Strings Instructional Staff
String classes can be large, and it's important to us that students receive individual attention. Students learn differently and at different rates. String instrument playing requires a lot of attention to very small details. We employ a talented group of musicians to provide small group and individualized attention on a weekly basis to help all students succeed. In addition to working with the students, they can be great resources for information such as instrument and equipment purchase recommendations, supplemental instructional materials and sheet music suggestions.
String classes can be large, and it's important to us that students receive individual attention. Students learn differently and at different rates. String instrument playing requires a lot of attention to very small details. We employ a talented group of musicians to provide small group and individualized attention on a weekly basis to help all students succeed. In addition to working with the students, they can be great resources for information such as instrument and equipment purchase recommendations, supplemental instructional materials and sheet music suggestions.
Jin Taguchi - Violins
Jin Taguchi is an LA-based violinist and music teacher with a B.A. in Music Education from California State University, Northridge. Over his years of experience, he has performed under the baton of Tomasz Golka, John Roscigno, and Richard Kaufmann; and has studied with Anna Kostyuchek, Tomasz Golka, Lorenz Gamma, and Petros Boyadzhyan. In addition to violin, Jin picked up the piano, viola, and cello along the way. Jin wishes to share music with the next generation in a way that caters to each student's individuality, lets them shine, and allows them to grow to realize their potential as musicians and as human beings. Jin teaches private violin lessons and works with the string programs at Colina and Sequoia Middle Schools. At Los Cerritos, he works with both the violin and viola players.
Tamsen Beseke -Violins
The Los Angeles Times has praised Tamsen’s playing as “both intuitive and lyrical”. They described her ensemble playing as “having a unique synergy”. Her invention, the “Acoustifoam Shoulder Rest” is used by professionals and students around the world.
Tamsen is an active soloist, chamber, studio and orchestral musician, performing over 100 concerts a year. She has given several premieres of concertos, chamber music, operatic and orchestral works. Her career includes performances with such notable artists as: Placido Domingo, Luciano Pavarotti, Zubin Mehta, Henryk Szeryng, Joshua Bell, and Gil Shaham. Tamsen has been concertmaster of the San Luis Obispo Opera Orchestra, Lompoc Pops Orchestra, Crystal Cathedral Orchestra, Los Angeles Master Chorale, and West Coast Symphony. She has performed as a regular with the L.A. Opera, New West Symphony, California Philharmonic and South Dakota Symphony for over twenty years.
She has taught violin and viola for over 40 years. She is the founding violinist for the Avanti Ensemble quartet who recently completed a concert tour in Texas for the Navarro Arts Council. They were Artists in Residence at Clemson University and were selected to perform student concerts for the Coleman Chamber Music series. She is the founder / concertmaster of the Solo Symphony Workshop which will be in its sixth year this summer giving opportunities to up and coming soloists to perform with an orchestra with professional musicians.
Tamsen is an active soloist, chamber, studio and orchestral musician, performing over 100 concerts a year. She has given several premieres of concertos, chamber music, operatic and orchestral works. Her career includes performances with such notable artists as: Placido Domingo, Luciano Pavarotti, Zubin Mehta, Henryk Szeryng, Joshua Bell, and Gil Shaham. Tamsen has been concertmaster of the San Luis Obispo Opera Orchestra, Lompoc Pops Orchestra, Crystal Cathedral Orchestra, Los Angeles Master Chorale, and West Coast Symphony. She has performed as a regular with the L.A. Opera, New West Symphony, California Philharmonic and South Dakota Symphony for over twenty years.
She has taught violin and viola for over 40 years. She is the founding violinist for the Avanti Ensemble quartet who recently completed a concert tour in Texas for the Navarro Arts Council. They were Artists in Residence at Clemson University and were selected to perform student concerts for the Coleman Chamber Music series. She is the founder / concertmaster of the Solo Symphony Workshop which will be in its sixth year this summer giving opportunities to up and coming soloists to perform with an orchestra with professional musicians.
Alec Glass - Cellos
Alec Glass is a passionate cellist and dedicated music educator based in Los Angeles. He is a faculty member at California State University Channel Islands, where he is committed to mentoring the next generation of musicians. Alec also coaches cello at several schools in the area, including Los Cerritos, Colina, and Sequoia Middle Schools. He has a private studio of students from Camarillo to Calabasas and Simi Valley areas.
Alec's commitment to music education has been a driving force throughout his career. He earned his Bachelor and Master of Music degrees in Cello Performance from California State University Northridge, where he sat as Principal and was a member of the CSUN Honor's Quartet for three years. Before attending CSUN, Alec received instruction from Ashley Walters at Moorpark College, as well as from Andrew Cook and Wendy Velasco.
Alec is a highly skilled cellist with a passion for sharing his love of music with others. He has performed as a soloist, in chamber music ensembles, and with symphonies. Alec is also a member of the Channel Islands Chamber Orchestra. As an educator, he believes in tailoring his approach to meet each student's individual needs and helping them reach their full potential as musicians. With a warm, supportive teaching style and a commitment to the craft, Alec is well-respected in the Los Angeles music community as a mentor and teacher.
Alec's commitment to music education has been a driving force throughout his career. He earned his Bachelor and Master of Music degrees in Cello Performance from California State University Northridge, where he sat as Principal and was a member of the CSUN Honor's Quartet for three years. Before attending CSUN, Alec received instruction from Ashley Walters at Moorpark College, as well as from Andrew Cook and Wendy Velasco.
Alec is a highly skilled cellist with a passion for sharing his love of music with others. He has performed as a soloist, in chamber music ensembles, and with symphonies. Alec is also a member of the Channel Islands Chamber Orchestra. As an educator, he believes in tailoring his approach to meet each student's individual needs and helping them reach their full potential as musicians. With a warm, supportive teaching style and a commitment to the craft, Alec is well-respected in the Los Angeles music community as a mentor and teacher.