Calendar Of Events

Music Instructors

Current Faculty

Art McGaw has been with Millbrae Schools for over 27 years. He is a graduate of The University of the Pacific. He began his teaching in 1977 in Southern Monterey County and came to Millbrae in 1982 where he has worked with Bob Rider and Judy Nelson. Mr. McGaw performs regularly in professional groups throughout the Bay Area and Monterey County. His areas of specialty are brass and keyboards.

Former Faculty

Elyse Shore began playing the violin at the age of four. She attended the Esther Boyer College of Music at Temple University where she studied with soloist, Helen Kwalwasser, and Philadelphia Orchestra member, Larry Grika. Upon graduation from Temple University, Ms. Shore received her Bachelor of Music Degree in Music Education. Since 1991, she has taught music in the public schools in Philadelphia and New Jersey. Her career also involves numerous years of performances with several community orchestras, chamber groups and string quartets.

Catherine Gambertoglio is a graduate of UC-Davis and holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Human Psychology and Music. Her areas of specialty includes woodwinds, voice, and choral studies. She is a native of Burlingame. She taught at the music students at Meadows and the Taylor Bulldog Band as well as the choir during the 2002/2003 and 2003/2004 school years.

Walter Ayres completed three years of graduate study in violin performance at Yale University. He worked as a professional violinist for over three decades. Mr. Ayres began teaching music in the public schools in 2000. He most recently led the band program at Lowell High School in San Francisco. He taught primarily at Meadows and Taylor during the 2003/2004 school year.

Craig Resta received his Bachelor of Music Education (BME) degree from Baylor University and Master of Music (MM) degree from Indiana University. His teaching experience includes each geographical region in the U.S. having taught middle school in the south in Texas, served as music director and instructor for a grades 4-12 arts camp in New Jersey, taught university students in the mid west in Indiana and on the west coast in Millbrae. Mr. Resta has taught at all five campuses in Millbrae and is a string specialist. His tenure was from 1997 to 2003.

Brian Switzer is a graduate of UCLA and holds a dual degree in Music Education and Trumpet Performance. During his years at UCLA, Mr. Switzer spent much of his time teaching instrumental music in inner-city Los Angeles. He is a native of Burlingame and taught primarily at Meadows and Taylor during the 2000 / 2001 academic term.

Elaine Dummler taught in Millbrae from 1998 to 2000. She received her B.A. from Concordia Lutheran College in Moorhead, Minnesota, and has taught in public schools in Great Falls, Montana; Cupertino, Woodside and Foster City as well as a girls' school in San Francisco. She is credentialed to teach English, Biology and Music. Her primary specialties include brass, keyboard and chorus.

Judy Nelson was born and raised in Millbrae and taught in the district from 1987 to 1998. She graduated magna cum laude from San Francisco State University with degrees in Music Education and Flute Performance. A woodwind specialist and professional flutist, she performs regularly throughout the Bay Area. Mrs. Nelson has taught at all five district schools.

Bob Rider taught music in Millbrae from 1959 to 1992. During his distinguished career, he worked with students at Glen Oaks, Lomita Park, Meadows, Millbrae, Chadbourne, Spring Valley and Taylor Schools. Among his many honors include being the first mentor teacher in Millbrae School District after it was adopted by the state, and instituting the pre-instrumental program which received an award from San Mateo County as the most innovative program in the county district. Perhaps his most amazing honor was the year he taught 234 students per week, the most of any teacher in the district. The music teachers and community of Millbrae are fortunate to Mr. Rider for his work on behalf of its music students.

Effie Keldsen is well known amongst the community in Millbrae. She taught many music students during her time in the district and is now continuing her fine work teaching private string students.

Other Faculty & Clinicians

Other former faculty include Ms. Carol Harney, Mr. Kevin Hart, Ms. Jane Kessler, and Ms. Barbara Helms, among others.

Clinicians with which the students have had the opportunity to work include Dr. Eric Hammer, Mr. Doy Prater, Mr. Chris Kraniak and Mr. Wayne Basker, among others.

Other specialists who have been in Millbrae include Bruce and Yueh Foster and Edward Sandoval.

Choral accompanists have included Peter Bassford, Andrew Pope, Bonyhe Bice and Marge Cox.

Additional professional musicians with whom Millbrae music students have had the privilege to work include The Del Sol String Quartet, The Alexander String Quartet and Donald Carroll of The San Francisco Symphony. (Many thanks to Music at Kohl Mansion for arranging these groups and their contributions to music programs in Millbrae, Burlingame and The Peninsula.)