Instructors/ Lessons

admin on March 9th, 2010

WELCOME to S & K Music Studio’s Instructors’ & Lessons Page!

e employ only the highest caliber instructors. They range from University of Berkeley educated to world touring and performing professionals…..and everything in between. All of our instructors are FBI and Nevada State background checked.We teach ages five years old through adult. Under age five we suggest a preliminary evaluation lesson to determine the degree of attention span and coordination.

We teach all of the following:

• Guitar

• Bass Guitar

• Drums

• Piano

• Vocals

MUSIC LESSONS

Guitar/Bass Guitar/Drums/Piano
Booked Weekly/ Walk-In
$28.00 per ½ hour one-on-one session
$53.00 per 1 hour one-on-one session

Booked Monthly
$26.50 per ½ hour one-on-one session
$50.00 per 1 hour one-on-one session

Voice
Booked Weekly/ Walk-In
$33.00 per ½ hour one-on-one session
$63.00 per 1 hour one-on-one session

Booked Monthly
$31.50 per ½ hour one-on-one session
$60.00 per 1 hour one-on-one session

Specials
3 Month Special - Book 3 full months, receive 2 FREE additional lessons!
6 Month Special - Book 6 full months, receive 4 FREE additional lessons!

We look forward to pairing you with the perfect instructor for your musical needs!

WELCOME to S & K Music Studio’s Instructors’ Section!

Mario Ortiz- Guitar

Mario Vittorio Ortiz, born in Montebello, CA., was unknowingly hooked when he stumbled onto his grandmother’s classical guitar at the age of ten. Mario began taking lessons at the age of sixteen and within six months was able to read music, finger pick, and play songs by Led Zeppelin and AC/DC.
With the patience and guidance from his second guitar teacher, Rusty Anderson (now on tour with Paul McCartney), Gave Mario the confidence and knowledge to join his first full rock band by the age of seventeen. Mario continued in bands through high school and practiced everyday.

Armed with a knack for learning songs by ear and an understanding of music theory, Mario began teaching guitar at Rockit Music in Brea, CA. from 1994-1997. His students ranged in ages nine to seventeen as well as the occasional adult who wanted to reignite that “Rock N Roll” spark.
Mario then moved to Las Vegas in 1997 to start a great band, play original music, and help open the Tower Records Superstore on W. Sahara. When Tower Records closed its doors for the last time in December 2006, Las Vegas lost an icon, but would gain a great teacher.

Mario has been in three local favorite bands namely, Six Shooters to the Sky, Hang ‘Em High and Dr. Noise. He currently dedicates his time working retail Here at S&K, and building a student base for guitar. He brings a love and respect for many styles of music and can play them with ease. His influences are very diverse, including: The Beatles, Elvis Presley, Stevie Ray Vaughn, AC/DC, Led Zeppelin, The Who, Queen, Jimmy Hendrix, Van Halen, Metallica, Iron Maiden, Cheap Trick, Elvis Costello, The Clash, The Ramones, Misfits, Greenday, The Cure, My Chemical Romance, Guns N’ Roses, Aerosmith, The Red Hot Chili Peppers, AFI, Avenged Sevenfold, Coheed and Cambria, Foo Fighters, The Pretenders, Prince, James Brown, Santana, Dick Dale and the list goes on…
Mario can teach most songs and solos by ear and is knowledgeable in basic fundamentals, music theory, and song writing. He can also be found on Myspace under the appointed name “Super Mario”.

Brain Cantrell- Guitar, Bass

Brian Cantrell has been an instructor at S and K Music Studio since 2005. He began studying classical and jazz guitar at the age of 11 and was gigging at local bars and venues by the age of 12. Formerly of the local bands “Jr. Anti-Sex League” and “Red Light School District”, Brian has played more than two hundred fifty shows and has become very comfortable in the studio environment due to years of recording experience.

