Staff
SEAN GAISER
Founder
When Sean founded GIGS in 2006, he was the sole teacher. Since then, he is proud to have assembled a staff of wonderful and creative individuals. In 2008, Sean joined the faculties of Mater Dei and Georgetown Prep, and has run their music program and recording studio (respectively) ever since. You can find Sean at GIGS every day, teaching classes in the Workshop and booking and producing Courtyard shows.
www.seangaiser.com
OLIVIA BELL
General Manager
Olivia’s passion for live music and event production led her to GIGS in 2015 after graduating from American University. She is responsible for managing all of GIGS’ day to day operations - from scheduling lessons in the Academy & Workshop, to co-producing large-scale galas and festivals. Olivia is proud to know every single name & face in the GIGS community!
OWEN ALMONEY
Teacher
Ever since he can remember, Owen has always had a passion for music, constantly looking for new bands to listen to on the family computer and exploring new genres. In high school, he began learning guitar and played classically in his high school ensemble. Since then, Owen has studied music and other instruments at Montgomery College. Owen's goal is to not only teach his students how to play their instrument, but also how to channel their passion into creativity. He teaches guitar, bass, drums, piano, and ukulele.
JOSE BELLOSO
Teacher
Jose has loved music since he was a child growing up in El Salvador. He came to the US when he was 13 years old and is currently pursuing a Bachelor's degree in Biology from MCC. Jose has always believed that all people have something to learn AND teach, and is excited to share his knowledge of the guitar and piano with students who want to learn and have fun.
ERIK BROWN
Teacher
Erik grew up in a very musical family, learning violin and singing in the choir for most of his life. In school, he participated in musical theatre and orchestra, and eventually picked up more instruments, branching out from classical violin to jazz bass and guitar. He is currently attending Montgomery College to study music composition. Erik teaches voice, guitar, piano, bass, drums, and ukulele.
CECILIA GRAHAM
Teacher
Cecilia grew up taking piano and voice lessons at GIGS and is thrilled to now be back teaching kids what she learned! Cecilia currently attends Saint John’s College Highschool in D.C and is a member of the school choir. In her free time, she loves playing the piano and ukulele, learning new songs, and singing. Her favorite artist to play is Adele.
AIDA HUMPHRIES
Teacher
Aida has been taking guitar and drum lessons at GIGS for the past few years and she is very excited to come back as a teacher. Aida is currently attending Bethesda Chevy Chase High School. She has participated in numerous bands with her peers and has performed at her school. Aida always loves to learn more about music along with her students. When she is not working, she loves to practice her guitar, drums, and singing.
SARAH JORDAN
Teacher
Sarah has always enjoyed listening to music, even since she was a little kid, growing up in New Jersey. She’s been learning guitar since she was in 2nd grade! She is now currently attending St. John’s College High School in DC. She decided to become a teacher because she wanted to share her passion for guitar with others, and hope that they can find love in the same interest too!
JAKE SIMPSON
Teacher/Event Producer
Jake has been with GIGS since the end of 2017, a few months after he graduated college as a music major. He is now a multi-instrumentalist who teaches guitar, bass, voice, drums, piano, and ukulele! When Jake is not teaching, he can be found running sessions in the Georgetown Prep recording studio, helping GIGS with event production and live sound, transcribing songs for GIGS' extensive music library, and playing shows around the D.C. area.
SOPHIE STRACHAN
Teacher
Sophie has always loved music and is so happy to be teaching at GIGS. She took ukulele lessons here in 8th grade and is now returning 3 years later and is a student at Holy Child in Potomac where she is a part of the Vocal Ensemble and Chorus. Sophie loves playing guitar, ukulele, and singing and is excited to pass on her love and passion for music in her lessons!
OLAVI TAKALA
Teacher
Olavi has loved performing, learning, and composing music since he was a child growing up in Wheaton, MD. His dad bought him a small light up keyboard when he was 4 years old, and since then, he has studied Jazz Piano Performance at both Montgomery College and Towson University. He has also started and been a part of many bands along the way. He loves sharing the joy of music-making with others through teaching, jamming, and performing as much as possible, so don't be afraid to ask him any questions about music!
DAVID TARR
Teacher
David’s whole life has been immersed in music. Both his parents and sister have made their livings in music and David, of course, had to join the family business! As a teen, David played guitar and drums in the loudest bands you can imagine. As an adult, he has made a living as a musician in a variety of ways - playing solo and as a member of bands, as an actor/singer in musical theater productions, he even spent 5 years on cruise ships as a music director and band leader. David is now excited to be teaching at GIGS and bringing up the next generation of rockers!
OWEN WALSH
Teacher
Owen returns to GIGS as a teacher after learning drums and guitar here for many years, since he was a little kid! He is excited to continue passing down the joy of playing to new students. Owen went on to sing in the university choir at Sewanee in Tennessee, where he studied mathematics and continued his passion for drumming. Owen believes that the key to playing well is developing his students' ability to improvise and to have fun while doing it. He teaches drums, guitar, and piano at GIGS.