About Us

Silbermann Studios

SIlbermann Studios has been serving musicians since 1999. Who is a musician? We all are! From beginner to novice to performing professionals, Silbermann Studios uses their combined 45 years of music performance and education to serve musicians of all levels.

You won't get average music lessons from Silbermann Studios. Focusing on each students' unique skills and talents, Derek and VanNessa bring eclectic, diverse, and creative music making to a new level.

Areas of Study:

Piano - all styles

Voice - all styles

Ukulele

Organ

Recorder

Percussion

Composition

Song Writing

The art of accompanying yourself

Theory

History

Jazz improvisation

Arranging

Theatrical coaching

Stage Presence

Silbermann Studios is a proud member of:

Music Teachers National Association

American Choral Directors Association

National Association of Teachers of Singing

OperaAmerica

Derek Primo Silbermann

A jack of many musical trades: pianist, composer, teacher, arranger and music director Derek Silbermann is a recent transplant from the Los Angeles music community. Derek started his musical journey as a classical piano student in Santa Barbara, pursuing many other instruments through high school he discovered composition as a means of playing every instrument. Going into college Derek moved on to study "classical"(he prefers the term concert) composition as his emphasis. During this time Derek developed what his mentor, pianist and composer Tamir Hendelman referred to as "Derek's Augminishedstyle" which to this day pervades Derek's sound despite genre, style or instrumentation. Derek was a Music Composition Merit Scholarship recipient through his years at Cal State Northridge where he also studied: film composition, classical piano, jazz, organ, harpsichord, sound design and synthesis. While at CSUN Derek found time to have private instruction with Dr. Daniel Kessnor, Dr. Aurelio de la Vega, Dr. Liviu Marinescu, Dr. Daniel Hosken, Dr. Tim Howard, Dr. Yumi Livesay, Dr. Jeannine Jacobson and co-organize the student composition studio recitals. Also at CSUN, Derek participated in many jazz bands and classes led by Gary Pratt, Matt Harris and Bill Cunliffe. While working for the film/TV/video game composer Larry Hopkins, Derek was ghost writer on much the first 2 seasons of "Desperate Housewives", cues on video game "Jak and Daxter 3" as well other multi-media projects.

Derek has been teaching piano and other facets of music since 1999 and continues to keep a diverse private studio year round, with students ranging in age from 6-84. Over the years, Derek has worked with many academic institutions, currently he serves as accompanist and sound technician for the RISE Academy performing arts department.

Derek is an active jazz and multi styles pianist in the greater Bay Area. Derek also currently serves as the music director at Trinity Episcopal Cathedral in San Jose, CA and is the Instrumental Music Teacher and Accompanist at Hillbrook School in Los Gatos, CA. He will complete his Masters of Music in Jazz Performance in the Spring of 2023.

VanNessa Hulme Silbermann

VanNessa Hulme Silbermann hails from Southern California (Los Angeles) and is a vocalist, director and educator. As a vocalist, VanNessa is anything but a typical. She has been hailed internationally and at home for her uniqueness and ability to sing all genres, from classical to musical theater, gospel to R&B.

As a versatile stage actor, VanNessa has found herself performing both opera and musical theater and has performed over 150 lead and supporting roles. In the Metropolitan Opera National Council Auditions she was a three time Western Regional Finalist. VanNessa was the Winner of the Llangollen Eisteddfodd Music Festival “Music Theater Singer of the World” and a finalist in the music festivals Opera Competition. She was honored to sing at the event’s Final Concert, televised on the BBC. VanNessa and her husband, pianist/composer Derek Silbermann, have together performed jazz concerts all over the Western United States. VanNessa received a Bachelor of Music degree in Voice from Grand Canyon University and a Master of Music degree from California State University, Northridge.

As a director and producer, VanNessa has over 100 productions under her name, ranging from live theater to music events to speakers and educational seminars, both for school and professional organizations. She is known for her creative choices, audience participation, and bringing the classical arts to under-served communities. Education is of high importance to VanNessa and she continues to invest herself in

educating children about music and helping them to tap in to their own creativity. She has taught in both public and private schools for 25 years.

VanNessa is passionate about bringing music to children and adults and believes that creativity is often the pathway to greater understanding of life. She is trained in vocal music education, theater, Orff-Schulwerk, percussion, piano, and instrumental music.

VanNessa is the CFO for Silbermann Studios and is the Middle Perforrming Arts Director at Hillbrook School in Los Gatos, CA.