Music Instructors - Georgetown, Texas

Brenda Bedell

Brenda Bedell has 49 years experience teaching the piano privately and in groups. Since she was a little girl, it was her lifelong ambition to share the gift of music with others. Her own Master Teacher, Ann Gipson Houser, directed Brenda’s course to provide music education to the community. Mrs. Houser developed the Student Teacher Program for advanced piano students, beginning at age 16, to learn the art of teaching piano lessons. Brenda also provides this opportunity for advanced piano students to participate as a student intern under her oversight. Currently, she is honored to have 2 students (each having 10 years of private and group instruction) participating in the Student Teacher Program. Brenda has also developed a variety of lesson formats that include private lessons, group ensembles, and engaging music theory for her students. Brenda believes all lesson formats require variety, artistry, rhythmic accuracy, commitment to excellent technique, and a genuine passion for the heart of music. As the Music Director of Dolce Music Studio, her desire is to create an atmosphere that will motivate each student to not only play music, but to love making music!

Lauren Coltharp

Lauren Coltharp is so excited to start teaching at Dolce Music! She is a graduate of the University of Mary-Hardin Baylor, and has a Bachelor’s of Music in Music Education K-12. During her time at UMHB, she was a part of One Voice and Concert Choir, was President of the Collegiate Texas Music Educators Association, tutored students in Music Theory, and performed in several musicals. This is Lauren’s 4th year teaching private lessons. She will also offer a monthly Voice Ensemble Enrichment class to give students the experience of multiple voices. In her free time, Lauren loves playing with her dogs, spending time with her family, singing, and making latte art. She can’t wait to help you make beautiful music!

Jack Daniel

Jack Daniel was fortunate to have a mother who was the first accredited female band director in Louisiana. At the age of 13, his first drum set instructor was Joe Morrelo (drummer for Dave Brubeck) and then Roy Haynes (drummer for Miles Davis and others) when he attended the first Ludwig Percussion Symposium. Jack toured Europe with the All Student’s Band USA, at the age of 15, and performed with various bands throughout southern Louisiana. After attending LSU in Baton Rouge, he performed with the Baton Rouge Symphony and various circus and rodeo bands. He currently drums with John Pierre and the Zydeco Angels, Paul Klemperer Jazz Quartet, the modern Rock Band Relative Circle, and World Music Band Suburban Beat. Jack is excited to teach percussion as well as vocals at Dolce as a Master Teacher and performer. He also directs intro group percussion classes each year as an elective for our summer camp music tours.

Robert Davis

After attending Temple University, Robert Davis received his Masters of Music Education and was a part of multiple instrumental and vocal ensembles, including performing in a Grammy award performance/recording of Carl Orff’s Catuli Carmina with Eugene Ormandy and the Philadelphia Symphony Orchestra. He has taught orchestra and band from fourth grade through College, including a ten year stint as a High School Band Director. Staying active playing and conducting large and small ensemble events, he continued to teach at Austin Community College for 12 years while working at Dell. He is devoted to teaching all ages and levels of woodwind students in various school districts. As a Dolce instructor, Mr. Davis will offer instruction for saxophone, clarinet, and flute. He believes in using many avenues to inspire and motivate his students while actively demonstrating effective and beneficial playing techniques during each lesson. Bobby is available for virtual or in person lessons.

Jacob Dycus

Jacob Dycus has joined the Dolce faculty, teaching percussion, guitar, and piano. He acquired his Bachelor’s Degree in Music Education at ULM in Monroe, Louisiana. He has served as an Assistant Band Director in the public school and is an experienced private instructor. His passion for teaching is to witness his students learn the music they love while building character and accomplishing their goals. He believes learning to play an instrument is a wonderful discipline and his goal is to provide an engaging and interactive learning environment for his students. Jacob has implemented this teaching style to our intro classes during the popular Summer Camp Music Tours. He believes this includes providing the tools for success by teaching technical skill, musical concepts, and music theory with a foundation of rhythm! Jacob is now accepting students on Tuesday and Wednesday afternoons at Dolce.

