Our Teachers

Andrew Baird

Guitar and Ukulele

  • Andrew Baird is a guitarist, composer, and educator, born in Houston, raised in Austin, Texas. He began playing guitar at the age of 11 and immediately connected with the instrument. His passion for music led him to Idyllwild Arts Academy, a residential performing arts high school in California, where he further nurtured his skills.

    Andrew went on to pursue higher education at the renowned Berklee College of Music in Boston, where he earned his Bachelor’s in Guitar Performance. He continued his studies at the New England Conservatory, obtaining a Master’s in Jazz Studies with honors. 

    After graduation, Andrew moved to New York City to pursue a career as a performer, composer, and educator. In the bustling music scene of NYC, he quickly made a name for himself, performing at legendary venues such as The Iridium and The Blue Note, working across multiple genres.

    Throughout his career, Andrew has performed with a wide array of acclaimed artists, including Latin Grammy Nominee Julio Botti and John Lennon Songwriting Contest winner Allegra Levy. He has also shared the stage with some of Broadway’s finest, performing with musicians from the Lion King and Aladdin orchestras, as well as Tony Nominee and legendary singer, Norm Lewis. 

    Beyond his performing career, Andrew is a passionate educator. He obtained a Master of Arts in Music Education in 2018, and has since taught in diverse settings, from New York City public schools, and continues to inspire the next generation of musicians with his unique blend of technical expertise, personability, and real-world experience.

    Andrew’s specialties on the guitar include Jazz, Bluegrass, Classic Rock, Folk, and several others.

Logan Flaherty

Drums and Percussion

  • Logan Flaherty is a versatile drummer from Seattle, WA who specializes in rock, pop, and funk. After almost 15 years of private instruction in Seattle, he attended Berklee College of Music where he played in dozens of ensembles, recorded in world-class studios, and ultimately earned his bachelor’s degree in 2024. Logan has had the privilege of studying with legendary drummers, including Alan White (Yes/John Lennon), Tim Alexander (Primus), Stanton Moore, and Dave DiCenso, among others.

Ben Thomas

Guitar

  • Ben Thomas began playing guitar at 13 years old and music has driven his life ever since.  After graduating from the Berklee College of Music in 2011 he began teaching in Nashville, TN near his hometown.  He has performed in many cities around the country in genres including Rock, Jazz, Neo soul, Americana, and solo ambient guitar.  He is a composer, an improviser, and a multi-instrumentalist who has a wide ranging approach to playing and teaching music.  His passion for music and for conveying musical knowledge and concepts is palpable. 

    Recently, his album “Transmissions from a Dream” was included in the Austin Public Library’s Electric Lady Bird Collection which showcases up and coming local musicians. 

Artur Troshko

Piano and Voice

  • Artur Lugo Troshko is a versatile multi-instrumentalist music producer and composer originally from Houston. He attended Purdue for Audio Engineering Technology for a year, where they were a part of the Purdue Varsity Glee Club as the guitarist and sound technician. After transferring to the University of Texas, he received a degree in Arts and Entertainment Technology with a focus in Music and Sound where he studied music composition under Austin-based film composer Sam Lipman (Richard Linklater, Terrence Malik).

    Artur’s specialty lies in sound design, with synthesis being the main focus. It is the facilitator for his range in work which includes producing for billboard charting artist Nesya to scoring “Visions of a Love” by Myles Garza, an official selection for the 45th Cinefestival in San Antonio. He releases his own music under the name Artie Trasshko, ranging from jazzy indie rock to synthy cumbia to scenecore hyperpop. Artur has also worked in various studios around the Austin area including Churchouse Studios under producer David Boyles (Robert Plant, David Byrnes). He is also part of various musical groups of different styles including Brazilian shoegaze, norteño, and darkwave.

    Beyond his work in music production/performance, Artur has been a passionate music educator for a variety of instruments including piano, guitar, and synthesizers, as well as running a social media page dedicated to music production tutorials that has amassed over 100k views. From elementary to college level, he has experience teaching a wide range of skill levels. 

