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Our Team
Our team of music educators have diverse backgrounds and valued experiences. We are professional musicians and teachers who are invested, poised, and passionate in every classroom. We are a distinguished team in all we do.
-We are Maestros
Executive Staff
RICHARD SERVANTEZ
CO-FOUNDER
Executive Director & Chairman
Richard holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Management from the U.S. Coast Guard Academy and a Bachelor of Music in Music Education and a K-12 Teaching Certification from San Francisco State University. He served in three of our five Armed Forces dedicating over 22 years of service. He served as principal conductor of every choral and instrumental ensemble while attending the U.S. Coast Guard Academy from 1992-1996, conducting 50 works in over 100 performances. He assumed duties as an Army Band Executive Officer in 2003 and later concluded his 22-year service as a Commander of his own 45-piece professional Army Band. Under his leadership, his Army Band completed 687 band missions to over 690,000 live spectators and 31 million broadcast viewers across the nation.
Most recently, Richard dedicated nearly a decade as a music director in public education and nurtured the potential of nearly 3,000 musicians in his programs at the primary, secondary and higher education levels. Richard brings his marketing, management and music education expertise to several non-profits in the San Diego area pushing music education forward.
MATTHEW JONES
CO-FOUNDER
Associate Director & Chief Operating Officer
Matthew was a "Friends of the Philharmonic" $50,000 award recipient out of highschool. He then went on to study music performance & education in college. Matthew hold a Bachelors of Arts Degree in Music Performance from the Bob Cole Conservatory of Music at California State University Long Beach. He is a teacher, performing musician, and author. Over the last decade he's taught for both the Los Angeles and Orange county Unified School districts, and for the GRAMMY'S education outreach programs. As a performer he's had the amazing opportunity to have traveled internationally to over 45 countries worldwide, record with the 21st Century Fox Film Orchestra, as well as for Disney, and numerous video games. He's also been a featured speaker and clinician. As well as being a performer he's found a deep love for education & youth development.
As an educator Matt has taught for various high school programs in Southern California including: Beverly Hills H.S., Irvine H.S., Pacifica H.S., Westchester H.S., and El Rancho highschool. He was also hired by the GRAMMY'S to oversee and implement their summer program GRAMMY CAMP (2005 - 2008) where students had a chance to work with some of the most famous and recognized names in the music industry today. Matt has also published a book called "How To Be A Professional Drummer" which focuses on planning and managing your music career in the 21st century.
In 2017 Matthew welcomed his first son into the world. As a new parent and educator, Matt is especially passionate about bringing music to the younger generation. He is extremely excited for the future of what Maestro Music will provide for schools all over Southern California.
DAVID PRESSLAUER
Director of Development
David holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Business Administration with a concentration in marketing. He has 6+ years of experience in technology sales, however, his newly discovered passion for music encouraged him to walk away from the corporate world into the education community.
David was born and raised in Munich, Germany. In 2006, he came to the United States where he participated in a 1-year Au Pair program (live-in child care) in Berkeley, California. There he took care of two boys, ages 3 and 8, whom he is still mentoring. The close relationship with the family and his overall experience helped to shape David's perspective and passions. After a brief visit to San Diego a few years ago, David decided to start a new chapter in San Diego.
In San Diego he has thrived by building a reputation for himself as a consultant and developing programs. After finding out about Maestro Music, David was happy to be a part of a company finally where he is genuinely invested in the product and the vision. Maestro Music couldn't be more excited to have him a part of the team.
PERRY GADINAS
Program Associate
Perry attended Oregon State University where he pursued a degree in Economics with a minor in Music Theory. It was there that he developed a passion for audio production which led him to join the school’s Digital Music Performance group. To this day he is still creating his own sample-based instrumentals that stem from his love for anything 90’s hip-hop.
Perry was exposed to the performing arts at an early age. From classical piano to competitive cultural folk dancing, he has a broad spectrum of experiences. His early music training has afforded him an opportunity to play the piano and most instruments proficiently.
Perry has built sound community relationships that have offered opportunities in music. San Diego is where he began his career in music education. He brings a wide range of music background and experience to the Maestro Music team. He is passionate about bringing and exposing music education to the next generation.
Teaching Staff
ROBERT BLOCHER
Music Teacher
Robert, a native of San Diego, graduated from San Diego University with a Bachelor of Arts in Music Education, and pushed forward his studies there to attain a Credential in Music Education. During his studies, he worked at a private music studio for almost 10 years, where he instructed individuals and small groups in piano and music theory classes. He has guided many of his piano and theory students to successfully complete various levels of the Royal Conservatory of music through their exam programs.
Robert took his first piano class as a freshman in community college and continued pushing forward into their applied music program. During his credential program, he was a guiding teacher as an elementary general music teacher. Here, he gained experience teaching Kodaly and Orff-Schulwerk approaches to music and restorative classroom management techniques. Robert has a passion for music that continues to drive him forward. He is seeking to gain both Kodaly and Orff-Schulwerk certifications in the near future to continue improving his skills as an educator. Robert is extremely grateful to be a new addition to the Maestro Music community and hopes to instill a life-long love of music to students.
