Meet the Lilburn Music Teachers:
Enter the category for this item: Trumpet
John Alford, Trumpet
John Alford has played trumpet for nearly 14 years in a wide variety of ensembles from chamber groups to full orchestras, performing music of all genres. John is currently first trumpet in the Gwinnett Symphony Orchestra. He studied music and music education and earned a Bachelors degree in Trumpet Performance from Berry College. He enjoys teaching students of all ages, levels and abilities.
Enter the category for this item: Piano
Susan Andrews, Piano
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.
Enter the category for this item: Piano
Charles Anschuetz, Piano
Mr. Anschuetz is a 35 year veteran of teaching traditional and Suzuki piano, and sometimes a blend. Charles began his music education at the Peabody Conservatory in Baltimore, Md., and graduated with a degree in both piano and pipe organ from the University of Oklahoma. His areas of service include Vice President and President of the Orlando Music Club, and Vice President of the Central Florida Music Teacher's National Association. Teaching is his main interest, and he looks forward to a long and rewarding career in the Greater Atlanta area.
Enter the category for this item: Violin, Fiddle, Guitar, Piano, Mandolin
Rita Atkinson, Violin, Fiddle, Guitar, Piano, Mandolin
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”.
Enter the category for this item: Piano, Voice
Jacqueline Banks, Piano, Voice
Jacqueline Banks has been teaching piano and voice for 13 and 8 years respectively. She has held faculty positions at several institutions and nonprofit organizations and specializes in piano instruction, music history, solfege and the Kodaly Approach to music education. Mrs. Banks holds a BA in Music from Xavier University Louisiana and is embarked on graduate studies in piano pedagogy with an emphasis on Kodaly methodology.
Enter the category for this item: Drums, Percussion
Chris Burroughs, Drums & Percussion
Born and raised in Rockford Illinois, drummer/percussionist Chris Burroughs began playing at the early age of four. Over the course of his professional career, Chris has performed throughout the United States, Europe, Japan, and Australia. He has been blessed to record, tour and share the stage with artists such as: Lizz Wright, Jennifer Holiday, Russell Gunn, The Chris Duarte Group, Julie Dexter, Greg Tardy, Jacques Schwartz-Bart, Ike Stubblefield, Russell Malone, Khari Simmons, Rhonda Thomas, Joe Gransden, Marcus Printup among others. Chris is recognized as an endorser by Evans Drum Heads, Bosphorus Cymbals, Pro-Mark drum sticks, and Palmetto Drums. Chris loves to teach and has taught students of all ages and abilities for many years.
Enter the category for this item: Piano
Tina Darden, Piano, Yamaha
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.
Enter the category for this item: Trumpet
Bill Dickinson, Trumpet
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.
Enter the category for this item: Piano
Mirela Dragan, Piano
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.
Enter the category for this item: Violin, Viola, Piano
Rachael Eubanks – Violin, Viola, Piano
Ms. Eubanks has been playing the violin for as long as she can remember! In February 2011 Rachael graduates in Music Education from the University of Georgia. She loves to teach and strives to meet the individual needs and unique learning styles of each student in creative ways. In addition to teaching she is an active performer. She enjoys the honor of playing for weddings, churches and other family functions throughout the metro-Atlanta area.
Enter the category for this item: Guitar, Bass Guitar
Guy Fenocchi, Guitar, Bass Guitar
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.
Enter the category for this item: Clarinet, Saxophone
Philip Gubser, Clarinet, Saxophone
Mr. Gubser earned a BA in music from Georgia College & State University. He has been playing clarinet for 12yrs and also plays saxophone, flute and trombone. He has played with many different ensembles and has taught privately. He loves to teach students of all ages & abilities.
Enter the category for this item: Voice, Piano
Thora Goodmannsdottir, Voice, Piano
Ms. Goodmannsdottir received her ABRSM in Singing Performance & her RSM in Voice Teaching from the Reykjavik Academy of Singing and Vocal Arts. She is an experience performer and teacher. She loves to teach students of all ages and levels.
Enter the category for this item: Trumpet
Greg Holland, Trumpet
Mr. Holland is a native of Georgia. He earned an MA in Music Education from GSU and a Master of Music degree in Performance from Northwestern University where he was a student of Vincent Cichowicz. He is an active freelance musician, a member of the Atlanta Ballet Orchestra and Atlanta Symphony Orchestra, making several high profile appearances and recordings. He has over 30 years of private studio teaching and is Instructor of Trumpet at Gainesville State College.
Enter the category for this item: Bassoon, Piano
Michelle Hung, Bassoon, Piano
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.
Enter the category for this item: Guitar, Piano, Drums, Percussion
Steve Johnston, Guitars, Piano & Drums
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.
Enter the category for this item: Double Bass, Guitar, Bass Guitar, Piano
Drew Lloyd, Double bass, all Guitars & Piano
Drew Lloyd is a versatile musician. He plays jazz to classical and everything in between. He just loves to play his range of instruments and is a tireless performer. He also has a love of teaching and teaches all of his instruments. He earned a Bachelors in Bass Performance from Valdosta State University and also studied at the Atlanta Institute of Music.
Enter the category for this item: Guitar, Saxophone, Flute, Clarinet
Matt Maher, Guitar, Saxophones, Flute, Clarinets
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.
Enter the category for this item: Guitar, Bass Guitar
Charlie Miller, Guitar, Bass Guitar
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.
