Lesson Instructors

Guitar, Bass, Mandolin, Banjo, and Ukulele

Michael Vettraino-

Michael graduated from the University of Louisville with a B.M. in Jazz Performance. He has studied with Craig Wagner, John LaBarbera, and Dr. Stephen Mattingly, among others. Michael has seven years guitar teaching experience including classes at Sacred Heart School. He has a wide array of performance experience, including pop, rock, jazz, country, Motown, and musical theater. Michael also teaches bass and beginning piano. Teaches ages 7 and up. Available on Mondays, Tuesdays, and Wednesdays.

Lee Puckett-

Lee studied guitar at the Musician's Institute in Hollywood, California. He studied with several guitar luminaries while there, including Scott Henderson. Lee also holds a B.A. in Psychology from the University of Louisville. Lee has over 15 years of teaching experience in Louisville, including several years at the Kentucky School for the Blind. He has playing and teaching experience with pop and rock music, fingerstyle guitar, and classical. He also teaches electric bass, beginning upright bass, and ukulele. Ages 7 and up. Available on Tuesdays and Thursdays.

Shannon Vetter-

Shannon studied music education and saxophone performance at the University of Louisville School of Music. While attending he studied saxophone with John Moore and Mike Tracy, Piano with Dr. Oliphant, and voice with Dr. Jack Ashworth. Since leaving university Shannon has performed all over the country on a variety of instruments including saxophone, guitar, piano, mandolin, and drum set. He has recorded numerous albums with bands Gideon's Rifle, Big Atomic, and under his own name. Shannon has eight years of formal and informal teaching experience. Teaches ages 7 and up. Teaches beginning mandolin, ukulele, and beginning piano as well. Available on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays.

Harry Clark-

Harry has a BA in Jazz Guitar Performance from the University of Louisville and has studied under several acclaimed teachers, including Craig Wagner, Scotty Anderson, and Sonny Moorman. With a decade of playing experience, Harry has performed in jazz, rock, pop and folk settings. As a teacher, he has four years of experience with students of all ages and skill sets, including performing students and absolute beginners. His curriculum aims to build strong fundamental skills in sight reading, technique, improvisation, and practicing efficiently. By applying these fundamentals to each student’s own interests and skill level, he aims to help students become versatile musicians who can achieve personal growth in any setting. Harry is available for guitar and ukulele lessons on Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Saturday. Ages 5 and up.

Lance Oliphant-

Lance has a Bachelors of Music with emphasis in jazz guitar studies and music technology from Bellarmine University. While attending, he studied jazz and classical guitar with Craig Wagner and Chris Roseland respectively along with instrumental pedagogy, jazz harmony, jazz piano, drums and Voice. While approaching two decades of performing experience, Lance has played in rock, hip hop, funk, jazz, and classical settings. His teaching methods are grounded in creating a fun environment while honing technique, learning by ear, reading notation, and analyzing theory. Utilizing the students interests, this approach results in a versatile student musician capable of navigating any musical landscape. Ages 6 and up. Available Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday.

Joe Gomez-

Joe Gomez's passion for music extends to teaching music and the guitar. He takes pride in letting everyone know that anyone has the ability to be a musician. Having been teaching guitar for five years now, he can cover topics from reading music, song writing techniques, all guitar techniques, setting up routines and soloing ideas. You may have seen him and his groups play at Decca, The Pendennis Club, The Bards Town, Nirvana, Time And Space, The Homemade Ice Cream & Pie Kitchen, 211 Clover, Varanese, The Red Herring, and Jimmy Can't Dance. Teaches ages 7 and up. Available Fridays.

William Lease-

Billy has a wide range of recording and touring experience, traveling worldwide and working with groups such as Tyler Lance Walker Gill, Quiet Hollers, Cabin, Dave Givan (drummer for Ray LaMontagne and Jim James), and many others. With thirteen years of teaching experience, Billy encourages enthusiasm, creativity, self-expression, and refinement of technique to private students and ensembles alike. Utilizing custom tailored lesson plans for students of all ages, backgrounds, and skill levels. Available Fridays for ages 5 and up. 