Laura Jorgensen

Voice

  • Laura Jorgensen grew up in the Pacific Northwest with a music-teaching grandmother, and started vocal training with the Seattle Children's Chorus at age 7. She expanded on her classical background with studies of contemporary & world music styles at Berklee College of Music in Boston, where she earned a BM in Professional Music with a self-directed curriculum. After a stint working as a walking tour guide in Paris, Laura moved to Austin in 2013 to study music from a more academic angle and completed a Master of Music in Ethnomusicology with a focus on music of the Balkan region. While at UT, Laura enjoyed working as a Teaching Assistant for courses like History of Rock, Music in World Cultures, and the Bereket Middle Eastern Ensemble. Since finishing grad school, she has worked as a private voice teacher and with many music education and creative learning programs around town, including Mother Falcon Music Lab, AllRhythms, and MINDPOP. Laura is also an award-winning songwriter and has performed both as a solo artist and with a wide variety of different ensembles ranging in style from country to Qawwali, on stages from Brazil to Pakistan. In addition to voice, she is a persistent "instrument dabbler" who plays a little bit of a lot of things, including piano, hand percussion, accordion, and mountain dulcimer. She enjoys tailoring lessons to each student's interests and making music learning fun at any age!

  •   Celine is a flutist and educator who is dedicated to helping students develop both artistic excellence and sustainable, healthy relationships with their craft. She recently completed the Master of Science in Performance Science at the Royal College of Music in London, where her studies focused on performance and education psychology and health and wellbeing in the performing arts. Celine also earned a Master of Music in Flute Performance from Louisiana State University and a Bachelor of Music in Flute Performance with a minor in Psychology from Berklee College of Music. 

    She has taught students of varying ages and levels in Baton Rouge and New York City in both private and group classes. Her academic and professional background informs her teaching through the integration of performing arts research, including strategies for practicing, mindset training, and injury prevention, as well as the development of strong musical and technical skills. 

    As a performer, Celine has extensive experience in a variety of settings ranging from solo performances to large ensembles. Her love of travel has led her to participate in orchestra, chamber, and opera festivals in the US, France, Italy, and the Czech Republic. She is also a big musical theater fan and has played in the orchestras in Boston-area community productions of Fiddler on the Roof, Cinderella, Wonka, and Into the Woods. She is currently collaborating with fellow LSU alumni to develop a chamber recital program highlighting works by female composers for flute, French horn, and piano trio that is expected to premiere in Louisiana in April 2026.

    In addition to her performing and teaching work, Celine is an advocate for expanding accessibility in the arts and supporting musicians’ long-term wellbeing both on and off the stage.

Flute and Piano

Celine Hawker

Jake Harrell

Guitar

  • Jake Harrell is a versatile musician and educator, raised and based in Austin, Texas, with deep roots in the city’s vibrant musical scene. Specializing in early jazz and swing, Jake brings his talents to the stage nightly across a diverse range of genres and groups, including acts such as Rent Party, Blue Dot Swing, Rico Rico, Pendulum Hearts, Austin Django Project, as well as captivating audiences as a solo artist.

    In addition to his live performances, Jake’s dedication to sharing music extends to teaching both music and production. He is an experienced audio engineer, and a music teacher with degrees in music performance, music business, and audio engineering. Jake also records, mixes, and produces for other artists, blending his technical expertise with an easygoing nature and a passion for creativity, collaboration, and sharing music with others.

David Jellema

Brass and Woodwinds

  • David Jellema ("Jelly") has been a respected, beloved, sought, and welcomed musician with over 45 years of public performance as a jazz cornet player (and 25 as a clarinet player).  As a full-time musician in Texas the past 18 years, Jellema has played in scores of small jazz ensembles, a couple big bands, has led some of his own groups, played in two different clarinet choirs (and a 100-piece chorale), recorded on numerous cds, hosted formal jam sessions, played in numerous out-of-state jazz and swing dance festivals, taught private lessons to adults and among middle and high school students, and has been ample inspiration to younger musicians learning older styles of traditional jazz and swing.  

