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Anthem is an equal opportunity employer. We do not discriminate against male or female instructors. Instructors at Anthem are all certified and are treated equally when being assigned students. Additionally, ALL Anthem Instructors Are Background Check Verified. From Recording, Touring, and Performing Musicians; Anthem Instructors Offer the Best Of Trusted Music Education in Northwest San Antonio!
Multi-Instrumentalist | Guitar, Bass Guitar, Percussion, Piano and Voice
Nathaniel A. Villarreal is the founder and owner of Anthem School of Music, where he brings over 25 years of teaching, performing, and industry experience to the next generation of musicians. He works with students of all skill levels—from beginners to advanced—specializing in electric guitar while also offering instruction in acoustic guitar, bass guitar, piano, drums, and voice.
Anthem School of Music was originally founded in 2007 as Anthem Studios, during one of the toughest economic times in recent history. Despite the challenges, Nathaniel saw an opportunity to bring his vision to life: to enrich the lives of students through the power of music. With a personalized approach to each lesson, Nathaniel focuses on adapting to each student's learning style to inspire, challenge, and develop well-rounded musicians.
In 2008, he developed the Quick Start Method for Guitar, a simplified and effective teaching approach that included an instructional DVD titled Ready to Rock. This method quickly gained traction and helped Anthem Studios rise as one of San Antonio’s top music instruction centers. Today, the Quick Start Method remains a cornerstone of instruction at Anthem, having been adapted for all instruments and skill levels.
Nathaniel’s career includes international tours, studio collaborations with renowned artists, and hundreds of student success stories. As one of San Antonio’s top session guitarists, his industry expertise spans concert production, artist development, songwriting, studio production, and management. Nathaniel is also the visionary behind the Anthem Network, which includes Anthem TV—a free streaming channel—and Anthem Design Company, both of which support local talent and businesses.
Nathaniel’s students have gone on to become some of the finest musicians in San Antonio, and his commitment to quality music education continues to make Anthem a standout name in the community.
Bass & Percussion Specialist | Multi-Instrumentalist
Karly Lopez is a seasoned multi-instrumentalist with over a decade of experience in both music instruction and live performance. A graduate of the Art Institute of Austin, she holds a Bachelor of Science in Audio Production and brings a unique blend of technical expertise and creative artistry to her teaching.
Her impressive background includes recording with legendary bassist Bootsy Collins, working in live sound engineering, and performing since the age of 14. Karly specializes in bass guitar and percussion, and also teaches piano, acoustic and electric guitar. She has a natural ability to connect with students of all ages and skill levels, offering an inspiring and hands-on learning environment.
Karly is proud to be part of the Anthem School of Music team and is passionate about helping young musicians in San Antonio grow their talent and confidence through music.
Acoustic and Electric Guitar, Piano | Multi-Instrumentalist
Andrew began teaching himself guitar in 2014, and within just four years, he was performing professionally and instructing students of his own. Originally driven by a love for heavy metal guitar, Andrew has since expanded his expertise across a wide range of genres. A true multi-instrumentalist, he has also taught himself piano, bass, ukulele, music theory, improvisation, and composition.
His musical journey has taken him to incredible stages—from performing at the historic Alamo to singing at Carnegie Hall. His talent even made headlines with a solo guitar performance that captured public attention.
Andrew currently performs with the popular San Antonio-based cover band Gunpowder Soup, while continuing to pursue his solo work. As an instructor, he’s passionate about helping students of all levels grow their skills, explore their creativity, and gain confidence through music.
Beginner to Advanced Piano
John Knox spent forty years in healthcare, most of which was as President/Chief Executive Officer of hospitals across the country. After retiring he turned to teaching and has spent the last few years teaching Chemistry and Biology to high school students and has also taught Microbiology/Infectious Diseases at Trinity University (He holds a Masters in Science (MS) and a Masters in Business Administration (MBA)). He began taking piano lessons in kindergarten and continued taking lessons through high school. John has played piano his entire life and performed occasionally in front of rather large audiences. HIs favorite piece is Rhapsody in Blue but he favors Beethoven, Chopin, Debussy and Rachmaninoff as well as popular music. He is married to Karen and has two adult children and four grandchildren.
Board-Certified Music Therapist | Guitar, Piano & Bass Instructor
Ambar is a board-certified music therapist (MT-BC) who brings both clinical expertise and heartfelt passion to every lesson. With experience in acoustic and electric guitar, beginner bass guitar, clarinet, and piano, she thoughtfully tailors each lesson to meet the unique goals and strengths of every student.
Ambar’s musical journey began in childhood and continued through college, where she performed in marching band from middle school to graduation. She earned her Bachelor of Arts in Music Therapy from the University of the Incarnate Word in 2022 and soon after passed her board certification. Her music therapy experience includes providing in-home services for young adults with special needs—an experience that continues to shape her compassionate and inclusive teaching approach.
Driven by a deep belief in the transformative power of music, Ambar is passionate about helping students of all abilities grow in confidence, skill, and joy through music.
Percussion Instructor
Damien Swan is a passionate and dynamic percussionist with over 15 years of experience behind the drum kit. Introduced to drumming by his father at just 10 years old, Damien quickly developed a lifelong love for rhythm and began teaching private lessons shortly after graduating high school. Damien graduated from Berklee School of Music; with a diverse performance background, Damien has played in a wide range of musical settings including jazz ensembles, 90s alt rock bands, music festivals, studio recording sessions, and everything in between. His well-rounded experience across multiple genres allows him to connect with students of all musical tastes and skill levels.
Damien specializes in teaching both beginner and advanced students, focusing on the building blocks of musical creativity, solid technique, and improvisation. His lessons are tailored to each individual’s goals and musical journey, helping students unlock their full potential on the drum set. Whether you're just picking up sticks for the first time or looking to refine your skills, Damien brings energy, expertise, and a genuine love of music to every session.
Vocal Coach
Alexis Dyson is a seasoned musical theatre actress and vocalist who has trained and performed across the globe. From an early age, her family joked that she could sing before she could speak—and Alexis always knew that music was her true calling.
She earned her Bachelor’s degree in Musical Theatre Performance from San Diego State University and refined her craft at New York’s prestigious Open Jar Institute, where she trained under some of the industry's top professionals. Throughout her career, Alexis has graced world-renowned stages including the Sydney Opera House and Carnegie Hall, and has performed in numerous musical theatre productions.
Specializing in a wide range of genres—including classical, musical theatre, pop, rock, country, and jazz—Alexis draws on her classical and theatrical training to help students develop healthy, sustainable vocal techniques. Her goal is to build confident, expressive performers by providing personalized, encouraging instruction tailored to each student’s unique voice and style.
While earning her Master’s degree in English, Alexis also taught at the collegiate level, where she discovered her passion for helping students grow beyond their expectations. She brings that same energy, dedication, and expertise to her vocal coaching at Anthem School of Music, empowering students to find their most authentic voices both on and off the stage.