Tariqh Akoni has managed to pack an impressive array of musical experience in his 37 years. A native of Santa Barbara, Tariqh studied contemporary classical composition at the University of California at San Diego before deciding to pursue performance at the Berklee College of Music. A highlight of his experience during his years at Berklee was his private studies with jazz luminaries Jerry Bergonzi and Rick Peckham. Since moving to Los Angeles in 1997, Tariqh has amassed an extensive and eclectic resume. He has worked with such distinguished artists as: country singers LeAnn Rimes and Lee Ann Womack; jazz icons George Duke, Tom Scott and Bobby Watson; pop artists Jennifer Lopez, Whitney Houston, Christina Aguilera and the Backstreet Boys; and classical artist Josh Groban. He has also appeared with a host of greats including Babyface, Al Jarreau, Herbie Hancock, Stevie Wonder, and Luther Vandross. He has toured nationally and internationally, most recently as the Musical Director and Conductor for Josh Groban. Please visit www.tariqh.com for more info.

Bill Fowler got his first blues job because he knew ninth chords. Since then he has toured with The Pointer Sisters, Raquel Welch and Ben Vereen. He has appeared with Jermaine Jackson, Ronnie Laws, Willie Bobo,Lainie Kazan and most recently with Lou Rawls. His recording credits include many TV and film soundtracks, as well as albums with Ray Charles and Johnny Halliday. He recently played with the Jazz Tap Ensemble, based on Miles Davis' "Solea" from Sketches of Spain. Bill began teaching guitar and music classes over twenty years ago.

Art Renshaw was born the only child to two successful fine artists. Musical education: University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia. Art is currently a solo artist on Rocket City Records, with his latest CD Dreamtime receiving critical acclaim in Jazz Life Magazine as a "groundbreaking solo electric" record. He is a touring artist in Europe and Japan and has performed his music to enthusiastic crowds on four continents. Art has played alongside some of the greatest musicians the industry has to offer, including jazz legends Joe Pass and Lenny Breau. He has appeared on educational videos by Warner Bros. and REH, including Chop Builder with Frank Gambale. Art is an endorser for Gibson guitars and regularly performs at the jazz club Tournesol in Los Angeles.

Ross Bolton, based in Southern California, is currently a regular member of Al Jarreau's band and has recorded or performed with Rick Braun, David Benoit, The Beach Boys, Sheena Easton, Jeffrey Osborne, Nell Carter, Donny Osmond and many others. A few of Ross' TV and movies credits include Everybody loves Raymond, The Larry Sanders Show, Fridays, Two Guys, A Girl & A Pizza Place, Casper, Switch, and The Jeff Foxworthy Show. Ross has been on staff with the LA Music Academy for many years and has conducted seminars and clinics around the world. His popular video on Funk guitar and recent CD Rom are sold internationally, receiving praise from many major trade publications. Guitar Player magazine has regularly featured Ross as a guest columnist. Please visit www.rossbolton.com for more info.

Dave Hill, originally from Washington State, began his serious music studies while attending the Cornish School of the Arts in Seattle. Over the years he has worked with Chick Corea bassist Jimmy Earl, Three Dog Night, smooth Jazz recording artist, Gregg Karukas and fusion extraordinaire Frank Gambale, as well as many others. In addition to his live performances, he has also worked as a staff transcriber for REH Instructional Videos. He has also been featured in Guitar Player magazine in the "Sessions" column. Look for his original contemporary Jazz group The Dave Hill Quartet, playing around the greater LA area. Finally, Dave's first book for Hal Leonard publishing, The Licktionary is on the shelves now. Please visit www.davehillmusic.com for more info.

As a guitarist-for-hire, Brad has gained invaluable experience, and his resume includes playing with Ray Charles, Bonnie Raitt, Al Kooper, Buddy Miles, Dianne Shurr, Barbara Morrison, Richard Elliot, Tom Jones, and Glen Phillips (of Toad The Wet Sprocket). Brad is also busy playing with his own band and promoting his new CD When Smart Dogs Go Bad. As well as having a very diverse musical background, Brad brings to LA Music Academy a commitment to help each student bring out his or her own unique style. Please visit www.bradrabuchin.com for more info.

