Dan Welby
Drums/Owner

Dan moved to Los Angeles from Massachusetts in 1999 to attend Musicians Institute, where he studied percussion. After graduating from MI, Dan started teaching and building a solid student base throughout Los Angeles and Orange County. He has enjoyed a solid schedule with an average of 40 students per week for the last 12 years. Dan’s drumming career began back in 1992, where he was playing music with friends and studying with the local drum teacher. Since moving to Los Angeles Dan has been a part of several bands and projects. He has played live shows throughout the United States while on tour, has been involved in many music videos and has also been involved in many professional recording sessions with top notch producers in Hollywood. Dan is currently the drummer for: Electra, Time And The Dragon, and Colin Reid. His past bands include: Hostile Groove, Hell Hath No Fury, Time Out, Damn Hippie Freaks, and Black Moon Dog. Check Dan out on Youtube

Electra Barakos
Vocals/Piano
Owner

Electra Barakos was born in Los Angeles California, but raised in Athens, Greece. Influenced by her father who is a professional Bass player, Electra started her music career from a very early age.

Today Electra holds a Bachelors degree in Music – Opera, but has spent most of her performance career focused on her solo original rock pop project. She has released an EP titled “Problem Child”, and a full length album titled “These Times”. She has shared the stage with Lita Ford, Berlin, Missing Persons, Great White, Jared Lee, Dilana, and was part of the 2010 Sunset Strip Music Festival along with Smashing Pumpkins, Slash, Neon Trees, and more, and the 2011 SSMF along with Motley Crue, Public Enemy, Bush and more. Her album “These Times” recorded with renowned producer Mike Plotnikoff (Papa Roach, Kelly Clarkson, Halestorm), includes the song “I Can’t Breathe”, which features Phil X of Bon Jovi, on guitar and bouzouki.

Electra is also known for being a finalist on The Voice of Greece, Season 2. Electra has been teaching voice for over 15 years and is a certified Vocal Power Instructor. In 2016, she earned the title of Director of Vocal Power Academy, Los Angeles, founded by Elisabeth Howard. She has helped her students get on television singing competitions, accepted in prestigious music schools, and get signed to major record labels. As her students have stated “Electra works MAGIC! She helps you find your voice! A voice you never thought you had!!”

Lefteris Ioannou
Guitar/Bass
Ukelele/Piano

Lefteris Ioannou is a deeply impassioned composer for Film, TV and Video Games, writing from the heart and for the heart, with works released by SONY-BMG, IMPACT MUSIC and UNIVERSAL-EMI.

Born in New York and raised in Athens-Greece, Lefteris graduated Magna Cum Laude from Berklee College of Music (Boston, MA) with a BA in Guitar Performance. His ability to compose music in multiple genres led to collaborations with a number of acclaimed Greek artists. In 2015, he released his first personal album titled 1+1=ONE, with UNIVERSAL MUSIC-EMI.

His passion for classical music drew him to film composition, further expanding his love for cinematic creative storytelling through music. In 2019 Lefteris received an MA in Scoring for Film, TV and Video Games, with honors, from Berklee College of Music (Valencia, Spain).

Lefteris has seventeen years of teaching experience. His approach to composition & teaching is informed by his ability to express the adventure of healing through music and the gift of building a bridge for others to give birth to their authentic self. This is a fundamental reason for why he enjoys teaching. This intention brings soulful energy and inspiration into his music and lessons.

Nathan Douglas
Guitar/Bass
Drums/Keys

Nathan is a multi – instrumentalist/vocalist born and raised in Los Angeles, California. Nathan’s love for music started at an early age, tuning in to what was on the radio and playing any instruments he could find. 

In elementary School, Nathan started piano lessons, in Jr. high he began drums, and in high school Nathan began playing guitar. He developed as a musician while playing in church and high School jazz band, singing in choir and jamming with friends.

Nathan graduated from Cal. State Northridge with a Bachelors Degree in Jazz studies. After that, Nathan traveled the world on cruise ships playing drums in the stage band and performing as a guitar soloist.

Nathan has taught guitar, bass, drums, keyboards, and voice students as well as directing bands. He taught at the Claudia Roberts music studio, Pali Rockstar Camp, and the California Arts Program.

Dillon Diaz
Drums

Born and raised in Los Angeles California, Dillon started taking drum lessons at 11 years old. He participated in music programs from elementary through high school and played in bands with his friends and family throughout his childhood. From then on Dillon pursued music at Musician’s Institute where he received a bachelor’s degree in drum performance in 2017. After he finished his education he began teaching at Musician’s Institute and playing gigs as well as studio work all around LA.

