Teacher Bios | KEN STANTON MUSIC

Teacher Bios

Welcome to our Teacher Bio Index. You can search for a teacher by instrument or store location. To find a teacher, use the drop-down list or the alpha-index located below.

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	Greg Roman Drums, Mallet Percussion, Hand Percussion Woodstock Location
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Biography Greg Roman received his Bachelor of Music in Music Education from Kennesaw State University in 2008. He is currently the Head Band Director at Mt. Bethel Christian Academy and has been teaching percussion at various schools and privately for 15 years. Greg studied under Master Percussionist and Principle Timpanist of the Cobb Symphony Orchestra, Mr. John Lawless, at KSU. Playing and teaching percussion is and has been a passion of Greg’s since he started playing at age 10. He chose percussion to be challenged and to experience all the different instruments that make up the percussion family. Greg teaches all styles including, but not limited to, band and orchestral, marching band, drum set (including rock, funk, pop, and jazz,) and various styles of hand drumming. He is a percussionist with the Cobb Symphony Orchestra, a member of the Suburban Jazz Band, and Caption Head for the Flowery Branch High School Drum-line and Front Ensemble.

	Kimberly Rosquist Voice Marietta Location
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Biography Kimberly received her Bachelor of Music degree in vocal performance from Kennesaw State University and her Master of Music in vocal performance from Georgia State University. She has performed in multiple operas with the Atlanta Opera and numerous lead roles with the Capitol City Opera. She is currently working with a new company, Opera South. Ms. Rosquist has over ten years of private teaching experience and over two years of teaching experience at the collegiate level. Kimberly brings to her students a solid technique instilled in her by Drs. Richard and Ann Alderson.

	Paul Scanling Saxophone, Clarinet, Flute Marietta Location, Roswell Location
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Biography Paul Scanling received his Bachelor of Music Education degree from Florida State University in 1996 and a Master of Music degree from Georgia State University in 2003. Mr. Scanling has taught in the public schools of Florida, Georgia and at The Lovett School. He started studying music when he was five years old and picked up the flute after hearing it played in church. Having most recently taught at the middle school level, Mr. Scanling is very familiar with beginning band methods and approaches. Having also taught at the high school, college, and adult community level, he is comfortable teaching more advanced students as well. Mr. Scanling is currently the Music Director and Principal Conductor of The Atlanta Concert Band (www.atlantaconcertband.org), he rehearses the Atlanta Swing Orchestra (www.atlantaswing.com), and is the Orchestra Director at Northside United Methodist Church of Atlanta. Please visit his website at: http://www.paulscanling.net

	Chris Schmitt Recording Arts Marietta Location
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Biography Chris Schmitt has been teaching guitar, bass, drums, keys, and engineering since 1995. He received his Recording Arts and Engineering Degree with honors in 2007 from The Florida Institute of Recording School and Technology in Orlando. He was hired as lead instructor and promoted to Program Director for the F.I.R.S.T. School, where he was responsible for writing the school's curriculum. Chris has dozens of musical and production credits in TV, film, website, commercial, and radio. He has produced over 20 albums for various artists and musicians ranging from rock to gospel. He is heavily involved in his students’ projects and is always willing to go the extra mile to ensure his students’ success. Chris was a national finalist and was the winner of the entire southeast region for best solo guitar performance. Chris is currently working with Jon Wagner on an upcoming CD release.

	David Sebastian Violin, Viola, Cello Stone Mountain Location
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Biography David Sebastian is currently pursuing a double major in Music Education and Performance at Emory University. He has had the privilege of studying under Dr. Gregory Pritchard, Rita Kingsley, and Kenny Lambert. David has also had the opportunity to perform with Gwinnett County's Youth Symphony Orchestra, the Annual International Conductor's Workshop in Macon, the Brookwood Philharmonic Orchestra, and the Libera Strings Ensemble. His years of experience in teaching include not only private lessons, but he is the Orchestra Director of Conyers Church of God Private School. David teaches primarily classical, but also teaches jazz, Celtic fiddling, and improvisational music. As a teacher, David's goal is to simply motivate and assist his students in achieving their every musical ambition.

	Jonathan Shire Oboe Marietta Location
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Biography Mr. Shire is a graduate of Kennesaw State University with a Bachelor of Music degree in music education. He is state certified and performs with the Cobb Symphony and North Fulton Community Band. Jonathan has over twenty years’ teaching experience.

	Michelle Shoultz Piano, Baritone Stone Mountain Location
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Biography Michelle Shoultz received a Bachelor of Music Education from the Minnesota State University Moorhead in 2003, and a Bachelor of Arts in human services from the University of Minnesota, Morris, in 1998. Piano was her main instrument. Mrs. Shoultz now has over eight years of experience teaching private piano lessons and has taught at Ken Stanton Music since 2009. She has completed two college courses in piano pedagogy, the study of how to teach piano. Mrs. Shoultz recently moved to Georgia from the beautiful state of Minnesota where she taught general classroom music in public schools for five years. Teaching beginning musicians is Mrs. Shoultz’s specialty.

