Our Founders
This page, along with all others on our site, is a tribute to our co-founder and esteemed teacher, Mr. Matt (1983-2016). His legacy of love and unwavering dedication to music education continues to inspire us, and it’s a torch we’re committed to carrying forward indefinitely.
Elexa Bancroft
Founder and Director of Atlanta Music Education
Education Director of Capitol City Opera Company
Summer Camp Director and Teacher
Children’s Chorus Director and Voice, piano, ukulele and acting teacher
Elexa Bancroft, the founder and director of Atlanta Music Education, LLC, celebrated a significant milestone in early 2022—over a decade as a small business owner. Her program boasts a team of over 8 talented co-teachers and a student body of more than 100. Elexa has dedicated her life to pioneering modern and innovative educational programming in both public and private sectors.
Hailing from Florida, Elexa holds a Bachelor of Music in Voice Performance from Florida State University, where she studied under Marcia Porter and Carla Connors. Her stage credits include notable roles such as Peaseblosson in Britten’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream and Belle in Disney’s The Beauty and the Beast. She furthered her studies at the Peabody Conservatory of Johns Hopkins University, for her Master of Music in Voice Performance under the tutelage of Phyllis Bryn-Julson.
Elexa’s professional career includes performances with esteemed organizations such as Capitol City Opera, The Atlanta Opera, and The Atlanta Opera’s children touring company. She made her mark as a versatile performer, captivating audiences with her portrayals of characters like Lauretta in Puccini’s Gianni Schicchi and Teenchy Duck in Rabbit Tales.
In 2011, Elexa co-founded Atlanta Music Education with her partner, Matt Johnson. Under their guidance, the studio’s students have showcased their talents at various venues across Atlanta, including the Tucker Farmers Market and The Conant Performing Arts Center. Notably, one of her students secured a role in the national Broadway tour of The King and I.
Beyond her musical pursuits, Elexa is an accomplished mixed media artist, renowned for her art pieces created from recycled sheet music. Her art has been featured at Georgia art festivals and most recently, Broadwaycon in New York City, Dragoncon, New York Comic Con and Megacon Orlando. You can find her work online at http://www.lexiconofloveart.etsy.com. Her entrepreneurial spirit and dedication to her craft were recognized when she won the Amber Grant for female entrepreneurs in April 2019.
Elexa’s influence extends beyond the stage; she has served as an executive board member and Education Director at Capitol City Opera and mentors students at the Dekalb School of the Arts. Her passion for fostering young talent is evident through her popular Kids Open Mic programs, featured in various magazines. Read her feature in Broadway World
In April 2019, Elexa won the Amber Grant for female entrepreneurs.
The March of Dimes Atlanta awarded her Woman of Distinction for her fundraising efforts to provide families with low cost performing arts classes during the 2020 COVID pandemic. With a multifaceted career spanning music, education, and entrepreneurship, Elexa Bancroft continues to inspire and empower others through her artistry and dedication to education.
Ms. Elexa is on a waitlist for in-person and online lessons.
Our Teachers
Daniel Summerour
Guitar, Piano, Music Theory & even Skateboarding
Daniel was originally born and raised in Marietta, GA. With over 20 years of experience, he began playing guitar at the young age of 10 and has kept practicing his techniques ever since. HIs inspiration arose from his Mother’s old CD collection where he stumbled upon an array of albums that became big inspirations for him, including Metallica’s “Master of Puppets,” Green Day’s “Dookie,” as well as Boston’s “Boston” Album. To this day, one of Daniel’s biggest guitar influences is Kirk Hammett from Metallica.
Daniel started guitar lessons immediately upon picking up the instrument, taking three years of formal lessons from instructors at Jennings Music Store in Kennesaw, GA. His love for music grew even more as his passion for skateboarding grew. Daniel became infatuated with the skate world, particularly the filming and editing that went into making videos. His horizon for music grew as he watched more videos and learned about the different genres of music that were used. He became engulfed in this world where it was acceptable for a video to have a smooth jazz song, followed by a reggae song or even a thrash metal song. Every kind of music, as well as any kind of person was accepted, and this is a major key of what drew Daniel into the skateboarding world. Daniel also has a background in singing; he took vocal lessons in middle school and performed with his choir at Disney World in 2008.
