Mr. Akbar is currently professor of cello and chamber music at Spelman College, Morehouse College, Clark Atlanta University, Allen University and Clayton State University. He has served as Faculty Cello Instructor at Laurel Ridge Music Festival in Helen, Ga for 12 years. Mr. Akbar is on the Board of Directors of the Italian Music Festival Orvieto Musica. As Cello Teaching Artist of the Atlanta Music Project, Akbar is an advocate for social change through musical excellence.
As a voice teacher and performance coach, Ibukun is known for her holistic pedagogical approach that uses old school ideas, modern voice science, and mind-body wellness concepts to integrate classical technique with contemporary and culturally relevant performance practice. Her successful students win local auditions and honors such as Georgia Music Educators Association All-State and District Honor Choirs, Georgia High School Association Literary Competitions, and the Governor's Honors Program.
Natalie Beckenbaugh teaches oboe at her Private Studio, Carere Music, Atlanta Music Project, Atlanta Music Academy, and New School of Music. Natalie also works with residents at assisted living facilities as a music specialist. She has played with various groups including the Atlanta Opera Orchestra, the Atlanta Ballet Orchestra, Lexington Philharmonic, Owensboro Symphony, the Atlanta Pops Orchestra, Chattanooga Symphony, Knoxville Symphony Orchestra, and LaGrange Symphony.
Kerren Berz's talents span the musical spectrum. Currently Concertmaster of the Columbus (GA) Symphony Orchestra, she has performed, recorded, and toured with the Atlanta Symphony, the Harlem Festival Orchestra, and the Nashville Chamber Orchestra, whose "music without boundaries" mission produced critically acclaimed performances and recordings of music by Aaron Copland, Conni Ellisor, and Jay Ungar, among others.
Dilon Bryan (he/him) is a British-born hornist from Birmingham, United Kingdom, currently residing in Atlanta, GA. Dilon is a dedicated pedagogue and an accomplished performer, known for his approachable demeanor and fun-loving spirit. He's the Adjunct Professor of Horn at the University of North Georgia and University of West Georgia where he helps uplift the next generation of musicians. His expertise and commitment to teaching have earned him a formidable reputation as a respected educator.
This is Chanell’s twelfth year teaching Atlanta Music Project as the Choral Conductor of the Preparatory Chorus. Chanell believes that educating young people, both musicians and non-musicians, has propelled her advocacy for social change through their growth and development.
Matthieu Clavé is a French flutist, educator, and cultural storyteller based in Atlanta. He serves as principal flutist of the Rome Symphony Orchestra and performs as a guest musician with the Huntsville Symphony Orchestra, bringing his signature blend of precision, warmth, and contemporary artistry to stages across the Southeast and Europe.
At the Atlanta Music Project, Matthieu inspires young artists with a modern, holistic approach to flute education.
Committed to making music more accessible, Josiah works with organizations such as the Atlanta Music Project, Porterville Strings, and Emerald Coast Music Alliance to bring music education and performances into underserved communities. He holds music degrees from Indiana University and Lynn Conservatory of Music. Whether on stage or in the classroom, Josiah is passionate about connecting people through music.
John Young Shik Concklin is Music Director of the Spartanburg Philharmonic and Hendersonville Symphony Orchestra. He also serves as Conductor with the Atlanta Music Project Senior Youth Orchestra. John believes that there is a unique pathway to success for every musical organization in every community, large or small. He seeks to humanize the orchestral experience for audiences through story telling, relationship building, and nuanced culture shifts that make accessibility more inclusive.
Hanan Aseelah Davis is a performing artist and educator. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Music and Psychology from Spelman College, Master of Music in Vocal Performance from Ohio State University, and a Master of Education in Music from Teachers College, Columbia University. She is currently pursuing her doctorate in Music and Music Education from Teachers College, Columbia University. Additionally, Hanan has trained for over 20 years as a dancer, specializing in traditional West African dances.
Ethan Godfrey is a native of Atlanta, GA. He graduated from Morehouse College in 2019 with a BA in Music with an emphasis in Composition. While at Morehouse, he sang with the Morehouse College Glee Club and the Morehouse College Quartet. He graduated from the University of Arkansas (UofA) with a Master of Music in Vocal Performance in 2021. He works with Americolor Opera Alliance, a local opera company in Atlanta, as a frequent performer and soloist and a voice teaching artist at AMP.
An astonishing classically trained pianist and vocalist for decades, Tammy Harper is the leader of her band, Tam Tunes and The Gents and keyboardist/vocalist for the all-female reggae fusion band SoulRizing! She is a private piano and voice instructor, minister of music for her church, collaborative pianist and loves teaching music classes to all ages.
Dr. Yuliya Kim earned her Doctor of Musical Arts degree from Michigan State University in 2020 where she was a student of Suren Bagratuni. She previously completed degrees at Lynn University in Boca Raton, Florida and at the State Conservatory of Uzbekistan in her home country. She is a freelance cellist and teaching artist at the Atlanta Music Project in Atlanta, GA.
