Faculty Roster

Principal Flute with the Atlanta Ballet Orchestra, Georgia Symphony, Pullman Pops and the Atlanta Pops Orchestra. Jeanne also plays piccolo with the Alabama Symphony Orchestra. She attended Boston University as a music major. Jeanne has performed for many Broadway musicals at the Fox theater such as Wicked, Phantom of the Opera, Mary Poppins, Evita and many others. WATCH: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j2aPLwNQuI8

Besides being the President of Carere Music, Tony has made a living playing his instruments for 40 years. Not only is he one of the finest doublers anywhere around, he is also the musical contractor for the Fox Theater of the Stars. He can be heard on numerous recording commercials such as Papa John’s and Coca-Cola. In addition to his playing career, Tony served as saxophone instructor at Georgia State University for fifteen years. WATCH:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-lxOVoWT0Zo&list=PLVKFePy9

Ben has been active on the Atlanta music scene for the past 25 years as a freelance woodwind performer and teacher. He has worked with independent artists The black Lips, Prefuse 73, Washed Out and Curtis Harding just to name a few. Ben has also appeared on over 50 albums. He is current member of Ruby Velle and the Soulphonics, West End Motel, Edgewood Saxophone Trio, The Purkinje Shift and Diamond Street Players. Ben first started here as a student, now a teacher and repair technician. 

Today we add Jaden Skelton to our virtual clarinet teachers. Jaden is located in Athens, GA. He is a student at the University of Georgia, studying with Dr. D Ray McClellan. Jaden comes from a strong musical family and has shown amazing talent even from a young age. He attended All-State Band and Chorus. He was a member of AYWS as well. Jaden is currently a member of the UGA Symphony Orchestra. WATCH:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GPW_TU1BrSQ&t=105s

 Vinnie plays clarinet, saxophones, and flute, and is comfortable in styles of music ranging from jazz to classical to soul to rock to pop. He  studiedmusic at Boston University and has  performed with many icons of the music industry.  Vinnie believes in tailoring lesson plans for each student, with a focus on balancing fundamentals and performing. 

Natalie got her education at the College Conservatory of Music where she studied with Mark Ostoich. Here, she was a member of the Wind Orchestra, Wind Ensemble, Concert Orchestra, and Philharmonia. After receiving her Bachelor of Music degree she furthered her education by pursuing a Master’s Degree at Carnegie Mellon University.  To see Natalie's full bio visit https://www.facebook.com/careremusic/

 Diana is the Principal Oboe of the Atlanta Opera, Second Oboe/English horn of the Atlanta Ballet, and Third Oboe/English horn of the Huntsville Symphony Orchestra. She has taught private oboe lessons and reed making to all ages and levels of players since 2005. Her students have regularly ranked high in Alabama All-State Band and Orchestra competitions

Gary is a graduate of Indiana University where he received a BM in classical saxophone performance studying with legendary saxophonist Eugene Rousseau and he received his Master of Music from GA State in 2008.  He has worked teaching clinics and master classes at many of the wonderful high school and middle school band programs in metro Atlanta helping prepare for performances at the GMEA state in-service and the prestigious Mid-west Band and Orchestra https://www.facebook.com/careremusic/

Kathy received her Bachelor of Music degree from the University of Alabama and Master of Music degree from the University of Minnesota.has been the principal clarinetist of the Atlanta Ballet Orchestra since 1996. She regularly performs with the Alabama Symphony  the Atlanta Symphony, & has frequently performed with the Atlanta Opera Orchestra, the Atlanta Lyric Theater,  former Gwinnett Philharmonic, Theater of the Stars, Charleston Symphony, Augusta Symphony & many more.

Kevin Giordano is the instructor of saxophone & clarinet Lakewood City Schools. He also teaches at Academy Music in Cleveland Heights. Kevin is also on staff with the Cleveland Youth Wind Symphony, associated with the Cleveland Institute of Music. Kevin has been a frequent soloist and recitalist throughout the United States and Europe performing in some of the finest venues in the world. Kevin is pleased to be both a Conn-Selmer Performing Artist & Clinician as well as a D'Addario Performing Art

​KELLIE HENRY​ is an active flutist, teacher, adjudicator, and clinician in the Southeastern United States.Kellie  strives to carry on the legacy of her grand teacher, Thomas Nyfenger - to teach great musicians, not just great flutists. Her mission as a teacher is to create a studio that encompasses an entire enrichment program that extends beyond private lessons, providing unique opportunities to nurture each students' individual growth and personal goals. https://www.facebook.com/careremusic/?