Enter the category for this item: Piano
Julie Mitchell-Smith, Piano
Ms. Mitchell received her Bachelors Degree in Piano Performance from Georgia College and State University Milledgeville where she was an active accompanist for the university’s choirs. She was awarded a Graduate Assistantship in Group Piano and a Masters Degree in Piano Pedagogy. She enjoys teaching students of all ages and is an active member of MTNA and has adjudicated piano competitions in Florida and Alabama.
Enter the category for this item: Double Bass, Cello, Violin, Viola, Piano
Lauren McCombe, Bass, Cello, Violin/Viola, Beg. Piano
Ms. McCombe received a Master of Music Perf. from Valdosta State Univ. and a Bachelors of Music Education and Music Theory from UGA. Lauren gained experience as an Orchestra Specialist and private teacher throughout her education. She invites students to choose pieces they like to play in order to keep them engaged in the lessons. She also emphasizes a deeper understanding of the working parts of the instrument as well as an understanding of music theory and history.
Enter the category for this item: Voice, Piano
Perri Montane, Voice, Piano
Ms. Montane has a Bachelors and a Masters Degree in Music Performance. She has performed professionally as a singer and pianist throughout the U.S. and Canada and has taught for many years. She has prepared students for auditions into colleges and conservatories, ensembles, Broadway and television and enjoys teaching voice and piano to all ages and abilities.
Enter the category for this item: Drums, Percussion
Kenny Reagor, Drums, Percussion
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.
Enter the category for this item: Voice
César Augusto Restrepo, Voice, Singing Lessons
César received his Bachelor of Music in Vocal Performance from Truett McConnell College. His vast repertoire of musical styles ranges from Jazz & Opera to Praise & Broadway. César believes that proper vocal technique should be implemented with all singing styles, and then more focus may be applied to tone, dramatic effect and text.
Enter the category for this item: Flute, Piano
Teodora Stoyanova, Flute, Piano
Ms. Stoyanova received her Bachelors and Master degrees from the National Academy of Music in Sofia, Bulgaria. Teodora equally enjoys teaching and performing. As a soloist and chamber musician she has toured Europe. After moving to USA she has performed with the Atlanta Flute Ensemble, ‘Aulos Winds’ & DaSalo Solisti Chamber Orchestra. She is principal flutist of Gwinnett Symphony Orchestra. Her teaching experience of over 15 years includes all ages and levels, from beginners through professionally trained adults.
Enter the category for this item: Violin, Viola, Cello, Piano
Kristine Sampson – Violin, Viola, Cello, Piano
Mrs. Sampson earned a BA in Music from UGA, a Masters from North Texas State University and a Conductors certificate from SC Conductors Institute. Kristine has served as church music director & directed children & adult choirs. She has taught orchestra for 30 years and is currently Orchestra Director at Parkview School. She loves teaching all ages & abilities.
Enter the category for this item: Piano
Etsuko Tomeda, Piano
Ms. Tomeda studied Piano Pedagogy and received a Bachelor of Music in Piano Performance with honor at Shorter University and Performance Diploma at Musashino Music Academy in Tokyo. She has been studying jazz piano performance with Dan Lawrence, a composer and a staff pianist at Ritz Carlton Hotel, since 2010. She enjoys performing classical and jazz as well as teaching all ages. She has over 20 years of teaching and performance experience. She joined our faculty in 1999.
Enter the category for this item: Bassoon, Oboe
Dr. Shelly Unger, Bassoon, Oboe
Ms. Unger received a Master's Degree at Rice University and pursued post-graduate study with Bernard H. Garfield. Shelley earned a Bachelor's Degree from Indiana University where she studied with Sidney Rosenberg. She recently completed her Doctoral Degree in Bassoon Performance with Dr. William Davis from the University of Georgia. She joined our faculty in 1997.
Enter the category for this item: Trombone, Baritone, Euphonium, Tuba, Trumpet, Accordion, Double Bass
George Uterhardt, Low Brass, String Bass, Trumpet, Piano, Accordion
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.
Enter the category for this item: Piano
Mariel Uzal, Piano
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.
Enter the category for this item: Guitar
Brian Ward, Guitar
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.
Enter the category for this item: Saxophone
Earl Williams – Saxophones
Mr. Williams was raised in a musical family that included Blues great Ruth Brown and big band leader Paul ‘Huckle Buck’ Williams. Earl attended Old Westbury College in NY for two years where he studied with jazz greats Ken McIntyre, Warren Smith and Sinclair Acey. He has performed in many of NYC legendary clubs such as Birdland, Lennox Lounge, Augie’s, The Cotton Club and Cleopatra’s Needle. Since moving to Atlanta in the spring of 08, Earl has established himself as a working freelance musician who continues to record, teach and perform locally and overseas.
Enter the category for this item: Piano
Mariona Zeliazkova, Piano
Mariona has a Master’s Degree in Music (M.M.) in Piano Pedagogy from Georgia State University. She also holds a Georgia Professional Teaching Certificate in Music, Level 5 (Grades P-12). With over twenty five years of music teaching experience, Mariona teaches piano from beginner to college level.
Her husband and her two sons are woodwind players, and with her family ensemble she has performed in California, Alabama, and North Carolina. Her younger son was selected to play with the Georgia All-State Band in Savannah for six years. Mariona has adjudicated the Romantic Piano Competition for the Atlanta Music Teachers Association. She is also an experienced accompanist and a church pianist. Mariona has been accepted into the Doctoral Program of Musical Arts (D.M.A.) in Piano Pedagogy at the University of South Carolina and was awarded an assistantship in accompanying.