Teacher Bios

SAM CARUSO (woodwinds, spec. clarinet & saxophone) - Over 45 years teaching experience.  Teaches beginning to advanced.  All styles.

LINDA CULLIMORE (piano, keyboard, organ) -  Teaches pop classical, Christian, blues, theory, and improvisation for all levels and ages.  Active in recitals and competitions and has enjoyed teaching for over 30 years.

DELLA FRENCH (piano) - Teaches all ages and levels.  Over 25 years experience.  Classically trained.  Studied with Aaron Hofmann, Blake Ray, and Interlochen Arts Academy.  Plays for churches, weddings, and in solo and ensemble formats, and performs pop piano for school functions.

FRANK GBUR (brass, woodwinds) - B.S. & M.E. in Music Education (Wayne State University). Band and Orchestra Director at Detroit Public Schools, brass specialist at the Detroit High School for the Performing Arts. Directorof All-City Honors Band and Orchestra. President and Vice President of MSBOA.

JAMES HUGHES (piano, woodwinds inc. flute, clarinet & saxophone) - Graduated from Wayne State University with a degree in Jazz Studies.  Classical and jazz instruction for all ages.  Specializing in advanced improvisation, composition and theory.

CORNELIOUS JOHNSON, JR (all woodwinds, jazz piano) - Majored in Jazz Studies at Wayne State University.  Voted "Best All-Around Musician" in Detroit Metro Times.  Huge music credential list including: the motion picture "Harlem Nights", television credits for "Thirty-Something" and more.  Played with Leonard Neil Orchestra, Lou Rawls, Marcus Belgrave Big Band, H. B. Barnum Orchestra, John Trudell Big Band, and many more.  Backed up or opened for the Temptations, Earth Wind and Fire, Al Green, the O'Jays and many more.  An exceptional teacher.

KEITH JONES (percussion) - Over 20 years experience in playing and teaching drums.  Won numerous trophies in junior high and high school competitions.  Professional studio drummer in many jazz, rock, blues and country bands.  Has played at the Detroit Jazz Festival, Hart Plaza, Cedar Point, the Silverdome, and both the Detroit & Chicago Thanksgiving Day Parades.

VAUGHN KLUGH (guitar) -studied under Wilson Warren at Northwestern School of Music.  Graduated from Berklee College of Music as an arranging and composition major.  Has worked with many top jazz artists including Jimmy Smith, Charles Earling, Lou Donaldson and many more.  Was the guitarist / co-director of "The Drifters" for 3 years.  For 12 years in Japan was a TV and studio guitarist with JVC and Goldmasters records.

STEVE LANE (guitar) - Teacher for over 12 years.  Teaches jazz, classical, pop and rock.  Studied over 17 years.  Has played in several local bands, currently in "Room 13".  Toured as guitar tech for Yngwie Malmsteen during the G3 tour with Joe Satriani and Steve Vai.

BRETT LUCAS (guitar) - In 1999 received a Bachelor's degree in Jazz Studies from Wayne State University.  Has been performing professionally in the Detroit music scene since the age of fifteen.  Along with frequently performing live with many bands and performers, including Detroit's own Thornetta Davis, Brett also works as a studio musician.  In 2004, he was the recipient of two Detroit Music Awards, one for Outstanding Blues/R&B Songwriter and Outstanding Blues/R&B Instrumentalists.  Brett specializes in teaching both guitar and bass at any level.  He is also well versed in teaching many different styles of music.

JOYCE LUCIDO (guitar, banjo, steel guitar) - Over 40 years teaching experience.  Taught several of our former and current teachers.  Teaches various styles including pop, jazz, country, classical and classic rock.  Involves students in recitals and competitions.

ELIZABETH MALAGA (piano, keyboard, organ) - Bachelor of music (Wayne State University).  Teaches all ages, levels and styles.  Private instructor for over 14 years.  Actively involved in performances, recitals and the American Guild of Music.  Currently music director for Christian Lighthouse.

JORGJI MARGARITI (piano, keyboard, strings) - Teaches classical and popular for students of all ages and levels.  Lyceum Artistic degree (Tirana, Albania) for violin.  Teaching degree for all strings.

MITCH McKENZIE (piano, keyboard, organ, guitar) - Over 30 years teaching experience.  Teaches all styles, ages and levels.

JIM MORRIS (guitar, bass guitar) - Teaches rock, blues, fusion and improvisation.  Emphasizes theory, manuscript and tab.  Majored in music theory.  Was in All-State Jazz Band and lead guitarist in several local bands.

SEAN PATTON (brass) - Teaches all levels, ages and styles.  Currently band director at Pershing High School in Detroit.  B.S. in music education from Florida A & M University.  Member of MSBOA, Michigan Music Educators Association, and Detroit Wind Symphony.  Emphasizes sight-reading, tone & technique, establishment of repertoire and performance.

TONY PROFOTA (piano, keyboard, organ, beginning trumpet) - Bachelors in Music (piano major, trumpet minor) and a Bachelors in Education (band instructor).  Attended University of Windsor.  Teaches all ages, levels and styles.

HEKTOR QYTETI (strings) - Teaches all ages and levels.  Degrees in Performance and Teaching from the University of Michigan and the Academy of Arts (Albania).  Extensive orchestra experience in Albania.

AMY REVER (woodwinds) - Now a graduate as a Music Education student at Wayne State University.  Has studied under Ervin Monroe (principal with the DSO) and Laura Larson.  Has been teaching privately for six years.  Also assists the East Detroit High School Bands and has been a teacher with the Tiny Tunes Piano Program for three years.  Is also a member of MENC and MSBOA.

THERESA PARSELL (voice) - Theresa holds a B.A. in Vocal Music Education from Wayne State.  Graduating in 2008 with a cumulative G.P.A of 3.74,  she was the student director for W.S.U. Womens Chorale in 2007 and has been teaching students of all ages a wide variety of styles since 2005 

MYRA DREAN (violin, viola, cello) - Myra is a current member of the Warren symphony, the Pontiac/ Oakland symphony, the Canton Orchestra, the Livonia Symphony and is concertmaster of Lake St. Clair Syomphony.  Educated at Interlochen Arts Acadeny, she received a full music scholarship to U of M and later studied at Wayne State University.