Our Staff

Eric Ching is a jazz drummer and composer currently residing in Austin, TX. He plays music with the same tremendous amount of purpose that he applies to his studio! Eric grew up in the SF Bay Area where he studied with Akira Tana (Dizzy Gillespie, Sonny Rollins, Sonny Stitt) and spent much of his time […]

Adam has been singing and playing guitar for over thirty-five years. He has collaborated with Grammy-nominated songwriter and folk singer Tom Brosseau, multi-Grammy nominated producer John Moyer from Disturbed, and composer/producer Jason Schimmel from Red Fiction and Secret Chiefs 3. Adam has also made appearances as a guest vocalist with Norwegian Progressive Metal band Leprous, […]

Diane Shim is a second-year Bachelor of Music student in Vocal Performance at The University of Texas at Austin. She is an active performer with the Butler Opera Center, having appeared as the Shepherdess in L’enfant et les sortilèges, the Fourth Spirit in Cendrillon, and Sister Rose in Scene II of Dead Man Walking, in […]

Megan Ross is an experienced vocal and piano instructor with over 22 years of vocal training and performance experience. With a rich background in opera, musical theatre, and classical music, Megan brings both technical expertise and artistic passion to every lesson. Having performed in several opera productions, Megan combines firsthand stage experience with a deep […]

Music has been a part of Isabella Roessle’s life for as long as she can remember, from singing in youth choir as an elementary student to performing in middle and high school show choirs, and later in advanced collegiate ensembles. Originally from Phoenix, Arizona, Isabella recently relocated to Austin to continue sharing her love of […]

Cristian M. Vega, PhD (cand.), MM, BM-EdViolinist & Musicologist Cristian M. Vega is a violinist and musicologist with extensive experience as both performer and educator. He currently performs with the Symphony of Northwest Arkansas, where he has served as section violinist, assistant principal, and principal of the second violins. His orchestral engagements include performances with […]

Gaven is a multi-instrumentalist, songwriter, producer, and performer dedicated to sharing their love for music! With 19 years of experience in piano, they hope to give a unique perspective on the technical side as well as emotion and storytelling through instrumental music. They earned their Bachelor’s Degree in Music Technology from West Texas A&M University […]

Forest Field is a versatile musician and educator from Amarillo, Texas, with a Bachelor’s degree in Music Education from West Texas A\&M University. With over a decade of experience as a performer, composer, and certified teacher, Forest teaches brass, woodwinds, guitar, piano, and music theory/composition. While at WTAMU, he studied trumpet and composition, performing with […]

Marc Coronado: Born in San Antonio Texas, Marc began his musical journey in middle school. Taking on percussion instruments like concert snare, tambourine, timpani, hand drums, and many more, that was just the stepping stone before Marc was introduced to drum set. At the age of 13, Marc began playing drum set and quickly covering […]

Olubunmi Olarinde is a passionate music educator and performing artist dedicated to helping students discover joy and confidence through music. With a strong background in voice and piano, she has taught children and adults of all ages, combining solid foundations in music theory with creative, engaging lessons. She believes in nurturing each student’s unique musical […]

Jerry Abah is a passionate and experienced music educator, pianist, and worship leader with over two decades of experience in performance, music instruction, and music ministry. He holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Music with a major in Piano and Music Production, combining classical training with contemporary production skills. His musical journey began in the church, […]

Jin Jeong, a South Korean-born pianist, is recognized for combining expressive sensitivity with virtuosic brilliance. His playing captivates audiences with emotional depth and clarity. He has earned top prizes in major competitions, the Sung-Jung Foundation Scholarship, and the NEC Piano Honors Competition (2024), performing in Jordan Hall. In 2025, he was awarded the New Horizon […]

Cary has been playing guitar and bass since he was 12 and piano for about 5 years. He grew up learning songs by Metallica, Pink Floyd, Black Sabbath and other thrash rock bands. He went to college to study classical guitar in Arizona and California, which greatly influenced his approach on how to most effectively […]

J. B. Mendez has played the guitar for over 30 years. He is now a teacher as much as he is a student! In addition to guitar, John also gives mandolin and ukulele lessons. Coming from a musical family, there was always some song or melody being played at home. At first Mendez’ main focus […]

Isabella Valenzuela is a Music Major at Austin Community College, currently studying Violin with Dr. Jose Flores. She hopes to become an Orchestra Director once she has received her Bachelor’s degree in Music Education. She has been playing Violin since she was 10 and has continued to add more string instruments to her repertoire, such […]

