OUR TEACHERS
Skilled and seasoned (and awesome) instructors can help you understand, play and perform music.
We’re proud to have such a strong group of powerfully talented teachers who can literally rock your world. Better yet, they have the patient and supportive personalities that can inspire you to reach your dream of playing an instrument. Whether it’s through our Private Lessons program or our Music Makers LIVE performance school, you can count on these amazing teachers.
Robert Smith
Piano, Voice, Guitar, Bass, Drums
Robert is the owner and operator of Music Makers. He teaches piano, voice, guitar, bass, and drums (beginner/intermediate/advanced and all ages). He is great with kids and adults alike. He's had ample experience in music performance - touring around the world playing concerts in countries like Indonesia, Australia, Russia, and Japan - was a touring member for the Norfolk based rock group, MAE (Capitol Records, Tooth & Nail Records). Currently he performs regular gigs around Hampton Roads and out of town solo and with bands (LADADA, The American ELO,). His expertise is piano and singing but he has a multi-instrumental understanding of music.
"My goal with each student is to help instill a desire and passion to explore the deeper side of music. I try to keep my lessons fun, exciting, and interactive. Music theory is crucial to understanding music, but I also teach you how to sense the emotions in music as well as using your ear. I believe that each student has his or her own personal musical journey. I'm sensitive to that and want to give each student a head start on that journey. Teaching another person how to play, understand, and feel music is something that makes me come alive."
Rebecca Catalano
voice, Piano, ballet, Dance
Rebecca has a deep love for music and was born to dazzle on the stage. You’ll find her teaching voice, dance, and piano, directing our MMLIVE Broadway program, and coaching the MMLIVE bands! She has a strong musical and theatrical education with an AA in Music Education and BFA in Musical Theatre. She has performed and studied many styles of music and dance including Classical Opera, Broadway Belt/Musical Theatre, Pop/Country Music; and Ballet, Ballroom, Jazz, and Lyrical dance. Rebecca has been on stages across the world, enjoying tours in Italy, Brazil, Ireland, and across the nation. Her passion is in both teaching and performing and she strives every day to make a positive impact on her students. She is thrilled to have an opportunity to share her passion, experience, and knowledge with them!
Her motto is: Anyone can sing! If you can woo it, you can do it!
“If I can teach them nothing else, my first and foremost goal is to help them fall in love with music and learn to love themselves.”
Hannah Soca
VIOLIN, VIOLA,
Hannah is an Old Dominion University graduate student studying music education, with a bachelor of arts in Music. She has an extensive history of performing in chamber groups, youth and university orchestras, and is very passionate about the violin. Being classically trained with a heavy foundation of Suzuki and having studied various genres such as jazz, pop, and fiddle music, she hopes to encourage young students to love music and share the arts with others.
Brittany Agrillo
Piano, Voice, Dance
Brittany is one of the newest additions to our Music Makers family! A psychology and music graduate from Wake Forest University, she is a longtime local musician with groups such as The Doorway Singers, singing as lead soprano and official choreographer. She has performed in quite a few local bands as well as Little Theatre of Virginia Beach. Brittany tries to keep lessons light and fun - she truly invests in each student’s success. Life is hard, but music brings healing and joy.
Her favorite part about performing? “There’s nothing like the moment when you start playing someone’s favorite song...that joy as they recognize it and start to sing along with you. It’s magic.”
Jake Manglicmot
Drums, Piano
Jake has a big passion for music and loves teaching his students. Every lesson will be chock full of fun and excitement. A very talented drummer with a drumline background. You will find him regularly gigging out with local bands such as The Steals and Wizard Blue.
Sawyer Camden
Guitar, Bass, Drums
Sawyer is a beast on any instrument he gets his hand on! Any student of Sawyer’s is bound to have a fun time learning music. Outside of teaching you will find him playing with local bands, Community Witch, Padfoot, and personal project, Warrington.
Natalie Renfrow
Piano, French horn
Natalie is classically trained on piano and French horn, with over seven years of teaching experience across a range of student ages and skill levels. She is also a music theory nerd and especially enjoys performing in an orchestral setting. Natalie loves watching her students grow in their musical skills and knowledge. As a doctoral student in psychology, she also loves seeing how musical training promotes cognitive development, emotion regulation skills, and a sense of self-efficacy in her students!
Harrison Kelsey
Guitar, Bass, UKULELE
Harrison has had his hands (alliteration unintended) on a guitar for the past 35+ years, teaching and performing the last 28 of those, and has been in about 15 professional bands over the years - playing locally, regionally and traveling all over the country. The guitar has always been a big part of who he is, and to be able to teach and help others along their musical journey is a privilege and a passion. He teaches all styles of guitar, bass, and ukulele, at all ages and all levels. Acoustic, funk, R&B, blues, shred, rock, metal etc… he likes it all!
Nothing teaches like real time experience, and no one learns the same. He likes to find what works best for each individual and make it a priority to keep it fun while incorporating the basics of what you need. He has studied with many great teachers and professors, but nothing has taught him as much hands on experience as maintaining a simple approach with the guitar. He teaches others how to teach themselves. Music theory, composition, and improvisation infuse as we go along.
Dan Miller
piano
Dan has 40+ years of experience as a pianist and teacher. Classically trained and ready to get you on the right track. If you’re a serious student looking to advance your skills on the keys then Dan is your man. He can also work well with the mature beginner. Check out his beautiful playing on his YouTube page here!
Come and join our team
Share your expertise with our students.
Music Makers is always looking for other enthusiastic professionals looking to teach our students. if you think you might be a good fit for our team, get in touch with us.
