Meet Our Instructors

Adam holds a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville. He has studied piano and voice privately for 12 years and has been teaching for 7 years. Over the past 20 years, Adam has performed as a pianist and vocalist in various churches, bands, and ensembles, as well as accompanied choirs and soloists and directed choirs. He believes that with enough desire, practice, and dedication, anyone can learn to play or sing.

Madison is a dedicated musician and educator with 17 years of experience playing the cello. She began her musical journey at age 11, quickly developing a passion for string instruments. Over the years, Madison has expanded her expertise to include violin, viola, string bass, piano, and music theory, giving her a well-rounded understanding of music. Madison studied music performance at Florida Gulf Coast University, where she deepened her knowledge and skills. As a passionate educator, she teaches classical music using the Suzuki method and Essential Elements, focusing on building a solid foundation for her students. Her goal is to inspire students to not only master their instruments but also to enjoy the process of learning and making music. Through her teaching, Madison fosters a love for music that she hopes will last a lifetime.

Knoxville native Will began his musical journey at just 10 years old, taking guitar lessons at a local music store. By 18, he had transitioned to classical guitar studies at Pellissippi State Community College, eventually shifting his focus to upright and electric bass. He went on to earn a degree in Jazz Performance from the University of Tennessee, graduating cum laude. With over 15 years of experience teaching private lessons, Will also brings his skills to the stage, performing with numerous local bands.

Clay is a skilled pianist with a deep dedication to his craft. His passion for music led him to pursue a Bachelor of Arts in Music at the University of Tennessee Chattanooga. Versatile in his musical interests, Clay has performed intricate pieces by renowned composers such as Beethoven, Chopin, Debussy, and Rachmaninoff. He fully understands the discipline and commitment required to excel as an artist and brings this understanding to his teaching. Clay derives great satisfaction from seeing his students grow and develop their own musical abilities. With excellent interpersonal skills, patience, and a strong commitment to teaching, Clay is an exceptional instructor. In addition to his musical accomplishments, Clay holds a Master’s degree in Information Systems from the University of Memphis and has completed various certification programs and technical boot camps. His goal is to inspire students to develop a lifelong passion for music.

Mike brings 30 years of musical experience and 18 years of teaching expertise. His diverse background includes performing in various sub-genres, including funk, blues, hip-hop, break-beats, drum and bass, as well as some country, pop, Latin, and jazz. Mike studied music for two years at Broward College, where he focused on piano, percussion (including concert snare drum, marimba, timpani, and drum set), music theory, ear training, and computer music. During this time, he also performed with the percussion ensemble and jazz band. Additionally, Mike has extensive experience using MIDI hardware to compose, produce, and perform a wide range of electronic music, as well as hip-hop and pop. Notably, he founded, composed for, arranged, and conducted a percussion ensemble at ASM.

Mr. Marek has over 30 years experience of playing live music on various instruments and has taught over 10,000 hours of music lessons. He holds a Bachelors and Masters degree in Jazz Performance from the University of TN, Knoxville, with a concentration in guitar and secondary concentration in ethnomusicology. He started on clarinet at 10 years old and started classical guitar at 13. In high school he formed his first bands playing a mixture of rock, punk, alternative, and folk music with his friends (with forays into metal as well.) Afterwards he became fascinated by jazz, rhythm and blues, electronic and world music. For the next decades his musical projects consisted of everything from playing live with EDM DJ's to live Hip Hop, Funk, Jazz, early New Orleans style Dixieland, Blues, Reggae, and Funk. He has gigged extensively in the region and now enjoys a less strenuous travel schedule by focusing on teaching, making music in his home studio, and playing locally. Other than guitar, he spends his time exploring piano and synthesizer, and enjoys making his own sleep meditation music at home. He also can play ukulele and bass, and played bass (in addition to guitar) for some of the university jazz small groups when he was getting his degrees. He's also taken lessons in Northern Indian classical music but with so many pursuits, he hopes to expand on that knowledge in the future. These days he is interested in teaching ways to foster creativity and expression in all age groups, and the way these aspects can enrich our lives holistically. As such he enjoys learning about the latest findings on the intersection between neurology, health, and sound. He feels that everyone is creative, they may just not know it yet.

Lesli has a B.A. in violin performance from Mannes College of Music in New York City and her Suzuki Violin Certification from The School for Strings in NYC. She was Director of Frank and Camille’s School of Music in Huntington, NY for several years before running her own studio on Long Island. Lesli moved to the Knoxville area in 2020 and thoroughly enjoys all the outdoor amenities of East TN!

Francesca holds a Bachelor of Music in Professional Music from Berklee College of Music in Boston, MA, where she specialized in Voice. Her diverse performance background spans musical theatre productions, singer-songwriter showcases, a cappella groups, choirs, and even professional caroling! She currently performs with Totality Entertainment’s Jingle 5 and is a proud member of the Knoxville Choral Society. In addition to her vocal talents, Francesca also plays guitar and encourages her students to explore other instruments to deepen their musicianship. She believes that learning an instrument alongside voice enhances a singer’s overall musical understanding and expression. In her lessons, students can expect more than just vocal training. Francesca places a strong emphasis on vocal health, music theory, and ear training, offering a well-rounded and supportive learning environment. She values building trust, forming genuine connections, and creating a safe space where students feel empowered to explore and grow as musicians. Francesca lives by the words: “If you have the courage to begin, you have the courage to succeed.” – David Viscott

Daniel is an experienced and dynamic music educator with over seven years of teaching voice and piano. He holds a Bachelor of Music in Vocal Performance with a minor in Collaborative Piano from the University of Central Oklahoma and brings a wealth of knowledge and artistry to every lesson. As a performer, Daniel has appeared with Encore Theatrical Group, Painted Sky Opera, the Titanic Museum, and Dollywood. His career spans musical theatre and opera, with standout roles including Sweeney Todd, The Music Man, and operatic favorites such as Canio in Pagliacci and Rodolfo in La Bohème. Daniel began his musical journey at age six studying piano, later launching his singing career at eleven as Amahl in Amahl and the Night Visitors. Daniel believes music is for everyone—whether pursuing it professionally, as a hobby, or somewhere in between. His piano lessons cover note reading, chord charts, and music theory, tailored to each student’s goals. As a vocal instructor, he teaches all styles, from classical technique to contemporary commercial music, helping students find their unique voice and sing what inspires them.

Kaylie has over ten years of experience teaching guitar, piano, voice, and bass. She holds an Associate of Arts in Music and a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology. Immersed in music from a young age, she has performed in choirs, musical theater, an indie rock band, and as a solo acoustic artist. Her teaching approach blends traditional sheet music reading with learning by ear and a strong foundation in music theory. She also draws from her experience as a songwriter, having written dozens of original songs, to inspire students interested in creating their own music. Kaylie is dedicated to helping students grow as musicians and performers while always keeping the joy of music at the heart of the learning process.