All Teachers
Meet our exceptional team of music instructors, each bringing a wealth of expertise and passion to their teaching.
Kelly Pearson
Kelly graduated Cum Laude from Wartburg College in Waverly, Iowa with a Bachelor of Music degree in Piano Performance and has been teaching piano since 2000 at The Music Store. She is an active member of several professional teaching organizations, including the following: East, Valley Music Teachers Association, Arizona State Music Teachers Association, and the Music Teachers National Association. Her teaching philosophy centers around the idea that piano lessons should not only be fun, but should also provide the skills necessary to play piano for a lifetime. Her students participate in recitals, the Arizona Study Program, and utilize technology in the lessons. Kelly’s love of music and positive attitude provides a welcome learning environment for students of all ages and abilities.
Rates: $115 per month (One 30-minute lesson each week)
Lesson Days: Wednesday, Saturday
Instruments Taught: Piano
Lawrence Petross
Lawrence teaches acoustic guitar, electric guitar, and bass guitar. He holds a degree from Musicians Institute’s Guitar Institute of Technology in Hollywood, CA. Lawrence has been a professional musician for more than 40 years and has performed a number of different music styles. He has been teaching at The Music Store for 30 years and teaches Rock, Blues, Jazz, Fusion, Country, Funk, Pop, and Classical music styles. Lawrence offers customized, individual lessons for beginning to advanced students aimed at accelerated progress in a fun learning environment.
Lawrence’s Social Media and Music:
• YouTube
• iTunes
• CDBaby
Rates: Contact for rates
Lesson Days: Tuesday
Instruments Taught: Bass Guitar, Guitar
Kelly Pearson
Kelly graduated Cum Laude from Wartburg College in Waverly, Iowa with a Bachelor of Music degree in Piano Performance and has been teaching piano since 2000 at The Music Store. She is an active member of several professional teaching organizations, including the following: East, Valley Music Teachers Association, Arizona State Music Teachers Association, and the Music Teachers National Association. Her teaching philosophy centers around the idea that piano lessons should not only be fun, but should also provide the skills necessary to play piano for a lifetime. Her students participate in recitals, the Arizona Study Program, and utilize technology in the lessons. Kelly’s love of music and positive attitude provides a welcome learning environment for students of all ages and abilities.
Rates: $115 per month (One 30-minute lesson each week)
Lesson Days: Wednesday, Saturday
Instruments Taught: Piano
Lawrence Petross
Lawrence teaches acoustic guitar, electric guitar, and bass guitar. He holds a degree from Musicians Institute’s Guitar Institute of Technology in Hollywood, CA. Lawrence has been a professional musician for more than 40 years and has performed a number of different music styles. He has been teaching at The Music Store for 30 years and teaches Rock, Blues, Jazz, Fusion, Country, Funk, Pop, and Classical music styles. Lawrence offers customized, individual lessons for beginning to advanced students aimed at accelerated progress in a fun learning environment.
Lawrence’s Social Media and Music:
• YouTube
• iTunes
• CDBaby
Rates: Contact for rates
Lesson Days: Tuesday
Instruments Taught: Bass Guitar, Guitar
Charles Anderson
Charles Anderson is an Arizona-based professional musician and educator with nearly 10 years of experience performing on the guitar. Beginning his education on piano at the age of 5, Charles has grown up with music, finishing his Degree in Jazz Performance in the Fall of 2023. Charles has been teaching guitar to students of all ages for six years, and works as an education intern for The Nash–the state of Arizona’s premiere jazz education organization.
Charles is pursuing a Master’s Degree in Jazz at Arizona State University.
Rates: $25 per 30 minutes
Lesson Days: Monday
Instruments Taught: Guitar
Tom Young
Tom is a graduate of the renowned Berklee School of Music. For the past 20 years, he has enjoyed a diverse career as a soloist, band leader, theater conductor, studio musician, music teacher, and composer. Tom teaches Jazz, Classical, and Popular styles. He uses the TEY music method for instruction “Blending Tradition with Innovation”.
