Joseph Satralkar – Piano Teacher
With over 8 years of experience in teaching music privately as well as in a classroom environment, Joseph is skilled at teaching students with various learning styles and abilities. He is trained in classical piano and has achieved a Bachelors in music performance (ATCL) degree in Piano from Trinity College, London. He is also an accredited teacher for IGCSE (University of Cambridge). He was born and raised in Pune, India and has been playing piano since the age of 8. He has taught in two International Baccalaureate schools as a ‘Music Teacher’ and ‘Director of Music’. Joseph also has 10 years of performing experience as a concert pianist and accompanist. He has worked with various artists in the Classical, Gospel, Jazz, Blues, Rock, EDM, and Pop genres as a music producer and live performer. His combined experienced in music performance, technology and classical piano enables him to model his lessons to suit student needs whether they want to learn reading music, playing by ear, or simply learning to play and record their favorite songs.
Kim Wright – Voice/Piano Teacher
B.S. Counseling with Vocal Minor – Southern University, MMUS Performance – London College of Music, PhD Music Performance (1st year candidate) – University of Nottingham
A native of Baton Rouge, LA, Kim grew up 45 minutes north of New Orleans and her childhood musical experiences have been a positive influence on the way she approaches and interacts through music. Kim sang her first public vocal performance at age 5 and started piano lessons at age 7. She received her earliest training from her mom, a gospel vocalist/organist/pianist and musical director. Kim has over 21 years professional experience as a performing and recording vocalist, lyricist and songwriter. She has sung as lead vocalist and/or background vocalist, nationally and internationally, in several r&b, jazz, and rock bands featured at festivals, clubs, theaters, cruises, workshops, private and corporate events. She and her husband, Steve (guitarist/ composer/producer), co-founded their original soul/rock/jazz fusion band called Days Ahead, and they wrote, recorded and released their debut cd Turning Point to glowing reviews and award nominations. Kim tours the US and Europe, and has toured South Africa performing as well as presenting music clinics. Days Ahead has also been featured live on several broadcast networks including ZBC Zimbabwe TV, BET Jazz Soul Sessions, CBS Better Mornings, and TBS Storyline Soundstage. Kim’s music can be heard and purchased through her official website, www.daysaheadmusic.com, or iTunes, Amazon, and Spotify.
Kim has over 11 years experience teaching vocal and piano lessons to ages 7 to 67. She enjoys teaching contemporary styles of music; jazz, pop, r&b, rock, gospel, and country. She also has a special place in her heart for teaching those children or adults with learning and developmental disabilities. Her educational and performance background as a Rehabilitation Counselor and using Music as Therapy includes working with students with Autism and ADHD. Kim tailors her teaching methods to suit a student’s individual strengths, helping students build confidence and a sense of well- being through the use of music.
Ang Li – Piano Teacher
Ang Li – Piano Instructor, Sandy Springs Music
Ang began playing the piano by ear at age one. She started formal piano lessons at age four. Professor Z
hao was an erudite and patient teacher who helped foster Ang’s love for music and remains an influential musical figure in her life. Ang’s earliest musical memory was her ?rst public performance at the Beijing Concert Hall at age six. Ang enjoyed her performance so much that she asked if she could perform a second time before the end of the concert. Ang came to the United States at age ten to further pursue her musical studies. At age thirteen, she made her orchestral debut with the Little Orchestra Society at the Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts in New York. Ang has performed in North and South America, Europe, Australia and Asia in venues such as Carnegie Hall, the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, National Arts Centre of Canada, Ruïnekerk of Bergen in the Netherlands, Hong Kong City Hall, Forbidden City Concert Hall in Beijing, among others. She has performed with the China National Symphony Orchestra, Beijing Symphony Orchestra, Montreal Symphony Orchestra, Fort Worth Symphony Orchestra, Staten Island Symphony, The Lanaudière Music Festival Orchestra, City Chamber Orchestra of Hong Kong, among others. In 2003, Ang won the OSM Standard Life Competition in Montreal, in which she was awarded the First Prize, Best Interpretation of a Canadian Work Prize, Orchestre Symphonique de Montréal Prize, Radio-Canada Prize, Galaxie Rising Stars Award, and the Jeunesses Musicales of Canada Award. Ang had been broadcasted by CBC, WQXR-FM, China Central Television, WBJC, KBIA, American Public Media, CKWR-FM’s Women in Music, and CFMZ-FM where she was voted one of the highlights from the best Classical 96.3 “Concert Lobby” performances of 2010. Ang has recorded five published solo piano albums. She holds a Master’s Degree from The Juilliard School.