    Jellema can musically play twelve instruments (but not all at once): brass (cornet, trumpet, flugelhorn, and valve-trombone); clarinet and bass clarinet; C-melody, alto, and soprano saxes; and three recorders (soprano, alto, and tenor).   His teaching methodologies respond and mold to students' abilities and goals, with strong emphases on being able to play music not just from written music, but by ear as well.  From a family ancestry and heritage that includes many teachers, Jelly enjoys facilitating and watching the learning processes unfold and develop.  

Estani Frizzell

Voice

  • Multi-faceted singer/songwriter, Estani Frizzell, known for her array of musical style, delivers a unique vibe. Her fluidity of verse and flexibility of style makes for a smooth transition through musical boundaries, writing catchy hooks and melodies for a variety of sonic and lyrical tastes ranging from latin soul, acoustic singer/songwriter, and jazz, to salsa, and other latin genres.

    Through her genre bending sound and style, Estani has earned three nominations from the Hollywood Music and Media Awards for best Adult Contemporary Song, best Pop/Latin/Urban, and Best Latin Traditional. Her smooth jazz song, “Fire and Ice” was a winner for best Jazz/R&B song by the MusicCity Song Star songwriting contest. Estani’s video for her song, “Droughts in the Ocean” earned her her first nomination for best music video in 2021 by the Montreal Independent Film Festival, and her second single, “Tell Me Why” earned her another first nomination for Best Music Video in 2022 by the Los Angeles Independent Women Film Awards.

    Performances as a lead vocalist and background singer include The Montreal Jazz Festival, Crypto.com Center in Los Angeles, Gibson Amphitheatre in Los Angeles, The Tonight Show, and a variety of high profile festivals and venues outside the US. Many shows followed as a lead vocalist for her own group, Ascension, and as a backup singer for various international artists such as Laura Pausini and Joan Sebastian which led to a four year tour for seven-time Grammy award winning artist, and seven-time Latin Grammy winner, Joan Sebastian.

    Now, Estani has completed her first published children’s book with her daughter as the illustrator. “Introducing Sai The Peacock:The Unique Beak” is complete with a narration/score, musical EP, music videos, and a full educational curriculum for students aged 3-7. Estani is ready to take listeners on a new journey that resonates with finding yourself through literature, music, and self expression in all forms. 

Luis Rangel

Piano, Classical Guitar, Bass

  • Luis Rangel was born in Caracas, Venezuela and moved to Austin, Texas when he was 8 years old. He started his musical education at the age of 4 taking violin lessons, later transferring over to guitar at the age of 12. Eventually, he was accepted into the Butler School of Music at the University of Texas at Austin, studying classical guitar performance under Adam Holzman for 2 years. During this time, Luis participated in the University of Texas Undergraduate Guitar Quartet, winning 1st place in the University of Texas at Brownsville Ensemble Festival and Competition. Other UT ensembles Luis participated in include bassist in jazz combos, tenor in the Concert Chorale choir, and the Hispanic Caribbean Ensemble, playing various instruments including guitar, bass, conga, timbales, and voice. Outside of academia, Luis has also taken part in various bands over the course of 12 years, most notably the psych-rock shoegaze band Food Group and the All Rhythms Ensemble, a Latin-American music group focusing on Cuban sones. In his free time, Luis enjoys spending time at home cooking and playing video games.

Josh Meadows

Piano

  • Josh Meadows is a pianist, composer and teacher based in Austin, TX. He grew up outside of Detroit, where he began taking classical piano lessons at age 7. After becoming fascinated with jazz several years into his piano journey, he was fortunate enough to be mentored by some of Detroit’s finest jazz musicians including Marcus Belgrave, James Carter and Rodney Whittaker. He went on to continue his musical education at the University of Michigan's School of Music, Theatre and Dance where he studied with such luminaries as Geri Allen, Andrew Bishop and Bob Hurst. Gigging professionally since age 14, Josh has travelled all over the world playing many styles of music including jazz, classical, hip-hop, funk, R&B and pop. His passion for performance is equaled by his dedication to music education: he finds teaching to be an absolutely essential component of his musical vocation, out of respect both for his teachers and the generations to come. Currently he splits his time between the Texas jazz scene, freelance studio work, writing original music and his studio of students.

