Nikolaos Tsavdaroglou

Hometown: Thessaloniki, Greece

Occupation: Bassist

Instruments: Walter Sandner double bass, Odyssey 4-String electric bass

Musical goals: To be a top-class bassist

Current Influences: Eddie Gomez, Paul Chambers, Christian McBride, Renaud Garcia-Fons, Gary Karr, Victor Wooten, James Jamerson, Charles Mingus, Niels-Henning Ørsted Pedersen.

Nikos has a gift that will carry him far, he loves to practice. (some call him naturally talented : )   His work in our online studies is unparalled. He has successfully completed JB1, JB2, JB3, PC, DBL1, and DBL2. One could not ask for a more dedicated student.

The result of Nikolaos' hard work can be easily be heard in his playing.

Check out Nikolaos on YouTube

Listen to Nikos play PC

Nikos plays Christian

Riley Hagan

Hometown: Traverse City, Michigan

Occupation: Full-time music student

Instruments: Stambaugh - 4-string fretless "shark-shape", Hamer 4-string fretted, Christopher upright.

Musical goals:

1. Elevate my playing to the level of Michael Manring
2. To make music feel good, to create the feeling I feel when I listen to Manring and Me'shell Ndegeocello or look at Pollock’s paintings, or read Kahlil Gibran and e.e. cummings. The feeling of god/love /nowness.
3. Financial independence. Be paid to travel the world playing my music.
4. Custom Bass Guitar through endorsement.
5. Play upright bass for Tom Waits.
6. Continue to clarify and improve these goals.

Current Influences: Micheal Manring, Jaco, Paul Chambers, Meshell Ndegeocello, Victor Wooten, Christian McBride.

Everybody loves Riley! Besides being a great guy, Riley is becoming an accomplished musician. Still in his teens, he has clearly defined musical goals and is working hard to reach them. It is so fun to watch a person reap the rewards of their efforts. Riley is on pace to become an outstanding bassist, both electric bass and double bass.

Check out Riley on YouTube

Hometown: Athens - Greece

Occupation: Graphic Artist

Instruments: Lakland 5-string (low B)

Musical goals: To learn in depth the jazz language

Current Influences:  Paul Chambers, John Coltrane, Red Garland, Sonny Clark, Jim Stinnett

Ilias is an outstanding student. He understands the statement, "you get out of it what you put into it," and he puts in a lot. As a student in my online courses for sixteen months in row, Ilias had demonstrated his ability to focus and practice. This has resulted in amazing progress for him on his bass. His PC transcriptions and performances are of the highest calibre. His groove is strong and his playing solid. I am so proud of Ilias's accomplishments. It has been great fun to watch him go after what he wants. With his attitude, there are no limits.

Yas Ogato

Hometown: Kamakura Japan

Occupation: bassist/composer

Instruments: Chris Stambaugh 6 Strings Bass

Musical goals: Professional bassist, composer, arranger, and producer.

Current Influences:  Paul Chambers, Jaco Pastorius, Larry Young, Hiromi Uehara, Me'shell Ndegeocello, Victor Wooten, Pino Paradino, Pat Metheny, Roy Hargrove, Maxwell, Ravi Shankar, Anoushka Shankar, David Fuze Fiuczynski.

Yas is an excellent young bassist. I voted Yas as the "Most Improved" of all my students in 2009. His dedication and diligent practice has allowed Yas's natural talent to begin to shine through. Yas is a graduate of Berklee College majoring in music composition. Through serious transcription of the master players, Yas has refined his playing. I am sure he will have a very successful career as a professional bassist. Look out Japan!

Howard Krebbs

Hometown: Derry, New Hampshire

Occupation: Machinist

Instrument: Stambaugh 4-string Shark Ristola 5-string High C, American Fender P Bass

Musical goals: To understand all aspects of how to play the bass. Appreciate artistry.

Current Influences: The Ventures, Project M, The Supremes, James Jamerson, Rufus Reid.

