James Nelson
Senior Instructor - Guitar, Bass, & Ukulele
Ballantyne/Carmel Village (Monday/Tuesday) &
Indian Land (Wednesday)
Born in Charlotte and raised partly in Madison, West Virginia, James Nelson
discovered his direction as a musician at 13 after hearing Eddie Van Halen’s
“Eruption.” From early influences such as Chuck Berry and The Troggs, his
musical interests expanded into blues, funk, jazz, Southern rock, progressive
rock and heavy metal. His guitar influences include Joe Satriani, Eddie Van Halen,
Eric Johnson, Gary Moore, John Petrucci, Steve Vai, Guthrie Govan and David Gilmour. James has more than a decade of teaching experience with beginning through advanced musicians and an extensive professional performance background. He currently performs with the Rush tribute band Camera Eye and yacht-rock band Thurston Howell and is co-owner of Giant Spoon Productions. His relaxed, fun and goal-oriented teaching style makes him a strong fit for students who want practical music theory, serious skill development and lessons connected to the music they actually want to play.
Curtis Wingfield
Drum Instructor
Ballantyne/Carmel Village Studio (Tuesday)
Charlotte-based drummer and composer Curtis Wingfield brings an extensive
professional performing and teaching career to BSM. He received his first drum
kit at three and studied classical piano from four to 11 before turning his focus
to percussion, eventually serving as drumline captain in high school. Curtis
continued his music education at East Carolina University as a percussion
performance major with a concentration in jazz composition. Since moving to
Charlotte in 1999, he has built a career as an in-demand drummer, touring
nationally, performing with numerous bands and appearing in Drum and Modern
Drummer magazines. His career has included extensive work with Hipshack, 20 Ride, Southside Station and other touring and freelance projects, along with his own recording and composition work. Personable and relatable, Curtis is equally comfortable introducing a beginner to the drums or helping an experienced player develop at a high level.
Alexis Henn
Drum Instructor
Indian Land Studio (Monday)
Alexis Henn brings a unique perspective to teaching because she grew up
as a musician within Ballantyne School of Music itself. A BSM student for
four years, she has participated extensively in the Jam Session program as
a drummer and, more recently, as a guitarist. Her experience also includes
managing a young Jam Session band and working with BSM’s Kids Jam Band Camp and Kids Jam After School Club, giving her valuable experience helping younger musicians learn how to play both individually and as part of a band. Alexis combines strong playing and performance skills with a patient personality and is a particularly good match for young drummers who may benefit from learning from someone who understands firsthand the path from taking lessons to performing confidently onstage.
Simcha Goldwurm
Piano-Keyboard Instructor
Ballantyne/Carmel Village Studio (Monday/Wednesday)
Brooklyn native Simcha Goldwurm is a pianist, composer, producer and
educator whose musical interests range from classical and jazz to rock, R&B
and contemporary music. After receiving his first keyboard at eight, he served
as lead cantor at his synagogue during his teens and began formal classical
piano training at 17. Simcha earned a B.A. in Government from Cornell University, where he also studied piano and music theory, and later continued his piano studies with Joshua Kyan Aalanpour. His influences range from Beethoven, Chopin and Nina Simone to Steely Dan, AC/DC and Beyoncé, and he has collaborated with musicians in R&B, folk, indie and EDM. Also a high school social studies teacher and music production club leader, Simcha has a natural ability to connect with young learners and is particularly effective with beginning students who need an engaging, encouraging introduction to piano.
Devo Strickland
Drum Instructor
Indian Land Studio (Wednesday & Thursday)
Devo Strickland’s musical journey began at Ballantyne School of Music,
where he started taking drum lessons at approximately seven years old and
joined the Jam Session program as a drummer at nine. Now a high school
senior, Devo has spent years developing as both a drummer and band
performer and brings that firsthand experience into his own teaching. Because he has progressed through the same lesson and performance pathway many BSM students are beginning, Devo can relate especially well to younger musicians who want to develop the skills and confidence to play with other musicians and eventually perform onstage. He works with children, teens and adults and can guide drummers from foundational playing skills through advanced performance.
