Hi my name is Liliana Gonzalez, known by my students as Lily. I graduated from the University of Arts in Havana, Cuba with a B.A in music specializing in bassoon. I’ve had a passion for piano since I was 6 years old and since that it has become my life. I have taught bassoon and piano since I was studying my 2nd year in the University which adds up to 9 years of experience as a teacher. All these years linked to music, interpreting it and teaching it have allowed me to grow and archive multiple experiences that enrich my career and that I shared every day with my students. 

I have been fortunate to work outside my country of birth, learn about the music and culture of different countries as well as perform in different scenarios and teach children of many nationalities.I always carry Cuban music with me because I grew up listening to it, but my true passion is performing and teaching classical music. My greatest desire is to inspire and guide my students to love music as I do, showing them that the perfect balance is found with music to develop a discipline linked to the pleasure of playing an instrument.

After high school, Dave Holt began setting his poetry to music and this led to his move to California to try and make it as a songwriter. He played with several music acts in the Bay Area and wrote music for the theater. When he first left “the road,” he continued teaching adult beginners in the city of Santa Rosa and was pianist for a club/hotel band in the area for ten years. He and his wife Chappell have collaborated on composing, recording, and performance since the 1980s. Currently they perform in clubs, house concerts, and studio recordings of their original songs and have toured the West Coast several times.

Dave received his formal education in classical music at the prestigous Royal Conservatory of Music in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, in harmony, theory, piano performance, composition, choir, violin and other subjects. He began instructing young adults in harmony, theory and piano when he was just nineteen years old. Dave is now a valuable member of the Gill's music educational staff and currently teaches adults and youth, beginners and non-beginners alike in piano playing, theory and composition. 

Hi! My name is Sophia Gonzalez. I’ve had a passion for piano since I was 5 years old and these many years of playing have allowed me to grow and achieve an advanced level of proficiency on the instrument. Besides winning several state competitions, my proudest musical achievement was winning the Delta Blues Festival / David Williamson Memorial Scholarship. As satisfying as winning those competitions were, it brings me even greater joy to serve my community through performing on the  piano. I frequently volunteer at Home Care Facilities, Convalescent Homes as well as many local churches. It is truly a blessing when others are touched by my playing.

For this reason, I wanted to teach at Gill’s Music. My desire is to encourage and inspire people

to love music as I do. My goal for my students is not only that they advance and achieve their musical dreams, but to also use it for others enjoyment. I want my students to know that it does not matter what age or level you are on piano. The beauty of piano is that everyone can learn, and most importantly it can inspire anyone. Music brings joy and comfort into people’s lives. This is what motivates me to teach others. That’s why I would love to guide and share your musical journey.

Mr. Brooke Kofford is an AHS graduate who earned a Bachelor’s degree in music composition from CSU, Sacramento and a Master’s Degree in Music Composition from California State University, Northridge. Brook taught private lessons in piano and composition for 23 years in Southern California before moving on to public education as school music teacher for 22 years. Retired in June 2022.

Brooke has been teaching music for 47 years. His goals have always been to nurture a love for music and to find music that will make my students excited to practice and to learn. He encourages his students to participate in our annual recital every May.

Born in 2003, Max’s youth and ability allows him to easily connect to younger students’ interests. He has written transcriptions for many students of sheet music from anime songs, as well as video game soundtracks, and is thrilled to teach students anything they wish to learn. Max specializes in a late-romantic/impressionist composition style, and is currently enrolled in a rigorous curriculum that includes the top level of music theory, sight-reading, and ear training, all of which is reflected in his teaching style. He has been commissioned to write pieces for Heritage High School in Brentwood, as well as the University of Pacific College in Stockton. His pieces are frequently performed at the San Francisco Conservatory of Music, where Max attends five days a week. 

Music is something I live and breathe, and I truly hope to show my students the passion and joy that can be created whenever they play piano. My ultimate goal as a teacher is to have students join me in sharing my love for music.

Hello, my name is Tiffany Stewart, known by my students as Teacher Tiffany. I’m a graduate of Patten University with a B.A. in music with a minor in ministry and an overflowing drive to teach voice. Born Daughter of Willie G. a long time Bay Area blues singer who has given me a front row seat and an appreciation of all genres and musical styles. I have performed seasonally in many classical operettas and was also the lead singer of a jazz band for four years.

My goal is to make learning the fundamentals of music fun, while aiming to develop the student’s awareness of themselves as a real instrument. Lessons are spent learning to read sheet music and using proper vocal technique in order to produce a good quality sound for singing. I help each student troubleshoot musical weaknesses until it becomes their strengths. I believe that learning music fundamentals are the vehicle that can drive any vocalist from karaoke night with friends to headlining in a major performance on a big stage.  

I am very honored to have the opportunity to share these fundamentals with my students and give them the tools they need to be their own voice.

In May of 2020, Christian graduated Magna Cum Laude from the Berklee College of Music in Boston, MA, with a Bachelor of Professional Services in Music Production. He is an active drummer in the San Francisco area and has been playing professionally for 40 years in a variety of musical genres; such as pop, funk, country, rock, metal, big-band and Christian Contemporary.

Over the years, Christian has served on the worship teams at Golden Hills Community Church, The Rock Church in Brentwood, Moraga Valley Presbyterian Church in Moraga and currently serving on the worship team at The BNC (Brentwood Neighborhood Church). He also appeared on “Good Morning Sacramento” with the Jessica Caylyn Band. 

