Meet Your Teaching Musicians
Our teachers are more than music instructors. They're working musicians, creatives, music nerds, and passionate mentors who love helping students find their sound.
Every musician brings their own special abilities to the classroom. Explore their instruments, teaching levels, musical obsessions, and superpowers to find your perfect match!
Sarah Houston
SHE/THEY​
Guitar, Piano/Keys, Voice, Ukulele, Music Production
​
SKILL LEVELS TAUGHT
★☆☆ Beginner | ★★☆ Intermediate | ★★★ Advanced
​
Piano / Keys: ★★★
Voice: ★★★
Ukulele: ★★★
Guitar: ★★☆
Music Production: ★★☆
​
SPECIAL ABILITIES
-
Songwriting
-
Improvisation
-
Music Theory
-
Composition
-
Sight Reading
-
Group Classes
-
Bilingual Lessons
​
LOVES TEACHING:
Tweens, Teens & Adults
MUSICAL OBSESSIONS:
R&B, 2000s Pop Punk, Jazz, Pop & Rock
​
TEACHING VIBE: Fun, structured, interactive, and full of experimentation. Sarah encourages students to take on challenges, make mistakes, and explore their creativity through improvisation and original composition.
​
CREDENTIALS:
Bachelor's in Music, Duke University (2024)
Mary Gardner
SHE/HER​
Voice, Piano/Keys, Ukulele, Music Theory & Composition​
​
SKILL LEVELS TAUGHT
★☆☆ Beginner | ★★☆ Intermediate | ★★★ Advanced
​
Voice: ★★★
Music Theory / Composition: ★★★
Piano / Keys: ★★☆
Ukulele: ★★☆
​
SPECIAL ABILITIES
-
Music Theory
-
Composition
-
Sight Voice, Piano/Keys, Ukulele, Music Theory & Composition
-
Classical Training
-
Vocal Technique
​
LOVES TEACHING:
Tweens, Teens & Adults
MUSICAL OBSESSIONS: Anything but country!
​
TEACHING VIBE:
Chill, student-led, yet structured. Delightful music nerd. Mary brings deep musical knowledge to lessons while following each student's interests and goals.
​
CREDENTIALS:
BA in Vocal Music Education; National Board Certified in Secondary Vocal Music
Harley
SHE/HER
​Bass, Piano/Keys, Clarinet, Musical Theater, Acting/Performance​
​
SKILL LEVELS TAUGHT
★☆☆ Beginner | ★★☆ Intermediate | ★★★ Advanced
​
Bass: ★★★
Musical Theater / Pit Orchestra: ★★★
Piano / Keys: ★★☆
Acting / Performance: ★★☆
​
SPECIAL ABILITIES
-
Beginner-Friendly
-
Sight Reading
-
Rock & Band Skills
-
Classical Training
-
Neurodivergent-Friendly
-
Patient & Adaptable
-
Musical Theater
​
LOVES TEACHING:
Littles (6–7), Kids, Tweens, Teens & Adults
​
MUSICAL OBSESSIONS: Musical Theater, Rock, Classical, Movie & Video Game Soundtracks
​
TEACHING VIBE: TEACHING VIBE: Chill, weird, goofy, and patient. Harley is a lifelong musician and neurodivergent theater person who loves challenging students while keeping lessons fun and stress-free.
​
CREDENTIALS:
NWSA Alumni
Seasoned Pit Orchestra Musician
Zak Ferrell
HE/HIM​
Guitar, Bass, Drums, Piano/Keys, Ukulele, Mandolin, Music Production​
SKILL LEVELS TAUGHT
★☆☆ Beginner | ★★☆ Intermediate | ★★★ Advanced
​
Guitar: ★★★
Bass: ★★★
Piano / Keys: ★★★
Drums: ★☆☆
Music Production: ★★☆
Mandolin: ★★☆
​
SPECIAL ABILITIES
-
Advanced Musicianship
-
Music Theory Nerd
-
Technique Builder
-
Composition
-
Sight Reading
-
Tech Wizard
-
Patient & Adaptable
​
LOVES TEACHING:
Teens & Adults
​
MUSICAL OBSESSIONS: Rock, Jazz, Metal, Blues & Video Game Soundtracks
​
TEACHING VIBE:
Giant music nerd meets tech wizard. Zak combines structured learning with a student-led approach, helping musicians understand not just how to play, but why music works. Whether you're unlocking the fretboard, diving into theory, or tackling a ridiculously complicated riff, Zak brings patience, encouragement, and serious musical knowledge to every lesson.
​
CREDENTIALS:
NWSA Alumni
20+ years experience playing music in Charlotte
Riley Bradford
THEY/THEM
Guitar, Bass, Ukulele, Banjo, Drums, Music Production
​
SKILL LEVELS TAUGHT
★☆☆ Beginner | ★★☆ Intermediate | ★★★ Advanced
​
Guitar: ★★★
Bass: ★★★
Ukulele: ★★★
Banjo: ★★★
Music Production: ★★☆
Drums: ★☆☆
​
SPECIAL ABILITIES
-
Beginner-Friendly
-
Songwriting
-
Music Theory
-
Technique Builder
-
Rock & Band Skills
-
Patient & Adaptable
​
LOVES TEACHING:
Kids, Tweens & Teens
​
MUSICAL OBSESSIONS:
Punk, Alternative, Blues, Metal, Bluegrass & Fingerpicking
​
TEACHING VIBE:
Chill, inviting, and encouraging. Riley loves talking music and helping students develop their skills through supportive feedback and achievable goals.​
​
CREDENTIALS:
BA in Music
Wesley Jackson
HE/HIM
Drums, Guitar, Voice, Bass, Music Production​
​
SKILL LEVELS TAUGHT
★☆☆ Beginner | ★★☆ Intermediate | ★★★ Advanced
​
Guitar: ★★☆
Drums: ★★☆
Voice: ★★☆
Music Production: ★★☆
Bass: ★☆☆
​
SPECIAL ABILITIES
-
Beginner-Friendly
-
Songwriting
-
Music Theory
-
Composition
-
Rock & Band Skills
-
Group Classes
-
Working Musician
​
LOVES TEACHING:
Teens & Adults​
​
MUSICAL OBSESSIONS: Reggae, Pop, R&B, Rock & Rap
​
TEACHING VIBE:
A big music nerd who believes strong fundamentals make great musicians. Wesley combines scales, drills, and technique-building exercises with songwriting and real-world band experience. His lessons are all about building skills, developing confidence, and giving students the tools to rock on their own.​
Lynnette Rivera
SHE/HER
Voice, Piano/Keys, Acting/Theater​
​
SKILL LEVELS TAUGHT
★☆☆ Beginner | ★★☆ Intermediate | ★★★ Advanced
​
Voice: ★★★
Piano / Keys: ★☆☆
Acting / Theater: ★★☆
​
SPECIAL ABILITIES
-
Vocal Technique
-
Acting Coach
-
Musical Theater
-
Beginner-Friendly
-
Bilingual Lessons
-
Patient & Adaptable
-
Confidence Builder
​
LOVES TEACHING:
Littles (6–7), Kids, Tweens, Teens & Adults​
​
MUSICAL OBSESSIONS:
Musical Theater, Pop & Rock
​
TEACHING VIBE:
Your personal hype squad! Lynnette creates a warm, welcoming space where students feel supported, encouraged, and free to express themselves. With a love for singing, acting, and all things musical theater, she helps students build confidence, discover their voices, and bring their personalities to the stage. ¡Habla español! Bilingual lessons available!