“Bee Movie the Band”, his current endeavor, has just begun the process of recording their first full-length album, which will be released early 2011. He can also be found playing bass and guitar at Central Christian Church, playing acoustic covers at local clubs, and hosting open mic nights around town.
Currently pursuing a music degree at the University of Las Vegas, Brian is well versed in music theory and chord construction, and has a vast repertoire of exercises, songs, and chord voicings for students who wish to learn about music, play their favorite songs, and develop their own distinct sound.

His personal influences include Rock, Post-Punk, 60’s Pop and Psychedelic, Folk, Metal, Hip-Hop, Gypsy Jazz, Dance, Latin, and Romantic Era Classical.

Dylan Meuleman- Guitar, Bass, Piano

Originally from Louisiana, home of the blues, I picked up guitar during my high school years. After moving to Hollywood, California to further my career,I received a degree at the Musicians Institute. While there, I played in several original bands, performed in numerous live shows, and became an accomplished studio musician. After I made the move to Las Vegas, I joined the original band “Zombie Shaker Box”, with whom I have played countless live shows in Las Vegas, Hollywood, St. George and Salt Lake City. I have since left the band to focus my attention on teaching guitar and to work with the cover band, Full Circle for Las Vegas casino gigs. My teaching program consists of Music Theory, Ear Training, Guitar Tuning, and Tablature, as well as incorporating these various techniques into my students’ favorite music genres.

My own personal styles include: Rock n’ Roll, Classic Rock, Metal, Blues, Funk, Country, Shred, as well as leads and rhythm.

Randy Weyer- Drums, Guitar

A former drum student of S and K Music Studio, Randy’s innate ability to learn quickly has moved him steadily upward in his employment at S and K as well as in his musical career. He now holds the following positions; Guitar and Drum Instructor, Retail Clerk, and Recording Studio Intern, and is equally devoted to and proficient in all areas. He is also proficient in both the Spanish and English languages.
With 9 years experience as a self taught guitarist, plus additional training from his uncle, a Flamenco Guitarist for 32 years, Randy is a firm believer in practicing. His musical influences come from many genres; The Beatles, Stevie ray Vaughn, Steve Vai, Joe Satriani, AC/DC, Led Zeppelin, Jimi Hendrix, Rush, Frank Zappa, Dream Theater, The Ramones, Curtis Mayfield, Sublime, Queen, The Eagles, Carlos Santana, B.B. King, Eric Clapton, The Red Hot Chili Peppers, to name a few. He has learned to embrace as many styles of music as possible because he believes that this is of crucial benefit to anyone who is trying to master their own.
Having taken drum lessons at S and K Music several years ago, he learned to read music and play multiple beats to different songs within a few months. The spark was on for Randy when he was on the drum set! As time went by he was taught that the importance in drumming comes from a person’s technique and learning drum rudiments. Many of the drummers that he has met from different bands such as Reel Big Fish, Streetlight Manifesto, The Casualties, and as well as various Las Vegas performers have always stressed the same. Randy loves to switch up his styles on the drums from Rock, Reggae, Metal, all the way to R&B, and Hip-Hop and his ultimate goal is to transfer this information to his students while enabling them to perfect their favorite genre in both a structured and enjoyable way!

Laura Profant- Piano

I have been an experienced piano teacher for four years, since 2005.

I have taught piano as well as tutored in several other subjects to students from Kindergarten through college level. I am currently attending CSN for degrees in Music and General Education. My music major focuses on classical music, although I have branched off into other styles. I’m confident that the music and the technique in the lessons I can provide to you will be informative, fun, and easy to learn.

Stephanie Thompson- Voice

Stephanie remembers the moment she knew that singing was her raison d’être. She had the title role in the musical “Jonah and the Tale of the Whale” and she was standing in her bare feet on the cold floor of the church singing about being in the belly of a big fish, and she can still see the faces of the people as she was singing. That moment of complete joy was the defining moment when she knew singing was it for her. After starring in other musicals, one where she co-starred with her father she started devoting herself to her craft and studying with her father.

In high school, Stephanie sang with the show choir, and added dance to her interests. In the eleventh grade, she sang one of the leads in the school musical, “Hello Dolly.” That experience led to Stephanie’s love for theater, and she began studying drama.

