Instrument Lessons during COVID

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Emma began playing the flute at the age of 5 when her mother enrolled her in a group flute class at the local community center. Over the past nearly 20 years of flute playing, she has had the opportunity to perform around the country and around the world in Australia, Germany, the Czech Republic, DR Congo, and the Philippines. 

In addition to performing in orchestras and other chamber ensembles, Emma enjoys helping students discover their own love of music. She believes music adds happiness and beauty to life.

Emma is a recent graduate of Brigham Young University in Provo, Utah, where she earned a Bachelor of Music in Flute Performance. Her love of music has led her to continue her studies as a graduate student of Dr. Tadeu Coelho at the University of North Carolina School of the Arts.

Originally from Athens, Georgia, Liam Franco studied with numerous faculty at the University of Georgia for clarinet and saxophone during his years in middle school. After placing in GMEA All-State/All-District bands for both clarinet and saxophone, and attending the UGA Summer Music Institute, he relocated to Winston-Salem, NC, to attend the University of North Carolina School of the Arts (UNCSA) High School to study saxophone performance with Dr. Robert Young. Liam continued into college at UNCSA where he is currently studying for a Bachelors of Music in Saxophone Performance. Liam enjoys performing with the UNCSA Wind Ensemble, Nu Ensemble, Reed Quintet, and Saxophone Quartet.

Devin recently graduated from St.Olaf College where he studied Instrumental Music Education, this fall he’ll start his Masters in Trombone performance at UNCSA studying with John Ilika. Devin has performed around the country with the St. Olaf Band, as well as playing in multiple collegiate orchestras and Jazz ensembles. Apart from playing, Devin has taught in music classrooms from elementary through the collegiate level and found that no matter what where students are in their musical journey there is always more to learn. In Devin’s opinion the trombone is the greatest instrument, ever, and will work with each student to help them progress in technique and ability no matter the level while striving to keep music fun and exciting, as it should be.

Dante’ Thomas is a currently a graduate student at UNCSA, studying under Mr. John Beck. Dante is working towards a Master’s degree in Music Performance. Before moving to Winston-Salem, Dante’ was a student at the University of Southern Mississippi, under the direction of Dr. John Wooton, where he received his Bachelor’s in Music Education. Mr. Thomas has worked at quite a few local schools in Mississippi and community college’s teaching front ensemble, battery percussion, and concert percussion. Mr. Thomas has been in no shortage of groups and ensembles having been part of symphonic bands and wind ensembles, timpanist for a lab orchestra, various percussion ensembles and chamber groups, SoMiSPO (Southern Miss Steel Pan Orchestra), Southern Miss Drumline, and even some jazz bands and jazz combos. Some of his most notable talents include jazz theory and improvisation (for vibraphone) rudimental snare drum, drum set, and lead pan.

Kennedy Graves is a college junior from Cincinnati, Ohio. She discovered the violin and started playing the instrument at the age of 3, initially studying with UNCSA alumna Diana LeGrand. During her elementary years she participated in numerous Suzuki violin summer programs in Virginia, working with several different violin instructors. When she was accepted into Cincinnati’s School for Creative and Performing Arts in the eighth grade, she resumed private lessons with Ms. LeGrand. Kennedy has performed in master classes given by Midori Gotō and Hillary Hahn. She participated in the Ohio Music Education Association’s annual competition, earning the highest rating each year for five consecutive years, won the prestigious Corbett Mayerson Competition, and served as the concertmaster of the state ranked SCPA Chamber Orchestra. This past summer she toured the Virginia, Maryland and Washington, D.C. region as a member of the Pan American Chamber Orchestra, performing with Ms. LeGrand. Kennedy has greatly enjoyed playing chamber music as a member of several string quartets over the past several years. She is extremely grateful to all of the violin teachers who have helped shape her musical growth.

Zane Hollomon is an undergraduate double bassist from Winston-Salem, North Carolina. Since 2012, he has enjoyed playing his instrument in any number of different settings; from classical and jazz to folk and contemporary, he prides himself on his musical diversity. He has had the pleasure of studying under some of the University of North Carolina School of the Arts’ finest faculty, learning the intricacies of double bass performance from Paul Sharpe and demystifying the vibrant world of jazz improvisation with Ronald Rudkin. When he’s not practicing his scales or learning new symphonies Zane can be found on stage performing with his blues rock band, or in the studio writing, recording, and producing music for films and video games.

Debbie graduated with a Bachelor's Degree in Music from Piedmont Bible College. She has been teaching piano for about 40 years. Around 1/3 of the years have also been with Separk Music. Some of her students have performed in the North Carolina Federation Music Clubs Festival. Debbie is a member of the Winston-Salem Piano Teachers Association.

Ashley May DePaola, 21, is a third-year undergraduate student studying piano under Dr. Dmitri Vorobiev at the University of North Carolina School of the Arts. She was brought up in a military family and raised primarily in Fayetteville, North Carolina. During her time in Fayetteville, she became a member of the Fayetteville Symphony Youth Orchestra where she was both the principal pianist and principal flutist. She also participated in the Fayetteville Symphonic Band and played piano for many churches in the area. Throughout her college years, Ashley May has been given many learning and performing opportunities. She has received masterclasses for several world renown pianists such as Alexander Braginsky, Aurther Greene, Alexander Kobrin, Jason Kwak, Marina Lomazov, Pavel Nersessian, and Joseph Rackers.  Outside of piano, Ashley May enjoys playing flute, doing CrossFit, and most importantly spending time with her family. As Ashley May continues to grow as a pianist, she hopes to continue getting the opportunity to work with and learn from other musicians who have mastered their craft.