Little Mission Studio prides itself on having faculty who all:

Claire Plumb Co-Founder & Voice Faculty

Claire Plumb brings an infectious love of music and singing to Little Mission Studio. She received her BM in Opera Performance at The Peabody Conservatory, Johns Hopkins University, where she studied in the studios of Harolyn Blackwell and Ah Hong. She additionally studied in workshops and masterclasses at Oberlin Conservatory of Music and the University of Oregon.

 

At age 16, she was named one of the Top 50 Young Sopranos in the USA by the American Association of Teachers of Singers and Top 33 Vocalists in the nation by the National Foundation for Advancement in the Arts.

 

Claire composed her own music (2006-2007, Baltimore, MD) and sung original works for new composers, before moving to San Francisco in 2009 and starting her private voice studio. Her written music is described as “lyrical and haunting” and she released her first solo album in 2013.

 

Claire continues to perform original works in the San Francisco Bay area and she believes that music is a teacher to all who seek creativity and compassion in their lives.

 

Read Claire’s Faculty Feature to learn even more about her!

Matt Rupert Co-Founder, Piano & Clarinet Faculty

Matt brings a passion for teaching and a wealth of experience to Little Mission Studio. He attended the Peabody Conservatory of Music in Baltimore, MD (2007), where he was in the Bachelor of Music program for clarinet in the studio of Steven Barta, the Bachelor of Music Education program, as well as a Minor in Piano Performance in the Studio of Nancy Roldan. His past studies also include chamber music workshops in Vienna with members of the Vienna Philharmonic and Vienna State Opera Orchestra.

 

As a music educator, Matt has taught in the Baltimore County, Howard County, and San Francisco County public school systems. He specializes in instrumental music but has also spent significant time teaching and directing choral programs and musical theatre, as both as Musical Director for the OnStage Middle School Workshop in New Jersey and as an Artist in Residence with the SF Arts Education Project in San Francisco.

 

In September 2008, Matt moved from Baltimore to San Francisco. He currently performs with such Bay Area Groups such as the ECHO Chamber Orchestra, for which he also serves on their steering & artistic committee. Matt also regularly performs solo and chamber music in San Francisco.

 

In 2014, Matt co-founded Little Mission Studio, a new music school with the mission of providing the highest quality music education in San Francisco, where he serves as piano & clarinet faculty, and runs the Little Mission Jam Band & Little Mission Chamber Ensembles.

 

As a composer, Matt studied with Bay Area composer Belinda Reynolds. His works have been premiered by Bay Area musicians & orchestras such as the ECHO Chamber Orchestra & Fog City Percussion. His compositions range from solo & chamber works, to full orchestral works, & he believes in writing music for both professionals as well as contributing to student repertoire. His book ‘Music for Broken Arms‘ was published in 2022 & features piano music for students using only one hand at the keys.

 

In 2021, Matt co-founded the Make More Music Foundation, in memory & honor of his parents. This non-profit foundation has the mission of uplifting and educating the next generation of young musicians through scholarships to musical instruction, hosting community educational concerts, & facilitating instrument donations & placements. Matt proudly serves as President of the Board for the Foundation.

 

In 2024, Matt was honored in Yamaha’s Top ’40 Under 40′ Music Educators.

 

Read Matt’s Faculty Feature to learn even more about him!

Christian F. Howes Co-Founder, Percussion & Music Technology Faculty

Christian started playing percussion from a very young age and that passion led him to play in an award-winning marching band, concert band, and percussion ensemble all through his high school years. He furthered his study at the University of Michigan where he received a BM in percussion performance as well as a BSE in computer engineering.

 

Christian now splits his time between building exciting, next-generation, software, as well as playing and teaching music. Christian enjoys teaching individuals and small groups, including arranging and teaching for high school marching band and percussion ensembles. He spends a significant amount of time every year volunteering his skills to Music For All, assisting in marching band competitions and summer camps.

 

Christian can be found playing around the Bay Area with several orchestras, choirs, and theatre groups, including the Bay Area Rainbow Symphony and Symphony Parnassus.

 

Christian’s software work has included the Little Mission Studio practice challenge tracking tool, work with large telecom companies, small start-ups, mobile development, and machine learning support in agriculture equipment.

Marina Davis Voice Faculty

Mezzo-soprano Marina Davis is a recent graduate from The San Francisco Conservatory, where she completed a Postgraduate Diploma in Vocal Performance and a Master of Music in Voice. She also holds a Bachelor of Music from The University of Toronto in Voice Performance. Throughout her higher education, Marina has gained extensive knowledge about vocal pedagogy. She is very passionate about healthy, supported singing. She has taught students of all ages, and believes that every student has a unique voice. She uses a flexible teaching style that accommodates all types of learners. Although she is primarily an opera singer, she also has experience and training in musical theater and pop styles.