	Matthew Smart Harmonica Roswell Location
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Biography Matthew Smart picked up the harmonica in his freshman year of college. His influences are heavily steeped in the blues greats like Muddy Waters, Howlin’ Wolf, and Little Walter. A few years ago, he picked up singing to go along with his harp. You can see him beltin’ out tunes every Thursday night at Darwin’s Blues Jam in Marietta. Matthew’s harmonica style is very simple: big tone, strong vibrato, sweet bends, and a few riffs borrowed from the greats. Matthew has been teaching the harmonica for six years in Atlanta, GA. In addition to teaching, Matthew has also been a corporate trainer for more than eight years.

	Kyley Smith Piano West Cobb Location
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Biography Ms. Smith received a Bachelor of Arts degree in piano performance from the University of Tennessee in Knoxville. She studied under Dr. Northington, Faye Adams and Dr. Christy Lee. Kyley received pedagogical training while attending the University of Tennessee. Ms. Smith has over fourteen years of teaching experience with more than 800 students. Kyley is a certified teacher in the Suzuki method. She specializes in classical, beginning jazz, theory, composition, and music history. Kyley has experience with all levels of instruction up to the age of eighteen and has students that participate in annual recitals. Kyley emphasizes an enjoyable learning experience.

	Phillip Smith Drums, Hand Percussion, Mallet Percussion Marietta Location
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Biography Phillip Smith received his bachelor’s degree from the University of Tennessee, his master’s degree from the University of Memphis, and has studied privately with Peter Erskine, Ed Soph, and Jeff Hamilton. Phil has taught at Ken Stanton Music for the past 16 years. He has performed with many international artists including: Dianne Schuur, Tierney Sutton, James Williams, George Coleman, and Marvin Stamm. Phil is a veteran of several domestic and international concert tours with various artists. He has appeared on many commercial recordings, TV and radio jingles, movie soundtracks, and full-length CDs which culminated with a Grammy award. Phil teaches all aspects of classic and contemporary drumming including styles and techniques using sequences, click tracks, and loops/software. Lessons with mallets and hand drumming are also available. He is an endorsing artist for Bosphorus Cymbals, Regal Tip Sticks and Brushes, and Aquarian Drum Heads. Phil also maintains a regular gigging and recording schedule including his own online studio.

	Ivanna Sri Piano West Cobb Location
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Biography Ms. Sri attended the Yamaha School of Music in Surabaya. She began to study piano at the age of five. Ms. Sri moved from Singapore to the United States where she graduated from McEachern High School. Ivana received a Bachelor of Arts degree in music performance from Kennesaw State University where she studied under David Watkins. She has participated in many concerts and competitions and won numerous prizes and awards.

	Becky Swann Piano West Cobb Location Personal Email: INTERNET[email protected]
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Biography Ms. Swann received a Bachelor of Science degree in music ministry from Atlanta Christian College with a major in piano and a minor in voice. She also received a Music Education certificate from the State University of West Georgia. Becky has been teaching private piano and voice lessons for over ten years and has been with Ken Stanton for six years. She has specialized training in teaching three to five year olds as well as class piano at various ages and levels. Becky interned with Anita Renfroe, a Christian comedian, author, singer, speaker and songwriter, and was named assistant producer on the album Come Away. Becky began playing and established a love of music at the age of two. Ms. Swann is a sixth generation teacher in her family and is currently an elementary school music teacher in Paulding County.

	Ben Taylor Drums West Cobb
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Biography Mr. Taylor has extensive formal training in a variety of styles of music. He held the drum position in the top band at the Greensboro, North Carolina John Coltrane School of Jazz from age fourteen to eighteen. He earned a scholarship to the Berklee College of Music in 12th grade. He attended the University of North Carolina at Asheville before moving to Atlanta to attend Kennesaw State on a full scholarship where he studied classical percussion. Ben has twelve years teaching experience from middle school, high school, private and clinic settings. He has performed with and recorded for many artists. He is first call studio drummer for Atlanta Multi-Platinum studios: ZAC studios and Music House studios. He is currently a songwriter and drummer for the group IOZ. Mr. Taylor’s strengths are his extensive experience and variety of styles. His passion for teaching matches his passion for writing and performing.

