The Team

Born on October 5th, I found my way into the heart and family of CVM. They would like store protection, but I’m more interested in getting you to rub my belly!  Come in and say hello.

Josie is an artist, musician, and teacher who began her creative career in the visual arts, earning BFA in Studio Art from California Lutheran University. Music was a natural extension of her passion for the arts. Starting on piano, Josie picked up guitar and ukulele as a camp counselor and never put them down. In addition to kids music, Josie teaches art in San Diego schools and her unique portraits have been featured in galleries across Southern California! When she’s not working, Josie loves to explore the outdoors, almost always with an instrument and sketchbook in tow. These talents are just the beginning of the gifts she brings Carlsbad Village Music.

Chris is a multi-talented music educator and performer who takes learning music to an amazing experiential level! Chris has provided quality musical education at over 50 schools in San Diego County and is excited to be a part of our team! Performing at major venues, he has worked with Brian Setzer, Zoot Suit Revue, Travis Tritt, Lou Rawls, Glenn Campbell, Bobby Gorden, Shirley Jones, Carole Kaye, Ollie Mitchell, Horace Heidt Jr. and many others! It's his desire to help others find their hidden talents. He invites you to “catch the vibe” and begin your lifelong journey!

Andrew has been a musician for more than half his life, predominantly as a guitar player yet also playing percussion, piano, and french horn at an early age. His journey developed into a strong affinity for songwriting. This passion led to musical touring all over the states, Canada, and Europe at a young age. After touring for six years, he developed his acting passion which led to a Theatre Arts degree from UCSD. Andrew is a local artist, musician, theatre practitioner, and teacher. In the past years he has worked with Imagine Brave Spaces, Blindspot Collective, Bocón Arts, Point Loma Nazarene University, the Lyceum, the Old Globe, the OB Playhouse, OnStage Playhouse, Coronado Playhouse, and more. CVM is excited and honored to have Andrew join our amazing team!

Jessica is a budding professional musician out of San Diego who loves sharing the joys of music to anyone who will listen! She has spent over half of her life as a musician, starting on violin at age 9, and then at 14 switching to viola which remains her primary instrument. Jessica has been invited to play in several groups, including Mira Costa CC Oceanside Orchestra where she has held the position as the principal viola for the past 2 years, as well as the Tustin Ballet Nutcracker Orchestra last year. Her favorite job was as a counselor at Arrowbear Music Camp where she was able to support other musicians and help them grow their confidence of playing in an orchestral setting. While her passion lies in music, Jessica also holds a deep love for animals, science, gaming, and art. She strives to bring joy and laughter to those around her, and is happy to listen and help the best she can.

Brandon, a drummer and studio musician, began honing his musical skills as a teen and quickly expanded into an all-around fabulous musician! Marching and jazz bands, music education, studio drumming, live performances, and recording starts the conversation.. Since moving to North County, Brandon has worked with the Museum of Making Music as a Tour Guide and the Boys & Girls Club of Vista as Music Educator. His specialties include traditional rudimental snare drumming, proper technique, limb independence, group lessons, and accelerated learning; moreover, his unique teaching style enables students of all ages to play songs within their first few lessons. When he is not teaching, Brandon can be found skateboarding, meditating, working out, or enjoying life with his wife and 3 cats.

Carlsbad Village Music welcomes Whit to the team, Whit splits his time performing solo and with his band THAT’S RIGHT, serving up a unique mix of classic rock, R&B, funk, folk and soul. Well-known in the region, Whit has made more than 250 public and private appearances every year for the last five years. Whit also hosts Open Mic night at the Pour House, where he runs live sound and supports performers by providing backup guitar, bass, drums and vocals when needed.

Whit Aadland is a versatile singer/songwriter/musician from Carlsbad, California. His professional resume dates back to childhood—singing in concert choirs, performing in musical theater, and accompanying many High School performance groups. Whit has taught guitar since 2005, leading elementary school Guitar Programs, as well as teaching beginner, intermediate and advanced rock guitar, bass, and drums to students in afterschool Rock Band programs in the area. Whit currently serves as the Assistant Music Director at King of Kings Lutheran Church in Oceanside.

Whit provides professional level insight and instruction for lead and backup vocalists, steel string, nylon, and electric guitarists, electric bassists, and drummers and percussionists for most styles and skill levels...

Gary Banks is a pianist and teacher recently from Pennsylvania. He has been sharing his passion and gift for music in a variety of settings for over thirty years of performance and musical productions. As a career professional in Human Resources and Higher Education for thirty-five years, Gary also pursued music an avocation. His expansive experience includes directing choirs, teaching music, and playing in ensembles and solo engagements. He has embraced the discipline and life of a professional musician since 2005. Although taught in the traditional method that included theory and classical foundations, Gary leans toward jazz standards, blues, and popular tunes. His style is best described as a hybrid of blues, jazz, and gospel, owing to his time spent as a church musician. Since moving to Carlsbad, Gary has been active playing for special events, private engagements, and as an occasional member of music ensembles in Southern California. Gary brings his passion for the love and discipline of music to Carlsbad Village Music with an easy demeanor that creates a fun environment learning..

