ARGS Music Department Faculty

Fayesha Cole
(Dept. Chair)

Music Recording Tech, Bands, Audition Prep

“Motherly” is one word that is consistently used when describing her teaching style. “Driven” is used when describing her work ethic.”

Because music has always kept her motivated, Fayesha Cole started her music career at Falling Creek Middle School when she decided to play the flute, and since the 6th grade she has been an active music student.  She even became the first African American Drum Major of Meadowbrook High School in Chesterfield, Virginia. She earned a bachelor’s and master’s Degree from Norfolk State University in Music Education.  “Bridging students from adolescence to adulthood through music education” is her life’s goal as she started her professional career in education. She has earned superior ratings in District Assessment as a middle and high school teacher.  

Mrs. Cole made a major change in jobs when she was hired to work at Virginia Union University. She was chosen to be Director of Bands and tasked to build a marching band from the ground up. Under her leadership, the band is known all through the United States as “AOS” the “Ambassadors of Sound Marching Band”. The AOS Pep Band had a stellar year in 2024 as they were chosen to record with music producer Adam Blackstone.   The AOS Pep Band was also chosen to perform live with recording sensation Jennifer Hudson during the halftime of the NBA All Star Basketball Game. Mrs. Cole is also the founder of the First Thursday Jazz Band.  Known for its approach to all types of music such as Straight Ahead Jazz, Funk, R & B and Trap Jazz, the band has become a staple around the city of Richmond.

As a proud member of Tau Beta Sigma National Honorary Band Sorority Incorporated, she brought the sorority back to the campus of Virginia Union University and rechartered the Eta Psi chapter of Tau Beta Sigma in 2017.  As a proud member of Kappa Kappa Psi National Honorary Band Fraternity, Incorporated, she recharted the Theta Psi Chapter on the campus of Virginia Union University in 2024.  

Fayesha Cole, is a Richmond native. She is the wife of David Cole. Together, they reside in Midlothian, Virginia with their two children, Levi 10 and Melody 14.  They also share their home with Lucas the tortoise.  Performing with her students and supporting her children in their sporting events are her hobbies.  She is also a dedicated life time member at First Baptist Church of South Richmond as she is the Director of Media and Youth Choir Director.

Orchestra, Jazz, Guitar, Music Theory, Piano

Larry Robert Cauley earned his Bachelor’s from Shepherd University and an MA in Teaching from Liberty University, where he studied saxophone, piano, and music composition. He has taught music in Stafford County Public Schools, the Richmond Catholic Diocese, and Henrico County Public Schools. He was an Assistant Band Director at The University of Virginia, and formerly served as the Assistant Director for the Virginia Commonwealth University “Peppas” Athletic Band.

Mr. Cauley started in music as a saxophone and woodwind player, and most recently played bass clarinet in the University of Virginia Wind Ensemble. As a marching percussionist, he finished his Drum Corps International career as the drumline section leader of the 11 time world champion "Cadets". Also as a percussionist he has performed with the Broadway cast of STOMP, at Walt Disney World in Orlando Florida, toured South Africa and Taiwan with his percussion group “6 to 1”, and organized the Philadelphia Eagles Drumline in 2009.

Mr. Cauley has conducted band, orchestra, and choir. His orchestras at Colonial Forge High School performed chamber works such as Stokowski’s transcription of Bach's "B minor Prelude", as well as full orchestra on works such as Stravinsky’s "Firebird Suite", and full orchestra with choir on works such as “Make Our Garden Grow” & “West Side Story”. He has conducted musicals, most recently “Legally Blonde” & “Fiddler on the Roof”.

Mr. Cauley lives in Richmond, VA with his 3 sons. In his spare time he enjoys scuba diving and spending time with his family.

Chorus, Piano, Voice

Margaret Storti earned her Bachelor of Music in Vocal Pedagogy at Baylor University and her Master of Music in Choral Conducting at Western Washington University. She studied Voice, Piano and Organ and has led a long career in Music Ministry in Houston, Seattle and the greater Richmond area. In 2007, Mrs. Storti made the transition from private piano instructor to full-time music educator in Virginia. She has taught all grades, in Henrico County, the Richmond Catholic Diocese, at Maggie Walker Governor's School. Mrs. Storti joined the ARGS staff in 2014, has been chairing the Musical Arts department since 2018, and serves as the vocal, piano, and choral instructor. 

Mrs. Storti is a current member of the American Choral Directors Association and National Association for Music Educators, Studio Art Quilt Associates, and the Petersburg Area Arts League. She sings with the Richmond Symphony Chorus and currently serves as an accompanist at Gayton Kirk Presbyterian Church in Henrico, VA. Her leadership experience includes conducting choral ensembles for all ages, teaching general music in grades K-8, private voice and piano instruction, Orff ensembles, Handbell ensembles, and Drum Circles. She is nationally certified in Orff-Schulwerk teacher training, and has completed coursework in Kodaly and World Music Drumming. She designed and consulted on the installation of two Richmond area outdoor musical classrooms at Fox Elementary and Colonial Trail Elementary schools.

Mrs. Storti lives in Glen Allen with her husband, Michael. Their two adult children, Alex and Elizabeth, are both graduates of Christopher Newport University and participated actively in their performing arts programs. Mr. & Mrs. Storti share their Glen Allen home with three cats, two hermit crabs, and a backyard wildlife sanctuary. Performing arts, travel, and fiber arts are her hobbies, and she cherishes spending time with her family.

  Monday/Wednesday

(1) Planning

(2) Music Rec Tech I (Lab 118)

(3) Jazz Combo I-IV (B7)

(4) Music Rec Tech 1 (Lab 118) 

  Tuesday/Thursday

(5) Recording Tech II-IV (Lab 118)

(6) Concert Band I-IV ( B7)

(7) Audition Prep (B7)

(8) Planning

Schedule alternates every Friday

lcauley@args.us

 Monday/Wednesday

(1) Guitar Ens. I-IV (B5)

(2) Jazz Band I-IV - Contemporary Ens. (B7)

(3) Music Theory (Lab 116)

(4) Planning 

Tuesday/Thursday

(5)  Music History (Lab 116)

(6) Planning

(7) Guitar Ens. I-IV (B5)

(8) String Orchestra (B5) 

Schedule alternates every Friday

mstorti@args.us

    Monday/Wednesday

(1) Piano Non-Majors I & II (B20)

(2) Piano Non-Majors I & II (B20) 

(3) Planning

(4) Applied Voice I-II (B5)

  Tuesday/Thursday

(5) Concert Choir I-IV (B5)

(6) Planning

(7) Piano Masters I-IV (B20)

(8) Applied Voice I-II (B5)

Schedule alternates every Friday