First Redeemer Conservatory of Music and Fine Arts

STRINGS

ELIZABETH ALVAREZ received her Bachelor's degree with honors from Indiana University and later earned a Masters of Music in Music Theory. Her major teachers and mentors include Yuval Yaron, Dr. Charles Knox, Dr. Susan Tepping, and Oliver Steiner. An avid chamber musician, Elizabeth is a founding member and co-director of the Kazanetti String Quartet, and is the second violinist of the Miles Road Quartet, which is a seasonal string quartet that performs in Vermont and Maine. She also performs with orchestras and chamber groups throughout the southeast as both violinist and violist. Elizabeth teaches violin & viola, music theory, and coaches chamber music. In recent years, she has focused her energies on orchestration and was appointed Artist-in Residence at Wildacres Retreat (NC). In addition, she was awarded a Fulton County Arts Council Fellowship, and named a Fellow at The Hambidge Center for Creative Arts and Sciences (GA).

GEORGE BUTLER is a graduate of the College-Conservatory of Music at the University of Cincinnati and studied at the Westminster Choir College.While a student at the famed College-Conservatory he was principal cellist of conservatory orchestras for three years. He went on to earn his Bachelor of Performing Arts degree at the College-Conservatory, studying with renowned cellists Arthur Bowen and Lynn Harrell. In addition, he received instruction in chamber music from members of the distinguished LaSalle Quartet. George is retired as Director of Private Lessons for The Lovett School in Atlanta. Besides performing as a cellist for the Kazanetti String Quartet, he is the Minister of Music at St. John United Methodist Church in Atlanta where he directs the St. John Sunday Concert Series.

JENNIFER SERSAW began playing the violin at the age of 9. She was a member of the Metropolitan Youth Symphony Orchestra and furthered her studies as a violin performance major at the University of North Carolina Greensboro School of Music. She has studied with Blair Jackson formerly with the Virginia Symphony, Lori Guidi with Gwinnett County schools and Frank Walton of the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra. She is currently working on a degree in Music Business Administration.

Over the years, Jennifer has been a member of various symphony orchestras, quartets, quintets, and other groups. She has performed with song artists such as Michael W. Smith and Amy Grant. Jennifer has served with the Augusta Symphony, Gwinnett Symphony, and the Georgia Symphony Orchestra. Jennifer also plays with various area churches for special events. Jennifer is currently the concert master for the First Redeemer Church Orchestra.

MANDI CROSBY holds a Bachelor’s degree from the University of North Texas where she studied with Philip Lewis and performed in the Symphony Orchestra under the direction of Anshel Brusilow. As a freelance violinist, her experience includes countless weddings, worship at Atlanta area churches and performing with prominent musicians at the Fox Theatre, Gas South Arena and Coca-Cola Roxy, among others. Mandi currently works on staff at First Redeemer Church, serving with the Contemporary Worship band and assisting the Young Adult and Contemporary Worship pastor. For over 20 years Mandi has loved teaching private and group violin lessons. She is the founder of Woodstock Strings, as well as a former teacher with Atlanta’s Suzuki Talent Education Program. Certified in the Suzuki violin method, her focus is on developing a student’s technique and ear in tandem with music reading. Her philosophy is that anyone can learn the violin, no matter their age.

JERROD BALL is an experienced performer, private violin teacher and clinician. His most important passion is giving glory to the Lord through music. Jerrod began studying violin in middle school when violin, string music and classical music in general became the love of his life (before getting married). As a student while receiving private instruction from Roland Huthmaker, he participated in the Georgia All State Orchestras, the Atlanta Symphony Youth Orchestra, and the Georgia Governor's Honors program in 1999. As a violin performance major at Stetson University, Jerrod received instruction from Beth Newdome and Routa Kroumovitch and began offering private violin lessons of his own.

Presently, Jerrod enjoys performing with the North Georgia Chamber Symphony, First Redeemer Orchestra and numerous churches, weddings, non-profit events and other events throughout Georgia - as soloist or in chamber groups. He enjoys visiting local schools to offer violin sectionals. He has recently enjoyed playing the U.S. national anthem at professional hockey and baseball events. His most important belief is that his passion for sharing a love of music and music education begins and ends with Christ Jesus and Father God.

WOODWINDS

COURTNEY WHITLOCK has been playing and studying music since she was 7 years old. Over the years she has had numerous experiences going to All-State choir, District Band on flute and All-State band on flute. In addition to flute and voice she has also studied piano, saxophone, drum set and guitar. She graduated with a Bachelor in Music Education from Reinhardt University. She has also been teaching private music lessons and music classes since 2009. She is passionate about fostering the joy of learning in students of all ages. She values the emotional and cognitive benefits of learning music and loves being able to provide the opportunity for that type of growth to others.