Danielle has been a musician for over 20 years and now shares her love of music through teaching. She loves music theory and specializes in pop, RnB & classical music. In addition to her teaching career, Danielle is the keyboardist in an indie pop band, bringing a unique perspective to her teaching with skills in performance, improvisation, and songwriting. Danielle's passion and enthusiasm for music are contagious, and her expertise and dedication have helped countless students discover the joy and fulfillment of making music...

Mitchell has been a songwriter and professional musician for over two decades playing for cover bands and original projects. He is an eclectic musician crossing over several genres and instruments, with an emphasis on rock. His current projects include Wild Caravan (guitar, singer/songwriter) wildcaravanmusic.com, Martyrs for Mayhem (bass) and Simians (drums). When not creating, teaching, or performing music, Mitch is working on his degree in Music Technology. Mitch has been an amazing addition to our team!

Sarah Beth wears so many hats and she keeps trying more, as this is her year of “YES”! She is incredible teaching piano to the youngest CVM students. She is a classically trained pianist, now performing locally on keys, bass, guitar, and vocals. Oh, we forgot to mention she is dedicated to learning drums. She earned MTAC Certificate of Merit in sight reading, technique, performance, ear training, and written theory, winning awards for Bach and Gershwin performances.

In the Vibe she is repairing and selling guitars, scheduling students or working on a social media post. She has an insatiable appetite for learning and enriching the community. Her other passion lies in her projects with the nonprofit UNITE North County. Sarah Beth lives life to it’s fullest and we are always excited to see what is coming next.

Jared Bliss started his music career early, learning to play guitar at age seven and repairing guitars at the age of 15. As the Certified Repair Specialist and expert guitar salesman in the Village Vibe, Jared can steer you in the right direction when searching for that perfect guitar, violin or ukulele. If you're in need of a restring or instrument repair, he brings them back to life!

Jared's love and knowledge of music has given him the opportunity to perform in several bands where he is now the bass player for Great Electric Quest. He's shared the stage with the likes of Alice Cooper, Blue Oyster Cult and has toured and played in over 40 states. Since Jared has that rocker vibe, he also had the opportunity to model for one of Neil Youngs' projects. As a movie buff, he can quote most of them and is a great Trial Pursuit partner!!! Checkout his band's website at greatelectricquest@bigcartel.com to listen to their latest CD Chapter 2.

Rik Ogden, instructor extraordinaire at Carlsbad Village Music!! Rik's a spirited music mentor with an eclectic musical background with proficiencies in the electric/acoustic guitar, saxophone, clarinet, ukulele, bass, banjo and flute. His extended music background started with violin studies at the age of eight, clarinet at 10 and guitar at 12. He went on to major in music at the University of California San Diego where he graduated with honors. Rik was awarded outstanding soloist at Stanford Summer Jazz workshop 1975.

Playing with various bands for many years, he then switched to theater where he has performed in over 140 theater productions! Rik had the honor of studying saxophone with Joe Marillo and studied classical guitar with composer Ned Sublette. His love of all styles of music allows him to teach rock, jazz, blues, folk and classical music to his students young and old. When not teaching or performing on stage, you can find him watching live baseball! Go Padres!

Blake Thomas is a DJ/Event Producer based in San Francisco but originally from the sunny beaches of Carlsbad. California. Known to many by his performer moniker 'blakeblakeblake', he has been producing popular events in the Bay Area over the last decade for Noise Pop, Visions of a New World, and Run The Length Of Your Wildness among others. In Blake's spare time when not at CVM, he likes entertaining local feral cats and basking in the sun with smol reptiles. Its' never too late to play music!

Carl is our computer/technical person and website designer. Carl enjoys just about anything technical including photography and metal detecting for hobbies. He is our go to guy if we need anything fixed.

Janine had the great experience of learning Saxophone at age 50 and it has become the most joyful experience of her life. She continues to enjoy the experience and wishes to pass on the inspiration for others to give it a try. Her professional careers in Law Enforcement, Psychotherapy, Sales and Education merged together creating a desire to fulfill a vision of opening a business in the Village. Together with the support of the Carlsbad Village Music team, Janine orchestrated a 15-day remodel after beating out a large coffee chain whom had targeted our large corner space. More than passion for music, her desire is to encourage people to enjoy the experience of learning music at any age. As a student of Cal Southern University, in 2019 Janine will begin her Doctoral Project studying the benefits of music for seniors.