 

Recent opera roles include Cherubino, Le nozze di Figaro (SFCM 2019) and Hänsel, Hänsel und Gretel (SFCM & San Francisco Opera Education 2018). Marina has performed with Opera on the Avalon (2017), the Halifax Summer Opera Festival (2014, 2015), Opera 5 (2014), was a Young Artist at SongFest (2015) and a Voice Fellow at Opernfest Prague (2019). Awards include, Finalist in the American Prize for Art Song/Oratorio (2019, college/university division), SFCM’s Phyllis C. Wattis Scholarship (2018), Senior winner of the Symphony by the Bay’s Young Artist Concerto Competition (2016), and the University of Toronto’s Greta Kraus Award (2014).

Taylor Husted Voice & Piano Faculty

Taylor Husted is a Northern California artist, soprano, and music educator who holds a Master’s degree in Vocal Performance from the San Francisco Conservatory of Music. Her performing experience ranges from opera to musical theater to jazz and other contemporary styles. Taylor’s operatic roles include Donna Anna in Mozart’s Don Giovanni, Countess Almaviva in Le nozze di Figaro and has been featured in online productions of Dvořák’s Rusalka as the Foreign Princess and Monteverdi’s L’incoronazione di Poppea as the goddesses Fortuna and Pallade. She has been in musical theater productions as Lucy Barker/The Beggar Woman in Sweeney Todd by Sondheim and in Nell Benjamin and Laurence O’Keefe’s musical adaptation of Legally Blonde as Serena. Ms. Husted has performed as a guest soloist for the San Francisco Conservatory of Music’s event, “An Evening with David Stull” at the McConnell Foundation in Redding, California and has also sung for the Redding Performing Arts Society, the Shasta College Vocal Institute, the North State Symphony, and the Eureka Symphony.

 

Taylor’s goal as an educator is to instill confidence in young performers and set them up for success as musicians, artists and storytellers. Many of her private students have received top prizes in local and national competitions such as the San Francisco Heritage Festival, the American Protege International Vocal Competition, and the Musical Theater Competitions of America. Her students often test higher than the national average for the Royal Conservatory of Music exams and have achieved “First Class Honors With Distinction” for their respective levels.

Owen Purcell Voice, Guitar, & Piano Faculty

Owen Purcell is a tenor from Park City, Utah, who has been singing, playing guitar, and playing piano as long as he can remember. Originally training as a boy soprano in middle school, he found his love for opera in high school, and studied it at the Blair School of Music where he graduated with a degree in vocal performance. Currently, he is pursuing performing careers in both opera, as well as his own original music.

 

Much of Owen’s teaching experience comes from his family where he is the oldest of six brothers and sisters, all of whom play musical instruments, and were all tutored by him – so he loves to work with students of all ages.

 

Additionally, with his teaching experience at Blair, he has a solid understanding of vocal pedagogy in a variety of different styles. Although, growing up as a singer and multi-instrumentalist, he strongly believes that the most important job of a music teacher is to foster fun and excitement for musical growth. The best way to get better is to practice ambitiously, and the best way to practice ambitiously is to be excited to get better!

 

As a young tenor, Owen has played his fair share of Mozart roles, including Basilio from Le Nozze di Figaro and Don Ottavio from Don Giovanni, as well as Fenton from Verdi’s Falstaff, a premiere of Nadie from a children’s opera called Lucinda, and (his personal favorite) Pirelli from Sweeney Todd.

 

Whether you are a beginner or an advanced student, Owen is committed to helping you in whatever way your own musical ambitions require!

Sarah Hooton Strings & Piano Faculty

Sarah Hooton is a young emerging artist and teacher in San Francisco. She recently completed her Master of Music in Viola Performance at the San Francisco Conservatory of Music, and is excited to add her wealth of performance knowledge into her teaching at Little Mission Studio.

 

Growing up in Cairns, Australia, Sarah began learning violin when she was 9 years old. Her first experiences in ensemble playing were with the Australian Chamber Orchestra and Queensland Symphony Orchestra, participating in student workshops throughout her schooling. She also competed in the local Eisteddfod each year and competed at the national level, placing 2nd in the Australian Vocal and Concerto Competition in 2015. After moving to Brisbane to obtain her Bachelor of Music at Queensland Conservatorium Griffith University, she discovered the sweet mellow sounds of the viola and decided to make the switch. Sarah now plays the viola full-time but still picks up the violin from time to time.