​Ms. Lazara Santana is our new, in house or virtual bassoon instructor. Yes, you can have face to face bassoon lessons. Lazara is doing her Masters at Georgia State University.

#bassoon #careremusiclessons#bassoonlessons #bassoonlessonsonline#musiclessons #musiclessonsforkids

We are super excited to welcome Rolando Fernandez to our teaching roster. Rolando Fernandez is a Mexican actor and trumpet player, born in Reynosa, Tamaulipas to Emma and Roldan Fernandez. He began studying the trumpet at age 11 and has since appeared as a soloist throughout the Southeast. Mr. Fernandez leads an active career as a performer and educator, and is a founding member of the Atlanta Chamber Brass. Rolando Fernandez frequently performs with several professional ensembles, and is in dem

Amy King Black is active as a free-lance musician in the Atlanta area and has performed with groups such as the Greenville and Columbus Symphony Orchestras, the Atlanta Lyric Theatre, and Atlanta Ballet Orchestra. She teaches music appreciation and music history courses at Clayton College and State University and is the Artist Affiliate in Horn at Agnes Scott College. She frequently conducts clinics and master classes for high school and middle school students throughout the Atlanta area. 

Phillip Truex is a versatile performer and teacher, holding dual bachelors degrees from Ithaca College in Music Performance and Education, and a Master of Music from the University of Northern Colorado. Phil has more than 10 years of teaching experience of all ages.  You can see Phil perform regularly in and around Atlanta with Joe Gransden's Big Band and many local orchestras as well. Phil is also an adjunct instructor at UNG - Dahlonega.

Mr. Flythe received a bachelor of music degree from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro. He earned his master of music and his specialist in music degrees from the University of Michigan.Mr. Flythe received a bachelor of music degree from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro. Mr. Flythe has performed with the Detroit Symphony Orchestra, the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra, and the Nashville Symphony. 

Kay Fairchild, one of Atlanta’s leading brass clinicians, is now in her fifteenth season as the
co-director of the Atlanta Trumpet Ensemble. Fairchild teaches trumpet & brass at Milton High School and also serves as the brass coordinator at Lakeside High School. She has served as the Brass Coordinator and Instructor for the Atlanta Youth Wind Symphony, Emory Youth Symphony Orchestra, Westminster Summer Band, and the Pope High School Band. Fairchild has served as Artist Affiliate at Emory Univers

Masters in Music from The University of Tennessee. He has 20 years of private trumpet teaching experience and has Jonathan received his Bachelor in Music from Northwestern University and been Trumpet Faculty at Mercer University since 2006. He is a substitute with the Atlanta Symphony, is Second Trumpet of the Augusta Symphony, performs with the Savannah Philharmonic. Jonathan approaches each student according to their own needs and abilities and loves to teach students of all ages.

Kevin does it all very well. Jazz, Pop & Classical. Principal trumpet, Atlanta Ballet, Georgia & Greenville Symphony &
Joe Gransden’s Big Band. He can be heard on recordings with the Atlanta Symphony, Matchbox 20, Sinead O’Conner and John Driscoll Hopkins of the Zac Brown Band. Kevin graduated from the Cleveland Institute of music.

Hollie graduated with her B.M. in Music Performance from Georgia State University and did Graduate studies at the Cleveland Institute of Music. Hollie has played with the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra, Atlanta Opera Orchestra, Atlanta Ballet Orchestra, as well as the Savannah Philharmonic, Hilton Head Symphony, Johns Creek Symphony, Columbus Symphony, Macon Symphony,& the Augusta Symphony,Hollie is adjunct instructor of trombone at Mercer University, Kennesaw State University, and Reinhardt Univers

Jason has been serving the Greater Metropolitan Atlanta area (and beyond) as a teacher/performer since 2009 He is the instructor of euphonium at Jacksonville State University (Alabama) and an Artist-in-Residence, Euphonium and Tuba at Kennesaw State University.

He holds degrees from St. Mary’s University in San Antonio, TX and Georgia State University in Atlanta, GA.