After graduating from Sprayberry High School in 2012, Daniel enrolled in Kennesaw State University. He earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Communication with a focus in Media Studies in 2017 and took classes such as “Rock and Roll History,” where he was encouraged to attend Jazz ensembles for extra credit. This encouraged Daniel to learn more formal applications of music theory, as well as following his passions for the music he loved to play.
Besides working with Atlanta Music Education, Daniel teaches After School Guitar Club to Elementary School students. He teaches classes of up to 15 students who go through a semester-long curriculum. Daniel’s passion for teaching began from teaching younger children how to skateboard, as well as teaching fellow friends and his younger brother how to play guitar. He takes a very fun approach to teaching guitar and creates a low-pressure environment where students can learn at their own pace, as well as encouraging students to pull from their own musical inspiration. One of Daniel’s strengths is his ability to adapt to any student’s taste of music, mostly because of his versatile influences that he has gathered over the years.
Outside of music, Daniel has worked in the film industry for numerous years now on projects that have been released on HBO Max and has even released his own independent projects in theaters. He continues to skateboard and create skateboard films, all while pursuing his own hobbies including basketball and tennis. One of Daniel’s favorite superheroes is Spiderman and he loves playing the Spiderman video games, along with games like Mario and Sonic. He has a Black Lab/ Golden Retriever Dog named ‘LadyBird’ and has recently adopted a cat named ‘Brick.’
Mr. Daniel is now accepting in-person and online lessons.
Melina Welch
Violin, Guitar, and Voice
Born in Guyana in the Caribbean and raised in Atlanta, Melina brings a rich blend of cultural influence and local musical community into her work as both a performer and educator. She is a multi-instrumentalist with over 12 years of experience in violin, guitar, and voice, and is currently pursuing her studies at Oglethorpe University, where she is set to graduate in 2029.
Melina’s musical journey began in elementary school orchestra and has continued through her involvement in a variety of collegiate and professional music organizations. She has participated in programs and ensembles with the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra (ASO), Georgia State University String Day, Kennesaw State University Orchestra, and the Oglethorpe University Symphony. Her performance experience spans a wide range of venues, including Zoo Atlanta, the Atlanta Botanical Garden, the Georgia Aquarium, and community and private events throughout the Atlanta area.
As an educator, Melina is known for her supportive, patient, and encouraging teaching style. She focuses on meeting students where they are, helping them build strong technical foundations, confidence, and a genuine love for music. Whether working with beginners or more advanced students, she strives to create lessons that are both structured and engaging, so students feel motivated and proud of their progress.
Outside of teaching and performing, Melina enjoys reading and writing poetry, traveling, and spending time in nature. Her all-time favorite movie is The Princess and the Frog, and she loves finding creative ways to bring storytelling and imagination into her musical world.
Ms. Melina is now accepting in-person and online students.
Noa Freeman
Piano and Voice
Noa Freeman is beyond excited to join the AME team! An Atlanta native through and through, Noa has called many parts of the city home. She’s been singing since the age of three and grew up surrounded by music—her father is a producer and musician, her mother is a multi-talented fine artist, and her sisters are also pursuing careers in music. Learning by ear, Noa picked up piano and guitar before later mastering sheet music in public school.
Noa draws inspiration from artists like Sabrina Carpenter, Ariana Grande, Justin Bieber, Jazmine Sullivan, SZA, Tate McRae, Lucky Daye, and Amelia Moore. Teaching comes naturally to her—she’s spent years helping her little sister with piano and tutoring classmates in music theory. Noa is known for her bubbly, passionate, and kindhearted personality, making her a favorite among students and peers alike!
From starring in school musicals to leading choir performances and rocking solo sets at school events, Noa has always thrived in the spotlight. Her passion for performance led her to pursue a career as an R&B/pop artist and music educator. She is currently finishing her degree in Music Education at Georgia State University and jumps at any opportunity to perform—whether it’s talent shows, festivals, parties, or intimate gatherings.
Beyond music, Noa is a dedicated fan of cartoons and anime. She loves hosting costume parties, attending events like Dragon Con, and dressing up as her favorite characters. In her free time, she enjoys photography, hanging out with friends, going to concerts, and being involved in church events at Victory Midtown.