 

In addition to orchestra, Sarah particularly loves the intimacy of Chamber Music and was selected to play in the Icicle Creek Chamber Music Festival in Leavenworth (Washington, USA) in July, 2019. To satisfy her never-ending love for collaborative music-making, she has also worked as a violist with Camerata Queensland’s Chamber Orchestra, and was invited to perform as a guest violist with the Endeavour Trio in November of 2018. Now in San Francisco, Sarah is Co-Founder of a new group called The Bridge Music Collective.

 

As equally passionate about teaching as she is performing, Sarah was part of the faculty at Music Creators (located in Underwood, Brisbane) for 5 years, teaching violin and viola. After moving to San Francisco, she worked as a Teaching Artist in the Bridge To Arts and Music program (BAM) at the San Francisco Conservatory of Music to help bring music education to children who don’t get the opportunity to learn music at their own schools. After teaching for more than 6 years, Sarah has learned to adapt her teaching style to each individual student, bringing her emotional intelligence and sensitivity to meet her technical and detailed approach.

 

Outside of the music realm, she has also been practicing Yoga for several years and is currently obtaining her 200hr Yoga Teacher Training in the hopes to educate fellow musicians on body awareness and injury prevention to improve musicians’ lives inside and outside of the practice room.

Paula Karolak Strings & Piano Faculty

Paula Karolak is from San Diego, California. She started her violin studies early in life and in high school fell in love with the rich tone of the viola.

 

She is currently a member of the Santa Rosa Symphony and performs all over the Bay Area as a soloist, chamber musician and orchestral player. She is proud to be a founding member of the UZAY Gallery and is Board President of Symphony Parnassus. When not performing music Paula loves to rock climb and is a student at CCSF in Computer Science.

 

Paula completed her undergraduate studies at UCLA where she studied viola with Paul Coletti and Richard O’Neill as well as violin with Guillaume Sutre. She later attended SFCM to study with Paul Hersh and Jodi Levitz. She continued her studies with the San Francisco Academy Orchestra and was mentored in orchestral performance by Don Ehrich and Joy Fellows.

 

As a soloist she has appeared with the UCLA philharmonic, UCLA women’s choir and the Academy Orchestra. She has performed with the Dilijian chamber music series and was a member of the Trinity Alps Chamber players. For two years she was also part of a Silicon Valley start up where she worked with 3d printers to create custom fit bike helmets.

 

Paula has over two decades of experience teaching all levels, beginners to collegiate. She has coached chamber and orchestral music for the Palo Alto Chamber Orchestra and Golden Gate Philharmonic as well as maintaining a private studio.

Daniela Gonzales Siu Cello & Piano Faculty

Known for her musicality and heartfelt artistry, cellist Daniela Gonzales Siu is a versatile musician from Peru, now based in San Francisco. Passionate about chamber music and contemporary works, she is active as a performer, collaborator, and recording artist, bringing creativity and emotion to every project.

 

She has participated in masterclasses with esteemed quartets such as the Calidore, Jack, Miró, Danish, Juilliard, Esmé, Chiaroscuro, Jupiter, and Telegraph, as well as with renowned musicians Richard Aaron, Wei Yu, Paul Wiancko, Joshua Roman, Johannes Moser, Kim Kashkashian, and Emanuel Ax. She has played alongside violinists Stefan Jacwick, Moni Simeonov, and cellists Sung Chang Chang, Michael Nicholas from the Brooklyn Rider Quartet. She took part in a workshop with renowned cellist Alissa Weilerstein, exploring the creative process behind her project, Fragments.

 

Her performance credits include collaborations with the San Francisco Contemporary Music Players, SFJazz alongside Brandee Younger and Ravi Coltrane. Her recording work spans projects with Sony, Meta, and a recently released album, Unbound. She is currently a quartet member of the Alora String Quartet.

 

Her degrees include a master’s in Cello Performance at the San Francisco Conservatory of Music under the guidance of Professor Jennifer Culp, having previously completed her undergraduate studies with Professor Jean-Michel Fonteneau. Committed to artistic exploration, she strives to deepen the emotional impact of music, using it as a powerful form of human expression.

Rachel Denzer Piano Faculty

Rachel Denzer is a passionate piano teacher dedicated to nurturing a love for music and creativity in her students. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Music with a pedagogy minor from Northern Kentucky University, where she honed her skills and knowledge in music education.

