FACULTY ROSTER

ELIZABETH ALVAREZ received her Bachelor's degree with honors from Indiana University and later earned a Masters of Music in Music Theory. Her major teachers and mentors include Yuval Yaron, Dr. Charles Knox, Dr. Susan Tepping, and Oliver Steiner. An avid chamber musician, Elizabeth is a founding member and co-director of the Kazanetti String Quartet, and is the second violinist of the Miles Road Quartet, which is a seasonal string quartet that performs in Vermont and Maine. She also performs with orchestras and chamber groups throughout the southeast as both violinist and violist. Elizabeth teaches violin & viola, music theory, and coaches chamber music. In recent years, she has focused her energies on orchestration and was appointed Artist-in Residence at Wildacres Retreat (NC). In addition, she was awarded a Fulton County Arts Council Fellowship, and named a Fellow at The Hambidge Center for Creative Arts and Sciences (GA).

GEORGE BUTLER is a graduate of the College-Conservatory of Music at the University of Cincinnati and studied at the Westminster Choir College.While a student at the famed College-Conservatory he was principal cellist of conservatory orchestras for three years. He went on to earn his Bachelor of Performing Arts degree at the College-Conservatory, studying with renowned cellists Arthur Bowen and Lynn Harrell. In addition, he received instruction in chamber music from members of the distinguished LaSalle Quartet. George is retired as Director of Private Lessons for The Lovett School in Atlanta.  Besides performing as a cellist for the Kazanetti String Quartet, he is the Minister of Music at St. John United Methodist Church in Atlanta where he directs the St. John Sunday Concert Series.

JENNIFER SERSAW began playing the violin at the age of 9. She was a member of the Metropolitan Youth Symphony Orchestra and furthered her studies as a violin performance major at the University of North Carolina Greensboro School of Music. She has studied with Blair Jackson formerly with the Virginia Symphony, Lori Guidi with Gwinnett County schools and Frank Walton of the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra. She is currently working on a degree in Music Business Administration. 

Over the years, Jennifer has been a member of various symphony orchestras, quartets, quintets, and other groups. She has performed with song artists such as Michael W. Smith and Amy Grant. Jennifer has served with the Augusta Symphony, Gwinnett Symphony, and the Georgia Symphony Orchestra. Jennifer also plays with various area churches for special events. Jennifer is currently the concert master for the First Redeemer Church Orchestra.

MANDI CROSBY holds a Bachelor’s degree from the University of North Texas where she studied with Philip Lewis and performed in the Symphony Orchestra under the direction of Anshel Brusilow. As a freelance violinist, her experience includes countless weddings, worship at Atlanta area churches and performing with prominent musicians at the Fox Theatre, Gas South Arena and Coca-Cola Roxy, among others. Mandi currently works on staff at First Redeemer Church, serving with the Contemporary Worship band and assisting the Young Adult and Contemporary Worship pastor. For over 20 years Mandi has loved teaching private and group violin lessons. She is the founder of Woodstock Strings, as well as a former teacher with Atlanta’s Suzuki Talent Education Program. Certified in the Suzuki violin method, her focus is on developing a student’s technique and ear in tandem with music reading. Her philosophy is that anyone can learn the violin, no matter their age.

JERROD BALL is an experienced performer, private violin teacher and clinician. His most important passion is giving glory to the Lord through music. Jerrod began studying violin in middle school when violin, string music and classical music in general became the love of his life (before getting married). As a student while receiving private instruction from Roland Huthmaker, he participated in the Georgia All State Orchestras, the Atlanta Symphony Youth Orchestra, and the Georgia Governor's Honors program in 1999.  As a violin performance major at Stetson University, Jerrod received instruction from Beth Newdome and Routa Kroumovitch and began offering private violin lessons of his own.

