Introducing Two New Team Members!

Hi everyone!

Joining us this summer are two new team members, Niko M and Shambhavi K!

Niko will serve as our new guitar instructor, and Shambhavi will be our outreach manager. Read on to learn more about our two new staff. Click on this link to sign up for a virtual lesson with Niko.

Niko M:

Hello, I am Niko Macario. I am a rising senior and am the lead guitarist of my Amador Valley High school’s jazz ensemble. I have been playing the guitar for seven years, composing music since my freshman year, and sharing my passion in music with my community by performing at festivals. During the pandemic, I performed at the TedXAmadorValley live show, where I played my first composition, “Drive,” a fast and upbeat rock song. I attended multiple jazz festivals, including Sac State, Folsom, and Campana, around the Eastern Bay Area. I won TSA in the Music Production event with my compositions, “Harddrive” and “Embers”. I am currently taking courses at SFJazz and San Francisco Conservatory of Music. I have a deep passion for teaching music, and playing the guitar holds a special place in my heart. There's something magical about strumming the strings and creating beautiful melodies. It brings me immense joy to share my knowledge and skills with others.

Shambhavi K:

Shambhavi is an Amador Valley High School student who has been in the band program since fifth grade. She has played the flute for over six years in concert band and the mellophone for two years in Amador's marching band. She is also a member of the AVHS band council. She learned the piano for around four years before the flute and mellophone. During the summer of 2021, she played as a flutist in the Livermore Amador Symphony Youth Orchestra. Additionally, she has experience in graphic design from projects she has made in her spare time and occasionally creates Instagram posts for the Pleasanton News Team. As outreach manager, she hopes to increase the visibility of Bow Buddies and support musicians in connecting with one another.