About Grapes & Grooves
My Story
About Gunner – Founder of Grapes and Groves
Born and raised in Napa, California, I discovered my passion for music at a young age. Though I focused on sports throughout high school, I realized I could pursue both athletics and music in college. After starting at Sierra College, I transferred to Wayne State University on a combined music and football scholarship. There, I earned my proficiency certifications in piano and guitar, graduated with a degree in Music/Music Industry, and performed in multiple ensembles while expanding my percussion skills. Originally a drummer, I’ve since played bass guitar, electric guitar, and piano in a variety of bands and studio recording sessions.
After college, I moved back to Napa and fell in love with the wine business, which led to me selling wine, hosting tastings, and meeting amazing people. I am currently the primary music teacher at Blue Oak School in Napa, and this role has deepened my passion for music and inspired me to create fun, interactive learning experiences for my students.
Our Mission
At Grapes & Grooves, our mission is to empower every aspiring musician with personalized, interest-driven instruction making learning fun, flexible, and tailored to each student’s goals while bringing music to life at live events by harmonizing wine and song, translating each bottle’s unique story and a winery’s character into bespoke musical experiences.
About Grapes & Grooves
Our Philosophy
At Grapes & Grooves, we believe music transcends sound; it's an emotional journey and a form of therapy. We also believe creativity and imagination are essential in learning music; every famous artist has harnessed their imagination to craft their songs. Everyone, regardless of age or background, can learn to make and enjoy music. Rather than following rigid method books, we tailor lessons to each student’s interests and goals, simplifying concepts so learning is fun and engaging. Too often, music education feels mechanical moving from one song to the next without passion. We change that by teaching the songs you love, adapting as you grow, and fostering a joyful, personalized learning experience. When you’re excited about what you’re playing, progress comes naturally and that’s the heart of our philosophy.
Teaching music at Blue Oak School has been one of the most rewarding chapters of my journey.
Teaching music at Blue Oak School has been life-changing. It reignited my passion for music and showed me the incredible power of watching students collaborate and discover their own love for learning. I feel fortunate to work alongside a wonderful school community and inspiring young musicians. After college, I worried I’d lost my musical spark but seeing how much a simple lesson can transform a child’s confidence reminded me why I fell in love with music in the first place.
