Meet the Mentors
Amsterdam’s finest young talent shaping the next generation of musicians
Guitar Mentor
Johnny Biner
Since 2009, Johnny has been immersed in the music scene, initially as a performer across German cities and festivals.
Transitioning to Amsterdam in 2019, he now also dedicates his time to teaching music, sharing his passion and expertise with students.
He completed a B.A. in Jazz Guitar from the Conservatory of Amsterdam, and he has toured and performed internationally, gracing stages in Morocco, Turkey, France, Lithuania, Latvia, and renowned Dutch venues such as Paradiso (Super Sonic Jazz Festival), Melkweg, Het Concertgebouw, Tivoli Vredenburg, and BIRD.
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His mode of teaching is highly individual, basing his lessons and tailoring the curriculum towards the musical interests of students.
Vocal Mentor
Tos Van Eekeren
Tos is a queer, Amsterdam-based artist whose musical journey began at the age of 5. His passion for singing led him through choirs, musicals, and bands, honing his skills with each experience. As the frontman and songwriter for the soul/funk band ParHasard, Tos captivated audiences with his dynamic stage presence and powerful voice.
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Now focused on his solo career as a producer, Tos creates an experimental blend of neo-soul, R&B, hip-hop, and jazz, reflecting his deep connection to music as a form of healing and self-expression. For Tos, music is more than just sound—it’s an unconditional form of love with the ability to heal others and ourselves.
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In his vocal sessions, Tos emphasizes both technical growth and personal transformation, encouraging his students to step out of their comfort zones, expand their vocal abilities, and grow as individuals.
Flute Mentor
Han Litz
Han is Amsterdam's most versatile jazz flutist, making crossovers to dance, African, soul, funk, Brazilian and tribal music "While performing, I want to evoke that 'house feeling'. Boost the energy level. Make people act free. Create unity."
Amsterdam-based flute-player Han Litz is a man of many talents – composer, arranger, producer – Producing solo or in collaboration with other artists, he can be heard on labels such as King Street, Yoruba, Peng, Nulu, Sonar Kollektiv, Mo Black, Wicked Wax a.o. On the international stage and studio he has been working with Osunlade, Jazzanova, Louie Vega, N'Dinga Gaba, Toto Chiavetta, Atjazz, Karizma, Gabriele Poso, Kid Sublime and Diephuis.
There's a bunch of releases for 2023 on which his distinctive flute work can be heard. His own band Han Litz Group, released Epiphany (2011), Epiphany Electrified (2014) and Unity In Diversity (2019 EP /2023 album). These works have been well received by the industry and the official Dutch press.
Saxophone and Vocal Mentor
Tallulah Rose
Tallulah creates music that blends neo-soul vibes with irresistible grooves, captivating your soul and moving your feet. Her lyrics delve into the profound spectrum of human experiences and emotions, exploring themes such as hubris, heartache, anger, and the transformative journey of healing. Each note and every lyric reflects her deep connection to the human condition, making her music both relatable and profoundly moving.
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This unique artistic perspective translates seamlessly into her teaching approach. Tallulah's lessons are infused with her passion for storytelling, emotional expression, and musicality. She fosters a creative environment where students can explore their own emotions through music, develop technical skills, and uncover their authentic artistic voices. Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced musician, learning with Tallulah means more than mastering notes—it’s about connecting with music on a deeper, personal level.
Trumpet Mentor
Almantas Karecka
Almantas began his musical journey at 12, driven by a passion for trumpet that led him to study at a music conservatory in Lithuania by the age of 16. In 2023, he proudly graduated with a Bachelor's degree from the prestigious Conservatorium van Amsterdam.
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Throughout his career, Almantas has collaborated with acclaimed musicians like Jojo Mayer, Wojtek Pilichowski, and Karl Frierson, performing at renowned jazz festivals across Spain, Ukraine, Lithuania, and the Netherlands. He is also a member of the funk band Amber Hunters.
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As a trumpet mentor, Almantas adopts a personalized approach to teaching. He focuses on enhancing students' trumpet performance while developing their technical skills, sound, and rhythm, fostering growth in a supportive and inspiring way.
Piano and Audio Production Mentor
Gabriele Suares
Gabriele started out in Milan, playing with various bands before moving to Berlin in 2016. While there, he earned a B.A. (Hons.) in Audio Production and worked as a backline tech for electronic duo Booka Shade, assisting at festivals like Tomorrowland, Boomtown, and Printworks.
Since 2019, he’s been based in Amsterdam, performing and recording for several projects, with gigs at Paradiso, Cinetol, and Zonnehuis.
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When he's not tinkling the ivories on stage, Gabriele's all about sharing his passion. His teaching style strikes a balance between mastering the fundamentals and fun, creative exploration of the keyboard. He's all about finding the perfect exercises to help students play the tunes they love.
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And if that's not enough, he's also your go-to guy for music production wisdom. From mixing the low end to mastering, Gabriele's got you covered, making sure your tracks sound as tight as can be.
Guitar Mentor
Philippe Nicolau
Phil began his musical journey at age 7, studying both classical and electric guitar. Throughout his time growing up in Luxembourg, he performed solo, in groups, and occasionally as a session artist, playing classical, electric guitar, or bass.
While pursuing his studies abroad, he continued honing his playing, writing, and production skills. Since moving to Amsterdam in 2019, Phil has performed as the guitarist for LNDE and collaborated with local (LU & NL) artists as a producer and co-producer.
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With a strong classical foundation and a love for modern progressive music, he is excited to share his expertise and help others grow as musicians, whatever their musical inclination might be.
Bass Mentor
Joel Svedberg
Joel's musical journey began at the age of 8 in Stockholm before his path led him to Malmö and Copenhagen. In 2020, he settled in Amsterdam to pursue studies at the Conservatory. Since then, Joel has made his mark on the european music scene, performing with acclaimed bands like Radiohop and Parhasard, and lending his talents as a session musician at prestigious studios including Wisseloord, GAM, and Atlantis Studio.
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In his teaching approach, Joel places a strong emphasis on nurturing the musical passion of his students. He not only imparts technical skills but also instills a deep appreciation for music, teaching students to listen, feel different genres and grooves, and embody the sound and mindset of a bass player.
Piano Mentor
Marius Giedras
Marius is a professional pianist with over 10 years of experience in the music industry. His diverse background includes performing at gigs, teaching piano, working as an accompanist at music schools and universities, arranging and orchestrating, and studio production. He is currently pursuing a Master’s degree in Jazz Piano at the Conservatory of Amsterdam.
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Specializing in jazz and pop-oriented music, Marius brings a rich understanding of these genres into his teaching. He offers students the opportunity to explore a variety of musical tools and concepts, from harmony and rhythm to improvisation and musical expression. With a keen focus on tailored exercises, Marius provides personalized tips and guidance to help students progress and reach their musical goals, whether they are beginners or advanced players. His teaching philosophy centers around fostering creativity, technique, and a deep connection to the music, allowing each student to develop their unique voice on the piano.