Meet Our Teaching Faculty

San Francisco’s Best Music Teachers & Educators

Our Team, One Commitment

Our faculty is deeply committed to teaching as a profession, dedicated to helping students meet their unique goals.

Blue Bear teachers also work as musicians, expert in their individual crafts, with significant experience in the music industry.

Teacher Bios

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Michael Chulada

Michael Chulada joined Blue Bear in 2015 teaching many of our off-site community programs for after-school kids. Since then, he got a certificate in early childhood development and he now teaches the Little Bears program as well. Michael has taught at the Blue Bear campuses, private schools, and SFUSD schools. He has played in many San Francisco bands and has a real knack for picking out fun songs that will get everyone movin’ and shakin’!

Rachel Hoiem

Rachel Hoiem has been part of the Little Bears program for over 15 years. She loves getting everyone moving with her zany songs that she’s collected from the many years she has worked with children. She has a B.A. in jazz piano from SF State and is proud to be a native San Franciscan. She’s played shows on most of the stages of local SF clubs and continues to record and perform with her band, Novio Electrico. She enjoys sharing her love of rock n roll, country, surf, and blues with lots of guitar jams and boogie-woogie piano that’s sure to get you and your kiddo grooving to the beat!

Keenan Wade

“Farmer” Keenan Wade is a Nashville musician, songwriter, and teaching artist now based in San Francisco who brings American roots music to life through playful, engaging experiences for young children. As one half of The Farmer & Adele, he blends western swing, classic country, and early jazz with interactive storytelling, movement, and song.

An Ameripolitan Award winner, Keenan has developed and led family-centered music programs, including children’s performances at the Country Music Hall of Fame’s Ford Theater and radio programming on WSM 650AM. His approach is rooted in curiosity, creativity, and connection—encouraging children to participate, express themselves, and build confidence through music.

He is currently developing an original puppet show for children and families that explores food sustainability, American roots music, and the celebration of differences, co-written with Grace Adele and Texas Bix Bender of Riders Radio Theatre and Hee Haw fame.

Ji Yoo

Originally from the Bay Area, Ji Yoo started teaching music classes for babies and preschoolers upon her return to the Bay after living in New York City for 7 years. During that time, she worked as a director in an after school tutoring program, working with students from pre-school to high school seniors. Ji has played around the city in all types of environments, including restaurants, music venues, the airport, town hall, museum, and the occasional busking.

“When I discovered Blue Bear, I was thrilled because it involves three of my greatest loves in life. Children, Education, and Music. It is incredibly rewarding to be making music with the children and families and hope to make a positive impact on their lives.”

In addition to Little Bears classes, Ji teaches private piano lessons on Monday afternoons at Mission Bay.