More About Our Instructors

Edward Evans: Trumpet & Trombone

esquaredjazz@gmail.com 
Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays, & Saturdays

Edward Evans is a jazz trumpeter, composer, and teacher defined by his unique ability to push boundaries and his unmatched creativity. With 19 years of jazz and classical trumpet playing experience, Edward is now looking to teach in a greater capacity to share his experience and expertise. Having grown up in the Bay Area, Edward was fortunate to have studied with renowned musicians—Mic Gilette, Louis Fasman and Dann Zinn. He then went on to earn his Bachelor of Music in Jazz Performance at the University of Southern California under the tutelage of jazz masters Vince Mendoza and Ambrose Akinmusire. Edward performs regularly with the Electric Squeezebox Orchestra and at various gigs around the Bay Area. Edward has been praised for his versatility of sound and has played in concerts with various artists including Terrance Blanchard, Alan Ferber, Mark Turner, and Chris Potter. 

Zoe King: Clarinet & Saxophone

zoe.king170@gmail.com 
Fridays and Saturdays, No availability currently as of Aug 2026

Zoe King is a clarinetist and educator, born and raised in Oakland. As a performer, Zoe strives to play diverse music and to explore different genres. She has played with groups such as the Jacob Collier Audience Symphony Orchestra, San Francisco Symphony Youth Orchestra, and Bay Area Rainbow Symphony. Zoe was a 2025 recipient of the Berkeley Piano Club Emerging Artist grant, as well as a 2025 recipient of the San Francisco Conservatory Honors Ensemble Award for her collaborative work with guitarist Kaz Hudson. As a saxophonist and doubler Zoe is also an alumni of the SFJazz High School All Star Big Band and has performed at the annual Berkeley Choro Festival for the past 4 years. Zoe brings her wide range of experience to students in her private studio, where she strives to make music engaging and enjoyable for her students. Zoe is currently pursuing a degree in clarinet performance with a concentration in education from the San Francisco Conservatory of Music, where she studies with Carey Bell.

Larry DeLaCruz: Saxophone and Clarinet

larry@larrydelacruz.com 
Fridays

Larry studied music at California State University at Long Beach, The Berklee College of Music, and received a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Music Education at San Diego State University. Since 1994, he has played woodwinds in many different musical settings including jazz, classical, pop, and pit orchestras in the San Francisco Bay Area. Among them are: Doc Severenson, Kenny Werner, Phil Woods, Bobby Hutcherson, Bob Berg, Lou Rawls, The Temptations, The Four Tops, San Diego Symphony, Bay Area Rainbow Symphony, Classical Philharmonic, The CARMA Big Band, and the Electric Squeezebox Orchestra. Larry has been in pit orchestras for the premieres of “Ain’t Too Proud” and “Goddess” at the Berkeley Repertory Theater, and “The Hippest Trip” and “A Strange Loop” at the ACT Theater. Larry teaches woodwind students, and enjoys composing and arranging for various groups.

Hayden Dekker: Saxophone

haydengd@gmail.com
Thursdays, Fridays, & Saturdays

Hayden grew up in Albany and has been teaching saxophone professionally in the Bay Area for the past four years. He earned a degree in Jazz Studies from Bob Cole Conservatory at CSU Long Beach, where he studied closely with renowned Los Angeles-area musicians, composers, and educators including Jay Mason, baritone saxophonist for Gordon Goodwin’s Big Phat Band.

Since discovering a passion for teaching, Hayden has worked with saxophonists of all ages and experience levels. His specialties include jazz improvisation and big band performance, though he also has a deep appreciation for classical saxophone repertoire. Outside of teaching, he enjoys video game music and film scores, and his hobbies include playing video games and rock climbing.

Hayden is currently accepting new students and offers 30-, 45-, and 60-minute private lessons. 

Carlos Hernandez: Conducting, Saxophone & Clarinet

maestrocarloshernandez1@gmail.com
Wednesdays

Dr. Carlos Hernandez was born and raised in Miami, Florida. As a conductor, educator, and multi-instrumentalist, he has had the chance to perform locally, nationally and internationally.

Carlos holds four degrees in music, all with a major or minor emphasis in conducting. Saxophone & Clarinet are his two primary instruments even though he enjoys playing other instruments and singing. Two of his degrees are in Music Education and two are in Orchestral conducting. His doctoral studies allowed him to additionally focus on entrepreneurship studies in music which allowed him to dive deeper into business administration and the nonprofit sector.

Carlos has extensive experience as both an educator and arts administrator in public school systems, local, and national Music Education non-profits. Carlos remains active in the Bay Area as a conductor and educator. Purposeful engagement, rigor, social consciousness, peer to peer empowerment are a few guiding principles in his conversations with colleagues and musicians about (and through) high quality music experiences. Carlos aims to provide transformative experiences for musicians and audiences within, and beyond the concert hall/practice room.

Carlos Oliveira: Guitar

coliveiramusic@gmail.com
Mon-Sat

Experienced guitar instructor with over 30 years of teaching and performance experience in jazz, classical, and Brazilian guitar styles. Demonstrated ability to teach students of all ages and skill levels using structured, student-centered lesson plans. Recognized for building strong teacher–student relationships, developing technical proficiency, and fostering musical confidence in both private and institutional teaching environments.

Thatcher Boomer: Clarinet & Piano

thatcherboomer@gmail.com

John Thatcher Boomer is a dedicated music teacher who offers specialized, high-quality private lessons in both piano and clarinet. Bringing elite professional insights directly into the classroom, his prestigious performance background includes appearances at the Monterey Jazz Festival and SFJAZZ. John balances rigorous technical fundamentals with a heavy emphasis on improvisation and composition, empowering students to confidently create their own melodies. His tailored instructional approach helps young musicians develop strong reading skills, creative freedom, and a lifelong passion for music.