Jimmy Caltrider is a drummer and teacher originally from the New England area. Having started playing at the age 12, he has over 20 years of drumming experience. Jimmy holds a Bachelor’s Degree of Musical Performance in percussion from Keene State College. Shortly after school, he went on to work as a musician and bandleader for Norwegian Cruise Lines for four years. Since moving to Brooklyn in 2021, he has been playing with many different bands and artists at notable venues such as Brooklyn Bowl and Rockwood Music Hall. He has also worked on some off Broadway musicals and seasonally plays with some of NYC’s top wedding bands. While he is able to teach from an academic perspective, Jimmy prefers to use an ear based learning approach and always keep the number one rule in mind... having fun!
Grant Richards is an award-winning jazz pianist and educator. At the age of eight, Grant began playing piano, and by the time he entered college, he had won four Student Music Awards from Downbeat Magazine and recorded his first album as a leader. In 2009, Grant enrolled at Berklee College of Music on a full-tuition Jimmy Lyons Scholarship. He has since shared the stage with Grammy® award-winning artists Esperanza Spalding, Eddie Gomez, and Terri Lyne Carrington, as well as luminaries Simon Phillips, Kurt Rosenwinkel, and Valerie Simpson. Currently, Grant lives in New York City where he remains active creating music and teaching throughout the city and online.
Hailing from and residing in New York City, Cameron MacIntosh is a multi-genre drummer and educator. While in high school, MacIntosh held the drum chair in multiple national jazz ensembles, including the Grammy Band, Vail Jazz Workshop, and The Next Generation Jazz Orchestra. Cameron earned his Bachelors of Music Degree (2018) and Masters of Music Degree (2020) from The Juilliard School, where he studied with Kenny Washington and Billy Drummond. He quickly began forging his place among the New York scene, performing with luminaries such as Wynton Marsalis, and playing at venues in both New York City and abroad, including The Kennedy Center, Jazz at Lincoln Center, The Blue Note, Smalls, Smoke and many others.
A Graduate of The New School, Ross Clark is a multi-talented DJ, musician, and founding member of the acclaimed band St. Lucia. He has worked alongside notable artists including The Knocks, Halsey, Moonboots, VHS Collection, Wyclef Jean, Phoebe Ryan, Sofitukker, and Matt Maeson. Ross's dedication and skill have earned him opportunities to perform at prestigious music festivals such as Coachella, Lollapalooza, and Bonnaroo. Beyond live performances, Ross has made appearances on esteemed television programs including "Late Night with Jimmy Fallon," "The Late Show with Stephen Colbert," three performances on “Late Night with Seth Meyers,” as well as "Good Morning America”.
Tony is a music educator, choral conductor and tenor based in Queens, NY. He has performed in numerous operas, musicals, choirs, and barbershop quartets. Tony has taught music at public schools in NYC & Westchester and led a community choir at Theater for the New City. Tony earned an M.A. in Music & Music Education from Teachers College, Columbia University (TC) and a B.S.Ed. in Music Education from Hofstra University. At Hofstra, he accepted the Dorothy Hoag Memorial Award for excellence in musical performance and became a licensed music teacher in New York and Connecticut. At TC, he led a graduate student vocal ensemble and taught applied voice lessons. He studied and performed at the Manhattan School of Music, and Westminster Choir College.
Collin Leydon is an actor, singer and writer based in NY and LA. He is a graduate of the prestigious Tisch School of the Arts at NYU where he focused on musical theatre and Shakespeare. As an actor and singer, he has appeared in regional theatre; on stage in NY, LA, Korea and in dozens of national commercials. Most recently he appeared in a national network spot alongside Martha Stewart. As a teacher, Collin has coached actors that have appeared as series regulars, guest stars and co-stars on, NBC, HBO, Comedy Central, HULU, Amazon, Starz, Cinemax as well as actors who have been leads in feature films and on Broadway.
Adam Narimatsu is a pianist and guitarist based in NYC. Since entering the professional music scene in 2012, he has worked as a band leader, session musician, arranger, and solo artist up and down the East Coast before reestablishing his homebase in New York. During his time on the bandstand, Adam has developed a playing style that combines jazz, blues, funk, and everything in-between. As an educator, Adam is a firm believer in the idea that music should create joy in its practitioners and focuses on ensuring that his students are pursuing the music that they connect with.
