Instructors
Aaron Aranita
Aaron Aranita has been a professional working musician for over 25 years. He has worked as a sideman and leader throughout the U.S. and Japan backing up some of the top names in the business, Bob Hope, Andy Williams, Natalie Cole, the Temptations, and Boy Katindig just to name a few. But that is only one aspect of his musicianship. He started in music young, playing the clarinet then switching to bass in high school, went back to playing woodwinds in college, and then picking up keyboards along the way. He honed his craft in colleges such as Leeward Community College near his hometown of Waipahu, Hawaii and Monterey Peninsula College in Monterey, California, and at dedicated establishments of musical learning such as the Berklee School of Music in Boston, Massachusetts. The Berklee School of Music was where Aaron decided to reach out even more and really learn from the best teachers available, Joe Viola for saxophone, Greg Hopkins, Phil Wilson and Andy Jaffe for arranging and composition. Evidently, he learned his lessons well because the people at Berklee to nominated him to the Dean’s List in 1980. Now, as an accomplished musician, he composes both music and lyrics, owns and runs his own commercial studio, Sugartown Records, where he produces and records his own and other artists’ albums, and even serves as musical director for the annual Great Hawaiian Jazz Blowout. He is also a well sought after accompanist among Hawaii’s finest.
Jeffrey James
Born and raised in Hawaii, Jeffrey James, 19, is a well-rounded musician always looking for a new challenge musically. He is a proficient Drumset, Percussion, Bass, Guitar, Mallet percussion player that has been playing for numerous years even before his intermediate school days. Currently, Jeffrey James attends Hawaii Pacific University on a 100% music scholarship, and participates in various groups on the island, playing reggae, jazz, latin, R&B, and rock.
Justin James
Justin James studied music privately from his father Chuck James. Justin received a full scholarship from Hawaii Pacific University for the jazz band program, and received a BA in Business Management. He has performed with several jazz artists here in Hawaii, Keahi Conjugation, Nadira Shakoor, David Yamasaki, Anita Hall, Jack Johnson, Dayna Stephens, Stafford Hunter, Gilbert Bantangan, Deshannon Higa, John Kolivas and many more recognizable names. He currently leads a jazz/funk group named “Newjass Quartet”, which currently performs in and around Honolulu. When not performing Justin is teaching and managing as a full time partner with his father Chuck James at there music school. Justin James recording include TAVANA “only for the light hearted”, PAULA FUGA “LiliKoi”.
Mandy Llamedo
Born and raised in Honolulu Hawaii, is a 2003 graduate of St. Francis School and is currently attending Hawaii Pacific University on a music scholarship. Her interest in music began at a young age, with her father being a singer and her mother being a piano player. After studying the piano at age 7 she has gone on to study various instruments, including the guitar, bass, and woodwinds. She began playing the drums at age 9 and studied under Harold Chang and Chuck James. She currently drums for Contemporary Hawaiian group, Kalena, and also has a group with her two sisters.
David Yamasaki
David Yamasaki studied ethnomusicology at the University of Washington, Seattle, and guitar at Berklee College of Music, Boston, before receiving a BA and MA from California State University, Hayward. He has recorded with Tito Puente, Sheila E., Pete Escovedo Orchestra, John Santos and the Machete Ensemble, Deems, and Nikita Germaine and has performed in music videos and film including Bill Cosby’s Leonard, Part Six. Additional performances include Lou Rawls, Louie Bellson, Dianne Schuur, Eddie Fisher, Faye Carol, Little Anthony and the Imperials, the Forty Niner Band, Lydia Pense and Cold Blood, Wayne Wallace and Rhythm and Rhyme, and Fred Berry as well as accompaniment for Frederica Von Stade. He has written scores for two PBS productions and charts for Ramsey Lewis. Since moving to Honolulu he has performed with several local artists including, Keahi Conjugation, The New Jass Quartet, DeShannon Higa and The Groove Improv Artists, Rock and Soul Band, PBS Big Band, and Amber Ricci. CDs and a listing of current public performances are available at: yamasongs.com
Rachel Gonzales