Howard epitomizes the perfect student.  He is highly motivated, open minded, and willing to work.  His enthusiasm is contagious and he improves weekly.   Through his bass studies, Howard has forced his ears wide open and expanded his joy of music. Howard has proven that middle-aged dogs can learn new tricks. I am very proud of Howard’s accomplishments.

Brent Rusinow

Hometown: Newton, Massachusettes

Occupation: Professional Musican

Instrument: Fodera Emperor 2- 6-string, Fodera VW Classic, “Guido” a remarkable double bass, circa 1850

Musical goals: Be the BEST

Current Influences: Joe Diorio, Chet Baker, Sonny Rollins, Dexter Gordon, Wynton Kelly, PC, Jaco, Victor, Todd, Richard B, Pat Martino

An accomplished young professional, Brent Rusinow is beginning to make his mark.  His performances of Jaco’s music on youtube are revered.  Highly proficient on both electric and upright, Brent is a complete bassist and plays jazz, funk. classical, etc.  Watch in the next few years as Brent ascends to the pinnacle of contemporary bass playing.

Chris Mewhinney

Hometown: Highland Village, TX

Occupation: College Student

Instrument: Stambaugh 4-string fretless, Stambaugh 6-string Set Thru

Musical goals: To learn to play like my musical heroes in order to make the best music I possibly can.

Current Influences: Michael Manring, Steve Reich, Victor Wooten

If all the rules that apply to success are true, then Chris Mewhinney will surely become a great bassist. Besides his abundant natural talent, Chris is a hard worker and has proven that he is willing to pay the price. Desire, dedication, and persistence will win over all odds. Besides that, Chris is very pleasant person to be around. Now THAT'S A WINNING COMBINATION!

Dan Thompson

Hometown: Milford, New Hampshire

Occupation: High School Sophmore at Milford High

Instrument: Ristola 4-string

Musical goals: Tour with rock band. Cover of bass magazines.

Current Influences: Victor Wooten, Les Claypool, Flea, Tom Morello

Talent not lacking, Dan Thompson's recent musical growth has been nothing short of tremendous! Dan began studying bass at age 14, and in a short time has developed into a very serious and dedicated young bassist. Dan has transcribed Victor and Jaco, as well as a host of other players. Dan's positive attitude and willingness to work have been the keys to unlocking his innate ability. It will be exciting to see what lies ahead for such a gifted young man.

AJ Reding

Home town: Enid Oklahoma

Occupation: Student

Instrument: Hamer-Artist Korina, Peavey-Wolfgang, Fender-Stratocaster, Stambaugh-Seven String Snake

Musical goals: The be a complete guitarist

Current Influences: Wes Montgomery, Grant Green, Eddie Van Halen

A recent graduate from Berklee College of Music, AJ Reding is a budding talent. An accomplished Rock player, AJ is now pursuing his mastery of the guitar. His past efforts include two years of classical guitar studies at Oklahoma University. AJ Reding is a delightful and serious young musician with a bright future.

Paul J Edwards

Hometown: Montclair, NJ

Occupation: Student at Wesleyan University

Instrument: American Fender Precision

Musical goals: Studio session work

Current Influences: Wilco, The Band, Beatles, James Jamerson

Paul Edwards is an excellent young bassist with a lot of potential. Paul currently lives in Middletown, Connecticut where he attends college as a full time music student. Paul also completed Berklee College of Music’s Summer Five-Week Performance Program in 2006. Paul’s dedication and talent will carry him far.

Ryan O’Connell

Home town: Chester, NH

Occupation: Software Developer

Instrument: Stambaugh 6-string, Ristola 5-string (high C), Music Man Stingray, American Jazz

Musical goals: Achieve high-level personal competency on the instrument.

Current Influences: Marcus Miller, Victor Wooten, G Money

Ryan O’Connell deserves “The Most Improved” award of recent months. Originally from Springfield, MA, Ryan spent his high school years playing pop music in local and regional bars. After many years away from music, Ryan’s need for relief from the stress of high tech jobs brought him back to his pursuit of the bass. His dedication to excellence in his practice has been the key to Ryan’s tremendous strides.