Meet Our Instructors: A Quick Q&A Session

Alex Stanton • July 3, 2023

Get ready to meet the incredible instructors at Sunburst School of Music! In this exclusive Q&A, we have the opportunity to delve into their musical world and learn more about their passions, inspirations, and unique experiences. From the instruments they teach to their favorite genres and artists, these talented individuals are ready to share their stories and connect with you on a personal level. Get ready for an engaging and entertaining conversation as we shine the spotlight on our amazing instructors at Sunburst School of Music. Let's dive in and discover the fascinating personalities behind the music!

Jaime

What instruments do you teach?

I've taught piano and voice lessons at Sunburst for about 1.5 years now. I started taking piano lessons from my mom when I was 5 years old.

What initially got you into music?

I took voice lessons and sang in chorus starting in 4th grade through college, and performed in community musical theater productions. My first time playing piano in the pit orchestra for a show was "West Side Story" during my senior year of high school.

What is your favorite genre(s) of music?

My favorite genre is probably musical theater, from the golden age of Rodgers and Hammerstein to Hamilton and beyond!

A fun fact about you?

A fun fact about me is that I have the same birthday as Beethoven. It's like I was destined to have a career in music.

Stephen

What instruments do you teach?

I teach Drums and I've been with Sunburst for 4 months

What initially got you into music?

I have always loved singing and listening to music since I was very young. I had an older family friend who taught private drum lessons and begged my mom for a chance to learn

What is your favorite genre(s) of music?

The funk of course!! Picking one favorite artist is a difficult challenge but one of my top tens is Parliament Funkadelic

A fun fact about you?

I'm an avid cyclist and ride try to ride my bike around 75 miles a week!

Charlie

What instruments do you teach?

I teach bass guitar and music production and I have been at Sunburst for 3 years now!

What initially got you into music?

When I was 6, I saw a TV ad for The Beatles 1 greatest Hits compilation. I was immediately obsessed and begged my parents for the CD and, eventually, my own guitar. While I didn't immediately grasp playing guitar, I remained interested in music and started playing violin in the school orchestra. A few years later, I noticed the bass guitar for the first time while listening to Pink Floyd's "Money". This discovery set me on the path I'm on now- through prog-rock, jazz, hip-hop, and beyond!

What is your favorite genre(s) of music?

As much as I ask these sorts of questions as an icebreaker in lessons, I never know exactly how to answer the question of what my favorite genre of music or who my favorite artist is! Right now, I would say hip-hop is my favorite genre of music to make and listen to. Lately, I've been revisiting and being inspired by 90s groups like De La Soul and A Tribe Called Quest whose eclectic sampling deeply informs my own work.

A fun fact about you?

When I was 19, through a series of internet-assisted coincidences, I was able to contribute bumper music to Whoopi Goldberg's YouTube vlog series "Rollin' With Whoopi".

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5 Reasons to Start Playing in a Band

July 30, 2025

As summer break comes to a close, we’re gearing up for the next term of the Sunburst Band Program and would love to see some new faces this fall. Playing in a band is one of the best ways to progress as a musician, so we put together a list of five reasons why we encourage our students to seek out opportunities to play in groups—whether it's starting a band or jamming with a couple of friends. Progress Your rhythm, timing, and listening skills improve quickly when you start playing in a band or group setting. While private lessons and solo practice are essential pieces of the puzzle, playing with others introduces new variables—like tempo changes, dynamics, and coordination—that challenge you to stay in sync with your bandmates and adapt to each other. We’ve seen so many students level up after just a couple months in the Sunburst Band Program–the progress happens fast! Friends and Connections We love watching our students and their families become friends and our band program has been a natural starting point for many of those relationships. Some of our current bands have stayed together for years, and it's awesome to see them hang out outside of lessons and support each other at shows. Plus, one of the best ways to get gigs is through connections with other musicians! Motivation Playing in a band is super motivating because you're part of a group working toward an exciting shared goal. Whether you're learning a new song, building a set list, or getting ready for a show, the process becomes more exciting and rewarding when you're making music you love with people you enjoy being around. That shared energy turns practice into something much more fun and meaningful. Performing Performing can be nerve-wracking, but it gets easier the more you do it, and being on stage with your friends makes it less scary. We love seeing how our students' stage presence and confidence grow with each performance—it’s one of our favorite parts of being teachers! As we mentioned, shows are a great place to make connections with musicians who you’d like to collaborate with in the future. Simply put, playing more shows leads to playing more shows. Creative Outlet Music is a powerful tool for expression, and it’s important to have outlets for that at any age! Life is very fast paced for many of us, and it can be tough to pause and do the things you enjoy. Band practice can be a consistent anchor in your week—something you can rely on for connection, processing, and creating with your bandmates. As corny as it sounds, playing music is good for your spirit! If you’d like to know more about the Sunburst Band Program, don’t hesitate to get in touch with us for more information. We also recommend talking with your private lessons instructor so that they’re aware and can help you prepare.