Instructors

To schedule a lesson with Jayme, please email her directly.

Acclaimed for her lush and vibrant tone, Jayme Alilaw has performed roles from both the soprano and mezzo-soprano repertoires. Most recently, she has sung the roles of Mrs. Jones in Kurt Weill’s Street Scene, Dido (Dido and Aeneas), and Lauretta (Gianni Schicchi), at California State University, Northridge Opera Theatre. With OperaWorks, she has performed the Second Lady (Die Zauberflöte), and the role of Marketing Director in the world staged premiere of Paul Salerni’s Tony Caruso’s Last Broadcast. Jayme Alilaw also premiered the role of Laura Delano in the UCLA Seminal Institute’s production of Kenneth Wells’ The First Lady. Most recently, Ms. Alilaw sang with the internationally acclaimed Atlanta Opera Chorus in this season’s production of Porgy and Bess and will join The Atlanta Opera Chorus in their upcoming production of Lucia Di Lammermoor. She has sung the alto solos in Handel's Messiah with the Antelope Valley Symphony and, as a Sergeant in the U.S. Army Reserves, Ms. Alilaw sang for military ceremonies throughout the United States and Middle East.

Jayme’s honors include a Los Angeles District Winner in the Metropolitan Opera National Auditions, Second Place winner in the National Association of Negro Musicians Vocal Competition, Winner and Audience Choice recipient for the Harlem Opera Vocal Competition, American Traditions Competition Quarterfinalist, and finalist in the Palm Springs Opera Guild Competition. Ms. Alilaw was also the winner of the Performing Arts Award from the Fine Arts Club of Pasadena and she is the two time recipient of the Village Voices Chorale Scholarship. Jayme was inducted into Pi Kappa Lamba Musical Honor Fraternity in the spring of 2007. Jayme Alilaw has a Masters of Music degree in Vocal Performance from California State University, Northridge and currently lives in Atlanta, Georgia.

Julia Carroll- Bass Guitar, Songwriting

To schedule a lesson with Julia, please email her directly.

An Atlanta native, Julia is a singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist who has been listening to, appreciating, and playing music for all of her life. Her first memories include banging on pots and pans with wooden spoons, strumming out some killer riffs on the bristles of a broom, and standing in front of the bathroom mirror practicing her impersonations of various lead singers (including, but not limited to, Bruce Springsteen/ Mick Jagger/ Steven Tyler). Eventually she got her hands on real instruments, retired the old broom and spoons and, miraculously, found herself equipped with a fair amount of talent to support her love of music.

In the past six years, sparked by the release of her first record in 2004, Julia has evolved into a nationally touring singer-songwriter, performing shows up and down the eastern seaboard and as far west as the Mississippi. In 2008, as a guitar instructor, she joined the community of women who volunteer at Girls Rock Camp and Ladies Rock Camp, weeklong workshops that serve to introduce young girls and women to the world of writing and performing music. In 2009 she began teaching guitar, bass guitar, and songwriting lessons and has had the opportunity to work with folks of all ages, backgrounds, and musical interests.

Amy Lashley- Guitar, Songwriting, Trumpet

To schedule a lesson with Amy, please email her directly.

Amy is a professional musician, teacher, and current music student (finishing her B.M. in Guitar Performance). Although her principle instrument is the guitar, she has played trumpet for most of her life and does teach beginners. She has been teaching guitar for the past 4 years here in the Atlanta area and has experience teaching both children and adults.

In addition to teaching, Amy is also a solo singer-songwriter and has recorded one full length album, "For What It's Worth". Her solo songwriting site is located at amylashleymusic.com. She also performs in the classical music duo Ten Strings, with fellow musician Brennan Warren. During the school year she performs with various ensembles at Georgia Perimeter College.

Amy has studied guitar privately with Angela Motter, Eddie Minjarez, and Brian Mitchell, as well as attended masterclasses with musicians such as Emily Saliers, Dominic Frasca, and Roger Hudson. Amy's diverse studies have enabled her to not only become a more well rounded musician and teacher, but have also shown her that learning is an integral part of one's evolution.

