GUITAR TEACHERS
Jeff Nagel teaches guitar and bass guitar. He has attended Virginia Tech and
VCU with emphasis on Jazz Studies. Jeff has been playing professionally and
teaching for more than 20 years. He has played in a variety of bands that have
toured throughout the United States.
Matt Balestino teaches guitar and bass guitar. He has a BA in Jazz Studies from
VCU. He has played in a wide variety of bands playing throughout the Richmond
area. He has been teaching private lessons since 2003.
Scott Martin teaches guitar. He received his bachelor of Business from
University of Florida. He has been playing and recording music since 1978. He
has taught several group guitar classes throughout California and Virginia. He
has been teaching private lessons since 1997.
Jimmy Payne teaches guitar and mandolin. He attended University of Richmond. He
has been teaching and playing professionally since 1974. He specializes in
blues, bluegrass, flat-picking and Traditional American Music.
Anthony Curtis teaches guitar and bass guitar. He has been teaching and playing
professional since 1975. He has recorded a few CD's that have gained National
attention. He plays in a wide variety of band and groups that play throughout
the Richmond area.
Doug Cherrington teaches guitar, banjo and mandolin. He has performed as a
freelance musician for 30 years. Doug specialized in bluegrass music for the
banjo and mandolin.
Christopher Brown teaches guitar and bass guitar. He received his Bachelor of
Music Education from VCU. He has been performing classical guitar for 14 years.
He has played in a wide variety of bands from Rocket Queen to classical wedding
duos for weddings. He has been teaching private lessons since 2000.
Justin Smith teaches guitar. He is currently attending VCU and will be
graduating with a music degree in 2007. He has been playing the guitar since he
was 10 and has been teaching private lessons since 2005.
Clifton McDaniel teaches guitar and bass guitar. He received his Bachelor of
Music Composition Degree from James Madison University. He has been performing
for 14 years with a wide variety of groups. He also plays the trombone
proficiently and has an interest in songwriting.
Chip Talley studied with Tim Allison and Trip Johnson and a variety of other
schools and academies. He plays with a variety of bands within the Richmond
area. Chip has been teaching guitar since 1993.
Valorie Gunsch teaches voice, guitar and piano. She received her music degree from Brigham Young University. She currently is the music teacher at Westhampton Day School. She has been teaching private lessons since 2000. She performs throughout the Richmond area as a vocalist.
Brett Edwards teaches guitar, bass guitar, mandolin and banjo. He has been teaching since 1998. He is currently attending VCU to finish his degree in Music Education. Brett plays with a variety of groups, currently he is playing with Scattered, Smothered and Covered that play bluegrass, blues and swing throughout the Richmond area.
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BRASS TEACHERS
Bob Miller teaches trumpet. He has a BS in Music from Towson University. He
completed some graduate work in jazz performance at VCU. He plays with such
bands as Bio Ritmo and Hobex. He has been teaching for since 1999.
Todd Tinsley teaches all brass. He graduated with a BA in Music Education from
Longwood College. He is currently the band director at Hungary Creek Middle
School. He has been teaching private lessons since 2002.
Catherine Govindonkutty teaches piano and French horn. She holds her Bachelor
of Music in Music Education from the University of North Carolina in
Greensboro. She has taught band and strings in a couple of public schools in
Virginia. She has been teaching private lessons since 2002.
Joy McDonald teaches piano and french horn. She received her BA in Music
Education from Virginia Tech. She received her Master's Degree in Information
Systems at Virginia Tech. Joy has taught middle school band at Land's Down
Middle School in Baltimore and Tuckahoe Middle School in Richmond. She performs
with Commonwealth Winds and Old Dominion Brass Band. She has been teaching
private lessons since 2000.
Thomas Brewer teaches all brass. He received his BA in Music Education from Stetson Unversity in DeLand, Florida. He taught High School and Middle School band for about 5 years. He performs with area ensembles such as Commonwealth Winds, Richmond Pops Band, Northen Neck Orchestra and Festival Brass Quintet.
Bryan Hooten has a Bachelor of Music in Jazz Studies from University of Southern Mississippi. He received his Master's of Music in Jazz Performance from VCU. He has played with a wide variety of bands. He currently teaches at VCU, James River High School and Hanover High School. He currently plays with the band, The Great White Jenkins.
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STRING TEACHERS
Virginia Stallings received her Bachelor of Music in Violin Performance from The Catholic
University of America in Washington DC and received her Master's of Violin
Performance from Temple University in Philadelphia. She has played with a few
Symphony Orchestras in the Northeast. She also has performance experience on
viola playing with the Shenandoah University Chamber group. She has taught at a
variety of schools in a classroom and privately. She has been teaching violin
and viola since 1997.
