WIND INSTRUCTORS

Shirley Yamamoto

Flute

Shirley Yamamoto Flute Shirley Yamamoto graduated from the USC Thornton School of Music with a Bachelor of Music degree in Flute Performance. After graduation, she studied in New York City and at Carnegie-Mellon University with Julius Baker, former Principal Flutist of the New York Philharmonic Orchestra. As a winner of the National Flute Association Convention Performers Competition she premiered newly published music for flute in San Diego. Ms. Yamamoto was a member of the Japanese Philharmonic Orchestra of Los Angeles for 13 years and also performed extensively as a chamber musician (flute/guitar duo, and flute/violin/cello trio) in Los Angeles and San Francisco. As a three-time grant recipient from the City of Los Angeles Cultural Arts Department she premiered newly composed music for Flute/Koto duo, Flute/Guitar/Koto trio and Flute/Koto/Cello trio. She also soloed frequently with the Awaya-Kai Koto Ensemble. In addition to live performances, Ms. Yamamoto was a flute consultant for the Disney XD television sitcom, "Zeke and Luther" and recorded on piccolo for the ABC television sitcom, "Coach." She also recorded for short documentary films about Native American Indians which were viewed by the public at the Southwest Museum in Los Angeles. Ms. Yamamoto has over 45 years of flute teaching experience and has maintained a full studio of students for the last 35 years. She was on the faculty at California State University Dominguez Hills for 16 years, and retired in 2024, thus allowing her more time to focus on private flute teaching. She teaches students from ages 8 through adults. Her flute choir, formed in 1995, has performed at churches, hospitals, nursing homes, the MTAC Convention in San Franciso and at Disneyland and Knott's Berry Farm. Ms. Yamamoto was one of the founding members of The Music Teachers' Association of California, Torrance Branch, and has served on their Board of Directors. She is currently the Chair of their Themed Music Festival, Fundraising Committee, Standing Rules Committee and the Paul Matsumoto Memorial Concerto Competition. She attends national music conventions frequently to stay current with new findings and developments on flute-teaching techniques and on newly manufactured flutes. In her spare time, Ms. Yamamoto enjoys cooking, baking, traveling and watching History Channel's documentaries.

Jim Youngstrom

woodwinds

Jim Youngstrom graduated from California State University Northridge in 1984 with a Bachelor's degree in Music. He studied clarinet with David Howard of the L.A. Philharmonic and Charles Bay. He also studied saxophone, flute and improvisation. 

After graduating, Jim performed on sax, flute and clarinet on many cruise ships culminating with a World Cruise in 1996 on the Holland America line. He also toured the U.S. and Canada with several types of acts including 2 tours with comedian Jerry Lewis.

In 1998, Jim joined the Brian Setzer Orchestra. He has been a member ever since and has performed on over 30 tours with the band, including 8 tours of Japan and 2 tours of Europe. Jim has performed on 8 albums  with the band and has appeared on the late night television shows of Conan O'Brien  and  Jay Leno as well as many others. In 2006, Jim performed with the band at the White House for then-president George W. Bush. 
Jim has taught in the South Bay for 15 years and has taught students on sax, flute, clarinet, oboe, trumpet, baritone horn and trombone. He always tailors the lessons focusing on a students needs, and always keeps their interests in mind. Students of all ages have benefited from his approach. 

Jim has been teaching now for almost 40 years and has taught in several other studies all over the greater L.A. area.

Carly Stock

WOODWINDS

Carly Stock is a Los Angeles-born jazz saxophonist and woodwind artist known for her big tone and even bigger personality. Since she first started the saxophone, Carly fell in love with masters like Kenny Garrett and Antonio Hart, and as she honed her craft, began implementing their creativity, huge sounds, and grit into her own unique style. She found mentorship at the Colburn School of Performing Arts, where saxophonist Lee Secard took her under his wing at a young age. Hearing University of North Texas’s famed One O’Clock Lab Band live had inspired her to pursue music at a professional level. Carly went on to earn her Bachelor of Music degree in Jazz Studies and acquired a minor in Commercial Music from the University of North Texas, where she studied with master saxophonist Brad Leali who played in the Grammy nominated One O’Clock Lab Band. After graduating from college and returning to Los Angeles, Carly was immediately recruited to tour with Phat Cat Swinger, "Hollywood's Hottest Little Big Band." Post tour, Phat Cat Swinger will resume its long-standing residency at Disneyland parks for the Festival of Holidays in the winter. When she's not on the road, Carly leads her own passion projects, such as the Carly Stock Big Band. Her band finds its niche not only in serving as a vehicle for brand-new, high-energy pieces, but was also the only female-led big band in the Dallas/Fort Worth metroplex. Carly is an advocate for women's equity in jazz music, and her presence continues to break boundaries in the field. Her debut single, “Finally,” a modern jazz ballad that represents solace after strife, is now streaming on all platforms. In addition to being a performer, Carly is a renowned woodwind teacher in schools and studios throughout the South Bay.