Meet our Teachers
Our teachers are talented musicians who love to teach. As your music instructor, they will show you everything from the basics to advanced techniques, teach you the songs you love, and cheer you on every step of the way.
GUITAR / BASS / UKULELE
AARON WITZL
GUITAR/ UKULELE
Monday & Thursday
From the outset, Aaron’s unwavering passion for music was clear. Growing up in Whittier, California, he immersed himself in the local music scene, teaching himself guitar and drums at just 10 years old to join older kids in jam sessions. He later joined school orchestras, performing at prestigious venues like the Nixon Presidential Library and Kennedy Space Center. Today, Aaron actively participates in the music scene, as a dedicated member of the Fleetwood Mac tribute band Twisted Gypsy and various other original and cover projects. His teaching style combines meticulous guidance, motivational support, emphasis on technique and theory, and a genuine love for all music genres. His patience and attentiveness cater to students of all levels, from beginners to advanced musicians.
JORDAN DIGGS
GUITAR / BASS / UKULELE
Wednesday
Jordan has spent years pursuing a career in music and acting, (with credits including “The Good Place” and “Days of Our Lives.”) After leaving acting to focus on music, he has been sharpening his skills in the highly competitive local music scene, both in Los Angeles, as well as here in Ventura County. This helped him cultivate an impressive array of theory and technique from genres as far flung as punk rock, cumbia, and jazz. In addition to playing with cover bands, he writes and produces for two original projects. He seeks foremost for students to be excited and engaged, while passing on his own knowledge and skills using songs they know and enjoy.
DYLAN EMBRING
GUITAR / BASS
Monday, Tuesday & Thursday
From playing musicals in an orchestra pit to onstage with jazz and rock bands, Dylan has a broad range of experience on the guitar. He loves to teach students of all skill levels and help them to find their voice on the instrument.
JULIAN PEREZ
ELECTRIC & UPRIGHT BASS / VIOLIN / VIOLA / CELLO
Wednesday & Thursday
Julian has been a working musician since his sophomore year at Santa Susana where he received a certification of excellence in Instrumental Music, the National Orchestra Award, the Louis Armstrong Jazz Award, and the John Philip Sousa Band Award. Julian frequently performs throughout Ventura and LA County and received a Visual and Performing Arts Scholarship to California Lutheran University where he is currently studying Music Composition. In addition to performance experience on viola and cello, Julian plays upright bass, electric bass, and violin and majors in symphonic composition. Julian’s dedication to music shines through his teaching and allows students of any skill level to play with passion.
DRUMS
KEN COX
DRUMS
Monday—Thursday & Saturday
Ken is a perennial student favorite, having taught drums in Simi Valley for 30 years. Ken studied with renowned drummer Ed Shaughnessy of the Tonight Show. He also published the instructional book ‘Advanced Stick Aerobics’, which was featured in Modern Drummer and is used by classic drum professor, Ed Soph. Ken has a long list of students who have gone on to professional music careers, and teaches varying styles from double bass, rock and country to jazz and funk. Generations of students love Ken for his sense of humor and love of music that comes through in his supportive teaching style.
PIANO / BRASS / WOODWINDS
CHRYS BERRI
PIANO / CLARINET / FLUTE / FRENCH HORN
SAXOPHONE / TROMBONE / TRUMPET
Monday—Saturday
Chrys has been a musician since childhood and currently works with several local bands and worship teams. He has been teaching music for more than 30 years, including 10 years running Berri’s Music in Simi Valley. He specializes in group piano classes for children as well as advanced keyboard, woodwinds and recording studio techniques. Receiving his education at California State University, Northridge, he is well versed in classical as well as popular performance, composition and theory. His fun and professional style of teaching helps students feel at ease as they progress toward their musical goals.
ETHAN STRUBBE
PIANO
Tuesday
VIOLIN / VIOLA / CELLO / UPRIGHT BASS
JULIAN PEREZ
VIOLIN / VIOLA / CELLO / UPRIGHT & ELECTRIC BASS
Wednesday & Thursday
Julian has been a working musician since his sophomore year at Santa Susana where he received a certification of excellence in Instrumental Music, the National Orchestra Award, the Louis Armstrong Jazz Award, and the John Philip Sousa Band Award. Julian frequently performs throughout Ventura and LA County and received a Visual and Performing Arts Scholarship to California Lutheran University where he is currently studying Music Composition. In addition to performance experience on viola and cello, Julian plays upright bass, electric bass, and violin and majors in symphonic composition. Julian’s dedication to music shines through his teaching and allows students of any skill level to play with passion.
VOICE
RANA EBRAHIMI
VOICE
Wednesday
Soprano Rana hails from Iran, where she earned an associate degree in Instrumental Music (flute) from Rahil Conservatory in Tehran. Rana discovered her passion for singing in the middle of her musical path as a flutist and is pursuing her dream of becoming an opera singer. She received her master’s degree in Music-Vocal Performances at California State University, Northridge. Rana has performed as Adele in Die Fledermaus, Olympia in Offenbach’s Les contes d’Hoffmann, Sister Genovieffa in Suor Angelica and Gherardino in Gianni Schicchi by Puccini. She has been also singing with Pacific American Master Chorale, University of Southern California’s Early Music department and Verdi Chorus. Last year, she made her Long Beach Opera and Chicago Opera Theatre debut as Josh/Lucy in Phillip Glass’s U.S. premiere of The Perfect American under the baton of Andreas Mitisek.
Rana enjoys teaching to students of all ages and feels blessed to share her love of singing with her students.
ROBBYN KIRMSSÉ
VOICE
Monday & Tuesday
ABBY SHANKS
VOICE
Thursday
Abby Shanks has been singing and creating music for as long as she can remember, exhibiting an innate passion for music as a form of expression. She has been involved in choral programs since elementary school and has performed with over a dozen ensembles over the years. Abby received her Bachelor’s Degree in music from Concordia University Irvine, where she studied both classical and commercial styles for voice and piano. Her repertoire has spanned a variety of genres, including opera, musical theater, jazz, rock, pop, and country. She was featured in two of Concordia’s musical PBS Christmas Specials and spent her last semester in school studying the connections between music and personal well-being. As a teacher, Abby strives to focus on both the technical and emotional aspects of music-making to cultivate a lifelong connection with the craft.
Contact us to learn more about music lessons!
We can match you with a teacher and find a day and time that works for you.