Andy Ziker is a longtime educator and professional musician and founded Bucketeers in 2014. Andy has authored 14 drum instruction books and three children’s books. He has taught private drum set lessons to children & adults for 35 years and taught 4th grade and middle school science in the public schools. Andy has a Master’s Degree in Elementary Education from Arizona State University. He currently plays in a popular Santa Cruz area rock cover band called Spun and teaches private drum lessons at The Rhythm Academy of San Jose.

Ashley Macachor is a graduate of Berklee College of Music in Boston, MA where she studied guitar and world percussion. Since 2021 Ashley has been teaching music enrichment/appreciation, world percussion, and ukulele classes in elementary schools (K-6th grades) throughout the South Bay and Peninsula in the SF Bay Area. An important aspect to Ashley’s teaching is to learn about and engage students’ unique talents and interests, expose students to a variety of genres and cultures, provide a space of fun and stress-relief, all while learning the importance of focus, persistence and positive collaboration. Ashley is also currently an Assistant Director of San Jose’s community Brazilian percussion ensemble, Bloco Do Sol.

Ashwin Suseendran is a PhD candidate in Musicology at University of California, Santa Cruz (UCSC). Ashwin is a multi-instrumentalist with experience teaching & performing using piano, bass guitar, trumpet, accordion, traditional Indian percussion, and traditional Brazilian percussion. He enjoys writing, arranging, and composing music in multiple genres. Ashwin previously attended Temple University where he received a Bachelor of Music in Music Education/Jazz Studies & Minor in Geography/Urban Studies and a Master’s Degree in Musicology. He has five years of experience teaching music to preschoolers through adults.

Daniel graduated from UC Santa Barbara in linguistics in 2017, and, soon after, left the US to travel and work abroad. Luckily for us, he returned! He has 10 years experience teaching math, writing, debate, english, martial arts, swimming, and piano to all age ranges from young children to adults. Daniel is currently attending grad school (pursuing a multi-subject credential at San Jose State University.) He’s fluent in English, Mandarin, intermediate in French, and basic in Korean. Daniels loves working with kids because of their energy and willingness to try new things. He’s had a passion for performing music since the second grade. To engage children in the art of playing music is an ideal combination.

Drew Daniels is a PhD candidate in Musicology at University of California, Santa Cruz (UCSC). Drew grew up taking lessons on piano, drums, and guitar. He received his BA in Media Production from Indiana University, Bloomington (with a Minor in Music) followed by an MFA in Musicology from Brandeis University. As a summer camp counselor at Pine Crest Day Camp in Ft Lauderdale, FL, Drew taught beginner guitar to groups of children. He performed with the Indiana University All-Campus Jazz Ensemble as an undergrad, and as the keyboardist in a rock band in Los Angeles before beginning his graduate studies. As a teaching assistant at UCSC, he works with college students in courses such as Music of the Beatles, Popular Music in the United States, and History of Electronic Music. Drew specializes in popular music from the blues to hip hop.

Emersen Lorenz is a summa cum laude graduate from University of California Santa Cruz, where he studied computer science: game design along with electronic music, sound design, and musical scoring. Emersen grew up learning an eclectic mix of instruments, including the harp, piano, recorder, and more. His passion for music extends beyond electronic, encompassing many different styles such as beatboxing, sound healing, and Balinese gamelan, an instrument he studied at UCSC. He developed his taste for electronic music in high school and has produced over 500 tracks. He worked as a guide at Steve & Kate’s Camp and boosted the joyful experience of campers there with his exuberant teaching style. Above all, Emersen wishes to use the power of music to enhance the mind-body connection.

Eric Wu is an experienced musician who specializes in teaching & performing piano, guitar, drums, and harp. He enjoys learning about psychology and how music therapy can be beneficial in healing people. Eric has reached level ten in Music Teachers’ Association of California (MTAC) piano and finds joy in helping students succeed along a similar path. He has a bachelor’s degree in Environmental Management, a master’s in finance, and is currently working on a psychology degree. His passion for music and psychology is inspired by family members who have dealt with anxiety, and he would love to expand his knowledge to help as many people as possible. He is fluent in Mandarin, Korean, and Spanish.

Mariah Stanelle has a background in both arts and communication studies that gives her a unique sense of creativity, emotional intelligence, enthusiasm, strong interpersonal skills, and the tools to be adaptable and empathetic in any situation. Her experience as a preschool teacher has strengthened her skills, taught her how to work in a fast-paced environment, and improved her ability to resolve conflicts. Mariah loves to help people and to feel that she’s doing meaningful work. Mariah has worked as a musical director of a theatre program for kids, a music and art teacher for preschool students, and as a professional actor/singer/dancer in several productions.

Niles Flynn graduated Cum Laude from San Jose State University, College of Music and Dance with a degree in Music Education and Percussion Performance. He has been a fellow at the Colorado College Summer Music Festival for two consecutive years alongside John Kinzie and Aiyun Huang. Niles has work with many great music educators: Jake Nissly (San Francisco Symphony), Galen Lemmon (Symphony San Jose), and Bryce Leafman (San Francisco Symphony). Niles has performed regularly with many groups around the Bay Area such as Cambrian Symphony, Children’s Music Theatre, Blue Devils Entertainment, Mission Chamber Orchestra, Master Sinfonia Chamber Orchestra, and many others. Niles teaches privately and with percussion groups and after-school ensembles. Niles aims to continue to build a career performing and educating while inspiring those around him to seek out the beauty, truth, and joy in music.

Wanda Whitehead is a longtime educator/administrator with a CA Standard K-8 Teaching Credential, as well as a Montessori ELE I-II Teaching Credential (6-12 year olds).  She is also ECE Supervisory Qualified (3-6 year olds) and especially enjoys these younger children.  She is Orff Level 1 certified and has taught the Orff approach for 25 years creating programs and performances in world music and dance for 1st-8th-grade students.  Her passion for working with children plus her love of dance and rhythm inspire students to find their own joy and unique participation in music that lasts a lifetime.

Kieran Krebs owns Overcast Recordings, a studio near Austin,Texas, where he acts as a producer/mixing engineer. Kieran’s primary instrument is guitar, although working in the studio, he has become proficient on piano, bass, and drum set. He currently plays in a rock band in Austin area called Ritual Club. Kieran taught Pre-K and 5th grade for four years in the Austin Independent School District. He is fluent in both English and Spanish.