MEET MOTW TEAM

Jen Brewer
Owner/Director
Jen opened Music on the Westside in 2013 out of her home, and expanded to our current location in Rio Rancho on Peggy Rd in 2016. She started the business when she was looking for music lessons for her own children that would be both educational and fun.
"As a child I was interested in music but eventually quit playing because I never had a say in the type of music I was learning to play. I wanted to open a hub where musician's could share the passion for the skills they had acquired with the understanding that the journey is meant for the students. Music on the Westside was born to both foster the learning of music, and the joy of playing what moves you. The intention is to offer guidance and experiences that will be a positive part of every students journey in life.

Thristan Boyar
Office Admin
Thristan, born and raised in New Mexico, is currently pursuing a Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science at the University of New Mexico. With a strong foundation in sound engineering, he has worked on multiple gigs around the Albuquerque area, honing his skills and contributing to the local music scene. Passionate about the intersection of technology and music, Thristan is excited to make a meaningful impact in his community. His goal is to empower both children and adults to turn their musical dreams into reality by blending his technical expertise with his love for music.
Click to call or click the chat button on the lower, right side of this page.
OUR TEACHERS

- Click the 1st Calendar Icon to Schedule Private Lesson with Garron
- Click the 2nd Calendar Icon to Schedule Beginner Piano Keynotes Classes with Garron
- Click the 3rd Calendar Icon to Schedule Rockin' Rookies Class for age 4 - 6 with Garron
Garron Tankersley
Piano - Beginner to Intermediate
Acoustic Guitar - Beginner
Bass Guitar - Beginner
Voice - Beginner
Ukulele - Beginner to Intermediate
Brass - Beginner to Intermediate
Woodwind - Beginner to Intermediate
Keynotes & Rockin' Rookies Instructor
Garron has a passion for music and wants to share it wherever he can. He has performed around New Mexico on many instruments and taught music at Albuquerque Public Schools.
He is currently finishing his Bachelor's Degree in Music Education at UNM.
Outside of music, he loves movies, cooking, and his (many) pets.
- Click the 1st Calendar Icon to Schedule Private Lesson with Nate.
- Click the 2nd Calendar Icon to join his Kids Drum Medley Class.
Nate Sandoval
Piano - Beginner to Advanced
Drums - Beginner to Intermediate
Born and raised in New Mexico, Nate graduated with honors from the University of New Mexico, where he studied piano. In addition to his passion for piano, Nate also enjoys playing and teaching drums. His academic interests focused on Music Theory and Music History, which have deeply influenced his approach to music.
Nate finds joy in both composition and improvisation, whether on the piano, drums, or other instruments. His creativity extends to electronic music, working with keyboards, synthesizers, electronic drum kits, and drum machines, blending traditional and modern sounds in exciting ways.
Sherilyn Urben
Classical Guitar - Advanced
Cello - Advanced
Electric Guitar - Intermediate
Mandolin - Advanced
Mandocello - Advanced
Piano - Advanced
Standup Bass - Advanced
Ukulele - Intermediate
Viola - Intermediate
Violin - Advanced
Voice - Advanced
Sherilyn holds a Master Degree in Music, Performance/Education.
Currently plays cello in the
Matthew Montoya
Acoustic Guitar - Beginner to Advanced
Electric Guitar - Beginner to Advanced
Bass Guitar - Beginner to Advanced
Piano - Beginner to intermediate
From an early age, Matt’s love for music has been both deep and unwavering. What began as a simple joy in listening soon evolved into a passion for songwriting and creative expression. Eager to share this love with others, Matt continually seeks new opportunities to connect through music.
Matt’s musical journey began in middle school, where he played trumpet in the marching band. Within just a few years, he expanded his talents to include piano and guitar, and over the past 20 years, has grown into a highly accomplished and versatile musician.
Vida
Violin - Beginner to Advanced
Piano - Beginner
Discover Vida Altoe Pimenta, a talented violinist and music educator currently excelling in a Master of Music program at the University of New Mexico. With a rich background in violin performance and string pedagogy, Vida has shared her expertise through teaching roles at prestigious institutions and engaging with orchestras in Brazil and the United States.
