OUR MISSION:

Education

Teaching students the 5 areas of a solid musical education: Sight reading, Theory, Memorization, Music History, and Performance.


Musical Excellence

Providing students a platform to improve on instrumental skills required for a solid musical foundation.


Performance

Equipping students with tools to gain confidence and experience performing in the arts.

VCMA STAFF:

The staff at VCMA is comprised of men and women who are not only passionate about music, but about fully embracing the purpose and mission of VCMA and using it to make an impact in the lives of their students.

  • TARA KAYS

    violin and piano

    Tara Kays was born and raised in Ventura County and grew up having music as a big part of her life. She started taking violin and piano lessons when she was seven years old. Tara graduated college with a BA in Music from Westmont College in 2010 and continued her education in grad school at Azusa Pacific University and received a Masters in Education with a Teaching Credential in Music Teaching K-12 in 2012. She has traveled to Europe for orchestral performances and choral performances and was a fiddler in a bluegrass band for many years. In classical violin, she completed al 12 levels of the Suzuki Classical method. Currently she is a member of the Music Teacher's Association of California. 

    Tara loves to serve on the worship team at Somis Community Church, homeschool her kiddos (Zeke, Etta, and Norah) and plan fun adventures with them, and spend quality time with her loving husband, Jeremy. As a family, they love to go camping when they can get away. 

  • Kathleen Mckinley

    piano and voice

    Kathleen McKinley grew up in Camarillo where she was always involved in music, studying piano, flute and voice.  She received her BA in piano performance from California Lutheran University.  After graduation she worked as a student/faculty accompanist at CLU while continuing to take graduate courses in music education.  


    Kathleen worked for 32 years for the Conejo Valley Union School District at Westlake High School in Thousand Oaks.  She served as accompanist and assistant choral director for the school's seven award winning choirs.  She has performed extensively throughout the United States with the Westlake choirs.  The highlight of her time there was traveling to Australia to perform on the Sydney Opera House stage.  


    Kathleen was also on staff as Director of Choral Ministries at the Camarillo Evangelical Free Church (now known as Chapel City Church) for over 30 years.  She was church accompanist, service pianist and director of the adult, youth and children's choirs.  


    Kathleen has enjoyed teaching piano lessons for 30+ years and loves sharing her passion for music with students of all ages.  


  • James Wolff

    Guitar, Piano, Bass, and Drums

    James Wolff grew up in Ventura listening and playing music for as long as he can remember. He started out playing drums for the first 11 years of his life. At age 11 he picked up the guitar and fell in love with the instrument. 


    James’s dad was a big influence on his music. He taught James basic chords and scales on the guitar. From then on, James taught himself how to play like his favorite guitarists. Besides guitar and drums he enjoys playing piano, bass, singing and a few other instruments. 


    James plays in a classic rock band with his dad called the JamesBrozBand. They play gigs around Ventura County. He also enjoys writing and recording his own music and is currently working on finishing his album. 


    James is a Youth Leader and on the worship team at Reality Ventura and has been playing at different churches and on worship teams for the last 13 years. 


  • Chethya Dedigama

    Chethya Dedigama has lived in Camarillo for four years and has been very dedicated to music for the past seven years. She plays the violin very beautifully and is involved with the Conejo Youth Valley Orchestra. With Tara Kays being her private teacher, she has completed the 6th level of the Suzuki Classical method and level 5 in the Music Teacher's Association's Certificate of Merit program. 


      Chethya also has experience with leadership for the youth as she has been an educational tutor for the Ventura County Education Network working with underprivileged children. She also volunteers at the Food Share of Ventura County by packaging fresh food for those in need. 


    Chethya loves to immerse herself in art and loves spending time with her friends and family. 

VCMA Board members

President: Cheryl Gillaspy

Treasurer: Heidi Deweese-Kays

Secretary and Studio Manager: Tara Kays

Board Member: Dave Artuso

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