These coaches teach at top ranked spots and have great lesson fulfillment & student reviews.
These coaches teach at top ranked spots and have great lesson fulfillment & student reviews.
With five years of coaching experience and a background as a college-level player, I'm dedicated to helping students of all skill levels achieve their tennis goals. I bring passion, expertise, and an enjoyable learning environment to every lesson.

Raised on the shores of Oahu, Hawaii, my journey began with the rhythm of the waves at the age of 10, sparking a lifelong passion for surfing. Alongside carving waves, I immersed myself in college and high school football, basketball, and track, finding joy in the thrill of competition. As a competitor in the Hawaii Amateur Surfing Association for 5 years, I honed my skills in the ocean's embrace. Complementing my active lifestyle, I prioritize breathwork, stretching, and a healthy diet to nourish both body and soul. Transitioning into coaching, I've shared my love for sports with the next generation through coaching high school and pop warner football, as well as youth basketball. As an Oahu Professional Photographer, I've captured the beauty of surfing, sports, weddings, and family portraits, preserving cherished memories for clients. For the past decade, I've surfed the waves of San Francisco, delighting in small to medium fun perfect waves and discovering local gems based on conditions. Currently, I'm homeschooling my 8-year-old daughter, embracing the opportunity to instill a love for learning and adventure.
"Russ is a great coach!
Hey my name's Derek Schmidt and I'm a musician, sound designer, and music educator living in SF. I have a Masters in Music Composition and decades of performing experience.I've played piano for over three decades, for performance, production, and composition. I come at piano from an composer/songwriter perspective, so I can ground the lessons in music theory to help it all make sense, no matter what instrument you decide to play. I best teach beginning and intermediate students who want to explore different musical styles.

With three decades on the court, I blend experience with a dynamic approach to tennis. As a former college player, I tailor lessons to elevate your game, fostering growth at every level. Let's unlock your potential, one swing at a time. I have been to the top tennis academies in the country and have coached college level players.
Thiago is a highly experienced musician, educator, and producer with over 26 years in the industry. With a background in classical guitar and musicology, he has performed globally in prestigious festivals and worked alongside renowned artists. As an instructor, he has taught in various institutions and conducted masterclasses worldwide. His expertise spans multiple musical genres, and he excels in integrating performance, production, and education. Currently, Thiago continues to inspire musicians of all levels through personalized coaching, workshops, and mentorship


I'm 47 and have been studying, writing and performing music since the age of 15. I have a B.A. in Music from San Francisco State University where I studied classical intensely, as well as jazz and world music. I live in South Berkeley and have been teaching private lessons here for the last 20 years at my home studio in a cooperative house. I worked for BandWorks School of Rock in Oakland as a band coach for 6 years and now currently have my own independent program. I enjoy performing classical music for weddings and events, playing shows with local rock, metal and Django/Hot Club swing groups, writing original music and scoring for films. I love and appreciate genuine passionate music of all genres, languages and cultures.
"Daniel is a great guitar teacher who strikes a balance between theory and practical play. Daniel engaged our child (8) by playing songs they wanted to play even if Daniel had never heard them before. He equipped our kid with tools that allowed him to practice at home. Daniel really brought out the confidence and love in our kid to keep playing the guitar. We're so grateful for finding Daniel!!
Hey, I’m Kosta Varvatakis. I’ve been playing guitar for over 25 years and have been lucky enough to tour the U.S. and overseas with my former band Hatriot. I’ve recorded four albums and worked on tons of songs over the years—writing, recording, and featuring on tracks across the heavy music spectrum. Now, I’m all about sharing what I’ve learned to help up-and-coming players find their sound snd sharpen their skills. If you’re ready to level up, I’ve got your back.
Music is my passion, and sharing that passion through teaching for 30 years brings me immense joy. I offer personalized guitar instruction, combining technical expertise with creative approaches to help students of all levels find their unique musical voice. my style varied from classical to contemporary music from rock, fusion,blues pop music,jazz,and hip-hop


Music is a journey best taken with a guide. As a professional musician with 33 years of experience, I'm passionate about sharing my love for the guitar. Let's unlock your musical potential together!


Music has been my lifelong passion, and sharing that passion as a professional pianist and dedicated educator for over 30 years brings me immense joy. My teaching philosophy centers around fostering a deep appreciation for music while nurturing each student's unique talents and goals. Let's embark on a rewarding musical journey together. Originally from Madrid, Spain, Maria Garcia Plaza started to play the piano at the age of 5. She attended the Conservatory of Music Arturo Soria in Madrid at the age of 7 and began her violin studies at the same time with Maestro Hermes Kriales. Maria has been teaching piano since she was 18 years old and it is one of her passions. She loves working with kids, introducing them at an early age to the love of music through games, making the class fun and enjoyable. At an early age she began performing and won 1st prize at the Polimusica Youth Awards at the age of 12. This allowed her to obtain a scholarship to perform with the JONDE (National Youth Orchestra of Spain) for two consecutive years. Since then she has played with several orchestras (Symphonic Orchestra of Madrid, Symphonic Orchestra of La Rioja, Camerata Musicalis), traveling through Spain, France, Italy and Germany. Maria arrived in San Francisco in 2012 and taught piano at several schools around San Francisco and San Mateo. She also teaches in Spanish. Maria is currently part of the Awesöme Orchestra based in Oakland. Her last performance was at Fox Oakland Theatre in 2016 with the band Green Day on its 20th anniversary, playing their album Dookie with Awesöme Orchestra.

Russ is an experienced coach with over 25 years of leading athletes at the high school and youth levels. As a player, he spent two years competing in college after three standout years on his high school varsity team, where he helped capture a state championship and two league titles. His coaching career includes 25 years of high school varsity and JV football, as well as five years in Pop Warner. Currently, Russ brings his leadership and passion for the game to coaching high school boys flag football, where he continues to mentor and inspire student-athletes.

With five decades on the pitch, I bring a wealth of experience to every soccer session. I'm dedicated to fostering skill development and a lifelong love for the game in each student. Let's unlock your full potential together!