GUITAR | PIANO | VOICE | UKULELE | SONGWRITING

Shyah Preis is a singer-songwriter and music instructor from San Diego, California. Shyah developed a great passion for music at the age of six, when she began learning to play the guitar and sing. Since then, her love for music has guided her throughout her entire life. At the age of seventeen, Shyah became a guitar and ukulele instructor who primarily specialized in the teaching of children. Currently, she still works as a music instructor, teaching lessons in guitar, piano, ukulele and voice. In addition to her work, Shyah devotes much of her time toward her musical career as a songwriter and performer

GUITAR | BASS | MUSIC THEORY | EAR TRAINING

Jaime is a devoted musician whose love for teaching came out of tutoring his peers while studying classical guitar at Mesa College. Now a student of jazz at SDSU, he continues to tutor other students in guitar and music theory. Jaime finds joy in playing with others and building connections through music, and is currently developing a guitar method of his own.

Jaime loves video games, playing soccer and going to car shows.

PIANO | VOICE | SONGWRITING | GUITAR

Wesley Preis is a singer-songwriter and playwright from San Diego, California. Music and the arts have always been an integral part of her life; she has been playing piano since the age of eight and began writing music in her early teens.

Once a student at Kalabash herself, Wesley recognizes the importance of finding creative outlets for self expression and is committed to helping students develop and find creative outlets of their own across all artistic disciplines. Wesley is currently studying theatre at UCSD and has had multiple plays of hers produced, most recently her one act, Open Bar Confessional, which premiered at the San Diego City College Festival of New Plays.

She also has a passion for acting and recently performed in a production of Tony Kushner’s The Illusion. Wesley looks forward to working with students and helping them hone their skills and discover their passions.

PIANO

Kevin Lum studied jazz at University of Nevada, Reno and has toured all over the US, UK, Ireland, New Zealand and Australia, playing piano and keyboard professionally since 2007 with artists and bands such as Keyser Soze, Tony Clifton and The English Beat. 

As a composer he has written dozens of songs for hit video games such as Cooking Academy, World Mosaics and Frobot and has been teaching students how to play piano and compose music for many years.

We are delighted to welcome Kevin to our team and are so excited to have him share all his experience and knowledge with our Kalabash family.

VOICE | PIANO

Ruby is a singer, recording artist, and educator who is excited to work with developing voice students at Kalabash School of Music + the Arts. She graduated from the University of Rochester with a bachelor's in Psychology and a minor in Music and American Sign Language. She has worked with students of all backgrounds and abilities for the past twelve years in a variety of settings. Ruby recently moved back to California after living in New York for eight years. While there, she worked as a teacher for students who have developmental and learning disabilities. Throughout her work at schools, she has always been committed to the music community, whether it be through managing school musicals or leading after-school voice classes and lessons. 

 Additionally, Ruby was a participant in the tv show, The Voice! Her artist name is Ruby G. She performed regularly in NYC venues such as The Delancey, Rockwood Music Hall, Joe’s Pub, and The Knitting Factory. She found a group of collaborative artists within The Voicebox, an intensive artist development program. This program helped launch her first two singles, “Fine on My Own” and “Head Above the Water.” Ruby is thrilled to be back in the San Diego music scene and work with students on their singing and performing development. She meets students where they are at using her humor, compassion, and joyous spirit. 

DRUMS

Justin Joyce has been performing and teaching drums and piano professionally in San Diego for over a decade. Justin earned both his Bachelor’s of Music (Jazz Studies) and Master’s of Music (Jazz Studies) from San Diego State University. He has performed, recorded, and toured with many artists including Teagan Taylor, Hether, and After Ours. Justin was nominated for “Best Jazz Artist” at the 2023 San Diego Music Awards following the release of his debut album as a leader entitled STORY TALES (2022). Most recently, Justin embarked on the “Don’t Stare At The Sun” North America tour with Dominic Fike as an opener with the artist Hether.

PIANO

Megan Nguyen is a Singer, Songwriter, Pianist, Music Director, and Educator from San Diego, CA.

She finished her B.A. in Communications at UCSD in 2017, and has since been a sought after performer, session musician (piano and voice), music director, piano teacher, and vocal coach. She is classically trained in piano performance and music theory, completing her California Certificate of Merit, Level 10 in 2011, and has experience playing many different genres including pop, rock, reggae, musical theater, jazz, and more. 

She has played in many venues in Southern California, including the Belly Up Tavern, Whisky A Go-Go (Hollywood), WinstonsOB, Tin Roof, 710 Beach Club, Oceanside Theater, Sea Legs (Huntington Beach), and at the One Love Festival at Queen Mary’s in Long Beach. She also plays private events as a solo musician and with bands, and has played/sang in Worship groups that travel around the US. She is also a session musician for local artists on piano, vocals, and music direction. 

Additionally, Megan has gained experience working in the music industry as a production manager, stage manager, and marketing director for music events and concerts. She has also spent time working in organizations that focus on increasing accessibility to music education at high schools, colleges, and in communities around Southern California.

