Students who have become teachers

It has not been uncommon over the years that students at Blue Bear become more accomplished musicians and return to teach at the school. Bonnie Hayes, for example, began as a teenaged student in the early Ocean Avenue days, as did her brother Chris Hayes. Both became incredibly successful musicians (Chris as guitarist/songwriter with Huey Lewis & the News), and both have been Blue Bear teachers. In addition, Bonnie served for many years as part of the Association that ran the school, and today serves on Blue Bear's Board of Directors. Other current and former teachers who were once students include Natalia Bortolotti, Masha Campagnia, Tal Morris, Jim Peterson and Janak Ramachandran.

Executive Director Dennis Criteser also taught for a few years, covering Acoustic Guitar, Home Recording, Theory and Songwriting. He first came to the school as a guitarist wanting to learn piano in order to broaden his horizons as a songwriter. His two years of study at the school began with piano lessons (Bonnie Hayes) that led naturally into songwriting, and then detoured delightedly into explorations of Jazz and the saxophone. Later, while serving as Director, Dennis also studied voice intensively with Raz Kennedy. "I still can remember the intense pleasure of my days as a student here. It felt both like a place of refuge and a place of exciting possibilities. What a wonderful playground Blue Bear is for those of us who love to play music!"