Larry Larson Music Store

 Peter Burke  (Percussion)

Peter Burke has been active in the LA music scene since the mid-90s. Originally inspired by classic rock bands like AC/DC, Aerosmith, Led Zeppelin, and Queen, he began playing drums at the age of 11. In college he developed a taste for classical and jazz music, performed/toured internationally with the CSUN Symphony Orchestra and Jazz 'A' Band, and eventually earned a Bachelor of Music Degree in Percussion Performance from Cal St. Northridge in 2000. Peter began his professional career playing with the band 10 Speed, signed to A&M Records. They released their debut album worldwide in 1999, then toured the U.S. and Europe before A&M merged with Universal Music, which effectively ended the project. Soon after, he was presented the opportunity to tour nationally with the BulletBoys (Warner Bros.) from 2000-2003. During this time, they recorded the album 'Sophie' with the help of legendary producer Andy Johns (Led Zeppelin, Rolling Stones). In 2004, he joined the backup band for Wilson Phillips in support of their Columbia Records release 'California'. Together they performed on TV shows 'The Tonight Show', 'Good Morning America' and 'On Air with Ryan Seacrest'. That same year, he recorded the debut album with the band 'The Skies of America' with famed producer Sylvia Massey Shivy (Chili Peppers, Tool, Smashing Pumpkins). The album’s single "Shine" can be heard in movies "Bridge to Terabithia", "The Hottie and the Nottie", and National Lampoon's "Van Wilder". Currently, he is recording the debut album with the upcoming band Paperback Hero, winners of 98.7fm's 2008 Rockstar contest. Their new single 'Lullaby' can currently be heard across the country in Regal Cinemas and on United Airlines.

Peter’s professional and academic experience has kept him in demand as a educator/clinician as well. With over 15 years teaching privately, he has taught hundreds of students of all levels how to play drumset, ethnic percussion, and keyboard percussion. Programs are offered in a wide range of musical styles (pop, jazz, funk, metal, classical, double bass, etc.), and can be tailored to a students individual goals and interests. Peter has been on our teaching staff since 2002.

Yohei Nakamura (Strings)

Yohei Nakamura was born in Kanagawa, Japan. He started playing violin when he was 6 years old. At age 15, he started playing Guitar, which became his principal instrument. After graduating from High school, Yohei went to Tokyo Communication Arts Institute (also known as Tokyo School of Music) to study music. After a year of study in Tokyo, he moved to Pasadena, CA to go to Los Angels Music Academy (LAMA). At LAMA, Yohei studied with Frank Gambale, Jeff Richman, Mike Shapiro, John Robinson, Ralgh Hamphry and many of LA's professional musicians. After graduating from LAMA, Yohei went back to Japan and played in Indie Rock bands for two years. At age 22, Yohei moved to Boston to go to Berklee College of Music. He studied with many professors, but he especially got influenced by David Fiuczynski, Wayne Krantz and Jamey Haddad. In Boston, Yohei played with various highly renowned artists such as Donovan, Susan Tedeschi, Lalah Hathaway, Abe Laboriel Sr. and Tavares. In 2006, Yohei recorded a guitar track for "Knockin' At The Door" which was sung by Yumi Matsutoya, one of the most famous Pop singers in Japan. In 2009, Yohei relocated to Glendale, began teaching at Larry Larson Music Store, and launched a new musical career.

Mark Weaver (Guitar)

Mark Weaver has been teaching guitar and bass for over ten years. He joined us in 2007 when ABC Music closed their doors.  Mark has developed music jam tracks to play along with, which makes it exciting for his young student rockers.

Leigh Clay(Brass/Woodwinds/Strings)

Leigh began playing trombone and guitar at the age of ten. At fifteen, Leigh was invited to join the Junior Youth Symphony in Seattle, where she performed on trombone for one season. After high school, Leigh studied music and education at Principia College, in Elsah, Illinois. In 1997, Leigh accepted a teaching job at Jane Warner's school in Altadena, California, teaching 2nd an 3rd grade. In 1999, Leigh decided that the school needed a band. With Larry's help, she developed an instrumental music program for the school. Leigh learned to play every band instrument in order to teach them to her students. In 2001, after hearing Leigh's students play, Larry asked her to come teach at the store. Over the years, Leigh's school jazz bands have performed to rave reviews in Glendale, Tujunga, and Los Angeles. Currently, Leigh teaches 4th-8th grade, band, and recorder class at the school. At our store, Leigh has taught guitar, piano, recorder, flute, clarinet, saxophone, trumpet, trombone, baritone horn, French horn, tuba, violin, and ukulele.

Leigh has had great success working with children (6 and up) and adults. "The key to success is starting them out young on a simple instrument. I usually have them learn recorder first, and then, when they are competently reading music and playing difficult rhythms, I switch them over to a band instrument like trumpet or clarinet. It is amazing how talented and skilled young students can be. Some of my ten year olds know more than I knew, and are playing better than I did in college!"