Private Lessons

Alex Gayton has been playing music for as long as he can remember. Learning music through his family’s music collection and playing on his grandmother’s piano. By the time he was old enough to play drums he had immersed himself in all things music, playing in ensembles at school and forming his first band in the 7th grade, playing shows in the local punk rock scene. 

Since those early experiences he has been performing and recording professionally, earning his B.A in Music from Eastern Washington University and his M.M in Jazz and Improvised Music from the University of Washington. 

Over the last decade Alek has performed locally and nationally with a wide variety of artists. His flexible playing style has led to a wide range of performance opportunities, including playing with Le Grotto, Delvon Lamar, The Bob Curnow Big Band, Ernie Watts, Mike Stern and the Seahawks Drumline. These opportunities have led to performances at notable events such as Monterey Jazz Festival’s Next Generation, South by Southwest, The New Orleans Jazz Festival, MNF on ESPN and several US and West Coast tours. His drumming can be heard on the Erina song Home, which is featured on HBO’s Cherish the Day. 

As an educator, Alek possesses the flexibility to teach to each individual student. Every student has different interests and goals. He believes in giving students the opportunity to explore and create on their instrument, while focusing on strong fundamentals. He additionally puts emphasis on learning songs and playing along with music, while learning about the history of the band or artist with his students. (Alek loves music history!)

Alexander Kao is an Atlanta based clarinetist who has over 10 years of performance and teaching experience. He has performed throughout the United States and Europe as a member of multiple ensembles. Raised in Madison, Wisconsin, Alexander began studying clarinet at the age of 10 and made his international debut at the age of 17 in London, England at Cadogan Hall. 

He began his professional studies at Western Michigan University in Kalamazoo Michigan where he earned a BA in music, studying under a variety of teachers including Georgiy Borisov and Ellen Glick. During this time he performed and recorded with a variety of ensembles throughout southwestern Michigan such as the Western Michigan University Symphony Orchestra and the Academy Street Winds. After completing his undergraduate studies he decided to further his musical education and began studying under Chanse Morris. 

Since relocating to Atlanta to begin his graduate studies under Kenneth Long at Georgia State University, he has continued to teach as a member of the Ztunes Music faculty and perform throughout the Atlanta area.

Anna Snider is a dynamic voice teacher and seasoned teaching artist who has brought her passion for performance and vocal technique to theaters and institutes all over the Atlanta. Whether she’s in a rehearsal room, a classroom, or behind a piano, Anna is all about helping singers and musicians unlock their unique sound and tell powerful stories through song.

With years of experience working at a variety of theaters and educational programs, Anna has taught everyone from total beginners to seasoned performers. She specializes in musical theater, but loves teaching pop and even classical!

Anna believes singing should feel good, sound great, and be a whole lot of fun. Her goal is to help each student build a voice and sound they can trust and a confidence they can carry with them on stage and off.

Born and raised in Cleveland, Ohio, Ashley started classical piano lessons at age 8. When her grandmother passed away unexpectedly, her grandfather shared that it was her wish for Ashley to learn to play the piano, and he fulfilled that wish by paying for lessons in her memory for years to come. In 2010, Ashley joined the world-renowned Singing Angels youth choir in Cleveland, marking the beginning of her journey in vocal instruction. In 2015, Ashley attended Ohio University School of Communication Studies, but continued her music education through collegiate choir, a cappella, piano lessons and voice lessons. She graduated with a degree in Communication Studies concentrating in Public Advocacy, and a minor in Mathematics.

Ashley has worked in both the nonprofit and hospitality fields, advocating for people experiencing poverty and homelessness, as well as expanding food access in Athens, Ohio. In 2021, Ashley moved to Athens, Georgia (Athens to Athens!) and led a local nonprofit in their flagship program, delivering 130,000 books to 12,000 students at 22 elementary schools, promoting childhood literacy across Northeast Georgia. Following this experience, Ashley shifted into a season of exploration and hospitality work, living and working at travelers’ hostels in South Lake Tahoe, California and Wailuku, Hawaii. In 2024, Ashley moved to Atlanta and began her current role as a Volunteer Manager for a hospice company. Her current role involves recruiting, onboarding, training and pairing volunteers to work with hospice patients and their families, offering companionship and support at the end of life’s journey.

In January 2025, Ashley began teaching piano part-time at ATL Music Lessons, and greatly looks forward to seeing her students every week, watching them progress as they work together. Ashley is thrilled to be part of the transition over to ZTunes, with the opportunity to welcome new students to group piano lessons and possibly take on private lessons in the future!

Ashley lives in Reynoldstown with her cat Mattie. In her free time, she enjoys rollerblading on the beltline, hiking in North Georgia and making music with friends.