Ang started to teach piano at age seventeen. An audience member asked Ang after her performance if she could teach her how to play. Ang took on the project and enjoyed the experience very much. Since then, Ang has taught privately and in public masterclasses at Merriam Music in Ontario, the Bangalore School of Music in India, Parsons Music in Hong Kong, Tom Lee Music Foundation in Hong Kong, the Music Teachers’ Association of California, University of Chicago, Presbyterian College in Clinton SC, Maritime Conservatory of Performing Arts in Halifax, Dalhousie University in Halifax, University of Santo Thomas in Manila, Kalamazoo College, and Arizona School for the Arts.
Ang enjoys sharing her love and knowledge of music with students of all ages. She loves to help students learn to play pieces they enjoy. Students often become inspired to recreate after hearing Ang demonstrate a piece of music. She encourages and guides the students in their musical growth, from learning new pieces of music to perfecting existing repertoire in preparation for recitals, competitions and auditions. Ang strives to help students learn how to think for themselves by giving practical advice on piano playing that can be used when practicing on their own.
Tessa Walker – Voice/Piano Teacher
Tessa Walker is nearing completion of a Music Education degree from Kennesaw
State where she is a member of the Chamber choir and is the vocalistfor one of the Jazz Ensembles. Through her connections to the Jazz World, this past Fall of 2017 she had the opportunity to sing with Joe Gransdens 16-Piece Big Band at Café 290 in Sandy Springs, GA.
Uniquely, Tessa is an active and award-winning singer in the Barbershop Harmony
Society and Sweet Adelines International organizations. Additionally, she
has studied voice for over 10 years and piano for five. In the Summer of 2017, Tessa was
picked for the prestigious $5,000 Young Singers Foundation Scholarship given
to one deserving Music Education major each year. Over the past couple
years, Tessa has had several rewarding musical opportunities that have
furthered her desire to teach music. She co-founded and directed a local
senior citizens choir in Johns Creek, GA. Tessa was also the Assistant
Music Director for Theatre 5230’s productions of Rock of Ages (Summer 2016)
and Bring It On (Summer 2017, where she also debuted as the Pit Director).
She was the Music Director for Ebenezers Drama Camp in Conyers, GA in the
Summer of 2017, where she also taught private students as well. She is excited for the future and can’t wait for the opportunity to share her love of teaching and music at Sandy Spring Music.
Ryan O’Leary – Piano, Voice Teacher
Ryan O’Leary, tenor, is a fun, dynamic teacher who delights in teaching material in a way that fascinates students. His background in vocal performance and piano performance extends back to his youth, where he performed in countless recitals and productions. Ryan has played the piano since age 7, and started singing even earlier. His favorite theater roles include Jean Valjean, Sweeney Todd, and Lieutenant Cioffi. In the classical realm of singing, Ryan is what’s known as a lyric tenor – thus, his voice is a sweet, light instrument at it’s best in the works of Rossini and Handel.
Ryan has earned both his Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Vocal Performance, and his minor in piano performance at Shorter College and the University of Kentucky, respectively. While attending these schools, he received piano instruction from Dr. Peter Dewitt, Dr. Rebecca Miller, and MaryAnn Knight. His vocal instructors included Dr. Linda Lister, author of several vocal pedagogy books, Dr. Rebecca Salter, esteemed soprano soloist, and Metropolitan Opera star Cynthia Lawrence, often referred to as Pavarotti’s favorite soprano.
Ryan is entering his 7th year of pedagogy – over the years, he has sent multiple students off to college on full ride music scholarships. His students have also declared victory in music competitions locally and regionally, and the singers have enjoyed success in landing lead roles in musicals and theater productions. In these higher intensity performance situations, students are able to draw upon the nerve-busting techniques Ryan teaches to everyone in his studio.
Unique about Ryan is his ability to impart instruction on multiple levels simultaneously – he plays the long game with students, encouraging them to retain a lifelong love of music. As such, he ensures that their technical instruction is sound, and that his students can take away a piece of each lesson to keep forever. He is expert in setting an atmosphere for learning – focused, excited, and happy. For many students, lessons become a highlight of each week – get started now!
