Jack Brooks graduated from the Berklee College of Music in Boston with a Bachelor of Music in Composition in 1975. After years of playing professionally and composing for numerous situations, Jack found his most proficient and rewarding vocation in teaching. Upon moving to San Diego in 1989, Jack started teaching music through adult enrichment programs in Poway, Vista, Grossmont and Escondido. At Fairbanks Country Day School, Jack was the department head for seven years where he developed a music curriculum that began in kindergarten and continued through to the 12th grade. In May of 2000 he founded the North County Contemporary Music School (NCCMS) which is now The Music Playce.
A genuine innovator in music education, Jack’s methods yield quick results while keeping practice FUN and making complex musical concepts approachable and understandable. Click here to read what people are saying about Jack!
Dave Royal has been teaching guitar and drums at this location since Rich Hunt opened it 20 years ago and has helped many down the road to guitar mastery. Dave has been playing guitar now for 40 years and specializes in classic rock ’n roll and blues.
Dave currently teaches both the Kid Guitar class at The Music Playce and a sixth grade exploratory guitar class at Del Dios Middle School.
An accomplished lead/rhythm player, (often referred to as the “King of 3-Fingered Licks”) this patient instructor can help you discover the joy of music.
Warren LaPlante has been playing guitar for over 25 years and studied at Hollywood’s Guitar Institute of Technology. As a teenager, he gravitated to the hard rock/heavy metal style that pushed the guitar to its limits.
After a near-fatal car wreck forced him to relearn most everything, he bounced back, playing in metal bands and studying classical guitar. Warren teaches numerous styles, including classical, metal, rock, jazz, fingerstyle and eclectic tunings. He has distilled these wide-ranging influences into a truly unique, avant garde style that must be seen to be believed!
Warren can be found performing at A Taste of Florence on most Saturday nights from 6-9 PM. Click here for Warren’s MySpace page.
Gino Meregillano has had over 20 years of practical experience playing the guitar. “I always wished that I had started the instrument earlier in life, so I take great pride and joy in teaching children and teens how to have fun with the guitar.” In addition to an intermediate class and a blues class at The Music Playce, Gino teaches the adult guitar class through the city of Escondido’s Parks and Recreation department. He is also happy to create custom lessons and specializes in blues, rockabilly, classic and hard rock and country.
Gino also keeps up a busy schedule of performing and recording with various bands including rockabilly artists The Hayriders, Mo’ Wasabi, a surf/blues band featuring fellow Music Playce instructors John Khula and Paul Kimbarow and former Steve Miller guitarist Greg Douglass, and the stateside lineup of the legendary psychobilly band Guana Batz. Click here for Gino’s MySpace page.
John Khula has taught bass and guitar for over 20 years, utilizing both private lessons and group-oriented after school enrichment programs through Harmonium. John draws upon his 30 years of experience of live performance, recording, composition and songwriting to teach students how to flourish in the real world of music. He is currently performing with “That Thing You Do” show from the Tom Hanks movie.
John is also active with his live music company, Blue Rock Entertainment.
Originally from the Bronx, New York, drummer Paul Kimbarow now lives in San Diego where he is one of the most sought-after musicians in the area. With his diverse musical background he has performed with a myriad of artists including A.J. Croce, the Ventures, Angela Bofill, Willie Colon, Robin Henkel, Chuck Berry, Ashford and Simpson, the Platters and now Sha Na Na. His television appearances include “The Tonight Show”, “The Today Show” and “Rock Concert”.
Paul enjoys imparting the knowledge he has acquired from over 30 years of recording, live performance and study to young drummers and is dedicated to providing a solid foundation on the instrument in a fun and interactive way always emphasizing the ultimate goal of making music with people!
Keith Haman has been playing guitar since the age of 12. He studied music at Palomar College and Cal State San Marcos and has been pursuing a career in music for the past several years. Known as a solo performer in most coffee shop venues throughout North County, he is also a familiar face in ensemble situations with local musicians.
Keith performs and records with his own band, Grizzly Circus and with San Diego Music Award winning band The Hideaways. Additionally, Keith has recorded an acclaimed solo album, Longest Way to Go.