Aimee Fields-Reed

School Director and Music Education Specialist

Aimee was born and raised in Oakland through a family of musicians and artists. At the age of four she decided that in addition to singing, she was going to play the saxophone one day. At 9 years old she learned to play the saxophone and by 11 she was learning to play drums. By the time she reached middle school she was teaching a beginning African drumming and dance class with African-Roots of Jazz Performing Arts Academy and working as a teaching assistant for the beginning orchestra class at her school. Once she reached high school she was playing sax and drums in the Skyline High School Marching Band, and the Laney College Stage band. By sophomore year she was the drum-major of the marching band, Performing Arts Department mentor and a drummer and saxophone player in the award-winning Skyline Jazz Band. Along the way she also learned to play the flute, other percussion instruments, and the ukulele, which she also teaches at Starland.

Aimee graduated from UC Berkeley with her BA in American Studies. Her main passion in music is encouraging young and returning musicians to enjoy playing and learning and teaching about the effects music can have on cognitive development and behavior. She is a firm believer that it is never to late to learn. She has been working at Starland since 2012 and is excited to help get you started with your musical experience!

1.Alive or Dead, What Musician would you do anything to see perform/meet?
Hard Question! I love the Jazz greats so I'd see Nina Simone, Duke Ellington, Dizzy Gillespie, Sara Vaughn, John Coltrane and Elvin Jones. I also love all Motown era music so I'd love to meet Marvin Gaye, Donny Hathaway, and Stevie Wonder to name just a few!

2. Greatest Musical Influence?
Percussion-wise, I’d say Elvin Jones, Terri Lynn Carrington, or Sheila E. Vocally, I’d say Stevie Wonder, Earth Wind and Fire, Beyonce, Sara Vaughn, Gladys Knight, and some other Gospel/Soul singers (I'm lookin at you Chaka Khan!). For Saxophone I’d say John Coltrane or Charlie Parker. They all always have something awesome to say through their music. And for Uke, of course Israel Kamakawiwo'ole (Somewhere Over the Rainbow) and some other YouTubers/IG Musicians!

3. Any hidden talents besides music?
I can (and love) to DANCE! In my spare time I am a dancer in Diamano Coura West African Dance Company out of Oakland. I also love photography, baking and cooking in addition to arts and crafts, and I can speak French! Also I'm very talented at guessing the ages of babies...? And in general kids love me. (and I love 'em back!)

4. What did you want to be while you were growing up?
Originally I wanted to be a professional Cheerleader. Then Doctor, then teacher, then film director, then music therapist, then a teacher again!

5. If you could have any 'Super Power', which one would it be?
Ability to acquire all known and unknown knowledge. Then I could figure out how to create the rest of the super powers and become a Mega Human with all the powers ever known and unknown to human kind!...of course

6. If you could master any other instrument which would it be?
Bass and Piano. I'm getting there! I have a bit of the basics down on both but I'm ready to dive in! Aside from those, I would LOVE to learn to play the cello. Such a beautiful, warm sound!

7. Have you had what people would consider your "15 Minutes of Fame", and if so when/what was that?
For 3 years I was the drum-major of the only marching band in Oakland, Skyline High School as well as a player in our regionally recognized Jazz Band. I also had a small band that would play at a few local cafes. Lastly, I played in and co-taught African Roots of Jazz Youth Drummers; my best friend and I would get to sing, dance, and drum every weekend on stages all over the Bay Area. As of now, I perform at least twice a year with my West African Dance Company. Although I love playing music, I don't perform much on a regular basis. A few appearances here and there 😉 . Then of course I also perform at the Starland Annual All-School Recital every year! (In the 2016 Recital I performed a total of 32 times!)

8. It's your last meal: What would it be?
A LOT. Including but not limited to a little Italian, French, Mexican, Thai, and Soul foods. All of my favorite dishes from each PLUS as much ice cream as I could handle. And Chocolate. A LOT of chocolate.

9. You’re sent to a deserted island, and you only have one album to listen to: Which is it?
Can it be a mixed CD I made? 😉 If not, then Love Supreme by John Coltrane. Every time I hear it I hear something new! Or maybe a Stevie Wonder album! I seem to never get tired of his music. Although I must admit Jay-Z's 4:44 album is pretty amazing...But so is Earth Wind and Fire: Greatest Hits.

Patrick Corona

Enrollment Coordinator

More Info Coming Soon!

Eli Cassard

Lead Front Team Member, Music Education and Retail Specialist 

More Info Coming Soon!

1.Alive or Dead, What Musician would you do anything to see perform/meet?

The musician I would do anything to meet would be George Martin, the Beatles producer. George’s production technique is extremely unique, and I was always amazed by the way he would incorporate atonal ambiance and sound effects into popular music.

2. Greatest Musical Influence?

Overall, music producers have been the most influential on me rather than the artists they work with. The producers that have had the most impact on my music would be Rick Rubin, Garth Richardson, Bob Ezrin, George Martin, and Timbaland.

3. Any hidden talents besides music?

Yes, I was an avid baseball player and I also know how to surf!

4. What did you want to be while you were growing up?

Ever since I was little I wanted to be a musician! I started playing guitar at age four and produced my first album using garage band in fifth grade.

5. If you could have any 'Super Power', which one would it be?

If I could have any super power, I would want to be able to have both fire and ice powers.

6. If you could master any other instrument which would it be?

If I could master another instrument, I would definitely choose piano. I play piano now and took some lessons in the past, however I wish I was able to improvise effortlessly with unique chord progressions.

7. Have you had what people would consider your "15 Minutes of Fame", and if so when/what was that?

Yes! A couple of songs I have produced for other artists have become underground hits, receiving millions of views on YouTube and other platforms.

8. It's your last meal: What would it be?

Hmmm, probably a gyro and some fries.

9. You’re sent to a deserted island, and you only have one album to listen to: Which is it? 
Tough question! If I was sent to a deserted island the one album I would bring along would be The Wall by Pink Floyd.