MEET OUR INSTRUCTORS
Everyday our teachers create opportunities for exploration and learning by establishing engaging environments where students feel safe, comfortable, and confident. We have amazing instructors who are caring, enthusiastic, and dedicated to helping students exceed their every expectation. Read more about each instructor below.
ANN SCHWARTZ
Ann Schwartz founded The Green Tambourine in 2012. Her musical knowledge stems from extensive training in a wide range of instruments and styles. With a performance degree in viola from Temple University and additional instrumental experience with flute, violin, voice, saxophone, piano and mandolin, Ann loves to learn new instruments and share them with aspiring musicians. A proud West Philly resident, you can find Ann playing music on her porch with her family, or out and about with their two dogs.
CHARLIE HEIM
Charlie Heim graduated in 2008 with a Bachelor of Music in Instrumental Jazz Performance, and a minor in Music Education. After graduate study in Music Education, he returned to Philadelphia to pursue a career in performance and teaching. Currently he is performing with William Gruff, Johnny Showcase and the Mystic Ticket, the Alex Radus Trio, Megalodon, and many others throughout the Philly area. He has credits on a growing discography of nearly 20 original albums, and has had his compositions published independently and by Holiday House. As an educator, Charlie is a Senior Lecturer at the University of the Arts, served for 3 years as Music Director of the School of Rock in Cherry Hill, and continues freelance private instruction on Drums, Percussion, Guitar and Saxophone.
JUNG PARK
Jung is a vocalist and multi-instrumentalist hailing from South Korea. Graduating from The University of the Arts as a Musical Theater major, she works as a singer, actor, writer and teacher, performing at venues such as The Arts Bank, Wilma Theater and Juyeop Art Hall. As well as singing, Jung plays piano, guitar, drums and ukulele. Jung has a very energetic personality and aims to share her love of music with her students. She loves all forms of music, but especially loves Gospel, R&B, Jazz, Pop and Musical Theater.
NATE ZAVETIS
Primarily a guitarist, Nate functions in Philadelphia mainly through performing in a band of West Philly natives, The Funkitorium. A student of all genres as well as all rhythm section instruments, he teaches piano, drums, bass, guitar, and vocals. Nate is pushing his own skills forward with regular jazz guitar and vocal lessons and is always working on self produced recordings as well as session work for other artists. Naturally a people person, he also wears the hat of the host at his prominent Philly jam session open mic, Mixed Bag, where he blends styles, covers, originals, and improvisation into a renaissance of live performance by Philly’s established and emerging artists.
JONATHAN COONEY
Jonathan has been singing, playing the guitar, and writing songs for 14 years. Specializing in fingerstyle guitar playing, Jonathan spans all musical genres, but finds himself at home playing rock. As an educator, Jonathan excels at connecting with students and encourages them to believe in their own learning process. A firm believer that there’s no wrong way to make music, Jonathan's philosophy is that the best path is the one that keeps you discovering. Everyone can sing or play the guitar; you just have to find your way to play.
GABRIEL GARCIA-LEEDS
Gabriel García-Leeds is a guitarist, composer, and educator. He is especially interested in international folk music, improvisation, and heavy metal. Gabriel began performing in bands when he was 12, and had toured twice before graduating high school. He has performed across the East Coast in venues ranging from art galleries to universities to abandoned industrial laundromats. A 2022 graduate of the University of the Arts’ Music Composition program, he currently teaches a course on Music and Creativity at Science Leadership Academy. Gabriel also writes poetry, gardens, and builds large puppets.
