FacultyMeet NSM's Johns Creek Music Faculty
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Enter the category for this item: PIANO
Angela Anzai | PIANO
Campus: Buford, Johns Creek, Online
NSM Faculty Since 2016
Angela Anzai earned a Bachelor of Music degree in Piano Performance from Kennesaw State University, where she was awarded the Emmanuel Ax Piano Scholarship and the Steinway Society Endowed Scholarship. She began her piano studies at age seven in Atlanta, Georgia, and quickly developed a strong passion for performance. Ms. Anzai has received top ratings in local and statewide competitions, including those sponsored by the Georgia Music Teachers Association, Georgia Music Educators Association, and the Georgia Bach Competition. She has performed with distinguished artists and ensembles such as Lisa Kaplan of eighth blackbird, Simone Dinnerstein, Alisa Weilerstein, and The Ying Quartet. At New School of Music, she is dedicated to fostering musical excellence and expressive artistry in her students.
Campus: Buford, Johns Creek, Online
NSM Faculty Since 2016
Angela Anzai earned a Bachelor of Music degree in Piano Performance from Kennesaw State University, where she was awarded the Emmanuel Ax Piano Scholarship and the Steinway Society Endowed Scholarship. She began her piano studies at age seven in Atlanta, Georgia, and quickly developed a strong passion for performance. Ms. Anzai has received top ratings in local and statewide competitions, including those sponsored by the Georgia Music Teachers Association, Georgia Music Educators Association, and the Georgia Bach Competition. She has performed with distinguished artists and ensembles such as Lisa Kaplan of eighth blackbird, Simone Dinnerstein, Alisa Weilerstein, and The Ying Quartet. At New School of Music, she is dedicated to fostering musical excellence and expressive artistry in her students.
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Enter the category for this item: WOODWINDS
Natalie Beckenbaugh | OBOE
Secondary Instruments | ENGLISH HORN
Campus: Johns Creek, Online
NSM Faculty Since 2021
Natalie Beckenbaugh holds a Master of Music degree from Carnegie Mellon University, where she studied oboe with Cynthia DeAlmeida and served as Teaching Assistant for the Oboe Studio. She earned her Bachelor of Music degree from the University of Cincinnati College–Conservatory of Music, studying with Mark Ostoich. Ms. Beckenbaugh has performed with wind ensembles, orchestras, and chamber groups and has appeared at events including the Midwest Clinic and ClarinetFest®. Now based in Atlanta, she maintains an active teaching studio and performs with regional ensembles while preparing students from beginner through advanced levels with a strong focus on tone, technique, and musical expression.
Secondary Instruments | ENGLISH HORN
Campus: Johns Creek, Online
NSM Faculty Since 2021
Natalie Beckenbaugh holds a Master of Music degree from Carnegie Mellon University, where she studied oboe with Cynthia DeAlmeida and served as Teaching Assistant for the Oboe Studio. She earned her Bachelor of Music degree from the University of Cincinnati College–Conservatory of Music, studying with Mark Ostoich. Ms. Beckenbaugh has performed with wind ensembles, orchestras, and chamber groups and has appeared at events including the Midwest Clinic and ClarinetFest®. Now based in Atlanta, she maintains an active teaching studio and performs with regional ensembles while preparing students from beginner through advanced levels with a strong focus on tone, technique, and musical expression.
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Enter the category for this item: WOODWINDS
Michael Carswell | SAXOPHONE | CLARINET
Secondary Instruments | FLUTE
Campus: Buford, Lilburn, Johns Creek, Online
NSM Faculty Since 2024
Michael Carswell II earned a Bachelor of Music degree in Jazz Studies from Georgia State University, where he gained extensive performance experience in both jazz and classical settings. A saxophonist based in the Atlanta area, he has been playing since fifth grade and brings a broad musical background to his teaching. Mr. Carswell has worked with middle and high school programs, preparing students for LGPE evaluations, jazz band performances, All-State auditions, and marching band competitions. He is passionate about connecting with students on a personal level and believes music education should foster growth not only as musicians, but as confident, expressive individuals.