Billy Satterwhite

Bass

  • Billy Satterwhite has been performing and teaching double bass and bass guitar in the Austin area since 2012. Growing up in Clear Lake, TX, he began studying music from a young age on trombone and bass guitar. After being introduced to jazz towards the end of high school, he began learning the double bass at the age of 17 and fell in love with the instrument. He went on to earn a Bachelor of Music in Jazz Studies from Texas State University in 2009, and a Master of Music in Improvisation from The University of Michigan in 2012, where he studied with legendary jazz bassist Robert Hurst, and world renowned improvisers and composers such as Geri Allen and Ed Sarath. Billy believes that one of the unique aspects of the bass is its necessity in all styles of music. He has 20 years of experience performing around the United States, Europe, and Asia; playing in ensembles performing jazz, improvised music, classical, latin, bluegrass, folk, theater, and pop music. He is one of the most sought after bassists in the Greater Austin area for Jazz and Improvised music, and can be seen performing regularly around Austin in venues such as the Elephant Room and Monks Jazz Club. 


    As a teacher, Billy has worked with students from ages 7 to 70, and has taught in Austin and Round Rock ISD schools since 2012. He’s certified in the Suzuki Method for Double Bass, and has coached and guided many students to TMEA All-Region, All-State Orchestras, and the Texas All-state Solo and Ensemble competition. His philosophy centers around making big instruments like the double bass and bass guitar comfortable and easy to learn, using fun melodies and grooves to develop a good foundation of technique, tone, and music theory. Just like the bass is the foundation of the band, good technique and beautiful tone are the foundation to play any style.


    In addition to teaching and performing, Billy has worked in a variety of roles supporting other musicians and students. He’s worked as an Administrative Assistant for a music non-profit, conference and festival organizer, composer and arranger, and church music director. These work experiences developed his appreciation for the entire community effort it takes to support musicians and artists. 


    Outside of music, Billy has a passion for trail running, traveling, gardening, and loves going to Austin FC games with his wife, daughter, and friends in Los Verdes. 

John Burnett

Harmonica

  •   John Burnett, a semi-professional harmonica player for five decades, performs on stages all over Austin. He recently retired as a roving NPR correspondent after 36 years at the network and now has the time to teach the little instrument that has been his lifelong passion.

               John was invited to present the Harmonica Master Class at the 2024 Texas Jazz & Blues Camp put on by the Austin New School of Music. He’s a regular on the Austin music scene, sitting in with Ray Benson and Asleep at the Wheel, Hot Club of Cowtown, Red Young and his Hot Horns, Javier Chaparro and Salud, Rent Party, Floyd Domino, Marcia Ball, Johnny Nicholas, and Casper Rawls.

                  As a self-taught musician, John believes people can learn to play the harmonica without knowing music theory or reading music. He plays both the 10-hole diatonic harmonica and the chromatic button harmonica, in genres ranging from Chicago blues to Brazilian sambas, bebop jazz to Nashville country. He has taught dozens of people to play the blues harp on his reporting trips around the world for NPR. His vibrant personality and evangelism for “the pocket piano” are infectious. Above all, John believes playing the harp should be fun!  

Tony Perez

Violin, Viola, and Mandolin

  •  Tony Perez got his start in Las Cruces, NM to a family of musicians. He started violin at 11 playing in his middle school orchestra program. Since then, he started playing in his school’s top orchestras and jazz band, playing with his family at church, and played in  multiple gigging bands all throughout his childhood.

    In 2015, he continued to Northern Arizona University in Flagstaff, AZ. He formally began studying both jazz and classical violin at NAU under the direction of Dr. Louise Scott (pedagog of Ivan Galamian) and professor Chris Finet (graduate of the Manhattan School of Music Jazz school). He graduated NAU in 2020 with a degree in Classical Violin Performance. While in Flagstaff, he continued to perform in, and around the music scene full time with various folk, rock, funk, blues, jazz, and experimental music projects on both violin and lead guitar. In addition to performing full time, he got his first Teaching Job at the Flagstaff School of Music in 2017. 