Christian’s many years of teaching experience hav helped him become a member of the Vic Firth Education Team. He himself has studied privately with John Xepoleas, Steve Bowman (Counting Crows), Rob Hart, Alan Hall, Mike Johnston and with Berklee Professors Rod Morgenstein, Jim Payne, Mark Walker and currently with Dave DiCenso. Students are given opportunities to record studio quality performance videos to share on the various social media platforms with their family & friends. All lessons are video recorded and graded weekly so every aspiring drummer will know how they are progressing.

Dave Schroeder has been playing the guitar and helping others learn how to play the guitar since 1985. He himself studied with two of the best guitarists in the United States, Stu Pearse and Ron Eschete. Additionally, Dave attended music programs both at Northern Illinois University and California State University Long Beach. After college Dave played eight years with a Jazz Trio in the LA area, in addition to performing with several big name players.

Dave still occasionally plays with various jazz groups around the Bay Area but is primarily focusing on performing his solo act and offering private guitar instruction. Dave has been teaching for 30+ years now and still very much enjoys the challenge. Dave has been able to help many of his students get into top music colleges such as USC, UCLA and even The Berklee School of Music in Boston - just to name a few!  These students have worked Dave’s curriculum, and along with that hard work came scholarship money, averaging $10K-$15K per year!  Hard work pay’s off, even for guitar students. Many of Dave's students have gone on to become professional guitarists, something he is proud of. 

Dave is one of the best guitar teachers we have ever seen. If you love life and music then you will absolutely love Dave! Call the store to check availability for this very popular guitar teacher.

Don Hays is in LOVE with music and has been playing the guitar ever since early childhood. He cut his teeth on Rock-n-Roll and Blues in the 60's; opening shows for many popular bands of the day including: Cold Blood, Quicksilver Messenger Service, Big Brother And The Holding Company, The Elvin Bishop Band and The Tubes - just to name a few!! As a busy professional musician Don is still performing all over California and the Bay Area.

If you want to have fun and REALLY want to learn how to play the Guitar like a pro then Don Hays is a great choice! He'll use his 15+ years of teaching experience to gently guide you through the process of learning how to play the guitar. Ultimately, his hope is that music will enrich your life as it has enriched his.

Russ Lanier has been playing guitar and teaching for many years. Russ has had the opportunity to teach many great students including his very first, a fifteen year old young man named Brett Bloomfield, who later on in life toured with the Starship band.

Russ also taught kindergarten through eighth grade music at a private school for two years while going to college. Russ played his first professional Gig at twenty years old with the band the Accents at the Concord Inn Hotel in Concord, CA.

Russ loves working with people of all ages. Not only does he love seeing his students progress in their playing , but number one is having fun. Music has been Russ's whole life and he would not change anything.

Hi everybody! I am a working guitarist/vocalist currently playing in two different performing groups; a jazz/blues power trio and a classic rock band. I also LOVE teaching people how to play the guitar which I have done for over 21 years. Of course, advanced students are welcomed, but I especially enjoy helping intermediate and beginning students.

I have a background in formal music studies. I teach theory, improvisation, acoustic and electric guitar. I have taught all styles of music to all types of students of all ages. I enjoy teaching, and put the emphasis on teaching students the songs they want to know, and the theory behind those songs. The student therefore gets to play the music they want, but understand the hows and whys. I personally practice still, many hours a day, perform frequently, and am a disciplined player. I hope to get to know you and pass on my passion for playing the guitar.

Born and raised in East Contra Costa County, Greg had his professional debut at the age of 15. He also was a featured performer with the award winning LMC jazz ensemble in the 1970's. With strong influences in jazz and R&B, as well as in rock and classical music, Greg has written and recorded with original members of the Latin bands, Santana, Malo, and Sapo, as well as performing with members of The Starship, Albert King, Elvin Bishop, and Montrose. Greg currently serves as sax man/horn arranger/producer of the Steely Dan tribute band Aja Vu which plays all over the United States.

Greg has that unusual combination of being an excellent player while also being a very encouraging teacher. And he has a passion for helping brand-new sax students who are just getting started on their instrument. In fact, it will amaze you how fast Greg can help a young student become successful on their new saxophone!

Maria is a wonderful violinist who is extremely well rounded and a great musical role model. In addition to the traditional classical style that most teachers offer, she also plays fiddle, mariachi, pop and swing - and she loves to play and teach them all!

Like most kids Maria started playing classical violin in her school orchestra. After graduation, she continued playing the violin in various groups all around San Francisco. After a long stint with a working mariachi band, Maria moved on to other styles including Western Swing fiddle. She is currently playing professionally with a Bluegrass band called Spinning Wheel and another band called Bonafide Americana.

Maria teaches students of various levels and backgrounds, from beginners to advanced students, in private or group lessons. She covers the basics quickly and thoroughly. You will learn to read music and eventually be able to pick up a music book and just play. How cool is that? Learning by ear can also be fun and very useful in your playing with other groups or attending jams. You will also learn how to improvise which is really not a big deal once you get started. Maria says, "One of the most important goals for me is to make learning fun and very enjoyable!" Call us today for more info on lessons with Maria.