Faculty
The Santa Monica Academy of Music faculty is diverse and able to meet the needs of every level of student-beginner through advanced, children through adults. Our youngest student enrolled in private lessons is 5 years old and our oldest is 75 years old. Most importantly, our instructors possess a passionate dedication to music education and are university/conservatory trained. Many are also active performers on their instruments.
Buzz Gravelle: Academy director, guitar, piano, mandolin, music theory, and composition
Buzz has over twenty years experience as a music instructor. He is the founder, co-owner, and director for the Santa Monica Academy of Music, where he is the head guitar instructor. Additionally, he is an adjunct Professor of Music at California Polytechnic University at Pomona where he teaches music theory and coordinates the guitar studies program.
As a member of the Modern Arts Guitar Quartet (1990-1995) he performed regularly in California, in addition to Germany, Austria, Italy, Mexico (16th Annual Festival of New Music, Mexico City, 1995), and the Pacific Northwest. He stays active performing and recording on classical guitar and classical mandolin, both as a soloist and as a member of EnsembleFRET. He is also a prominent fretless classical guitarist.
Buzz holds both a Master of Fine Arts (M.F.A.) and Doctor of Musical Arts (D.M.A.) degree from UCLA. His primary classical guitar instructors were Professors Peter Yates and the late Theodore Norman. He has also studied jazz guitar with Warren Nunes, composition with Manuel Enriquez, and lute and theorbo with Michael Egan.
See buzzgravelle.com for more information about his professional activities.
Buzz has over twenty years experience as a music instructor. He is the founder, co-owner, and director for the Santa Monica Academy of Music, where he is the head guitar instructor. Additionally, he is an adjunct Professor of Music at California Polytechnic University at Pomona where he teaches music theory and coordinates the guitar studies program.
As a member of the Modern Arts Guitar Quartet (1990-1995) he performed regularly in California, in addition to Germany, Austria, Italy, Mexico (16th Annual Festival of New Music, Mexico City, 1995), and the Pacific Northwest. He stays active performing and recording on classical guitar and classical mandolin, both as a soloist and as a member of EnsembleFRET. He is also a prominent fretless classical guitarist.
Buzz holds both a Master of Fine Arts (M.F.A.) and Doctor of Musical Arts (D.M.A.) degree from UCLA. His primary classical guitar instructors were Professors Peter Yates and the late Theodore Norman. He has also studied jazz guitar with Warren Nunes, composition with Manuel Enriquez, and lute and theorbo with Michael Egan.
See buzzgravelle.com for more information about his professional activities.
Jessi Spike: piano, voice, and flute
Jessi began her music studies at the age of four, in Chesaning, Michigan. Her many years of private study, various competitions and performance experience gained her admittance to Michigan State University's piano pedagogy and performance departments, where she studied with Ms. Yong Hi Moon. After transferring to UCLA as a music major in 1990 to study with Dr. Ick Choo Moon, Jessi continued her work in piano pedagogy by opening her own private teaching studio in Santa Monica. As her studio continued to grow, Jessi also earned her Master of Arts (M.A.) degree in English from California State University, Northridge in 1996. She is employed by the Santa Monica Malibu School District (SMMUSD) as an elementary instrumental and choral music teacher.
Jessi began her music studies at the age of four, in Chesaning, Michigan. Her many years of private study, various competitions and performance experience gained her admittance to Michigan State University's piano pedagogy and performance departments, where she studied with Ms. Yong Hi Moon. After transferring to UCLA as a music major in 1990 to study with Dr. Ick Choo Moon, Jessi continued her work in piano pedagogy by opening her own private teaching studio in Santa Monica. As her studio continued to grow, Jessi also earned her Master of Arts (M.A.) degree in English from California State University, Northridge in 1996. She is employed by the Santa Monica Malibu School District (SMMUSD) as an elementary instrumental and choral music teacher.
Michelle Stuart: piano, voice, guitar, cello
As a professional musician, educator, and researcher Michelle holds degrees from the Royal College of Music in London, UK, the University of Oregon, and Cal State Fresno. She has performed in many prestigious symphony and chamber groups up and down the West Coast and in London, England. Originally from the Bay Area, CA Michelle devoted much of her early musical journey to piano performance, but over time developed equal skill sets in both vocal and wind instrumental performance. She has additionally specialized in educational instruction for both public and private sectors, mainly in orchestral ensembles, private piano and voice. In Oregon, she also spent her time teaching and coordinating a Musical Theater Academy for school aged students. She believes in pursuing joy as a core principle of learning and engagement (Flow: the Psychology of Optimal Experience, by Csikszentmihalyi) and much of her research in London and Oregon was based on this principle. Her teaching approach combines student-centered goal outcomes and the teaching of solid foundational technique,
Michelle is employed by the Santa Monica Malibu School District as an Elementary String and Vocal Specialist.