Dillon mainly focuses on styles like rock, blues, funk, and hip hop but is also well versed in all styles of music making him a well rounded musician. Dillon is also a passionate educator who has been teaching students of all ages and skill ranges since 2018. Dillon went on to do the International Blues Competition where his band made it all the way to the finals out of 181 bands and got to play at the Orpheum Theatre in front of 2,000 people. Dillon began teaching private lessons at schools all over the Los Angeles area and has been developing his craft as well as his students to pull out their full potential and become the best players they can be. He is currently playing in multiple bands including The Conscious Outlaws, The Andy Vimar Band, as well as playing for artists like Olivia Junholm and Vedant Joshi while teaching lessons to further develop his craft and pass on his knowledge to the students who seek further instruction on what it takes to be a working drummer in the music industry today.

Jason Fahn
Drums

Jason has been an active drummer over the last 18 years. His passion for drumming and music led him to attend Musicians Institute in Hollywood CA. Upon graduating, Jason has remained busy with both studio work and playing with his current band, Awake Through Sleep. Other bands he has performed with include Portrait of Gray, Clarion Concept, Music By Show, and Corporate Villains. The bands he has played in range in styles from Rock, Pop, Punk, Alternative and Metal. Teaching has been an important part of Jason’s musical journey as well. His patience and ability to make the lessons fun while keeping them focused and productive have made him a valuable asset in the music community.

Rikki Valentina
Vocals

Singer songwriter Rikki Valentina was born and raised in Los Angeles, where she has been in the music scene since the age of 10. Her career started out at a local music school called Rock Nation, where she met her first vocal coach, Electra Barakos, the founder and owner of SoundCheck Music School.

Rikki has shared the stage with lots of incredible talent, was a member of the girl group “Gifted Nations” and has sung background vocals for Enrique Iglesias.

Rikki always had a strong passion for songwriting and has now been focusing on her solo career. In 2020 she released her first independent single “April Fool” which went viral on Tik Tok. 

In 2021 she released her first EP “Daddy’s Girl” and has collaborated with producers such as Simon Jay (Richard Carpenter, Avril Lavigne, David Foster, and Amy Grant) , John Ho (HBO’s Euphoria) , and Alex “Knox Harris” (Rad Horror and Terror Jr.)

Rikki is also an actress who has worked with artists such as Justin Bieber, Ariana Grande, Disturbed, CNCO, John Legend, Carly Rae Jepsen, and Mindless Behavior.

Rikki has been trained by vocal coaches Joy Graysen (American Idol) , Shoshana Payne Phillips  (The Supremes) , and of course Electra Barakos (The Voice “Greece”). 

A few years ago, Rikki discovered her love for teaching and is thrilled to mentor, inspire and share her knowledge and passion for singing with others.

Matt Jones
Voice/Piano
Guitar

Meet Matt, a passionate musician and dedicated educator with a Bachelor’s degree in Music from Capital University. Originally hailing from Ohio, he relocated to California in 2013 where he has pursued music and performance opportunities in and around Los Angeles.

As one half of the dynamic duo “Lady & Jones,” Matt brings real-world experience as a music artist to his teaching at SoundCheck Music school. Proficient in guitar, piano, and vocals, he infuses creativity and enthusiasm into his lessons, making the learning process enjoyable for students of all ages. Matt’s warm and engaging teaching style fosters a positive and supportive learning environment, where students not only develop their musical skills but also discover the joy of expressing themselves through music.

Sammy Perez
Guitar/Bass
Ukulele/Piano

Sammy Perez was first exposed to music at the age of three while rummaging through his parents’ record collection. It wasn’t until attending a small church in his hometown of Albuquerque when Sammy was finally able to play in front of a crowd. Growing up, he developed a deeper connection with music and enjoyed learning other instruments and expanding his overall ability.

In 2010, he headed to Los Angeles to study at Musicians Institute. Since graduating Sammy has been working in the music industry fulfilling many roles as a Music Producer, Music Director, Live Performer, and instructor. Some of the more recent artists being, Bosco, They., Jordan Ward, Russ, Tye Dolla Sign, Alina Baraz, Toni Braxton, Van Jess, Kina, Sunni Colon, Chloe and Halle, Samaria, Scott Storch, Che Pope just to name a few.

Sammy’s very passionate about the teaching process and the students he works with. He sees it as an ever evolving art and isn’t afraid to adapt. He strives to keep a balance of all the rich history of music to draw and reference from, applying this to his own voice and understanding of music.