 

Rachel’s journey in music began with performances in church organizations across greater Cincinnati in 2005, and she has since continued to share her musical talents by performing in various small choirs and worship teams wherever she resides. In 2010, Rachel embarked on her teaching career full-time, educating students as young as three to 85.

 

With a belief that there is no “one size fits all” approach to learning the piano, Rachel emphasizes a tailored lesson experience for each student. Her teaching philosophy centers on fostering a love for music, nurturing creativity, and embracing the arts while cultivating a safe and welcoming environment where mistakes are celebrated as opportunities for growth.

 

Rachel’s dedication to music education has been recognized through accolades such as the Celebration of Learning – University Grant from NKU. This grant enabled her to contribute to the community by providing Kindermusik classes in various after-school and preschool programs in Northern Kentucky. Active in the Music Teachers National Association (MTNA) chapters across Ohio, Kentucky, and California, Rachel continues to expand her horizons in music education. While she comes from a classical background, Rachel is also passionate about exploring jazz and improvisation.

 

Beyond her musical endeavors, Rachel finds joy in various hobbies such as hiking, rock climbing, indie video games, and creative crafts like sewing, punch-needle, and tufting rugs. Her love for hands-on activities reflects her appreciation for the art of craftsmanship and expression in all its forms.

Andrej Markovich Piano Faculty

Andrej Markovich is a Serbo-Croatian pianist and piano mentor with 20 years of experience as a performer. Born in Belgrade into a fifth-generation family of professional musicians, Markovich continues a tradition of musical excellence.

 

He is a graduate and current master’s student at the San Francisco Conservatory of Music, where he studies with Corey McVicar. Markovich has won over thirty international competitions and is a laureate of the Serbian Republic Piano Competition. His artistic development has been shaped through mentorship with pianists such as Yuja Wang, Sara Davis Buechner, & Natalia Trull.

 

Markovich has performed across Europe and the United States, both as a soloist and chamber musician. He has over eight years of teaching experience & focuses on helping students build confidence, technique, & individuality, drawing on the European classical tradition.

Mikka Chinbaatar Piano Faculty

Mikka Chinbaatar is a pianist and yatga (Mongolian harp) performer with a strong background in both teaching and performing. She began her professional music education at a very young age at the Mongolian State Conservatory, where she completed six years of intensive training in performance, theory, and musicianship. She graduated with honors, earning the Conservatory’s red diploma. This conservatory-level program laid a deep and disciplined foundation for her continued artistic and academic journey.

 

Mikka went on to earn her bachelor’s degree in music at the Mongolian State University of Arts and Culture while performing with the orchestra at the Mongolian Grand National Theatre. She later moved to the United States to complete her Master’s degree in Collaborative Piano at Southern Illinois University. There, she worked actively as a chamber musician, accompanist, and graduate assistant, gaining valuable experience collaborating with a wide range of instrumentalists and vocalists.

 

With over seven years of teaching experience, Mikka has worked with students of various ages and skill levels – from young beginners to advanced teens & adults. She helps her students build a strong technical foundation, grow their musical expression, &, most importantly, develop a genuine love for music. Her lessons are engaging, joyful, and always tailored to each student’s personality and goals. Whether preparing for performances or exploring music, Mikka fosters a space where students feel supported and excited to grow.

 

As a performer, Mikka has performed on international stages as both a soloist and ensemble musician. She has performed with professional orchestras and toured countries including South Korea, China, Russia, and across Europe with a well-known Mongolian band. These experiences have deepened her appreciation for diverse cultures and musical traditions. Her musical interests span classical, traditional, jazz, and contemporary styles, adding richness and creativity to both her performance and teaching.

 

Mikka is passionate about helping students grow not only as musicians but also as confident, expressive individuals. She continues to perform, collaborate, and learn – always inspired by the journey of music, both her own and her students.

Jessie Nucho Flute Faculty

An avid chamber musician and proponent of new music, San Francisco flutist Jessie Nucho is passionate about sharing her love of music through performing and teaching. Well versed in both the traditional and contemporary repertoire, Jessie is an adventurous performer, combining all styles of music in innovative ways. In recognition of her dynamic stage presence, she received Carnegie Mellon University’s 2010 Harry G. Archer award for excellence in performance. Jessie recently performed at the Berkeley Arts Festival and the Hot Air Music Festival. She has appeared as a guest soloist with the Carnegie Mellon University Baroque Ensemble as well as the San Francisco Conservatory of Music Percussion Ensemble. Jessie has premiered more than fifty pieces and continues to commission new works from Bay Area composers.

