Ztunes Music - Faculty - ZTUNES MUSIC

Ms. Karen

Director
Flute, Piano, Preschool

A native of Washington, DC, Ms. Karen has performed and taught throughout the United States, Mexico, and Canada. She has played with orchestras including the Atlanta Symphony, Vancouver Symphony (Canada), and Orquesta Sinfonica de la UANL (Monterrey, Mexico).

Teaching since 2000, her students have been known to place in honors groups, youth orchestras, competitions, and sit first chair in their bands. Many of her students have gone on to pursue professional careers in music at prestigious conservatories and universities.

She followed her passion to bring a community of high-quality music making and experiences to students of all ages and levels with the official start of Ztunes Music in 2016.

Outside of Ztunes, Karen directs the flute ensemble at Beacon Hill Middle School, sits on the Board of the Atlanta Youth Wind Symphony, and has presented for the Georgia Music Teachers Association. She resides in Decatur with her husband, Nathan (trombone, Atlanta Symphony Orchestra), and sons Jason (trumpet) and Tristan (french horn).

mr. taylor

Manager
Horn, Composition

Mr. Taylor began playing horn at age 12, and piano at age 14. He received a Bachelors Degree in Music Composition and a Masters Degree in Horn Performance from Georgia State University. Since completing his degrees, Taylor has freelanced and taught private lessons, masterclasses, and sectionals throughout the local Atlanta area. He is currently a member of the music faculty at Georgia State University Perimeter College, a horn player with Gate City Brass, and a co-founder of the Atlanta Horn Quartet.

Mr. Taylor is Manager at Ztunes, where he is in charge of scheduling, studio maintenance, networking and outreach, and social media. He also teaches private horn and composition lessons and runs the Composition Class. His students have gone to win state-wide competitions, place in All-State and other honor bands, and perform with youth orchestras around Atlanta.

Mr. Taylor is passionate about private music instruction because he believes that a foundation in music enriches all other parts of your education and experiences, and instills an appreciation that you will take with you for the rest of your life.

Mr. alben

Piano

Mr. Alben began studying classical piano at the age of 7 and guitar at the age of 15 at the Rhode Island Philharmonic School in Providence, RI. At the age of 14, he began studying under Dr. Irina Tchantceva, participating in various festivals and competitions around the New England area. In university, he studied under Dr. Sandra Hebert and Dr. Ralf Gawlick for performance and composition, respectively and graduated from Boston College with his B.A in Music with a concentration in Performance and Composition, as well as a degree in Political Science in May, 2019.

Throughout his time in university he also found a passion in exposing people to the wonders of music, and began to give private music instruction in the Boston area. Moving to Atlanta after his undergraduate studies, he continues to follow his passion of teaching music, as well as striving to hone his skills as a performer/composer. His goal is to reach as many people as he can through music.

Mr. cain

Flute, Piano, Voice

Mr. Cain is a multifaceted performer and educator in Atlanta. He currently plays with the Atlanta Philharmonic Orchestra and is a tenor section leader and flute soloist at All Saints’ Episcopal Church. Cain regularly plays and sings in venues across the city with some of Atlanta’s most acclaimed organists, pianists, and vocal ensembles.

Cain is a passionate teacher of many musical styles and understands the importance of being a vehicle for conveying the art of sound. He believes that inspiring technique and dedication to practicing an instrument or voice is inevitable if the student is immersed in exciting instruction and a teacher’s vibrant playing examples. Cain teaches that the language of music is a universal form of communication and enriches the lives of all.

Mr. Cameron

Piano

Mr. Cameron is a professional pianist who has given performances in Europe, North and South America. He obtained his B.A. in Music from The University of North Georgia studying under Lois Finlay, and M.M degree with a concentration in piano performance at Georgia State University studying under Dr. Geoffrey Haydon.

Mr. Cameron has received high honors and awards in his past festivals and competitions including being a two time recital winner in the Georgia Music Educators Association competition, as well as receiving first place in the Atlanta Music Teachers Association Romantic Festival competition.

Apart from teaching, he also holds the position of parish musician at St. Dunstan's Episcopal Church. His upcoming 2022/23 activities include participating in piano/composition competitions, along with releasing his album of original music for piano and cello.

