Register for Mr. Ben

Atlanta native Ben Dawson is a Trombone/Euphonium player with 14 years of both classical and jazz performance experience. From a young age, Ben has been an avid gamer and lover of musicals and credits video game music as the driving force behind his love for music. After learning Euphonium and Trombone in middle school, Ben picked up the Tuba in high school where he served as a section leader and Dunwoody High's Drum Major.
Mr. Ben holds a bachelor's degree in Music Composition from the University of Missouri-Columbia where he studied voice, composition, and Euphonium as well as played in many of the school's different ensembles including choirs, jazz band, and Marching Mizzou, the university's marching band. In 2019, Mr. Ben was commissioned to write A Hunter's Dream for the Amon Carter Museum of American Art. In 2020, he was commissioned by The Sheldon Concert Hall in Saint Louis to write a piece for French horn and piano, God of Doors.
As an educator, Mr. Ben's teaching is based on the intersectionality of music theory, performance technique, and auditory skills. Whether you're learning how to read notes, how to identify a V chord, or taking composition lessons, we will touch on aspects of solfege, interval training, and keyboard competency. As a proponent of catered teaching, Mr. Ben devises custom lesson plans and teaching strategies based on what and how the student wishes to learn. He teaches beginner/intermediate piano, trumpet, baritone, euphonium, trombone, tuba, french horn, clarinet, alto/tenor/bari sax, and older voice students!

In his free time, Mr. Ben enjoys playing video games, watching audio production videos on YT, or studying Japanese.

 Register for Ms. Ashlee

Ashlee Vaca is an accomplished singer/ songwriter/ pianist from New York. After 15 years in the music industry, Ashlee has performed at venues such as Madison Square Garden, CBS's Star Search, Showtime at the Apollo, Good Day New York, and many more.

Currently residing in Atlanta, GA, Ashlee is a graduate of the Art Institute of Atlanta, where she received her Bachelor's degree in Audio Production. Ashlee is also the co-owner of her company Bad Mood Cure Music LLC. With her company, she has had the opportunity to create musical works for brands such as Zylie the Bear, with advertisements that have been broadcast on RadioDisney.

As a music teacher, Ashlee wishes to translate her experience and education into well-developed skillsets for her students who wish to break into the music industry or just want to have fun learning about music!

REGISTER FOR Ms. Erika

Erika Sunday has been playing the piano and guitar since the age of 12. Growing up in a musical family, her dad was an excellent piano teacher and church Minister for 25 years. He taught her all about music, piano, guitar, and worship. Over the past 5 years, she has been blessed with the opportunity to teach piano to elementary, middle school, and high school students. As a youth leader, Ms. Erika teaches the importance of worshiping, giving, and incorporating God into daily living.

In addition, over the course of 8 years, she has been playing the piano and guitar for various venues and events, such as Paulding's Next Star, while also leading worship in church. Ms. Erika is not only a gifted piano Instructor but she is a singer and songwriter who loves to write Worship music. As an Instructor, youth mentor, and worship leader, Ms. Erika hopes are that everyone can experience the true love of Jesus, through relationship, fellowship, and worship!

Register for Mr. Jeff

Jeff has been teaching piano students since 1998— starting with the Academy of Performing Arts at First Baptist Atlanta before joining Dunwoody School for the Arts. During high school and college, he was the pianist for the church he attended. He has also filled in as a rehearsal pianist for the various musicals performed by the First Baptist Atlanta and the Agape Players. Jeff also has played principal clarinet in the Atlanta Passion Play and has been in the clarinet section of the First Baptist Atlanta Worship Orchestra for a total of 10 years.

Music has always played a big part in Jeff's life. Over the years he has performed in several musicals produced by First Baptist Atlanta and recently, Agape Players. Some of his favorite roles have been: George Bailey in a musical adaptation of It's a Wonderful Life; Judas in the Atlanta Passion Play; Fred in Here's Love (a musical based on Miracle on 34th Street); The Rabbi's son and bottle dancer in Fiddler on the Roof; Ambrose Kemper in Hello, Dolly!; Tommy Djilas in The Music Man; Pawnee Bill and Tommy Keeler in Annie Get Your Gun; Bob Crotchet in Scrooge; and Linus in You're a Good Man Charlie Brown.

Register for Mr. Kevin

Kevin Spratt is a skilled guitarist, multi-instrumentalist, audio engineer, and music producer with over 20 years of experience in the industry. Currently based out of Atlanta, GA, Kevin is co-owner of his company Bad Mood Cure, Music LLC. At BMC, Kevin has had the opportunity to produce for independent artists and sync licensing music libraries. This includes the theme song composition for the children’s toy Zylie The Bear, featured at Toys R’ Us as advertised on RadioDisney.

Teaching has been a long-time passion for Kevin and he offers lessons specializing in playing 6-string electric and/or acoustic guitar across a variety of genres and styles. He understands that each and every student is unique, which requires an approach tailored to their individual needs and their goals as an aspiring guitar player. Most importantly, to develop proper technique, confidence, and a polished skill set while having a great time throughout the process.

REGISTER FOR Mr. Martin

Lenard Martin Jr. earned a Bachelor's degree in Piano Performance from Georgia Southwestern State University where he studied with Dr. Mark Laughlin and a Master's degree in Piano Pedagogy from Georgia State University under the tutelage of Dr. Sergio Gallo. Lenard is an active member of the Cambridge branch of the National Federation of Music, for which he serves as an accompanist for annual festivals/competitions. He performs frequently around the metro Atlanta area as a soloist and as an accompanist for solo recitals, Theatre productions, and various social functions and events. Lenard currently serves as the Director of Music and service pianist for Norcross Presbyterian Church and teaches private lessons in the metro Atlanta area.

REGISTER FOR Mr. Nathan

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REGISTER FOR Ms. Shelly

Shelly Unger is new to the Dunwoody School for the Arts family. She holds music degrees from Indiana University Jacobs School of Music, Rice University Shepherd School of Music, and The University of Georgia Hugh Hodgson School of Music. Longtime bassoonist with the Augusta Symphony, Dr. Unger also regularly performs with the Carroll Symphony Orchestra and free-lances locally and regionally. She is an adjunct bassoon instructor at Emory University, serves as a part-time instructor at The Westminster Schools, and is the founding director of Summer Bassoon Extravaganza. For several seasons she was the bassoon instructor for the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra Talent Development Program. Many of her students play with extracurricular music ensembles, including Atlanta Youth Symphony Orchestra, Emory Youth Symphony Orchestra, and Atlanta Youth Wind Symphony. A significant number of her students play district honor band and go on to make All-State. Two of her students have given performances on From the Top, a nationally syndicated radio show, and won the FTT Kent Cooke Scholarship Award. She has presented multiple times at the International Double Reed Society Conference, including a performance of Bernard Garfield’s second quartet. In 2016 she directed the IDRS Teen Camp, Double Reeds Rock! Her major teachers include Bernard Garfield, Carl Nitchie, Eric Arbiter, and Ben Kamins. Playing music has taken her to Canada, Mexico, Israel, South Korea, Lithuania, and Taiwan. Some of her fondest performing experiences in and around Atlanta include playing Phantom of the Opera at the Fabulous Fox Theatre, Peter Pan at the Alliance, Shostakovich Symphony No. 5 with the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra, recording Berlioz Requiem with the ASO, and playing with the Moody Blues and others at Chastain Park.