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.

Henry Hutchinson
Piano

​Henry Hutchinson is a graduate of Miami University of Ohio with a Masters in Music, specializing in Piano Performance. He has collaborated with soloists of various instruments to play for their competitions, as well as Master Classes led by renowned artists such as Barbara Bonney. He has an appreciation for a range of musical genres and styles all the way from Bach to Pop/Rock and is eager to share and teach music to people of all ages and cultures. He is also well versed in Music Theory and offers private tutoring sessions for those who may need it. He wishes to one day teach as a university piano professor, following in the footsteps of all of his piano teachers.

Sammie Vats
Piano

Sammie Vats began learning piano at the age of six from the Coomber School of Music and Dance in Herndon, VA. In 2017, she received a Bachelor's Degree in Piano Performance along with a teaching certificate from Hollins University. While in college, she played both the piano and violin in the Valley Chamber Orchestra of Roanoke, VA and was a staff pianist and violinist for the Blue Ridge Church of the Brethren.  Sammie teaches private piano and violin lessons in Northern VA.  Sammie strives to go beyond the traditional curriculum of merely learning to read music.  She tries to empower her students by teaching them how to compose their own music, providing them with the opportunity to unleash their creativity by improvising, and have fun by playing duets with her.  Her goal is to provide a perfect balance of education and enjoyments is in each lesson. 

Rachel Cooperstein
Piano, Voice

Mezzo-soprano Rachel Cooperstein specializes in classical technique and performance with a particular interest in early choral music, vocal health and physiology. She earned her Bachelor of Music degree in Vocal Performance at George Mason University, where she trained with resident vocal pedagogue Debby Wenner. Rachel also studied classical piano from age five, and was accepted as a piano performance major at James Madison University, before ultimately opting to focus on a degree in voice. While at George Mason, Rachel won 1st place at the NATS District Auditions, was selected to perform in the 2014 GMU Honors Recital, gave two solo recitals, and performed as a chorister and frequent soloist in the University Singers and Chorale. In 2013, following her passion for small choral ensembles and early music, she became a founding member of Ensemble du Pain Musical, which continues to perform in the D.C. area. She also played such notable operatic roles as Cherubino in Le nozze di Figaro and Little Buttercup in H.M.S. Pinafore with the George Mason University Opera Theater. Rachel began to achieve professional success as a choral singer in the D.C. area while at George Mason, and after graduating, she sang as the alto section leader and cantor at St. Rita Catholic Church in Alexandria. Rachel’s goal as an educator is to help her students find a balance between their desired vocal style and vocal health. She believes that a wide range of vocal styles can be explored from a foundation in healthy classical technique, supplemented by music theory. Above all, Rachel teaches effective learning methods and practicing strategy as the means to achieving success, rather than perceived talent or skill level.

Ali Rezaeipour
Piano, Guitar

Ali Rezaeipour is an Iranian-American musician based in Northern Virginia.  Although his main instrument is the guitar, Ali also plays the piano, the violin, as well as traditional Persian instruments tar and setar.  Ali is currently enrolled at George Mason University where he is pursuing a double major with a Bachelor’s of Music with a Concentration in Jazz Guitar and a Bachelor’s of Science in Psychology.  As an educator, he strives to spread his love for music with his students, while helping them grow as artists and individuals.  He believes that each student is unique, and develops lesson plans and teaching approaches based on each individual student’s needs and interests.  In addition to teaching, Ali performs with a number of ensembles and musicians.  He is also the front man for Afarinesh, a progressive rock band with Persian-influenced melodies, lyrics and harmonies. Featuring him on lead guitar and vocals, Afarinesh plays regularly at venues all around the Washington D.C. area.

Brad Macpherson
Piano, Guitar, Bass, Drums

Brad Macpherson was born in Los Angeles, CA into a very musically-oriented family. Some of his earliest memories are getting distracted and almost missing the bus to school  because he was lost in old Jazz and Classic Rock records. Brad began playing guitar as soon as he could physically hold the guitar and has never stopped since. Brad's formal education began in guitar classes at school, where he quickly branched into jazz ensembles and eventually spilled out into extra-curricular projects. Brad has always found that the study of one instrument can only benefit the understanding of another, so he added bass guitar, keyboard, and drum set into his daily practice routine as soon as he could afford all the instruments. By immersing himself in the local music environment, Brad has been able to rub shoulders and share the stage with a variety of incredible local talents in our area. Brad began performing locally in the DMV area around the age of 15, with bands spanning genres from folk and Irish balladeering, traditional jazz, blues, rock, heavy metal, and even orchestral. During this time period, Brad found himself in a local music school, where he spent ten years teaching several hundreds of students and honing his craft. From his start as an instructor, to the gradual transition into Music Director and General Manager, Brad has had an immense amount of experience as an educator.  Countless lessons, rehearsals and live performances with his students have taught Brad the transformative power of music education on an individual- no matter the age.  Brad's approach to education is deceptively simple- find and nurture the passion of the student. Many times, students don't know what they can do before a good teacher opens their eyes (or ears). If a teacher can find out what motivates a student, and what they truly love about music and life in general, the sky's the limit. Brad believes that every student has unique talents and abilities that can and should be reinforced by a strong foundation of practical theory and technique. Once preparation meets inspiration, the true fun begins!

Dominique Bianco
Piano, Voice

Dominique Bianco is a vocalist in the Washington DC Area. She is currently pursuing a Bachelor’s of Music in Jazz Studies with a minor in Music Technology from George Mason University.  She studies under the instruction of Dr. Darden Purcell, director of Jazz Studies and former D.C. Airforce vocalist. Having come from a musical family, Dominique began studying music at a very young age and has studied multiple genres including Musical Theatre, Opera, Soul and R&B. Her main concentration is in Jazz and Pop styles. Additionally, she attended an arts high school in New York where she was able to focus on numerous vocal techniques.  Dominique is well versed in piano, ukulele, music theory, ear training, and sight reading, improvisation, arranging, jazz standards, and vocal melodic ornamentation and alteration.  In addition to working on recordings and performing, Dominique enjoys writing her own music and arrangements.  Dominique can not only be seen as a performer in the Mason Jazz Vocal Ensemble and at various Mason Jazz Vocal Nights as a part of Dr. Purcell’s studio and can also be seen in different venues from the D.M.V, D.C./Metro area to New York City, including JoJo’s and Twins Jazz.  As a teacher, her goal is to instill a love for music within her students that she developed as a young child, while pushing them to excel in their skills.

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!