Noa can’t wait to share her love of music with the AME community and inspire the next generation of musicians!
Ms. Noa is now accepting online and in person students
Ryan Siegel
Guitar, Ukulele, and Beginner Piano
Ryan is a guitarist, pianist, and educator who brings formal training and real-world performance experience into every lesson. He earned his Bachelor of Fine Arts from the University of Florida and has appeared on stage at the Alliance Theatre as well as in various TV shows and films, strengthening his foundation in live performance, confidence-building, and expressive storytelling through music.
Music has always been a central part of Ryan’s life—he can’t remember a time when a song wasn’t stuck in his head. With a family that encouraged creativity and performance, he picked up his first guitar in high school and never put it down. He draws inspiration from artists like Noah Kahan and John Mayer and enjoys exploring music across a wide range of genres.
As an educator, Ryan teaches guitar, piano, and ukulele, focusing on building strong technical skills while helping students develop confidence and their own musical voice. He tailors each lesson to the student’s individual goals, learning style, and musical tastes, creating a supportive and engaging environment for both beginners and more advanced players.
Ryan performs regularly around Atlanta at venues such as Smith’s Olde Bar, Virginia Highland Porchfest, and various local restaurants and community events, allowing students to learn from an active, working musician who understands what it means to perform live.
Outside of music, Ryan enjoys hiking, camping, reading, gaming, yo-yoing, and going to the movies. He brings his creativity, energy, and love of performance into every lesson—helping students grow while having fun along the way.
Mr. Ryan is now accepting in-person and online students.
Ben Dawson
Clarinet, Euphonium, Baritone, Trombone, French Horn, Trumpet, Saxophone, Flute, Tuba, Piano, Voice, and Composition
Atlanta-native Ben Dawson is a Trombone/Euphonium player with 14 years of both classical and jazz performance experience. From a young age Ben has been an avid gamer and lover of musicals and credits video game music as the driving force behind his love for music. After learning Euphonium and Trombone in middle school, Ben picked up the Tuba in high school where he served as a section leader and Dunwoody High’s Drum Major.
Mr. Ben holds a bachelor’s degree in Music Composition from the University of Missouri-Columbia where he studied voice, composition, and Euphonium as well as played in many of the school’s different ensembles including choirs, jazz band, and Marching Mizzou, the university’s marching band. In 2019, he was commissioned to write The Hunter’s Dream for the Amon Carter Museum of American Art. In 2020, he was commissioned by The Sheldon Concert Hall | Saint Louis to write a piece for French horn and piano, God of Doors. Ben loves musicals and before returning home to Georgia enjoyed playing in his community theatre’s productions. In the summer of 2019 he even conducted Columbia Entertainment Company’s run of Hairspray as Orchestra Director.
As an educator, Mr. Ben’s teaching is based around the intersectionality of music theory, performance technique, and auditory skills. Whether you’re learning how to read notes, how to identify a V chord, or taking composition lessons, we will touch on aspects of solfege, interval training, and keyboard competency. As a proponent of catered teaching, Mr. Ben devises custom lesson plans and teaching strategies based on what and how the student wishes to learn.
Mr. Ben’s especially enjoy learning from his unique experiences as a full time published composer and enjoy having lessons in digital music production and modern approaches to composition. You can join his monthly studio class Mr. Ben’s Music Help Hotline to ask questions about his life as a composer and get tips on the latest digital programming out there.
In his free time, Ben enjoys playing video games, watching audio production videos on YouTube, and studying Japanese.
Mr. Ben is currently accepting online and in-person students and specializes in teen and adult musicians.
Jennifer Nicholas
Piano, Violin, and Voice
Originally from Florida, Jennifer Nicholas is a licensed teacher with a deep passion for music education. She has taught music since high school and earned a Master of Science in Education from Johns Hopkins University in 2020. Ms. Jennifer began learning piano in the classical tradition at five and started learning violin in Palm Beach Atlantic University’s Preparatory Program under Renata Guitart at seven. Throughout her middle school years, Ms. Jennifer began playing violin for the Treasure Coast Youth Symphony and pursued voice and theater with various programs that sparked her lifelong love of musical theater. Her favorite musicals range from recent hits like Hadestown and Pierre, Natasha and the Great Comet of 1812 to Sondheim classics Company and Sunday in the Park with George.