Rates: Contact for rates
Lesson Days: Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday
Instruments Taught: Piano, Flute, Saxophone
Charles Anderson
Charles Anderson is an Arizona-based professional musician and educator with nearly 10 years of experience performing on the guitar. Beginning his education on piano at the age of 5, Charles has grown up with music, finishing his Degree in Jazz Performance in the Fall of 2023. Charles has been teaching guitar to students of all ages for six years, and works as an education intern for The Nash–the state of Arizona’s premiere jazz education organization.
Charles is pursuing a Master’s Degree in Jazz at Arizona State University.
Rates: $25 per 30 minutes
Lesson Days: Monday
Instruments Taught: Guitar
Tom Young
Tom is a graduate of the renowned Berklee School of Music. For the past 20 years, he has enjoyed a diverse career as a soloist, band leader, theater conductor, studio musician, music teacher, and composer. Tom teaches Jazz, Classical, and Popular styles. He uses the TEY music method for instruction “Blending Tradition with Innovation”.
Rates: Contact for rates
Lesson Days: Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday
Instruments Taught: Piano, Flute, Saxophone
Kyle Barentine
Kyle teaches percussion and drumming techniques at The Music Store. He specializes in beginning to intermediate instruction with an emphasis on band and orchestra students. Kyle has been teaching privately for 22 years and has extensive playing experience in marching, orchestral, and popular music. Kyle worked with and taught at the University of South Carolina, and worked with Garfield and Spirit of Atlanta Drum and Bugle Corps in the late 1980’s. He is the recipient of the Most Outstanding Percussionist in the state of South Carolina. Kyle continues to play professionally and working as a DJ.
Rates: $30 per 30 minutes
Lesson Days: Monday, Wednesday, Thursday
Instruments Taught: Drums
Tracy Kimbrell
Tracy has been playing and performing for 20 years and has been teaching since the age of 18. He teaches all styles of guitar, bass and banjo. Tracy is currently working on his Masters degree in Music Education. He is noted for his ability to explain difficult concepts in an easy-to-understand manner. Tracy will show you the right way to develop your musical knowledge and proper technique. “If you learn the musical side first, then any style you learn will come much more easily.”
Rates: Contact for rates
Lesson Days: Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday
Instruments Taught: Bass Guitar, Banjo, Guitar, Mandolin, Ukulele
Kyle Barentine
Kyle teaches percussion and drumming techniques at The Music Store. He specializes in beginning to intermediate instruction with an emphasis on band and orchestra students. Kyle has been teaching privately for 22 years and has extensive playing experience in marching, orchestral, and popular music. Kyle worked with and taught at the University of South Carolina, and worked with Garfield and Spirit of Atlanta Drum and Bugle Corps in the late 1980’s. He is the recipient of the Most Outstanding Percussionist in the state of South Carolina. Kyle continues to play professionally and working as a DJ.
Rates: $30 per 30 minutes
Lesson Days: Monday, Wednesday, Thursday
Instruments Taught: Drums
Tracy Kimbrell
Tracy has been playing and performing for 20 years and has been teaching since the age of 18. He teaches all styles of guitar, bass and banjo. Tracy is currently working on his Masters degree in Music Education. He is noted for his ability to explain difficult concepts in an easy-to-understand manner. Tracy will show you the right way to develop your musical knowledge and proper technique. “If you learn the musical side first, then any style you learn will come much more easily.”
Rates: Contact for rates
Lesson Days: Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday
Instruments Taught: Bass Guitar, Banjo, Guitar, Mandolin, Ukulele
Stephen White
Stephen White is a clarinet performer and educator based in Tempe, Arizona. They have over a decade of experience teaching beginning, intermediate, and advanced students professionally. They focus on creating fun and engaging learning environments that create strong musical fundamentals that can be applied across genres. As a teacher, they work to foster curiosity and discovery with their students. They also include music theory concepts throughout lessons to create a well rounded learning experience. As a performer, Stephen is experienced across genres, including award-winning chamber music collaborations, band and orchestral performances, and as a soloist.
