INSTRUCTORS

Ron Jarzombek

GUITAR

San Antonio, TX-based guitarist/composer/producer Ron Jarzombek has been at the forefront of the progressive metal vanguard for over two decades during which time he has released some of the most innovative and challenging music in the world of progressive heavy rock/metal.

Ron's performing/recording projects/bands include Blotted Science, WatchTower, Spastic Ink, and S. A. Slayer. He also has 3 solo albums out on which he wrote, recorded, and produced all of the material.

As a guest musician, Ron has recorded and toured with notable artists such as Marty Friedman (Megadeth), Jeff Loomis (Nevermore), Obscura, Protest The Hero, Gordian Knot (feat. members of King Crimson, Cynic & Dream Theater), and Chris Adler (Lamb Of God). Local bands include Exit Stage Left (Rush tribute band) and Dragonfly.

Ron has a following of over 12K subscribers on youtube where you can find scores of instructional, recording and live performance videos. You can also find his 3 multitracking apps and 2 riffs/melody writing apps on the App Store and Goggle Play. Another writing app 'System 2412' will be released in Feb. 2021.

Ron's teaching experience goes all the way back to the 90's, teaching students of all ages, beginner to advanced, covering most styles while focusing on rock/metal. Lessons include...

technique, read music notation, learn music theory and how to apply it, create your own chord progressions, learn to solo in key, write melodies, improvise, play your favorite songs, learn how to write and record your own songs, learn about music production, and/or get into wacky progressive playing/writing concepts like 12-tone abuse, odd time signatures, rhythmic syncopation, metric modulation, etc... all sorts of fun stuff!

HANNA MURILLO

VIOLIN | PIANO | VOCAL

Hanna Aaly has been a dedicated musician since early childhood and has years of experience in choir, orchestra, mariachi, and solo classical singing. She obtained her Bachelor's Degree from The University of Texas at San Antonio with a major in Vocal Music Education. She has been teaching privately since 2018 and has been a student teacher in local middle and elementary schools. She offers piano, violin, and voice lessons for all ages and is proficient in working with beginner-intermediate musicians. In addition to private lessons, she also plays violin for weddings.

Chris Purcell

GUITAR | BASS | VOCAL | BANJO

Chris specializes in teaching lessons to beginners and or serious performers looking to hone their skills. He is experienced in teaching classical, folk, rock, country, metal, and more! Chris was a contestant on American Idol (2007) and Rock Star INXS (2005)

Blake Bailey

VOCALS | PIANO

Blake Bailey fell in love with music as a child growing up around many video game soundtracks, and sharing his love for heavy metal with his father. Since then, he has earned an associate's degree in music at San Antonio College and is currently pursuing a music composition degree at the University of Texas at San Antonio. Blake started his singing career at the age of seventeen and has performed at his respective College/University choirs ever since.

Derek Baker

GUITAR

Derek offers both acoustic and electric guitar instruction for students of any skill level, and all musical tastes. Whether a student is seeking a full understanding of music theory - or just looking to learn the basics, Derek is committed to helping his students meet their goals.

Sam Gonzalez

GUITAR | DRUMS |AUDIO ENGINEER

Sam Gonzalez is a formally trained guitarist and audio engineer. He is a graduate of Full Sail University's Recording Engineering program and holds a bachelor's degree in Classical Guitar Performance from Oral Roberts University. Born into a musical family, he was immersed in music of all genres from a young age. He began taking guitar lessons at the age of 9 and played percussion in concert and marching band from middle school through college. While he has played many genres including Blues, Jazz, Contemporary Praise and Worship, and Classical, he specializes in metal and shred styles and has been playing for 20 years. Sam is an active performer with the modern alternative metal band Dontfeedthebirds! and produces various artists at The Bird’s Nest Recordings.

Mauro Castro

AUDIO/RECORDING ENGINEER

Mauro Castro is an international Recording/Mixing Engineer born and raised in Monterrey Mexico. Started his career as a musician touring all around Mexico for about 4 years. Started engineering in 2013, in 2017 he started as a tracking engineer in the biggest residential studio in the world (Sonic Ranch) as a Recording/Mixing Engineer. He has worked with some of the biggest names in the musical industry - Geoff Emerick, Rob Fabboni, Sean O Keiff, Brian Virtue, Don Was, Curt Schnider and many others - bands like Lil Yachty, Hirie, Intergalactix, Culture Wars, Delta Rae, Money Chicha, Natalia Lafourcade, Intocable and many more...

In his "Painting Sounds" philosophy he creates a unique and personalized sound for each musical project and song.

He has engineered Grammy-nominated and Billboard-breaking albums.

Mauro has worked with many bands including, Delta Rae, Culture Wars, Money Chicha, and The Front Bottoms.

Check out Mauro's work