Chris Novelli earned his degree at Florida State University where he studied
music and graphic design. He earned a Master's degree from The Unviersity of
Virginia in Architectural History. He currently plays with the Petersburg
Symphony Orchestra with additional playing experience with other orchestras in
the Virginia area. He also has taught at Virginia State University and is
currently substituting for Chesterfield and Henrico County schools. Chris has
bee teaching private lessons since 2001.
Jennifer Stepien teaches violin and viola. She earned her degree form Ithaca
College in Ithaca New York. She is currently a strings teacher for Henrico
County Schools and also taught at schools in New York as a strings instructor.
She has been teaching private lessons since 2001.
Tom Stevens teaches violin and Viola. He graduated from Manhattan School of Music in 1998. He has played and studied with various groups such as: New York Philharmonic, Temple University, St. Petersburg String Quartet, Richmond Symphony, Connecticut Opera. He has taught at Hostra University, Manhattan School of Music and he is currently teaching at University of Richmond. Tom has taught private lessons since 2000.
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DRUMS TEACHERS
Travis Paull teaches drums and mallets. He earned his music degree at The
College of William and Mary. He also attended classes at the University of
Alabama. He has taught in a private setting in various schools and music stores
since 1999. He moved to Richmond in 2005 and since has worked for various
schools working with their marching bands and Percussion Ensemble.
Pinson Chanselle is finishing up his Music degree at VCU. He has played drums
for a variety of groups from jazz to rock. He has been teaching private drum
lessons since 2004.
Scott Clark earned his degree n Jazz Studies at VCU. He also attended East
Carolina University pursing a music education degree. He also has experience
playing in percussion ensembles a wide variety of rock and jazz bands. He has
been teaching since 2002.
Jim Sciubba earned his degree at the University of Richmond with a BA in
Economics. He plays with a couple different bands including punk to jazz bands.
His bands tour regularly throughout the United States and Europe. He has been
teaching private lessons since 2004.
Grant Bauley is finishing up his Jazz Studies degree at VCU this summer. He
plays in VCU bands and ensembles. He also plays guitar and piano. Grant started
teaching in 2005.
Ian Browning graduated from VCU in 2007. He received a BA in Music Performance specializing in Percussion. He played in a variety of ensembles at VCU. He has also worked with local High Schools in a few different capacities. He has composed and arranged for marching band shows and helped lead and teach the drum lines. Ian specializes in mallet percussion instruments. He has been teaching since 2003.
Chris McCarney teaches drums. Chris has BA from East Carolina, Master's form The George Washington Unviersity and a Doctor of Education from The George Washington Unversity. He is currently the high School band director at Manchester High School. He has played with a wide variety of bands and ensembles throughout the Richmond area.
C.J. Wolfe teaches drums. He attended VCU as a Jazz Performance Major. He has been playing professionally since 1997. He plays a wide variety of music with different groups from rock, funk and jazz. He specializes in Jazz.
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PIANO TEACHERS
Gabe Churray teaches piano and composition. He has a bachelor of music from
James Madison University and a Master of Music in composition from James
Madison University. He has played professionally at Busch Gardens and continues
to play in the Richmond area. He has been teaching private lessons since 2003.
Catherine Govindonkutty teaches piano and French horn. She holds her Bachelor
of Music in Music Education from the University of North Carolina in
Greensboro. She has taught band and strings in a couple of public schools in
Virginia. She has been teaching private lessons since 2002.
Joan Mabe teaches voice, piano and oboe. She holds her Bachelor of Music and
Master of Music with Vocal Performance specialization from the University of
Utah. She has extensive opera, concert and recital solo performance experience.
Joan has been teaching privately since 1994.
Virginia Stallings teaches violin, viola and piano. She has her Bachelors of
Music Performance from The Catholic University in Washington DC, and has a
Master's of Music in violin performance from Temple University in Pittsburg.
She has extensive performance experience throughout the Northeast as well as
teaching experience. She has been teaching private lessons since 1997.
Mindy Varner teaches piano. She received her Bachelor of Music Education from
VCU. She has taught at Prince George County School and New Kent Elementary. She
has been teaching private lessons since 2003.
Daniel Clarke teaches piano. He received his Bachelor of Jazz Studies from VCU.
He has also studied with the Berklee College of Music Summer Music Program.
Daniel has taught elementary school music, conducted Jazz Clinics at
Benedictine High School. He has played with a variety of groups including,
Modern Groove, Syndicate and Devil's Workshop Big Band. He is also currently
teaching at VCU.
Chip Talley studied with Tim Allison and Trip Johnson and a variety of other
schools and academies. He plays with a variety of bands within the Richmond
area. Chip has been teaching guitar since 1993.
Joy McDonald teaches piano and french horn. She received her BA in Music
Education from Virginia Tech. She received her Master's Degree in Information
Systems at Virginia Tech. Joy has taught middle school band at Land's Down
Middle School in Baltimore and Tuckahoe Middle School in Richmond. She performs
with Commonwealth Winds and Old Dominion Brass Band. She has been teaching
private lessons since 2000.