Presently, Jerrod enjoys performing with the North Georgia Chamber Symphony, First Redeemer Orchestra and numerous churches, weddings, non-profit events and other events throughout Georgia - as soloist or in chamber groups. He enjoys visiting local schools to offer violin sectionals. He has recently enjoyed playing the U.S. national anthem at professional hockey and baseball events. His most important belief is that his passion for sharing a love of music and music education begins and ends with Christ Jesus and Father God.

VENUS PARKER holds Master’s degrees in both Violin Performance and Music Education from Georgia State University, where she studied with Professor Oliver Steiner, a graduate of the Manhattan School of Music. Venus is a former school orchestra director in the Gwinnett County School District who also has over 30 years of private teaching experience. She has performed with many orchestras in the southeast including Pensacola Symphony Orchestra, Columbus Symphony Orchestra, and the Atlanta Pops Orchestra.  She has also had the pleasure of performing with Ray Charles, Barry White, the Moody Blues, and many other popular singers and bands during her freelancing career.  

Ms. Parker is fluent in English and Spanish. She is passionate about sharing her knowledge of music to students eager to learn about the blessings that God has for them.

COURTNEY WHITLOCK   has been playing and studying music since she was 7 years old. Over the years she has had numerous experiences going to All-State choir, District Band on flute and All-State band on flute. In addition to flute and voice she has also studied piano, saxophone, drum set and guitar. She graduated with a Bachelor in Music Education from Reinhardt University. She has also been teaching private music lessons and music classes since 2009. She is passionate about fostering the joy of learning in students of all ages. She values the emotional and cognitive benefits of learning music and loves being able to provide the opportunity for that type of growth to others.

JAMES EXCELL received his Bachelor of Music Performance in Flute, Music Education and his Master in Music Education from Reinhardt University in Waleska, GA. graduating Cum Laude. He was inducted into Pi Kappa Lambda in 2012, The National Music Honor Society. He taught in the Gwinnett County Public Schools as a music teacher substitute and was on staff at the Newton County Theme School serving as the Middle School Band Director.  In addition, he sings tenor in the St. Brigid Traditional Choir, plays Tenor Saxophone in the Georgia Wind Symphony and was previously a member of the Johns Creek Pit Orchestra as a woodwind player. Mr. Excell aspires to be a great teacher, as well as an arranger/composer in the Atlanta area.

CHRIS MORSE  grew up in the Boston area where he began playing clarinet in the 6thgrade and saxophone in high school.   He studied with Terry Anthony and Pat Principe from Boston Conservatory and played in Massachusetts Southeastern District Bands and All State bands while in High School.  He auditioned for “America’s Youth in Concert” and was selected to travel with the symphonic band in Europe for 6 weeks.

Chris attended Northeastern University obtaining a bachelor’s degree in chemical engineering.  While at Northeastern, he played with the wind symphony and in the New England Intercollegiate Band Festival under the direction of H. Robert Reynolds.  Chris has played with several groups in the Boston area including The Parkway Symphony Orchestra and the Met Winds (formerly the Metropolitan Wind Symphony).

Chris currently plays with the Atlanta Wind Symphony.   Chris along with his wife Paula are active members at First Redeemer Church and both play in the church orchestra.

MILES GRIFFITHS began his musical career in Southern California when he was in the 6th grade playing clarinet. He later studied music at Los Angles Valley College and took private lessons with Henry Gruen, Ben Kantor and Don Menza. He began playing Alto saxophone in High School, later adding Soprano and Tenor Sax, then flute. He was a member of the Southern California based Royal Cavaliers Youth Band from 1968-1972. He has played in concert bands, marching bands, jazz bands, combos, show bands, and Dixieland bands to include the Young Americans, Dennis Dean and the Touch of Class, Duane Eddy, Mary Wells, The Drifters, and The Catalinas just to name a few. In 1982 he entered the United States Army as an Army Bandsman completing all levels of musical training at the Army School of Music in Little Creek, Virginia. This gave him the opportunity to play in numerous types of groups, in many places around the world. He retired from the Army after 30+ years of service, and is currently a freelance musician. He is a member of the Georgia State Defense Force Band, The Still Swinging Big Band and plays with the orchestra at First Redeemer Church. He began giving private lessons at John Combs Music in Van Nuys, California in 1973, and has continued to teach in many various locations while serving in the Army. 