PIANO

Kira is a musician born and raised in San Diego, California. She started training in classical

piano at the age of 7, and has since studied a wide range of musical genres, including jazz, pop,

and hip-hop/R&B. One of the things she emphasizes is the importance of ear-training and music

theory. She later found she had a passion for vocal and choral music as well, leading her to join

North Coast Singers children’s choirs, and advanced chamber choirs at Canyon Crest Academy

and San Francisco State University. During this time she was able to study classical voice and

perform across the country for California high schools and colleges, and venues such as Carnegie

Hall in New York City. After graduating from UCSD with a B.S. in chemistry, she still

continues to sing in congregational choirs around San Diego. She is excited to share her

knowledge and experience with the students at Kalabash!

DRUMS

Matt Bozzone is a drummer, percussionist, and composer who has been working full time as a musician in San Diego, CA since 2011.  He has toured extensively throughout the U.S with artists in the "global groove" scene, performing at popular festivals, performing arts centers, clubs, and community events. 

Since 2016 he's been teaching drum lessons to children of all ages, as well as adults.  Matt tailors his lessons to each student's interests and needs, with a focus on having fun and exploring the joy of music.  He has experience playing many styles, and has a deep love for music from Africa and Latin America. 

One of his career highlights includes playing percussion on six U.S. tour dates for Seun Kuti & Egypt 80, a legendary band from Nigeria.  Aside from working as a drum instructor and sideman to other artists, Matt is the bandleader and primary composer for the band Spacehall Sound Machine.

PIANO I MUSIC PRODUCTION I ACCORDION

Alex Arango is a multi-instrumentalist composer and music producer. Born in a small town outside of Medellín, Colombia, his early musical influences emerged from listening to Cumbia, Vallenato, and Salsa music. After immigrating to the United States, he became drawn to Hip-Hop, Jazz, and Rock music. This eclectic palate of sounds developed his ear and musical taste, enabling him to collaborate with Folk, R&B, Latin, Jazz, and Tango bands, and with artists including Lawrence Park, Orillero Ensemble, Thalma de Freitas, and Craig Marker, among others. His work has earned him awards such as the Jazz Society and ICAM Creative Awards from the UCSD Music Faculty and the Leigh Weimers Emerging Artist Award from the Rotary Club of San Jose in recognition of his artistic accomplishments. 

Alex holds a Music Technology degree from UC San Diego where he studied Jazz piano and composition under the tutelage of 2-time Grammy award-winning producer, Kamau Kenyatta. In addition to playing the piano, accordion, bass, and organ, Alex has also assumed the role of Front of House Engineer and Lighting Engineer for national and international touring acts such as Kris Bowers, Dayme Arocena, American Authors, Baby Bushka, Us the Duo, and Alfredo Rodriguez.

As a music educator, Alex specializes in teaching piano, music production, and accordion. His students learn to analyze songs to increase their understanding of music theory. This emphasis on theory allows the students to play a wide repertoire of music ranging from classical to Jazz pieces. Alex loves passing on his knowledge and it's this passion for teaching that enables him to adapt to a student's learning style, helping them become better musicians. 

If you're interested in Alex's work, you can find some of it at www.alexarangomusic.com.  

VOICE | PIANO | GUITAR

Danielle’s main goal in life is to spark joy and connection through music. With over 15 years as a performer and 10 years of teaching experience, Danielle brings a wealth of knowledge to her voice, piano, and guitar students. She is available to teach voice students of all levels, as well as beginner/intermediate piano and guitar students. Daniellegraduated from Berklee College of Music in Boston, MA where she studied vocal performance, songwriting, and music therapy. As a Board Certified Music Therapist (MT-BC) Danielle has specialized in neurology - working with autism, ADHD, and sensory processing differences. She welcomes students of all ages and abilities, and hopes to inspire a fun and motivating relationship with music.

PIANO | VOICE

Tia Mae Frostrom is a multi-instrumentalist, educator, and board-certified music therapist specializing in keyboards and vocals. 

She holds a BA in Music Therapy from Montclair State University (NJ) and relocated to San Diego in 2021. She holds over a decade of performing experience, from playing in church and local venues to singing at Carnegie Hall and performing in front of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Having studied classical, rock, jazz, r&b, and more, she emphasizes ear training, stylistic diversity, and theory in her teaching approach. She is also passionate to utilize her music therapy training in supporting students' unique learning needs or accommodations. Tia is looking forward to sharing musical experiences with the Kalabash family! 

Pearl is a painter, photographer, and digital artist. Her career in art began on her home island of Guam, where she sold hand-dyed batiks and worked as a commercial artist for the Air Force. Pearl then moved to Connecticut, where studied art and worked as a jeweler. She now resides in San Diego and has involvement with various community groups, such as the Bird Rock Artists’ Guild. She is also the founder of a greeting card line and the author and illustrator of various children’s books.