Farrel Capek
Hi My name is Farrel Capek, and I have over 10 years of professional experience in the music industry, with my first paid performance at the age of 11. I have performed across the country from Atlanta to LA. I have trained with numerous world renowned vocal instructors including Seth Riggs – vocal coach to Michael Jackson, Stevie Wonder, Ray Charles, and over 150 other Grammy winners. While I teach across all genres, I specialize in Pop, Rock, R&B, Classical, and Musical Theater. In our lessons I will teach students how to sing with proper vocal technique, how to record in the studio, how to perform for an audience, and how to audition. If a student is interested in creating their own music, I will also teach them necessary songwriting skills they may need to know while starting their musical career.
I try to teach in a fun way so my students stay motivated and positive. The best way to learn is to enjoy what you are doing. I give my students vocal exercises and skills that they can bring home and work on every day. They will always feel as though they are progressing towards their goals. My commitment is to help them be the best they can be.
Rebecca Reid – Voice, Piano Teacher
Rebecca, born and raised in Georgia, started singing and playing piano at a young age, and developed a love for music both on and off the stage.
While earning her Bachelor’s degree in Music with Elective Studies in Business from the University of West Georgia, Rebecca had the opportunity to perform with the UWG Choir, UWG Jazz Band, and various gigs with “Shades of Red”, a trio which she co-founded. She also spent time singing at St. Oliver’s Catholic Church as part of the Life Teen Band, and is currently cantoring with the band at St. Jude Catholic Church for the Life Teen contemporary service. Performing music from a variety of genres allowed her to gain passion for classical, contemporary, musical theater, and jazz works.
Additionally, Rebecca worked behind the scenes in the music and entertainment industry. Some of her experience includes stage managing, event production, and booking agent for Driven Entertainment Group, and working as a production assistant for “The Voice.”
Music has an amazing impact on Rebecca’s life, and she is excited to be a part of Sandy Springs Music to help nurture a love for music in others!
Nicholas Chambers – Saxophone, Clarinet, Piano Instructor
Nicolas Chambers, a West Georgia native, has played saxophone and piano for 15 years. While attending Bremen High School, Chambers performed in the District Honor and All State bands and traveled to the University of Georgia, Southern Oregon University, and Shell Lake, Wisconsin for saxophone workshops. During those workshops Chambers met and worked the saxophone professors from the Universit y of Minnesota, University of Iowa, University of Wyoming, and the University of West Georgia (UWG). Throughout his freshman and sophomore years at UWG, Chambers was a saxophone soloist with the Mount Holly Church’s praise team and worked with many of West Georgia’s most well respected performers. Chambers currently studies at Kennesaw State University (KSU) for a degree in
Jazz Performance. Over the summer semester of 2015, Nicolas studied with renowned musicians Steve Dancz and Milton Masciadri in Alessandria, Italy. Chambers currently participates in the top performing ensembles at KSU and has played with the Jazz Orchestra of Atlanta and the remaining members of Ray Charles’ family and band.
Jennifer Christie
Jennifer Christie, mezzo-soprano, holds a Bachelor of Music Degree in Vocal Performance from Millikin University. She completed her Master of Music degree at Georgia State University in December 2007, and is in the voice studio of Kathryn Hartgrove. Jennifer was recently seen performing the roles of Nicklausse in Les Contes d’Hoffman and Harry in Albert Herring at Georgia State University. She has also performed roles in scenes from Hansel and Gretel, Saint of Bleecker Street, Louise, Wolfy, Cold Sassy Tree, Cosi fan Tutte, Ballad of Baby Doe, Sir John in Love, Alcina, Falstaff, and Marriage of Figaro.
Jennifer attended the Blas International Summer School of Irish Traditional Music and Dance in Limerick, Ireland during the summer of 2000. In the summer of 2002, she participated in La Musica Lirica Opera Festival in Urbania, Italy. She also performed in the Harrower Opera Workshop during the summers of 2006 and 2007.
Jennifer is currently a staff singer at Peachtree Presbyterian Church. Prior to living in Atlanta, she sang under the direction of Paul French with the Mount Carmel Church Choir, and William Ferris Chorale in Chicago, IL. Jennifer has taught private voice and beginning piano to both children and adults, and classroom general music to students in grades K-8.
I Got the Sun in the Morning – Annie Get Your Gun
Voi che sapete – Marriage of Figaro