Upon graduation Stephanie entered Chapman University, where she sang with the award winning Chapman Chamber Choir beginning with her freshman year. Stephanie and a few other members of the choir were chosen to be in the film and sing in the soundtrack of “Sister Act II.” Stephanie graduated Cum Laude as a Music Major specializing in Vocal Performance. She became a soloist for the William Hall Master Chorale, sang as a soloist at the Crystal Cathedral in Garden Grove, California, and as part of the chorus for Opera Pacific.

In 1999 Stephanie moved to Los Angeles to continue her studies. She was cast as Edith in “Desert Song” with the Downey Civic Light Opera. She joined and performed with the LA Interactive Theater, where she performed an original work called “Left in the Woods,” LA Connection Improv, and the West Coast Ensemble acting company.

Stephanie wanted to give something back, so she began working with Golden Generation, which provides entertainment for retirement homes. That became a beautiful partnership where she did over 150 one-woman shows.

In the fall of 2004, Stephanie moved to Las Vegas and began singing as a Gondolier at the Venetian Casino Resort. She sang with Opera Las Vegas to get back to her classical roots. In the summer of 2006, she auditioned for another opera company in Las Vegas and was cast in the lead role for an all women opera called Suor Angelica. However, the director became ill and was unable to follow through with the show. In January of 2007, she approached the director and asked to take over the production. She formed her own company, Red Rock Opera and in May of 2007 she produced, directed and sang the lead role. In October of 2007, she co-produced the opera Hansel and Gretel and played the role of the Mother.

In 2008, Stephanie appeared as a guest artist at the Suncoast Casino Showroom. Stephanie is the Vocal Teacher for Life Long Dreams, a non-profit organization which trains kids with special needs to sing and dance and perform for audiences all over the State of Nevada.

Nan Ramsey – Voice, Piano

Nan was born to a long line of music teachers and performers so music was a part of daily life along with meals, chores and sleep. She completed a BME from New Mexico State University with an emphasis in choral conducting and voice. Her training included classical, jazz, pop and anything else she could squeeze into her schedule. She taught (and loved it) high school choir and sang in a professional choir from 1997-2001.

From 1990 to 2001 Nan played guitar and sang lead and back-up in the all girl Acoustic Trio “Sensory Overload” performing all over New Mexico and Colorado and went on to win the Bob Hope Collegiate Talent Search in 1997. The trio added another member, Nan learned to play bass, and the newly named “Sensory Overload” evolved into a rock band and relocated to Las Vegas in 2001.

After moving to Las Vegas Nan got a gig singing back-up for Leslie Gore (It’s My Party), Ron Dante of the Arcchies (Sugar Sugar), Mark Lyndsey (Arizona) and several other 50’s and 60’s celebrities. She is currently a singing gondolier at the Venetian Hotel and Casino.

John Ferro- Drum, Guitar, Bass, and Piano

Since the age of eight, John Ferro has immersed himself in playing drums, piano, and guitar. A mostly self-taught artist, Ferro has performed for multitudes of audiences across the country with various rock bands as well as with the World Champion Cavaliers Drum and Bugle Corps. After establishing the media scoring and sound design company, “Shotgun Sally”, he has produced and composed music and sound for companies such as Sprint, Infiniti, Slim Jim, Tarmac, Dreamscape Cinema, and ForeignLanguageFriends.com.

Since moving to Las Vegas in 2006, Ferro has been a percussion instructor for the Clark County School District and the Vegas Vanguard Percussion Theater. He also plays guitar and keyboards, for “Elliot Szabo Band”, which can be found at the following website; www.elliotszabo.com. He has opened up for Hoobastank at the Rio pool on July 7th, and also played 4 hours of cover songs at the Aqua Lounge inside The Plaza. John’s vast musical influences include everything from “The Who” to “Vampire Weekend” to “David Benoit”.

John is available for drum, guitar, bass guitar, and piano lessons, and looks forward to teaching you not only how to perform your favorite songs, but giving you the tools you need to create your own masterpiece as well.

We look forward to pairing you with the perfect instructor for your musical needs!