Faculty of The Studios Brookhaven

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Education

Long Island University, Bachelor of Science in Music (Piano Performance), cum laude, 2003

Georgia State University, Master of Business Administration, 2015

Don developed his passion for music at a young age. He was accepted into the world renowned, Interlochen Arts Academy at age 16. He then moved to New York City and soon became a rehearsal pianist on Broadway while he also performed in dozens of recitals throughout the Northeast. At age 23, he was the featured pianist for Gershwin's Rhapsody In Blue. He has performed as a keyboardist for multiple Broadway shows, including Wicked and The Little Mermaid, and been a requested pianist in masterclasses with Academy award winning composers, Marvin Hamlisch and Stephen Schwartz, and accompanied opera legend, Renee Fleming in a NYC workshop. Don has music directed and conducted over 120 different musical productions and has taught over 350 piano students. 

In Atlanta, Don is the owner of The Studios Brookhaven, Founder and Co-Director of The Atlanta Institute for Musical Theatre, adjunct instructor at Brenau University, a sought after music director, accompanist and voice coach, and private piano instructor. Don has worked closely with The Alliance Theatre, City Springs Theatre Company, Atlanta Lyric Theatre, and Oglethorpe's theatre department. Don is also the Director of Music for Brookhaven United Methodist Church. 

Don has been featured in The New York Times, The Daily News, and locally in Simply Buckhead Magazine as a Culture Tastemaker and in the Voyage ATL publication multiple times. 

Education:

Kennesaw State University, Bachelor’s of Science in Early Childhood Education with a minor in Spanish, 2010

Western Governors University, Master’s of Science in Curriculum and Instruction, 2013

Kashi Atlanta, Certified Yoga Teacher Training (200-hour), 2018

 Ashley is a Georgia native who found her love of yoga almost 20 years ago. Finding it to be a great way to alleviate daily stress and become more connected to herself, Ashley quickly became a lifelong yoga practitioner. She holds a 200-hour yoga teaching certificate from Kashi Atlanta and is registered with Yoga Alliance. Ashley has been teaching adult yoga classes in the Atlanta area for 4 years. Also certified as a classroom teacher (PK-5) with a background in early childhood education and curriculum and instruction, Ashley has spent the last 11 years teaching 1st-3rd grade at Dekalb Elementary School of the Arts and Pine Ridge Elementary. Combining both of her passions, Ashley is able to connect with kids and help foster their creativity using yoga as a tool for learning and exploration. From toddlers to seniors, Ashley is dedicated and motivated to make her classes fun and engaging for all ages to enjoy. When Ashley is off the mat, she can be found backpacking in the North Georgia mountains. 

Education:

Columbus State University, Bachelor of Fine Arts in Theatre Performance with a certificate in Musical Theatre, Summa Cum Laude, 2022 

Christie began pursuing musical theatre at a very young age because her mother was a music teacher. She instantly fell in love with theatre and knew she wanted to make a career out of it. She has an extensive background in voice, acting, and dance training. Before she was 18, she worked with Broadway Artists Alliance for numerous intensives in New York, worked with MTI in the first cast of Peter Pan Jr.  and was an Honor member in the National Thespian Society. She placed 1st place several years in a row for the GA NATS Musical Theatre competition, and was a Finalist in the National NATS vocal competition. Throughout the years, her favorite roles include Catherine in Pippin (Columbus State University), Wednesday in The Addams Family (Newnan Theatre Company), LuLu in Cabaret (Columbus State University), and ensemble for Spamalot (Springer Opera House). Recently, she was also able to originate the role of Claire in SATB: A New Musical (Atlanta Musical Theatre Festival- Jennie T Anderson Theatre). Now, she is still pursuing theatre in Atlanta! 

In addition to performing, her love for teaching began a few years ago as she helped choreograph the musical 42nd Street. Ever since, she has been teaching lessons and choreographing for children. She recently went on a children's theatre tour with Prairie Fire Children's Theatre and got to teach, choreograph, and perform with kids all over the Midwest! She is so grateful to be a part of this wonderful company because she gets the chance to share her joy with children and watch them fall in love with musical theatre!

Education:

University of Pittsburgh, Master's of Information Science with a minor in Chinese, Magna Cum Laude, 2021 

Teegan began her dance journey at the age of three and has 9+ years of competitive dance experience. Throughout high school and college she spent the summers training with the Radio City Rockettes in their Summer Intensive Program. She was a member of her college dance team where she served as captain in her final year. Teegan moved to Atlanta for a career in the legal field as well as to become a professional dancer. 

Teegan started teaching dance at her local studio at the age of 18. Teegan’s passion for teaching dance stems from her love of babysitting and her mom, who was a preschool educator for over twenty years. Teegan loves to encourage and help develop young minds to find their creativity and passion for dance!

