Faculty

Department: community-school

Mary Alonso wearing an embroidered blouse and smiling in front of a window.
Early Childhood Faculty
Mary taught in Downey Unified School District for over 27 years.
Ryan Emerson Baird holding a bass and smiling in front of a window.
Double Bass Faculty
Ryan performs as a member of both the Santa Barbara Symphony and Delirium Musicum Chamber Ensemble, where he is also a co-founder.
Margaret Batjer
Violin Faculty, Academy Virtuosi Chamber Orchestra
Margaret Batjer, a graduate of the Curtis Institute of Music, has served as concertmaster of the Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra since 1998. Throughout her successful career as soloist, chamber musician, teacher, and concertmaster, she has established herself as a versatile and respected artist worldwide.
Nita Baxani
Chair, Early Childhood Music Department
Dr. Nita Baxani offers a broad range of experiences as musician, educator, and researcher and is enthusiastic about advocating for music in community.
Voice Instructor
Rose Beattie garners praise for her dramatic mezzo soprano voice, dynamic interpretive skills, and stage presence. She maintains an active classical performance career while guiding countless students to their own professional singing careers through a highly intuitive and technical teaching approach.
Bassoon Faculty, Conservatory Dean Emeritus, and Chair of Winds and Percussion
Richard Beene, Dean Emeritus of the Colburn Conservatory of Music, enjoys an active career as a teacher, soloist, chamber musician, and orchestral performer.