	Thomas Trotter Voice Stone Mountain Location Personal Email: INTERNET[email protected]
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Biography Thomas Trotter has sung in venues ranging from Lincoln Center in New York City to the Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris, France. In a 20-year professional career he has performed with many opera companies and orchestras across the U.S. and in Europe, including New York City Opera, Pittsburgh Opera, Washington National Opera, Atlanta Opera, Pittsburgh Opera, Glimmerglass Opera, and Florida Grand Opera, among many others. He has interpreted over 40 roles on the stage and has received rave reviews for his performances. In addition, he has sung as tenor soloist with orchestras across the country in over 20 pieces, specializing in unusual repertoire such as Carmina Burana and Britten’s Serenade for Tenor, Horn, and Strings. Mr. Trotter has also been active as a teacher since his return to the Atlanta area almost four years ago. In that time, his students have achieved much success, including Governor’s Honors Program, All-State Chorus, and college scholarships at Berry College, Piedmont College, and Shorter University.

	Sean Truelove Trombone, Euphonium, Tuba, Trumpet Woodstock Location
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Biography Sean Truelove received his Bachelor of Arts in music education from Jacksonville State University in 2005 and Master of Arts in music with an emphasis in trombone performance from the University of Iowa in 2008. He has played in master classes and clinics with Scott Hartman, Joe Allessi, Nitzan Haroz, Stephan Sanders, Douglas Wright and Milton Stephens. Some of his performance experiences include: Rome Symphony Orchestra, Cedar Rapids Symphony, Quad Cities Symphony, Eastern Iowa Brass Band, Atlanta Concert Band as well as solo recitals at Wartburg College, University of Iowa, and Jacksonville State University.

	Elizabeth Tuininga French Horn Stone Mountain Location
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Biography Elizabeth Tuininga earned her Bachelor of Music in applied music French horn from the Eastman School of Music in 2006 from the studio of Peter Kurau. She has also studied with Scott Brubaker of the NY Metropolitan Opera Orchestra and David Cribbs of the London Symphony Orchestra. She has been teaching private horn lessons since 1997 and has performed with groups such as the Eastman Wind Ensemble, Eastman Philharmonia, Eastman Horn Choir, Eastman New Jazz Ensemble and the North Jersey Brass Quintet. Elizabeth is also proficient on the natural horn, which is a classical period instrument that has no valves and relies exclusively on the lips and the "bell hand" to make all the different pitches! Elizabeth primarily teaches classical styles of music though she also can teach big band jazz for those hornists who are fortunate enough to find such opportunities. Aside from teaching, Elizabeth is currently the music director at her church and plays with various chamber groups.

	George Uterhardt Trumpet, Trombone, Baritione, Euphonium Stone Mountain Location
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Biography Mr. Uterhardt studied Music Education at the University of South Florida under Dr. Gale Sperry. He also studied at the U.S. Navy School of Music and was extensively involved in music throughout his 25-year tenure in the Navy, playing tuba, string and electric bass, and fulfilling conductor duties. George has taught Christian school bands for 20 years and has 18 years of private teaching experience in the Atlanta area. He currently teaches at the Joyful Noise Northeast Home School band program and conducts his local church choir. Mr. Uterhardt is active playing with many ensembles in the region including playing tuba four years with the Atlanta Jazz Krewe, on-call for the past 5 years with the Sentimental Journey Orchestra and the Modernaires. He has also played tuba with the Gwinnett Community Symphony for more than two years.

	Bill Van Dyke Saxophone, Clarinet, Flute West Cobb Location Personal Email: INTERNET[email protected]
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Biography Mr. Van Dyke received a Bachelor of Arts in jazz studies and a Master of Education from Auburn University. He studied under Bob Richardson, Dr. Ann Knipschild, Bob Newnan, and Dr. Bob Greenleaf. Bill has taught for over twenty years, with several students making All State and Honor Bands. He has worked with Cooper and Lindley Middle Schools' saxophone students for several years. Bill also currently teaches Elementary band at The Paidea School in Atlanta. Mr. Van Dyke is most recently heard with The Night & Day Quartet.

	Matt Wade Guitar, Electric Bass, Ukulele Marietta Location, West Cobb Location
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Biography Mr. Wade received a Bachelor of Arts degree in music performance from Armstrong University where he graduated with honors. Matt has over fifteen years of teaching experience and has taught at the university level. He is well versed in all styles of guitar including rock, blues, jazz, country, soul, and classical. Matt has performed at Carnegie Hall and has toured with members of the Grammy winning group Sugarland. He performs regularly with various blues, rock, and jazz groups throughout the Southeast, and has attained numerous recording credits.

	Anthony Waite Guitar Marietta Location
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Biography Mr. Waite received a Bachelor of Music degree from Georgia State University where he graduated with honors. He has been teaching for over 13 years in a variety of styles including rock, jazz, R&B, fusion, and folk music. Tony performs with various local groups and keeps a touring schedule with his fusion band, Adams Township.