Meet the Music Is First Family
Matthew Wrobel
Matt Wrobel is a dedicated music educator with over 20 years' experience working with students of all ages and ability levels. Since 2015, he has focused primarily on early childhood music education while working as a teaching artist with the several nonprofit organizations. He has taught at schools and Head Start programs throughout the Bay Area, brought music education to under-funded public school systems in New York, NY and Los Angeles, CA . Matt regularly gives family music workshops at venues including SFJAZZ and the Children's Discovery Museum of San Jose. For his full bio, check him out at: matthewwrobel.com
Bryan Dyer
Bryan Dyer is a musician with more than 30 years of professional experience. He’s a versatile multi-instrumentalist, vocalist and producer who performs many styles of music, from classical and avant-garde to rock, jazz, and blues. Music has taken Bryan around the world to perform in countries including Japan, Switzerland, Indonesia, and Jamaica, and alongside such artists as Huey Lewis and The News, Michael McDonald, and Bobby McFerrin. Some of the groups he currently performs with include SoVoSo, The Funk Revival Orchestra, Chelle! and Friends, Rankin’ Scroo & Ginger, Crosspulse w/Keith Terry, and Linda Tillery and the Cultural Heritage Choir. bryandyer.com
Maria De La Rosa
María De La Rosa, native of Sal Si Puedes (East Side San José, CA), credits homemade tortillas, making/breaking piñatas, waking up to the mañanitas, singing guadalupana and misa songs and dancing on her dad’s toes at family gatherings as origins of her artistic inspiration and her respect and love of heritage arts. Her first opportunity to formally study the arts and the realization that, in addition to their aesthetic value, cultural arts are vital in the shaping and sustaining of the health and well-being of a community over generations was at Stanford University. She has since studied and collaborated with masters of Mexican dance and music; taught; performed in Hawaii and Mexico and throughout California; and received awards and recognition for her work. She guest lectures in universities and colleges throughout the Bay Area and beyond. Her 2019 premiere of “Las Peteneras” received funding from the NEA, NPN, National Association of Latino Arts and Culture, Center for Cultural Innovation and Dancer’s Group. She works in Oakland Unified School District as a music teacher and throughout the Bay Area as a free-lance artist developing works that reflect cultural heritage, acknowledge and uplift community art making, and promote visionary reconsideration of artistic cultural traditions. She completed her Masters in Education at Stanford University and holds a professional clear CA teaching credential.
Tim Silva
Tim Silva was born and raised in the East Bay. When he's not making art, he's playing with plants. In addition to seven years teaching classroom music, Tim has worked with Bay Area choirs for over ten years, serving as voice coach, theory instructor, and conducting roles. An active collaborator and versatile performer, he has performed and/or recorded with Artists' Vocal Ensemble, Briget Boyle, Chalice Consort, Foreignfire, Iron Henry, Katy Stephan, Kronos Quartet, Marin Symphony, Michael Bang, Nick Hours, ODC/Dance, Russian National Orchestra, San Francisco Choral Artists, and others.
Zareen Poonen Levien
Zareen Poonen Levien is a professional vocalist specializing in Jazz, Latin, folk and a cappella music. For many years Zareen was an elementary classroom teacher in San Francisco, and incorporated music into daily instruction. She has performed at venues all over the San Francisco Bay Area, including Yoshi’s, Yerba Buena Gardens, Pacifica Fogfest, Freight & Salvage, Rasselas and many more. Zareen has several studio recordings, including a children’s album called “Fly with the Fireflies” with singer-songwriter, Kelly Vogel.
Mark Rosenthal
Mark graduated from Humboldt State University in 1992 with a B.A. in Music Performance. In 1994 Mark traveled to Trinidad to perform with Phase 2 Pan Groove under the direction of Ray Holman, taking fifth place of over thirty bands competing in Trinidad’s annual Panorama competition. Since returning to the Bay Area in 1994, Mark has developed steel band programs at several Bay Area schools including Head Royce, Chabot Elementary, and Prospect Sierra. Mark currently teaches general music for the Crowden Music Center and Music First. During the summers Mark is on faculty at both Jazz Camp West and Jam Camp West. Mark continues to perform regularly with “Caribbean Pan Groove” and others.
Kim Agnew
Kim Agnew is a multi-disciplined visual artist, dancer, choreographer, percussionist and educator. Kim has a B.A. in Fine Arts combined with over two decades of dance, percussion and performance guided by multiple master teachers from around the world. She has been teaching dance and art in the greater Bay Area since 1996, preschool through adult at public schools, private schools and many arts organizations including Marin Ballet, San Francisco Ballet, San Francisco Symphony, Head Royce School, Art from the Heart, Cazadero Family Camp, Park Day School, Touch the Earth Camp and Aim High Oakland. Kim believes in the power of creativity as well as a multi cultural and multi disciplined education. Kim encourages her students to explore, create, enjoy, collaborate, grow and see the world through art, dance and music. kimagnewcreates.com
Antwan Davis
Antwan Davis is a multi-percussionist that has Co founded the Las Vegas based performance arts company Molodi, performed with the Las Vegas and North American production of Stomp, and tour nationally with Step Afrika. He is actively performing and teaching workshops and residencies in the U.S and internationally. He has been engaging audiences for 14 years with body percussion and stepping. As a performer, he thrives on breaking down musical and genre barriers through creative, interdisciplinary projects. As a teacher he is enthused by creating community through body music, giving people a different outlet of expression. As an artist, Antwan has expanded his artistic crafts by becoming an improv actor and stand-up comedian. He strives to grow to become a better teacher, performer and person.
Daniel Fabricant
Bassist Daniel Fabricant (he/him) has performed internationally with Piaf! The Show, Billy Porter, Michael Feinstein, Liza Minnelli, Betty Buckley, Joan Rivers, Spencer Day, Ann Hampton Callaway, Petula Clark, and Mary Wilson of the Supremes, among others. In the Bay Area, he regularly plays with Lavay Smith And Her Red Hot Skillet Lickers, Rupa and the April Fishes, and Redwood Tango Ensemble. Musicals include Paradise Square at Berkeley Rep, Fiddler on The Roof at the Golden Gate Theater, and 1776 at American Conservatory Theater. Fabricant is also an accomplished music instructor, teaching orchestra, guitar, bass and ukulele to students of all ages in private and group settings. His pandemic project has been raising his fierce and loving toddler named Ila.
Tony Owens
Tony Owen has been teaching music in the bay area for 7 years. His students have included all ages and skill levels. From theoretical literacy to creative expression, Tony’s methodology is centered on an environment that's fun and supportive. Depending on what each student needs, his approach is tailored to work with how he/she learns. Whether the goal is to share popular songs around the campfire or develop the core competencies essential to pursuing professional musicianship, Tony can support it.