Sonoma Valley Music adds group lessons

Starting in early February, Sonoma Valley Music will offer weekly classes, taught by local talent culled from the ranks of Sonoma’s finest musicians.  Shop owners Gerard and Mary Serafini have personally selected the teaching staff and designed the new classes to appeal to a wide variety of students from – preschool all the way to adult learners.

“We’ve added this range of services to expand people’s creativity and performance talents,” said Gerard Serafini.  “But with classes ranging from a beginner level to advanced so there’s something for everyone.”

Some of the new classes will include a “Children’s Storytime Theater and Playtime Performance” taught by Sonoma natives Kathryn DelChiaro and Jon Williams.  Kathryn’s extensive theater experience began in 1971, acting out commercials, performing the lead in school productions and dancing with Sonoma Children’s Ballet Conservatory. She has had extensive theater experience working with just about every director in the Valley, spanning some 30 years. She recently directed her own play “A Laura Ingalls Wilder Christmas” at Nicholson Ranch Winery.  Similarly, Jon Williams, who also has extensive performance and theater experience and plays in the local rock band Ten Foot Tone, is thrilled to be able to share his talents with kids and teach them how to be silly and perform music on stage.

Local musician and teacher, Sean Carscadden will teach a beginning “You and Ukulele” class with students holding a performance at the end of eight weeks.  This class will capitalize on the Uke craze while providing a much-needed local class. Carscadden has extensive performance experience and is the lead in various groups that play live.

Additionally on strings, long time local guitar teacher Ralph Cetola will hold a Group Guitar class on Saturday mornings.

Accomplished vocalist Vanessa Schilling will teach a Teen Sing class where students can sing in the group or solo when ready.  Schilling was a student of Berklee School of Music and graduate of Expression College of Digital Arts. She has studied opera in Italy, Mexico and Southern California, sang in many bands, and has been a teacher in vocal arts. Students can expect Teen Sing to be a fun, current, Glee-style class that is sure to catch attention. Schilling looks forward to helping students learn proper breathing technique, warm-ups and have fun singing in a group setting.

Also in the offering, a Player’s Jam Night where proficient players, who may not have a band, can come and jam. “There is a huge need for this in town and I’ve been asked for years to coordinate a night like this,” said Gerard Serafini.

Together, Gerard and Mary Serafini have years of combined music, audio and film industry experience and say that this is just the beginning of what to expect from Sonoma Valley Music in the months to come including video production services and more.

Sonoma Valley Music will continue to provide sales of music essentials, private lessons, repairs and rentals. Sean Gosselin, the in-house Luthier, specializes in all repairs, restorations, custom installations and maintenance. Gerard Serafini will also continue to provide custom sound systems and rentals for local audio needs.

Sonoma Valley Music is located at 521 Broadway.  Store hours are Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturdays.  For a class schedule call 996.2196, visit sonomavalleymusic.com or email the store at [email protected].