A Downbeat award-winning vocalist, educator, and bandleader based in Denver, Colorado, Kelsey Wallner charms audiences with intimate, soulful, and inventive performances. She earned a Master's Degree in Jazz Studies/Vocal Performance at the University of Northern Colorado in 2023, and has six years of teaching experience. As a highly versatile performer, she is a lead vocalist with funk and bluegrass groups, and enjoys performing her own jazz projects throughout the Denver metro area. Notably, she has worked as a guide singer for the forthcoming Carmen McRae tribute album Carmen Sings Carmen!, featuring Carmen Bradford and the Compass Jazz Orchestra. Kelsey’s pedagogical approaches include Body Mapping and Laban Movement Analysis, and she is able to instruct students in jazz improvisation, music theory, songwriting, ear training, arranging and audition preparation. She is also able to provide lessons in Spanish and coach Portuguese pronunciation for students interested in Brazilian music.
Francesca Lujan is a Colorado-based flutist and educator. She graduated with a Bachelor’s Degree in Flute Performance from the University of Northern Colorado, and later with a Master’s in the same discipline from Colorado State University. Francesca has taught students of all experience levels, from beginner to collegiate, and in multiple styles of performance. She has studied and performed on auxiliary flutes including piccolo, alto, and bass. During her time as a teacher, Francesca has enjoyed helping her students achieve their personal goals in performance, either as hobbyists or professionals; many of her students have participated in honor bands, state competitions, college-level auditions, and professional projects.
Allie Glassman is a singer/songwriter, and music educator. She has appeared in many music festivals around New York City. Allie performs regularly at venues, including Rockwood Music Hall, Bowery Electric and Pete's Candy Store. Allie is a graduate of The New School for Jazz and Contemporary Music, where she received her BFA in Vocal Jazz Performance. Allie received her MA in Music Education from Teachers College, Columbia University in 2018. Allie has assisted several of her students with auditioning and being accepted into some of New York’s premiere performing arts schools. Allie also provides guitar and piano accompaniment, for her students at recitals, and performances. She continues to work with many students, and teaches voice, guitar, and songwriting. Allie has a passion for working with all of her music students, and enjoys helping them reach all of their musical goals.
Andrew Moore is a guitarist and bassist hailing from Madison, WI. He has performed extensively in the Midwest and Colorado as both a bandleader and sideman in a variety of styles. He has also maintained a role as an educator throughout his time as a musician, teaching to a full spectrum of students and learning styles. During his course of study, Andrew has had the opportunity to study with such established educators as Steve Kovalched, Christopher Olson, and Duke Seigfried. He received a Masters degree from the University of Northern Colorado in 2023, as well as a Bachelors in Music and Psychology from Luther college in 2021.
Bobby Wiens is a Denver, CO based drummer. He has toured as both a leader and a sideman with several world-class musicians throughout the U.S. and Canada. Wiens has had the privilege of studying with master drummers such as John Riley, Joe Farnsworth, Jim White, Dylan van der Schyff, Jon McCaslin, and Memo Acevedo among others. Since graduating from the University of Northern Colorado with his Masters degree in Jazz Studies, Wiens maintains a busy playing and teaching schedule in the Denver metro area.
Willis Edmundson began studying percussion at the age of nine, transitioning from five years of piano to drums. He attended Berklee College of Music and was awarded the Armand Zildjian Scholarship in 2017. Graduating in 2018 with a double-degree in Drum Set Performance and Music Business, Edmundson has performed with Grammy award-winning artists such as Bill Frisell, Gary Burton, Victor Wooten and Kurt Elling during the course of his academic career. He currently resides in New York City as an active musician and music teacher, while performing and touring across the country with jazz trios YEStet and Sean Britt’s SB3.
Hailing from the vibrant musical city of Houston, Texas, Sinclaire brings a diverse range of musical experiences to the classroom. Graduating from the University of North Texas, in May of 2024 with a Bachelor of Science in Integrative Studies with a focus in Communications, Business Marketing & Music as well as a minor in Sociology, she is continuously enhancing her skills and knowledge in music performance. As a dedicated drum instructor, Sinclaire tailors her teaching style to each student's unique needs and goals. Her friendly and patient approach, combined with technical expertise, fosters a supportive and inspiring learning environment. Whether you're a beginner or an advanced player, Sinclaire's guidance will help you reach your drumming aspirations and much more!