 

Jessie enjoys frequent collaborations with musicians from the Bay Area and throughout the country. Most recently, she was a guest performer with the San Francisco-based new music ensemble Wild Rumpus as part of the Legion of Honor Listening Series. Jessie regularly appears with the Fog City Guitar Duo and will be joining them for their upcoming cross-country tour. In 2012, she won the Pittsburgh Concert Society Major Auditions as a member of the Hugo Trio, performing with harpist Natalie Severson and violist Alex Hettinga.

 

Off the stage, Jessie is devoted to her work as flute teacher and chamber music coach. She is a member of the outreach ensemble Prevailing Winds, performing and coaching flute sectionals and chamber music groups at Bay Area high schools. Jessie was co-producer and artist liaison for the 2015 Hot Air Music Festival, showcasing ensembles from the Bay Area.

 

Jessie holds a Master of Music from the San Francisco Conservatory of Music, where she studied with Tim Day of the San Francisco Symphony. Previous instructors include Alberto Almarza and Jeanne Baxtresser at Carnegie Mellon University.

Aaron Priskorn Trumpet Faculty

Aaron Priskorn has played trumpet for more than two decades, exploring many genres of music, while staying true to his classically-trained roots. Because of his unique sound, he is often sought after as a guest artist and collaborator for many various events/productions throughout the SF Bay area.

 

Aaron is passionate about teaching the trumpet and enjoys sharing the knowledge he received from his teachers. He holds degrees from Mannes College of Music (BM) and the San Francisco Conservatory of Music (MM). Aaron tailors his lessons to incorporate ear training, music theory, improvisation, performing practice among other exercises to make trumpet playing as easy and fun as possible!

 

Aaron is bandleader, composer, arranger and trumpet player of his group, ‘Sisu Brassland’ and released ‘Matka’, an album of his compositions for brass. He has also released 2 trumpet + loops albums (Venus Loops and Tartuffe) as well as Lip Service Brass Trio Holiday Album’. He has also recorded David Garner’s ‘Trumpet Sonata’ as well as other albums for Melvoy, Devon McClive and Sons, Entamoeba, The Family Crest among others. He also performs in and helps create the soundtrack for SF Academy of Art’s Fashion Show.

 

Aaron can be heard regularly with Classical Revolution, Green Street Mortuary Band, and has played with Lindsay Sterling, Evanescence, Lauren Weedman, The Stone Foxes, and recently performed at San Quentin State Prison. Aaron is excited to teach at Little Mission Studio!

David Cortez Saxophone & Piano Faculty

Described as an “insightful musician with a beautiful sound” (Karlos Rodriguez, Catalyst Quartet), David Cortez is currently a graduate student in Saxophone Performance at San Jose State University, where he also received the 2022 Most Oustanding Performer Award in his undergraduate studies under Dr. Michael Hernandez. He has been a music educator for over 5 years and enjoys working with students of all levels.

 

Recently, he has appeared as a soloist with the Redwood Symphony, ECHO Chamber Orchestra, Resound Ensemble, Disrupt Ensemble, Santa Cruz Symphony, Peninsula Cantare, and the San Jose State University Wind Ensemble.

 

Cortez has been invited to fellowships and festivals of national acclaim, including Chamber Music Silicon Valley’s Emerging Artist Fellowship, Quinteto Latino’s Seminario Conference, Ensemble Evolution 2023, the Rascher Saxophone Academy, and the Yarn/Wire Institute. David was a Grand Prize Winner in the International Frances Walton Competition and the Beverly Hills National Auditions. He was also a national finalist at the MTNA Chamber Music Competition and an invited live competitor to the prestigious Naumburg Saxophone Competition.

 

As an active chamber musician, David has appeared in music series across the West Coast. Featured highlights include Music by the Sea(San Diego, CA), Music in the Mansion (Beverly Hills, CA), 405 Shrader (San Francisco, CA), Bainbridge Island Museum Series (WA), the Seattle Public Library (WA), Bridge Street Theather (Catskill, NY), the San Jose Museum of Art (CA), the Mexican Heritage Center (San Jose, CA), and more.

 

Cortez performs with the critically acclaimed MANA Quartet and plays on saxophones fit to the acoustic specifications of its inventor, Adolphe Sax. He can be heard on Classical KING FM and NPR’s Live Sessions.

Katie Gavelin Guitar Faculty

Canadian classical guitarist, Katie Gavelin has been a part of the musical world for over 20 years. Beginning as a young child, her love for the instrument quickly grew resulting in her desire to make it her profession from a young age.