Stephen holds degrees from Florida State University, the University of Oklahoma, and is pursuing a doctoral degree at Arizona State University.
Rates: Contact for rates
Lesson Days: Tuesday, Saturday
Instruments Taught: Clarinet
Joseph Pluth
Joseph Pluth, Jr. has 25 years of teaching experience at all levels from elementary to college and has directed bands, orchestras, instrumental ensembles, choirs, and handbell ensembles, taught private students of all ages, and performed with a variety of community and church ensembles as both a trumpeter and a light lyric tenor. He has also recorded two albums of sacred trumpet arrangements. Joe earned his M.M.Ed from VanderCook College of Music in Chicago, IL, in 2003 after completing a B.A. in Sacred Music at Northland International University in 2000. In addition to his full-time job as the Director of Business Administration with Mortgage Processing Group, LLC he currently teaches band part-time at Caritas Classical Christian Academy in Chandler and private lessons at The Music Store in Mesa.
Joseph is active in the local music community as well, having been involved in community music theatre ensembles, local opera companies, community bands, and community choirs throughout his career. In the past few years he has performed locally with the Chandler Symphony Orchestra, Ahwatukee Foothills Community Band, Tempe Symphony Orchestra, Scottsdale Symphonic Orchestra, and the Salt River Brass as well as performing several trumpet recitals for the community.
Joseph’s Website:
cantatemusic.org
Rates: $30 for 30 minutes, $40 for 45 minutes, $50 for 60 minutes
Lesson Days: Tuesday, Thursday
Instruments Taught: Trumpet, French Horn, Trombone, Euphonium
Stephen White
Stephen White is a clarinet performer and educator based in Tempe, Arizona. They have over a decade of experience teaching beginning, intermediate, and advanced students professionally. They focus on creating fun and engaging learning environments that create strong musical fundamentals that can be applied across genres. As a teacher, they work to foster curiosity and discovery with their students. They also include music theory concepts throughout lessons to create a well rounded learning experience. As a performer, Stephen is experienced across genres, including award-winning chamber music collaborations, band and orchestral performances, and as a soloist.
Stephen holds degrees from Florida State University, the University of Oklahoma, and is pursuing a doctoral degree at Arizona State University.
Rates: Contact for rates
Lesson Days: Tuesday, Saturday
Instruments Taught: Clarinet
Joseph Pluth
Joseph Pluth, Jr. has 25 years of teaching experience at all levels from elementary to college and has directed bands, orchestras, instrumental ensembles, choirs, and handbell ensembles, taught private students of all ages, and performed with a variety of community and church ensembles as both a trumpeter and a light lyric tenor. He has also recorded two albums of sacred trumpet arrangements. Joe earned his M.M.Ed from VanderCook College of Music in Chicago, IL, in 2003 after completing a B.A. in Sacred Music at Northland International University in 2000. In addition to his full-time job as the Director of Business Administration with Mortgage Processing Group, LLC he currently teaches band part-time at Caritas Classical Christian Academy in Chandler and private lessons at The Music Store in Mesa.
Joseph is active in the local music community as well, having been involved in community music theatre ensembles, local opera companies, community bands, and community choirs throughout his career. In the past few years he has performed locally with the Chandler Symphony Orchestra, Ahwatukee Foothills Community Band, Tempe Symphony Orchestra, Scottsdale Symphonic Orchestra, and the Salt River Brass as well as performing several trumpet recitals for the community.