Secondary Instruments | FLUTE
Campus: Buford, Lilburn, Johns Creek, Online
NSM Faculty Since 2024
Michael Carswell II earned a Bachelor of Music degree in Jazz Studies from Georgia State University, where he gained extensive performance experience in both jazz and classical settings. A saxophonist based in the Atlanta area, he has been playing since fifth grade and brings a broad musical background to his teaching. Mr. Carswell has worked with middle and high school programs, preparing students for LGPE evaluations, jazz band performances, All-State auditions, and marching band competitions. He is passionate about connecting with students on a personal level and believes music education should foster growth not only as musicians, but as confident, expressive individuals.
Enter the category for this item: ORCHESTRAL STRINGS
Chelsea Cline | VIOLIN
Campus: Buford, Johns Creek, Online
NSM Faculty Since 2025
Chelsea Cline earned both a Bachelor’s degree and an Artist Diploma in Violin Performance from the Robert McDuffie Center for Strings, where she studied on a full scholarship. Originally from Honolulu, Hawaii, she began playing violin at age three and later attended the Meadowmount School of Music. Ms. Cline has performed as concertmaster of her high school and All-State orchestras and was selected for the National Youth Orchestra of the United States in 2017. She currently performs as a substitute violinist with major regional orchestras and brings over eight years of teaching experience to her students. Ms. Cline is currently completing Suzuki Association Teacher certification.
Campus: Buford, Johns Creek, Online
NSM Faculty Since 2025
Chelsea Cline earned both a Bachelor’s degree and an Artist Diploma in Violin Performance from the Robert McDuffie Center for Strings, where she studied on a full scholarship. Originally from Honolulu, Hawaii, she began playing violin at age three and later attended the Meadowmount School of Music. Ms. Cline has performed as concertmaster of her high school and All-State orchestras and was selected for the National Youth Orchestra of the United States in 2017. She currently performs as a substitute violinist with major regional orchestras and brings over eight years of teaching experience to her students. Ms. Cline is currently completing Suzuki Association Teacher certification.
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Enter the category for this item: ORCHESTRAL STRINGS
Marina Dmitriyev | VIOLIN
Secondary Instruments | PIANO
Campus: Online, Lilburn, Johns Creek
NSM Faculty Since 2011
Marina Dmitriyev earned a degree in Violin Performance and Teaching from St. Petersburg, Russia, and brings over 30 years of teaching experience to her studio. Trained in both traditional and Suzuki methods, she began studying violin and piano at the age of five and has dedicated her career to sharing the gift of music with students of all ages. Ms. Dmitriyev has performed with professional ensembles including the Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra, Buffalo Opera Company, and Fredonia Chamber Players, as well as numerous community orchestras. Her teaching philosophy centers on nurturing each student’s potential and fostering a lifelong love of music.
Secondary Instruments | PIANO
Campus: Online, Lilburn, Johns Creek
NSM Faculty Since 2011
Marina Dmitriyev earned a degree in Violin Performance and Teaching from St. Petersburg, Russia, and brings over 30 years of teaching experience to her studio. Trained in both traditional and Suzuki methods, she began studying violin and piano at the age of five and has dedicated her career to sharing the gift of music with students of all ages. Ms. Dmitriyev has performed with professional ensembles including the Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra, Buffalo Opera Company, and Fredonia Chamber Players, as well as numerous community orchestras. Her teaching philosophy centers on nurturing each student’s potential and fostering a lifelong love of music.
Enter the category for this item: PERCUSSION
Scott Douglas | PERCUSSION
Campus: Online, Johns Creek
NSM Faculty Since 2017
Scott Douglas received advanced percussion training from leading orchestral musicians in New York, including marimba studies with Leigh Howard Stevens and jazz vibraphone studies with David Friedman. He has been performing and teaching since 1976 and brings decades of professional experience to his students. Mr. Douglas has performed extensively as an extra musician with the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra and currently serves as Principal Timpanist and keyboard soloist with the Atlanta Ballet Orchestra. His career also includes touring Broadway productions at the Fox and Alliance Theatres, recital performances throughout Georgia, and appearances with the Atlanta Pops Orchestra. His students have earned top state honors and gone on to professional careers nationwide.
