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 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 Ms. Nancy

Nancy Blake has been a piano instructor for many years in many locations in the U.S. She grew up in the South Bend, Indiana, area and received excellent training from early teachers. She then attended Indiana University, where, as a Piano Performance major, she was privileged to study with a Tchaikovsky Competition finalist and Pianist in Residence. She has taught privately to people of all ages and at all levels. She has served as pianist and music director in several churches, enjoying the "calling." God gives each of us gifts and wants us to use them. She has created summer piano workshops and entertained at special events. Her student recitals have been special times of achievement and have always included her performing. She is creative and has excellent teaching ability with unique ways of illustrating and demonstrating technique and interpretation. She believes "Music is the highest form of Communication." It elevates and inspires. She looks forward to connecting with the Dunwoody School of Arts family.

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.