Ms. Charneé

Bassoon, Beginner Winds

As a music enthusiast, Miss Charneé Davis has developed an array of musical abilities and skills. She has been singing and engaging in music since the early age of 5 years old. Miss Charneé attended Florida Agricultural & Mechanical University, where she graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Music Business. During her time in college she received music education training, played 1st chair Bassoon in the Wind Ensemble, !st chair in the Symphonic band, and lead the
clarinet section in the Incomparable Marching ‘100’. Charneé is a proud member of Sigma Alpha Iota Music Fraternity, an international music sisterhood. Charneé is a proud mother, and believes that music is an essential tool for all children to develop. Music is her passion!

mr. daniel

Guitar, Ukulele

Mr. Daniel is a professional guitarist, composer, and educator known for adapting to various genres of music; notably Jazz, Blues, Rock, Funk, R&B, Gospel, and Metal. Daniel graduated from Georgia State University with a Bachelor of Music in Jazz Studies. During his time at Georgia State he studied music overseas in China and played alongside the GSU Jazz Band with jazz greats Donny McCaslin, Joey Defrancesco, Paquito D’rivera, Bobby Shew, and Mike Abene. He currently performs all around the Atlanta area with the Ray Howard Band, CHOPS, Onstage Atlanta, Mr. Bighead, and plays Gospel on Sundays.

Daniel is very passionate about teaching and strives to find ways to excite creativity and curiosity in his students. He believes retaining the mind of a beginner and always striving to learn and hear new things is the key to being a successful musician.

Mr. Dilon

French Horn

Mr. Dilon is a British-born horn player from Birmingham, United Kingdom currently living in Atlanta, GA. He is currently pursuing a Doctor of Musical Arts degree studying at the University of Colorado Boulder. Mr. Dilon has also appeared in concert with the Billings Symphony Orchestra & Chorale, Colorado Symphony, Breckenridge Music Festival, Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra, Central City Opera, and the Detroit Symphony Orchestra. He has significant competition success nationally and internationally that has taken him all the way from Aspen, CO to Salzburg, Austria. He continues to sharpen his skills and ideas about the horn to a fine edge and takes joy in imparting that wisdom to his students.
He has significant experience working closely in the brass band tradition with young students from the Salvation Army where he has been an instructor and counselor. With this experience, Mr. Dilon values nurturing the whole musician and inspiring curiosity in his students. He takes particular interest in showing his students that their love for music doesn’t have to be disconnected from their other hobbies.

Mr. Greg

Drumset

Greg Washington was born in Mobile, Alabama and began playing the drums at age fifteen. In his teenage years, he created his own drum set, using a variety of materials from his parent’s garage. He participated in the high school band, and was able to earn a full scholarship to community college. While there, his appreciation for drumming heightened, and he eventually left Mobile to study at the Atlanta Institute of Music. Greg has also studied at the world famous Collective School of Music, known by some as the "Drummers Collective", in New York City.

He has worked with the award-winning rap group, Outkast, and was featured on their album Stankonia, which sold over five million records worldwide. In addition to Outkast, he’s worked with legendary rapper Chuck D from the group Public Enemy.

Greg now teaches providing drum lessons to studens of all ages. In addition to teaching, Greg continues to perform and perfect his craft by expressing his versatility in various genres of music including, Gospel, R&B, Rock, Hip Hop, Funk, and Reggae. He has also branched out into music production and recording, using his creative skills to collaborate with musicians and vocalists.

mr. jordi

Cello, Double Bass, Electric Bass, Piano

Mr. Jordi is an educator, performer, and session musician based out of Atlanta. He received his Bachelors Degree in Cello Performance from the University of Georgia as well as a minor in Jazz Studies (electric/upright bass). During his time at UGA, Jordi furthered his classical studies on the cello under the instruction of Dr. David Starkweather while developing his technique and jazz idiom on bass under the guidance of Professor Dave D’Angelo of the UGA Jazz Program. Outside of academia, Jordi has explored a wide range of non-classical and contemporary styles on cello and bass. His work on both instruments includes live and studio performances and compositions, primarily with his Athens-based band Canary Affair. He is a strong advocate of the advancement of the cello outside of its classical role and enjoys exploring extended techniques and playing styles.

As a teacher, Jordi believes in implementing a strong technical foundation as well as productive practice habits and routines. He encourages his students (of all ages and experience levels) to be students of music as a whole and to not be limited by the traditional roles of their respective instruments. He believes in reaffirming that at the heart of this exchange of information and techniques is individual growth and expression.

Dr. kevin

Trombone, Euphonium, Tuba

Kevin Schoeller is currently in his final semester of Doctoral study at the University of Georgia where he studies trombone with Dr. Josh Bynum and conducting with Dr. Jaclyn Hartenberger. At UGA, Kevin performs with the University of Georgia Symphony Orchestra and the Hodgson Wind Ensemble, as well as performing with chamber ensembles such as the UGA Trombone Choir and Trombone Ensemble, graduate trombone quartet, graduate brass quintet, and the UGA British Brass Band.

