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 as MUSICPLAYER and with bands (LADADA, The American ELO, Secondhand Dreams). 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 and currently tours with The American ELO as their lead female vocalist and featured dancer. 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.”
Addy Hockman
VIOLIN, VIOLA, Piano, Ukulele
Addy is a professional violinist and wonderful choice for any beginner violin or piano student. She studied music education at Old Dominion University. Her warmth and patience in the lesson room keeps the student at ease and you’re bound to have fun.
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 is one of the newest additions to the Music Makers family. 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.
Willy Melton
Guitar, Bass
Willy has a passion for the local music scene and loves helping students become passionate about music. He makes sure to teach you in a way that will be fun and rewarding for anyone looking to pick up the guitar! You will find him regularly playing shows in The Dirty Dismals
Caitlyn Joyce Leach
Voice, Dance, Acting
Caitlyn Joyce Leach (She/Her) has a strong passion for arts education and is excited to pass on her voice, acting, dance, and performance skills to students in the Hampton Roads area. Caitlyn graduated from East Carolina University's Honors College (go pirates) with a BFA in Musical Theatre. After graduating, she performed all along the East Coast with companies including Lexington Children's Theatre, The Lost Colony, Bright Star Touring Theatre, and Carowinds Theme Park. She turned to teaching in 2020, which led her to become one of the Resident Teaching Artists at Children's Theatre Charlotte teaching music and creative drama to ages 4 to 18. Caitlyn recently finished her Off-Broadway writing and swing debut for her musical titled SCOUTS that premiered at The Player's Theatre in NYC this past summer. While up north, she was also given the opportunity to teach creative drama with ages 3 months to 5 years. She is excited to create a welcoming space at Music Makers that encourages students to challenge themselves, never give up, work with passion, and express themselves. CaitlynJoyce.com
Rob Oliver
Guitar, Bass, Ukulele, Harmonica
Rob has been spreading the joy of music through private instruction to people of all ages for many years. His lessons are geared towards the individual with a focus on making the journey of learning as fun as possible. He has been performing original and cover music in Hampton Roads for over twenty years with bands like Two Foot Small, Softstone, The Retailers, Departure, and The Grifters. You can find Rob currently performing solo acoustic shows with his harmonica and singing with The Groove Cats. You’ll also see him around town sitting in with many of his talented local friends such as Cole Stevens and The Delta Daggers, Karl Werne, the Billie Joe Trio, and many others.
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.