Ms. Jennifer is passionate about community-based arts outreach and remained highly involved in local organizations while pursuing B.A.’s in History and Anthropology at the University of Florida. She continued to perform and teach violin and piano with Arts in Health, played Princess Merida for Royal for a Reason, and acted and directed with the local Shakespeare in the Park. Her favorite Shakespeare roles were Cassandra (Troilus & Cressida) and Juliet (Romeo & Juliet).
Ms. Jennifer first taught piano and violin as a high schooler at music studios in her hometown of Stuart, FL. She has taught music in elite sleepaway summer camps, local summer camps, in-home, in-studio, and in groups. Her experience teaching the arts led her into the public schools, where her experience ranges from Title 1 to award-winning charters. She is a Teach for America-Baltimore 2018 alumnus and most recently served as the Program Director for St. Petersburg College’s Collegiate High School in Tarpon Springs, FL. She loves helping students realize their goals and build lasting and transferable skills.
Ms. Jennifer loves to travel and has been to 30 countries and 35 states. She is currently working towards the goal of visiting all 63 national parks. She also scrapbooks and loves spending time with her dog, Barksdale.
Ms. Jennifer is on a waitlist for online and in-person students.
Alexandra Watson
Piano, Acting, and Voice
Alexandra Watson is thrilled to bring her passion for performance and teaching to the AME community! A classically trained soprano, Alexandra has enchanted audiences across the country with her expressive voice and vibrant stage presence. Born in the Mountain West and now calling Atlanta home, she has appeared in a wide range of roles—from the charming princess Pamina in The Magic Flute to the beloved Liesl in The Sound of Music.
Alexandra holds a Master of Music in Vocal Performance from Georgia State University and a Bachelor of Music in Vocal Performance from Reinhardt University. She has graced the stages of the Atlanta Opera, Capitol City Opera, and Utah Opera, and was most recently recognized with an Encouragement Award in the 2024 Metropolitan Opera Laffont Competition. A standout both in solo and ensemble work, she’s performed in productions including Verdi’s Macbeth, Die Zauberflöte, Ned Rorem’s Our Town, Le nozze di Figaro, La serva padrona, and Susannah.
An enthusiastic and warm-hearted educator, Alexandra loves working with students of all ages to nurture their unique musical voices. Her training includes masterclasses with world-renowned artists such as Kathryn Lewek and Arlene Shrut, and she continues to study under the guidance of esteemed voice teachers and coaches.
When she’s not teaching or performing, Alexandra enjoys exploring Atlanta’s art and food scene, diving into a good book, playing Dungeons & Dragons, hiking in the north Georgia mountains, and scouring Goodwill for her next thrift find. Although a lover of opera, Alexandra also enjoys jamming out to music by Chappell Roan, Sabrina Carpenter, and Ariana Grande. She’s passionate about creating a positive, encouraging space for students and can’t wait to help the next generation fall in love with music!
Ms. Alexandra is currently on a waitlist for online and in-person lessons.
Katie Shin
Piano, Early Music Education, Ukulele and Violin
Ms. Katie is a senior at Emory University double majoring in Violin Music Performance and Neuroscience and Behavioral Biology. She is a Liberal Arts Music Scholar and was given a scholarship to attend Emory based on musical merit.
Hailing from Auburn, Katie started her musical journey at the age of 5, learning both piano and violin. She continued her studies in violin throughout her childhood, participating in local county orchestras in Gwinnett every year throughout middle school. Katie was a devoted member of the Emory Youth Symphony Orchestra throughout high school, became a finalist for the Georgia Governor’s Honors Program for music, and was selected to attend GMEA’s All-State Orchestra multiple times.
Currently, Katie performs in the Emory University Symphony Orchestra and serves as their work-study orchestral manager. Her current professor is Jessica Wu of the Vega Quartet. Katie has had the pleasure to perform for many acclaimed musicians such as Peter Winograd of the American String Quartet and Justin Bruns, the Assistant Concertmaster of ASO. When not performing in an orchestra, you can find Katie playing the violin at the City of Atlanta’s 4th of July celebration, Universal Studios’ production sets, and many other unique places!