Micah Ee

A proficient pianist and singer, Micah Ee is a graduate from the University of Mary Hardin-Baylor with a Bachelor of Arts in Music. While in college, he performed with vocal and instrumental ensembles including One Voice, Concert Choir, Jazz Band, Wind Ensemble, and Opera/Musical Theater. He also served as Vice President of the Collegiate Texas Music Educators Association at UMHB and regularly tutored music theory. As a pianist, he enjoys performing in recitals, churches, and weddings both as a soloist and a collaborative pianist. Micah has been teaching private lessons since 2019 and loves to work with aspiring musicians of all ages and experience levels.

Hannah Gripp

Hannah Gripp is a passionate violinist, educator and artist. She began her study of the violin at the age of seven and since then has been a winner of multiple competitions including the ASTA Arizona Solo Competition, the Phoenix Youth Symphony’s Young Musicians’ Competition, and the NAU Academy Orchestra Concerto Competition (resulting in the opportunity to solo with the orchestra). As a freshman at Northern Arizona University, Gripp was selected as a winner in NAU’s concerto competition, resulting in a solo concerto performance with the NAU Symphony Orchestra. In the spring of 2018, she soloed with the White Mountain Symphony Orchestra as a winner of their Solo Competition. In 2022 she was the featured guest soloist with Orchestra Northern Arizona. She has performed in multiple orchestras including the Flagstaff Symphony Orchestra, Symphony of the Southwest, Arizona Philharmonic, the Arizona State University Symphony and Chamber Orchestras, and the NAU Symphony and Chamber Orchestras. During her time at NAU, Gripp performed as the concertmaster of both the NAU Symphony and Chamber Orchestras. A native of Arizona, Gripp has been privileged to study with numerous instructors and professors who have deeply impacted her musical career there. She received her Masters of Music Performance degree at Arizona State University as a student of Dr. Katherine McLin. Prior to that, she graduated from Northern Arizona University with a Bachelor’s Degree in Violin Performance, where she was a student of Shelley Rich. In addition to performing, Gripp is passionate about teaching the violin. An experienced instructor in both private and group lessons, she seeks to inspire the joy of the gift of music in all her students, while facilitating a rich musical experience for them. Hannah holds a Certificate in Suzuki Pedagogy for the Violin. She had the privilege of studying under renowned Suzuki pedagogues Dr. Karin Hallberg and Dr. Louise Scott. Hannah is dedicated to serving her church and community with music. She has been playing the violin in church bands for over a decade, and loves to share her talents with others.

Gabriel Helal

Gabriel Helal is a classically trained pianist who is enthusiastic about teaching beginner piano with a creative format designed to motivate the student. He also performs in a band, and plays many other instruments, including drums, bass, and guitar making him a great fit for teaching enrichment and summer camp groups. Gabriel is also proficient in improvisation and songwriting techniques. He is accepting students now on Mondays or Thursdays at Dolce Music in Georgetown. He will also be teaching during our Dolce Music Summer Camp tours giving piano intro classes.

Kaytlin Gonzales

Kaytlin Gonzales has been singing and playing the piano for as long as she can remember. Her mother through homeschooling taught her how to read music about the same time she started to learn how to read. In 2016, she earned her bachelor’s degree in music education at Freed-Hardeman University. She originally intended the major to help her knowledge and experience grow in teaching piano lessons, but grew a passion for helping those in the public school system. After college, she worked at a Title I elementary school in Houston, teaching Kindergarten through 4th grade Music to a student body of about 900 children. This experience showed her that she needed to continue with the one on one scene if she were going to make the bigger impact. Kaytlin has been teaching private piano lessons for 9 years, since she was in high school, and is striving to grow along with her students every day. She has worked with beginner and intermediate students from young child to adult, including special needs children. She strives to instill a joy in and a love of music in every student through her classes that will stay with the student for the rest of their lives no matter where the journey of life takes them. Kaytlin is available online only.

Erica Jermain

Erica first began her fine arts journey at the age of 3 with dance lessons. She then started her piano studies with Brenda Bedell at the age of 5 with a commitment and dedication to music ever since. She continued her musical growth by participating in choir, theater, flute, and piccolo throughout middle school and high school to enhance her music education. Erica was also part of the varsity dance team at Georgetown High School; she was able to hold various leadership positions within the organization and eventually served as captain during her senior year in 2019-2020. Erica first began teaching piano under Brenda Bedell’s instruction at age 15 as part of the Student Teacher Program. After completing her internship, Erica now teaches as a Master Teacher on Sunday afternoons using a hybrid format of in person and online instruction. She currently attends the pharmacy school at The University of Texas at Austin, but she continues her passions in fine arts in her free time. Erica has made the statement, “It doesn’t feel like a job when you do what you love!”

Growing up in Kharkiv, Ukraine, Alena Kamchatna began studying piano at the age of six. As a child, her talent led her to participating in many regional competitions and music festivals. She took her talent to the next level by attending a specialized musical school during her teenage years. From 2008-2013, Alena earned her bachelor’s and master’s degrees in music performance from the Kharkiv National University of Arts. Then, after receiving a full scholarship, she spent the next three years earning her dual master’s degree from the International Anton Rubinstein Academy in Dusseldorf, Germany and in La Spezia, Italy. Since she began studying, Alena has also accumulated six years of teaching piano to students of all ages and skill levels. She has studied and performed with numerous famous musicians in Ukraine, Germany, and Italy. After graduating from Anton Rubinstein, the academy offered her a job to stay as a piano teacher in their pre-college program. Alena’s main teaching philosophy focuses on studying classical music, but she also enjoys experimenting with piano interpretations of modern pop music. She is available for virtual lessons only.

Marty McAllister

Marty McAllister is an experienced piano and voice teacher of 40 years. She graduated from the University of Texas in Austin with a degree in Music Education with principal in voice, and began studying piano at the age of 5. Marty has created personal studios of up to 60 students in three cities, Dallas and Austin, and a small town in Oklahoma. She has many talents which include being a writer, an artist, and enjoying the interaction of the arts. Marty expresses her delight in her new home in Sun City, Georgetown and excited to be a part of the faculty at Dolce Music Studio.

Patrick McAndrew

Patrick McAndrew is an experienced drummer who attended the Musicians Institute where he was educated by some of the best instructors in the world. After school he moved to Central Texas to pursue his career as a professional musician. Since then he has recorded on two studio albums and toured with bands that are signed to major record labels. Patrick also practices daily and believes that every drummer is born a student and dies a student, the learning never stops. Patrick’s teaching styles and techniques vary for each student. He is a very patient instructor but pushes each student to achieve their goals. He states, “I know every student learns differently, so each student gets a custom lesson plan that meets the way he or she learns”.

Steve Merson

Steve Merson was born into a musical family in Scotland, UK. He spent his formative years being taught by his father before moving to London to study at the renowned Guildhall School of Music and Drama under Professor David Takeno. Steve was awarded his Associate of the Guildhall School of Music (AGSM) and went on to the Advanced Solo Studies course for a further year. On completion of his studies, Steve joined the BBC and two years later he won a position with the world famous Royal Philharmonic Orchestra which he held for 23 years. During his career in London, Steve also performed with the London Philharmonic Orchestra, London Symphony Orchestra and Philharmonia to name but a few. He has also worked with a number of internationally recognized conductors. Steve has shared the stage with Yo Yo Ma, Placido Domingo, Lucianno Pavarotti,Jesse Norman, and more. He has been fortunate to have traveled extensively performing at some of the most prestigious concert halls in the world such as Carnegie Hall, Madison Square Garden, Boston Symphony Hall, Chicago Symphony Hall, and more. Steve has recorded numerous soundtracks for BBC television and films as well as for the big screen, such as The Red Violin, The Ghost and the Darkness, Mad Max 3, Ellis Island and The Lord of the Rings. Steve now lives in Austin, Texas with his Chicago born wife Norene and enjoys an active career performing with the symphony orchestras of Austin, San Antonio, Corpus Christi, Victoria, Mid-Texas, San Angelo, Waco, Abilene, Brazos Valley,Temple, Laredo and currently holds the position of principal 2nd violin with the Central Texas Philharmonic.

