About
Welcome to Yellow Bird Music, a place where creativity and the
joy of music come together to inspire young hearts and minds.
Yellow Bird Music
Meet Alex Adams, the heart and soul behind Yellow Bird Music! A passionate music teacher with a deep love for children and creativity, Alex has been inspiring young musicians in Santa Barbara for many years. Alongside her husband, Mondo, she founded Yellow Bird Music in 2002 to share the joy of music with families in the community.
With a B.A. in Music and Drama from UCSB, Alex is not just an educator but also an active vocalist, guitarist, and songwriter. Her greatest joy comes from watching children discover and grow through music—a journey she’s honored to guide.
In 2010, Alex took her passion a step further by creating her own curriculum, complete with original music and themed sessions. Every child at Yellow Bird Music receives their own CD and instrument to keep the music going at home!
When she's not teaching, Alex enjoys making music with her two wonderful children, Mateo and Amae, who are regulars at Yellow Bird Music and share their parents' love for music.
Musical Experiences for All Ages
From early childhood music classes to specialized programs like musical theater and private instrument lessons, we create an engaging environment where young musicians can explore, learn, and grow.
Meet Our Teachers!
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Alexandra Ader (Aly)
My name is Aly, and I graduated from UCSB in 2022 with a Bachelor’s in Communication and a Minor in Music. Music has been my passion since childhood, and it is a privilege to share this gift with others. I specialize in teaching voice, songwriting, guitar, and piano, and I love helping children explore and develop their unique talents to create music.
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Matt Donner
A Santa Barbara native and composer with a lifelong love of music, Matt earned his Masters in Music in Film Composition from Berklee College of Music. His musical journey began with piano, guitar, voice, and trumpet lessons, and he strives to spark curiosity in his students while sharing his passion at YBM.
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Lois Mahalia
A Guyana-born American singer-songwriter living in Santa Barbara, Lois plays ukulele and guitar. She has recorded and performed with Joe Walsh, Kenny Loggins, and Mike Campbell. Fresh from her 2023 tour in Italy promoting her new album Chasing the Sun, which features Steve Perry on background vocals and other renowned musicians, Lois continues to share her music across the U.S. She loves to say, "I'm over the world with love."
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Luminesse Divina
A lover of all things creative, Luminesse believes that artistic expression helps individuals trust themselves. With over a decade of experience performing at popular local venues and teaching music and creative arts to all ages, she is dedicated to nurturing children's creativity as the greatest gift.
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Gail Campanella
An experienced performer and credentialed teacher with a BA in Music and Orff-Schulwerk certification, Gail loves working with children. She has taught accordion in public schools for many years and is very active with the Music Van, eager to share her love of music with you and your children.
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Sophia Pelosi
A singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist from San Francisco, Sophia's passion for music started with singing and expanded to self-taught guitar and ukulele. Co-founder of the band Magnetize, she collaborates with musicians like fellow instructor Victoria Larson. Sophia inspires students to explore creativity, develop essential skills, and find their unique style in a supportive environment.
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Victoria Larson (Tori)
Eager to guide you or your child on their musical journey, Victoria plays bass and sings in the local band Magnetize, while also studying nursing at SBCC. Passionate, encouraging, and patient, she excels in teaching all age groups and musical levels.
