Meysam "Sam" Ghodrati is an internationally active flutist and devoted music educator with more than two decades of performance and teaching experience across Iran, Europe, and the United States. His background spans orchestral, chamber, and solo performance, and he is equally at home with both classical and contemporary flute repertoire.
As a teacher, Sam brings his expertise in flute pedagogy and performance, chamber music coaching, ensemble direction, and the fundamentals of music theory. He also enjoys guiding students in recital programming and preparation, helping them grow into confident musicians both on and off the stage.
Fluent in both English and Persian, Sam has taught in private studios and academic programs. He is passionate about student-centered teaching and is committed to nurturing musical growth at every level, inspiring curiosity, creativity, and a lifelong love of music.
Darryl Redwood is a seasoned drummer and music educator with a lifelong passion for performance and teaching. He began playing drums at the age of 13 and went on to earn a Bachelor of Arts in Music Theory and Performance from Sierra Nevada College in 1986. He furthered his studies in vocal performance at the renowned Dick Grove School of Music in 1987.
With over three decades of experience as a drum instructor, Darryl has taught privately and at Cassell’s Music in San Fernando, California. As a versatile performer, he has played professionally at a wide range of events, showcasing his ability to adapt to multiple musical styles including rock, R&B, country, and more.
Darryl is known for his personalized approach to teaching, tailoring each lesson to suit the unique learning style of every student. His goal is to create a positive, engaging, and inspiring learning environment that cultivates both musical skill and a lifelong love of music.
Dillon Yoder began drumming as a young teenager and almost instantly he knew that music was what he wanted to do with the rest of his life. He began pursuing his passion in high school by being a part of many bands, including playing drums in his church band. He pursued his education from many skilled and renowned drummers, as well as by attending CSUN as a Music Performance major in Percussion.
Through out the years, Dillon also picked up other instruments such as guitar, bass, and piano, among others. While at first he just learned each instrument to be a better drummer and have a better understanding of music, it has ultimately allowed him to be so much more than just a drummer. Dillon's knowledge has afforded him a unique perspective, as he knows what it's like to play each role in a band scenario. He is a well-rounded musician.
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Dillon has an extreme passion for music and drumming, which he partially attributes to his own teachers, and is thrilled pass that on to his students. Dillon has been teaching drums at Anthem Music Lessons since he was 18 while simultaneously attending college, joining and creating a multitude of bands, playing countless shows, playing for multiple churches, and recording. Dillon continues to do anything and everything to express his passion of music!
Carol de Leon is a Los Angeles–based singer, songwriter, producer, and vocal coach with over 20 years of experience bridging classical training and modern creativity. Holding a Master’s in Vocal Performance from California State University Northridge, she has performed internationally in Italy, Luxembourg, and Guatemala, and her award-winning projects—including the album La Luna y el Espejo and the short film La Niña de Guatemala—celebrate both her artistry and Guatemalan heritage.
Beyond the stage, Carol runs Minor Chord Studio with her husband, where she coaches singers, produces albums, and collaborates on original music. As an educator, she has taught at leading Los Angeles music schools and served as Vocal Curriculum Director with Jazz Hands for Autism, helping students of all backgrounds and abilities develop their voices with confidence.
At Anthem Music School, Carol enjoys the family atmosphere and finds daily inspiration in the talented students she has the privilege to guide.
Matt Gordy is a drummer / percussionist / arranger / composer who has performed with international orchestras all over the world, including the Boston Pops Esplanade Orchestra and the Maracaibo Symphony, Maracaibo, Venezuela. He has also performed with star attractions such as Joni Mitchell, Tony Bennett, Frank Sinatra, Jr., and Aretha Franklin, to name a few. Originally from the Boston area, he now resides in Los Angeles, where he is the drummer for Steve Huffsteter’s Big Band and a regular feature at Herb Alpert’s club, Vibrato. He also leads his JazzTonite Sextet. He has three recordings as a leader, Two/2/Two on Hook Records, Almost Spring on Brownstone Recordings and Eclipse, on Everafter Productions. Recently he performed as part of the US Jazz Delegation at the 2013 Changsha Music Festival in Changsha, Hunan Province, China.
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His latest CD is Be With Me with an all-star lineup.