Alumni - California College of Music

Toneia Rodgers

VOICE / The Jacksons

Toneia came to CCM from Memphis, Tennessee, home of such musical luminaries as Elvis Presley, Johnny Cash, Isaac Hayes, and Justin Timberlake. After studying in our associate degree program with CCM voice mentors Oren Waters and Philip Ingram, she landed a dream-come-true gig as backup singer for The Jackson 5. Toneia continues to reside in Southern California, where she works as a session vocalist and backup singer.

YOUTUBE: https://www.youtube.com/user/toneiashenaye

Luis Garcia

VOICE / Solo Artist

Influenced by his father’s love of banda and regional Mexican music, Luis Garcia showed immense qualities for performing and singing at an early age. Luis took his first Mariachi vocal lesson at the age of 10 and continues performing Mariachi to this day. Occasionally accompanying himself with a guitar, he’s incorporated singing pop, R&B, and pop-ballads in both English and Spanish.

Luis’s first national TV appearance took place in 2013 when he was a contestant on the “El Factor X” (The X Factor) and was followed by an appearance on “La Voz Kids (The Voice) the
following year in 2014. Since 2014, Luis has had multiple performances at Quinceanera Expos where he has performed for Moda 2000, Quinceanera Magazine, Senorita Jalisco expo, and
Miss Latina Cosmopolitan. He’s also performed at prestigious Los Angeles venues such as the Los Angeles Theatre, the Alex Theater, the Whittier Theater, the Fox Theater, the Downey
Theater, and the La Mirada Theatre center.

He just released his first single called, “Si tu fueras mi novia” on all digital platforms and the music video will be released shortly. Luis is passionate and dedicated to his work, so be sure to keep up with him on instagram as Luisangelgarciamusic, Facebook as Luis Angel Oficial, And youtube as LuisAngel Garcia.

Instagram
Youtube

Jayme Claire

VOICE / Session Singer

Jayme Claire has gained a strong reputation for belting gritty blues, crooning jazz, and writing soulful original pop songs. Hailing from Washington, Jayme had already performed at New York City’s Carnegie Hall with her high school choir before entering the associate degree program in voice performance at California College of Music. Here at CCM she worked closely with Kevin Dorsey, B.A. (Michael Jackson’s former music director) as well as the legendary Oren Waters. Since moving to California, she has performed at the Whisky A Go Go, the House of Blues, the Shade Hotel, the Standing Room, and the Lighthouse Cafe with Ty Bailie, who is now Katy Perry’s Prismatic World Tour keyboardist. She has also been a featured artist on Davi Davenport’s LIVE TV and headlined Tacoma, Washington’s historic Jazz Bones venue on many occasions, including a stunning 2-1/2 hour concert for their Memorial Weekend festivities. She currently resides in Hermosa Beach, where she gigs frequently with the finest local musicians. Always presenting audiences with heart-felt vocal performances, it’s Jayme’s personal mission to inspire and encourage musicians of all ages to never give up dreaming, and to always have hope.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4UL2sAsmdDU

WEBSITE: http://jaymeclairemusic.com/
INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/jaymeclairemusic/
YOUTUBE: https://www.youtube.com/user/jaymeclaire
SOUNDCLOUD: https://soundcloud.com/jayme-claire
REVERBNATION: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cnaH6Ji_Feo

Andy The Crocodile

Solo Artist

Andy, the grandson of revered Nadaswaram player S.R.D. Vaidyanathan, developed his musicianship and production techniques through formal music studies and hearty helpings of YouTube tutorials. His artistic journey began in adolescence in the industrial city of Chennai, India, where he started taking private lessons in western classical piano and Carnatic singing lessons with his grandfather.

Andy crudely recorded his first few tracks with a desktop mic and used TV speakers for playback – got to start somewhere, right? He then began devouring the internet for information on DIY recording techniques and rapidly learned DAWs like Audacity and Cubase 5, which he used to record all the material on Scars & Wounds. Andy knew there was more to learn and room to grow, which prompted his momentous decision to study in the epicenter of entertainment: Los Angeles.

As for his stage name? Andy struggled to execute a guitar solo when recording “The Whammy Girl,” but a 1.5mm deus ex machina was all it took to unlock his guitar technique; his friend lent him a thicker pick emblazoned with the Dunlop alligator, which Andy mistook for a crocodile (It’s all about the snout shape, if you were curious about the difference). This revelation compelled him to adopt the reptile as his moniker. And like the crocodile, Andy is a cold-blooded composer, producer, and performer, ready to bring his unique blend of indie, rock, jazz, and folk music to the world.

Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/andy_the_crocodile/

Spotify – https://open.spotify.com/album/0aldcULCC9YO6s9YJjpDbg

Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/andythecrocodile/

Album Link – https://lnkfi.re/scarsandwoundsep

Gabriel Felix

GUITAR / Educator

WEBSITE: http://www.meiomusical.com/
YOUTUBE: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC0VTfG5lol22OTll7InqOHA
REVERBNATION: https://www.reverbnation.com/gabrielfelix

Konstantin Silich

GUITAR / Gravizappa

Konstantin graduated with his Associate Degree in Guitar Performance from California College of Music in 2014. Shortly thereafter, Konstantin served as an instructor at CCM in music technology and audio engineering. He currently performs across Los Angeles area with his group, Gravizappa, whose full-length debut album “Phantom Tones” is currently available on iTunes and Bandcamp. Konstantin also accepts work as an engineer-producer for new artists.

SOUNDCLOUD: https://soundcloud.com/constantin-music

Ma Nala

VOICE / Solo Artist

Raised in Johannesburg, South Africa, Ma Nala’s family and friends affectionately call her Pheshy, which is how she was known during her time at CCM. “Ma Nala” is her clan name, and so she has chosen that name as her preferred stage name. Early on, her late father introduced her to blues, R&B, and jazz through his job as a DJ at Radio Ciskei and Algoa FM in the Eastern cape of Africa. Exposed to many different types of music, Ma Nala gravitated towards R&B and soul, which she studied extensively during her time at CCM, graduating with her Associate Degree in Voice Performance in 2014. Since returning to South Africa, she has begun working as recording artist in sessions at Tea Time Studios in Johannesburg. Her single “Tryna Find Love” was released to Apple Music, Spotify, and Amazon in February of 2017, receiving strong reviews.

SOUNDCLOUD: https://soundcloud.com/user-565065401

Soichiro Tanabe

DRUMS / The Rose Theatre

Soichiro Tanabe was lauded by drum department chair Craig Pilo as one of the best drum students ever to walk the halls of California College of Music. After completing his Certificate Program in Drum Performance in 2015, Soichiro pursued his optional practical training, which enabled him to gain work experience at Summit Studios as well as The Rose Theatre in Pasadena, CA. Once the CCM community witnessed his talents as a versatile drummer, Soichiro was quickly asked to join projects led by CCM alumni and teachers, including Stan Silich’s Gravizappa and Bobby Halvorson’s Brother, Sister.

REVERBNATION: https://www.reverbnation.com/soichirotanabe

Riki Putra

VOICE / Solo Artist

One of Riki’s most impressive feats during his time at CCM was learning to play guitar left-handed simply because he prefers the distinctive look of lefties like Jimi Hendrix and Kurt Cobain. After completing his Certificate Program in Voice Performance at CCM, Riki returned to his home country of Indonesia, where he quickly found success combining American pop-rock with traditional Indonesian gamelan music. In April 2017, Riki performed with the Yogyakarta Symphony Orchestra in the “Gamelan Rules: Rock Gamelan Orchestra” concert of his own design, conducted by respected Indonesian maestro Guntur Nur Puspito.

SOUNDCLOUD: https://soundcloud.com/andhika-riki-putratama

Alex Paclin

VOICE / Solo Artist

YOUTUBE: https://www.youtube.com/user/APaclin/
SOUNDCLOUD: https://soundcloud.com/alex-paclin/

Dhanraj Karal

VOICE / Solo Artist

Dhanraj says: “Born and raised in Jodhpur, India, I came across to the music of Michael Jackson at the age of 12, at which point I knew I would go into music. Since then I’ve stumbled upon the endless treasures of rock n roll, like The Beatles, The Kinks, Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers, and Bob Dylan. It still amazes me when I think about how much of themselves they give through their music. You are what you love, and so I am a singer-songwriter currently based in Los Angeles. I give all of myself to this music, which gives me a sense of purpose in everyday life. Strange as it may seem, you get the most by totally giving yourself away through something you love.”

INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/dhanrajofficial/
YOUTUBE: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCHlacqfK-YztqTscWTsxADQ
SOUNDCLOUD: https://soundcloud.com/dhanrajofficial

Shunsuke Goto

VOICE / Chuck G. & The Napkins

BANDCAMP: https://chuckgandthenapkins.bandcamp.com/album/chuck-g-the-napkins
YOUTUBE: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCj368kkSzyru7FsaxvTrJ1w

Marco Bohler

BASS / Atomic Walrus

“After graduation, I immediately got a pro gig playing bass for a funk rock band called Atomic Walrus,” says CCM associate degree holder, Marco Bohler. “But I still concentrate most on composing my own music, and I have a solo album in the works,” adds Marco. The enthusiastic CCM alumnus believes he would not have been able to achieve his dreams if it were not for this prestigious school, based in the world’s entertainment capital, just minutes from the Hollywood music scene. “It doesn’t matter where you’re from or what your background is, if you want to become a musician, this school has everything that will make that possible. All you need is heart and hard work,” he concludes.