As a professional musician, educator, and researcher Michelle holds degrees from the Royal College of Music in London, UK, the University of Oregon, and Cal State Fresno. She has performed in many prestigious symphony and chamber groups up and down the West Coast and in London, England. Originally from the Bay Area, CA Michelle devoted much of her early musical journey to piano performance, but over time developed equal skill sets in both vocal and wind instrumental performance. She has additionally specialized in educational instruction for both public and private sectors, mainly in orchestral ensembles, private piano and voice. In Oregon, she also spent her time teaching and coordinating a Musical Theater Academy for school aged students. She believes in pursuing joy as a core principle of learning and engagement (Flow: the Psychology of Optimal Experience, by Csikszentmihalyi) and much of her research in London and Oregon was based on this principle. Her teaching approach combines student-centered goal outcomes and the teaching of solid foundational technique,
Michelle is employed by the Santa Monica Malibu School District as an Elementary String and Vocal Specialist.
Marco Chiovato-Rambaldo: piano
15 years teaching at the Santa Monica Academy of Music
Marco began his music career in Italy where he studied piano, cello, and theory at Padua Conservatory of Music. During his early musical exploration, he developed an interest in a variety of different styles, among them jazz, music of the Baroque period, and rock. He has played and performed in a Baroque ensemble, in addition to blues, jazz, and rock bands. Under the influence of his former piano teacher, Maestro Basso, he began composing, improvising, and teaching.
Since moving to Los Angeles, Marco has been active teaching and playing solo piano. Currently, he is the musical director and choir conductor at the Sepulveda Unitarian Church, "The Onion", in Northridge. In addition, he is currently working on recording his first album and composing a musical.
15 years teaching at the Santa Monica Academy of Music
Marco began his music career in Italy where he studied piano, cello, and theory at Padua Conservatory of Music. During his early musical exploration, he developed an interest in a variety of different styles, among them jazz, music of the Baroque period, and rock. He has played and performed in a Baroque ensemble, in addition to blues, jazz, and rock bands. Under the influence of his former piano teacher, Maestro Basso, he began composing, improvising, and teaching.
Since moving to Los Angeles, Marco has been active teaching and playing solo piano. Currently, he is the musical director and choir conductor at the Sepulveda Unitarian Church, "The Onion", in Northridge. In addition, he is currently working on recording his first album and composing a musical.
Manoela Wunder: violin, viola, cello, piano, and voice
A native of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, violinist Manoela Wunder has established herself in Los Angeles as a versatile and eclectic artist. Classically trained, she has a strong passion for improvisation in jazz, blues, and rock genres and is an active composer and arranger for string ensembles and jazz bands. She founded an electric rock string quartet, the Electric Angels, and has a jazz group “The Wunder Trio”, she performs as well as a guest violinist with local act “New Sensations” and the international world music band “Esperanto”. Manoela has been featured in films and TV shows such as Suburgatory (ABC), Qwerty, Spaghetti Storm, The Composer, and The Monstrosity. Manoela has performed with a wide range of orchestras and chamber groups in New York, Chicago, Miami, and Los Angeles as well as Europe. Her music has been heard in the Alice Tully Hall (NY), Symphony Center Chicago and Walt Disney Concert Hall (LA). She is a multiple prizewinner of competitions in the United States and Europe and has been a guest at many prominent festivals throughout her career. Manoela holds a Bachelor of Music from the Aaron Copland School of Music at Queens College (NY) in Violin Performance and a Master of Music degree with distinction under scholarship from DePaul University in Chicago. Ms. Wunder has been an avid educator in a variety of instruments for many years. Since moving to Los Angeles, she has taught for several private music schools as well as public elementary and middle school classes and orchestras.
See manoelawunder.com for more information about her professional activities.
A native of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, violinist Manoela Wunder has established herself in Los Angeles as a versatile and eclectic artist. Classically trained, she has a strong passion for improvisation in jazz, blues, and rock genres and is an active composer and arranger for string ensembles and jazz bands. She founded an electric rock string quartet, the Electric Angels, and has a jazz group “The Wunder Trio”, she performs as well as a guest violinist with local act “New Sensations” and the international world music band “Esperanto”. Manoela has been featured in films and TV shows such as Suburgatory (ABC), Qwerty, Spaghetti Storm, The Composer, and The Monstrosity. Manoela has performed with a wide range of orchestras and chamber groups in New York, Chicago, Miami, and Los Angeles as well as Europe. Her music has been heard in the Alice Tully Hall (NY), Symphony Center Chicago and Walt Disney Concert Hall (LA). She is a multiple prizewinner of competitions in the United States and Europe and has been a guest at many prominent festivals throughout her career. Manoela holds a Bachelor of Music from the Aaron Copland School of Music at Queens College (NY) in Violin Performance and a Master of Music degree with distinction under scholarship from DePaul University in Chicago. Ms. Wunder has been an avid educator in a variety of instruments for many years. Since moving to Los Angeles, she has taught for several private music schools as well as public elementary and middle school classes and orchestras.
See manoelawunder.com for more information about her professional activities.