At Emory, Katie enjoys combining her love for music, neuroscience, and helping children through her clinical research. As a senior research assistant of the Baby Brain Optimization Project Lab in the School of Medicine, Katie is a part of multiple research studies that utilize music therapy and cognition to help improve motor & developmental outcomes for children of all ages.
As a teacher, Katie has been teaching private lessons to students of all ages for many years. She enjoys using fun and innovative approaches to teaching music that caters to the uniqueness of each of her students. Her ultimate goal as an educator is to instill confidence, form a solid musical foundation, and create performers that share her unyielding love of music.
In her free time, Katie enjoys crafting, and restoring typewriters, exploring Atlanta’s restaurants cafes, and playing with her dog, Benedict.
Ms. Katie is currently on a waitlist for lessons.
Victoria Gendron
Online Violin, Viola, and Piano
Victoria is a graduate of Emory University with a Double Major in Violin Performance and plans to major in Music Performance and Business. She has been teaching one-on-one lessons for over six years, and has a passion for teaching other strings and piano lovers!
Victoria was one of twelve individuals selected worldwide to attend BUTI’s Violin Workshop 2018, and was also selected for Curtis Institute’s Summerfest and Interlochen’s Summer Violin Institute. She has performed in master classes with many renowned musicians, such as Midori Goto, Robert McDuffie, Vienna Philharmonic members, and Chicago Symphony members.
Victoria is now a member of the Symphony Orchestra at Emory where she has been awarded Associate Concertmaster and Principal 2nd Violin for the Spring 2021 season, and has received 1st place in the Southwest Florida Symphony Society Scholarship Competition.
As an educator, Ms. Victoria’s students enjoy a well rounded curriculum whether they are young or experienced in music. With her strings background and foundation of piano skills, she enjoys bringing a unique perspective to the Atlanta Music Education team in her lesson plans.
Ms. Victoria’s favorite teaching moments include hosting her Lion King Studio Class in Spring 2022 where students worked on rhythm, movement and heard a performance on live violin and she’s looking forward to hosting her new Music Drawing class combining both music with art for a fun studio class.
Ms. Victoria is currently on a waitlist for online and in-person lessons.
Shelsy Tity
Substitute Teacher for Piano, Voice, Acting, Dance
Shelsy is happy to join the AME team! She’s a Philly native making strides in the Atlanta performing arts world. From a young age, Shelsy was engulfed in all things music. Choir was her way to feed into her curiosity of the magical world of music. Orchestral music was her first love- starting with the clarinet at age of 9 then transitioning to the world of percussion. By age 11 she found her way to the glockenspiel- mastering the art of speed and maintaining resonance within the different bell sounds. During high school, Shelsy was inducted into the Tri-Music Honor Society through her many years of musical involvement – vocally in two different singing groups, liturgical handbells, and general ensemble; where she was introduced to even more percussion instruments. This was also where she got her start on stage performing for various musicals and dramas.
Performing arts is where Shelsy thrives! She was bitten by the theatre bug at a young age and never looked back. Honing her skills through dance during college – Shelsy made it her mission to learn all she could in order to be a better performer in the future. She loves golden age musicals- specifically anything with a heavy jazz sound. You may have seen Shelsy locally in some recent works throughout Atlanta and neighboring areas. Some past credits include Cabaret as Sally Bowles, Escape to Margaritavilla as Marley, Drowsy Chaperone as Trix the Aviatrix, and Once Upon A Mattress as Jester.
Today you can find Shelsy heavily involved in the art industry within the Philadelphia, ATL, and NYC areas. She is a designer, actress, dancer, and model; and is always finding new ways to give back to the community. You can find some of her recent works featured in Shoutout Atlanta & Sarze magazines – as well as local Atlanta nominations for Best Costume Design & Best Performer. Shelsy is super excited to continue to share her gifts with the public! Over the last few years she has begun teaching the next generation of actors and dancers in Metro Atlanta schools and afterschool programs. Although Shelsy’s love for performing started on a musical level, she has mastered many different fields in the artistic world! She graduated from Philadelphia University – now known as Jefferson – with a B.S. in Fashion Design. Post-graduation she launched her own couture Evening Wear line called Jéan T.t., which is inspired by her Haitian roots.
Ms. Shelsy is a substitute for in-person and online lessons.