REVERBNATION: https://www.reverbnation.com/marcobohler
BUZZBANDS: http://buzzbands.la/2016/12/05/premiere-atomic-walrus-wymmf/

Masa Ash

KEYBOARDS / Snoop Dogg, 50 Cent

I currently live in Los Angeles, California. I was scouted by a record company while attending a music school. I then played as a studio musician in several studios soon becoming active as a composer. I am also Director of Music and responsible for the music department at an African American gospel church located in Los Angeles. I have performed with many professional musicians such as Snoop Dog, and 50 cent.

Website:https://MasaAsh.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/masaash_mr.lady/
Sound Cloud: https://soundcloud.com/masaash

Stan Carrizosa

VOICE / Solo Artist

Stan received a full scholarship to enter the voice program at California College of Music. To date, his cover of “Rolling Stone” by The Weeknd has more than 280,000 views on YouTube. Stan can be found performing around the Los Angeles area music scene, working on original material, and collaborating frequently with EDM producer Jonah McLean under the moniker DUX.

WEBSITE: http://www.stancarrizosa.com/
YOUTUBE: http://www.youtube.com/localartist2010
SOUNDCLOUD: http://www.soundcloud.com/stancarrizosa

Daniel Gonzalez

DRUMS / Sound Engineer

Daniel Lacroix is a multi-instrumentalist producer originally from Mexico City. After completing his associate degree at California College of Music, Daniel attended Berklee College of Music in Boston, where he got involved in live sound extensively. Daniel has done live sound for acts including: James Blake, Steven Wilson, Alejandro Sanz, Guthrie Goven, Antonio Sanchez, Victor Wooten, Jeff Goldblum, Fred Armisen, and has been a regular live sound engineer at popular venues including The Whisky A Go-Go in Hollywood and The Rockwood in Los Feliz.

Daniel is cofounder of Silver Gun Records, an independent record label based in Silver Lake, for which he has produced artists from all over the world, including Nadia Chechet and Grammy nominee Mayssa Karaa. He also designed sound for Academy Award winner A.R. Rahman’s honorary doctorate show that sold out the Boston Symphony Hall. Daniel has produced several tracks for Hans Zimmer’s Bleeding Fingers Custom Music Shop, and he is currently recording his second studio album at NRG Studios with his solo project, Lacroix.

SPOTIFY: https://open.spotify.com/artist/5Q8wTs7qqw7veaNxPSYoRh

Taiga Kunii

VOICE / Bill Whelan

10/10/1992 is a singer-songwriter of zushi, Kanagawa Prefecture. In Nikko, Tochigi Prefecture, United States (Boston), Nagasaki, Brazil, Tokyo, childhood and adolescents spend in America (Greenwich), Myanmar, Kenya, and Switzerland. In 2011, opened the concert of Eastern Japan earthquake reconstruction assistance in Kenya seeking professional singers in the wake. In the United States, Los Angeles at the California College of music Michael • studied vocalization to Oren Water served as a background chorus of Jackson. 2013, Billboard’s RB charts for several weeks, recorded the first Motown group “Troop” member Jon Jon and played in a Duet.

United friendly match in all Japan Women’s year, held in San Diego and long beach, Valley to sing the national anthem. 1/2014, Quincy • Jones, John • enrolled at the Berkeley School of music, has produced many renowned musicians, such as Mayer. Currently, contemporary lighting • enrolled in the production department. Selected concerts on campus leading to appearances two years straight as the first Japanese men. Also while on campus together top singers in the world of the first Japanese Vocal Department awards are chosen. To the music genres such as pop, jazz, Enka, utilizing language skills developed in a global environment, flexibility, and variety of experiences. In the Church known for its expressive power and sensitivity, ranging from the base tenor sing songs. So far, national a cappella champions, woman of the world and Grammy Award winner Zac Brown Band and the solo singing.

By the year 2015, participated in the recordings of Grammy Award winner Bill Whelan. Later that year, Arlington Friends of Drama at a community theater in Boston, took part in the musical ‘ A Chorus Line ‘ as Roy. In addition, Boston as “River song brother” pup.com. The event attracted 130 children in the 8/2015. He was stage director Boston Japan Festival attract visitors of 60000 people starting in 2016. Recently, to domestic and foreign artists as an English translation of the lyrics and top liner also provides musical has done.

WEBSITE: https://www.taigakunii.com
SOUNDCLOUD: https://soundcloud.com/tkunii

Naoto Oyama

BASS / Totsu

WEBSITE: https://www.naotooyama.com/

Martha Ayvazyan

VOICE / Solo Artist

Originally hailing from Yerevan, Armenia, Martha received her Associate Degree in Voice Performance from California College of Music in 2015. While at CCM, Martha recorded a cover video of Rihanna’s “Man Down” with production help from fellow CCM alumnus Stan Silich. To date, the video has racked up more than 60,000 views! Martha is currently performing as a vocalist and pursuing her own original songwriting.