"As soon as my daughter started this program, everything in her life changed,"
"She became a better student, she became a better person. Her whole life changed when she joined this program." 2006 Sun Community News Papers. Scott Sutphen. Malibu father of 15 yr old bassist Sage.
Join the Band was created by guitarist and instructor John Mizenko after many years of successful private music instruction. Teaching out of small practice rooms at Baxter Northup Music in Sherman Oaks, CA , John recognized the need for his individual students to experience playing with other musicians in a band setting. He and a fellow teacher started putting students in ensemble classes to perform in the store. These "combo classes" became so successful that John needed to start booking rhythm section ensembles and renting studio space to accommodate increasing class sizes.
These classes quickly grew into Join the Band. Our first official concert was held at Full Blast Rehearsal studios in Van Nuys with three bands on Saturday, November 8th, 1998.
Join the Band is currently celebrating our 10 Year Anniversary! We have had over 1000 bands perform over a thousand different songs, played over 66 concerts and included nearly a thousand students (Band Members)! We currently average over thirty bands a session and have performed at clubs throughout Los Angeles including The Knitting Factory, Whisky A Go Go, The Mint, Cozy’s, The Baked Potato, Amazon Bar and Grille, and Smoking Johnnies.
Join the Band is also very active in the community. We have performed at many community events including the March of Dimes “Walk America”, Sherman Oaks Street Fair, St. Francis Carnival, World Fest Woodley Park, Paul Revere Middle School, Riverside Elementary Fall Festival, Taste of Encino, Berkeley Hall, Temple Aliyah, and many more. Call us to have JTB bands at your event. 818-345-8950.
A graduate of Boston's Berklee School of Music, John has enjoyed a successful career as both performer and educator. He takes great pride in his students, and strives to help them develop both their potential as performers and their enjoyment in playing music.