 

Katie has been a featured artist with the Calgary Classical Guitar Society, and given numerous solo and chamber performances in the Southern Alberta area since 2008. These performances have featured works by Britten, Bogdanovic, Hoppstock, Beauvais, and Tarrega. In 2014 she had the honor of premiering The Second Oldest Question by William Beauvais, which was written for her in 2013. She also was a member of the inaugural US Guitar Orchestra in summer 2019 which premiered 3 pieces written for the group and toured with William Kanengiser in a multi-city tour beginning in Carnegie Hall (NYC) and ending in Paris, France.

 

Katie has had the honor of participating in masterclasses with renowned guitarists such as Roland Dyens, Kazuhito Yamashita, Michael Partington, and Manuel Barrueco.

 

As a teacher Katie believes in creating strong musical fundamentals with her students while exploring various styles of music. She strives to help her students achieve a strong technical understanding of how their instrument works, but also how music is constructed, blending music theory with guitar technique.

 

In 2012 Katie completed her Bachelor of Music under the instruction of Ralph Maier at the University of Calgary. She continued her studies in 2015 with a Masters of Music, and 2016 with a Professional Studies Diploma from the San Francisco Conservatory of Music under the instruction of Marc Teicholz.

Bradly Pupa Guitar & Piano Faculty

Classical Guitarist Bradly Pupa is a performer and teacher based out of San Francisco, California. He recently performed Manuel Ponce’s Concierto del Sur with the Berkeley Symphony at the San Francisco Conservatory of Music, gave a recital on the Peninsula Guitar Series, and toured through China performing in Beijing, Tianjin, and Hangzhou. Bradly is an active competitor and has won first prize at the 2017 Sierra Nevada Competition. He holds a Bachelors ’16, Masters ’18, and Professional Studies Diploma ’19 from the San Francisco Conservatory of Music where he studied with Sergio Assad and Judicael Perroy.

 

As an educator Bradly is heavily invested in each student’s individual relationship with lessons, the guitar, and music. Through a holistic and nurturing outlook he seeks to help every student pursue excellence by focusing on technical efficiency, musical literacy, and most importantly patience. Predominately using classical music as a backdrop with both the Suzuki and RCM methods he has students place in the top 1% of examinations in all of North America. Music is a gift he seeks to give every student he meets whatever their goals are.

Brig Urias Guitar Faculty

Brig Urias is an experienced guitarist and teacher based in San Francisco. He holds a Master of Music degree from the San Francisco Conservatory of Music, where he studied with Judicaël Perroy, Marcin Dylla and John Dearman. In 2016, Brig completed a Bachelor of Arts degree in music at Pepperdine University as a student of Christopher Parkening. There, he was inducted into the Iota Omicron chapter of the Pi Kappa Lambda honor society and was selected as that year’s outstanding graduate in music. He has participated in master classes with a number of prominent performers including Eliot Fisk, David Russell, Meng Su, Jason Vieaux, Andrew York, and Fabio Zanon.

Since beginning his studies at age 9, Brig has performed across the United States and Europe, and recorded videos for Guitar Salon International in Santa Monica, California. Recent performance highlights include an appearance with the Saratoga Orchestra of Whidbey Island as a featured soloist, and the premiere of “Through the Endless Coil,” a song cycle for guitar and voice co-composed with Marina Davis. In addition to classical guitar, Brig also writes and performs with progressive metal band Corretta and folk/classical duo Shadow Julian.

Brig is a dedicated educator with over 10 years of experience working with students of all ages and skill levels. Brig seeks to foster a positive learning environment and inspire a love of music in his students while emphasizing the development of a strong technical and musical foundation. From a bedrock of classical guitar technique and music theory, Brig helps his students to explore their own tastes and musical interests and encourages them to them to tap into their own creativity.

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Private Music Lesson & Coaching Policies:

Private Lesson Student Perks:

• At Little Mission Studio, we believe there’s more to learning music than just a weekly lesson. As a Private Lesson Student, your tuition includes access to:
  • Bi-Monthly Studio Classes
  • Two Studio Recitals Annually
  • Community Events & Faculty Recitals
  • Solo Practice Space (as available).
• We also love seeing students connect and collaborate! Ensemble classes, along with rehearsal and performance space, are available to enrolled students.