ARMANDO CARRERO
Music Teacher
Armando holds a Bachelor's degree in music performance from the Puerto Rico Music Conservatory. He brings over 20 years of experience as a performer, educator, and supporter of performing art academies and non-profit music programs in the community.
Armando was born in Ponce, Puerto Rico, and his family relocated to San Diego in 2012 to expand his music experience. He developed teaching through private lessons and working in performing art academies such as Creative and Performing Art School in National City and City Lights Music Academy as well as serving as an Associate Director of local church music programs. Armando brings a wealth of performance experience to the Maestro team. He was honored to participate as a trombonist with the Puerto Rico Symphony Orchestra. He had the privilege to serve as conductor of Handel's Messiah in San Diego with a choir of 80 musicians.
Along with his teaching experience, Armando has toured more than a decade, joining the stage with infamous bands like Ozzie Osborn, Iron Maiden, Megadeth, Slayer, System of a Down, and Cumbia Kings. As a trombonist, he has participated in live recordings with bands like PUYA, Millo Torres y el Tercer Planeta among other local artists in his native country. Armando is excited to share his passion for music education with our Poway community.
CALVAN CHRIST
Music Teacher
Calvan Christ is a multi-instrumentalist with 20+ years of live performance experience, 5+ years experience as a music instructor, and 6+ years as a youth mentor and tutor. Bass guitar and guitar are his primary instruments, and he is also well versed in classical and jazz music theory.
He holds a BA in Philosophy from San Diego State University, and has also attended the University of Oregon where he was a student in the jazz studies program. Calvan enjoys studying, playing, and teaching all styles of music from soft jazz to extreme heavy metal and everything in between. He currently plays in multiple bands local to San Diego, and also has experience as a national touring musician. Calvan is an avid surfer and hiker, and he enjoys spending his time off exploring the outdoors and camping with family and friends.
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MICHELLE LIN
Music Teacher
Michelle holds a Master of Arts in Music Education from the University of Southern California (USC), Los Angeles and a Bachelor of Music in Piano Performance from the Bob Cole Conservatory of Music at California State University, Long Beach. Additionally, Michelle completed the Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT) program at USC. She is an active member of the Music Teacher Association of California (MTAC).
Michelle's piano performance spans over 30 years and began at a young age. She has been an avid music educator in Southern California for the past 15 years, providing instruction at the Yamaha Music School and giving individual tutoring sessions. Over her teaching career, she has trained and inspired over 100 students. Some of Michelle's students have followed their dreams and decided to pursue music as a career.
Music has always provided her with much joy and fulfillment in life. Michelle recently relocated to San Diego with her husband Michael. They have 4-year-old twins, and a Shihtzu named Mocha. She brings a wealth of teaching experience and drive to the Maestro Team.
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BRITTANY LOVERO
Music Teacher
Brittany holds a Bachelors in Music Education from California State University, Long Beach with a choral - vocal emphasis. She studied vocal pedagogy, jazz, musical theater, Opera, and Classical art songs in Italian, French, Spanish, Latin, and English.Brittany brings over 15 years of voice coaching expertise to the team. Her studio experience includes Alissa Ewing Productions, orange County music Academy and The Music Academy in Lakewood.
Brittany has a wealth of experience in early childhood development and education. She began teaching elementary music classes in 2012 within Orange Unified School District. Brittany has delivered hundreds of music classes and inspired thousands of elementary children.
An avid performer, Brittany has toured with folk/alternative rock band "The harmless Doves" and country band "Daniel Bonte and the Bonafide." You can find Brittany performing locally with the "Wight Litening Band," covering hits from the 60's to today. Brittany loves sharing her music talent alongside her songwriting husband John. She operates her own music studio in downtown Fullerton and instructs over 30 students weekly in Piano, Ukelele, guitar, voice, and drums. She is delighted to expand the Maestro experience to students in Anaheim.
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AARON SEENER
Music Teacher
Aaron is a double bassist, bass guitarist, guitarist, ukulelist, and singer based out of San Diego, CA. Originally from Long Island, NY, he has been playing music for over 20 years. In May 2012, he earned a Bachelor of Arts in Music from Pennsylvania State University, where he studied double bass with Professor Robert Nairn, a former Juilliard Professor and President of the International Society of Bassists.
He first began teaching in 2007 at age 16. Since then, he has taught countless private lessons, led youth ensembles, and taught guitar classes at several elementary schools and UCSD. He has performed, written, and recorded a wide range of genres. He's toured all over the country with rock bands, to orchestral performances at Carnegie Hall and Lincoln Center, to receiving a nomination at the San Diego Music Awards for Best Jazz Album. Aaron is excited to bring his vast experience to Maestro Music.
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STELLA TOLENTINO
Music Teacher
Stella Tolentino has a Bachelor of Arts in music and her elementary school teaching credential from Cal State Northridge. Stella also holds a certificate of Music Business from the University of California Los Angeles. She is a classically trained vocalist and plays piano, guitar, ukulele and flute. She has performed as a singer, dancer and actor in TV, various musical theater productions, and film including Sister Act 2: Back in the Habit. In addition to her studies in performance technique, she has also studied ethnomusicology and is excited to share her love of the arts with children. Stella is a Los Angeles native and has two young sons.
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