Joseph’s Website:
cantatemusic.org
Rates: $30 for 30 minutes, $40 for 45 minutes, $50 for 60 minutes
Lesson Days: Tuesday, Thursday
Instruments Taught: Trumpet, French Horn, Trombone, Euphonium
Jon Paul Escobedo
Jon Paul has owned The Music Store for 29 years. Prior to that he was the guitar, bass, and drum teacher for 7 years, teaching up to 42 students a week. During those years he also performed Jazz, R&B, Country, Reggae, and Rock with many artists including Francine Reed and Grammy Award winning Dennis Rolland. He was the guitarist in many theater shows including Man of La Mancha, Jesus Christ Superstar, and most recently: Buddy: The Buddy Holly Story. JP has also spent over 20 years as an instrumental music director at Mountain Park Community Church and Community of Hope Church. JP has also performed several times with the Phoenix Symphony Orchestra.
Click here to watch Jon Paul play.
Rates: $30 per 30 minutes
Lesson Days: Monday, Wednesday, Thursday
Instruments Taught: Guitar, Bass, Ukulele, Mandolin
Chris Lund
Chris has been teaching guitar full-time since 1997 with a client load ranging from 30-55 students weekly/monthly and was a resident teacher at many music stores in the greater Tacoma/Pierce County WA up until the present when he relocated to Phoenix AZ in June of 2021. One of his former students, Jared Dines, was featured on the cover of Guitar Player Magazine in 2020 and gave Chris a big shout-out in his video-taped interview with them. With his band’s, Loser, International Pop Overthrow and currently Lund Bros he has released 11 full length CDs over the course of the last three decades. All these records are comprised of original songs and have received highly favorable reviews throughout the world. This music is guitar and vocal hook-based rock – think Cheap Trick, Queen, the Beatles, and Badfinger for example. In the decade prior to forming the band Loser in 1993, Chris performed full time as lead guitarist and backing vocalist in many band’s ranging from rock, blues, funk, c&w, and top 40. Though Chris specialized in Rock for his own recordings and performances, he is well-versed in many styles, teaching Blues, Jazz and Classical guitar and accepted students of all ability levels.
Chris’s Website:
chrislundguitarinstruction.com
Rates: Contact for rates
Lesson Days: Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday
Instruments Taught: Guitar, Bass, Banjo
Jon Paul Escobedo
Jon Paul has owned The Music Store for 29 years. Prior to that he was the guitar, bass, and drum teacher for 7 years, teaching up to 42 students a week. During those years he also performed Jazz, R&B, Country, Reggae, and Rock with many artists including Francine Reed and Grammy Award winning Dennis Rolland. He was the guitarist in many theater shows including Man of La Mancha, Jesus Christ Superstar, and most recently: Buddy: The Buddy Holly Story. JP has also spent over 20 years as an instrumental music director at Mountain Park Community Church and Community of Hope Church. JP has also performed several times with the Phoenix Symphony Orchestra.
Click here to watch Jon Paul play.
Rates: $30 per 30 minutes
Lesson Days: Monday, Wednesday, Thursday
Instruments Taught: Guitar, Bass, Ukulele, Mandolin
Chris Lund
Chris has been teaching guitar full-time since 1997 with a client load ranging from 30-55 students weekly/monthly and was a resident teacher at many music stores in the greater Tacoma/Pierce County WA up until the present when he relocated to Phoenix AZ in June of 2021. One of his former students, Jared Dines, was featured on the cover of Guitar Player Magazine in 2020 and gave Chris a big shout-out in his video-taped interview with them. With his band’s, Loser, International Pop Overthrow and currently Lund Bros he has released 11 full length CDs over the course of the last three decades. All these records are comprised of original songs and have received highly favorable reviews throughout the world. This music is guitar and vocal hook-based rock – think Cheap Trick, Queen, the Beatles, and Badfinger for example. In the decade prior to forming the band Loser in 1993, Chris performed full time as lead guitarist and backing vocalist in many band’s ranging from rock, blues, funk, c&w, and top 40. Though Chris specialized in Rock for his own recordings and performances, he is well-versed in many styles, teaching Blues, Jazz and Classical guitar and accepted students of all ability levels.
