Our Teachers
Banjii (jason kenney)
Jason Kenney, also known as Banjii, has accomplished a 17 year career as a working musician and artist, and is a proud father of two. Leaving his hometown in Dahlonega, GA, Banjii started an art and musical collective in the beautiful community of Oakhurst, located in Decatur, GA, in 2018.Banjii has released five full length albums, including "Turn This Sorrow Into Joy" which has collaborations from John Keane, Jonathan Byrd, and Amy Ray of the Indigo Girls.Banjii plays and teaches guitar, mandolin, piano, banjo, drums, voice, cello, violin, ukulele, and bass. Additionally, he works with his students on music theory and songwriting. Click here to read testimonials from his students and collaborators.
Daniel Wytanis
Daniel Wytanis is an Atlanta based trombonist and musician notably performing and creating music with a wide range of artists over the past decade. Daniel’s broad spectrum of genres is reflected through his experiences sharing the stage and recording with names such as Col. Bruce Hampton, Atlanta Funk Society, Rhonda Thomas, Kevin Scott, Saunders Sermons, and most recently, the rhythm funk band, Ghost-Note led by Robert “Sput” Searight and Nathaniel Werth of Snarky Puppy.In 2015, Daniel founded Grut, alongside Patrick Arthur (guitar), Brandon Boone (bass), Morgan Guerin (drums), and Avys Burroughs (saxophone). Daniel plays trombone and synthesizers in this project. Grut released their second album, Side Room Stories, in 2018 and has toured the U.S following the release.Daniel has spent the last several years of his career teaching brass, piano, music theory, and production across the metro Atlanta area. He has taught a wide range of students both in age and skill. Daniel firmly believes in developing his students’ ability to create their own authentic sound and style.
Leah Calvert
Leah Calvert is many things, among them a singer-songwriter and in- demand Atlanta-area fiddler and vocalist. Over the years, she has shared the stage with award-winning artists including Amy Ray (Indigo Girls), Kristian Bush (Sugarland) and renowned songwriter Radney Foster. In addition to her work as a solo artist, she is a member of Atlanta acts The Dappled Grays and John Driskell Hopkins Band (Grammy winner and founding/current member of Zac Brown Band).Leah's work with The Dappled Grays has spanned over a decade, during which time the group has found an audience in the United States and beyond. With her new record Satellite, Leah moves into uncharted territory, articulating a sound that is wholly her own. Leah deftly maneuvers through forms and styles ranging from traditional ballads to blues.
Tommy Sauter
If you've ever heard Tommy Sauter play bass, it likely won't surprise you that he grew up in Memphis, TN. With his natural, understated stage presence and intuitive playing, Tommy easily embodies the spirit of Beale Street. After earning his music degree from the University of Tennessee, Tommy relocated to Atlanta in 2003. Since that time, his driving feel, lyrical soloing, and impeccable time have led him to become one of the most in-demand bassists in the southeast. Tommy balances performances with many of jazz's heavy hitters (think Greg Tardy, Donald Brown, and Johnny O'Neal) with regular appearances on the Atlanta music scene, such as in the Houston's Jazz Trio, where he has been a steady figure since 2008.
Deitrich Jones II
Deitrich Jones II is a professional saxophonist who graduated from Georgia State University in 2019, where he received his Bachelors in Jazz Studies. He now lives in Atlanta, where he teaches lessons, does studio recordings, and performs extensively throughout the southeast playing genres such as Pop, R&B, Gospel, and Jazz. Deitrich has an enhanced musical prowess and has developed a very unique sound that allows him to immerse himself in multiple genres. He understands that everyone learns differently and strives to make the learning experience with his students fun and engaging, and most of all personal to each individual student.