Amanda May Sanchez
Senior Instructor - Vocals
Ballantyne/Carmel Village (Wednesday/Saturday) &
Indian Land (Tuesday/Thursday)
Born in Westland, Michigan, and raised in Orlando, Florida, Amanda May
Sanchez grew up surrounded by a wide range of music and began playing
flute, singing and performing in church at an early age. By 11 she was taking
leading roles in school productions and later participated extensively in show
and concert choir, developing skills in music theory, sight-reading, ensemble
singing and stage performance. Her training emphasized not only vocal
technique but dedication, dynamics, stage presence and expressive performance. Amanda, who now lives in Indian Land and also holds a degree in nursing, approaches teaching as an opportunity to help students discover their individual strengths and develop an authentic voice. She is particularly effective with singers who need confidence, encouragement and a supportive teacher who can help them become comfortable sharing their voice in performance.
Briana DiMaria
Senior Instructor - Piano
Ballantyne/Carmel Village Location (Monday & Saturday)
Briana DiMaria showed an early ear for music, recreating melodies on the piano at four
and beginning formal lessons soon afterward. By seven she was playing Beethoven,
and her musical development eventually expanded to clarinet, marching band, jazz
band, percussion ensemble and South Carolina All-State Band. She was also selected to
perform in the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade with the Macy’s All-American Marching
Band. Briana majored in Music Performance at Winthrop University, where she studied
music theory and aural skills and performed with the university’s symphonic band and
wind symphony. With more than a decade of teaching experience, she continues to
perform as a clarinetist with the Carolina Wind Orchestra and Catawba River Winds. Briana works with beginning through highly advanced pianists and is an excellent choice for students who want strong musicianship, technical development and encouragement toward performance.
Madyn Cruz
Vocal Instructor
Ballantyne/Carmel Village Studio (Monday, Tuesday, & Thursday)
Charlotte native Madyn Cruz has formally studied voice since the age of
five, training in a variety of vocal styles and techniques while developing a
particular interest in harmony and collaborative performance. Her
influences span R&B and rock and include H.E.R., Lauryn Hill, SZA, Bruno
Mars, Evanescence, Flyleaf and Stone Temple Pilots. In addition to singing,
Madyn is an accomplished guitarist and pianist with a jazz background
and has performed as a lead guitarist and in pit orchestras for productions
such as Legally Blonde. She is active in Charlotte’s music scene and has
performed in BSM Jam Session bands as well as Glass Armor, a trio formed with BSM students. Madyn creates a supportive, encouraging lesson environment and is particularly well suited to students who want to build confidence, develop their individual musical identity and gain experience making music collaboratively with others.
Manuel Cabruja
Piano Instructor
Ballantyne/Carmel Village Studio (Thursday)
Born in Venezuela, Manny Cabruja brings a diverse musical perspective to
piano instruction shaped by Latin music, jazz, contemporary Christian
music and gospel. He is studying piano performance and audio engineering
at Central Piedmont Community College, with academic work that includes
advanced music theory, jazz harmony and ear training. Manny also serves as a worship leader and band director at Training Church in Charlotte, where he leads musicians through rehearsal and performance. His approach to music places a strong emphasis on rhythm, harmony, improvisation and understanding how music works, making him an excellent match for students interested in going beyond simply learning notes on the page. Manny teaches beginning through highly advanced piano students and speaks both English and Spanish, allowing him to work comfortably with families who prefer instruction or communication in either language.
Charles Trotter
Senior Instructor - Guitar, Bass, Piano-Keyboard & Ukulele
Indian Land Studio (Monday-Thursday)
A native Carolinian, Charles Trotter brings more than 20 years of private,
group and classroom music education experience to BSM. He holds a
bachelor’s degree from the University of South Carolina and has taught
students across classical, jazz, blues and rock styles. His educational
experience includes developing guitar programs at Charlotte Catholic High
School, Christ the King High School and the British International School of
Charlotte. Charles teaches guitar, bass, piano, ukulele, banjo and mandolin, making him one of BSM’s most versatile instructors. His playful, encouraging personality makes lessons approachable and enjoyable, and his extensive teaching background makes him a strong match for children, teens and adults who want an experienced educator capable of adapting to different ages, interests and learning styles.
Jake Rasbornik
Guitar & Piano-Keyboard Instructor
Ballantyne/Carmel Village Studio (Monday-Thursday)
Born and raised in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, Jake Rasbornik is a multi-instrumentalist
with approximately 20 years of playing and recording experience. His musical
background includes performing guitar and drums in blues, jazz, rock and church
bands, and in 2009 he attended Musicians Institute, where he focused primarily on
guitar and creating original music. Jake’s influences include Stevie Ray Vaughan,
jazz guitarist Chuck Loeb and his mother, vocalist Lynn Rasbornik. He brings a broad musical perspective to his guitar and piano students and enjoys sharing what he has learned while continuing to grow as a musician himself. Jake works with children, teens and adults and is a good fit for students who want to explore their own musical interests while developing a strong foundation on their instrument.
Eric Esposito
Senior Instructor - Guitar, Bass, Ukulele
Band Director - Jam Session (Saturdays)
Director of Active Adult Programs (Group Classes)
Indian Land Studio (Monday, Wednesday & Thursday)
Ballantyne/Carmel Village Studio (Tuesday)
Eric Esposito has taught guitar for more than 20 years and brings decades of
professional performance experience to his students at BSM. A jazz-trained musician with a particular love for rock and R&B, Eric earned his B.A. in Music Education and Performance from Five Towns College in New York. He has performed on guitar and bass with numerous bands in the New York City and Charlotte areas for more than 25 years and continues to perform throughout the East Coast. In addition to private instruction, Eric directs BSM Jam Session bands and our active-adult guitar programs. His patient teaching style and ability to make complicated musical concepts understandable make him an especially strong match for adults, developing musicians and students who want to understand not only what to play, but how and why music works.
Donna McPherson
Senior Instructor - Piano & Violin/Viola
Ballantyne/Carmel Village (Tuesday) &
Indian Land Studios (Monday/Wednesday/Thursday)
Donna McPherson has been immersed in music since childhood, studying
piano, violin and viola and performing with the East Carolina University
Symphony at just 13 years old. She later attended Governor’s School for viola
and continued performing in civic orchestra and chamber ensembles while
earning her B.A. from NC State. Her performance experience includes the
Johnson City Symphony in Tennessee and the Charlotte Civic Orchestra. Donna also homeschooled her four children for more than 23 years while teaching private piano, violin and viola lessons, giving her a particularly strong understanding of how children learn and how to communicate with families. Her musical interests range from Mozart, Beethoven and Tchaikovsky to fiddle music, hymns, Billy Joel, The Police and contemporary Christian music. Warm, caring and encouraging, Donna is an excellent match for students who thrive with a nurturing teacher who can develop both musicianship and confidence.
Abby Yarbrough
Senior Voice & Piano Instructor
Ballantyne/Carmel Village Studio (Thursday)
Abby Yarbrough grew up in Petaluma, California, before spending her
teenage years in Fairfax, Virginia, and later Pullman, Washington. The
daughter of two musical parents, she began singing and taking piano
lessons at a young age and went on to earn a B.A. in Music from
Washington State University, where she participated in choirs, operettas and musical theatre while also studying electronic music production and jazz composition. Her choral composition, I Walked Alone, was performed by the WSU Concert Choir in 2019, and after graduating that year, Abby began teaching voice and piano to students of all ages. A classically trained musician, she places particular emphasis on healthy vocal technique while encouraging students to explore a wide variety of musical styles, with influences ranging from Kacey Musgraves, Jhené Aiko and Stevie Wonder to Queen and The Chicks. Abby is returning to Ballantyne School of Music after taking a year away to begin her career as a middle school teacher. Kind, patient and personally invested in her students, she creates a welcoming environment where mistakes are treated as part of learning and has even been known to attend her students’ plays and performances outside of BSM to support them. Abby teaches voice from age eight through adult, including advanced singers, and piano from age six through the intermediate level, making her an especially strong fit for students who benefit from encouragement, personal connection and a teacher who understands how young people learn.