Hawaii-born (Hilo) Rachel Gonzales is the complete singer-musician. She began performance at age 4 (e.g., singing, ukulele, hula); continued her musical growth during intermediate and high school years (e.g., clarinet, guitar, and more singing); graduated with a Bachelor of Music (studied classical singing) from the University of Hawaii at Manoa; and has been performing professionally to date. Her formal study and professional experience (e.g., clubs, concerts, recording/studio work) provides much knowledge to share with students. Each student is given his/her own unique lesson plan, because no two students are the same. Her role as instructor is to bring out the best of each student at their own pace and talents and nurture their passion and interest in music. Rachel performs weekly as a soloist (vocal/guitar) at the Ilima award-winning Duc’s Bistro in Chinatown and covers a wide range of styles from contemporary, jazz, folk, blues, Broadway, Latin, and originals. She and jazz pianist Les Peetz have been featured jazz artists at the Hawaii Public Radio Atherton Studio, the Doris Duke Theatre (Honolulu Art Academy) and Ward’s Rafters Sunday Jazz. She has toured Washington (e.g., Seattle, Spokane) with Mr. Peetz and has performed in both the Hawaii Jazz Festivals and Jazz Blowouts in Honolulu, and the 14th duMaurier Jazz Festival of Vancouver, British Columbia (Canada). Rachel, in a review of her CD “Live at the Atherton” by John Berger of the Star-Bulletin, was called “the best unknown jazz singer in Honolulu.” Referring to her versatility and musicianship, he added that no one else here was doing what she does. She has performed with various artists in Hawaii and the mainland that include Les Peetz, Betty Loo Taylor, Chuck James, Nueva Vida, the Honolulu Symphony, Martin Nivera, Jeff Linsky, James Ingram, Bob Albanese, Abe Weinstein, Russell Malone, Kealii Reichel, Michael Paulo, Loyal Garner, the Krush, and many more.
Rosemary Cuccia
Rosemary Cuccia,who is a licensed minister in Hawaii, has professionally taught, performed, and directed music throughout New York, New Jersey and Hawaii for over 25 years. She has appeared in Television Commercial Showcases in New York as well as off-Broadway and Opera productions. She was musical director for the production Falsetto and is a composer and arranger. Rosemary is a church organist and has taught piano to adults and Senior Citizens through Moanalua Adult Education and after school for Maryknoll. She is a certified substitute teacher for children from pre-school through high school. Her unique and gentle experienced approach to teaching piano and voice allows people of all ages to learn with ease. Her background as a soloist and accompanist gives the student the preparation and skills needed for student performances and auditions. Her motto “there are no mistakes, only lessons” helps everyone learn at the pace they are able. Empire State College (SUNY) BPS (Bachelor of Professional Studies) Music and Education
Roshan Kumar
Guitarist / Songwriter / Teacher Roshan Kumar has played in Jazz, Blues, Big Band, Latin, Free Form, Rock, Country, New Age and Show Groups in the U.S., Canada, the Caribbean, Hawaii and Japan. Roshan has B.A. in Music Theory & Composition from the University of Minnesota his postgraduate studies at Grove Music School, L.A.- and studied jazz with Howard Roberts, founder of G.I.T. Musician’s Institute, Hollywood. A few of his accomplishments are; Featured in premier performance of Hawaii TV show First Edition, Composed and played guitar for ” Tuesday ” film score – lead film in Filmex Animation Festival, Winner of the Hawaii KPOI SUPERJAM Contest – performance at Blaisdell Arena with – Joe Walsh of the Eagles, Jeff Baxter of the Doobie Brothers, John Entwistle & Simon Phillips of the Who, and Keith Emerson of Emerson, Lake & Palmer, has written over 150 compositions copywritten in diverse styles, has compositions and guitar playing featured on International and Hawaii television and radio, and has co-founded recording company Cosmic Cat Music.
Janet Blees
Janet Blees is a piano teacher with nearly 40 years of experience. She holds a Master of Music degree in Piano and Voice Performance and Pedagogy, from Northern Illinois University, DeKalb, Illinois. Besides her teaching, she is also a piano tuner. Her husband, Willem, is a full-time piano tuner/technician. Janet has sung professionally for many years in St. Louis, Missouri, where she sang with the Symphony Chorus and other choruses, and was a soloist for many churches and temples. Here on Oahu she sings with the Honolulu Symphony Chorus and the Chamber Chorus, among others. She and her husband also ring hand bell solos and duets. Janet has had students who became music majors in college and also professional musicians. Her claim to fame is being positive and patient in her teaching, since she is both a mother and a grandmother.