Mr. Griffiths is available to give instruction on clarinet, flute, and saxophones – soprano, alto, and tenor. He has spent many years educating and developing woodwind players of all ages, so whether you are new to the instrument or looking to take your skills to the next level, he can help you get there!

DAWN HAYDEN   is a graduate of Oral Roberts University with a Bachelor Degree in Music Education. Mrs. Hayden has been giving music lessons for piano and band instruments for over 20 years and has always enjoyed sharing her love of music with her students. She is a co-founder of Christian Fine Arts of Forsyth, in addition to being an instructor at Horizon Christian Academy and the Music Conservatory at First Redeemer. Mrs. Hayden has students perform in Georgia’s Allstate Band and Chorus, as well as her piano students receiving superior ratings in the GMEA and FRC Piano Festivals. “I enjoy all of the aspects of music education and love to see my students succeed and be challenged to be the best they can be.”

DAVE MCCURLEY  is a freelance French horn player who studied at Florida State University, graduating with a Bachelor of Music Education degree. Mr. McCurley plays the Horn in the First Redeemer Orchestra The Johns Creek Symphony Orchestra and other groups around Johns Creek. He has played numerous musicals including more than ninety performances of “Les Miserables” and more than forty performances of Disney’s “Mary Poppins” as well as lesser numbers of other shows. While Mr. McCurley has performed a lot of “classical” music and musical theatre, He loves the message of Christian music and hopes to continue participation in groups that present Christian music for many years to come, as well as encourage young musicians to embrace and enjoy Christian music. 

TIM HOWARD  served as Band Director at The Westminster Schools in Atlanta, Georgia for 24 years, and has over 40 years experience in the field of percussion education. Mr. Howard attended Jacksonville State University. After moving to Atlanta, he continued his career at Georgia State University where he studied percussion with Jack Bell, Paul Yancich, Robbie Coleman and numerous others. Mr. Howard has worked as an independent percussion consultant.  He maintains a private teaching studio, and teaches clinics and master classes at numerous schools throughout north Georgia.  Mr. Howard is an active member of First Redeemer Church where he currently serves as timpanist and general percussionist in the church orchestra.  He is also the founder and current CEO of Percussion Technologies Inc., a regional percussion design and consultation firm. His professional affiliations include MENC, GMEA, and PAS.

LARRY BULLA has a passion for music and has been blessed with a vibrant musical background. Beginning at eight years old, he studied piano, organ, and later, guitar—growing these skills as a church musician along the way.  While pursuing his college education in music and pastoral studies, he also acquired proficiency in banjo and mandolin. He has played extensively in various venues throughout the United States, ranging from sacred to secular – including churches and weddings, an Atlanta stadium with 250 bluegrass banjo, and various productions and church orchestras. Mr. Bulla has taught in two music conservatories in the greater Atlanta area over the past 18 years. He instructs acoustic, electric, and classical guitars; mandolin, 5-string banjo, and ukulele–all musical styles and forms. His students range in ages from 6 years old to 85. Mr. Bulla desires to teach his students both to be skilled players of excellence and to fulfill their greatest musical potential and calling. While tapping his students’ musical interests and genres, he instills in his pupils a solid foundation in technique, weaving the technical aspect of music with the students’ joys and passions. Several of his students have gone into the performance sectors, playing in bands, and serving as worship leaders and songwriters.

BETHANY ATKINSON  is a graduate of Piedmont College, graduating Magna Cum Laude with a Bachelor’s in Church Music and a Master’s of Art in Music Education. She majored in voice, studying with Dr. Barbara Steinhaus, and minored in piano, studying with Dr. Phillip Hayner. She has taught both in the classroom and privately in the metro Atlanta area for 15 years. She has played music around the country with some incredible talent, such as contestants on The Voice, American Idol, and Grammy and Dove award winning artists to name a few. She and her husband Ryan play music across the Southeast with their acoustic duo. Bethany teaches the fundamentals of music in a fun way that helps students learn on their own instead of merely listening and repeating. She teaches a wide variety of genres and focuses both on reading music and developing listening skills.