Scheduling & Attendance Expectations:

• When you enroll, you are assigned a regular weekly lesson time. Consistent attendance is essential for musical progress, and instructors reserve this time specifically for you.
• Lessons are scheduled & billed monthly. Before each month begins, you will receive an online invoice listing all lesson dates, and noting any holidays or planned faculty absences.
• Students unable to consistently attend their regular weekly lesson time more than three lessons per month may be asked to forfeit their lesson time.
• All scheduling, cancellations, and rescheduling are handled through our online Student Portal. Running late, feeling under the weather, or stuck at work? The Student Portal makes it easy to cancel & look for an alternate time. Your instructor does not handle scheduling in any way, but is notified if you cancel and/or reschedule using the Student Portal. You may also always email the LMS office directly with any scheduling issues or concerns.

Tuition:

• Private lesson tuition is a monthly flat rate, regardless of how many lessons fall in a given month. We have calculated monthly tuition based on students attending an average of 42 lessons, 5 Studio Classes, & 2 Studio Recitals per year.
  • Our monthly flat-rate tuition accounts for major holidays listed below & some occasions where both students or faculty might have to miss a lesson & be unable to make it up, but students should try to make-up for missed lessons whenever possible within our make-up guidelines below.
• All students are enrolled in auto-pay & payment for the upcoming month is processed when invoices are sent, 8 days before the end of the month.
• Lesson tuition payments not received by their due date will be subject to a 5% late fee.
• Little Mission Studio accepts payment online only via Stripe & Square (most major US credit/debit cards).

Cancellations & Make-Ups:

• Student Cancellations: If you need to cancel a scheduled lesson, please cancel as soon as possible using the Student Portal. You may then use the Student Portal to try to reschedule your lesson within our guidelines below, pending the availability of your instructor. Our faculty maintain very full schedules, & cancelled lessons are not guaranteed a make-up time. Cancelled lessons that cannot be rescheduled or made-up within our guidelines are forfeited. Late student-cancellations, less than 8-hours before the lesson start time, will not be granted a make-up lesson.
• Faculty Cancellations: In the event your teacher needs to cancel a scheduled lesson due to illness or emergency, we will try our best to find a substitute among our other faculty members. If a sub is not available, or your faculty has a planned absence (such as a performance or vacation), you can use the Student Portal to reschedule your lesson within our guidelines.
• Make-Up Guidelines: Lessons cancelled more than 8 hours in advance will receive a make-up credit to use within our Student Portal. Make-up lessons must take place within two weeks of the original lesson date (ex. a lesson cancelled on the 15th may be made up anytime between the 2nd & the 28th) and follow these guidelines:
  • No more than one lesson per day & no more than two lessons within a 7-day period.
  • Make-up lessons may not be rescheduled again.
  • Make-up lessons must be booked at least 24 hours in advance.
• Holidays: Little Mission Studio is open year-round except for the following major holidays: Memorial Day Weekend, Independence Day, Labor Day Weekend, Thanksgiving Weekend, & December Break (two weeks, generally in line with the SFUSD calendar). Our monthly flat rate tuition accounts for no lessons scheduled during these holidays.
• Stopping Lessons: Once you’re enrolled, your lessons are ongoing & you remain a Private Lesson Student unless we hear from you otherwise. If you need to stop your lessons for any reason, you must notify the office before the 20th of the current month to come off the schedule for the following month. 

Group Music Class & Workshop Policies:

Enrollment & Scheduling:

• We accept enrollment for Group Music Classes & Workshops on a rolling basis. Enrollment for most classes closes one week prior to the class start date; check each class description for further details.
• Space in classes is limited & students will be enrolled on a first-come, first-served basis. Often, Group Music Classes will fill up, so early enrollment is encouraged.
• We list the full class schedule with each class description. Be sure to read over each class schedule carefully to be sure you can attend all class sessions.
• Click here for a list of current Group Classes and Workshops.

Attendance Expectations:

• In order to help ensure the best class experience for you & your fellow musicians, we ask that you commit to attending all class sessions. Missed or skipped class sessions are non-refundable & unable to be made up.

Tuition:

• Tuition for Group Music Classes is paid online during our online enrollment process.
• If you submit a Group Music Class enrollment form, but do not complete tuition payment online, you will be removed from the class list & your enrollment cancelled.

Cancellations:

• Ensemble Classes: If you wish to cancel your enrollment or drop an Ensemble Class, you must contact us 24 hours before the second session of your class for a refund of class tuition, minus $100 deposit. No refunds are available if notice is given after this deadline.
• Group Music Classes: If you wish to cancel your enrollment or drop a Group Music Class, you must contact us 24 hours before the second session of your class for a refund of class tuition minus 15% of tuition. No refunds are available if notice is given after this deadline.
• Workshops: Tuition for Workshops in non-refundable.

