Teacher: Dede Addy

Instruments: Violin, Piano

Directions: Mapquest School

Biography: Ms. Addy attended Duke Univ. in NC where she studied violin under Professor Hsai-mei Ku.  Dede performed with Duke Symphony Orchestra and taught voluntarily at a local elementary school.  She assisted in group Suzuki classes and taught private lessons.  She uses Suzuki method with pre-reading students and incorporates traditional methods as students begin to read music.

Teacher: Susan Andrews

Instruments: Piano

Directions: Mapquest School

Biography: Ms. Andrews received a Bachelor of Music in Piano Performance from the University of Georgia. She holds National Certification from Music Teachers National Association and was the past president of the Gwinnett County Music Teachers Association and Georgia Music Teachers Association. Ms. Andrews has over 30 years teaching experience and she joined our faculty in 2005.

Teacher: Rita Atkinson

Instruments: Violin, Fiddle, Guitar, Piano, Mandolin

Directions: Mapquest School

Biography: Rita graduated in 2003 with honors from the Atlanta Institute of Music and has extensive training in many styles including classical, Celtic and bluegrass as well as theory, composition and improvisation. She leads two successful Atlanta area bands, Mickle-a-Do Celtic Band and the Kamayacha Gypsy Band. She has taught for 12 years and enjoys teaching budding orchestra performers and those wanting to “fiddle”.

Teacher: Tim Bowen

Instruments: Guitars, Bass Guitar

Directions: Mapquest School

Biography: Mr. Bowen received a Music Certificate from the Guitar Institute of Technology in Los Angeles.  Mr. Bowen has over 20 years of performance and teaching experience and he joined our faculty in 2004.

Teacher: Candy Deller

Instruments: Voice

Directions: Mapquest School

Biography: Ms. Deller completed her Bachelor and Masters degree in Music Education and Choral Conducting, and Specialist degree in Educational Administration from Central Michigan University. Currently Candy is pursuing her Doctorate of Musical Arts in Music Education from Boston University. As an active soloist, chamber singer and choral conductor, she has toured Eastern and Western Europe and US. She teaches Chorus and General Music in Gwinnett County Public Schools and maintains a private voice studio. Her experience includes teaching voice at all levels for over 15 years. She is an active member of ACDA, MENC, GMEA and Chorus America.

Teacher: Tina Darden

Instruments: Piano, Yamaha

Directions: Mapquest School

Biography: Tina Darden, a graduate of Converse College in Spartanburg, SC, has a Bachelor of Music in Piano Performance/Pedagogy.  She is also a graduate of Florida State University, where she earned her Master of Music in Piano Performance/Pedagogy.  Tina has been teaching the Yamaha method in Atlanta since 1992.  She has been a Yamaha Music Education Specialist, which qualifies her to teach other teachers, since 2002.  Tina teaches Yamaha classes at Atlanta Music Education Center and teaches private piano lessons at New School of Music.  She is the pianist for McKendree United Methodist Church in Lawrenceville and is the accompanist for the Atlanta Suzuki Flute Choir.  Tina is an active member of GCMTA and GMTA.

Teacher: Bill Dickinson

Instruments: Trumpet

Directions: Mapquest School

Biography: Mr. Dickinson received his Master’s degree from DePaul University and his Bachelor’s from UGA in Trumpet Performance. Bill’s motivating teaching philosophy is that students must enjoy playing the trumpet before they can achieve higher goals. His vast experience in performing and teaching equips him with a variety of tools to make this possible with every student.

Teacher: Mirela Dragan

Instruments: Piano

Directions: Mapquest School

Biography: Ms. Dragan is classically trained and has been playing since the age of 5. Mirela received a Bachelor of Music degree in Atlanta GA and received the John Schneider Award for exceptional pianistic talent whilst studying Music Theory and Piano at Georgia State Univ.  She has been teaching all ages and levels in Atlanta for over 15 years, and is an active accompanist.

