BE NATURAL MUSIC - Key Persons

Job Titles:

• Music Instructor for Drums / Percussion, Voice, & Piano Rock Band Teacher ( in - Person & Remote ) Bilingual English & Spanish

Drummer and Multi-Percussionist Barbara Martin is originally from Guantanamo City, Cuba. She went to Vocational School of the Arts in Guantanamo, then Professional School of the Arts in Santa Clara, and eventually attending the University of the Arts in Havana, Cuba as a Percussion Major. During her studies, she had the opportunity to perform with the Harvard Symphony Orchestra and was also the lead percussionist and Timpanist in The Santa Clara Symphony Orchestra and Concert Band for more than 9 years. She has played with various bands in Cuba playing popular and traditional music of Cuba like Rason, Ella's Son, Elizabeth and Razones, Cadencia, and Alter Ego. She eventually taught percussion at the schools that she went to as a student. In 2012, she relocated to Doha, Qatar to play nightly as a percussionist and lead vocalist at the Ritz-Carlton Hotel for four years. Upon arriving in the United States, she took on the Drummer and Lead Vocal positions in several bands performing in different genres-Jazz, Latin, Pop and Rock in bands like Catch the Groove, The Integral Latin Band, Barbara, and the Boys, Bomba Jazz, Barbara Martin Group, Alma Rumbera Band, Modern Groove Experience Big Band, Martin/Soriano Duo, and various solo projects. She teaches voice and piano but is a specialist in percussion. Her primary instrument is Latin Percussion-Timbales, Congas, Bongos, Cajon Flamenco and Minor Percussion. Her formal Classical training makes her equally adapted to teaching and performing with the Vibraphone, Marimba, Xylophone, and Timpani. She focuses on making music learning a fun and engaging endeavor where students get to learn their favorite music, as well as get some introductions to new and exciting instruments and music genres that they may not be familiar with. Students will also learn Basic Theory, reading music notation, performance techniques, and making the best out of every performance situation.

Musician, Music Educator, Artist and Luthier Chris Soriano has been studying and playing music for over 20 years. He graduated from the University of North Florida with an Art degree in 2003. Using his knowledge and skills acquired as an Art student, he started building/designing guitars shortly after graduating and eventually ran a stringed instrument repair shop part time in Florida. After working as a part time Luthier and a full time commercial sign maker for over 10 years, he went back to UNF to study in the Music Technology program for three years to pursue a music related career. He worked as a full time music instructor and musician playing guitar/bass in various local Jazz, Blues and Latin bands in Northeast Florida. Chris moved to Santa Cruz, California in 2019 and currently teaches Guitar, Bass & Ukulele where students learn Basic Music Theory, Rock, Latin and Jazz Improvisation. He also works at The Santa Cruz Guitar Company and plays gigs regularly around the Santa Cruz area.

Job Titles:

• Instructor
• Guitar Instructor ( Remote Teacher Only )

Damon Orion is a guitar instructor who specializes in rock, blues, classical, metal, folk, country and many other styles. Along with being a graduate of Musicians Institute in Los Angeles, he studied music theory, classical guitar and piano at U.C. Santa Cruz. Damon believes that music should be a pleasure for students, not a chore. He strives to make his lessons fun while also giving his students a solid musical foundation based on proper technique and a well-rounded knowledge of scales, chords, arpeggios, etc. His lessons are tailored to the specific needs and goals of his students, whether the focus is on theory, note reading, improvisation, technique, ear training, songwriting or simply learning songs.

Job Titles:

• Office Manager & Scholarship Manager

Bringing our community together to make music education alive and available to anyone who wants to learn.

Job Titles:

• Bass Instructor ( in - Person & Remote )

Matt started his musical journey on piano at age 5. At age 14, influenced by artists like Flea and Les Claypool he began studying bass guitar. A Jazz History course in college brought influences by players such as Jaco, Mingus, and Marcus Miller. Thus starting his study on the Upright Bass. By his mid 20's Matt decided to perform as much as possible to gain experience across all genres. Performing with punk, Funk, Jazz, New-Wave, Blues, and rock bands. He says; "Through my travels, I've always found a way to the stage. I've found that music has been a common language that allows me to play, and connect with players all over the world."

Job Titles:

• Music Director Rock Band Teacher

Matt, fondly known as "Yoga Matt" on stage, has collectively studied music since the age of five and has been teaching in Santa Cruz County since 1998. Among his arsenal of music expertise are: guitar, vocals, composition, piano, electric bass and drums. His vast formal training has taken place in top schools, such as UC Santa Cruz, UC Berkeley, and Cabrillo College, eventually earning his Bachelors in Jazz Guitar from Skidmore College in New York. Over the years, Matt has gained much professional experience performing in Jazz and Rock bands, as well as performing solo. Matt takes a unique and creative approach to teaching that engages students to bring out their best, learning theory as well as valuable performance techniques.

Job Titles:

• Music Instructor for Piano, Voice, Choir, Harp, Recorder, Clarinet & Saxophone Rock Band Teachers ( in - Person & Remote )

Sarah has been playing saxophone for well over fifteen years and has been teaching for Be Natural Music since 2013. She studied music at UCSC, earning a Bachelors in Community Studies with a minor in Jazz. Sarah has a special talent for working with young children, developing special rhythm exercises and games, making learning music fun. Everyone adores Sarah! Sarah teaches Saxophone, vocals, piano and Harp. Sarah also specializes in song-writing. Her creativity helps young children come up with lyrics and melodies all on their own! She guides her students through basic song-writing technique, while encouraging their creativity. *Sarah is also a Certified Sound Therapist Sarah Newman has ten years of experience teaching young children with enthusiasm. Parents love her approach informed by her training in child development, music theory, and sound healing.