Our Teachers
Our instructors represent a broad spectrum of Bay Area music professionals, and reflect the diversity of the region through both their personal backgrounds and their musical interests. They bring to YPI a passionate understanding of the role of music in our lives, and a desire to pass along the joy of making music to a new generation.
Leela Pratt
Leela is a long time Bay Area music teacher and children's advocate. A graduate of Vassar College and The Parsons School of Design (New York Campus), Leela has been playing music and singing since she could walk and talk. She founded YPI in 2000 to provide a fun, hands-on learning environment for Bay Area young musicians who love to perform. She lives in Belvedere and is an avid photographer.
Daniel Erik Tennebaum
Daniel is a renowned Bay Area musician who tours worldwide with several well-known band. Daniel is an enthusiastic and motivating teacher of bass, guitar, beginning drums, piano and vocals. Daniel currently has a waiting list.
Tommy O'Mahoney
Tommy is a talented Bay Area bassist who performs throughout the US. He is a warm and motivating teacher who leads YPI bands and teaches bass, guitar, beginning piano and drums.
Miles Lassi
Miles Lassi, is a percussionist, audio engineer and composer hailing from the San Francisco Bay area. He has performed in over 150 cities throughout North America, Europe and Asia with many different ensembles ranging from the Vietnam National Symphony Orchestra at Carnegie Hall to the national tour of Dirty Dancing: The Classic Story on Stage. Notable artists Miles has performed alongside include, Béla Fleck, Tangerine Dream, John Rutter, Monophonics, Oh No, and The Alchemist. As a session musician, Miles has recorded for producers Sean C and LV (P. Diddy’s Hitmen) for artists including Talib Kweli, Miguel, Fabulous, Bun B, and Jadakiss. He has also worked with Grammy award winning producers Om'Mas Keith, Corte Ellis, Jack Vad and Tony award winner Peter Schneider. In the dance field, Miles has collaborated with Anna Halprin, Urban Bush Women, Axis Dance Company, Afro Urban Society, Gerald Casel Dance, PUSH Dance Company, SOCO Dance Theater, the Tamalpa Institute, and he plays for classes at Sonoma State University, University of San Francisco, Mills College and UC Berkeley. Miles is dedicated to creating new sounds and music and has done so at the New York Musical Festival, Lincoln Center, Apollo Theater, ODC Dance Commons, wcciJAM, the deYoung Museum, Big Sur's Esalen Institute, and the New York Film Festival. As a producer/ engineer/ mixer, Miles works out of Skyline Studios in Oakland. Miles is a graduate of Mannes School of Music.
Dave Pascoe
Dave is a well known Bay Area musician who runs a legendary Folk Camp in Point Reyes each fall. He is YPI's lead teacher at River Montessori Charter School in Petaluma. Dave currently has a waiting list for classes.
Chris Tye
Chris is a well known Bay Area teacher and amp builder. He holds a Board position at YPI and manages all YPI Petaluma operations. Chris teaches guitar, bass, and beginning drums and piano.