BECKY BULLA   studied in the Music Conservatory of Biola University in California, majoring in piano pedagogy and minoring in voice.  She began teaching piano while in high school and has taught in California, Colorado, Kansas City and in the greater Atlanta area with First Redeemer Music Conservatory since its early years. Mrs. Bulla has been a church pianist and organist since her teens and she has traveled with both national and international music groups as a singer and performer.  She has also directed children’s choirs, women’s ensembles and played in special productions and orchestras. Mrs. Bulla thoroughly enjoys teaching piano and desires to inspire her students to appreciate their gifts of piano playing, to increase their desires to learn and to encourage them to become the very best they can be.

developed a love of music at a very early age by learning to carry the tune of “Jesus Loves Me” before learning to talk After taking private piano lessons from age 7 through high school, she received a piano scholarship to attend Wesleyan College in Macon, Georgia. There she earned a Bachelor of Arts Degree with a double major in music and business. Piano was her primary instrument with voice as secondary. After teaching several years of piano and volunteering in the children’s music ministry at church, she accepted the position of FRC Children’s Music Director.at First Redeemer Church. She served at First Redeemer for 20 years. Lynette’s passion is developing the love of music in the hearts of children.    

DAWN HAYDEN   is a graduate of Oral Roberts University with a Bachelor Degree in Music Education. Mrs. Hayden has been giving music lessons for piano and band instruments for over 20 years and has always enjoyed sharing her love of music with her students. She is a co-founder of Christian Fine Arts of Forsyth, in addition to being an instructor at Horizon Christian Academy and the Music Conservatory at First Redeemer. Mrs. Hayden has students perform in Georgia’s Allstate Band and Chorus, as well as her piano students receiving superior ratings in the GMEA and FRC Piano Festivals. “I enjoy all of the aspects of music education and love to see my students succeed and be challenged to be the best they can be.”

JILL HACKNEY teaches music so that songs and the art of singing and playing them will be passed down to the next generation. As her parents before her, she believes it is important to do this with care, love, and skill. She graduated from Cal State Fullerton earning a Bachelor of Music in piano performance, all the while teaching piano in the greater Orange County area.  In addition, she earned a Bachelor of Science in Music Education and began teaching for Forsyth County Schools in 2006. While teaching elementary music and directing chorus, she continued her studies at Boston University and earned a Master of Music in Music Education. She went on to complete trainings in Orff and Kodaly. In addition to teaching Piano Lessons in the FRC Conservatory of Music & Fine Art, Jill is serving as the First Redeemer Church Director of Kids' Choirs..  

JULIE SANSALONE   specializes in customizing a piano program for each student based on his or her individual musical interests and abilities. Julie received a Bachelor of Art degree in Music Education from Coastal Carolina University where she was an assistant music professor. She was an executive board member of the NCMTA and a member of the North Fulton Music Teachers Association. Julie has over 22 years teaching experience and teaches all ages. Julie is classically trained, but wants students to enjoy what they play. Specific pieces may be taught at the student’s request. Her objective is to teach students how to practice correctly while introducing elements such as theory and practice techniques with a variety of different styles of music.

