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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	Sal Gentile Guitar, Electric Bass, Mandolin Woodstock Location, Marietta Location
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Biography Mr. Gentile attended Queens College and has played for over forty years. Mr. Gentile has been teaching at Ken Stanton Music for more than three years. He has played with Don Rickles, Jimmie Rodgers, B.B. King, Rosemary Clooney, Lester Lanin, Herb Tassin, Bill Clifford and Dick Stabile Orchestra's. Mr. Gentile has been featured in the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, Guitar Player Magazine, Creative Loafing, and Just Jazz Magazine. Sal began playing guitar at age 13; he studied with Joe Monk and Howie Morgen. He teaches all styles of music, but specializes in jazz. Mr. Gentile has had the privilege of playing for General Colin Powell. While playing at the Hilton Hotel, the "Godfather of Soul," James Brown, decided to sit in. Sal is currently appearing at Pricci, Veni Vidi Vici, and the Buckhead Club.

	Justin Gorun Guitar Stone Mountain Location
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Biography Mr. Gorun attended Berklee College of Music and graduated from Middle Tennessee State University with a degree in Recording Industry. Justin is currently working on a Master of Arts in the field of Special Education. Justin has taught guitar for 20 years, having worked independently and for Drummer's Institue of Georgia and Georgia State University's Neighborhood Music program. He is also one of the faculty sponsors for the Five Forks Middle School Rock Band, and he also taught recording classes for Mars music. Mr. Gorun teaches all styles of music, but specializes in blues, rock, and R&B. His current projects include an acoustic duo named "The Pompatus of Love," and a pop/rock cover band.

	Sheila Harris Electric Bass, Trumpet Marietta Location
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Biography Sheila Harris is currently the Director of Bands at Lindley Middle School in Cobb County. This is her second year at Lindley Middle and her 14th year as a professional educator. Prior to her appointment at Lindley, Mrs. Harris taught high school band in Florida, Marietta City schools, and Troup County schools. In addition to her duties and responsibilities at Lindley, she serves as a worship musician playing bass guitar at Liberty Church in Marietta and Worship with Wonders Church in Kennesaw. Mrs. Harris earned both her Bachelor of Education and Master of Education degrees at the University of North Florida in Jacksonville, Florida. Mrs. Harris is a newlywed with two beautiful stepdaughters. She loves teaching, photography, going to the beach and playing bass guitar.

	Paul Hedman Violin, Viola, Suzuki Marietta Location
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Biography Mr. Hedman received a Bachelor of Music degree, with honors, from the University of Southern Mississippi. He has studied with William Star and Oliver Steiner. Paul is certified in all ten volumes of Suzuki Violin Curriculum. He is a member of the Suzuki Association of America and American String Teachers Association. Mr. Hedman has over twenty-five years' teaching and performance experience. He is the founder of the Paul Hedman String Quartets.

	Eva Hizown Piano Roswell Location, Woodstock Location
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Biography Eva Hizown started playing piano at the age of 6 in Riga, Latvia, where she graduated Jazeps Medins Music Collage with honors. In 2000, she had a piano concert tour in Vienna, Austria. She got her piano performance degree at Georgia State University where she studied with Dr. Geoffrey Haydon. She was a chosen soloist in the Honors Recital at GSU. She was a finalist in Margaret A. Guthman piano competition. Eva was a first prize winner at the MTNA piano competition in 2008 where she competed in the Southern Division representing GA State. Eva started teaching, at the age of 15, at the Good News Christian Music Studio in Riga, Latvia. Eva has 15 years of teaching experience and teaching is her life’s passion, especially now that among her students are her four-year-old son and three-year-old daughter.

