SMA Faculty

Andy Ting, Beginning Cello Adventures

Andy Ting is a dedicated string educator and performer with a passion for working with beginning musicians. She teaches beginner-level violin with the Simply Strings program and also works with students in violin, viola, and cello through the afterschool ‘NOTES’ program in Napa, as well as in her private studio. Ting is the founder of the  Sonoma String Collective, an ensemble that presents community concerts and provides live string music for private and community events throughout Sonoma County and the greater North Bay. Through both her teaching and performing, she is committed to making music accessible, engaging, and meaningful for students and audiences alike.

Caleb Forschen, Beginning Violin/Viola Adventures

Caleb Forschen studied Music Education at Sonoma State University, where he trained under violinists Joseph Edelberg and Jay Zhong. He currently serves as Principal Second Violin with the Symphony of the Redwoods and is an active performer throughout the North Bay and beyond, appearing regularly with symphony orchestras, chamber ensembles, and pit orchestras. In addition to his work at the Summer Music Academy, Forschen has been a music teacher at Summerfield Waldorf School and Farm since 2022. He is also a teaching artist with the Simply Strings program, where he works closely with young musicians to develop strong technical foundations and a love of music.

Carolyn Balfe, Kinder Violin

Carolyn Balfe, an Orff-certified music teacher, is excited to be back at Summer Music Academy teaching Kinder Violin again this summer. Carolyn holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Violin Performance from Indiana University, a Master’s Degree in World Music Performance from the California Institute of the Arts, and a Single-Subject Teaching Credential in Music from Dominican University. During the school year, Balfe teaches music to students from Pre-Kindergarten through second grade at Reed School in Tiburon.

Chris Newton, Beginner Guitar Adventures

Chris Newton is a multi-instrumentalist, singer-songwriter, composer, arranger, producer, and music educator with over fifteen years of experience performing throughout the Bay Area. He began his musical journey as a self-taught guitarist at age 13 and later pursued formal training in jazz, studying with renowned instructors including Tuck Andress, Randy Vincent, Brian Pardo, Gary Digman, and Bennett Friedman. Newton holds an AA in Jazz Studies from Santa Rosa Junior College and a Bachelor of Music from Sonoma State University. As a performer, he appears both as a solo artist and with his band, Mood Jungle, blending elements of jazz, rock, funk, and neo-soul. Through his teaching and performances, Newton brings a versatile, contemporary approach to music education, inspiring students to explore creativity across genres.

Daphne Gooch, Prelude String Orchestra

Daphne Gooch is a Portland-based violist whose passion for both chamber and orchestral music encompasses a wide range of repertoire, from the Baroque period to contemporary music. During her formative years as an undergraduate at the San Francisco Conservatory of Music, she played with the Baroque Ensemble as well as with the New Music Ensemble while also collaborating with numerous chamber groups. She then went on to receive a Master’s in Orchestral Performance from Manhattan School of Music and an Artist Diploma from the San Francisco Academy Orchestra. A founding member of the Astraeus String Quartet, Gooch enjoyed four years with this ensemble before moving to Portland. She is currently privileged to play with the Oregon Ballet Theatre, Portland Opera, Oregon Symphony Orchestra, Eugene Symphony, and the Santa Rosa Symphony in her hometown in Northern California.

Dave Ellis, Jazz Intensive Guest Artist

Dave Ellis received a bachelor’s degree in music production and engineering & Tenor Saxophone from Berklee College of Music in Boston. He recorded his debut CD as a leader, Raven, in 1996. Two follow-up CD’s, In The Long Run and State Of Mind, were produced by legendary jazz producer Orin Keepnews. He has performed, recorded, and toured with a diverse group of world-renowned artists and groups, including The Black Crowes, The Grateful Dead, Bruce Hornsby, Bobby Hutcherson, Phil Lesh, Christian McBride, Mulgrew Miller, Donny Osmond, Bonnie Raitt, Patrice Rushen, Bob Weir, and Narada Michael Walden. He has performed and taught at the Jazz School in Berkeley, Monterey Jazz Festival’s Next Generation High School Jazz Orchestra, Berkeley High School, Albany High School, Longfellow Middle School, Jazz Camp West, UC Berkeley’s Young Musicians Program, and Stanford Jazz Workshop. He was co-Chair and Jazz Program Director at Oakland School for the Arts from 2014 to 2021, where he designed and implemented a highly successful and competitive program in both middle and high school.

Learn more: http://www.davellis.com/bio.html

Jeanette Isenberg, Intermezzo String Orchestra

Jeanette Isenberg holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in music and divides her time between teaching and performance. She has diverse musical talents: she plays violin with the Santa Rosa Symphony, classical chamber ensembles, jazz combos, and country swing bands.

Karen Zimmerman, Beginner Bass Adventures

Karen Zimmerman holds both bachelor’s and master’s degrees in music from the Juilliard School. While in New York, Zimmerman played with the New York Philharmonic and the Metropolitan Opera and appeared with various chamber ensembles throughout the city. She now plays with the Santa Rosa Symphony along with other local orchestras, has an active teaching schedule, and is the Librarian for the Santa Rosa Symphony.