On top of his doctoral study at UGA, Kevin also continues to be an active educator and performer throughout the Athens and Atlanta areas. Kevin currently works with HEART Music, a nonprofit organization dedicated to giving all students in the Athens area access to weekly musical instruction. Additionally, Kevin works with numerous middle and high schools throughout the Atlanta area as a sectional coach and maintains an active and successful private studio of low brass students.

Prior to beginning his doctoral studies, Kevin was a public school educator in metro Atlanta, working as the assistant band director of Mabry Middle School in Cobb County and as head director of Lakeside Middle School in Forsyth County.

ms. katie

Clarinet (Virtual Only)

Since finishing her enlistment with the United States Premier Coast Guard Band, clarinetist Katie Curran, has been an active freelance musician and clarinet instructor in the New York City area. Recently, Katie became a member of the New York Philharmonic Teaching Artist Faculty. She has performed regularly on Broadway, with the New York Philharmonic, Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra, and Atlanta Symphony Orchestra, as well as several orchestras and ensembles throughout the U.S.

In addition to her performance career, Katie has been a private instructor and outreach clinician since 2001. Katie held faculty clarinet positions at both Emory University and Agnes Scott College before moving to New York.

Ms. Kristin

Voice, Preschool

Kristin Markiton is a classically trained, extremely versatile singer with a wide vocal range and the uncanny ability to perform virtually any musical genre or vocal style. As a musical theatre singer/actor, she has worked with many of the professional theaters in the Atlanta area, including Aurora Theatre, Horizon Theater, Actor’s Express, Jomandi Productions, Theatre in
the Square, and Atlanta Lyric Theater. She won the Suzi Bass Award in 2017 for Best Leading Actress in a Musical for her portrayal of Francesca Johnson in Aurora Theatre’s production of Bridges of Madison County and was nominated again for the same award in 2018 for her portrayal of Donna Sheridan in Aurora’s production of Mamma Mia. Kristin has performed with
The Atlanta Opera Chorus and Studio, and has served as the soprano soloist at Decatur Presbyterian Church in Decatur, GA.

As a recording artist and songwriter, Kristin has released two full-length studio albums; her debut solo album, Wandering Moon, produced by Kristian Bush of Sugarland, and Howlin’, recorded and released during her collaboration with the blues-rock band, Delta Moon. She is a much sought-after vocalist for professional demo recording sessions, commercial jingles, and has appeared as guest vocalist on countless recording projects with other performing songwriters.

Kristin has performed with many of Atlanta’s top party/wedding bands during her 23 years here in Atlanta, including Lilac Wine, Big Mike Geier and his King-sized Band, Rupert’s Orchestra, and The Mike Veal Band. She is currently front-woman for The Moxie Band and her own blues/soul band, Kristin & the Honey Badgers.

Ms. Kristin holds a current GA teaching certificate with over 10 years of experience as a Special Education and Elementary Music teacher in public schools. Though she can sing and coach virtually any genre or vocal style, her voice instruction is firmly grounded in the Italian classical style with the goal of helping students explore and enjoy their own unique, natural voice in the healthiest way possible.

dr. oliver

Piano, Organ

Dr. Oliver is a professional organist, pianist and choir trainer. Originally from the UK, he obtained his Bachelors and Masters degrees from Cambridge University and then his doctorate from the Eastman School of Music in Rochester NY. He currently works as associate organist and choirmaster at Peachtree Road United Methodist Church and as an artist affiliate at Georgia State University. He is a passionate teacher, having taught students of all ages and levels. He is also an enthusiastic chamber musician and loves making music with other people whenever possible. When he is not engaged in musical activities, he can be found running on the trails and enjoys competing in ultra marathons ranging in distance anything from 30 to 100 miles.

dr. paula

Saxophone, Clarinet, Piano

Dr. Paula is "a virtuoso saxophonist that possesses excellent technical attributes and a deep understanding of the music [she] performs" (Ovación). Based in Atlanta, Georgia she enjoys a career as a chamber musician, soloist and educator. In her previous appointment as Interim Professor of Saxophone at Universidade de Brasília, Dr. Paula was the first American to teach saxophone within the federal university system in Brazil.

In recent performances, Paula has shared the stage with Branford Marsalis and the Orquestra Sinfônica do Teatro Nacional Claudio Santoro in Brasília and presented at the 2018 World Saxophone Congress in Zagreb, Croatia. As a Selmer-Paris Artist and Clinician she has toured and lectured throughout Argentina, Brazil, Bolivia, Canada, China, Croatia, France, Italy, Mexico, Peru, Scotland, Ukraine and the United States.

ms. Sarah

Piano, Ukulele, Guitar, Voice, Music Therapy, Composition

Sarah went to Converse College, where she studied Music Therapy and Composition. Though her primary instrument is piano, she also sings, plays guitar and ukulele, and composes. Her education in Music Therapy gave her experience working with a wide variety of populations of all ages, ability levels, and needs. This has allowed her to provide a well-rounded educational experience uniquely tailored to each student and their individual goals!