	Evan Hodges Electric Bass, Upright Bass Marietta Location
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Biography Evan Hodges started singing and playing piano at the age of five. It wasn’t until the age of fifteen that Evan discovered the electric bass, and he became passionate about the instrument. After high school, he received a full scholarship to Jacksonville State University to focus on music. Once at JSU, the acoustic bass became his principle instrument. After accomplishing his potential, Evan decided to relocate to Georgia State University to continue his education as a senior. Evan is currently working and teaching professionally in Atlanta. He is on the bass faculty at a bilingual associates college, Instituto Canzion, and he acts as the coach for a weekly jazz combo at a private high school. Evan is a freelance musician who has regular gigs and is currently working on his first all-original, modern jazz record. Evan Hodges teaches electric bass in all styles and acoustic bass in the styles of jazz, classical, and rockabilly.

	Katie Holland Bassoon, Oboe Marietta Location, Roswell Location, Stone Mountain Location Personal Email: INTERNETwww.hollandbassoon.com
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Biography Ms. Holland received a Bachelor of Music degree in music education from Tennessee Technical University and a Master of Music in performance from Stony Brook University. Katie’s graduate work included Chinese, Cuban and Bluegrass styles. She actively freelances in the area and has been involved with groups such as the Atlanta Ballet, Nashville Opera, and the Ashville Symphony. Katie has been teaching since 2002 and, with her background, can teach students of any age or experience level.

	Pamela Holloway Oboe, English Horn Woodstock Location Personal Email: INTERNET[email protected]
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Biography Pamela Holloway holds a Bachelor of Music in oboe performance from Columbus State University. She is currently working towards her Master of Music in oboe performance as a graduate assistant at Georgia State University. Pamela studied oboe and English horn with Atlanta-area oboist, Cristen Bell, Utah Symphony oboe and English hornist, Holly Gornik, San Francisco Symphony oboe and English hornist, Russ Deluna, and is currently studying with Dr. Lara Dahl, Professor of Oboe at Georgia State University. She has also performed with area orchestras including Lagrange Symphony, St. Luke Orchestra, and Columbus Ballet Orchestra to name a few. In addition to her musical studies, Pamela also enjoys gardening, reading, writing, and training her two German Shepherd dogs, Tex and Henry. Pamela resides in Woodstock, Georgia with her husband, cellist Daniel Holloway.

	John Howard Trumpet Woodstock Location
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Biography Mr. Howard received a Bachelor of Music from the University of Cincinnati and completed master's studies at Indiana University School of Music. John has studied with Larry Black, John Rommel, and Marie Speziale. Mr. Howard was trumpet instructor at the Johnson Ferry Conservatory and has taught private lessons for over four years.

	Domenico "Nico" Hueso Violin, Viola Marietta Location, Roswell Location
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Biography Domenico is currently working on his Bachelor of Music degree in performance from Kennesaw State University with Cathy Lynn. Mr. Hueso has studied with Juan Ramirez, Francisco Caban, Henry Hutchinson, Ramon Negron, and Susanna Han. He has also participated in several music festivals in Spain, the Pablo Casals Chamber Music Festival in Prades, France, Festival International de Huapango Panuco, in Mexico, Musica de Camera para Ninos, FOSJA in San Juan, Puerto Rico, GMEA All College Orchestra 2011 as Principal violist, and also performed orchestrally in China at the Central Conservatory in Beijing and the People's Theatre in Xi'an. Mr. Hueso performed in master classes with the Pacifica Quartet, and Chilingirian Quartet in Chamber music. He has also performed in events for the Confucius Institute of China, the Atlanta Symphony Guild, the Georgia Music Hall of Fame, and the inaugural Kennesaw State University’s “Viola Day”. Along with freelancing in multiple genres, Hueso enjoys the art of improvisation and performing chamber music with his colleagues.

	Randy Hunter Saxophone, Clarinet, Flute Marietta Location, Roswell Location, Woodstock Location Personal Email: INTERNET[email protected]
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Biography Randy has been a full-time private instructor and performing musician for more than 25 years. He studied music education at Valdosta State and began teaching at Ken Stanton Music in 1985. He is also the jazz saxophone and jazz saxophone ensemble instructor at Emory University. Randy is the author of a series of jazz etude, duet, and combo books entitled, "Complete Jazz Styles." Books from this series have been endorsed by many jazz legends including Randy Brecker, Joe Lovano, Jerry Bergonzi, and Bobby Shew, Lessons with Randy focus on the development of fundamental skills including tone quality, reading, and technical fluency. Students from his studio have attained positions in Georgia all-state bands for the last 12 consecutive years. Visit Randy's website - http://www.randyhunterjazz.com.

	Luke Johnson Banjo, Mandolin, Fiddle & Upright Bass West Cobb Location Personal Email: INTERNET[email protected]
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Biography Mr. Johnson studied at Columbus State University and is currently pursuing a Music Education degree at Kennesaw University. Luke has studied with Dr. Robert Rumbelow, Don Strand and Dr. John N. Culvahouse. Mr. Johnson has performed with a variety of groups including Alive, The Larry Stephenson Band, CSU Jazz Orchestra, and CSU’s and KSU’s Wind Ensembles. He received the John Phillip Sousa award for musical excellence in 2000. Luke is equally at home with the classics, bluegrass, country, jazz, and contemporary music. Mr. Johnson maintains an active performance, clinician, and teaching schedule.

	Harris Kendrick Guitar, Mandolin West Cobb Location
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Biography Harris grew up in Kennesaw, Georgia, honing his skills in the Atlanta blues and rock scenes. By the age of 15 Harris was composing original tunes and leading his own band, performing in the styles of great guitarists such as Duane Allman, Jimi Hendrix and Trey Anastasio. Harris left Atlanta to study jazz guitar performance at Berklee College of Music in Boston, where he was immersed in the music of jazz greats like Wes Montgomery. Continuing his career in Minneapolis, Harris studied and performed with lauded jazz guitarist Paul Renz, played in several local variety bands and taught private lessons. While working for The Podium, a premiere acoustic guitar shop, Harris developed a passion for flatpick and bluegrass guitar. Harris takes great pride in meeting students at varying levels of skill, taste and interest, from beginner to professional. He develops lesson programs that allow students to have fun and meet their goals. Using music that his students appreciate as a vehicle for exploration of music theory and technique, Harris hopes to foster a lifetime relationship with music and guitar playing for every student. Please visit http://www.harriskendrick.com.

	Rick Laser Guitar, Ukulele Roswell Location
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Biography Mr. Laser attended the University of Hawaii. He has over fifteen years of teaching and professional performing experience. He has twelve years of experience as a recording artist and session player. Rick teaches lessons for all levels of rock, alternative, blues, metal etc.

	Don Lee Drums, Percussion, Saxophone Stone Mountain Location Personal Email: INTERNET[email protected]
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Biography Don Lee received a Bachelor of Music degree from the University of Georgia with a concentration in percussion and woodwinds. At UGA, he studied percussion with Thomas McCutchen, saxophone with Kenneth Fischer, and double reeds with William Davis. He also studied concert percussion with Paul Yancich of the Cleveland Conservatory and drum set with Bill Wilder of the Atlanta Symphony. Don has been a band director for over 20 years in schools in Atlanta and New York City, teaching elementary, middle, and high school bands. He performs in the orchestra at John’s Creek Baptist Church and tours the country with Atlanta’s number one party band: Band X. Don teaches all styles on drum set as well as marching and concert percussion. He specializes in rock and jazz styles, snare and mallet percussion, and All-State preparation for percussion and saxophone.

	Mark Letalien Drums Woodstock Location Personal Email: INTERNET[email protected]
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Biography Mark Letalien graduated with honors from the Percussion Institute of Technology (PIT) in Los Angeles, where he studied with several noted instructors, including Ralph Humphrey, Steve Houghton, and Joe Porcaro. Mark then moved to the South where he landed several house gigs in the Northwest Florida area, performing five nights a week for over eight years. During that time, he continued to teach and study privately with renowned instructor Jim Chapin as well as Chris Adams, the acclaimed Co-Author of “The New Breed II.” Since relocating to the Atlanta area, he has continued to play and teach on a regular basis. Recent playing highlights include performing with Grammy winner Shelby Lynne for her London performances, being a founding member of and performing for four years with Colonel Bruce Hampton and the Quark Alliance, and currently being a member of the world music group Insonnia. He enjoys teaching several styles, including rock, jazz, Latin and Afro-Cuban music. For over twenty years, Mark has maintained his passion for music, drumming, and education. Please visit his Web site at http://www.learndrumslive.com.