JAMES EXCELL received his Bachelor of Music Performance in Flute, Music Education and his Master in Music Education from Reinhardt University in Waleska, GA. graduating Cum Laude. He was inducted into Pi Kappa Lambda in 2012, The National Music Honor Society. He taught in the Gwinnett County Public Schools as a music teacher substitute and was on staff at the Newton County Theme School serving as the Middle School Band Director. In addition, he sings tenor in the St. Brigid Traditional Choir, plays Tenor Saxophone in the Georgia Wind Symphony and was previously a member of the Johns Creek Pit Orchestra as a woodwind player. Mr. Excell aspires to be a great teacher, as well as an arranger/composer in the Atlanta area.

BRASS

DAWN HAYDEN is a graduate of Oral Roberts University with a Bachelor Degree in Music Education. Mrs. Hayden has been giving music lessons for piano and band instruments for over 20 years and has always enjoyed sharing her love of music with her students. She is a co-founder of Christian Fine Arts of Forsyth, in addition to being an instructor at Horizon Christian Academy and the Music Conservatory at First Redeemer. Mrs. Hayden has students perform in Georgia’s Allstate Band and Chorus, as well as her piano students receiving superior ratings in the GMEA and FRC Piano Festivals. “I enjoy all of the aspects of music education and love to see my students succeed and be challenged to be the best they can be.”

DAVE MCCURLEY is a freelance French horn player who studied at Florida State University, graduating with a Bachelor of Music Education degree. Mr. McCurley plays the Horn in the First Redeemer Orchestra The Johns Creek Symphony Orchestra and other groups around Johns Creek. He has played numerous musicals including more than ninety performances of “Les Miserables” and more than forty performances of Disney’s “Mary Poppins” as well as lesser numbers of other shows. While Mr. McCurley has performed a lot of “classical” music and musical theatre, He loves the message of Christian music and hopes to continue participation in groups that present Christian music for many years to come, as well as encourage young musicians to embrace and enjoy Christian music.

PERCUSSION

TIM HOWARD served as Band Director at The Westminster Schools in Atlanta, Georgia for 24 years, and has over 40 years experience in the field of percussion education. Mr. Howard attended Jacksonville State University. After moving to Atlanta, he continued his career at Georgia State University where he studied percussion with Jack Bell, Paul Yancich, Robbie Coleman and numerous others. Mr. Howard has worked as an independent percussion consultant. He maintains a private teaching studio, and teaches clinics and master classes at numerous schools throughout north Georgia. Mr. Howard is an active member of First Redeemer Church where he currently serves as timpanist and general percussionist in the church orchestra. He is also the founder and current CEO of Percussion Technologies Inc., a regional percussion design and consultation firm. His professional affiliations include MENC, GMEA, and PAS.

GUITAR BANJO, MANDOLIN & UKELELE

LARRY BULLA has a passion for music and has been blessed with a vibrant musical background. Beginning at eight years old, he studied piano, organ, and later, guitar—growing these skills as a church musician along the way. While pursuing his college education in music and pastoral studies, he also acquired proficiency in banjo and mandolin. He has played extensively in various venues throughout the United States, ranging from sacred to secular – including churches and weddings, an Atlanta stadium with 250 bluegrass banjo, and various productions and church orchestras. Mr. Bulla has taught in two music conservatories in the greater Atlanta area over the past 18 years. He instructs acoustic, electric, and classical guitars; mandolin, 5-string banjo, and ukulele–all musical styles and forms. His students range in ages from 6 years old to 85. Mr. Bulla desires to teach his students both to be skilled players of excellence and to fulfill their greatest musical potential and calling. While tapping his students’ musical interests and genres, he instills in his pupils a solid foundation in technique, weaving the technical aspect of music with the students’ joys and passions. Several of his students have gone into the performance sectors, playing in bands, and serving as worship leaders and songwriters.

PIANO

BETHANY ATKINSON is a graduate of Piedmont College, graduating Magna Cum Laude with a Bachelor’s in Church Music and a Master’s of Art in Music Education. She majored in voice, studying with Dr. Barbara Steinhaus, and minored in piano, studying with Dr. Phillip Hayner. She has taught both in the classroom and privately in the metro Atlanta area for 15 years. She has played music around the country with some incredible talent, such as contestants on The Voice, American Idol, and Grammy and Dove award winning artists to name a few. She and her husband Ryan play music across the Southeast with their acoustic duo. Bethany teaches the fundamentals of music in a fun way that helps students learn on their own instead of merely listening and repeating. She teaches a wide variety of genres and focuses both on reading music and developing listening skills.

BECKY BULLA studied in the Music Conservatory of Biola University in California, majoring in piano pedagogy and minoring in voice. She began teaching piano while in high school and has taught in California, Colorado, Kansas City and in the greater Atlanta area with First Redeemer Music Conservatory since its early years. Mrs. Bulla has been a church pianist and organist since her teens and she has traveled with both national and international music groups as a singer and performer. She has also directed children’s choirs, women’s ensembles and played in special productions and orchestras. Mrs. Bulla thoroughly enjoys teaching piano and desires to inspire her students to appreciate their gifts of piano playing, to increase their desires to learn and to encourage them to become the very best they can be.