Chris’s Website:
chrislundguitarinstruction.com
Rates: Contact for rates
Lesson Days: Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday
Instruments Taught: Guitar, Bass, Banjo
Dominic Pedretti
Dominic Pedretti is a recognized instrumentalist whose endeavors have propelled him into a world of collaborative musicianship. He has experience in musical settings such as orchestral performances, jazz orchestras, theater work and country venues, along with organizing ensembles and shows at an array of local venues. Pedretti has earned two chairs with the Regional Orchestra and first chair All-State. He provides specialized curriculum for upright and electric bass lessons, cello, guitar, piano, and beginning percussion to clients spanning a wide range of ages at various studios across the valley.
Pedretti’s teaching goals include spreading awareness about healthy practice habits, establishing and maintaining mind-body connection in regard to physical health while playing instruments and inspiring others to never stop learning of the extensive world of the bass and how bass serves different genres of music.
Rates: Contact for rates
Lesson Days: Monday
Instruments Taught: Upright Bass, Bass Guitar
Ryley Taylor
Ryley is a 2007 graduate from Point Loma Nazarene University, who holds a Bachelor of Arts in Music Education followed by a Masters of Arts in Education from Chapman University earned in 2012. She has been teaching public school music for over 13 years and teaching private music lessons for over 15 years. She is currently teaching music in the Arizona public schools. Additionally, Ms. Taylor travels as a gig performer and performs at churches on the side. Ryley considers it a tremendous privilege to be in such a position to shape and mold the mind of a child, perhaps changing the course of lives forever. Her goal is to inspire her students to use music as a vehicle to delight, discover and express who they are as their very own individual person. She will seek to give them a unique confidence as their eyes are opened to their potential through the power of music. Ms. Taylor is primarily a strings and piano specialist, as well as plays and teaches the flute.
Rates: Contact for rates
Lesson Days: Monday, Saturday
Instruments Taught: Violin, Viola, Beginning Cello, Piano, Flute
Dominic Pedretti
Dominic Pedretti is a recognized instrumentalist whose endeavors have propelled him into a world of collaborative musicianship. He has experience in musical settings such as orchestral performances, jazz orchestras, theater work and country venues, along with organizing ensembles and shows at an array of local venues. Pedretti has earned two chairs with the Regional Orchestra and first chair All-State. He provides specialized curriculum for upright and electric bass lessons, cello, guitar, piano, and beginning percussion to clients spanning a wide range of ages at various studios across the valley.
Pedretti’s teaching goals include spreading awareness about healthy practice habits, establishing and maintaining mind-body connection in regard to physical health while playing instruments and inspiring others to never stop learning of the extensive world of the bass and how bass serves different genres of music.
Rates: Contact for rates
Lesson Days: Monday
Instruments Taught: Upright Bass, Bass Guitar
Ryley Taylor
Ryley is a 2007 graduate from Point Loma Nazarene University, who holds a Bachelor of Arts in Music Education followed by a Masters of Arts in Education from Chapman University earned in 2012. She has been teaching public school music for over 13 years and teaching private music lessons for over 15 years. She is currently teaching music in the Arizona public schools. Additionally, Ms. Taylor travels as a gig performer and performs at churches on the side. Ryley considers it a tremendous privilege to be in such a position to shape and mold the mind of a child, perhaps changing the course of lives forever. Her goal is to inspire her students to use music as a vehicle to delight, discover and express who they are as their very own individual person. She will seek to give them a unique confidence as their eyes are opened to their potential through the power of music. Ms. Taylor is primarily a strings and piano specialist, as well as plays and teaches the flute.
Rates: Contact for rates
Lesson Days: Monday, Saturday
Instruments Taught: Violin, Viola, Beginning Cello, Piano, Flute
Emily Martin
Emily Martin is a horn player originally from the small town of Cortez, CO. She holds a Bachelor’s in Horn Performance from Adams State University and a Master’s in Horn Performance from Texas Christian University. Her horn teachers include Dr. Angela K. Winter and Mrs. Heather Test.
