Teachers
Meet The Teachers
Jesse and Lindsey owned and operated Songman Entertainment, a very successful entertainment and event agency representing top regional acts in the San Francisco Bay Area. The Jesse Charles Dance band featuring Lindsey Barrow performed over 150 events per year beginning in 1985. Songman Entertainment provided entertainment throughout Northern California and focused on Silicon Valley parties and events.
After 25 years of service, Jesse and Lindsey reduced the entertainment agency and slowly developed their passion for music and focused on sharing their knowledge with others… and The Music Heaven emerged!
Jesse Charles
Jesse likes to match his teaching to your personal learning style and creates a focused and fun environment to get the most out of your time together. He starts teaching students at age eight.
You’ll learn songs, techniques, strumming and fingerpicking patterns as well as develop other areas like singing or songwriting if that’s an interest too. Almost all guitar lessons are on video tutorial from beginners to advanced rock, blues etc.
As you advance (based on personal goals), you’ll learn improvisation in blues, rock, jazz and pop acoustic guitar. Ear training is a big part of what you’ll learn; the ability to hear a piece of music and reproduce it on your guitar is an invaluable skill.
Guitar students ages 10 through adult will learn from the Mel Bay’s Modern Guitar Method books. Beginner keyboard students will learn from the Bastien Piano Basics books. Advanced keyboard students ages 10 through adult will learn from the Alfred Basic Adult Piano Course books.
Additionally, advanced students will have the opportunity to partner with other students of the same skill level for workshop-style performing groups.
Watch the video below for an introduction to what you will learn as a student, and contact us today if you have questions or would like to book a class!
Teacher Performances
Check out these two songs performed by Jesse!
Mornin’
Learn to Fly
Testimonial for Jesse
Itzel, a student of Jesse’s, explains why she loves her guitar lessons at The Music Heaven.
I have been working with Lindsey since the beginning of 2020, and can’t begin to describe how much she has helped me navigate my own vocals. Her method of teaching really helps you understand how to get to that note and how to navigate through songs. I highly recommend taking lessons with Lindsey – whether it’s for your kid or you’re an adult like myself who has just always wanted to explore taking lessons.
Amy F.
Lindsey Barrow Castaneda
I’m the voice instructor and co-founder of The Music Heaven. During your lesson I will listen to your voice, assess your voice and use specific vocal tools (adjustments and scales) to address any issues. The method I teach is the method I’ve used on stage since 1989.
By sharing my extensive knowledge and on-stage experience with my students, I provide them with a well-rounded education. Students will discover what their voices are capable of doing while building an eclectic mix of styles into their repertoire.
I teach students starting at age six that are of all experience levels and genres.
To begin, the best thing to do is to schedule a lesson. You will experience firsthand what a lesson with me is all about. You will certainly learn a thing or two, and then you can decide if you would like to continue to improve and develop your voice.
Want more info on Lindsey’s voice lessons or ready to book a guitar or piano class?
1 Peter 4:10: Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms.
“When I retired in 2014 my plan was to learn how to play guitar. My wife signed me up for lessons with Jesse. It has turned into one of the best gifts I have ever received, as I am still with him. I began not knowing which end of the guitar is up and have grown into a competent player. Jesse’s motivation and patience has been a great inspiration to me. His love of music is reflected in his teaching style which focuses on the individual. Thank you, Jesse, for being my guitar guru.”
Bill Turney
Dave “Mister Pie” Riegert
Dave is the talented bass teacher at The Music Heaven. Although his family calls him Dave, his friends call him Mister Pie. Why? He loves pie, and secondly, he’s a mathematician with a deep appreciation for the mathematical constant, pi. As you may already know, math and music are closely related, and Dave has a passion for both!
Mister Pie is a professional musician and has a lot of fun teaching bass. He finds nothing more rewarding than watching students progress through the various stages from beginner to playing in a band. His devotion and passion for music are infectious and inspire students to excel. Providing a supportive environment that matches your learning style is his priority.
Dave teaches both math and music and loves to show how they overlap. His favorite styles of music are R&B, soul, jazz and fusion. He listens to many genres of music and tries to learn as much as possible to grow as a professional musician.
Ready to book a class with Mister Pie or have questions?