Eli moved to Atlanta, Georgia, where he now serves as the staff pianist for Spelman College, and as a collaborative pianist for the Trey Clegg Singers choir, the Atlanta Music Project and the Atlanta Young Singers children's choir.
Through his involvement with The Atlanta Music Project and Inspire The Fire, Keeyen has guided over 1,000 youth—providing voice lessons, coaching, and artistic training to soloists, ensembles, and choirs of all ages. Most recently, he has begun teaching Artist Development at Morehouse College, Led instruction with The ABSYO Chorus in Antigua and Barbuda, and facilitated instruction and taught arrangements to a 25O voice choir in Rome, Italy.
Dr. Calvin L. Morris Jr. is the current Director of Bands at South Cobb High school where he teaches skilled and music concepts that will ensure student growth and appreciation for band. He also teaches at Applied trombone at Morehouse College and he served on staff at Atlanta Music Project where he coached low brass students and teaches lessons.
Giancarlo Ortiz, professionally known as “Maestro G,” is an Atlanta-based cellist and multi-genre artist originally from Miami, Florida. Known for his soulful and electrifying style, he seamlessly blends a wide range of genres—including R&B, hip-hop, classical, jazz, and Latin—to create a sound that is uniquely his own.
Dantes performs and teaches regularly alongside the faculty of the Atlanta Music Project. He was recently soloist with the Orchestre Symphonique des Jeunes de l’Ontario Francais in Ottawa, Canada. He has performed with the Aspen Chamber Symphony, Charleston Symphony and Wallingford Symphony, and has also performed at Carnegie Hall and the Kennedy Center.
Laura English-Robinson, soprano, received her B.A. degree from Spelman College (1969) and the M.M. degree from the College-Conservatory of Music - University of Cincinnati (1971). Currently Mrs. English-Robinson serves as an Affiliate Teaching Artist at The Atlanta Music Academy and can be heard on three solo recordings: Let It Shine!, Great Day!, and Christmas Chestnuts.
Dr. Dyann Ryans is recognized as a distinguished music educator and military musician whose teaching career has spanned all educational levels from kindergarten through college.
Throughout her career, Dr. Ryans has demonstrated a commitment to advancing music education. One of her notable achievements was founding the first marching band program at Stillman College, an initiative that expanded the college’s musical offerings and provided students with new opportunities for artistic development.
In his role as an educator, Dominic is the percussion director at Lakeside High School, where he directs the marching and concert percussion ensembles, and teaches percussion class. He also serves as the percussion teaching artist for the Atlanta Music Project, coaching percussion students aged elementary through high school.
Lazara B. Santana is a Cuban bassoonist and educator based in Atlanta, Georgia. Her career reflects a deep commitment to both musical excellence and education, shaped by a lifelong passion for performance, teaching, and community engagement. Grounded in her cultural heritage and guided by a belief in music as a transformative force, Lazara remains committed to inspiring the next generation of musicians.
Julie Saxton is passionate about string education and has been teaching private violin lessons for over a decade. Currently, she is on faculty with the Atlanta Music Project as a Violin Teaching Artist, as well as the Decatur Fine Arts Academy as a Violin and Viola Instructor.
Kevin Smith is a native of Atlanta, Georgia. He was first exposed to music growing up in some of the city’s historical Black Baptist churches. The culture’s hymnody, negro spirituals, country, blues, and gospel music would set the foundation for his successful music career.
With a passionate commitment to outreach and education, Logan has worked closely with the Atlanta Music Project where he has taught music theory, coached chamber ensembles, accompanied recitals and conducted both of AMP’s symphonic orchestras.
Lana Teko is a freelance violist and teacher in the metropolitan Atlanta area. She is in demand for adjudication, clinics, workshops, and master classes.
Mr. Tran regularly freelances as a double bassist performing with various groups, including the Gwinnett Symphony, the Northeast Atlanta Ballet Orchestra, Gwinnett Ballet, and Georgia Philharmonic. In addition to performing, he served as a founding member and co-conductor to the Metropolitan Atlanta Philharmonic Orchestra, located in Southwest Atlanta. Mr. Tran’s personal belief is that music education can exist in many forms to serve all populations of students from all circles of life.
Jack W. Wagner is an Atlanta-based collaborative artist, teacher, and non-profit professional. Although a classically trained solo pianist who has performed throughout the US East Coast and Europe, he is most passionate about collaborating with other artists as an active pianist, arranger, and music director for chamber ensembles, choirs, musical theatre performances, movement-based dance collectives, and soloists. He also keeps a small private studio of intermediate and advanced piano students.
Meghan Yost, violist and pedagogue, is an advocate of music as a vehicle for human expression and social change. She performs with orchestras including the Atlanta Opera, Atlanta Ballet, Atlanta Symphony Orchestra, and Charleston Symphony Orchestra; and is Principal Violist of the Georgia Symphony Orchestra. She was a featured soloist on the American Viola Society’s 2024 album, Flashing Forward/Thinking Back, and subsequently performed as a soloist at the 2024 American Viola Society Festival.