Chris Nickels teaches piano. He is a graduate of VCU with a degree in piano performance. He has played professionally with the Washington Ballet, Richmond Ballet. He currently accompanies ballet classes at VCU and was the resident composer for the Moving Forward Dance Company. Chris has been teaching privately since 2004.
Valorie Gunsch teaches voice, guitar and piano. She received her music degree from Brigham Young University. She currently is the music teacher at Westhampton Day School. She has been teaching private lessons since 2000. She performs throughout the Richmond area as a vocalist.
Chris Nickels teaches piano. He received his B.A. in music from VCU in piano performance. He has played for the Washington Ballet, Richmond Ballet, and VCU’s dance department. He has also performed with a variety of operas. He has been teaching private lessons since 2001.
Tyler Cash teaches piano. He received his BA from James Madison University where he specialized in Jazz Studies. He was a member of JMS's Jazz Ensembles, and several other jazz combos and big bands. He was the JMU's accompanist for several choral and instrumental recitals. He has played and recorded with such groups as Georgia Avenue, Muelle and 33 West. Tyler has been teaching since 1996.
Bonnie Osgood teaches piano. She received her music degree from Chowan College in North Carolina. She has been a choir director and accompanist for a few different church organizations. She has been teaching private lessons since 1980.
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WOODWIND TEACHERS
Jeff Nagel teaches all saxes and beginning and intermediate flute. He attended
both Virginia Tech and VCU. He studied jazz throughout his school career. He
has played in a wide variety of bands throughout the Richmond area. He has
taught private lessons since 1994.
Karl Von Klein teaches all saxes and clarinet. He received his BA in Music at
the University of Richmond. He has played in a variety of bands including
Fighting Gravity, Agents of Good Roots and the Richmond Symphony. He also
teaches at Collegiate School. Karl has been teaching private lessons since
2000.
Ann Choomack teaches flute. She earned her BA in Flute Performance from Eastman
School of Music in New York. She received a Master of Music in Flute
Performance from New England Conservator of Music in Boston. She also attended
Duquesne University, Mary Paper School of Music in Pittsburgh. She has
experience playing with a variety of orchestra and chamber orchestra throughout
the northeast. Currently she is a core member of the Richmond Symphony. She has
been teaching since 1999.
J.C. Kuhl teaches saxophone, clarinet and beginning flute. He graduated from
Towson University in Towson, MD with a BA in Jazz and Commercial Music. He has
vast experience playing with bands including Agents of Good Roots, Modern
Groove Syndicate and Devil's Workshop. J.C. has been teaching since 2004.
Lisa Brewer teaches clarinet, sax and beginning/intermediate flute. She
received her Bachelor of Music Education at Stetson University in Deland
Florida. She earned a Master's of Music in clarinet performance from VCU. She
has taught at a couple of schools in the Florida area in a classroom and
privately. She is currently teaching at New Kent Elementary School. Lisa has
been teaching private lessons since 2003.
Jessica Sarvay teaches flute and beginning clarinet. She graduates from George
Mason University with a BA in Music Education. She has played in wind ensembles
and George Mason Marching Band throughout her college career. She has taught as
a marching woodwind instructor at Hermitage High School for the last 4 years.
Jessica has taught private lessons for the last 3 years.
Deb Saidel teaches all woodwinds. She has her Master of Music in flute performance from Georgia State University. She also recieved her BA in Music Studies from VCU. Deb has been teaching and playing professionally in the Richmond area for over 20 years. She has also taught at Governor's School, St. Catherine's, Henrico Co. Public Schools and VCU. Deb has performed with a wide variety of groups and theatres in and around the Richmond area.
Nathan Koch teaches all woodwinds. He graduated from Longwood University with a BA in Music. He performed extensivley with Longwood's ensembles and wind symphonies. He has performed with such groups as The Slackers and Fighting Gravity. He currently is performing with Murphy's Kid's, a reggae rock band that is touring up and down the east coast.
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VOICE TEACHERS
Joan Mabe teaches voice, piano and oboe. She holds her Bachelor of Music and
Master of Music with Vocal Performance specialization from the University of
Utah. She has extensive opera, concert and recital solo performance experience.
Joan has been teaching privately since 1994.
Valorie Gunsch teaches voice, guitar and piano. She received her music degree from Brigham Young University. She currently is the music teacher at Westhampton Day School. She has been teaching private lessons since 2000. She performs throughout the Richmond area as a vocalist.
Andi Bryant recently came from Temple University in Philadelphia where she was working on her Master's of Music in Vocal Performance. She has here undergraduate degree from Houghton College in New York in Vocal Performance as well. She has performed in several opera productions and musical's throughout her college career and is hoping to continue her professional career here in Richmond.
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