Brett Kelly- Guitar, Composition

To schedule a lesson with Brett, please email him directly.

Brett Kelly is a multi-instrumentalist and composer. He received his degree in Classical Guitar Performance from Kennesaw State University in 2011. As a performer, he plays the guitar, bass guitar, drums, and piano. He is proficient with most all music production and recording software. As a composer, Brett has written on all four albums he has released, won his first composition competition in the 4th grade, and recently won the KSU New Music Composition Competition.

Brett has been on multiple national tours, recorded 4 albums (released on Stickfigure Records), performed at many universities nationwide, has interviewed on dozens of radio stations (including NPR), and is a founding organizer of Atlanta's Barroco Festival (now on it's 3rd year).

Brett has been teaching music lessons for 5 years and has maintained an average of 35 - 50 students throughout. He enjoys teaching classical, rock, beginning blues and jazz, and has a strong background in two-hand tapping (like Stanley Jordan & Kaki King). You can read more at www.BKguitarlessons.com or www.brettkelly.blogspot.com

Rebecca Puckett- Piano, Voice, Trombone

To schedule a piano lesson, please contact Rebecca directly.

Originally from Williamsburg, Virginia, Rebecca began her music studies on the piano at age 6. Subsequently, she has participated in all manner of musical groups throughout her school career and beyond including choruses, bands, musical theatre, and chamber music; singing and playing piano, trombone, and guitar. Highlights include being keyboardist in the rock opera Tommy, and playing a recital with soprano Emily Whitworth. Her latest project is playing keyboards in a production of Hedwig and the Angry Inch.

Rebecca is currently completing her degree in Music Education from Georgia State University, and studying classical piano under Dr. Brandt Fredriksen. She has taught piano lessons in various settings for four years, and from 2007 - 2009 was the music teacher at the Ormewood Preschool, where she put on three original stage productions with three and four year-olds. Her experience with the children at the school led to the writing of several songs and the creation of Marshmallow Avenue, a children's music group currently working on its first CD and performing around Atlanta. Although her main performance focus is Western classical music, Rebecca has a passion for music in all possible genres, from all areas of the world and all periods of history. She is fascinated by the infinite ways music can be categorized and defined, and uses her ever-expanding discoveries to constantly infuse innovation into her teaching.

Umcolisi Terrell- Saxophone, Clarinet

To schedule a lesson with Umcolisi, please email him directly.

Umcolisi Terrell is an aspiring musician and student completing a BM of Saxophone Performance at Kennesaw State University. He has performed for Ray Charles' family in his hometown of Greenwood, Fl and also performed at the 2010 Georgia Music Hall of Fame Inductee Ceremony. Umcolisi is a sought after instrumentalist for studio recordings in the Atlanta and Jacksonville, Florida areas. A supporter of music in schools, he has participated in clinician work at high schools and has been a featured soloist. As a music student himself, Umcolisi understands the importance of continued instruction in music as well as the instrument especially to the youth. "Music is a continually changing medium and without practice and instruction we cannot continue with it or usher its change".

With experience in jazz, hip hop, rock and classical he has respect for all genres and is intrigued by personal discoveries of world music. An original member of the indie rock band Man Apart, Umcolisi has toured and recorded with them for years and performed with the Alembic Trio, an Atlanta-based free jazz group. He has also performed on Carnival Cruise Lines in the production show and lounge settings in 7 and 10 piece ensembles. Umcolisi is currently working on a self-produced debut E.P. to display his growing knowledge of music, saxophone and production in the digital world of music.

Other performances include: Chuck Israels (bassist for Bill Evans), Christopher Crenshaw (Trombonist Jazz at Lincoln Center Orch.), Marcus Lewis (Trombonist for Janelle Monae and Ohio Players), David Springfield (world renowned composer/arranger), Sam Skelton (teacher), Cary Brague (teacher), Scotty Wilbanks (Third Day producer/engineer), Paul Lapinski (Yellow Card producer/engineer),Daryl Phenneger (Red Jumpsuit producer/engineer), Ronny Cates (3 Time Grammy Winning Producer/Engineer), Soundz (Usher producer/engineer)