Campus: Online, Johns Creek
NSM Faculty Since 2017
Scott Douglas received advanced percussion training from leading orchestral musicians in New York, including marimba studies with Leigh Howard Stevens and jazz vibraphone studies with David Friedman. He has been performing and teaching since 1976 and brings decades of professional experience to his students. Mr. Douglas has performed extensively as an extra musician with the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra and currently serves as Principal Timpanist and keyboard soloist with the Atlanta Ballet Orchestra. His career also includes touring Broadway productions at the Fox and Alliance Theatres, recital performances throughout Georgia, and appearances with the Atlanta Pops Orchestra. His students have earned top state honors and gone on to professional careers nationwide.
Enter the category for this item: BRASS
Preston Wilhite | TRUMPET
Secondary Instruments | FRENCH HORN | TROMBONE
Campus: Buford, Lilburn, Johns Creek, Online
NSM Faculty Since 2024
Preston Wilhite earned a degree in Music Education from Georgia State University, where he distinguished himself as a trumpet performer and emerging educator. During his undergraduate studies, he performed extensively as a soloist and ensemble musician throughout the Southeast. Mr. Wilhite has also demonstrated strong leadership in arts administration, serving as Manager of the Atlanta Youth Wind Symphony. In addition to performance, he has worked as a trumpet instructor with local middle and high school programs. Passionate about the transformative power of music, Mr. Wilhite is dedicated to inspiring the next generation of musicians through strong fundamentals, musical excellence, and meaningful educational experiences.
Secondary Instruments | FRENCH HORN | TROMBONE
Campus: Buford, Lilburn, Johns Creek, Online
NSM Faculty Since 2024
Preston Wilhite earned a degree in Music Education from Georgia State University, where he distinguished himself as a trumpet performer and emerging educator. During his undergraduate studies, he performed extensively as a soloist and ensemble musician throughout the Southeast. Mr. Wilhite has also demonstrated strong leadership in arts administration, serving as Manager of the Atlanta Youth Wind Symphony. In addition to performance, he has worked as a trumpet instructor with local middle and high school programs. Passionate about the transformative power of music, Mr. Wilhite is dedicated to inspiring the next generation of musicians through strong fundamentals, musical excellence, and meaningful educational experiences.
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David Wilkes | CLARINET | BASS CLARINET
Campus: Online, Buford, Johns Creek
NSM Faculty Since 2018
David Wilkes earned a Master of Music degree in Clarinet Performance from Kent State University, following a Bachelor of Music degree in Clarinet Performance from Auburn University. He brings extensive teaching and performance experience to his studio, having lived and taught in the Nashville area for fourteen years. Mr. Wilkes previously served as an adjunct woodwinds instructor at the University of the South in Sewanee and has performed as a substitute clarinetist and bass clarinetist with the Nashville Symphony. He currently teaches beginning band in Johns Creek and performs regularly with regional ensembles. Mr. Wilkes has been a member of the New School of Music faculty since 2018.
Campus: Online, Buford, Johns Creek
NSM Faculty Since 2018
David Wilkes earned a Master of Music degree in Clarinet Performance from Kent State University, following a Bachelor of Music degree in Clarinet Performance from Auburn University. He brings extensive teaching and performance experience to his studio, having lived and taught in the Nashville area for fourteen years. Mr. Wilkes previously served as an adjunct woodwinds instructor at the University of the South in Sewanee and has performed as a substitute clarinetist and bass clarinetist with the Nashville Symphony. He currently teaches beginning band in Johns Creek and performs regularly with regional ensembles. Mr. Wilkes has been a member of the New School of Music faculty since 2018.
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