Kevin Elam
Piano

Kevin Elam studied classical piano throughout his childhood and into high school. He has a BM in Music from George Mason University, where he studied jazz piano with the phenomenal Wade Beach. Kevin now works as a private piano instructor in the Fairfax area.  In addition to maintaining a private studio, Kevin is a music instructor for Create More Music Studios and a class piano teacher for Fairfax County Parktakes program.

Kevin is a member of several bands and musical projects, including the DC Transit Band, a wedding/dance band that plays everything from Journey to Beyonce; the Suspicious Cheese Lords, an all-male a capella group that performs medieval and Renaissance-era repertoire; and Projected Man, a progressive jazz/funk band with a debut album coming out in October; among others. Kevin also loves Irish traditional music, and plays the guitar, mandolin, banjo, and whistle in the recently-formed R.E.D. Folk Collective.

Sarah Moyers
Piano, Voice

Sarah Moyers is a senior at George Mason University pursuing a BM in Jazz Studies for Voice. Under the instruction of Dr. Darden Purcell, director of Jazz Studies and former D.C. Airforce vocalist, Sarah has studied jazz vocal technique as well as piano, improvisation, music theory, arranging, and sight reading. While Sarah specializes in jazz, she is also well versed with pop/contemporary styles and musical theatre. Her sound is often described as "smooth" as her training focuses on bridging the gaps between different vocal breaks and navigating the complex passages frequently found in jazz.

Sarah is involved in many musical groups including the Mason Vocal Jazz Ensemble, through which she won an award for "Outstanding Soloist" at the 2016 Kansas City Jazz Summit, the Mason Vocal Jazz Quartet, and a Mason Jazz Combo, where she functions as a bandleader and arranger as well as a soloist. She also performs as the lead singer of the Mason Jazz Ensemble, the premier big band on campus, and recently performed with the group at the legendary D.C. Jazz club Blues Alley. Sarah works as a freelance musician as well and can often be heard performing at venues and events throughout the D.C./Metro area.

Carter Stevens
Piano

Carter Stevens is a versatile organist, pianist, and educator based in Falls Church, Virginia. He has performed throughout the Mid-Atlantic region including at the Kennedy Center Millennium Stage,  An Die Musik, and the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception.

He holds a BA in Music from Brevard College and has pursued further study with jazz keyboardists Mark Brandt and Brian Charette. As an educator he has 5 years of teaching experience and emphasizes ear training, sight-reading, and a solid technical foundation.

Steve Pae
Piano, Guitar, Electric Bass, Drums, Ukulele

Co-Founder Steve Pae is a multi-instrumentalist, producer, and recording engineer.  Steve has been teaching guitar, drums, piano, ukulele, music theory, and songwriting for over ten years.  He holds a Bachelor's of Music with a Concentration in Guitar Performance from George Mason University and Recording Arts Certification from the Omega School of Recording Arts.  

Steve is great with students of all ages and abilities.  He has experience teaching children with autism and ADD/ADHD.  Steve enjoys teaching and performing classical music, folk, rock, jazz, and pop standards.

Sam Allen
Piano, Voice, Guitar

Samuel T. Allen is a recent graduate of the James Madison University School of Music (Dec ’16) where he received a B.M in Voice Performance. Studying under baritone Kevin McMillan he has learned and performed a number of operatic and oratorio roles including Nemorino in L’Elisir d’Amore, Sam Kaplan in Street Scene, Tamino in Die Zauberflöte, and Rodolfo in La Bohème. In addition to his operatic work, Samuel has been a live audition finalist for the world-renowned choirs, Cantus and Chanticleer. Samuel has studied music theory, piano, improvisation, and advanced sight reading. While Classical voice is his specialty, he is extremely well versed in other styles including Jazz, Musical Theater, and Contemporary. He is very eager to pass on his love for singing to students of all ages.

Feel free to listen to some of his classical and contemporary singing at:
www.youtube.com/thebrothersallen.

Jenna Warfield
Piano, Flute

JennaMarie Warfield received a BA from Millersville University, where she majored in music performance with flute as her primary instrument.  Ms. Warfield currently studies under Julianna Nickel as a masters student at George Mason University, and previously studied with Dr. William Montgomery, Mr. Joel Behrens, Mrs. Lana Behrens, and Dr. Linda Kirkpatrick. She has participated in youth ensembles at Peabody Conservatory, and has assisted directing youth choirs at several churches in the Baltimore area. While at Millersville University, Ms. Warfield has performed in several recitals, at public events, at churches, and was a co-founder of Professional Musicians and Graduate Education Focus Group (PMGE), a student-run group directed towards supporting and preparing musicians to be successful for graduate school and post-school careers. Ms. Warfield was a Finalist in the 2012 Louis Vyner Competition, was selected as a performer for the 2012 Julius Baker Master Class, and performed and was featured in the 12th, 13th and 14th Annual New England Conservatory Summer Metropolitan Flute Festival Orchestra. Ms. Warfield currently performs with the Mason Symphony Orchestra, Mason Baroque Ensemble, Capital Wind Symphony, Mason Woodwind Quintet and is an alternate for the Columbia Orchestra. 