Her dedication to music is evident in her published papers on musical performance and the genre of Choro, showcasing a well-rounded musician with a passion for sharing the joy of music with others.
Chris Novembrino
Acoustic Guitar - Beginner to Advanced
Electric Guitar - Beginner to Advanced
Bass Guitar - Beginner to Advanced
Voice - Beginner to intermediate
Chris Novembrino is a multi-instrumentalist who performs with multiple acts in the Albuquerque area whose primary instrument is guitar. He has been teaching guitar, bass, drums, piano, music production, and music theory for over 10 years. Outside of music, his interests include gardening, Star Trek, and spending time with his many cats.
Amanda Rissman
Piano- Beginner to Advanced
Amanda was born and raised in the Chicago area, before moving to New Mexico to attend UNM, where she is currently majoring in Speech and Hearing Sciences with a minor in Music. She began studying piano at around the age of six, and continued to pursue that along with being in school choirs. She is always looking for new musical opportunities, and her interests outside of music include crocheting, writing, and trying new coffee shops!
Jeffrey Richardson
Violin - Beginner to Advance
Viola - Beginner
Cello - Beginner
Piano - Beginner
Guitar - Beginner
Brass- Beginner
Jeffrey holds a degree in Violin Performance from Rhode Island College, where he studied under accomplished faculty and gained a strong foundation in classical technique, musicality, and ensemble performance. Throughout his time at RIC, he performed in a variety of settings — from solo recitals to full orchestras — and developed a special passion for collaborative music-making.
He particularly enjoys chamber music and string quartet repertoire, valuing the close musical communication, subtle expression, and artistic connection that these smaller ensembles require. Whether interpreting traditional works or exploring new compositions, Jeffrey is drawn to the depth and intimacy that chamber music offers.
Austyn Knecht
Voice- Beginner- Advanced
Piano - Beginner
Austyn Knecht is currently pursuing a Bachelor of Music in Voice Performance at the University of New Mexico. Her studies focus on classical vocal technique and opera performance, and she has been involved in a number of productions both on campus and in the local community.
While classically trained, Austyn is equally passionate about Musical Theater and Alternative music, often blending styles to create a unique and versatile performance approach. Her love for storytelling through music shines across genres, making her a dynamic and expressive vocalist.
Beyond performance, Austyn has a strong academic interest in Ethnomusicology, Anthropology, and Writing, exploring the cultural and historical contexts of music around the world. She aims to combine her artistic and scholarly passions to deepen her understanding of music as a global and human experience.
Sarah Sturgis
Violin - Beginner- Advanced
Ukulele - Beginner
Piano - Beginner
Hello! My name is Sarah Sturgis, and I’m excited to join Music on the Westside as a new music teacher starting August 18th!
I primarily teach beginner and intermediate violin and bring over 35 years of playing experience and 20 years of teaching to my lessons. In addition to violin, I also teach beginner ukulele, children’s piano, and preschool-level music(bells, shakers, xylophone, voice, and more).
When I’m not at Music on the Westside, I work as a preschool teacher and perform with various classical and contemporary music groups on weekends.
I recently moved from Oklahoma City to Albuquerque to be closer to family — I’m about to become an aunt and couldn’t be more thrilled! I love working with students of all ages and can’t wait to meet my new students, share my passion for music, and make learning both fun and inspiring. 🎶
David Becker
Acoustic Guitar - Beginner to Advanced
Electric Guitar - Beginner to Advanced
Bass Guitar - Beginner to Advanced
Piano - Beginner
Voice - Beginner
David was born near Shea Stadium just in time to welcome the Beatles to America. Since then, music has been a central part of his life. David is a highly experienced musician and singer-songwriter with over five decades of performing onstage. He is proficient in playing acoustic, electric, and bass guitar and has directed numerous bands, including Rio Rancho based "Vinyl Tap" where he played bass and sang lead. David has always had a passion for musical discovery and loves to share it. Over the years, he has taught students of all ages to play guitar, bass, piano, and to sing. With a creative and fun teaching style, David makes the learning process easy and enjoyable.