Learn Music From
Professional Musicians
Unlock your musical potential with lessons tailored to you
YOUR INDIVIDUAL
Pursuit of Excellence
At the Center for Musical Arts, our faculty is led by active, working musicians. Our curriculum blends classic instruction with techniques informed by neuroscience. We believe that to truly learn music, it’s best to learn from those who live it. Our professional mentors understand that mastering an instrument is about more than reading notes—it is about nurturing creativity, emotional intelligence, and authentic self-expression. Through our tailored programs, we help students foster a lifelong love, understanding, and passion for the art form.
Featured Instructors
Alejandro Magallan
GUITAR, BASS
Alejandro is a professional working musician operating out of the Sacramento Area. He received a B.A. in Music with an emphasis in Music Theory, History, and Ethnomusicology from the University of California, Davis in the Fall of 2025. He frequently performs across the greater Sacramento region and the Bay Area, and has toured up and down the west coast of the US with his band “Slugfeast” and in Japan with the band “My Pet Fossil.”
Isaac Davis
TRUMPET
Isaac is a trumpet player from Hayward, California. Growing up, music was always important to him, as his father was a music producer and guitarist. In 2023, Davis graduated from Sacramento State University with a degree in Trumpet Performance and continues sharing his love of music through teaching and performing in Sacramento.
Jackson Riley
WOODWIND
Jackson is a woodwind instrumentalist from California with over 10 years of gigging experience. He graduated from Sacramento State in 2020, and has since been a working musician. With experience with many genres of music, including jazz, funk, classical, pop and more, he has the tools to assist any student get ready to perform, learn musical theory, and learn the ins-and-outs of being a professional horn player.
Connie Rottier-Thompson
PIANO
Connie is an award winning jazz/classical piano player operating in the Sacramento area. Beginning at the age of 7, Connie began performing in classical music competitions until high school where she decided to go into popular music. She now works in the Sac queer community hosting events and educating in jazz piano.
Jayden McCain
SAXOPHONE, PIANO
Jayden is a Sacramento-based saxophonist, pianist, and composer with over eight years of experience on his primary instrument. McCain is passionate about guiding beginning musicians and creating a supportive learning environment. As a performer, he is active in the local jazz scene and strives to use music as a tool for creativity, growth, and meaningful connection.
Nate Furgason
BASS, GUITAR, CELLO
Nate began playing jazz at age ten with his father, gigging in Northern California and the Bay Area while exploring various genres. In 2011, Furgason earned a Bachelor’s in Music from California State University Chico, performing with the award-winning Chico Jazz Collective. He later received a Master’s in Jazz Studies from NYU in 2014, studying with notable figures in jazz education.
Classes We Offer
Single Lessons
Private lessons taught on an instrument of choice that have personal attention paid to technique, practice tools, musicality, music theory, & repertoire.
Weekly Lessons
When learning an instrument, it takes 2-3 months of weekly lessons and practice to demonstrate noticeable growth.
Shed Sessions
The Shed Sessions are a way to meet other musicians, learn about the history of jazz, and learn the music. The tunes are a list of frequently called tunes at jam sessions and college auditions.
Live at the Center
The Center for Musical Arts proudly presents our “at the Center” concert series, where our goal is to give Sacramento musicians the event space they deserve.