Pasadena, CA — January 3, 2008 — The LA Music Academy (www.lamusicacademy.edu) kicks off 2008 by announcing Tariqh Akoni, fresh off his recent world tour as Musical Director and guitarist for Josh Groban, as Head of the Guitar Department, effective immediately. Also, the Academy is now offering guitar scholarships to international and domestic candidates who possess exceptional musical potential, feel, skill, vision and overall musicality.

"It is so exciting to head the department at such an exceptional and respected school. It is a personal, serious and committed environment of staff and students, not to mention a beautiful campus in the new music and arts haven that is Pasadena," says Akoni, 37, who is also a Pasadena resident. Educated at UC San Diego and Berklee School of Music (where he studied with jazz luminaries Jerry Bergonzi and Rick Peckham), his extensive performance history includes LeAnn Rimes, George Duke, Jennifer Lopez, Whitney Houston, Christina Aguilera, Backstreet Boys, Babyface, Al Jarreau, Herbie Hancock, Stevie Wonder and Luther Vandross. Akoni has toured internationally, making dozens of television performances along the way.

Akoni says, "One of my main priorities is to seek out the best and the brightest in the guitar community and bring them to the LA Music Academy." The school has secured a number of scholarships and incentives for advanced and otherwise high potential students wishing to attend. He adds, "I am thrilled to be a part of the school and the program during this amazing period of growth." Akoni's other plans include helping to build the roster for the school's new Artist in Residence program, whose ranks already include noted guitarist Carl Verheyen.

For scholarship applications and details, contact Iris Alba at the LA Music Academy by email or by calling 800-960-4715. For more information on Akoni, visit his web site at www.tariqh.com.