Jeff Richman has performed and taught throughout Europe, Japan and The United States as a solo artist, as well as with various name acts. He graduated from the Berklee School of Music, where he studied privately with Pat Metheny and Mick Goodrick. He received his Masters Degree from Cal State University at Northridge. Jeff has recorded twelve solo albums, where he is joined by such players as Vinnie Colaiuta, Steve Smith, Jimmy Haslip, Russell Ferrante, Larry Goldings, Gary Novak, Alex Acuna, Abe Laboriel, Gary Willis, Steve Lukather, John Abercrombie and Ernie Watts, to name a few. Richman is active in the LA studio scene playing on TV shows, movies and CD's. Currently he can be heard playing on the NBC TV show Boomtown, CD and Movie projects. He also played on Tom Hanks' movie, That Thing You Do, and has produced three Library Music CD's which are played regularly on TV and films. In addition, Jeff regularly performs with his band throughout the LA area. Additional credits include recordings and tours with Manhattan Transfer, Alfonse Mouzon, Mark Isham, Nancy Sinatra, Henry Mancini, Flora Purim & Airto, and T Lavitz. Please visit www.jeffrichman.net for more info.

Steve Gregory has been playing the guitar professionally since he was seventeen. While a student at California State University, Northridge, he was the recipient of the Shelley Manne Memorial New Talent Award given by the Los Angeles Jazz Society. Steve soon landed the gig with Ray Charles and began touring the world. Since then, he has also toured extensively with pop icon Frankie Valli. He has performed and/or recorded with Thelma Houston, Brian McKnight, Michael Buble, Diane Reeves, Patti Austin, Marilyn McCoo, and many others. Steve is active as a freelance session guitarist and has just recorded a series of two instructional DVDs on blues guitar. Check out www.stevegregory.net for more information.

Dave Pozzi has been a Los Angeles based free-lance artist since 1979, recording and playing with artists like: Henry Mancini, Mel Torme, Celine Dion, David Foster, Johnny Mathis, Jeff Hamilton, Rich Little, Charlie Shoemake, Mellissa Manchester, Marvin Stamm, Bobby Shew, Pete Christlieb, Don Menza, Roy McCurdy, Bob Cooper, Jeff Berlin, Diana Krall, Billy Childs, and others. Big band credits include Ray Anthony, Bob Crosby, Bill Watrous, Louie Bellson, Bob Florence, and Doc Severinsen. Dave is featured as a soloist on recordings with John Patitucci, Nick Brignola, Dick Berk, Bob Magnusson, Ray Pizzi, and Milcho Leviev. Other recording work includes radio and TV commercials, TV shows like The Osbournes, and numerous demos and record dates.

After receiving a master's degree from the Eastman School of Music, Howie moved to Los Angeles to pursue a career as a musician/composer/arranger. He soon took a slight detour to go on the road where he played lead trumpet with the Woody Herman Orchestra. After two years, he moved back to LA, and has since performed on countless TV and movie soundtracks, commercials, Broadway shows and recordings. Howie has performed with Tony Bennett, George Benson, Stevie Wonder, the Temptations, Natalie Cole, Linda Ronstadt, and Mel Torme, to name a few. In addition to performing, Howie has been an active composer/arranger/orchestrator getting his first big break as the musical arranger for the Joan Rivers late night talk show, where he composed for a 16-piece big band 5 nights a week. Howie is currently scoring his fourth movie and, in 2002, received his doctorate in music from the University of Southern California.

Joey Carbone is an award-winning music producer, composer, arranger, and keyboardist. He has composed and produced over 1000 songs for top Japanese recording artists, TV themes, movies and commercials, garnering 10 Platinum and 47 Gold records along the way. Except for Beatles songs, Joey's songs have been recorded by more Japanese artists than any other foreign composer, leading him to the BMI "Most Performed Song" Award in '84 and '85. Carbone was the musical director and theme composer for 10 years on the long-running TV talent show Star Search, producing music for Britney Spears, Christina Aguilera, Destiny's Child, Alanis Morissette, Justin Timberlake, and Usher.