Meet Our Teaching Faculty

Jay Lane is a long-time Bay Area drummer who’s played with Bob Weir’s projects, Les Claypool’s projects, Charlie Hunter Trio, Alphabet Soup, Freaky Executives, The Uptones, and numerous other bands in the area for the past 30 years. Jay got his start at Blue Bear when it was on Ocean Ave. in SF, and took private drum lessons with Steve Savage. Jay’s schedule is M-F 10 am-5 pm or weekends by special request.  Studio-quality audio Zoom lessons – $100/hour or $50/half-hour.

 

Elías Mathus is a multi-instrumentalist who was born and raised in the Bay Area.  He started playing guitar and bass at eight years of age; as he got older he added drums and piano and as many other instruments as he could.  He has played at the Chapel, Bottom of the Hill, the Fillmore, and many other venues in the Bay Area.  He loves many genres of music, but he’s most known for playing metal, punk, and jazz.  Elias teaches private lessons in guitar, bass, ukulele, drums, and beginning piano, and is also a summer camp instructor.

Amanda VanderMeer graduated with high honors from Portland Community College’s Professional Music Program and has been playing and writing music for twenty-five years, touring the globe and releasing two studio albums. Since 2006, she has taught a wide range of ages in drums, piano, vocals, music theory, and songwriting. She plays drums in her current band Deathtrap America.  Amanda teaches online private lessons in piano, drums, and voice, and is Co-Director of our All Star Band Program.