Our Instructors

Zach has taught a variety of different instruments for the past five years at KC Music Academy and he is our Executive Director of  Bands. He has a Bachelor's degree in Jazz Studies and has performed all over the world over the past 10 years. He is currently the head music arranger for the band Twice On Sunday, the two time winner of the Vendor's Choice Award's Band of the Year. Music is his passion in life and it has become his greatest joy to share that with his students while seeing them grow in ways that are unique to them.

Antwon has been the resident drum instructor at KC Music Academy for the past four years. He is a graduate of Sumner Academy of Arts & Science & UMKC Conservatory of Music. Antwon enjoys guiding his students and teaching them how to practice well to make the best progress. He wants all his students to be able to read, play together, actively listen to the music, productively practice the material, be able to count basic rhythms, and have a great time!

Therese has taught violin, viola, and beginning piano at KC Music for the past two years. She has her Master of Arts in violin performance. She strives to adapt her teaching to support the needs, goals, and personality of each student.  She loves celebrating even the smallest successes with her students and believes that all progress is good progress. When she's not teaching, Therese enjoys tending to her small "jungle" of 100+ houseplants and going on adventures with her beagle, Leela.

Ally teaches piano and voice at KC Music Academy. She has been teaching music for over ten years and wants every student to love their instrument and what they do.  Ally enjoys connecting with her students and she wants to build confidence in every student as they have fun with their instrument. She is also passionate about theatre and performs in and directs local theatre productions.

Julius has taught trumpet, trombone, guitar, and ukulele at KC Music Academy for the past three years. While attending Park Hill High school, he enjoyed regularly tutoring trombone and baritone players. He loves seeing kids’ faces light up when they finally get something down that they have been working toward. He wants his students to be challenged in every lesson but also develop the love for music that has kept him going on his musical journey.

Jennifer teaches a variety of instruments at KC Music Academy. She has a music and education degree from William Jewell College and has taught music for 25 years. She loves helping students reach milestones and wants to inspire a lifelong love for music in them, whether they aim to master an instrument or just play for enjoyment. She was a worship leader at a local church for 20 years and has performed at churches across the KC area. She currently leads music for a kids program at a church in KC.

Kenneth teaches guitar, bass guitar, and ukulele at KC Music Academy. He finds immense joy in sharing his passion for music with students and witnessing their growth, both in skill and appreciation for music. He loves being able to inspire and empower the next generation of musicians. He wants every student to have fun!

Andrea has been teaching voice for over 20 years. She has multiple music degrees including a Master of Arts in Vocal Music Performance. She has performed solos in recitals and operas and been a guest soloist for multiple orchestra and choral concerts. Andrea wants every student to learn foundational technique, healthy singing, and musical skills. She loves helping students realize their goals and strengths and works to inspire them and promote growth.

Sharon has taught piano lessons for several years and is also an elementary school teacher. She believes that every student is capable, unique, and worth celebrating! She highly values building relationships with her students and looks forward to helping them have special lightbulb moments and reach their goals. Sharon has three kids, three dogs, a hamster, a gecko, two frogs, and three tarantulas. She loves hiking, photography and gardening. 

Phoebe is talented in many areas as she plays piano, ukulele, guitar, and also sings. She is an accomplished dancer and has performed in musical theatre productions. Her main philosophy is to never teach two students the exact same way. She takes great joy and pride from finding the best way to teach each specific child, and not always using the same techniques to teach every person. She enjoys working with special needs students, helping them find their passion and succeed! Each student of Phoebe's will learn foundational technique, healthy singing, and musical skills, along with working on their personal goals.

Deanna has taught several instruments over the past 7 years but focuses on voice lessons at KC Music. She has multiple music degrees and is a frequent performer in the KC area, including singing with the Lyric Opera of Kansas City from 2022-2024. Deanna believes that helping a musician develop agency in their own music making is one of the most important things a music teacher can do. She teaches students practical skills, allowing them to make the kind of music that interests and excites them as well as encouraging them to look beyond the borders of their chosen genre and develop curiosity and appreciation for all music.

John loves to come to KC Music and share his passion of playing guitar and bass as a "break" from teaching middle school all day! He has played in various bands with musical ranges from heavy metal to classic rock. Watching his students' excitement, love, and confidence for music grow is truly fulfilling to him. John believes that learning is constant - everyone is learning at their level. His goal as a teacher is to help each student understand the basic fundamentals of the instrument while introducing them to the many different roads a guitar can take them. Playing an instrument is something that the students can enjoy for years to come!

Ali has as Bachelor of Arts in Music Education and has taught piano, choral, and theatre performance for over 10 years. She enjoys seeing her students learn a new skill while having fun! She believes that every child can learn anything as long as they have a champion rooting for them and she wants to be that champion. She loves to see the pride students feel from their hard work coming together. Ali has a passion for music and wants all of her students to feel that as well. She believes that music is a language we all speak.

KC Music is creating not only the next generation of musicians, but also the next generation of music instructors. We work closely with student musicians and give them opportunities to teach with a paid apprenticeship program. These Teachers in Training observe lessons given by our seasoned teachers and spend time learning pedagogy and good business practices. They receive their training from us for free and are paid for the classes/lessons they teach. Because they are not paid at the same rate as our expert instructors, their lessons are offered at a slightly lower price.