SADDLEBACK SCHOOL OF MUSIC AND THE ARTS
Music and Creative Art Instruction for Youth and Adults
Our faculty members are working, professional musicians. We strive to provide an encouraging and challenging learning environment to help guide and develop the gifts that God has given students through skilled training and on-on-one encouragement. SSMA provides instruction in a class room group setting as well as well as private instruction in Piano, Drums, Voice, Accoustic Guitar, Electric Guitar, Bass Guitar, and Rock Band where students learn the art of playing together!
For detailed information and ONLINE REGISTRATION please visit www.saddlebacksma.com
Saddleback School of Music And Arts Staff
SSMA Instructors:
DREW HESTER - DRUMS
Drew graduated from the Grove School of Music in Los Angeles. He is a touring drummer and recording artist, who has played professionally for over 20 years. His credits include recording and performing with Jewel, Joe Walsh (The Eagles), Foo Fighters, Mick Fleetwood, Jackson Browne, Stevie Nicks, Lisa Marie Presley, and Five For Fighting. He frequently appears on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno.
GANNIN ARNOLD - GUITAR
Gannin is an in-demand session guitarist, singer, songwriter, and producer. His many credits include recording and performing with John Tesh, Crystal Lewis, Jeremy Camp, Joe Walsh (The Eagles), Taylor Hawkins and The Coattail Riders, Jimmy Chamberlin Complex, Jeff Berlin and more. He has appeared on Entertainment Tonight, Regis and Kelly, World News Tonight, and more.
GORDON RUSTVOLD - BASS
Gordon has played professionally for over 37 years, with over 2000 recording sessions to his credit. Those include B.B. King, Steve Perry (Journey), Mary Wells, Brian Duncan, Pat Boone, Sligo Rags (Celtic music), Ric Flauding, Ernie Watts, Justo Almario, as well as big bands with Don Menza, Bill Watrous, and Tom Kubis. Gordon's expertise includes music of Rock, Jazz (combo & big bands), Latin, Country, Celtic, Folk and Bluegrass.
TIIU MARIE JANKOWSKI - PIANO
Tiiu is a graduate of the Sydney Conservatory of Music in Sydney, Australia. She has toured throughout Australia, the United States, and Canada in music ministry, appearing on national TV, and performing and recording in Nashville and Los Angeles. As a member of the Music Teacher’s Association of California (MTAC), she offers participation in the Certificate of Merit study program for her classical piano students.
BRANDON MUCHOW - GUITAR
Brandon is an active worship leader and songwriter, leading worship in the various venues here at Saddleback Church for both children and adults. He has played in churches and conferences around the country and the world. His music has been featured on ABC’s 20/20, in worship magazines, and in the Simply Youth small group curriculum “Life Hurts, God Heals.”
FRANK COTINOLA - DRUMS Frank has been playing drums professionally for 43 yrs. (Yeah, he's an old guy!) He's quite active in the recording industry and has recorded and/or performed with a variety of artists including The Righteous Brothers, Jose' Feliciano, Chuck Berry (but then who hasn't?), John Stewart, Bob Welch (Fleetwood Mac), Jackson Brown, Jann Browne, Bo Diddly, Dave Alvin and The Missiles of October.
REBEKAH JONES - VOICE
Rebekah has been teaching voice privately for over 7 years, and is on our Vocal Worship Team here at Saddleback. She received a performance scholarship, and graduated with a B.A. in Music from Briercrest Bible College, majoring in Voice. Upon graduation, she was hired as adjunct faculty to teach private voice. During high school and college, she was a featured soloist in several ensembles, and has toured with choirs throughout the U.S., Canada and Europe. Rebekah has recorded on several CD's, including background vocals for Saddleback's Worship Conference Songseeker Project.
THOMAS CUMMINGS
Thomas has been walking the professional boards for over 6 years now. He is a Classically / Broadway trained vocalist who also crosses over into many other different styles. He graduated from Mount Vernon Nazarene University with a theatre major and vocal performance minor. Credits include the lead vocals in the musicals The West Coast Premiere of Magdalene, The Fantastiks, Guys & Dolls, Pirates of Penzance, And The World Goes Round, The Cricket on The Hearth, Saddleback Church ’s The Journey, and most recently Godspell. He has also sung background with Sandi Patty on her hymns DVD, and on the Saddleback Worship Conference Songseeker 2007 album. Tom has sung many solos in the different venues of the church as well as on the Saddleback Vocal Worship Ministry.
MICK TARAS - GUITAR
Mick Taras is an in-demand guitarist whose credits include The Motels, Faith Evans, Sarah McLachlan, Suzy Bogguss and more. He has taught guitar classes at the Los Angeles Conservatory of Music, and his music knowledge ranges from Rock to Bluegrass, and from Jazz to Rhythm & Blues.