The Myriad Music School opened its doors to piano and trumpet students in 1997. 
Directors Simone Bley and Keith Johns share a passion for music education and had a vision to establish a music school that served a myriad of styles, interests, instruments, and ages. Our son Quincy (above left) introduced us to the world of Kindermusik back in 2003, and we watched  in amazement at his musical growth. We knew then that Kindermusik and preschool music education would be an integral part of our musical programs.  Today we have 14 enthusiastic and highly skilled instructors teaching a variety of musical disciplines to over 230 students ages 1 - 71. One of our greatest pleasures is having a parent and child enroll together, something we have enjoyed on several occasions in recent years.

We are so pleased you have taken an interest in music classes for you or your child. Music education is a gift that can be enjoyed for a lifetime. We are both grateful to our parents for providing us such a wonderful opportunity when we were growing up, and we look forward to paying it forward to both our children in the coming years.

Thanks for your interest.

Sincerely,

Simone Bley & Keith Johns
Directors

 

 

Simone Bley is a Canadian classical and jazz pianist, accompanist, composer, choral conductor, clinician, and Kindermusik educator. In 1992, she completed her Bachelor of Music Degree in Music Theory and Composition with an emphasis in Piano Performance. Her teachers were Canadian composer Dr. Jack Behrens and renowned concert pianist/clinician Gwen Beamish. Ms. Bley then earned a Bachelor of Education Degree with an emphasis in choral music in 1994, also from the University of Western Ontario, Canada. In 1994, Simone moved to Chicago where she received her Master of Music Degree in Jazz Pedagogy in 1995 from Northwestern University, under the tutelage of master pedagogue/ conductor/ composer Don Owens and jazz pianist/composer Michael Kocour.

Ms. Bley' s piano program at the Myriad Music School has provided instruction to hundreds of pianists and jazz improvisation students. Her comprehensive pedagogy emphasizes stylistic interpretation, score analysis,  theory, ear-training/sight-singing, improvisation, and Body Balance at the piano. 
Simone's seminar topics include "Body Balance for Musicians" and "How to Teach Jazz Improvisation", presented at the Glenn Gould School of Music in Toronto, Canada, Portland State University, and various teacher clinics in Portland and the Bay Area. From 1996-2000, through the West Bay Academy of Music, Ms. Bley served as piano consultant and implemented a group piano program for young pianists in Bay Area schools. 

As a choral director Simone has served as director/vocal coach/accompanist in many schools and colleges throughout Ontario Canada, Illinois, Oregon and California. Currently, Ms. Bley is the director of the Children's Choir at the Myriad Music School. Recently, Simone was adjunct professor at Linfield College, accompanist for the Linfield Masterworks Chorale and musicianship instructor for Oregon Repertory Youth Choirs. She was the choral director for the West Bay Music Academy Children's Choir from 1996-2001, and Associate Director for Allegra of the Peninsula Girls Chorus from 1999-2004.

She is an experienced accompanist in all genres: musical theatre, choral accompanying, jazz, chamber music, and world beat ensembles.  As a jazz pianist and arranger Simone's performances include solo work and small combo settings. 

Ms. Bley is a member of the Music Teachers Association of California, the Music Teachers' National Association, the International Association of Jazz Educators and is a certified Kindermusik educator.

Keith Johns was born in Brooklyn and raised on the San Francisco peninsula. He began his trumpet studies at the age of nine and a product of the local schools, having attended McKinley, Burlingame Intermediate School, and Mills High School. In high school, Keith was active in the symphonic band and jazz band at Mills, and in 11th grade joined the California Youth Symphony as Principal Trumpet. His trumpet teacher at that time was Adam Gordon. Keith continued his musical pursuits in college, earning a Bachelor of Music in Trumpet Performance degree with honors at the University of California, Santa Barbara. where he was awarded for his contributions to the Department of Music. His teachers included Robert Karon, Dr. Lester Monts, and Grant Hungerford. Upon completion of his degree, Keith moved out to the Midwest to pursue his Master's Degree in Music at Northwestern University. He studied with master teacher Vincent Chicowicz, while performing with the Symphonic Wind Ensemble under John Paynter, Chamber Orchestra, Brass Choir, Trumpet Ensemble, Jazz Band, and the Contemporary Music Ensemble, directed by Don Owens. In 1996, Keith returned to the Bay Area and founded the Myriad Music School with his wife, pianist Simone Bley. Keith enjoys the balance of performing and teaching, and continues to maintain an active performing schedule. His favorite musical passion is brass chamber music and is a member of  the Amici Brass Quintet (available for many occasions His favorite musical passion is brass chamber music and is a member of  the Amici Brass Quintet (available for many occasions hint hint) the Mosaic Trumpet Quartet, and formerly with Brazzissimo, a ten piece ensemble, which was honored to participate in the 2004 International Heritage Festival in Beijing, China. While living in Oregon, he also performed with the Oregon Symphonic Band, the Portland University Singers with members of the Portland Baroque Orchestra performing Bach's Magnificat, the Linfield Chamber Orchestra, and the Pacific Crest Wind Symphony.  As a brass teacher, Keith has benefited from the wisdom and guidance of many fine educators. His teaching program emphasizes the basic fundamentals of brass playing (wind and song), music literacy, melodic and rhythmic interpretation, creativity and self-expression.  Keith thinks of music education as serious fun and loves guiding students to new levels of insight and development.  Mr. Johns is a member of the Music Teachers Association of California and the International Trumpet Guild and when not playing or teaching trumpet, he enjoys flying airplanes and playing with his kids.