COURTNEY WHITLOCK   has been playing and studying music since she was 7 years old. Over the years she has had numerous experiences going to All-State choir, District Band on flute and All-State band on flute. In addition to flute and voice she has also studied piano, saxophone, drum set and guitar. She graduated with a Bachelor in Music Education from Reinhardt University. She has also been teaching private music lessons and music classes since 2009. She is passionate about fostering the joy of learning in students of all ages. She values the emotional and cognitive benefits of learning music and loves being able to provide the opportunity for that type of growth to others.Description goes here

ALLISON SMITH has three degrees in music: a bachelor's from Oklahoma Baptist University, a master's from Southwestern Seminary and a doctorate from Southern Seminary. Her fourteen years of piano study include a piano minor from OBU, five years with a piano professor at Furman University, and a summer at the prestigious Brevard Music Institute. Professionally, Allison has served on the music staff of various churches and as a children's music specialist for a music publisher in Nashville. Her teaching experience includes college level voice and music theory. Currently, her passion is teaching private piano, specializing in beginning to intermediate level students.

CHRISTEN CLARK has over 10 years of experience as a private music instructor. She holds a Bachelor of Music Education from Liberty University and a Master’s degree in Christian Leadership from Dallas Theological Seminary. She is passionate about helping students discover their love for music and grow in confidence through musical instruction. Christen is also the creator and host of The Collide Kids Podcast  where she encourages kids and families to embrace God’s love and discover their purpose. Outside of teaching, she enjoys cooking, painting, singing in the church choir and beach trips with her family.

PATRICIA GRIFFITHS has been playing the piano and the flute since as early as 2nd grade. She was a member of the Southern California based Royal Cavaliers Youth Band, performing throughout the Western United Staes and Canada from 1968-1976. She earned her music degree at Los Angeles Valley College and California State University, Northridge, California.

Mrs. Griffiths performance experience includes Royal Cavaliers, Bethel Baptist Church, Community Bible Church, Rehoboth Baptist Church, Mount Zion Christian Academy and Mount Zion High School.  She began teaching piano in 1990 at the New Hope Performing Arts Academy in Fayetteville, GA. She has continued to teach in many of the various locations that she has lived with her now retired Army musician husband.

Mrs. Griffiths enjoys teaching all levels and styles of music, incorporating technique, theory, music history and musical artistry into each lesson.  While she likes to prepare her students for recitals because that experience creates goals and teaches them about poise and public performance, her real reward comes from working with them each week. A performance might last for three minutes, but the musical concepts a student learns through practice last for a lifetime, whether they continue with music study or pursue another field.  Her goal is to allow each student to enjoy their musical experiences and inspire them to seek and discover for themselves all the joys that music can bring.

ALLY HECK and her family have been at First Redeemer since 2013 where Ally has served in the large group worship in preschool and children’s ministry. She has been the high school drama director at Fideles Christian School and taught classes for middle and high school in communications and public speaking. She is also an actor in film and TV in the Atlanta area and has been in a few community theater shows including A Christmas Carol, Noises Off, and Sound of Music.  She studied Organizational Management at Tusculum College in Greenville, Tennessee and has held a position in the corporate world in customer service management.  Ally is excited to teach kids to shine for Jesus on and off the stage. Her favorite reminder is to be a light for Jesus in everything. John 1:5 The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.

DANIEL WILLIAMS has been involved with over 30 productions with Acting Up at First Redeemer Church since he started as a student back in 2017. Ever since he graduated high school in 2022, he’s been simultaneously studying at the University of North Georgia and has stuck around here to help as a Production Assistant. After many years of interning, Daniel is so excited to be the new Assistant Director here at Acting Up! Some of his favorite shows he’s taken part in putting on here are Newsies, Beauty and the Beast Jr., Mary Poppins, and Bye Bye Birdie. Daniel is so grateful for the incredible support he’s found here and can’t wait to help the next generation of performers become stars on the stage!

AUDREY NORTON is thrilled to return to Acting Up as the choreographer. She started performing in shows here in 2012, where she danced under the leadership of her Mother, Kim Norton. When Audrey left Acting up in 2021, she found her love for choreography when she worked with her mother on shows at North Forsyth High School. While there, they received recognition for their work in the 2023 Georgia High School Musical Theatre Awards. She is currently a student at the University of North Georgia, where she is pursuing a degree in computer science. She is excited to join the team, and cannot wait to nourish the students love for dance.