Robert McNamara: Guitar, Bass, Banjo, Mandolin, & Lute

Robert, Director of the Academy, is a member of the Music Faculties of Monterey Peninsula College, Santa Catalina School, and Robert Louis Stevenson Upper School. He performs extensively in the area and also takes part in the Cultural Ambassador program for the US State Dept. He has performed and taught in Jordan, Bahrain, Lebanon, Morocco, Colombia, and recently became the first American musician to perform in Libya in the last 30 years.

Robert performing on the lute during the City of Monterey's annual "Christmas in the Adobes" event.

Arlyn Petalver: Violin, Viola

Arlyn Petalver still remembers the excitement of hearing and seeing the violin for the first time at the age of 5, after being brought to a Monterey County Symphony performance by her mother. She started learning violin soon after and went on to play at the University of California Santa Barbara, studying with Ron Copes of the Juilliard String Quartet and Margaret Batjer of the Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra. Upon her graduation in 1999, she won the Clayton Wilson Award for making a significant musical contribution to the UCSB Music Department. She currently is a freelance musician, playing with various groups on the Monterey Peninsula. Dedicated to sharing her love of music with future generations, Arlyn is the 2nd Violin sectional coach for Youth Music Monterey and teaches with the South County Strings Program. Arlyn also plays viola and teaches not only classical music, but also folk and fiddle styles of playing. She uses a variety of methods, combining the techniques and philosophies of Shinichi Suzuki, Paul Rolland and Mimi Zweig.

Tammy Bartlett : Guitar, Piano/Keyboards, Cello, Flute, Harmonica

Elan Cohen : Drums