Brooke is a professional singer/songwriter specializing in the genres of folk and pop. She plays guitar and piano and frequently plays shows across Atlanta and the Southeast. Brooke is regularly releasing music on all streaming platforms and is consistently growing as an independent artist. She has been studying music since the age of 7 and believes every person has a gift worth sharing. If you are looking to expand your knowledge, strengthen your belief in yourself, and deepen your art of storytelling, Brooke is the perfect fit.

Garrett Knighton is a lifelong musician and dedicated music educator with 7 years of experience teaching a variety of music genres. A versatile multi-instrumentalist proficient in guitar, mandolin, violin, piano, and flute, Garrett began his musical journey on piano and later excelled in school band and orchestra programs. He received guitar instruction from Terry Cantwell at Mercer University and Macon State before earning a B.A. in Music Performance from the University of Georgia, studying under John Sutherland and Philip Snyder.

During his studies, Garrett was active in the UGA Philharmonia and co-founded music projects that performed at festivals such as Bragg Jam, Kat Kat Phest, and Mighty Oak Festival. His bands have been featured in Athens Flagpole, Immersive Atlanta, The Blue Indian, and B-Metro Magazine. In 2017, his band received the Flagpole Upstart award and was nominated for a Vic Chesnut Songwriter of the Year Award in 2018. Garrett specializes in classical, folk, indie rock, and jazz, and has been focusing on expanding his knowledge of different pedagogical approaches to learning music.

Hunter began playing guitar in 3rd grade with a focus in bluegrass. Throughout his teens he played in bluegrass festivals across Georgia. During that time, he also joined several rock bands that performed around the Metro Atlanta area.

In 2015, Hunter received his bachelor’s in Music Education from Columbus State University. Since then, Hunter has been a vocal and instrumental performer around the Atlanta area. He has appeared with the TinselTones a cappella caroling company, Old Silk Road band at the GA Renaissance Faire, and on several theater stages and pits across the Atlanta and Chicago areas.

His musical specialties include a cappella music, musical theatre, classical, pop, rock/metal, and bluegrass/folk. Hunter also specializes in students that have anxiety and tension by using Feldenkreis, Alexander Technique, and affirmations that they are valid and enough!

As a native of Atlanta, trombone player Lovrick Gary III began his musical studies through the Atlanta Symphony Talent Development Program. As a fellow, he studied with Atlanta Symphony members Nathan Zgonc and Brian Hecht. He obtained a bachelor’s degree from the Schwob School of Music at Columbus State University, where he studied with Dr. Bradley Palmer. While a student at the Schwob School, Gary was named a finalist in the American Trombone Workshop National Solo Competition in 2017 Division I and 2019 in Division II. 

Lovrick currently serves as the trombone instructor at Macalester College in St. Paul, Minnesota. Prior to this, he held a position as a fellow with the Minnesota Orchestra from 2021-2023. He has also performed several concerts with both the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra and the Minnesota Orchestra. Additionally, he’s had opportunities to be a part of multiple recording projects, including one in which he is featured in a quartet on Ash, the latest project of the New York Philharmonic’s associate principal trombone Colin Williams. Additionally, he can be heard on Columbus State University Trombone Ensemble’s recent album Full Tilt as well as the Minnesota Orchestra’s Listening Project. 

Lovrick Gary III is a Performing Artist for S.E. Shires.

Rodrigo Suarez is an Atlanta-based guitarist and passionate educator dedicated to helping students of all ages discover the joy of music. A Magna Cum Laude graduate of Kennesaw State University, Rodrigo blends a strong academic foundation with nearly a decade of teaching experience. His background spans many diverse styles/disciplines including jazz, classical, rock, neosoul, r&b, pop, latin, and metal, giving his students a broad and creative approach to guitar.

Rodrigo’s lessons focus on developing solid technique, musical understanding, and authentic self-expression. He tailors his teaching to each student’s goals—whether that’s mastering fundamentals, preparing for performances, exploring improvisation and composition, or learning an appreciation for music and the culture it provides. Having studied under top mentors and performed across Atlanta’s music scene, Rodrigo brings both real-world experience and supportive guidance to every lesson.

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. He maintains a busy performing and teaching career throughout the Atlanta area.

As a freelance musician, Taylor has performed with the Atlanta Symphony, Charleston Symphony, Chattanooga Symphony, Rome Symphony, Atlanta Pops, and the Southwest Iowa Symphony, among others. He is also a member of Gate City Brass, a professional brass quintet which performs throughout the Atlanta area. In the summer of 2019 they recorded their first studio album, ‘Twas In the Moon of Wintertime.

As an instructor, Taylor has taught private lessons, masterclasses, and sectionals throughout the Atlanta area. He maintains a private studio of french horn and piano students of all levels. His students have gone to win state-wide competitions, place in All-State and other honor bands, perform with youth orchestras around Atlanta, and have been accepted into prestigious music programs at universities throughout the US. 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.

When not performing, teaching, or practicing, Taylor enjoys reading, playing video games, going for long walks, and spending time with his husband, their cat Pistachio, and their dogs Peanut and Cashew.