Our Staff

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Shelly

Piano

Shelly has been playing piano for over 40 years, and still enjoys it as much if not more than when she first started. She has taught piano lessons for several years, and currently leads the music at her church in Winchester, VA. She loves watching students learn the concepts and discipline of piano, and looks […]

Teri is a graduate of the University of New Hampshire with a degree in music education. She recently moved here from Colorado where she taught music in a private school, as well as piano instruction in the home, for over 20 years. As a Kindergarten through sixth grade music educator, Teri directed major musicals for […]

Larry Grimes

Drums, Electric Bass

Larry’s connection to music started at an early age while watching his father rehearse at home. He began to take his first drum lessons at the age of 8 in the spring of 1991, and the rest is history. Larry began his music career at 15 when he started his first band. During his group […]

Andy Tucker

Woodwinds & Brass

Clarinet, flute, alto sax, trumpet, trombone, oboe, percussion, and tuba Andy Tucker is a Ranson, WV native who specializes in percussion instruments. During his undergraduate studies, he attended Robert’s Wesleyan University and obtained a Bachelor of Arts degree in Music Education. Andy has been playing many instruments for over 30 years and continues to teach […]

Sophia Alvini-Moore is a cello teacher and performer in the greater Winchester area. They are currently studying Cello Performance and Pedagogy at the Shenandoah Conservatory with renowned teacher and cellist Julian Schwarz. Whether playing solo, in chamber ensembles, or in an orchestra, cello is their passion. They have played in several orchestras including the Shenandoah […]

Steve Valentine

Guitar & Bass

Steve is a graduate of Shepherd University with a degree in classical guitar performance. At George Mason University, he studied with Larry Snitzler who was an student of Andres Segovia. Steve also studied with Gerry Kunkel and Dave Reynolds, at Shepherd. Although Steve is a specialist in classical guitar, he also teaches folk, blues, and […]

Doug Thompson

Trombone & Low Brass

Doug teaches trombone, trumpet, and euphonium at Ellsworth School of Music. He studied Music Education at Indiana University of PA. While there, he performed with the Pittsburgh Symphony. He now plays with Charles Washington Symphony Orchestra, Clark County Community Band and Yesterday Swing Orchestra. Doug also directs the Directs the Ellsworth Music High School Brass […]

Born and raised in NYC, Jordan has been playing piano nonstop for 25 years. When Jordan was 10, he played Gavroche in Les Miserables on Broadway. As a songwriter, Jordan’s songs focus on turning darkness into light and bringing positive messages of unity and hope to a divided world. His critically acclaimed debut album, Sun […]

Patrick E. Lowry

Guitar, Jazz Theory, Woodwind Specialist & Various Folk Instruments

Pat Lowry graduated from the University of Miami, Florida where he studied woodwinds and piano and received a Bachelor of Music in Music Merchandising. Pat has managed stores for Veneman Music in Silver Spring, Rockville, and Bethesda, MD and Springfield, VA. His favorite color is chartreuse. Was the manager of the instrument department of Dale […]

Jeff has been teaching guitar since the 1970’s. He is an experienced performer as well as a recording techniques and equipment specialist. His bands (rock, reggae, jazz) perform all over the eastern panhandle and beyond. Jeff’s students enjoy learning a variety of genres and eventually start to perform in our Rockn’ rolcitals and form their […]

Violinist Emily Ilyes holds dual Bachelor of Arts degrees from West Virginia University, where she majored in both music education and violin performance. While at WVU, she was invited to perform in masterclasses with world-renowned violinists such as Ray Chen and Midori, and studied under the direction of Dr. Mikylah Myers. In 2018, Emily was […]

Janet Hinzman

Piano, Organ & Voice

Janet is a graduate from B.B.C in Springfield, Montana with a music degree in organ and piano. She has taught in private and public schools in Indiana and is currently the director for Shenandoah Junction Enlarged United Methodist Charge. She is available to teach on Monday, Thursday, and Friday.

Dave Goldman

Guitar & Pedal Steel Guitar

Dave Goldman has been teaching guitar since the mid-1960’s. A student of the late Bill Gibson of Washington, D.C., Dave’s early influences were well grounded in theory and technique. He attended Los Angeles City College as a music major and while there was fortunate to take private lessons from the world renowned George Van Eps […]

Bridget Ellsworth

Violin, Piano, Ukulele

Bridget Ellsworth, a Shepherdstown native, is an accomplished musician, teacher, and children’s performer. A graduate of The Duke Ellington School of the Arts and SUNY Purchase, Bridget has years of experience with learning and sharing music. Bridget recently moved back to WV after spending 14 years teaching in NYC. As an educator she knows how […]

Shannon Bielski

Violin, Voice, Beginning Piano & Beginning Guitar

Heather is currently the Concertmaster of the Two Rivers Chamber Orchestra, the Assistant Concertmaster with the Maryland Symphony Orchestra in Hagerstown, MD, and a section 1st violinist with the Roanoke Symphony Orchestra. She has freelanced with the Fairfax Symphony, Prince William Symphony and the Annapolis Symphony as well as playing in many locations around Washington, […]

David A. Asti

Banjo, Mandolin & Fiddle

David is an experienced professional musician. His substantial knowledge in a wide variety of music and instruments enables him to instruct beginners to advanced with great success. David is the main and original member of “The Hillbilly Gypsies. Aside from touring for many years they have performed on NPR: West Virginia Mountain Stage, PBS, Song […]