Sandra Pehrsson: voice and piano
With 18 years of experience as a voice and piano teacher, Sandra is dedicated to help her students to develop their musical talent and voice to build their confidence within themselves. With voice and piano as her main fields of study, she also studied composition, music theory, conducting, music history, band leading, microphone technique, performance, and multiple wind, string and percussion instruments. She is trained in classical, pop, jazz and rock genres, and teaches all genres. Originally from Sweden, she attended the Uddevall School of Music, Helsingborg’s School of Music, and Sungsgarden’s Folkhogskola. All of this culminated at the Leeds College of Music in the United Kingdom, where she received her Diploma of Higher Education in Jazz and Contemporary Music, with an emphasis on voice and piano where she was a recipient of Leeds “Best Jazz Singer" award. In addition to teaching, Sandra performs regularly and works as a professional singer, singer/songwriter and pianist. She has performed around the UK, Sweden and the US. She is one-half of the upcoming singer/songwriter duo SandraKota, while also working in former Tower of Power singer Lenny Goldsmith’s band The New Old, as well as singing lead soprano in the six-part a cappella group Swing Shift. Sandra is also part of Goldie Gillespie’s funky Rick James tribute band and she has for many years worked as a jazz singer/pianist. As a session singer, Sandra has, amongst other things, worked on an album released by Columbia Records.
With 18 years of experience as a voice and piano teacher, Sandra is dedicated to help her students to develop their musical talent and voice to build their confidence within themselves. With voice and piano as her main fields of study, she also studied composition, music theory, conducting, music history, band leading, microphone technique, performance, and multiple wind, string and percussion instruments. She is trained in classical, pop, jazz and rock genres, and teaches all genres. Originally from Sweden, she attended the Uddevall School of Music, Helsingborg’s School of Music, and Sungsgarden’s Folkhogskola. All of this culminated at the Leeds College of Music in the United Kingdom, where she received her Diploma of Higher Education in Jazz and Contemporary Music, with an emphasis on voice and piano where she was a recipient of Leeds “Best Jazz Singer" award. In addition to teaching, Sandra performs regularly and works as a professional singer, singer/songwriter and pianist. She has performed around the UK, Sweden and the US. She is one-half of the upcoming singer/songwriter duo SandraKota, while also working in former Tower of Power singer Lenny Goldsmith’s band The New Old, as well as singing lead soprano in the six-part a cappella group Swing Shift. Sandra is also part of Goldie Gillespie’s funky Rick James tribute band and she has for many years worked as a jazz singer/pianist. As a session singer, Sandra has, amongst other things, worked on an album released by Columbia Records.
Hana Chwe: piano, voice, cello
Hana graduated from Lewis & Clark College with a B.A. in Piano Performance. Along with piano, she studied voice, composition, music theory, and orchestration. In addition to studying voice and piano privately, she participated in Capella Nova Choir as a soprano section leader. Her love of musical ensembles inspired her to join percussion ensemble, orchestra, and chamber groups as a pianist/marimbist. She accompanied voice students on piano, and became adept at sight-reading, improvising, and performing other styles such as musical theatre and pop. In 2016, she was a piano coach and orchestra assistant at Blue Lake Fine Arts Camp, where she taught young musicians to pursue their passions.
Since graduation, Hana has taught at the following schools: Eliason School of Music (Portland, OR), The Musicality Network (Portland, OR), Kidville (Los Angeles, CA), STAR (Venice, CA). Currently, she teaches piano, voice, and cello at Angeles Academy (Los Angeles, CA) and Santa Monica Academy of Music (Santa Monica, CA). Hana's teaching style works to accommodate the goals of each student, and ensures that they will transition into well-rounded, versatile musicians. She concentrates on theory, ear training, and technique via the Suzuki Method or the Faber Series.
Caitlin Smith: viola, violin
Caitlin holds a bachelor of music from McGill University and teaches, violin, viola, piano, and songwriting. Trained in classical and jazz, Caitlin is frequently a sought-after violist for recording sessions and concerts. She has also performed in folk/pop groups and has toured across Canada with an experimental jazz chamber ensemble. She uses a fun yet methodical teaching approach which focuses heavily on ear-training, individual learning styles and personal enjoyment, while following standardized teaching materials to provide structured and supportive foundations. She loves helping her students of all ages learn and musically flourish. Caitlin is comfortable teaching on Zoom or in-person.
Caitlin holds a bachelor of music from McGill University and teaches, violin, viola, piano, and songwriting. Trained in classical and jazz, Caitlin is frequently a sought-after violist for recording sessions and concerts. She has also performed in folk/pop groups and has toured across Canada with an experimental jazz chamber ensemble. She uses a fun yet methodical teaching approach which focuses heavily on ear-training, individual learning styles and personal enjoyment, while following standardized teaching materials to provide structured and supportive foundations. She loves helping her students of all ages learn and musically flourish. Caitlin is comfortable teaching on Zoom or in-person.
