has also played with many talented pianists, performing over 250 gigs, and has been able to observe and learn from great pianists, while collaborating with them. Ryan has studied piano formally with Ray Gallon, and Garrett Michelsen.
As a professional musician, composer, and producer, Ryan has worked with five Grammy winners. Ryan currently scores the film that peaked at the top seven on the US iTunes pre-order chart called The Bad Shepherd. Ryan is also a recipient of the San Francisco Arts Commission 23/24 grant - for a 13-piece big band double album for which Ryan will be composing and producing. |
Eli Eckert
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Eli Eckert has been teaching guitar, drum and piano lessons in the Bay Area for the past 14
years. He has taught students of all ages in both private lessons and at local music schools. Fostering a sense of joy for playing music that students will carry with them throughout their lifetime is one of Eli’s main goals as a teacher. He strives to create an enjoyable, encouraging and appropriately challenging atmosphere for his students. In addition to teaching new skills and emphasizing dedication, he also works to instill a sense of confidence and excitement to help students get the most out of their musical journey. Eli is also a songwriter, instrumentalist and singer who has co-founded and led several bands, recorded multiple albums and toured throughout the U.S. and Europe. He has been part of the local music scene for the past three decades and continues to perform in clubs and venues around the Bay Area. He lives in Oakland with his wife and two sons. |
Elias Lozano
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Elias is a seasoned music educator with years of teaching experience. With a decade of guitar and bass playing under his belt and four years of live performance experience in venues across the Bay Area, Elias brings a wealth of practical knowledge to his students. His diverse background includes roles as a performance program music director, where he has honed his ability to inspire and develop budding musicians. Elias is passionate about fostering a love for music in his students, helping them develop their skills, and guiding them to express themselves creatively through their instruments. His teaching approach is rooted in real-world experience, ensuring that students not only learn the technical aspects of music but also how to perform with confidence and passion.
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