She loves seeing the "lightbulb moments", when a new goal has been reached, and is enthusiastic about sharing her passion for music with others! When she is not teaching, Sarah also enjoys swing dancing, playing on the worship team at church, and hiking!

ms. shannon

Violin, Viola, String Ensemble

Shannon has been studying and performing music for 32 years. She began studying when she was 5 and graduated with her bachelors of Music Performance from Cleveland State University in 1999. She immediately began teaching classical violin studies out of her home as well as at schools such as The Galloway School, The Lovett School, Sandy Springs Music, and out of her home. Though she believes classical studies is a necessary basis for the mastering of the instrument, she has a profound passion for weaving the voice of the violin into other genres. Shannon founded and fronted her own Atlanta based rock band, Dynagroove, for years. In addition to her teaching duties she currently performs with local rock bands, classical quartets, and as a soloist around Atlanta.

"I believe music is a vessel for self confidence, exploration, and communication. I have an insurmountable passion to introduce music to students that may not have anyone else in their lives to encourage them to explore the unknown, the less traveled. To encourage them to embrace their idealistic dreams and passions, that in fact, it is a gift."

Mr. Shaquille

Clarinet

Shaquille Southwell is a clarinetist and teacher from Marietta, Georgia. He received a Bachelor of Music degree from The Juilliard School in 2015, studying Classical Clarinet Performance. He performs regularly with the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra and the Atlanta Ballet Orchestra. As a teacher, Shaquille has taught at numerous schools and programs including the Atlanta Music Project, William Pu’s Music Academy, Hillgrove High School, Mays High School, Kell High School, New Manchester High School, etc.

Shaquille is passionate about inspiring young musicians in the same way he was inspired by phenomenal teachers as a student. Shaquille believes that a love for music cultivates qualities that are necessary in life and any occupation such as patience, resilience, integrity, self-expression, and a commitment to personal growth.

ms. stephanie

Trumpet, Piano, Jazz

Ms. Stephanie began her musical studies at age 6 on piano and began studying trumpet at age 10. She attended the Jacobs School of Music at Indiana University where she received a Bachelor of Music Performance in Trumpet under the instruction of Prof. Joey Tartell. She continued her music studies at the University of Michigan under Prof. William Campbell, and received her Master of Music Performance in Trumpet in 2013.

Ms. Stephanie has performed professionally with a number of organizations, including the Saginaw Bay Symphony Orchestra, the Saginaw Choral Society, the Ann Arbor Symphony Orchestra, and the Detroit Symphony Orchestra. She has performed as a solo artist with the Dekalb Youth Symphony, and was invited to perform at the 2012 National Trumpet Competition. One of her most cherished accomplishments is the three seasons she spent performing with the Phantom Regiment Drum & Bugle Corps, an organization to which she credits much of her current musical knowledge and personal motivation. Stephanie enjoys and has experience playing in a variety of styles, including orchestral, concert band, jazz and commercial music and is constantly looking to expand her musical boundaries.

Stephanie makes her living as a freelance player and teacher, and regularly performs with groups such as The Atlanta 13, 120 East, The Son Jazzy Orchestra, and the Outfront Theater Company.

ms. teresa

Flute, Piano

Teresa started her music studies when she was 6 years old playing the piano and then the flute when she was nine. She received her B.M. from the Puerto Rico Conservatory of Music and her M.M. from Georgia State
University—both in flute performance—and has played with numerous
ensembles in Puerto Rico, Georgia, New York, and Washington DC. She
enjoys performing multiple genres, but mostly loves to play for musical theater.

Her mission as a teacher is to nurture the enjoyment of music-making, and
to pass on the incredible fulfillment that learning an instrument brings.
Teresa believes that through the structure that comes from conscious
practice and dedication, any student can achieve their full potential and apply these concepts to all aspects of their life.

ms. zeya

Violin, Piano, Ukulele
Ms. Zeya grew up in Maryland and has been playing violin since she was 8 years old. She attended Georgia Tech and obtained her Bachelor of Science in Chemical Engineering. Ms. Zeya played in the Georgia Tech Symphony Orchestra every semester, serving as concertmaster and president.

Since graduating, Ms. Zeya has continued her musical career through playing violin and singing in her band and doing session work for other local bands.

Faculty