Joi Richardson
Substitute teacher of Voice, Musical Theatre and Piano
Joi is a dedicated music educator who brings a wealth of professional experience to her students. With a background in classical vocal performance, she understands firsthand the discipline, creativity, and passion required to succeed as a musician. She earned her Bachelor of Music in Vocal Performance from Converse University and is currently pursuing her Master’s degree at Georgia State University. Her extensive performance career, including roles such as Frasquita in Carmen and Voluptua in La Pizza con Fuhgni, informs her teaching style, allowing her to guide students with both technical expertise and real-world insight.
As a passionate instructor, Joi finds joy in helping students discover their own musical potential. She is excited to be a part of Atlanta Music Education as a substitute teacher, where she fosters a supportive learning environment for students of all levels. She especially loves working with beginners in piano and voice, helping them build confidence, develop foundational skills, and find their own artistic expression. Through her teaching, she strives to inspire a love for music while equipping students with the tools they need to grow as musicians.
Ms. Joi is a substitute teacher for online and in-person lessons.
Magda Roub
Substitute Teacher of Voice, Piano, and Ukulele
Magda Roub is a graduate of Valdosta State University, where she received a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in Theatre, with a concentration in musical theatre. She has been singing, acting, and making music since before she could talk, and specializes in the musical theatre and pop styles of singing. Some of her favorite credits at Valdosta State include Agatha (Guys & Dolls), Beatrice and Ms. Violet Balfour (The Mystery of Edwin Drood), and Tantomile (Cats). She also served as the vocal captain for several musicals and cabarets during her time at VSU, assisting the music director.
Ms. Magda moved to the Atlanta area in May, and was working as a performer at the World of Coca-Cola for their 2021 summer, Fantastic Halloween, and Magical Holiday seasons. Other career highlights include her time working as a box office treasurer for Peach State Summer Theatre in Valdosta, Georgia, playing Little Miss Muffett at Stone Mountain Park’s PumpkinFest, and working as a performer at Wild Adventures Theme Park. At Wild Adventures, she performed in their children’s Halloween shows in 2018 and in their live nativity musical in 2020 as Mary.
Ms. Magda’s students always leave her lessons with a sense of confidence, knowing they are learning and growing their skills. Ms. Magda firmly believes that music lessons are for the student and teacher to work together to learn about the student’s abilities, and she is here to guide your student through learning their instrument with an individualized lesson plan that will help them learn best.
In her free time, Ms. Magda loves to spend time with her cat, named Freddie Mercury, or play Animal Crossing on her Nintendo Switch. She can also frequently be seen watching Disney movies like Frozen and Frozen 2, or exploring the Harry Potter universe through books, movies, or the Lego Harry Potter video games (she’s a Hufflepuff, btw).
Ms. Magda is a substitute for online students only.
Kayla Lynn
Administrative Intern
Kayla Lynn is a music education intern from Sandy Springs, GA with a passion for music, having played guitar and written songs for years. Kayla is an incoming student at the University of Georgia, planning on studying Psychology and Music Business. Through her internship, she is exploring the behind-the-scenes side of music education and supporting teachers in helping students discover their own musical identity. Kayla’s dedication to accessibility and creative expression led her to found Atlanta’s chapter of Sound Sites, an immersive project providing better audio descriptions for the blind community, and she currently serves as president of her local Committee of the Arts, where she works to bring arts opportunities to her community. As a writer, Kayla draws inspiration from her love of live music, and she enjoys spending time with her cat, Willie.
Emily Hilton
Administrative Intern
Emily Hilton is a pianist and music education intern from Bonaire, GA with a lifelong passion for expressive playing and thoughtful musicianship. She began piano studies at the age of seven and later studied with renowned teacher Yoshie Akimoto, whose mentorship helped shape her approach as both a performer and educator. Emily pursued piano performance studies at Brigham Young University and holds the Associate of The Royal Conservatory (ARCT) designation from the Royal Conservatory of Music. She is currently pursuing an ARCT in Advanced Pedagogy as well as a Master of Arts in Music at Wesleyan College. Through her internship with Atlanta Music Education, Emily is excited to collaborate with fellow educators, support students and families, and contribute to a community dedicated to joyful, high-quality music learning.
Atlanta Music Education 