Lily ramus - guitar, bass guitar, ukulele

Lily Ramus is a musician and music teacher who has been passionate about music since learning to play the guitar and joining her first band in middle school. A decade later, she is a recent UC Berkeley graduate with a degree in music and enjoys teaching, performing with her band, and seeing live music whenever possible. Lily has experience playing and teaching a wide variety of genres and styles including, pop/rock, jazz, blues, metal, funk, country, and fingerstyle. Over the years she has played in many different bands and ensembles and in her current project she performs regularly at venues across California including, The UC Theatre, BandCamp HQ, The Pauley Ballroom at UC Berkeley, and 924 Gilman. In addition to teaching and performance, Lily is very involved in the local DIY music scene and for the past two years, she has organized several concerts and statewide tours highlighting queer and female-fronted bands and artists.

From preparing for a music theory exam to starting a punk band, Lily believes that learning music should be fun and self-fulfilling, and is committed to helping students reach their diverse personal
goals.

“My guitar is not a thing. It’s an extension of myself. It’s who I am.” - Joan Jett

Ryan beckwith - guitar, piano

Ryan Beckwith is a guitarist, multi-instrumentalist, composer, and producer with over 15 years of teaching experience and a B.A. in Music Education from Berklee College of Music. Ryan has written and produced music scores for film and television, and performed in numerous bands spanning pop, funk, jazz, metal, and beyond. His diverse experience allows him to adapt fluidly to any style, blending technical skill with expressive creativity. Drawing on years of performance and production, Ryan brings a deep understanding of both the artistic and practical sides of music to every lesson.

A word from Ryan:
"Music has always been my way of lifting myself out of the mundane and reconnecting with something bigger. Learning an instrument can be challenging, but the reward—those moments when something finally clicks or understanding something that gives you goosebumps—is pure magic. My goal as a teacher is to understand how each student learns best, so that together we can build confidence, joy, and independence as musicians. Even after our lessons end, I want my students to feel equipped to keep growing, exploring, and finding inspiration in their own way."

SEBASTIAN FOTOUHI - Guitar, ukulele, Bass Guitar

Sebastian has taught for over a decade. He’s taught at schools around the Bay Area, Los Angeles, and even as far as Texas. Sebastian has played in many professional bands at some of the most iconic stages in the Bay Area including the Sleep Train Pavilion, Bottom of The Hill, as well as many festivals and private shows. He plays and teaches many styles and instruments. His goal in teaching music is to ensure each student receives a top notch music education focusing especially on real world skills and knowledge. On top of a great education, the other main goal is to have fun with music! It can be overwhelming to dive into the ocean of knowledge with no application for all the techniques and pieces you’re learning. Sebastian aims to make it fun, welcoming, and practical.