About
The Family Name Studio was created by Sebastian Fotouhi in 2014 after he had been teaching for several years already and finished his degree in Music Performance for Jazz Guitar. He has taught at several schools around the Bay Area, Los Angeles, and even as a guest instructor in Texas. Sebastian has played in many professional bands at some of the most iconic stages in the Bay Area including the Sleep Train Pavilion, Bottom of The Hill, Slim’s, and hundreds of festivals and private shows. The goal of establishing his own studio was to ensure each student received a top notch music education focusing especially on real world skills and knowledge. On top of a great education, another main goal is to have fun with music! It can be overwhelming to dive in to the ocean of knowledge with no application for all the techniques and pieces you’re learning. The Family Name Studio is here to guide you on this journey and make it enjoyable all the way.
I absolutely love that I get to help people find their musical voice. It's so much fun seeing people improve every lesson. When I see a student absolutely nail a part we've been working on for weeks it warms my heart to see their joy.
Highlights
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Specialties
Musical styles
Guitar style
Has instrument
Years experience
Able to read music
Lesson length
Student's age
Reviews
Emma M.
Frequently asked questions
What is your typical process for working with a new student?
When meeting a new student I make sure to figure out why they want to learn. Because I customize my approach for each individual it's very important to align their learning path with their goals.
What education and/or training do you have that relates to your work?
I have a degree in Jazz Guitar Performance, Piano training, Drum training, Bass Guitar training, Music Theory training, and about 20 years of professional performing experience.
Do you have a standard pricing system for your lessons? If so, please share the details here.
My standard pricing is $50 for 30 minutes, $100 for 60 minutes, and small discounts for booking a month of lessons in advance, as well as a discount for referring a friend!
How did you get started teaching?
One of my friends in high school wanted to learn guitar and I was the best guitarist she knew at the time. Her parents asked how much I charged for lessons so I told them $20 for an hour and here we are over a decade later! I've always enjoyed sharing knowledge with anyone who's interested.
What types of students have you worked with?
I've worked so many different students, from a 4 year old trying to learn piano with her brother, to an 80 year old gentleman learning piano before his sight was gone. I've taught guitarists applying to college at Berklee in Boston, and pros on tour in the states. Those looking to play for fun, those looking to play for a future profession, and everyone in between have received my instruction.
Describe a recent event you are fond of.
I was able to help several peers figure out a better system of connecting with their students as I do. Many music teachers have a very rigid way of teaching since that's how they learned. I was lucky enough to have supportive teachers who would help me follow my musical whims while still laying a proper foundation of practical knowledge along the way. By having these hours long conversations with my peers I was able to make a difference in the education of some hundreds of more students all at once by spreading my positive philosophy.
What advice would you give a student looking to hire a teacher in your area of expertise?
Make sure you're getting what you want! And if you aren't, find a new teacher! There are so many music teachers, and just like music, each one has their own distinct style. If you don't have a particular goal, make sure to tell your teacher that! If my student is aiming to play at a recital we work more on repetition, timing, and technique. If I have a student who wants to learn the newest pop single we work more on making it easy to play and sing along to! And if my student has no clue what they want other than To Learn, we make it as fun and practical as possible just like every other lesson I teach.
What questions should students think through before talking to teachers about their needs?
You shouldn't have to think at all when addressing your teacher about your musical needs. If a teacher isn't addressing your learning needs, then refer back to my other advice and find a new teacher! It's a highly individual educational experience in music, and it's very important that you feel comfortable freely expressing your needs at any time to your instructor. We're here to help you on your path, not tell you where to go.