Our Instructors

Meet Our Teachers
    • Nick Dollinger
      Piano

      Nick Dollinger

      Piano

      Nick started piano lessons at the age of eight. As a teenager, he became an apprentice under his instructor at the Arts Development School of Music. With over twenty years of teaching experience, Nick enjoys passing along his knowledge and love of music to students, looking to “light the fire” that inspires them to learn from a place of “genuine interest.” “There’s an informal, laid back atmosphere at Jammin’ Music that eases tension and allows for a more fertile learning environment, where students aren’t afraid of making mistakes,” Nick says. A classically-trained member of the National Guild of Piano Teachers, Dollinger accommodates hobbyists as well as those with professional aspirations.

    • David Kahlid Woods
      Guitar, Bass, Piano, Voice

      David Kahlid Woods

      Guitar, Bass, Piano, Voice

      “I like helping people reach their goals and achieve their dreams,” says Kahlid, who has enjoyed a long and prolific career as a musician, instructor and producer. “My first instrument was the bass guitar when I was 9 years old. I played nothing but funk!” Since then, besides attending San Diego State College, he has toured the United States, Europe, Japan and Canada as a musician and songwriter, and has had several songs nominated for Grammys. He continues playing professionally and producing up and coming acts.

    • Doug Sanborn
      Drums

      Doug Sanborn

      Drums

      “It’s a great feeling to see the light bulb click on with a student,” says Doug, who’s been playing drums since the age of 14. After drumming his way through high school, Doug played with numerous groups including the Untouchables, The Hula Girls, Angel City Records and K2. He has been a drum line coach since 1986 and has taught drums privately and at various music camps since 1992. “I like sharing what I’ve learned through years and passing on the tradition,” Doug says.

    • Diana Parmeter
      Cello

      Diana Parmeter

      Cello

      “I love discovering how to reach each individual student,” says Diana Parmeter. After studying the violin from ages 5-10, she switched over to cello, eventually achieving a Master’s Degree in Cello Performance from Rice University. Diana has played in a wide variety of musical ensembles, including the Mozart Classical Orchestra, Downey Symphony, and the Chicago Civic Orchestra, and has loved every musical moment. “Besides becoming skilled at performing, musical studies helped me learn how to express myself and opened a lot of doors for higher education, traveling, and getting paid to play music!” Teaching at Jammin’ Music, Diana enjoys “the casual, fun, yet professional atmosphere.” Diana teaches all levels, and is trained in the Suzuki method, which is especially effective for beginning players.

    • Nick Diamantides
      Drums, Guitar, Piano

      Nick Diamantides

      Drums, Guitar, Piano

      Nick Diamantides is a percussionist who started playing at the age of 12. He has a Master’s Degree in Percussion Performance from Cal State University, Long Beach, and received his Bachelor’s Degree in Music from the University of California, Santa Barbara, where he performed with the Jazz Ensemble, Orchestra, Wind Ensemble, and Percussion Ensemble. For the past 8 years, he’s performed in a wide variety of musical settings, from the Santa Barbara Youth Symphony to pit orchestras for musical theater, and performing percussion for church choirs.