Christian Bautista
Shay Marcello
Guitar and bass instructor Shay learned to play music at 8 years old and never stopped since. His first instrument was the clarinet and from there learned to play every band instrument. Later he took orcestrah and learned to play the upright double bass. From this he switched to electric bass which is his main and favorite instrument. Marching was not an issue because in the Kamehameha marching band he was jamming on the sidelines in the pit. From here he was given a full music scholarship to attend Hawaii Pacific University and play his bass. Now currently in 4 bands he has fun gigging and doing what he loves best, playing music.
Colleen Gustavson
David Chiorini
Originally for California, David is very happy to be in Hawaii where he is a member of the Honolulu Symphony, David is Musical Director of “Stars in Concert Hawaii”, and regularly freelances in the local jazz and pop scene. In his musical career he has been privileged enough to play in the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival, The AIMS Festival in Graz, Austria, The Chicago Funk and Groove Festival, The National Repertory Orchestra in Breckenridge, Colorado, The San Francisco Jazz Festival at Washington Square Park, the Knitting Factory (L.A.), The Commodore Ballroom (Vancouver, B.C.), The Great American Music Hall (San Francisco), and many others. While in the islands he has performed with Raiatea Helm, Anita Hall, Henry Kapono, Jeff Peterson, Ginai, David Kamakahi, Deshannon Higa, Zanuck Lindsey, Willow Chang, Rocky Brown, Sunway, the PBS Little Big Band, the NewJass Quartet, The Hot Club of Hulaville, and others. David received his Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of California San Diego and his Masters degree from the University of Colorado Boulder. Some teachers include Bert Turetzky, Paul Erhard, and Motown legend Carol Kaye.
Megan Kami
Having been exposed to the violin at an early age Megan expressed a desire to play the violin before she was two years old. Starting private lessons at the age of three, Megan continued her classical training for seventeen years. Megan’s interest in music expanded during her middle and high school years where she played the violin, cello, oboe and percussion in the school orchestras, bands and marching band. She was the Mililani High School Marching Band Drumline Front Ensemble Captain in 2005 and Drumline Co-Captain in 2006. Megan is in her second year as Advisor to the Mililani High School Drumline Front Ensemble (mallets). Additionally, she has performed with several string quartets at weddings, parties, and grand openings in Honolulu and recently, at a convention in Las Vegas. Megan is a 2007 graduate of Mililani High School and is currently attending Hawaii Pacific University on a full orchestra scholarship.
Annie Llamedo
Annie Llamedo is currently in the process of completing her Bachelor of Arts degree in General Music at the University of Hawaii Manoa with focuses in Elementary Music Education as well as Vocal Music. As part of her degree, Annie was trained in voice formally by Sarah Markovitz and Megan Mount. Annie has been taught by various teachers since the age of six and is also self-taught in piano. Prior to working here, Annie taught beginning piano and voice independently for the past few years to both children and adults. In the summer of 2007, she worked with The Movement Center, a performing arts center based in Kaimuki, as Musical Director for their summer production, “Save Our Seas.” Annie is also currently the Music Coordinator/Director for two churches in the Manoa-Punahou community. She describes her teaching style as a “combination of things I’ve learned from all of my musical experiences” but notes that she will often adjust her style fulfill the needs of her students.
Keith Scott
Originally from Pennsylvania, Down Beat Magazine award winner Keith Scott received a B.S. in music from West Chester University. During his college years, Scott performed with such jazz greats as Michael Brecker, Phil Woods and Jeff Stout. Keith has taught in public schools as well as privately at the renowned Wilmington Music School in Wilmington, DE. His performing career has spanned more than thirty-five years and included performances with the likes of Slyde Hyde, Gabe Baltazar, Henry Allen and more than sixty other musicians/singers during his six years in Hawaii. In 2005, Scott performed in some of Japan’s finest jazz clubs on tour with the Henry Allen Quartet. Since 2005, Keith has received Hawaii Music Awards in four different genres including blues, classical, new age and country music. Keith currently has twelve CD albums released and selling world-wide. His WAIKIKI CD has received extensive airplay at SmoothJazz.com and SmoothLounge.com as well as many other online smooth jazz stations. More information about his recordings can be found at keithscott.net.