In addition to teaching flute, Ms.  Warfield also teaches piano.  She has experience working with students of all ages and abilities and was a former tutor and private instructor in the Millersville University Preparatory Program.  Ms. Warfield is a passionate performer, musician, and teacher. She strives to share her passion for the beauty and power of music with everyone she teaches. She does this by incorporating singing, movement, music theory and music history in the lessons. She always holds high expectations for herself as a teacher and for her students, but always does so according to their potential and level. 

Manuel Medina
Piano, Keyboard

Originally from Lima, Peru, Manuel Medina has been involved in numerous projects in gaming music, sound design, MIDI keyboard programming, sequencing and music for media.  He is currently pursuing a Bachelor’s of Arts with a Concentration in Music Technology and a Minor in Jazz Studies.  Manuel performs in a variety of rock, pop and jazz ensembles. Familiar with genres like Jazz, Latin, Rock, Fusion and electronic music, he began playing piano at the age of 11. 

In addition to performing and composing music, Manuel has been teaching keyboard, piano, composition, and music theory in the Washington DC Metro area for over 8 years.  Manuel believes that students learn more from teachers they have lasting relationships with.  He believes that each student learns differently and tailors his lessons and teaching methods to compliment the individual students’ learning style, while making his lessons fun and engaging. 

Tim Carolla
Piano, Guitar, Electric Bass

Tim Carolla is a guitarist based in the Washington, D.C. area. Tim holds a Master’s of Music in Modern American Music (Jazz and Improvisation) and a Graduate Performance Diploma from the Longy School of Music of Bard College in Cambridge, Massachusetts. He also holds a Bachelor’s of Music with a Concentration in Classical Guitar performance and a Minor and Jazz Studies from George Mason University in Fairfax, Virginia.

Tim maintains an active schedule teaching, performing, and composing/arranging. He has experience performing most styles in the Jazz world (swing, bop, free music/free jazz), as well as with pit orchestras and rock bands. As of late, Tim has been studying and transcribing the music of Thelonious Monk, and searching for ways to play his music on the guitar.  He also enjoys playing and performing on the electric bass.

Tim has performed with numerous chamber groups and ensembles based in and around both Boston and the Washington, D.C. area. Tim has played in masterclasses with numerous classical guitarists including Roland Dyens, Margarita Escarpa and Carlos Barbosa-Lima, and present his own arrangements for the guitar to Carlos Perez and R. Dyens.  Tim has studied with Joe Morris for the last four years in Boston.  As a teacher, Tim enjoys teaching guitar, bass, and piano as well as composition/arranging, theory and improvisation for any instrument or ability. 

Sam Carolla
Piano, Drums

Sam Carolla is an active musician in the greater DC metro area, and a native Virginian. He holds a Bachelor’s of Music with a concentration in Jazz Studies from George Mason University.  Sam started music lessons at age 12. He was initially influenced by alternative rock, but soon became inspired by the sounds of jazz and fusion. Sam has over five years of experience teaching students of all ages, and performs locally in a variety of styles.   

Julia Stubbs
Piano, Voice

Julia Stubbs is pursuing her Bachelor’s of Music in Music Education with a Concentration in Choir and Piano.  She is an active member of GMU's ACDA (American Choral Director's Association) chapter, participates in various vocal ensembles and operas, and is also a regular cantor (lead singer) at St. Francis of Assisi Church.  Her dedication in studying music and developing her skills as a musician recently resulted in being awarded the John M. and Nan Sherwood Scholarship, and a music scholarship to participate in the D.C. al Fine: Conducting Seminar.  In addition to studying voice at George Mason, Julia has a strong interest in piano.  Using both of her piano and vocal abilities, she is currently teaching for the "Bridges: Harmony Through Music Program," at Potomac Arts Academy.  Julia enjoys working with students of all ages.  Although she is classically trained, Julia believes that learning proper technique can help students learn any genre of music, and encourages her students to develop healthy habits early in their studies while having fun.  In her free time, Julia enjoys playing and making music.  She is ecstatic to be working with Create More Music Studios to teach piano and voice, and share her passion and love for music with her students!