About Us
Silbermann Studios
SIlbermann Studios has been serving musicians, performers, and actors since 1999. From beginner to novice to performing professionals, Silbermann Studios uses their combined 50 years of performance, creation, and education to serve performers of all levels.
Focusing on each students' unique skills and talents, Derek and VanNessa bring eclecticism, diversity, and creativity to your performing arts study.
Areas of Study:
Piano - all styles
Strings - Ukulele, Bass, Guitar
Organ
Recorder
Percussion
Composition
Song Writing
Theory
History
Jazz improvisation
Arranging
Voice - All Styles
Acting
Monologue Presentation
Playwriting
Improv
Silbermann Studios is a proud member of:
Music Teachers National Association
American Choral Directors Association
National Association of Teachers of Singing
OperaAmerica
Theater Directors of America
California Piano Teachers Association
Derek Primo Silbermann, Piano, Instrumental Music, Composition, Musicianship, Technology
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 a member of the Performing Arts department at Hillbrook School in Los Gatos, CA. Derek is an active jazz and multi styles pianist in the greater Bay Area. He will complete his Masters of Music in Jazz Performance in the Spring of 2025.
VanNessa Hulme Silbermann, CFO, Acting, Voice, Piano
VanNessa Hulme Silbermann hails from Southern California (Los Angeles) and is a vocalist, stage 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, musical theater, and straight plays 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. She also has an accounting degree from Foothill College.
As a director and producer, VanNessa has over 2,000 performances 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 repertoire choices, audience participation, and DEIJA work in theater education. Growth is of high importance to VanNessa and she continues to invest herself in educating youth and adults about the stage and helping them to tap in to their own creativity and confidence. She has taught in both public and private schools for 27 years. VanNessa will begin her Ed.D in Educational Leadership the summer of 2025.