Emily has performed with numerous professional ensembles across Colorado, Texas, and Arizona. As a performer, she values new music and its place in our repertoire, and has collaborated with composers to premiere works. Her most recent solo recital only featured pieces written after the 1950s. Emily enjoys finding creative approaches to brass-playing, both as a performer and as a teacher
Rates: Contact for rates
Lesson Days: Contact for availability
Instruments Taught: French horn
Nikki Gray
Nikki Gray is a dynamic force in the entertainment industry, blending her lifelong passions for music, dance, and production. A classically trained singer with roots in opera, jazz, a cappella, pop, country, and R&B, she holds a degree in Audio Engineering from the Conservatory of Recording Arts and Sciences, specializing in vocal production.
With 20 years as a professional dancer and choreographer and 18 years as a private voice coach, Nikki has trained contestants from The X Factor, The Voice, American Idol, and America’s Got Talent, as well as dancers who’ve performed on Broadway and with NFL cheer teams. She has directed over 30 musicals across Texas and Arizona.
Now based in Arizona, Nikki owns Brick Haus Productions LLC, the Valley’s go-to for karaoke, DJ, and event services. She was recently named the first-ever Arizona State Director for the United States Karaoke Association, championing local talent and events statewide.
With deep roots in a family of artists and entertainers, Nikki continues to shape the industry through performance, mentorship, and unforgettable productions.
Rates: Contact for rates
Lesson Days: Monday, Tuesday
Instruments Taught: Voice
Emily Martin
Emily Martin is a horn player originally from the small town of Cortez, CO. She holds a Bachelor’s in Horn Performance from Adams State University and a Master’s in Horn Performance from Texas Christian University. Her horn teachers include Dr. Angela K. Winter and Mrs. Heather Test.
Emily has performed with numerous professional ensembles across Colorado, Texas, and Arizona. As a performer, she values new music and its place in our repertoire, and has collaborated with composers to premiere works. Her most recent solo recital only featured pieces written after the 1950s. Emily enjoys finding creative approaches to brass-playing, both as a performer and as a teacher
Rates: Contact for rates
Lesson Days: Contact for availability
Instruments Taught: French horn
Nikki Gray
Nikki Gray is a dynamic force in the entertainment industry, blending her lifelong passions for music, dance, and production. A classically trained singer with roots in opera, jazz, a cappella, pop, country, and R&B, she holds a degree in Audio Engineering from the Conservatory of Recording Arts and Sciences, specializing in vocal production.
With 20 years as a professional dancer and choreographer and 18 years as a private voice coach, Nikki has trained contestants from The X Factor, The Voice, American Idol, and America’s Got Talent, as well as dancers who’ve performed on Broadway and with NFL cheer teams. She has directed over 30 musicals across Texas and Arizona.
Now based in Arizona, Nikki owns Brick Haus Productions LLC, the Valley’s go-to for karaoke, DJ, and event services. She was recently named the first-ever Arizona State Director for the United States Karaoke Association, championing local talent and events statewide.
With deep roots in a family of artists and entertainers, Nikki continues to shape the industry through performance, mentorship, and unforgettable productions.
Rates: Contact for rates
Lesson Days: Monday, Tuesday
Instruments Taught: Voice
Emily Martin
Emily Martin is a horn player originally from the small town of Cortez, CO. She holds a Bachelor’s in Horn Performance from Adams State University and a Master’s in Horn Performance from Texas Christian University. Her horn teachers include Dr. Angela K. Winter and Mrs. Heather Test.
Emily has performed with numerous professional ensembles across Colorado, Texas, and Arizona. As a performer, she values new music and its place in our repertoire, and has collaborated with composers to premiere works. Her most recent solo recital only featured pieces written after the 1950s. Emily enjoys finding creative approaches to brass-playing, both as a performer and as a teacher
Rates: $35 per 30 minutes
Lesson Days: Contact for availability
Instruments Taught: French horn