Art 

KATHY BORCHELT

Education: Associate of Arts in Art and English Literature from Concordia University, MI; Bachelor of Science in Elementary and Early Childhood Education from Concordia University NE; Continuing Education from the University of South Florida

Experience and Expertise: Over 25 years of teaching experience in early childhood and elementary private, parochial and public schools in LA, FL and GA; developed and implemented art in Pre-K through 8th Grade programs, taught summer student arts camps, served as Assistant Director and Instructor for Alliance for the Arts and Recreation Consultant in FL; Art Instructor for Lutheran Social Services of GA after school program; private art teacher

Specialty: Drawing and acrylic painting; helping children and adults develop a desire to create, explore and appreciate God’s amazing world through the visual arts

Voice, Acting

JOHN CARUCCI

Education: Master of Music in Vocal Performance (Musical Theatre Emphasis) from New York University; Advanced Certificate in Vocal Pedagogy from New York University; Bachelor of Fine Arts in Musical Theatre from Shorter University.

Experience: Adjunct professor of music at New York University; individual and group class instructor at the Brooklyn Conservatory of Music; private studio instructor for over 10 years. Experienced in working with students of all age ranges, skill levels, and genres of music (classical, musical theatre, and contemporary styles)

Expertise: Vocal Pedagogy: The art and science of voice instruction. Specially trained to identify and address vocal inefficiency in the individual. Teaching aims to elicit positive and immediate responses that give the student a feeling of functional freedom. Teaching emphasizes physical mindfulness and positive reinforcement. In addition to teaching vocal technique, John is able to act as a vocal and acting coach by instructing about the pillars of song/monologue/scene interpretation and helping performers to communicate the piece with truth and ease. 

Drums/Percussion

CARLOS DIAZ

Education: Associate of Fine Arts - Music from Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College; Continuing education in Bachelor of Music Performance with a concentration in drumset jazz studies at Kennesaw State University.
 
Experience and Expertise: Tift County High School drumline camp technician for two years; 10+ years church worship band experience on drum set and guitar across Georgia; 2+ years professional jazz drum set experience; Played in opening bands for artists such as Felipe Pelaez, Omar Gelez, Nelson Arrieta, and Orquesta Adolescentes; Currently playing congas for El Kartel de Atlanta and Orquesta Macuba at Loca Luna in Midtown, Atlanta.
 
Speciality: Commercial, Jazz, and Worship drum set work; Afro Cuban hand percussion for salsa bands; Auxiliary percussion instruments for accompanying singer song writers and small musical ensembles. Fluent in Spanish and English.

Suzuki Violin

PAUL HEDMAN

Education: Bachelor of Music from the University of Southern Mississippi, home of the largest and most respected music departments in the Southeast

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Experience and Expertise:  Completed teacher training in all ten volumes of the Suzuki curriculum as well as numerous supplemental courses under the auspices of the Suzuki Association of the Americas

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Teaching Experience: Private Suzuki violin teacher in the Atlanta area since 1983; many of his students obtain positions of leadership in their school orchestras, in youth symphonies all over metro Atlanta, and have been admitted to university music programs

Acoustic Guitar

ROBERT HERRINGTON

Education: Bachelor of Jazz Performance from Kennesaw State University

Experience: Over 10 years of experience teaching and performing various guitar styles. Composed for independent films and media projects. Developed engaging jazz lecture series informing audiences of great American jazz composers and style periods. Currently directs and performs with the RH Group and RH Trio in the greater metro-Atlanta area.

Specialty: Electric & Acoustic Guitar, Jazz, Blues, Music History Education, Arranging & Composition

Piano, Keyboard

SUSAN O'BRIEN

Education: Bachelor of Music in Music Education from Kennesaw State University

Experience: Over 20 years of teaching one-on-one piano lessons. Over 5 years of teaching classroom music in private schools. Over 20 years of performing music in different churches. 

Specialty: Piano and Keyboard

Drums/Percussion, Keyboard, Piano

SAM OWENS

Education: Master of Music in Jazz Studies at Georgia State University and Bachelor of Music in Performance from Valdosta State University.

Teaching Experience: Nearly 20 years teaching K-college levels. Previous schools include Georgia State University (graduate assistant), Greater Atlanta Christian School, Decatur High School, North Atlanta High School, New School at Carver, and instructor with the Metropolitan Youth Symphony Orchestra. Private studio in Avondale Estates, GA and Decatur, GA from 2008-2021 teaching drums and piano.

Expertise: Professional level at Drum Set and Percussion. Proficient in Jazz, Latin and Afro-Cuban, Caribbean, Pop, Rock, Country, and Worship styles. Highly proficient with World and Orchestral percussion such as Timpani, Mallet percussion, Steel Pan, Hand percussion, Auxiliary percussion, and Electronic drums/percussion.

Jazz, Keyboard, Piano, Trombone

BRIAN REID

Education: Bachelor of Jazz Performance with a Concentration in Piano from Kennesaw State University

Experience: 10+ years teaching piano and jazz improvisation to all ages and skill levels. 13+ years experience performing jazz, pop, blues, rock, classical, and other styles. 

Specialty: Piano Pedagogy for various styles, Jazz Improvisation and Theory, Classical Music Theory, Arranging and Composition. Lessons geared towards each individual student’s needs with an emphasis on a deeper understanding of Music and the interconnections between different styles. 

Acoustic, Bass & Electric Guitar

JUSTIN ROGERS

Experience and Expertise: Justin picked up his first stringed instrument in the 6th grade, and by age 14, he was serving his church’s worship team on both guitar and bass –and has continued to serve in worship ministry ever since. 22 years later, he has also enjoyed many opportunities to write, record and perform music spanning many genres and environments.  Justin recognizes the honor and privilege to have worked with well-known worship artists, platinum songwriters, Nashville artists, The Voice television show contestants and finalists, and many good friends along his musical journey!

Justin currently serves as the Worship Director at Living Hope Church, alongside his wife, Melissa.

Specialty:  Helping you to understand the essentials of your favorite music on acoustic guitar, electric guitar, or bass guitar. To teach you the ability to play songs, to accompany yourself, and even to play with others! We will do this by developing the skills, theory, and the “ear” you need to grow your musical ability!

Beginner Voice & Songwriting

MELISSA ROGERS

Experience: 20 + years experience in vocal performance. 15 + years experience worship leading.  3 years classical and choral training. Received additional vocal training with Jan Smith Studios. Recording experience with various artists, including Third Day.

Expertise: Worship Leading. Vocal Care. Classical Voice.

Specialty: Songwriting. Recording Performance. Stage Presence/Performance. Expanding vocal range. Safe singing.

Voice, Piano, Keyboard

MARINA FROLOVA-WHITE

Education: Master’s Degree of Arts with Conducting Major from Simferopol, Republic of Crimea, Russia

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Experience and Expertise: Classically trained musician in piano and individual/choir vocal performance, including solfeggio – sol-fa and music literature; Music Arts teacher and Music Conductor; Actors, Model and Talents for Christ classes and performances in Atlanta

Teaching Experience: Vocalist and keyboardist for award winning Christian blues rock band; Music Director of Kiev mega church with special event choirs with 1000 singers; wrote songs for church worship team album; originator of two international professional ensembles that performed in churches and for government events in the Ukraine; written, performed as an actor on film for professional projects in Atlanta