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 three 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!

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.

Sharon has taught piano lessons for several years and is also a middle 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. 

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!

Brian directs the KC Music Choir. He is a Northland native since he was 5 who loves sharing his passion for vocal performance and voice health. He has his Masters Degree in Music Education. He has been leading championship caliber choirs across the Midwest and Europe for 30 years. When Brian is away from the academy, he enjoys sharing time with his family and singing with his brothers in the Barbershop Harmony Society.

Amanda teaches private vocal lessons at KC Music and is experienced in most genres: opera, musical theatre, jazz, and contemporary! She received her Bachelor of Music in music education at MU and currently performs with the Kansas City Chorale. She prioritizes making her studio a comfortable space where students are encouraged to experiment, make mistakes, and learn from them. She sees herself as a mentor for her students and her goal for them is to become independent musicians. She teaches technique for at-home practice, ensures students have strong music literacy skills, and engages students in reflection of what they are experiencing while singing. She most enjoys getting to observe the growth that happens in her students as a result of their combined hard work! 

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.