Summer Music Camp Policies:

Enrollment:

• We accept enrollment for Summer Music Camps on a rolling basis. Enrollment for most camps closes one week prior to the camp start date; check each camp description for further details.
• Space in camps is limited & students will be enrolled on a first-come, first-served basis. Often, our camps will fill up, so early enrollment is encouraged.
• Click here for our current Summer Music Camps.

Tuition:

• Tuition for Summer Music Camps is paid online during our online enrollment process.
• Your full camp tuition includes a non-refundable $100 deposit.
• If you submit a Summer Music Camp enrollment form, but do not complete tuition payment online, you will be removed from the camp list & your enrollment cancelled.

Cancellations:

• Missed or skipped camp sessions are non-refundable.
• If you wish to drop from a camp, you must contact us no less than three weeks before the camp start date for a refund of camp tuition, minus $100 deposit. No refunds are available if less than three week’s notice is given.

Early Bird Camp Discount: If full tuition for camp is paid by March 15th, you will automatically receive $75 off your camp tuition! More Details.

Ensemble Class Discounts:

• Make Music Together! Take the skills you’ve been learning & collaborate with others in one of our Ensemble Classes. Tuition for all our Ensemble Classes is by donation!

Family Discounts:

• We love musical families as much as Maria von Trapp! Receive a 10% discount off of all lesson & class tuition, when two or more members of an immediate family are enrolled in lessons or classes at Little Mission Studio.

#MakeMoreMusic Discounts:

• Want to take both voice lessons and piano lessons? Want to take a guitar class & try saxophone lessons? Any individual student enrolled in more than one type of lesson or class at Little Mission Studio will automatically receive 10% off of their tuition for everything! Make more music & save more money!

*All discounts are non-combinable. Little Mission Studio will apply one discount to tuition as applicable, whichever is greatest.

Gift Cards:

• The Gift of Music! Little Mission Studio offers Gift Cards in any amount that are redeemable towards the purchase of lessons, classes, workshops, practice/rehearsal space rental, or merchandise at Little Mission Studio. Gift Cards make a thoughtful & unique gift for friends, family, loved ones, or co-workers! You choose the value, & the recipient can use it towards any lessons or classes offered at Little Mission Studio. Purchase in person at the studio or order online. All online orders will be shipped.

Order Gift Card Online

Practice Room Rental:

• We understand that practice space is hard to find in San Francisco! Roommates, neighbors, & small apartments are all challenges to finding the time & space to practice appropriately.
• Current students can book solo practice time for free during our hours of operation. Not a current student & need to practice? Our rates for non-students are affordable at just $24/hour. All practice rooms must be scheduled & reserved in advance. Please contact us to schedule and reserve time in a practice room. More info on requesting practice rooms here.

Rehearsal Room Rental:

• Have a chamber group or small ensemble you’d like to rehearse? Rent any of our rooms at the affordable rate of $49/hour. Rehearsal room rental must be scheduled & reserved in advance. Please contact us to schedule and reserve time for rehearsal space. More info on requesting practice rooms here.

Below is our upcoming Summer Music Camp at Little Mission Studio. Click on the camp name for a full description and schedule.

To enroll in camp, fill out our Enrollment Form, specifying which camp you’re interested in.

Summer 2026 Music Camp:

Enrollment is open for Summer 2026 Music Camp! Come #MakeMoreMusic all summer long! 

Click the camp name below for full information.

Below are upcoming Group Music Classes at Little Mission Studio.

To enroll in a class, complete our Enrollment Form, selecting which class you’d like to enroll in.

Group Music Classes – Spring/Summer 2026:

Enrollment is open for our Spring/Summer 2026 Session! Classes start in April 2026.

Click on the class names below for full information, dates, and class details.

Enrollment for each class closes one week prior the the class start date.

Want to give a class as a gift? Purchase a Gift Card for the amount of class tuition!

Ensemble Classes – Spring/Summer 2026

Adult Group Music Classes – Spring/Summer 2026:

The Inner Voice Intensive

• Starting: Wednesday, April 22nd, 2026
• 13 Session Class
• Wednesdays, 1:30 – 2:30 PM
• Tuition: $399
• Enrollment Open Until April 14th, 2026
• More Details –>

Below are upcoming events at Little Mission Studio. Click on the event name for a description and full schedule.

Check back here often as we post new events throughout the year!

Upcoming Events:

Please select an option below to enroll at Little Mission Studio or send us a general question.

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