Kris Dilbeck, Intermediate Guitar Workshop

Kris Dilbeck is a musician, songwriter, and educator best known as one-half of the duo Burrows and Dilbeck. A master guitarist who also works for Mesa Boogie, he studied at Berklee College of Music and developed a style that blends indie, rock, and contemporary songwriting. Dilbeck has written and recorded multiple albums of original music and has received North Bay Music Awards for his work with past bands, including Frobeck and The Big Fit, and has toured internationally with the band Groundation. Dilbeck brings a wealth of professional experience, creativity, and passion to his teaching, encouraging students to develop their skills, confidence, and unique musical voice.

Learn more: https://www.burrowsanddilbeck.com/

Matt Bringedahl, Jazz Intensive

Matt Bringedahl has been the Director of Instrumental Music at Maria Carrillo High School since 2013, directing three wind bands, two orchestras, two jazz ensembles, and several student-led chamber groups. He earned his BA in Music Education from Sonoma State University in 2012, his teaching credential the following year, and his master’s degree from Michigan State University in 2018, graduating with honors at each institution. His principal mentors included Dr. Andy Collinsworth at Sonoma State and Dr. Kevin Sedatole at Michigan State. Bringedahl continues to perform professionally and was recently named Bay Section Jazz Educator of the Year by the California Music Educators Association (CMEA).

Bringedahl spends summers conducting clinics, teaching music courses, and working with private students. He also performs with local ensembles from Marin to Ukiah. Primarily a clarinetist, he is also proficient on flute and saxophones. Bringedahl is a member of the National Association for Music Education (NAfME), CMEA, California Orchestra Directors Association (CODA), California Alliance for Jazz (CAJ), and currently serves as President-Elect of the Northern California Band and Choir Association (NCBCA). Bringedahl lives in Rohnert Park with his wife, daughter, and dogs. In his downtime, he enjoys fishing and a good BBQ.

Mercedes Castro, Beginning Woodwind Adventures

Mercedes Castro is a flute/woodwind player and music teacher at the Miller Creek School District, where she teaches band at Miller Creek Middle School, as well as Mary E. Silveira, Vallecito, and Lucas Valley Elementary Schools in San Rafael. Castro began her studies at American River College in Sacramento before transferring to Sonoma State University, where she earned her Bachelor of Music in Music Education and a teaching credential. She is part of the flute section in the Sewer Band that performs for the San Rafael community throughout the year. One of Castro’s favorite parts of teaching is guiding beginners through their first musical experiences and witnessing their growth over time. Outside of the classroom, she enjoys staying active at the gym, relaxing at home watching shows with her husband and their cat, and playing video games.

Nathan Steinberg, Beginning Violin/Viola Adventures

Bay Area violist Nathan Steinberg has performed with various local orchestras including the Santa Rosa Symphony and Merced Symphony. Originally from San Diego, Nathan studied under Brian Chen before attending the Cleveland Institute of Music where he earned a degree in Viola Performance under the tutelage of Kirsten Docter. Focused on chamber music, Nathan performed as a young artist with the Mimir Chamber Music Festival and performed various recitals and concerts in Europe and the United States. Since moving to the Bay Area, Nathan has taught chamber music at Marin Catholic High School and served as faculty for University of San Diego’s winter chamber music festival. He stays active teaching students of various ages and performing in orchestras and chamber music throughout the Bay Area, Santa Cruz and Monterey Counties.

Rachel Aragaki, Beginning Brass Adventures

Rachel Aragaki is a French horn player and an inaugural teacher in the Roseland School District’s developing music program. She is passionate about creating meaningful musical experiences for young students, especially in those moments when they discover a new instrument or skill and begin to see themselves as musicians. Aragaki holds a Master’s degree in Music Performance from California State University, Long Beach, and is an active performer throughout the region. She plays with the Sonoma County Philharmonic and regularly collaborates with local chamber ensembles and pit orchestras. Outside of teaching and performing, Aragaki enjoys spending time outdoors and relaxing at home with her partner and cats.

Sara Williams, Concert Band

Sara Williams is a woodwind specialist and music educator currently teaching at Montgomery Junior High School and the French American Charter School. A Santa Rosa native, she holds a BA in Music and Psychology from Willamette University and earned her teaching credential from Sonoma State University. Williams is a proud alumna of the Santa Rosa Symphony Youth Ensembles and the Summer Music Academy, where she studied flute and oboe. She brings a wide range of teaching experience across band, orchestra, guitar, and choir, with a particular passion for working with beginning students. Her teaching focuses on building strong foundational skills while fostering a genuine love for music. As a performer, Williams is active in local pit orchestras for musical theater, where she plays a variety of woodwind instruments, including oboe, flute, clarinet, and saxophone. Outside of music, she enjoys hiking, playing video games, and watching horror films

Spencer Burrows, Intermediate Guitar Workshop

Spencer Burrows is a music teacher, choir director, and professional singer-songwriter with over 20 years of experience bringing music to life in both classrooms and on stage. He currently directs choirs at Analy High School, Hillcrest Middle, and Gravenstein Elementary, and teaches privately through his own music school, The Great Burro Studios, in Sebastopol. As a performer, Burrows has toured regionally, nationally, and internationally, released 8 original albums, and performed at iconic venues such as The Fillmore. Whether he’s leading a choir or rocking out with a band, Burrows brings real-world music experience, creativity, and energy into everything he does. He’s passionate about helping young musicians build confidence, try new ideas, and turn their creativity into original songs. In his songwriting class, students can expect to collaborate, experiment, perform, and have a blast discovering their own unique musical voice.

Learn more: https://www.burrowsanddilbeck.com/