Greg has performed as trumpet player with Atlanta Symphony Orchestra, Atlanta Opera Orchestra and contract member of Atlanta Ballet Orchestra just to name a few. He is also a member American Federation of Musicians and International Trumpet Guild. Greg enjoys very active private studio with students from Middle School through College age, placing students regularly in All State, Governor’s Honors Program, Area Honor Bands, Atlanta Youth Wind Symphony. Northwestern and GSU. 

Nathan holds a BM in Trumpet Performance from the Schwob School of Music at Columbus State University, and MA in Composition from Stony Brook University and a PhD from Stony Brook University. His current and past teachers include Daniel Weymouth, Perry Goldstein, Matthew Barnson and Fred Cohen. 

Randy Hoexter is a jazz pianist, composer, arranger, producer, and educator living in Atlanta, Georgia USA. His lastest release (and first for Blue Canoe Records) is titled, “Fromage” which features bassist Jimmy Haslip, drummer Dave Weckl, and the finest of Atlanta jazz musicians. www.randyhoexter.com 

 Daniel has spent the last several years of his career teaching brass, piano, music theory, and production across the metro Atlanta area. He has taught a wide range of students both in age and skill. Daniel firmly believes in developing his students’ ability to create their own authentic sound and style.In 2019, Daniel worked alongside NASA Goddard Center to develop original music for the release of the Podcast, “NASA Explorers: Apollo” to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the historic moon la

Randy’s keyboard work can be heard on many records and commercials; his talents have been sought by artists as diverse as guitarists Jimmy Herring , Bill Hart and Shane Theriot (Neville Brothers), drummers Rod Morgenstein (Dixie Dregs), Sonny Emory (Earth, Wind and Fire, Bruce Hornsby) and Jeff Sipe, bassists Chuck Rainey (Steely Dan) and Adam Nitti, saxophonist George Howard, gospel group “NewSong,” Atlanta Symphony Pops, Georgia Symphony Jazz, and others. Randy is on faculty at LaGrange, 

 Born and raised in England, violinist Sally Gardner-Wilson has lived and worked in the US since 1995. She received her Bachelor of Music degree in Violin Performance from the Guildhall School of Music and Drama in London, England, and her Master of Music degree in violin performance from the University of Illinois.

 Esther Kim has made her mark as an outstanding violinist, performer & educator. She was first introduced to the violin when she was seven years old and has been in love with music since. In addition to performing and participating in school orchestras throughout middle and high school, Esther placed top seats in highly competitive state-wide ensembles such as the Emory Youth Symphony Orchestra, GMEA's Allstate Orchestra, and attended the Governor's Honors Program as one of the few violinists se

Katerina  is an Atlanta native and freelance performer and teacher of viola and violin. Katerina began her musical studies at age eleven under the baton of renowned string teacher Earl Kuutti.  By 14, she was performing professionally, and by 16, she had started her own teaching studio. 

Andrew Dunn is a member of the Nashville Symphony Orchestra and a regular performer in recording studios all around the city. He has performed as a soloist, recitalist, chamber musician and in orchestras across North and South America, Europe and Australia. Excelling in a variety of styles, from classical to jazz, he has collaborated with artists such as Bobby McFerrin, Christopher Rouse, and Placido Domingo, and played chamber music with members of the Cleveland and Cavani quartets. Appointed a

Jonathan Mills is an active jazz musician, percussionist, and educator. He attended Georgia State University and earned a Master of Music in Jazz Studies in 2015. Before that, Jonathan earned a dual degree in Music Education and Percussion Performance from Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania in 2013. His primary instructors include Justin Varnes at GSU and Dr. David Glover at SRU. 

We thought you would like to see Jonathan Mills' home studio where he is completely set up to teach students online.

Our little music studio is hitting the Big Apple with one of my favorite Broadway and Touring drummers of our time, Greg Germann. He has an unbelievable groove and energy when he’s on the show. I can say from personal experience playing with him on a National Tour of “Wicked” and when I went to take my kids to go see “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory” he is one of the best anywhere. You want to learn how to play shows well, this is your guy. 

We are super excited to bring Greg Roman on for some in house general music/percussion lessons. Greg has his music education degree from Kennesaw State University and is a member of the Georgia Symphony Orchestra