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Arts in Cali is a new company to the Fresno Area. As owner and lead teacher, I formerly owned, along with my son, Arts initiative. We started and maintained elementary and middle school bands for the last 15 years in Santa Clara County. We are in several different public school districts and private and parochial schools.

Over the last 15 years we have done over 700 band concerts for schools and parents and taught over 7,000 band students how to play their instruments. It is a success record I am very proud of.

I also was the band teacher at Trace Elementary School in the San Jose Unified District for 24 years.

I retired from there this June, sold Arts Initiative to my son, and my wife and I have moved to Fresno where we have three younger grand daughters.

It is my intention to bring the same expertise, care and love of music to schools and children in the Fresno areas.

 

If you would like further info please contact me.

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TESTIMONIALS

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ArtsinCali@gmail.com
1.408.406.0359

"...the best and talented music teachers that exist today in music..."
Jerry Cis, 2012

 

"I have had the pleasure of being the principle at 3 different schools in the San Jose Unified School District over the past 15 years and have hired Arts Initiative for each. In every instance, they have come in and started a tailored band program that enriched the lives of our entire student body and far exceeded all our expectations.  Their programs always went above and beyond to deliver the kind of bands that our students thrived in and families loved."

​Dr. Al Rosell
Principle 
Trace, Selma Olinder and Willow Glen Elementary School, 2011

 

"My children began their performing arts careers with Arts Initiative at Willow Glen Elementary school.  Now, thanks to them, my children and many other WGE band alumni perform in the Pep Band and the award-winning Intermediate and Jazz bands at Willow Glen Middle School.  A.I. takes children with little or no musical experience and turns out inspired young band musicians.  Without a doubt, my children would have neither the musical interest nor the technical skill without their band experience with the caring and talented staff at Arts Initiative.  
     And, thanks to their musical theatre involvement with Chris, they are also avid performers in musical theatre at the middle school.  “Mr. Chris,” with his Pied Piper-like, magnetic personality, teaches and guides elementary school children to perform like seasoned actors and singers in WGE’s musical theatre productions and opera performances.  
     Arts Initiative also teach an in-class music program at the school which is considered a treat by WGE students.  I was very fortunate as a parent volunteer to work closely with Arts Initiative, and I witnessed, in every interaction, their patience, kindness, professionalism, and respect for their students.  Arts Initiative's dedication to music and theatre has turned a great school into a first-class performing arts venue, and an entire population of school children, are reaping the life-enhancing results!   I love watching their quality music instruction come to life in the multiple performances each school year, and I am thrilled to see the absolute delight on the faces of all the young performers and audience members.  
     My family is beyond grateful to Arts Initiative for putting the performing arts in our lives."

Erika Friedman
PTA President, 
Willow Glen Elementary (2010-2011)

 

"We had a very strong, lively band  consisting of between 40-60 students each year and many of the students went on to the middle school band classes only to add strength to their program. We had two amazing sets of concerts per year and students had a deep appreciation for reading music, playing an instrument or two and performing in front of the school and parent groups. Thanks Arts Initiative for inspiring so many of our students to confidently learn to play an instrument and to appreciate music!"

Meg Jackson
Principal
Ponderosa Elementary, 2007

 

"...This year we were very fortunate to be able to purchase 25 instruments to start a band with them... Our demographics consist of a large population of Hispanic students and A.I. works so well with them..."

Jan Kaay
Superintendent
Luther Burbank School District, 2010

 

​"...It has been my pleasure to watch as our fledgling Schallenberger Band for 3rd, 4th and 5th graders, grew into a cohesive, musical unit within its' this first year!

Ruth Smith
Principal
Schallenberger Elementary, 2013

 

“Thanks to their engaging and enthusiastic teaching, our school has been able to launch a band that, by the end of the first year, was performing not only rudimentary classical pieces but also some pop and jazz. Music has made a huge difference in how the students feel about their school!”

Charley Albert
Parent Volunteer
Willow Glen Elementary  2011-2014

 

"From traditional folk songs to Mozart and Beethoven, to the Beatles and movie soundtracks Arts Initiative makes it happen. They are all great communicators and are so easy going and open to options or changes needed to make the program the best it can be for our kids and community."

Meghan Gordineer
Parent Liasson
Booksin Elementary 
2012-2016

 

"...Its been seven years since the inception of the band at Willow Glen Elementary.  Many of the the kids who played that first year and the second year, have graduated, and continued playing in middle school, where their musical skill is recognized and coveted in the renowned Intermediate and Jazz Bands...some have even been asked to join the Willow Glen High School Wind Ensemble.

With their life-long dedication to music and music education, A.I. has opened the musical door for hundreds of students at Willow Glen Elementary School.  With a power house team, they have transformed the school, and provided an atmosphere of joy, excitement, focus and discipline that only music and the arts can offer....

Because of them, the kids have the opportunity to begin learning an instrument of their choice, and with their enthusiastic guidance and direction, the students become confident and proficient.  They learn to read music, appreciate different genres, get a sense of music history, and work hard toward performances in several band concerts each year...

The School, and indeed the community, owes a debt of gratitude to Arts Initiative for transforming WGE into a fun, vibrant, musically talented and aware school that has taken music and performing arts seriously.  
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They have added an important layer of excitement to the school, and have enriched those who play and learn, as well as those who are fortunate enough to listen and enjoy. "

Bob Shelby
Band Parent
Willow Glen Elementary, 2010-2013 

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