What started as occasional coaching in school music outreach programs from 2000-2006, turned into the 'Latin American Music Project' with two all-age ensembles: a Mariachi and an Afro-Cuban Ensemble (ACE). In 2010, the LAMP became the 'City Heights Music School' as more instruments and levels were required to meet the demand for music education in City Heights. In 2016, CHMS was adopted by the Youth Philharmonic Orchestra and continues to flourish under the direction of Victoria Eicher.
I grew up in Minneapolis and studied at MacPhail Center for the Arts, starting at the early age of 3 in its Musical Trolley program and continuing to the age of 14 as a student of Suzuki Violin. With three siblings also enrolled at MacPhail, I spent a lot of time in its huge lobby area surrounded by musicians and dancers coming and going to class, and in the upper floor hallways outside of the studios of private lesson teachers. My mother, a small-town girl from northern Minnesota, played piano and always loved the violin. So there I was, at the age of 4, with a chopstick for a bow and a ruler taped to a tissue box for a violin! That’s how it all began...
Violin, Piano, Mariachi Victoria
Victoria Eicher grew up in Minneapolis and began playing violin at the age of 4 in the Suzuki program at MacPhail Center for the Arts. She has performed with the La Jolla Symphony & Chorus, Orquestra de Baja California, Mariachi Champaña Nevin,
Caprice Strings, and in chamber ensemble programs
throughout San Diego.
In 2010, Ms. Victoria founded the City Heights Music School and opened her home studio for private lessons in violin and piano.
Piano, Voice, BeatVox, Ukulele and Music123
Lorelei Isidro-Garner is an accomplished vocalist, as well as a proficient pianist and ukulele player. She joins the artistic leadership team as a visionary in vocal arts and teacher training. Lorelei studied Voice Performance at SDSU and has taught music enrichment programs for over 20 years. She is the Choir Director of the Swing Choir and Concert Choir at Mission Bay High and a private instructor for voice, piano, and ukulele.
Lorelei is the composer and creator of the “ZipZapZoogle Music Enrichment Program”.
Piano
John Academia holds a Master's degree in Music Theory and Composition from SDSU. He is a Music Teacher in the Sweetwater Union High School District and a Piano Teacher at Southwestern Community College. We are excited to have John join our artistic staff for group piano and private piano lessons!
Voice, Las Voces de Mariachi
Tomás Acosta is a choral conductor, piano teacher, and vocal coach with over 20 years of experience. He holds a Master's degree in Choral Conducting from the Universidad Veracruzana, where he was invited as a guest conductor and collaborator in concerts and festivals. His areas of expertise include opera, recital, sacred, barbershop, musical theatre, Mexican folk, and modern music.
Mariachi Lead: Mariachi Victoria, Mariachi Prep, after-school Mariachi in South Bay
Chris Behrens has more than 10 years of teaching and performing experience in Mariachi. He plays guitar, vihuela, and guitarrón. Through Classics 4 Kids, Chris performs Mariachi and teaches throughout San Diego. He is enthusiastic about arranging songs and helping students develop musicianship.
Guitar
Kyle Callan is studying music education at SDSU. His primary instrument is guitar. He mainly plays jazz, although his interests stretch to every style of music. He has a passion for teaching and wants to eventually become a conductor.
After-school Mariachi
Bio coming soon!
Afro-Caribbean Ensemble
Charlie Chávez is a virtuoso percussionist whose performances are a fusion of his exquisite talent, his passionate spirit, and his rigorous study of the history of Latin music. He studied music at the Conservatory of Music, University of Xalapa in Veracruz and performs extensively in Tijuana and San Diego. He heads his own salsa group, Afrotruko, performing at major venues in Southern California. He currently teaches percussion in Tijuana and San Diego.
Art
German Corrales is known in his community of Barrio Logan as the Butterfly Man and also as a Chicano arts visionary. His teacher, Victor Ochoa is his inspiration as he has dedicated his life work to the arts. A path that German himself is currently following and reflects in his art work of the beautiful Monarch butterfly which has a spiritual connection to his homeland of Michoacan, Mexico.
Ballet Folklorico
Natalie Diaz has taught ballet folklorico joined the CHMS faculty in Spring 2023 after teaching for 3+ years in community and school programs. She is a passionate leader for youth and enjoys sharing her love for dance and Mexican culture!
Daisies of April, Music123
April Drury has been teaching and creating Early Childhood curriculum for nearly 20 years throughout the San Diego area. As Singer/Songwriter ‘Daisies of April’ and a multi-instrumentalist she brings her fun upbeat songs and love for young children right to the classroom each and every day.
Trumpet and after-school Mariachi
Bio coming soon!
Program Coordinator in South Bay
Drums, Keyboard, Music123
Isaac Lewis works as a music educator and professional musician. A native San Diegan, he grew up listening to all styles of music. Isaac was attracted to the beat of Brazilian music, specifically samba music, and studied it in Brazil. He has toured extensively in Mexico and the United States with his band, The B-Side Players. Isaac teaches Music123 classes and private lessons in drums and piano for CHMS.
After-school Mariachi
Bio coming soon!.
Art
Shayne Oseguera is a Chicano visual artist who specializes in murals. He creates artwork aimed to educate and inspire. Shayne is an advocate for the preservation of indigenous culture, natural landscapes, insects, and our oceans. These themes are continually present in his work. www.quetsmo.com
Piano and Voice
Briana Perez has a talent for designing engaging lesson plans to share her passion for music theory and expertise in piano and voice, and also to promote long lasting practie habits for students!
Briana is teaching our new SING! ensemble on Saturdays from 9-9:30am and our Saturday beginner piano class for 5-7 year olds!
Music123
Bio coming soon!
Music123, Special Needs Music
Auburn Williams is a Special Education Paraprofessional Educator who brings the joy and structure of music to special ed classrooms through our Music123 program. An ad hoc children’s teacher, children’s music leader, choir member, choir accompanist, and church organist, Auburn has also served in leadership roles for youth and women’s organizations.
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