Meet the Team

Piano, Voice and Music Interventionalist | Krista is the owner of Garrett Music Academy and specializes in promoting mental health through music. She received her Bachelor Degree from the University of Maryland. She received her Master's Degree with honors at Johns Hopkins University for Developmental Psychology. She is the former Adjunct Professor at Montgomery College and the College of Southern Maryland. She is currently serving as a Teaching Fellow with Faculty of Arts and Sciences, Department of Psychology, Harvard University, Boston, MA. Krista as taught private lessons at the Garrett Music Academy for over 12 years. She is the Director of ARC of Southern Maryland Therapeutic Music Program. She specializes in early childhood music and developmental and and cognitive disability programs.

Voice and Beginning Piano | Marina is a graduate of New England Conservatory with a Bachelors in Vocal Performance. She has taught privately at the Garrett Music Academy since 2018. She specializes in teaching vocal technique for Opera and Music Theater as well as Sacred Music. Marina is the Co-Director of I Am The Lead.

Piano | Teresa studied by BYU, Idaho and has taught privately for over 20 years overseas and in the United States. She has taught privately with the Garrett Music Academy since 2017. Teresa teaches both in-person and virtually. Curriculum of choice is Piano Pronto and is an excellent teacher for beginners and intermediate clients.

Piano (virtual only) | Shelley earned her Bachelors of Science in Music Education for Hyles-Anderson College and owned her own private studio in North Carolina prior to relocating to Maryland. She has taught privately since 2004. Shelley excels in teaching ear training, composition and theory skills.

Voice and Piano | Emberlein graduated with a Bachelor of Music in Vocal Performance with a minor in Performing Arts Management from The Catholic University of America in Washington D.C. She is a former Dance Programming Intern for the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts and has taught privately for Garrett Music Academy for two years. She is the director for I Am The Lead theater program.

Piano, Keyboard, Audio Engineering | Jonathan attended the University of Louisiana in Lafayette from 1993 to 1195 where he studied piano with Dr. Susan Garcia and Dr. Garth Alper. He also attended Berklee College of Music on a scholarship, participating in student recording projects and accompanying instrumentalist. While serving on active duty, he completed his Bachelor's Degree from Berklee College of Music in Electronic Music Production and Sound Design. He has supported 3 Air Force Band overseas tours, entertaining millions of people throughout the world in support of Operations Enduring Freedom, Inherent Resolve and Resolute Support. Air Force Band highlights include performing alongside Drake White, BeBe Winans, Charlie Pride, Arturo Sandoval and appearing in the NFL New York Giants Halftime show with Max Impact. Before retiring from the Air Force after 24 years of total active service, he serviced at the Air Force television at the Pentagon and won a team Emmy Award in 2021 fro the production of the program "Red Tail Angels - The Story of the Tuskegee Airmen", for his work as a composer and sound mixer.

Brass and Woodwinds | Charles studied Jazz Improvisational Technique under Calvin Douglas Lampley, Peabody Conservatory. He studied Woodwind and Classical Studies under John Newsome, Howard University and Melvin Miles, Morgan State University. Charles has taught privately for over 40 years and has taught with Garrett Music Academy since inception in 2004. Charles has an extensive performance career both locally and nationally as an opening act for Earth, Wind and Fire, Norman Conners, Jean Carn, Rick James, Kool and the Gang, Sly and the Family Stone and more. He is the Band Director for the Lower School at Calverton.

Guitar, Ukulele, Violin, Viola, Cello | Mary received her Bachelor of Music from The Catholic University and has taught private lessons since 2009. She is the former orchestra assistant for the Washington Waldorf School. Mary is proficient in string instrument repairs.

Guitar, Bass, Piano (virtual only) | Herb is a musician and composer who recently moved the Owings, MD area from New York City. Having played guitar for over 20 years, he has been in numerous bands and ensembles, and has toured all over the USA. He plays piano, bass, drums, and autoharp and writes compositions for chamber ensembles. Herb is an expert in Theory and Form.

Guitar, Bass, Beginning Banjo, Ukulele | Scott gained his Associates of Arts Degree in Music Performance from Prince George's Community College. He has taught privately with Garrett Music Academy since 2009. He is former Director of Product Scheduling and PRS Guitars. Scott performs locally with several bands, including Classic Country/Rock Act, Jody's Band and as a duo with Brooke Foster.

Percussion | Jamiri graduated from Towson University with a Degree in Music Production. He has been playing the drums professionally for over 10 years. He is the newest member of our drum department.

Violin, Viola, Cello, Bass | Andrew earned his Bachelors of Arts From Peabody Conservatory. He has taught privately for over 10 years including providing private lessons through the Prince George's County School system at the Suitland School for Performing Arts. Former orchestra member for the Maryland Choral Arts Society and member of the Magic Ray Quintet.

Drum Teacher | Brooke has been the drum teacher for Garrett Music Academy since 2019 and performs locally with fellow teacher Scott Shirley. She is the product for Making the Band and teaches all elements of music Ear Training, Reading, Rudiments, and Technique.

Trumpet Teacher | Ross is a multifaceted performer and educator on the trumpet in the Washington D.C. metropolitan area. Ross is a graduate of the University of Maryland, College Park School of Music where he studied with Chris Gekker and Steve Hendickson. He also studied the James Stamp method of trumpet playing for two summers at the Oberlin Trumpet Workshop with Roy Poper and Arto Hoornweg. Ross has been teaching private lessons since 2013. His students have seen success in Maryland All-State Band, Solo and Ensemble festivals and the National Trumpet Competition. Ross can be found playing in a number of varied musical groups including the Chesapeake Orchestra, Magic Ray Jazz, the gospel group Urban Street Level, and the ‘60s R&B group One Trick Pony. I enjoy working with students of all levels to help them express themselves through music! Brass playing involves strength, coordination and efficiency. Beginner students can work on acquiring a good grasp of basic techniques as well as good time and good note reading/music theory skills. I also enjoy working with more advanced students, working with them to achieve the efficiency and power they need for success. Any student can find success with enough hard work, determination, and joy!

Guitar, Bass and Voice Teacher | Matthew is a graduate of Bridgewater State University and has taught privately since 2014. He is the lead guitarist with shared vocal lead and backup for Closing Time, wedding band awarded The Knot Magazine's Best of Wedding Bands for the East Coast. He recently moved to Southern Maryland but continues to travel to Boston for his band.