    Towards the end of his college career, and in the wake of the pandemic, he broadened his music education by learning from notable violinists such as Mark O’Connor (Grammy award winning bluegrass/jazz fiddler), Christian Howes (World-Renown jazz violinist), and Jason Anick (violinist of New England’s premier Gypsy Jazz ensemble Rhythm Future Quartet). 

    In 2021, he moved to Austin. He has been performing and teaching around the Austin area full time. He’s been playing in bands such as Pendulum Hearts (gypsy jazz & honky-tonk), Hot Texas Swing Band (honky tonk and dancehall country), Quintango (tango), Rosie & The Ramblers (country), Ben Balmer Band (singer-songwriter) Ali & The Wild Geese (singer songwriter), The Cat Clemons Corporation (soul & funk)and many others. He has two cats and loves playing video games in his spare time.

Elena Diaz

Piano and Voice

  •  Elena Diaz 

    Vocalist, Certified Texas Educator & International Performing Artist

    Elena Diaz is a dynamic vocalist originally from Houston, Texas. 

    A certified educator in the state of Texas, Elena combines her musical expertise with a strong background in child development, curriculum design, and student mentorship. 

    Elena’s musical journey began as a member of the prestigious Houston Children's Chorus, with early performances at The Hobby Center for the Performing Arts, Stude Concert Hall at Rice University, and The Grand 1894 Opera House. She has performed alongside celebrated artists such as Maureen McGovern, Heather Headley, and Shirley Jones, opened for Alejandro Escovedo, and shared stages with Jon Herington of Steely Dan and Adam Scone of Sharon Jones and The Sugarman 3.

    In 2017, she moved to the South of France, performing throughout the French Riviera and Europe while leading her Latin jazz fusion project, The FR Collective. Elena sings fluently in English, Spanish, Portuguese, and French. 

    Now based in Austin, she regularly appears at premier venues including the Elephant Room, Monks Jazz Club, the 04 Center, and C-Boys Heart & Soul.

    Whether coaching beginners or advanced vocalists, Elena offers students a strong foundation in vocal health, ear training, instruction in piano, and personal expression creating a supportive space to grow as both musicians and artists. 

    Her teaching style is rooted in early childhood principles using play-based learning to introduce musical concepts in a joyful engaging way.

Jose Godinez

Drums

  • Jose is an Austin-based drummer, percussionist, and educator who is eager to empower students' curiosity for music by helping them find their own unique sound while giving them a strong foundation in technique, music theory, and coordination. His passion for music and education stems from an early exposure to instruments and various styles of music as a child. Jose spent his early years surrounded by family members and friends who were inspiring musicians who always had the patience and excitement to foster his interest in music. Jose strives to make all his students feel capable, challenged, accomplished, and eager to learn more about their instrument and the music they love to hear.


    As a drummer and Latin percussionist, Jose is known for his contributions to the jazz and Latin music scene in and around Austin. He has performed at premier jazz clubs and festivals across Texas (Monks Jazz Club, SXSW, River Sun Jazz Club, Texas Jazz Festival, MIJA Festival, and more), collaborating with and opening events for artists like Joel Frahm, Grupo Fantasma, Bob Mintzer, Bobby Sanabria, and many more amazing musicians. This vibrant career on stage is what informs Jose's teaching and allows him to bring this "real-world" insight directly into the classroom.

    As an educator, Jose is known for his ability to connect with students of all skill levels and ages. Although his primary instruments are drum set and percussion, his background in playing guitar and piano as a young musician allows him to teach beginners those instruments as well. Being able to personalize each lesson for his students is something that Jose strongly prioritizes. Doing this has allowed his students to achieve wonderful milestones, such as high ratings at local and state-level Solo & Ensemble competitions and top placements in region and area concert and jazz bands.

    Jose currently stays busy outside of teaching by joining several jazz musicians on stages across Central Texas and making music with his own Latin trio project, Son del Sur. His passion for jazz and Latin music fuses together, making Son del Sur an exciting way to explore traditional jazz melodies and harmonies while the vibrant rhythms and styles of the Caribbean drive the music to new boundaries. Book your trial lesson for drums, piano, or guitar with Jose today!

Join Our Community Today!