Monique McIntosh

Monique McIntosh has taught at Dolce Music Studio since the doors opened in 2010. Her lessons are tailored around the individual’s pace and learning style using on-and-off bench activities and technology. In lieu of a private lesson, her curriculum offers an optional monthly ensemble class with other students of similar age engaging in ensemble play. She also offers lessons in bassoon, beginner drums, and beginner ukulele. Some of her bassoon students have performed at the TMEA Region and State levels as well as received excellent ratings in UIL State Solo & Ensemble Contests.

A few of her piano and bassoon students continued with their music education into college on music scholarships. She graduated from Southwestern University with a BS in Education/Special Education. As an avid learner, Monique hopes to pass on the joy of learning through music. Her advanced students are participating in the Student Teacher Program for which Monique provides training and monthly reviews as their Advising Instructor. Monique enjoys DIY home projects, gardening, walking, spending time with family, and exercising her privileges as a private pilot by flying.

David Pencil

David Pencil began studying music at an early age, becoming proficient in piano, percussion, and voice by the end of his high-school education. He holds a Bachelor of Music degree in Music Composition from Rice University and a Master of Music degree in Music Composition from the Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music at the University of Cincinnati. David has many years of experience teaching piano, voice, percussion, music composition, and music theory. He is also the Music Director at St. John’s UMC where he leads the church’s Praise Band and bell choir. David has led summer camp and enrichment groups at Dolce with motivating and inspiring results. David is now enrolling students at Dolce Music Studio for piano, voice, and composition.

Portia Hansen

Portia is passionate about introducing children to music from around the world and teaches Music Together® family music classes at Dolce Music Studio to the next generation of music makers. The musical bond between grownups and their children from this experience is priceless and continues beyond the class! Portia is also in graduate school to become a Board-Certified Music Therapist, with the goal of bringing the joy and healing powers of music and music-making to the special needs community. As a multi-instrumentalist, she is available for special needs music lessons for students on the piano, ukulele, guitar and/or voice. Portia has three young children who keep her on her toes, and a fantastic husband who makes life fun. When she’s not chasing the kids around town for their activities or making music as a family, she can be seen running or biking the San Gabriel Trail.

Conner Redlin

Conner Redlin is an experienced piano and woodwinds teacher of 8 years with a music performance degree in clarinet. Conner expresses the blessing of seeing his students get excited about music they are passionate about as they grow in understanding how all the pieces come together. He always goes the extra distance to give what is takes to bring his students to success in their goal of achievement. Conner is excited to live in the Austin area to join the thriving arts culture. We are honored to have him join the faculty at Dolce offering his instruction on Thursdays weekly.

Michael Ross

Michael Ross hails from the arctic land of Anchorage, Alaska, where he held the position of principal cellist in the Alaska All-State Orchestra for all four years of high school. At the age of 15, he won the Anchorage Symphony youth concerto competition, and enrolled in the University of Alaska Anchorage to lead the cello section in their Sinfonia. Mike has poked around the rest of the U.S. a little too, attending the Ithaca Violoncello Institute in NY, and sitting principal cellist at the Marrowstone Summer Music Festival in WA. Mike has also attended the University of North Texas and Sam Houston State University, where he earned his B.M. in cello performance. Mike is also a skilled pianist, electric bassist, and guitarist in many different styles, and enjoys teaching cello, piano, and guitar students of all ages at Dolce Music Studio. Whether private or in a group setting, Mike is eager to engage his students in a musical journey that will inspire and motivate excellence. His commitment to education at Dolce for the past 12 years speaks volumes regarding his work. He also serves as the Master Teacher directing one of his students who is participating in the Student Teacher Program.

