What if learning piano
was as fun as

Hello! 

My name is James Daly and I teach piano and am the owner of the San Ramon Academy of Music.

I believe in developing more than just “good musicians.” Let’s use music as a vehicle to develop the skills that make us better people; empathy, patience, perseverance, courage, and optimism. This inextricable connection of your ‘best self’ and ‘best musician’ is why I’ve had the privilege of working with some of my students for years.  Music is a powerful vehicle for some of life’s most important lessons.

For over 12 years I’ve taught piano, theory, and composition to students of all ages. I earned my bachelor’s degree in music from UC Berkeley with an emphasis on performance and composition, and written dozens of internationally performed piano works, chamber pieces, and orchestral music. 

I also studied at the University of Manchester and performed classical repertoire across Europe as both a soloist and accompanist.

Aside from teaching, I enjoy spending my free time at the gym, cooking, drawing, and reading.

Greetings! 

My name is Nigel Cathey and I teach both trumpet and piano at the San Ramon Academy of Music.

I believe when you’re able to sing through your instrument, you can experience music and express your emotions on a new level. The inspiring thing is that this occurs at every level of learning from beginner to master. You just have to get started to experience them!

I earned my bachelor’s degree in instrumental performance from The University of Alabama and have served as a Worship Director since 2017. I specialize in jazz and commercial music and have performed throughout the Southeast United States since 2016. I have over 4 years of experience teaching piano and trumpet to students of all ages.

Hi! My name is Jesse Bonaventura and I teach piano at the San Ramon Academy of Music. 

Music is collaborative so why wouldn’t music lessons be the same? My primary goal is to teach each student how to teach themselves. I do this through molding lessons to match each student’s individual needs and encouraging them to identify, analyze, and achieve their own musical goals, oftentimes without realizing they are even doing so. 

I earned my Bachelor of Music Performance from SUNY Fredonia in 2018 where I was a concerto competition winner and soloist with the Fredonia College Symphony Orchestra. I graduated with a Master of Music Performance from the Bowling Green State University of Ohio in 2021, where I also held a TA position for classroom piano. During my time at Bowling Green, my teaching methods evolved to incorporate primarily online methods due to the COVID-19 pandemic. 

I’ve been teaching piano, theory, history, appreciation, and songwriting to students of all ages through all my years in academia.

Hello everyone! 

I’m Crystal Casey and I teach voice and piano at the San Ramon Academy of Music. 

After teaching music for over 10 years I’ve learned that musicians are their most creative selves when feeling relaxed, confident, and free. That’s why I focus on overcoming insecurity and tension along with the details of piano and vocal technique. Music is a wonderful and life-changing integration of our technical and emotional experiences!

I have a BA in Vocal Performance from Texas Christian University, where I sang in the Concert Chorale and was a founding member of the TCU Opera Society. Before TCU, I earned my Associate’s degree from Weatherford College where I was involved in musical theater and choir. 

I’m also a singer-songwriter and recording artist. You can listen to my work on all the major streaming services.

I love spending free time with my husband and two dogs, Angelina the elderly Chiweenie and DJ the Belgian Malinois and retired officer. I also enjoy cooking, nature, the occasional video game, and reading nonfiction.

Hi, I’m Rhea.

I have a BA in music and an MA in Piano Performance Studies from the University of Sheffield, England. As a result, I have extensive experience in the world renowned Chinese and United Kingdom pedagogical methods.I also have over 7 years of teaching as well as performing experience. My passion is making sure music is enjoyable and tailored to my students’ personal needs and goals!

Piano lessons are always more than piano. Besides the fundamental piano technique training and music theory, singing, ear training, and stage performance are part of my class as well, along with games, even drawing, and workout sometimes. I believe the process of learning piano is a process of knowing how to coordinate your whole body, build up perseverance and who you can become.

Hi, I’m Lauren.

I began studying piano at age 4, and violin a year later. I won numerous national competitions, including the top prize at the Young Artist Music Competition. I provide piano, music theory, and composition lessons to students of all ages.

I received my undergraduate degree under the supervision of Dr. Sara Laimon at McGill University. I received my Master’s in Music Education Research under the supervision of Dr. Isabel Cossette. Upon graduation, I worked as a piano faculty and a Suzuki certified instructor at McGill Conservatory of Music, Montreal, Canada before moving to the United States.