Under The Sun Studios boasts some of the most talented music instructors and sounds technicians in the Bay Area. Read more about them here:
Brian Matthews has served as the Head Instructor at Under The Sun Studios since April 2010. A natural musician, he began playing guitar at the age of 13. By the time he was a Junior in high school, he was a teacher’s assistant in his high school guitar class. Through serving as the worship learder at his church, Brian developed facility with Bass, Drums and Piano. Brian joined the Under The Sun Studios team in September of 2009. He completed Under the Sun Studios’ comprehensive internship program and he was hired on within 3 months. Due to his natural aptitude and great demeanor with the students, he was quickly promoted to head instructor and teaches the majority of the instrumental music lessons at the studio.
Brian is a prolific songwriter and currently writes and performs his own music under the stage name “The Writing Assignment”.
Ron Llenado is an experienced music instructor who has taught hundreds of music students in the Diablo Valley area. He is the studio founder and has pleasure of serving as Studio Director. Prior to developing the curriculum for Under The Sun Studios, he developed the music curriculum at SOLAD Dance Center in Walnut Creek and the guitar program at The Creek Youth Center. Before that, he taught at Countrywood Music in Walnut Creek for over 7 years.
Ron started playing piano at the age of 5 and became very interested in theater and choir while in high school. He has studied guitar with Steven Holland, Samuel Baritel, Lenny Gill, Mark Abrahamian, and Rick Cittar. He has studied flute and saxophone with Max Pricco and drums with Gerry Kennett. He has studied piano with Janet Murray of Walnut Creek, Minda D. Azarcon of Vallejo, Michael Smolens of Berkeley, and Heather Kerrihard of Berkeley. He has studied voice with Victoria Rapanan of Pleasant Hill, Minda D. Azarcon of Vallejo and William Garcia Ganz and Michael Smolens in Berkeley.
From humble beginnings singing in the Concert Choir and doing theatrical productions at De La Salle High School in Concord, Ron continued to the University of California, Berkeley, where he studied Music and Biology. While there, he founded 2 a cappella singing groups, directed 3 concerts, and performed in several shows, including several musicals, straight plays, and choral concerts. He has done stage, lighting, and sound tech for hundreds of performances in the Bay Area. He has led several local top 40 bands and
musical directed several teen theater productions and benefit concerts. He has performed in several productions with Diablo Light Opera Company. Additionally, he is the Fundraiser Chair for Company Alumni Theater and had the honor of performing in their inaugural production. Ron also runs a mobile DJ company, serving as both emcee and DJ.
Ron has resided in Walnut Creek for 18 years and looks forward every day to educating the adults and youth in his community.