Education:

University of Georgia, Bachelor of Marketing, 2016

University of Georgia, Master of Business Administration, (expected 2024)

Allissa began her dance training at the age of two at Straub Dance Center in Columbus, OH. Classically trained in Ballet, Tap, Jazz, Pointe, Lyrical and more, Allissa comes with 14+ years of dance experience and 9+ years of competition experience. As a former competition dancer, Allissa has been fortunate enough to be a member of an award winning team that traveled across the US competing for Regional and National titles. Allissa has even been showcased as a Premier Dancer in the beloved production, The Nutcracker, presented by the Westerville City Ballet Company! 

Despite her extensive dance background, Allissa is passionate about shaping the next generation of dancers. Learning the fundamentals of Ballet at a young age can have a huge positive impact on a child's future and Allissa is honored to be a part of that impact.d

Education:

Emory University, Bachelor of Arts in Dance and Movement Studies and Film Studies (Concentration: Arts Management), 2021

From a young age, Claire was intrigued with the blend of elegance and athleticism in dance, so at the age of 10 she joined Northeast Atlanta Ballet, a pre-professional ballet company, and attended summer intensives with Boston Ballet and Carolina Ballet. She is classically trained in ballet, jazz, and modern. Recently, Claire has received scholarships to train with David Dorfman Dance in New York City; T. Lang in Atlanta; Staibdance in Atlanta and Italy; and with Fly on a Wall in Atlanta.

Additionally, Claire began her dance teaching career at the age of 15 as an assistant teacher at Lilburn School of Ballet and quickly moved up to a full teacher after one year. Claire loves teaching all ages but specializes in ballet class for young children because it shaped her youth in an amazing way!

Education:

Southern Illinois University of Carbondale, Bachelors of Early Childhood Education, Minors in Small Business Management and Special Education, 2004

After discovering her love of dance at the age of three, Destiny became a professional cheerleader for several professional athletic teams, and choreographed for youth and adult cheer teams. She has also been a background dancer for professional recording artists. 

Destiny was the previous Gym Director for The Little Gym of Smyrna for close to a decade where she instructed fun-filled tumbling and dance classes for children ages 4 months to 12 years. She currently owns and operates GymGo Kids Mobile Enrichment Program which offers Tumbling, Dance, Cheer, and Yoga classes at your location of choice. 

Education:

Young Harris College, Bachelors of Music Education with a Choral Emphasis, 2017

Boston Conservatory, Masters of Music, Voice Performance, 2022

Emily is a soprano from the Atlanta, Georgia area . Her most recent engagements were as a cover for Servilia in Mozart’s La Clemenza di Tito with The Boston Conservatory Opera, and as a Resident Artist with the Pittsburgh Festival Opera where she performed the dual role of Charito/Tisiphone in a film adaptation of Mark Adamo’s Lysistrata.

Emily has a background in both musical theatre and opera, and she enjoys teaching students of all ages and skill levels in order to help grow as people and musicians. 

In her free time she likes to listen to podcasts and attempt to revive plants she thought she knew how to take care of.  

Education:

Loyola University Chicago, Bachelor of Comparative Politics in International Politics in International Studies, Women and Gender Studies, 2016

Joshua Koepp is a gifted guitar player and teacher who has played across the Midwest for over 7 years. His experience playing in the US and in West Africa has taught him patience and an openness to different styles and traditions, something he carries into his teaching with every student.

Education:

University of North Georgia, Associate of Arts in Music, 2012

Augusta University, Bachelor of Arts in Music, 2015

Lisa Pham began her formal music training at University of North Georgia as a pianist in jazz band and cellist in orchestra. She studied under Laurin Smith while at UNG where she received her Associate of Arts in Music. From there, she studied with Christine Crookall at Augusta University and received her Bachelor of Arts in Music.   

She has over 10 years of experience in performance and music education. Her background in teaching ranges from private lessons with students of all ages, coaching chamber ensembles, conducting youth orchestra, and was on faculty at the Augusta University Conservatory.  

Her performance experience includes music festivals such as the Westobou Chamber Music Festival and South Carolina Cello Choir to performing in the musicals Oklahoma! and A Gentleman’s Guide to Love and Murder. Her work has led her to perform alongside jazz trombonist Wycliffe Gordon and Christopher O’Reilly of NPR’s From the Top.  

In 2016, she co-founded Augusta Cello Society, a cello ensemble with the mission of bringing visibility to the diverse range of cello repertoire. Currently, she is a cellist in the Atlanta Philharmonic Orchestra and Dekalb Symphony Orchestra.

Education:
Columbus State University, Bachelor of Fine Arts in Theatre Performance with a certificate in Musical Theatre, Summa Cum Laude, 2022

Christie has a long history of music as her mother was a music teacher and taught her how to play several instruments. The first instrument she learned was the violin at the age of five. The she began playing the viola in her fifth grade orchestra class, while also learning to play the piano at home with her mother. Throughout middle school and high school, she was first chair and played in the top orchestra at her school. She also had the opportunity to play the viola for several advanced orchestra groups in Fayette County, performing alongside famous violinists Mark Wood and Bridgid Bibbins, and had several featured solos with her school orchestra at LGPE. She came back to playing the piano throughout her most recent years and teaches several private lessons throughout the week. She is very excited to teach at this wonderful studio and help her students find a passion for music!