David Schoo

Dave Schoo has been playing guitar for over 20 years and passionate about sharing his acquired knowledge of the instrument. Living in the Austin area for over 10 years, he has enjoyed playing in original rock bands and cover bands as well as recording and producing various artists in his home studio. Dave’s lessons revolve around helping students learn how to play their favorite music while giving them a foundation of music theory as essential tools for inspiring creativity and finding their own voice on guitar. Lessons are tailored for each individual based on their interests and goals. Dave also uses curriculum structured for younger students or anyone who is not quite sure where to start. He welcomes all types of musical tastes. Some of his favorite bands/artists include Led Zeppelin, Stevie Ray Vaughan, Jimi Hendrix, Metallica, Stone Temple Pilots, Red Hot Chili Peppers, The Sword, and many more.

Nathan Smith

Nathan Smith is a violinist and violist from Austin, Texas. After graduating from Oberlin Conservatory with a bachelors in violin performance in 2020, he studied viola performance at University of Houston, graduating with a masters in 2022. While attending University of Houston, Nathan was a member of the Tomatz graduate string quartet, with which he studied contemporary works by Lowell Liebermann and Caroline Shaw. After his studies in Houston, Nathan moved back to his hometown of Austin and began teaching. Nathan’s teaching style is tailored specifically to each student individually, and focused on finding a balance between fun and hard work that will ultimately lead to each student’s success. He has experience teaching students of different backgrounds, skill levels, and ages on violin as well as viola, and also has experience coaching string quartets. From this experience, as well as his own studies, Nathan knows firsthand the patient dedication required to teach the tradition of classical music.

Jamie See

Jamie has been playing the violin for 23 years, the piano for 27 years, and singing since she was born. As a child, she grew up in a musical family with a dad who sang, and a mom who was her piano accompanist and maintained a private piano studio. Jamie also learned how to teach a group of children through her mom, who was a Kindergarten teacher. She started studying the violin through the Suzuki method, and soon branched out into old time fiddling and improvisation. She earned a Bachelor of Music Performance in violin in 2010 at Wheaton College Conservatory of Music, and a M.S. from Boston University in Arts Administration. As a performer, she has performed at the national old time fiddle contest: has performed with Sandi Patty: Jim Martinez of Peanuts comic strip and sound track: Christian Howes, the world’s most renowned jazz violinist; and in Korea. She also plays other string instruments, like the viola, cello, string bass and bass guitar. She also performed every weekend at a dinner theater in Boston, combining her love of acting with music. She is a former director of music at various churches, and a former adjunct professor at Eastern Nazarene College (MA). She had her dream job of teaching music appreciation to adult learners who had no music background. She loves to perform and teach music, and express her love for God through creativity.

Ron Tindle

Ron Tindle is a published songwriter, recording artist and solo instrumentalist who performs on piano and guitar. A native of Austin, his music background is eclectic. Performing in various cover bands on the road, he returned to Austin in 1990. He has a CD recorded with the “Planet Texas Band”, an original Southern Rock power trio, “https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pg06QlTBg4w” target=”_blank” rel=”noopener”>Ojo Del So”, original Latin Rock project ,https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pg06QlTBg4w and solo CDs. Currently he teaches and performs in Central Texas area, specializing in vocals, guitars and keyboards. Ron carries a full student base teaching all ages piano, guitar, voice, drums, banjo, mandolin, ukulele and directs summer camp classes each year.

Liz Wirtz

Elizabeth Wirtz has been playing piano since she was 5 years old and has been a church pianist since she was a teenager! She has been in the Austin area since 1993 when she moved from her home state of Nevada to attend the University of Texas and earned her degree in piano pedagogy in 1995. That year she also married her husband of 25 years, Jeff, and they have two girls: Gabi is a 2020 graduate of Round Rock High School and Madi is a 9th grader at Stoney Point HS. Their family also includes two dogs and three horses. Elizabeth’s career in music continued with teaching and operating her own in-home piano studio and by earning a Masters in Music from Texas State University in 2000. She has always been a free-lance accompanist, playing for many soloists and recitals and competitions. The past decade has included working as faculty at the University of Mary Hardin-Baylor and Concordia University.