Doniahl Afshar is a guitarist, composer, and graduate of Columbia College Chicago with a degree in Music Composition. Known for his distinctive style, Fasdom Music, Doniahl blends global musical traditions with contemporary techniques to create a sound that is both innovative and deeply expressive. Born in Los Angeles and raised in Iran, Doniahl’s musical journey […]

Levy Nause began playing violin at the age of ten and has studied privately since, experiencing different teaching techniques and exploring all aspects of the instrument. He has participated in various ensembles and state competitions and is continuing his experience at the upper level, attending Texas State University. He is also currently involved in the […]

David grew up around live music and got his first guitar at age 12. Self-taught, he began by learning to play the blues and folk music, as well as covering bands like Led Zeppelin and The Beatles. He has picked up several other instruments over the years and has experience recording for many different studios […]

I am an experienced and dedicated drummer and percussionist with over 24 years of involvement in the music industry. My journey has taken me through a wide variety of musical landscapes, including Tejano, Country, Rock, and beyond. Throughout the years, I’ve had the opportunity to contribute to studio recordings, live performances, and music video productions, […]

Francis McGrath has been playing piano since 1982. He has performed solo all over Austin: at restaurants, hotels, bars, coffee shops, airports, nursing homes, real estate open houses, grocery stores, landfills, book shops, and private parties. Since 1987, he has also played keyboards/synthesizers in dozens of bands, including rock, pop, jazz, folk, singer-songwriters, Celtic, and […]

Michael Cano is 23 years old, and was raised in Bellville, Texas. A dedicated percussionist, Michael’s love for rhythm and sound has been a defining part of his life. After serving as a proud Army veteran for four years, he pursued his creative passion, studying Music Production at Full Sail University. Beyond his studies, Michael […]

We’re excited to welcome Jake Markman-Fox to The Musician’s Woodshed! Jake is a highly skilled woodwind and piano instructor with a passion for sharing his love of music. About Jake: Why Choose Jake? Ready to start your musical journey with Jake? AVAILABLE: NORTH PARMER, MONDAYS

Ms. Bri is a passionate singer, pianist, and voiceover actor with over 30 years of professional performance experience—and 34 years of piano playing under her belt. From the stage to the studio, Bri has worn many creative hats: musician, actor, dancer, choreographer, director, stage manager, writer, and visual artist. Bri’s work spans from world-class theme […]

Jonathan Portillo is an Austin-based jazz musician and educator. Hailing from Dallas TX, he graduated with a degree in Jazz Performance from Texas State University in 2022. He performs with several groups across the Austin and San Antonio area, and has opened for legendary musician Victor Wooten. In addition to his musical pursuits, Jonathan has […]

Leaf McFadden has been immersed in music and art from a young age. Throughout their upbringing, Leaf was an active participant in choir, show choir, band, musical theatre, and color guard. After teaching and leading the show choir club their senior year, they were led to pursue a degree in Music Education at the University […]

Jessica Cowan, a highly accomplished music educator with a classical background in voice and piano. Jessica’s students have achieved remarkable success, including lead roles in theatrical productions, high ranks in Solo Ensemble competitions, and winning talent show performances. Jessica’s academic musical achievements include being part of the choir in the United States Scholar-Athlete Games, top ranks […]

Guitarist, Pianist and Composer Jason Schimmel is a native of southern California and has been performing and teaching professionally for over 20 years. He holds multiple degrees in classical, jazz, film scoring and electronic music from the University of California Santa Cruz and the University of California Los Angeles. He has performed at many notable […]

Kyle Foley is a multi-instrumentalist  based in Austin, Texas. He has been playing music since early childhood when he started playing piano. His true love for music came in high school when he switched from violin to double bass in the high school orchestra. His grandfather bought him an electric bass starter pack soon after […]

Garage Band Music Director, Teaches Drums and Bass Travis Woodard has been a member of the Austin, TX musical and teaching communities for many years. Along with his teaching responsibilities at The Musicians Woodshed, Travis enjoys his career as an in demand professional drummer and band leader. He has worked with many notable Texas artists, […]

Hi there! My name is Tia Patel and I am from Niceville, Florida! I have been in choirs and taking dance lessons for as long as I can remember. Participating in high school show choir, voice lessons, Florida All-State, and several orchestra choirs were formative experiences that ultimately led to me pursuing and studying music […]