Our Teaching Staff
Dimian DiSanti
Guitarist Dimian DiSanti has been a fixture in the New Mexico Music scene for over 40 years. His unique blend of musical genres such as Blues, Jazz and World Beat styles have made him a sought after player for live club performance, theater, project musical direction and studio work across the region. His latest recording, My Big Back Yard, will be available in the fall 2020.
César Bauvallet
Renowned trombonist, percussionist (congas, bongos, timbales, batá drums, as well as drumset and hand percussion), singer, composer, arranger and bandleader César Bauvallet is most widely known as the leader of Albuquerque’s most popular 9-piece Salsa band, Son Como Son as well as Tradiciones. Originally from Cuba, César graduated from the renowned Amadeo Roldán Conservatory in Havana in 1981. He has been a music educator and professional performer for more than 30 years. We are proud to welcome him to our Faculty in the Spring of 2013.
Jim Ahrend
New York pianist Jim Ahrend has called Albuquerque home since 2008. His rapid absorption into the local jazz scene has included playing with local legends like Bobby Shew, Mike Anthony, Glenn Kostur, Doug Lawrence, Tony Lujan, and many others. An alumnus of New England Conservatory, Ahrend is the organist at Monte Vista Church in Nob Hill; music coordinator for the weekly jazz vespers series, “Faith, Hope and Jazz”; and is in his fourth year as keyboardist for the Albuquerque Jazz Orchestra. From 2002-2007 he appeared regularly onstage and on national TV (HSN) with guitarist Esteban. A frequent performer at Outpost, Ahrend says he eagerly anticipates expanding his role as an Outpost as an instructor.
Kanoa Kaluhiwa
Tenor saxophonist Kanoa Kaluhiwa was born in Hawaii, but spent his formative years in Las Cruces, New Mexico. While still a high school student, Kanoa played professionally and was awarded two scholarships to the Eastman School of Music summer Sessions in New York. Upon graduation from high school, he was awarded a scholarship to the Berklee School of Music in Boston where he spent two years studying jazz performance and music theory under George Garzone and Joe Viola among others. He is currently teaching private lessons at Baums Music. One of New Mexico’s most sought after saxophonists, he currently performs every Thursday night with the Pat Malone Group at La Posada in Santa Fe.
Maryse Lapierre
Originally from Québec, Canada, Maryse Lapierre is a French tutor, singer-accordionist and harmonium player, as well as the new Director of the Harmonic Kids Albuquerque center. Along with singer-songwriter-guitarist-violist (and Outpost Communications/Sponsorship Director) Alicia Ultan, Maryse is half of the award winning Albuquerque-based musical duo Bébé La La. Maryse loves working with children, especially around music. She is a registered Music Together teacher and has been an active teacher since 2016.