LYNETTE EDWARDS developed a love of music at a very early age by learning to carry the tune of “Jesus Loves Me” before learning to talk After taking private piano lessons from age 7 through high school, she received a piano scholarship to attend Wesleyan College in Macon, Georgia. There she earned a Bachelor of Arts Degree with a double major in music and business. Piano was her primary instrument with voice as secondary. After teaching several years of piano and volunteering in the children’s music ministry at church, she accepted the position of FRC Children’s Music Director.at First Redeemer Church. She served at First Redeemer for 20 years. Lynette’s passion is developing the love of music in the hearts of children.

JILL HACKNEY teaches music so that songs and the art of singing and playing them will be passed down to the next generation. As her parents before her, she believes it is important to do this with care, love, and skill. She graduated from Cal State Fullerton earning a Bachelor of Music in piano performance, all the while teaching piano in the greater Orange County area. In addition, she earned a Bachelor of Science in Music Education and began teaching for Forsyth County Schools in 2006. While teaching elementary music and directing chorus, she continued her studies at Boston University and earned a Master of Music in Music Education. She went on to complete trainings in Orff and Kodaly. In addition to teaching Piano Lessons in the FRC Conservatory of Music & Fine Art, Jill is serving as the First Redeemer Church Director of Kids' Choirs..

JULIE SANSALONE specializes in customizing a piano program for each student based on his or her individual musical interests and abilities. Julie received a Bachelor of Art degree in Music Education from Coastal Carolina University where she was an assistant music professor. She was an executive board member of the NCMTA and a member of the North Fulton Music Teachers Association. Julie has over 22 years teaching experience and teaches all ages. Julie is classically trained, but wants students to enjoy what they play. Specific pieces may be taught at the student’s request. Her objective is to teach students how to practice correctly while introducing elements such as theory and practice techniques with a variety of different styles of music.

ALLISON SMITH has three degrees in music: a bachelor's from Oklahoma Baptist University, a master's from Southwestern Seminary and a doctorate from Southern Seminary. Her fourteen years of piano study include a piano minor from OBU, five years with a piano professor at Furman University, and a summer at the prestigious Brevard Music Institute. Professionally, Allison has served on the music staff of various churches and as a children's music specialist for a music publisher in Nashville. Her teaching experience includes college level voice and music theory. Currently, her passion is teaching private piano, specializing in beginning to intermediate level students.

CHRISTEN CLARK

DRAMA

ALLY HECK and her family have been at First Redeemer since 2013 where Ally has served in the large group worship in preschool and children’s ministry. She has been the high school drama director at Fideles Christian School and taught classes for middle and high school in communications and public speaking. She is also an actor in film and TV in the Atlanta area and has been in a few community theater shows including A Christmas Carol, Noises Off, and Sound of Music. She studied Organizational Management at Tusculum College in Greenville, Tennessee and has held a position in the corporate world in customer service management. Ally is excited to teach kids to shine for Jesus on and off the stage. Her favorite reminder is to be a light for Jesus in everything. John 1:5 The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.

KATHERINE BROWN has been teaching at the Conservatory for a few years now and is thrilled to be the program’s assistant director and in-house stage manager. She is truly “home grown”, having been a student at the conservatory for over 6 years. In her overall time with the conservatory, she has been involved in over 40 Acting Up productions. She has a degree from the University of North Georgia in Communications and a minor in theatre. She had the pleasure of studying theatre at the Gainesville Theatre Alliance, where she found a passion for directing, stage management, and scenic painting. Her life verse is Colossians 3:23, “Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men.”

KENNADY MAYS is an Acting Up Alumni, as she has been part of the program since 2014. She has been an intern under Kim Norton for several years, and is thrilled to step into the role of Lead Choreographer. She is an active student at Lanier Technical College, and is currently on an interdisciplinary studies track. In 2022 as her first year as Lead Choreographer, the Acting Up Junior Theatre Festival competition troupe took home an award in excellence in ensemble! She is excited to be on staff and help students explore and expand their talents through the conservatory.

ART

KAYLEIGH RIKER Trained in a Bachelors of Fine Arts from the University of North Georgia, Kayleigh has experience in all areas of studio arts and professional practices. Her specialty is in painting and photography. She has been practicing art since she was young, which has nurtured her desire to be a lifelong artist. While in college, she has grown her work into a freelance business. When she is not teaching and working on her business, she enjoys serving in ministry, and spending time with her family and friends. She also loves the outdoors, which is an inspiration to her abstract paintings! Through all her artistic endeavors Kayleigh, above all, seeks to glorify God in all that she does and looks forward to sharing the joy of creative expression through her role as a teacher.