Welcome our
Newest Teacher!
Riho Kagawa
Masters Degree of Arts, Cal-Arts
Natalie Wren
Founder & Principal
Founder - Private Instrument Instruction - Private Vocal Coaching - Principal of Bakersfield School of Art & Music- Midway Elementary Music Program Director - Shafter General Elementary Music Program Director -
Founder - Private Instrument Instruction - Private Vocal Coaching - Principal of Bakersfield School of Art & Music- Midway Elementary Music Program Director - Shafter General Elementary Music Program Director -
We are exceptionally proud to have Ms.Martinez in our school, and even more so thankful to have her in our community.
Natalie Wren wasn’t always a vocal coach or piano teacher. Before then, she was an award-winning musician, the recipient of the Alpha Delta Kappa Fine Arts scholarship, and Performing Arts Degree graduate in the Applied Music Program where-in she studied and practiced under Doug Davis whos performed in concert with Grammy-winning artists, and has recorded more than 170 compositions with Chick Corea, Larry Coryell, Eddie Gomez, Dannie Richmond, and Bennie Wallace.
Since then she’s traveled to perform at the Jazz Education Network Conference in New Orleans, the birthplace of Jazz, and has worked alongside the Young Women Harmony and Bakersfield College Choir to bring musical excellence at every level. Now, Natalie has focused her sights on her passion - Sharing her love of music with others, and helping them realize the same dream she herself has been able to.
What do you enjoy about teaching music?
“I love sharing music for the same reason I enjoy playing it. There is a tranquility in the experience that I want others to feel, and they do. Seeing the change in people arriving to practice in one mood but leaving with a weight off their shoulders is so rewarding. I’ve taught students from the age of 5 to the age of 70, and it’s amazing to see that feeling of contentment creep in each time.”
Meet the Team
Lilli Fitzgerald
Founder & Art Program Director
Sculpting - Painting - Drawing - Collage - Color Theory - Art Graduate -
Sculpting - Painting - Drawing - Collage - Color Theory - Art Graduate -
Ms.Marquez brings an energy and zeal for education that helps define our school as a destination for learning.
Lilli Fitzgerald studied Art History at the Los Angeles University of California before moving to Bakersfield and eventually starting an independent coffee company that showcased her unique artistic talents. She’s received acclaim for her work in doll making, short stories, and poetry having been featured in exhibits in Bakersfield. She has partnered with internationally selling authors, Now turning to education to pass on the skills she’s developed, she offers private lessons to students while publishing her second work, a series of educational books teaching children confidence in art.
You’re the Art Teacher. Why do you teach Guitar?
I was hired at the school to lead the art program. I have a degree in Studio Arts, and it’s what most people know me for, but I just really love playing the guitar. I filled in one day for a guitar class, and it really satisfied me, so for the past few years I’ve dabbled in both!
Whats your favorite class to teach?
”I know many of our students come for drawing, but my passion is collage. I think it’s incredibly approachable, and for most people who want to express themselves, they can achieve some extremely breathtaking pieces by expressing their inner artist without activating the normal insecurities that come along with doing art. It’s an artistic discipline you can pick up and start doing in less than a month.”
Why did you get into teaching art?
“I’ve had a really great career so far. I’ve worked with some of my favorite artists and achieved goals at 30 that I expected would take my entire life. That’s really something to appreciate, and after reflecting on how I got here I realised that my entire career in art comes back to a teacher I had that gave me the bug to start drawing. It feels like the natural next step to pass along the inspiration that made my life possible.”
Julliana Marquez
Student Development Coordinator & Lead Piano Instructor
Notation - Classical Piano - Saxophone - Sight Reading - Modern Piano -Music Theory - Performance - Flute Instruction - Jazz Instrumentation-
Notation - Classical Piano - Saxophone - Sight Reading - Modern Piano -Music Theory - Performance - Flute Instruction - Jazz Instrumentation-
Ms.Marquez brings an energy and zeal for education that helps define our school as a destination for learning.
We’re honored to see Julie Marquez join our studio as Student Development Coordinator. Julie is an elementary school music teacher, and jazz concert musician who’s studies in Music Education at Bakersfield College underline a musical career that brings a unique skill set to the students at BSA&M. Her experience across a variety of instruments spans nearly a decade, ranging from the baritone saxophone to classical piano making her a formidable musician, but her passion for education is what solidifies her as an indispensable part of the Bakersfield School of Art and Music’s staff.
How did your career in teaching start?
“I knew I loved playing since the saxophone in 6th grade, and I realized I had a knack for it when I won “Rookie of the Year” in the Golden Empire DCI Band. Before I started teaching I just thought it would be something to try. Now knowing it’s an experience as special to me as my relationship with music is incredible.”