Piano

Nina Espinueva-

Nina has a B.M. in Piano Pedagogy and Accompaniment with a Minor in Vocal Performance from Bellarmine University. She has studied with Meme Tunnell for Classical piano, Todd Hildreth for Jazz piano, and Jessica Mills for voice. Nina has 8 years teaching experience. She teaches ages 5 and up. Available on Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays.

Jessica Watson-

Jess has a Bachelor of Arts in Music from Berea College and a Master of Music in Piano Pedagogy & Performance from Eastern Kentucky University. She began teaching piano in 2017 and utilizes a holistic approach to lessons that takes into account each student’s unique gifts and learning style. In addition to developing a strong foundation in technique, theory, and artistry, students are encouraged to explore their own personal connection with the music they are studying. The end goal is to achieve excellence in piano as well as a love for making music. Jess teaches students age 5 and above. Available Tuesdays, Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays.

Sidney Farmer-

Sidney studied piano performance at UofL and IUS. She has taught piano lessons for 4 years and has played piano in cover bands, jazz bands, and a full orchestra. She has studied music theory for 10+ years and loves helping others understand how music works. Her approach to teaching allows students to explore their interests and makes learning fun. Ages 5 and up. Available Mondays and Tuesdays.

Elise Major-

Elise has a Bachelor of Music in Piano Pedagogy and Accompaniment from Bellarmine University, where she studied piano with Meme Tunnell and Dr. Louie Hehman and cello with Allison Olsen. Elise is currently pursuing a Master of Music in Piano Performance at the University of Louisville under Dr. Anna Petrova, and she also enjoys playing cello in the UofL orchestra. Elise has a patient, encouraging teaching style and has been giving piano and cello lessons for 2 years. Available on Saturdays.

Rachel Hrdina-

Rachel has a Bachelor of Music in Music Therapy with an emphasis in Jazz Studies from University of Louisville. She has performed with various bands in a variety of genres throughout her career, including three years as a full-time performer at Howl at the Moon in downtown Louisville. She is well versed in classical, folk, pop, rock, and jazz styles, as well as piano arranging, improvisation, and chord reading. Rachel curates lessons and curriculum based on each student’s individual goals and music preferences, and offers adaptive music lessons for students with unique learning styles and needs. In addition to teaching, Rachel works as a medical music therapist for Norton Healthcare. She teaches piano and accordion. Ages 5 and up. Available Thursdays and Fridays.

Orchestral Strings

Ellie Miller-

Ellie graduated from the University of Louisville School of Music with a B.M. in Viola performance. She has a wide range of experience, from classical performance and orchestral playing to bluegrass and jazz. She has studied classical music with Brittany MacWilliams and Michael Hill, jazz with Chris Fitzgerald and Craig Wagner, and bluegrass with Jeff Guernsey. Her performance experience is wide ranging, in classical context she’s performed with Orchestra Enigmatic, Tran Siberian Orchestra, Phantom Theatre of Vermont String Quartet, and UofL Sinfonietta Orchestra. In contemporary music Ellie has performed in bluegrass, old time, country, americana, and rock groups at venues and festivals across the region. Over the past four years, Ellie has taught private lessons for the last four years in the Louisville area. Lessons offered in beginning to advanced violin, viola, and fiddle. Available Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays.

Cecilia Swanson-

Cecelia Swanson, is an accomplished cellist, teacher, and artist who holds a Master's degree in Cello Performance and Suzuki Pedagogy and a degree in Professional Studies from the Cleveland Institute of Music. During her time at CIM, Cecelia studied with renowned faculty members, including Sharon Robinson, Si-Yan Li, and members of The Cleveland Orchestra, and co-founded the award-winning Elless Quartet. Prior to moving to Cleveland, she held positions with the Amarillo Symphony Orchestra and Lubbock Symphony in West Texas.

In 2020, Cecelia became a Teaching Artist with Documentary Songwriters. In the DocSong program, she collaborates with storytellers from all different backgrounds, in an effort to create music that fosters human connection. As a performer, Cecelia played in over one hundred concerts and events in Cleveland. She also taught cello and chamber music to 25+ students at Aurora School of Music and at the Oberlin Community Music School with a combined experience of 3 years. Cecelia's teaching philosophy focuses on building confidence and igniting a lifelong passion for music in her students, helping them find their inner voice and joy in playing. Ages 3 and up. Available Saturdays.