Teacher: Guy Fenocchi

Instruments: Guitar, Bass Guitar

Directions: Mapquest School

Biography: Mr. Fenocchi received a Bachelors of Music in Jazz Studies from Ithaca College in New York.  He has over 15 years of teaching experience and over 10 years of performing experience as a Professional Freelance Musician in the Atlanta area.  He joined our faculty in 2006.

Teacher: Albert Handmacher

Instruments: Drums

Directions: Mapquest School

Biography: Mr. Handmacher was classically trained at Georgia State University and studied with two ASO percussionists at this time. Albert has performed with the DeKalb Symphony, Wind Ensemble & Jazz Band among others. He earned his Bachelors of Music degrees from Berklee College of Music in Drum Set Performance and has been a teacher and performer in the Atlanta area for over 10 years.

Teacher: Debra Hogg

Instruments: Clarinet, Bassoon, & Beginning Flute, Oboe, & Sax

Directions: Mapquest School

Biography: Ms. Hogg received a Bachelor of Music Ministry from Ozark Christian College.  As a music major, she studied clarinet at Pittsburg State University as well as piano, bassoon, and other woodwinds.  She directs and actively assists with the music at her church including the youth orchestra and woodwind quintet.  Ms. Hogg has taken lessons on multiple instruments since third grade and has performed in numerous community bands and orchestras since seventh grade. 

Teacher: Michelle Hung  

Instruments: Bassoon, Piano

Directions: Mapquest School

Biography: Ms. Hung attended Taipei National Univ. of the Arts and Tunthai Univ. in Taiwan and received a degree in Bassoon Performance.  Michelle started performing on the piano at the tender age of 6.  She later began study on Bassoon and excelled to principal chair of various groups that performed extensively in Asia and Europe. 

Teacher: Ingrid Inglis

Instruments: Piano

Directions: Mapquest School

Biography: Ms. Inglis has been teaching for many years. Ingrid has taught all ages and levels, and is particularly skilled in teaching the young.  As well as extensive music teaching experience, she has taught foreign language to adults, and has worked in pre-school and elementary school.  She makes her lessons fun and physical, and provides lots of praise and encouragement.

Teacher: Steve Johnston

Instruments: Guitars, Piano, Drums

Directions: Mapquest School

Biography: Steve received an Associate’s degree in Guitar Performance from St. Leo College.  He tries to find the perfect balance of incorporating scales and theory along with the student’s interests into each lesson.  Steve has taught piano, bass, drums, and guitar.  He also has experience forming ensembles of students into Jazz and Rock bands.

Teacher: Nydia Kelly

Instruments: Piano, Voice

Directions: Mapquest School

Biography: Nydia began her classical music career at the early age of 3. She pursued music at both Trinity College and Royal School where she gained music theory expertise and at the Berklee College of Music in Boston where she majored in voice and guitar performance. She teaches piano in a fun and exciting way that promotes practice.

Teacher: Matt Maher

Instruments: Guitar, Saxophones, Flute, Clarinet

Directions: Mapquest School

Biography: Matt graduated from Berklee College of Music with degrees in Music Performance.  His teaching experience is vast.  Whilst his degree includes emphasis in saxophone and other woodwinds, he has extensive experience in guitar as well.  Matt’s styles include both classical and jazz.

Teacher: Robert Martin

Instruments: Guitar, Mandolin, Banjo, Bass Guitar

Directions: Mapquest School

Biography: Mr. Martin attended Appalachian State and UNC, Asheville where he received a BA in Guitar Performance.  A fixture in the Atlanta music scene, he plays with Kingsized, the Gusto Show, The Roy Owens Jr. and Crooked Fingers.  He has recorded with Crooked Fingers and has toured North America as well as overseas.

Teacher: Charlie Miller

Instruments: Guitar, Bass Guitar

Directions: Mapquest School

Biography: Mr. Miller received a Bachelor of Music Jazz in Guitar from Berklee College of Music in Boston.  Mr. Miller has over 20 years of teaching and performance experience in Rock, Jazz, Blues and Country and he joined our faculty in 1997.

Teacher: Warren Nichols

Instruments: Piano

Directions: Mapquest School

Biography: Mr. Nichols has been playing piano from a very young age. Warren received his most recent musical training from Shorter College in Rome, GA, where he studied Piano, Organ and Pedagogy. He achieved ‘superior’ ratings for 10 consecutive years at the Piano Music Festival and ‘Awards of Excellence’ for 2 consecutive years at GMTA State Auditions.  He has been teaching students of all ages and levels for over 6 years.

Teacher: Kenny Reagor

Instruments: Drums, Percussion

Directions: Mapquest School

Biography: Kenny graduated from Atlanta Institute of Music in Rock Drumming and has been teaching 5 years. He starts with basic reading and rudimental studies then move to more advanced techniques and styles depending on the student.

Teacher: Tommy Savage

Instruments: Flute, Oboe, Clarinet, Sax, Trombone

Directions: Mapquest School

Biography: Tommy has degrees in Music Ed. and Performance with emphasis in oboe and low brass.  He continues his post graduate studies at N. GA. College where he also teaches.   Tommy believes it is important to work toward performance goals and therefore holds recitals throughout the year.

Teacher: Glenn Riches

Instruments: Guitar, Brass, & Woodwinds

Directions: Mapquest School

Biography: Glenn received his music degrees from London College of Music and from University of Exeter.  He studied primarily guitar and brass; however Glenn frequently performs on sax and clarinet as well.  Glenn has been teaching private lessons for over 15 years and on all styles of music. He always strives to keep lessons lively and enjoyable by implementing fun material and other pieces chosen by the pupil.

Teacher: Jonathan Swygert

Instruments: Trumpet

Directions: Mapquest School

Biography: Mr. Swygert received his Masters in Performance from the University of Tennessee and his Bachelors in Performance from Northwestern University. His experience includes performing with the Atlanta Symphony and teaching undergraduate students at Mercer University. Jonathan enjoys teaching all levels of ability; from beginners to college level.

Teacher: Etsuko Tomeda

Instruments: Piano

Directions: Mapquest School

Biography: Ms. Tomeda received a Bachelor of Music in Piano Performance (pedagogy) at Shorter College and has further studies in Piano Performance from Musashino Music Academy in Tokyo.  Ms. Tomeda has extensive experience in accompanying and has over 18 years of teaching and performance experience.  She joined our faculty in 1999. 

Teacher: Shelly Unger

Instruments: Bassoon, Oboe

Directions: Mapquest School

Biography: Ms. Unger received a Master's Degree at Rice University and pursued post-graduate study with Bernard H. Garfield.  She earned a Bachelor's Degree from Indiana University where she studied with Sidney Rosenberg.  She is nearing completion of her Doctoral Degree in Bassoon Performance with Dr. William Davis from the University of Georgia.  She joined our faculty in 1997. 

Teacher: George Uterhardt

Instruments: Low Brass, String Bass, Trumpet, Piano, Accordion

Directions: Mapquest School

Biography: Mr. Uterhardt graduated from Univ. of S. Florida in Music Ed. He accredits 25 years as a professional musician to the US Navy Band from which he received awards and recognition.  Among countless other experiences, George is also a former band director.

Teacher: Mariel Uzal

Instruments: Piano

Directions: Mapquest School

Biography: Ms. Uzal received a Masters of Music from the University of Georgia and a Bachelor of Music from Juan Jose Castro Provincial Conservatory of Music in Argentina.  She has over 13 years of teaching and performance experience and she joined our faculty in 1999. 

Teacher: Brian Ward

Instruments: Guitar

Directions: Mapquest School

Biography: Mr. Ward received a Music Certificate from the Atlanta Institute of Music and has over 8 years of teaching, performing and recording experience.  He joined our faculty in 2004.