Since 2017, Tim has been one half of the guitar section on Broadway’s Dear Evan Hansen, and in addition has been fortunate to collaborate with some amazingly talented artists. Some notable appearances include: The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel, FX’s Fosse/Verdon, Trixie Mattel, Mandy Gonzalez, Frances Ruffelle, Phillipa Soo, and a host of others. Tim received a Bachelor of Music degree in Jazz Studies from The University of Akron, as well as a Master of Music in Instrumental Jazz Performance from The Manhattan School of Music.
Dynamic, tenacious, and highly inventive, pianist and composer Will Kjeer has defined himself as an artist to watch, both literally and figuratively. He has shared the stage with many world-class performers including Dave King (The Bad Plus; Happy Apple), Jerry Bergonzi (Dave Brubeck, Elvin Jones), and Adam Nussbaum (Stan Getz, Michael Brecker). For the past 7 years, Will has inspired students of all ages and backgrounds as both a private instructor and as an artist clinician at institutions including California State Fullerton and the Saint Paul Conservatory for Performing Artists. He holds a B.F.A. in Jazz Arts from The California Institute of the Arts and is currently working on his Master of Music Degree at The Juilliard School.
A NYC based soprano, actress and songwriter with over 81K followers on Tik Tok where she features opera, theater, and Disney styles of singing. She is a graduate of the Maryland Opera Studio with a Master’s in Opera Performance and earned her undergraduate degree in Vocal Performance from the University of Oregon. Recent opera/operetta roles include Edith in Pirates of Penzance, Queen of the Night from The Magic Flute, Susanna from The Marriage of Figaro, and Olympia from The Tales of Hoffman. She has sung in musical theatre productions, including Lucinda in Into the Woods, Tap In, Eva Peron in Evita, and Cosette in Les Miserables. Morgan has years of experience teaching all ages and enjoys helping students build confidence.
With over 20 years working as a professional saxophonist and 10 years as a vocalist, producer and engineer, Eric’s unique cross-section of skills make him an in-demand performer and producer in New York. His talents have taken him on tour across the US, Europe, and South America, and have landed him on stages at festivals including Lollapalooza and Gov Ball. Originally studying jazz in his hometown of Baltimore, he moved to NYC in 2011 and expanded his repertoire into the pop, R&B, soul, and brass band worlds. His diversity of expertise across different genres, instruments, and roles in music make him suited to helping students gain insight and understanding of technique and style. Eric holds a Bachelors of Music from Towson University and a Masters of Music from NYU.
Daniëlla Rossouw is an award-winning South African jazz vocalist, songwriter, lyricist, and educator. Her career has spanned continents, gracing stages in South Africa, Europe, and the US, sharing the stage with South Africa's greatest musicians and performing with renowned jazz vocalists like Kurt Elling, Sinne Eeg, and Laila Biali. Holding a Master's degree from the prestigious University of North Texas Jazz Studies program, she earned multiple Downbeat awards. Daniëlla also taught jazz and commercial music at Syracuse University and was a teaching fellow at the University of North Texas. With 10 years of teaching experience, she's deeply committed to nurturing the next generation of musicians. With a teaching style that blends technical expertise and genuine encouragement, Daniëlla inspires students to find their unique voice.
Josh Sheiman is an accomplished performer, composer, arranger, and educator from Houston, Texas. While growing up playing primarily blues and rock, Josh gained a love for jazz and improvisation in high school and attended the prestigious Frost School of Music at the University of Miami. Josh performed alongside some amazing talent and won a downbeat award his junior year performing with the Funk Fusion Ensemble. Josh also developed a passion for education. After years of teaching, he joined the Emery/Weiner School where alongside Kelly Dean he helped build a unique multi-instrumental program that has now won 7 consecutive NAMM Support Music Merit awards. Josh completed a masters degree in music education at Boston University and recently relocated with his family to Abu Dhabi.His experience as a performer and educator focuses on inspiring students and equipping them with the essential tools for today's musicians.
Hutch is an NYC-based award-winning performer, writer and director. She stars as Abe Lincoln in the Amazon Prime feature Lincoln the Musical and has previously been seen from Off-Broadway to underground theaters all over New York. Hutch has been featured on resident house teams at major New York comedy theaters including The PIT and the Tank as well as in countless digital shorts including Mashable’s Good Day, Deathstar and U Need to Know This. She has directed and choreographed from Off-Broadway to on screen and has produced and directed dozens of live shows and digital shorts. Hutch trained at Marymount Manhattan College (Acting, Voice, Dance) and The Peoples Improv Theater (Improv, Sketch, Character, Standup) and has coached for nearly 20 years with specialties including voice, acting, improv, sketch, audition and writing.