Shealee Cousino
Senior Voice and Violin Instructor
Indian Land Studio (Monday)
Shealee Cousino has been part of Ballantyne School of Music since 2013 and
brings a combination of teaching, songwriting, recording and performance
experience to her voice and violin students. An accomplished songwriter,
Shealee has recorded albums at the legendary Muscle Shoals Studio and
understands both the creative and technical sides of developing as a
musician. She is known for being exceptionally personable and relatable and takes a genuine interest in her students’ artistic development, often supporting their musical activities beyond their weekly lessons. Shealee works with beginning through highly advanced musicians and is an excellent fit for students who benefit from a teacher who combines high-level musical experience with encouragement, personal connection and a strong investment in helping them grow as individual artists.
Cole Millward
Senior Instructor - Bass/Guitar/Music Production
Ballantyne/Carmel Village Studio (Wednesday/Thursday)
Cole Millward’s involvement in music began with church choirs and ensembles, but
discovering the bass guitar at 15 transformed music from an interest into a career
path. He earned an associate degree in Fine Arts with a focus on music composition
and performance from Central Piedmont Community College, receiving special
commendations from the music department, and later expanded his studies into
recording, mixing and mastering. Cole went on to study audio engineering at GAT3
Studios with Grammy-winning engineer Glenn Tabor and the studio team. Today he
performs throughout the Carolinas, composes original music, works as a live sound engineer and is head engineer and co-owner of Charlotte’s Giant Spoon Productions. One of BSM’s original staff members, Cole is particularly well suited to teens and adults interested in bass, songwriting, music theory, recording or understanding how musicianship translates into real-world performance and production.
Garrick White
Senior Instructor - Drum Set/Percussion
Ballantyne/Carmel Village (Monday/Wednesday)
Indian Land (Tuesday)
A lifelong Charlotte resident from a musical family, Garrick White developed an interest in
music early, studying a wide range of percussion including bells, xylophone, marimba, congas,
steel drums, timpani, snare and bass drum. Throughout middle and high school he studied
music theory, rhythm, notation and marching percussion, performing with a nationally
competitive marching band and drumline. Garrick’s musical tastes lean heavily toward rock,
with influences including Mike Portnoy of Dream Theater and Neil Peart of Rush and a love for bands such as Led Zeppelin, Def Leppard, Guns N’ Roses and Metallica. One of BSM’s original instructors, Garrick combines extensive percussion knowledge with a genuine love of working with children and has a particular gift for helping young beginners develop into confident drummers and ensemble performers.
Logan Hendley
Senior Instructor - Piano, Guitar/Bass, Vocals, Ukulele
Ballantyne (Saturday) &
Indian Land (Monday-Thursday)
Born in Cape Canaveral, Florida, and raised largely in Merritt Island, Logan Hendley grew up
surrounded by musical family members who encouraged his interest in performing. He
began piano lessons at seven and continued developing as a musician through concert band,
marching band and several styles of gospel music before performing with local bands and
nationally traveling ensembles. Logan’s greatest strength as an instructor is his ability to
adapt to the individual student rather than relying on a one-size-fits-all approach. He
teaches piano, guitar, bass, voice and ukulele and works well with children, teens and adults,
making him an excellent match for students who benefit from patient explanations, flexibility and lessons built around their own musical interests and goals.
Senior Music Instructor - Guitar, Bass, Drums
Jam Session Director - Band Manager (Sundays)
Ballantyne/Carmel Village (Monday, Wednesday & Thursday)
A Union County native, Madison Stegall began playing guitar at 14, teaching himself by
studying the musicians he admired before continuing his music education with guitar and
music theory courses at Wingate University. His influences include Kirk Hammett, Dimebag
Darrell, Joe Satriani and other rock and metal guitar greats, but his musical interests also
extend to classical music, classic rock and traditional country artists such as George Jones,
Hank Williams Sr. and Willie Nelson. Madison has performed in bands since his teens,
recorded albums and toured with his heavy metal band Final Curse. One of BSM’s longest-tenured instructors and director of our Jam Session program, Madison is a patient, versatile teacher who builds strong relationships with both young musicians and adults and is especially well suited to students who want to grow from private lessons into confident ensemble performers.
Our Teachers
Ballantyne School of Music provides award-winning instruction to our students. Our instructors are motivated by their love of music and the passion to transfer their knowledge and skills to others so their creativity and talent can shine. Get started today!