Our Music Instructors

Beginning on accordion at age 4, then switching to guitar at age 11, music has always been a part of John’s life. Over the years he’s had the opportunity to study with great guitar players such as George Benson, Joe Pass, and Andre Segovia. He has extensive education in music theory, arranging and orchestration, and has over 30 years of experience in teaching.

He has written scores for TV and film and performed in many venues around the world. He is currently producing his own CD.

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One of Reno’s busiest professional musicians!

Joey was born in Oneida, KY and raised in Winchester, KY. and he has the accent to prove it. “I grew up singing in a very musical family. My mother sang alto, my dad sang bass, and he and two of my brothers were choir directors. My sister, B.G. (Betty Gene Hibbard) is an excellent piano player and without her help, I would’ve never figured out how to translate Dave Grusin’s piano instrumental, “Memphis Stomp” into guitar licks”

When he was in grade school, he started playing trombone in band only because, “we had one at the house”. After high school, Joey started taking banjo lessons while attending Milligan College, Tenn. On a basketball scholarship. After joining the 264th Army band in Hawaii as a trombone player, he met some country pickers at Schofield Barracks. He ended up performing at the John F. Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C. with the Army’s finest country band as a guitar/banjo player. Joey’s performed at the Grand Ol’ Opry had his music on Continental Airlines, performed with members of the Honolulu Symphony on Waikiki Beach and opened shows for Marty Robbins and Ronnie Milsap.

When you walk into a show where Joey Carmon is performing, you may hear a grand piano, a saxophone or trumpets and trombones, but you won’t see any of these. What you will see is Joey playing a guitar synthesizer. This synthesizer sounds so much like the real thing, you’ll be searching the stage for the other instruments! “I give credit to Earl Scruggs, Carl Jackson and Jerry Reed for my style of pickin’ guitar and banjo”

With 4 CDs to his credit. His latest endeavor is by far the most difficult and the most rewarding. “I started working on some Jerry Reed guitar instrumentals, which have taken me years to figure out.

Cindy Sabatini has been a professional vocalist and pianist in 6 different states. She’s been a performer, accompanist or musical director in over 50 musical theater productions. Cindy currently sings with 2 jazz bands, performs in local theater productions, and is Director of Worship and Music Ministries at Sparks United Methodist Church.

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Yorkie started playing the piano and the cello before she turned ten, and has been composing since before she can even remember. Her favorite composers are Arvo Pärt, and Steven Sondheim, (she is definitely a theater nerd!). Like many people, her love of music is deeply seeded. Learning music was a way of self-expression that allowed her to become the outgoing and vibrant person she is. She is in honor groups for orchestra every year and planning to attend the University of Nevada Reno for performance and composition.

When she teaches, she aims to make music fun and reachable for everyone, and firmly believes that music is the way to become who you were made to be.

She has two younger brothers, which means she’s well-equipped for rambunctious kids!

A love is music is all you need in common to be fast friends.

Tessa began playing the violin at eleven years old. Learning the violin quickly made her love for music grow and become a part of her life. She currently plays in an orchestra as well as the Sixteen Strings Quartet.

She aims to help others see playing the violin as enjoyable and satisfying as she does.

Hello, I am Ally! I am seventeen and currently a student at Reno High School. Violin has been a passion of mine for as long as I can remember. I started studying classical violin when I was five years old, and from there, I haven't stopped. One of my favorite aspects of violin, and music in general, is playing with others. I have been a part of the Reno Youth Philharmonic for seven years, as concertmaster, section leader, and participant. I also enjoy playing Old-Time and Celtic fiddle. I started about five years ago and since then, I have been to and participated in many fiddle competitions, jigs, and performances. The genre of music is one of my favorites. Now, I am so excited to begin to share my love of the violin with others and hopefully find the same passion in another student!

Born and raised in Reno, Nevada, Yavanna is a young and motivated classical violin and viola instructor. She started playing violin at 3 years old, started by her mom who plays professionally and her father who is a classical luthier. As a member of the Reno Phil’s youth program for ten years through elementary, middle and high school, she later received their scholarship award for many dedicated years of coaching and membership; having toured Carnegie, Davies, and Disney halls with them. Today, she studies with Ruth Lenz while double majoring in Classical Violin performance and Graphic Design at the University of Nevada Reno, on full scholarship under the Millennium grant. Her philosophy is that sharing music through teaching makes you a better performer, and music is a human instinct that deserves to be cultivated and appreciated no matter your musical level.

Bryan Jenkins is a highly accomplished drum teacher with a rich musical background spanning several decades. A distinguished member of the 1980 McDonald’s All-American High School Band, he further honed his craft as a member of the U.S. Army Band from 1981 to 1987. Also a graduate of the Naval School of Music, Bryan Jenkins has shared his expertise with countless students and has played professionally alongside numerous renowned artists throughout his career. His dedication to music education and performance continues to inspire up and coming drummers.

Dillon started playing bass his freshman year of high school and immediately developed a passion for the instrument. Since then he’s loved writing music and playing with different kinds of bands and people. Through teaching he strives to give people the tools they need to become their own musician.

Mark began playing guitar when he was 14, studying flamenco and classical guitar from an elderly, British lady, while his father was stationed in England. Since this was during the Woodstock era, Mark’s passion for music extended beyond classical studies to include rock, folk and jazz.

Mark is a graduate of the Musician’s Institute in Hollywood, CA and has played bass and guitar professionally for approximately 40 years. He currently plays for his church praise band and numerous musical theater productions throughout the Truckee and Reno/Sparks area.

“Music should be a fun and exciting experience!” And Mark strives to make that so with every student.

Travis is a professional music educator from the San Fernando Valley, just outside Los Angeles. He began teaching private saxophone lessons in high school and became a marching band coach after graduating. He earned his Bachelor's Degree in Music Education with an emphasis on Instrumental Music from California State University Northridge while

playing electric bass in the band Blue Velvet Drapes. After earning his BA, Travis moved to Seattle to become a middle school band and orchestra director while working towards his Master's Degree in Music Education at the University of Washington. While there, Travis focused his research on best practices for teaching popular music and taught private and group lessons. He moved to Reno to be closer to his family and is excited to enter the local music scene. He has extensive experience teaching students ages 5 to 70+ years old.

Jeffrey is a Northern Nevada Actor and Award Nominated Voiceover Artist who is known for being Authentic, Eccentric, & A Little Eclectic. His kindness and versatility know no bounds.

Jeffrey studied live performance at Millikin University in Decatur, IL. He has starred in many musical productions including "The Producers" (Spring, 2015), "The Full Monty" (Summer, 2015), "The Rocky Horror Show" (Fall, 2017), and "Young Frankenstein: The Musical" (Fall, 2018), and "Murder Ballad" (Spring, 2022). He has also lent his voice talents to the plant, Audrey II, in "Little Shop of Horrors". He has been featured in such indie films as "3 Tickets to Paradise" (2013) & "Dinner With God" (2016) where he literally did "play God". He also made an appearance in "John Wynn's One Hour" (2022) on The Wynn Network.

People often state how much they love his energy, lively personality, and grateful demeanor. Not to mention his list of limitless number of impressions and dialects. Whether it be Voice Acting for commercial, promo, animation, video game, IVR phone message, what have you, EVERY SINGLE ONE of his reads is delivered with truth, heart, and prime, signature characterization.