ARI CROSS

Hello! As mentioned on the previous page, my name is Ari Cross, and I am the founder of my new website BrubbyBand.

The mission of BrubbyBand is to provide support to growing musicians, most notably flautists, in the Bakersfield and Central Valley community by offering quality private flute lessons and accommodations, helping these students improve on their technique, warm-up routines, repertoire practice, fundamentals and many more important qualities that every musician needs. However, a common question that is brought up among many young musicians, especially a question that I would ask myself a lot, is “why does becoming a great musician matter, especially if I’m not planning on pursuing music as an adult/for my career?”

Of course, pursuing music education, performance, composition, etc. or even as a hobby, and overall becoming a musician, is a very rare and unique skill, but for one reason or another, you are here today. Me making this website a reality, and ultimately working towards becoming a future band director, which is my dream career, is just as important as your interest in BrubbyBand, and that says something about you. You being here matters and you being interested in something beyond just getting by with your instrument & skills and wanting to expand your musicianship says a lot about what your priorities are—I am proud of you, and I want to help you get there! Overall, I hope that my goals of helping you improve at something you are here to do, regardless of reason, are helping you in some way, shape or form!

In regard to who I am as a person and as a musician, I grew up here in Bakersfield, California, getting involved with music like many others did, which was introducing myself to an instrument in the 4th grade. I was originally a clarinet player for three years, where I switched to flute and stuck with it all the way through middle school, high school and now community college. I attended Highland High School, which is where I found my passion for music and ultimately figured out why I wanted to become a band director in the first place, which was sparked by two very talented and motivating band directors any young musician could ever wish for—Mr. Jimmie Taliaferro and Mr. Nico Salum.

Them, along with the amazing memories I made throughout those four years in the band, led me here to Bakersfield Community College, where I get to continue music under my amazing professors, including Dr. Scott Dirkse, Dr. Fei Ma, Dr. Kris Tiner, Dr. Leo Sakomoto, Ms. Gemi Acupan, Ms. Mary Cervantes, Mr. John Calanchini, Mrs. Tess Shaw and Mr. Timothy Heasley. All of these amazing musicians and teachers are actively guiding me towards greatness and are all amazing examples as to what I want to do with my life; help guide young musicians to greatness by teaching them something new, enhancing what they already know/can improve on, and encouraging them through it all! For more information regarding my musicianship, competencies and other information in my music career, please feel free to view my Curriculum Vitae in the bottom right of the footer below.

Overall, with the help of my peers from high school and at Bakersfield College, along with the guidance of my professors, I am excited for my future as a musician and I hope that I can continue to make a difference for myself and ultimately, for you.