Whats your favorite class to teach?
”I especially enjoy teaching middle schoolers. I love getting to know all the students, but around that age, they really develop in their personality, and you can start to have a lot of fun exploring their personal styles and interests with them. Many kids I teach don’t have access to instruments at home, so I feel happy knowing I can give them that experience.”
Why is teaching music so important to you?
“Aslong as you have music there’s always something you can look forward to in life! No matter what emotions you’re feeling, there’s a genre that can match it perfectly and give you this unrivaled feeling of being heard or seen. With enough music, you know you’re never alone in whatever you’re going through, good times and bad. ”
Galilea Castro
Performance Arts, & Scholastic Ensemble
Sight Reading • Piano Technique • Acting • Music Notation • Ear Training • Music Theory • Stage Presence • Rhythm & Timing • Improvisation • Musical Expression • Character Performance • Confidence Building
Sight Reading • Piano Technique • Acting • Music Notation • Ear Training • Music Theory • Stage Presence • Rhythm & Timing • Improvisation • Musical Expression • Character Performance • Confidence Building
Gal Castro is famous for her magnetic kindness and universal warmth, but she’s recognized across the world for her skills in performance. She started completely self taught as a teen, before entering formal education and going on to establish a significant career. Ms.Castro holds multiple awards spanning from performance excellence to international recognition for her work in supporting college scholastic ensembles and holds the prestigious title of WGI International Sport of the Arts Champion.
Why have you continued to do music? Most people start practicing at home and quit. You stuck with it and did very well.
Honestly, it's, I just feel like I was, I was born to do it. There's just something so beautiful about creating music. And just, even though it's hard, that's what makes it fun. Like the difficulty, that's what makes it worth it, in my opinion. It's just, it's like, um... It's just a reward. There's nothing to lose from learning music. There's nothing that you lose. It's just gaining. You just gain. So I feel like, yeah. You always gain something from it. It's not like, you do it for no reason. It's, you always gain from it. I feel like, that's, that's, it's beautiful about music, and anyone can do it
What are classes with you like? How is your approach different?
Two things I think… I know this sounds wierd, but I just love… Kindness? I know there’s a history of… traumatic teachers? Mean piano teachers, meaning acting coaches. But I like being nice, having compassion, you know, because that's what inspires. Being on stage, performing music or acting. It’s an unbelievable feeling. I want everyone to be able to do it. The next is really nuts and bolts. My students ask me all the time “Can I learn this song? Can I learn the Minecraft song? Can I learn this song?” and I always say “Anything is possible”, and I mean that. When you make a class fun, it’s easy, and it can be fun for every student. You just need to utilize all the types of learning paired with each child. Visual learning, hands-on learning, pantomime. It feels boring for most children because you’re using one concept. That’s the key - I know I can teach anyone anything, and I know I can make it fun.
“He wanted me to teach him a Minecraft song and I said “Antyhing is possible”. If you’re willing to practice, I can teach you anything that you want, and I can make it very fun.””
Samantha McRedmond
Head Vocal Instructor and Conduction
Sight Reading - Music Notation - Syncopation - Music Theory - Ear Training - Conducting -
Sight Reading - Music Notation - Syncopation - Music Theory - Ear Training - Conducting -
We are exceptionally proud to have Ms.McRedmond in our school, and even more so thankful to have her in our community.
From beginnings in ballet to the world of professional singing. “Your body, and your voice is an instrument. Really, truly, anyone can sing if they practice their instrument.” Samantha McRedmond is an Honor Choir Graduate with more than a decade of experience and study under a pantheon of professional vocalists having worked in Musical Theatre, stage, and performance. We are proud to have her bring the techniques of Los Angeles to the families of Bakersfield.
What do students learn in singing class?
I teach music theory and notation of course, but lessons in general are transformative to your voice. Learning to project lets you access new high notes. Breath technique has you give these beautiful long passages. You can take your range and just, expand it with brightness or emotion. The most important thing I teach is mindset, and it’s the most common thing in every class. Students say “I can’t” when what they need to think is “I don’t know how yet”.
What’s it like taking lessons with you?
The first thing you need when taking lessons is a love of what you’re doing. I want students to LOVE singing, LOVE having lessons. If your student is spending the class asking when they get to go home, they aren’t learning. Classes are fun, but its always about incorporating the language of music, and developing those skills. I’ve been singing since I was a kid, and that’s what I think makes my classes special. Pushing your voice too hard without the right techniques can cause serious damage. My classes are informed by the understanding of what’s fun, what’s too much, and how to keep progress steady.
You’ve been at alot of different institutions. What’s special about BSA&M?
“When I have gone to private academies, students were always forced to do the same classical French and Italian composers. The students here do songs they enjoy, and you can see how much that makes a difference.
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