	Bob Lewis Trombone, Baritone, Euphonium, Flute Marietta Location
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Biography Mr. Lewis received a Bachelor of Arts degree in Music Education from Berry College. He has taught privately since 1990 and has performed with the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra, the Atlanta Symphony Pops, Ray Charles, Natalie Cole, Tony Bennett, Ella Fitzgerald, Tom Jones, Harry Connick Jr., Gary Bartoas, and Michael and Randy Brecker. Bob has also recorded with Isaac Hayes, Matchbox 20, Howard Tate, and the SOS Band. He currently plays in the Crown Pointe Community Church Praise Band.

	Drew Lloyd Guitar, Electric Bass Stone Mountain Location
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Biography Drew Lloyd is a graduate of the Atlanta Institute of Music and is currently pursuing his Bachelor of Music Performance degree from Clayton State University. He has been a student of Todd Markey, Donovan Stokes, Russ Rodgers, and Gary Wilkins. Drew has been teaching music for eight years throughout the Atlanta area and middle Georgia. He has performed with Wycliffe Gordon and Christopher Crenshaw of the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra and the Theodore Croker Big Band and Quintet. Beginning at age 12, he involved himself with school jazz bands, later participated in the Governor's Honors Program of Georgia, and went on to pursue music in college. Drew teaches all styles including jazz, rock, funk, Latin, bluegrass, Celtic, and classical. He is co-founder and current member of the gypsy quartet Caravan of Fools, and a 5-year member of the touring Celtic group Mickle-a-do. Drew currently performs and records as a freelance bassist and guitarist throughout the Southeast.

	Cary Machado Piano, Keyboard Marietta Location
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Biography Ms. Machado enrolled in the renowned Falcon Conservatory, under the direction of Senior Falcon (a respected European maestro), at the age of 7. She began playing piano at the Second Baptist Church in Havana, Cuba at the age of 15. At age 20 she received a degree in Elementary Education and master’s in music. She has been teaching music for over 40 years in both private settings and in establishments like Ken Stanton Music, where she has been teaching since 2004. She teaches in the classical style, as she was trained, because she believes, "music is forever; it grows and matures with the musician." Her training in elementary education makes her a particularly effective instructor for young students with a love of music, and for parents looking to instill a love of music in their children.

	Jeff Macko Drums, Timpani, Mallet Percussion, Percussion Roswell Location Personal Email: INTERNET[email protected] Facebook
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Biography Jeff Macko received his Bachelor’s Degree in Music Performance from Loyola University, New Orleans. He has been teaching drums for 33 years and was the Drum Set & Percussion Instructor at Tulane University where he taught for 15 years. Jeff has been teaching at KSM since 2002. On drums, Jeff has played virtually every type of musical style and venue. Having played over 150 musical theatre productions, he is in high demand for his abilities to sight-read and play in any style. Equally at home in the symphonic area, Jeff was the Timpanist and Principal Percussion of the Jefferson Symphony and also the first call extra/sub for the Louisiana Philharmonic and New Orleans Symphony. Some of the artists that Jeff has had the privilege of playing for include: Ray Charles, Regis and Kathy Lee, Steve Allen, Jodi Benson, Frank Gorshin, Robert Goulet, Marie Osmond, Jerry Lewis, Florence Henderson, the 5th Dimension, the Coasters, the Platters, and Tony Bennett. All styles of drumming and percussion are taught: rock, pop, jazz, classical, marching, orchestral, rudimental, hip-hop, heavy metal, double-bass, latin, etc.