Elise Major-

Elise has a Bachelor of Music in Piano Pedagogy and Accompaniment from Bellarmine University, where she studied piano with Meme Tunnell and Dr. Louie Hehman and cello with Allison Olsen. Elise is currently pursuing a Master of Music in Piano Performance at the University of Louisville under Dr. Anna Petrova, and she also enjoys playing cello in the UofL orchestra. Elise has a patient, encouraging teaching style and has been giving piano and cello lessons for 2 years. Available on Saturdays.

Drums and Percussion

Nick Beach-

Nick has a degree in Music Production and Engineering from the highly prestigious Berklee College of Music. At the school, he developed his art, and studied under some of the greatest drum set players in America: Sergio Bellotti, Skip Hadden (Weather Report), Robert Kaufman, Bertram Lehmann, Michael Mangini, and Ralph Peterson, Jr. Nick can play and teach a variety of styles including jazz, percussion, classical, rock, pop, and country. "The focus for my students is to become excited about playing through learning how to read and write music, and by actively and effectively listening to their favorite records. If I can teach those two things, along with proper technique, then the student can be able to perpetually move forward in their ability as a musician for the rest of their lives." Available on Thursdays and Fridays for ages 5 and up.

Kenny Tayce-

Kenny has spent the past 5 years touring and playing drums professionally in the groups The Last Origin, Brewing Pines, and Dinero Romero; amassing over 150+ shows regionally and nationally.  He has accrued seven years of experience in the marching band with five years being the section leader of the drum line.  Kenny works to cater the learning experience to each student, balancing an aural and written approach to each individual. Kenny also prioritizes giving the student the tools needed to unlock their own creativity through improvisation and rhythmic development. Kenny has taught private lessons for the last four years. Teaching in various genres ranging from jazz, rock, country all the way to pop. He teaches drum set, marching and concert percussion. Available Mondays, Wednesdays, and Saturdays for ages 5 and up.  

Kelsey Lee-

Born and raised in Louisville, Kentucky, Kelsey started her career at age five as a member of the original Louisville Leopard Percussionists. She graduated from the Youth Performing Arts School and went on to earn a teaching degree from Indiana University. For twelve years, Kelsey was the assistant director for the Louisville Leopards, where she taught the Advanced, Beginners, Lite, Steel, and Middle School ensembles. She now conducts independent clinics, camps, and private percussion lessons.

When she's not teaching, Kelsey performs with world-renowned musicians like CJ Vanston, Michael Fitzpatrick, Victor Mendoza, Hannah Ford Welton, Louie Bellson, Hanson, and Ndugu Chancler. She tours regularly with a few different bands (Southern Sirens, Brigid Kaelin Band, The Bourbon Britches, Croghan's Crossing) and has shared the stage with many musicians, including Bruno Mars, Carlene Carter, and Gaelic Storm. Kelsey is endorsed professionally by Toca Percussion and ATempo Company and uses their vast array of instruments in her performances around the world. Available Mondays and Wednesdays. Ages 5 and up.

William Lease-

Billy has a wide range of recording and touring experience, traveling worldwide and working with groups such as Tyler Lance Walker Gill, Quiet Hollers, Cabin, Dave Givan (drummer for Ray LaMontagne and Jim James), and many others. With thirteen years of teaching experience, Billy encourages enthusiasm, creativity, self-expression, and refinement of technique to private students and ensembles alike. Utilizing custom tailored lesson plans for students of all ages, backgrounds, and skill levels. Available Fridays for ages 5 and up. 

Voice

Eva Howell-

Eva is a Music Therapy major at the University of Louisville. With 14+ years of experience ranging from being classically trained in California, to doing small town musicals in Kentucky. Eva specializes in working on different methods of learning revolving all around you, your background, and what you want to learn! During lessons, Eva loves to work on the individuality of each student to help them shine and emphasizes the importance of vocal health. She is available for lessons Mondays and Fridays ages 5 and up!

Nina Espinueva-

Nina has a B.M. in Piano Pedagogy and Accompaniment with a Minor in Vocal Performance from Bellarmine University. She has studied with Meme Tunnell for Classical piano, Todd Hildreth for Jazz piano, and Jessica Mills for voice. Nina has 2 years teaching experience. She teaches ages 5 and up. Available on Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays.