Our Faculty

Brass

Mr. Jay Hanselman, French Horn

Jay served as Adjunct Professor of Horn at Georgia State from 2005 - 2012 and at Mercer University School of Music in Macon, Ga. from 2009 - 2022. Jay received a Bachelor of Music Ed degree from Florida State University in 1981. He received his Master of Music Performance at Georgia State University in 2004.  While attending Georgia State he won the Thomas M. Brumby Concerto/Aria Competition and the Honors Recital Competition. Since graduation, he opened Jay's Horn Studio comprised of private students from all around the Atlanta area and Macon, Ga. Jay conducts horn and brass clinics at schools all around the state of Georgia. He is currently Principal Horn with the Gwinnett Ballet Theater Orchestra and Johns Creek Symphony.  He has also performed with the Columbus Symphony, Carroll Symphony, The Macon Pops Orchestra and the Savannah Philharmonic.  Jay has recorded with Indy Rock Band "Cartel", R&B Grammy Winner Jennifer Holliday, and performed live with Barry Manilow, Gloria Estefan, Josh Groban, Evanescence, Sarah MacLachlan, Sarah Brightman, Il Volo, Il Divo, The Indigo Girls, Edwin Mccain, and Jo Dee Messina.

Ms. Christi Lenz, French Horn

Christi Lenz is a lifelong music educator and free lance musician from Buford, GA.

Christi recently retired from 30 years of teaching in the public school setting, where she taught elementary music, choir, band, and music appreciation at both the high school and college levels.  She is currently an adjunct instructor for Georgia Virtual Schools, teaches private horn lessons, and serves as the Secretary and Education Liaison for the Alpharetta Symphony Board.  

Christi has an Educational Specialist Degree in Instructional Technology/Media from the University of West Georgia, a Masters of Conducting and Performance from Austin Peay State University, and a Bachelor of Music Education from Eastern Illinois University.  Christi currently performs with the Alpharetta Symphony, Atlanta International Symphony, Gwinnett Symphony Orchestra, and the Northwinds Symphonic Band.  Previously, she performed with the Atlanta Community Symphony Orchestra, Georgia Philharmonic Orchestra, Paducah Symphony Orchestra, Peoria Pops Symphony, and Symphony Without Borders.  

Christi teaches private lessons at the Academy of Fine Arts at Johns Creek Presbyterian Church and in Buford at her private studio.

Mr. Caleb Harris, Euphonium/Trombone/Tuba

Caleb Harris is a low brass instrumentalist, clinician, and private instructor based in the Atlanta Metro Area. He earned his Master’s in Music Performance from Columbus State University under the tutelage of Dr. Alex Avila. In 2020, Mr. Harris earned his Bachelor of Arts in Music and Minor in Entrepreneurship from Valdosta State University under the instruction of Drs. Danny Rowland and Charlie Goodman.

Caleb currently teaches low brass students privately throughout Gwinnett and Fulton counties, coaches low brass sectionals at local schools, and performs in many professional ensembles. He plays euphonium in the Georgia Brass Band, Sequence Quartet, and Sugarloaf Polka Band. Occasionally, he also freelances with local ensembles on euphonium, tenor trombone, bass trombone, and tuba. Formerly, Mr. Harris was the principal euphonium of the Tara Winds.

At competitions, Mr. Harris has won the following honors: 2nd Place in the 2023 North American Brass Band Association Slow Melody solo competition, 2nd Place in the Artist Euphonium Competition at the 2022 South Eastern Regional Tuba Euphonium Conference, 3rd Place in the 2021 Artist Euphonium Competition at the Leonard Falcone International Tuba and Euphonium Conference, and 3rd Place in the 2017 Young Artist Euphonium Competition at the South Eastern Regional Tuba Euphonium Conference.

Ms. Hollie Lawing Pritchard, Trombone

Hollie Lawing Pritchard is an active freelance trombonist in the Atlanta area on both tenor and bass trombone.  Hollie is the Bass trombonist with the Savannah Philharmonic,
Hilton Head Symphony Orchestra, Johns Creek Symphony, and Georgia Brass Band. She performs regularly with the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra and has played with the Atlanta Opera Orchestra, Atlanta Ballet
Orchestra, Chattanooga Symphony, and Charleston Symphony, as well as many others.

Hollie is a founding member and Trombonist with the Midtown Brass Quintet. She played solo Trombone with the DIVA big band in the show Maurice Hines is Tappn' thru life.” She has
performed twice with the Athena Brass Band at the International Women's Brass Conference. Hollie was a featured soloist on the Georgia Brass Band’s album “A
Christmas Festival” and Principal trombone on their album, “American Voices.”

Hollie graduated with her B.M. in Music Performance from Georgia State University and did Graduate studies at the Cleveland Institute of Music. Hollie is Adjunct Instructor of 

Trombone at Reinhardt University, formerly trombone professor at both Kennesaw State University and Mercer University,and maintains a private studio of trombone in her
home in Marietta, Georgia.  Hollie’s students win first chair consecutively in both district and state and continue to secure spots yearly with the Atlanta
Symphony Youth Orchestra, Emory Youth Symphony Orchestra, Governor’s Honors program, The National Youth Orchestra, and the Atlanta Youth Wind
Symphony. Her students have been accepted into prestigious schools of music such as Indiana University, Oberlin Conservatory, The Royal Academy of music, and New
England Conservatory Of Music. Hollie’s students have subbed with major orchestras such as The Atlanta Symphony Orchestra and The London Philharmonic. Hollie’s students have 

gone on to win positions with the Houston Grand Opera, The Navy Fleet band program and The Atlanta Symphony Orchestra fellowship program.

Piano

Ms. Yelena Ayzenberg

Yelena Ayzenberg graduated from Rimsky-Korsakova College of Music, Mogilev, Belarus and received the Diploma o Nepolnom Visshem Obrazovanii. She also received a Specialist Diploma in Culture and Education from Kult-Prosvet College of Music, Mogilev, Belarus. Ms. Ayzenberg has over 20 years of teaching and performance experience.

Ms. Alicia Taylor

Alicia Taylor studied music at Green River Community College and Methodist University, and has been teaching piano to students of all ages for over 20 years.  She has also been employed as a church musician for over 40 years, serving churches in Louisiana, Alabama, Washington, New York, North Carolina, and metro Atlanta.  Since moving to Atlanta in 1995, she has served as a staff singer at St. Matthew's Lutheran, Haygood United Methodist, and Covenant Presbyterian.  She was employed as Director of Music at Norcross Presbyterian from 1999 to 2004, and most recently as Director of Worship and Arts at Johns Creek Presbyterian from 2006 to 2016.  She resides in the Peachtree Corners area and is the mother of four children.  Professional memberships include Presbyterian Association of Musicians, American Guild of English Handbell Ringers, YouthCUE, American Choral Directors Association, and Choristers Guild.

Strings

Larisa Morgulis, Violin

Larisa Morgulis is a violinist, with over 30 years of performing and teaching experience.  Mrs. Morgulis is trained in the classical traditions of the Russian school of violin.  She graduated from the Odessa Conservatory, (Ukraine), and has a PhD in music and performance.   Mrs. Morgulis played at the Odessa Opera and Ballet Theatre, as well as Symphony orchestras in the Ukraine, Russia, and in the last 25 years, in the United States, including orchestras in Boston, and Atlanta.    

Mrs. Morgulis’ students consistently win competition to the Atlanta Youth Symphony orchestra, Metropolitan Youth, Emory Youth and All State Symphony Orchestra.   She enjoys working with students of all levels.   In her free time, Mrs. Morgulis likes to travel, and spend time with her family.

Claire Haneberg, Violin/Viola/Cello/Piano

Claire Haneberg is a dedicated and versatile private music teacher offering lessons in violin, viola, cello, and piano. A graduate of the University of North Carolina at Greensboro with a degree in Music Education, Claire studied viola under Dr. Scott Rawls and string pedagogy under Dr. Rebecca MacLeod.

In addition to her private studio, Claire teaches elementary strings at a local school.  She is also a section first violinist with the Alpharetta Symphony and has appeared at the North Carolina Folk Festival as a fiddler with the UNCG Old Time Ensemble. Claire is also a passionate advocate for music education and presented her research at the American String Teachers Association (ASTA) 2023 National Conference.

Claire specializes in preschool and elementary aged beginning students, but loves working with students of all ages and ability levels. 

Mr. Deevon Aird, Violin/Viola

Deevon Aird is a violin teacher with several years of experience. He has studied violin with the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra’s Helen Kim (former Associate Principal, Graduate of Julliard, and Professor of Violin at KSU) and Kenn Wagner (former Assistant Concertmaster and well-renowned Chamber Musician/Soloist). Deevon has also studied with Paul Headman, a well-respected violin teacher who has been a prominent educator in the Atlanta music scene for over 40 years and is known for his creative and positive approach to learning music. He is currently completing his bachelor’s at KSU and will be completing his master’s degree in the near future.

At the of age 14, Deevon began to teach middle school fiddle players and has progressively taught older and more advanced players. From the age of 17, he has performed with the KSU Symphony and Philharmonic Orchestras, Blue Lake’s Festival Orchestra, and has performed in many Chamber ensembles. He is also a seasoned fine arts camp counselor/educator, teaching both music and art. In addition to private teaching, Deevon teaches/coaches middle and high school students, ensembles, and sectionals in the Roswell, GA area. He teaches a variety of students ranging from age 6-58, from classical to folk music.

Deevon began playing the violin at the age of nine. Throughout his childhood, Deevon would listen to a variety of genres and music styles, finding a way to make them his own. His love for the arts led him to become a musician as well as a visual artist.  The desire for creativity and individuality shines through in his teaching style, which promotes a strong foundation and encouragement for his students to become positive/capable musicians. Deevon teaches that music is not a “set of rules” but is instead an opportunity to find your own voice. He strongly believes that “Where the mind meets the heart, musicianship begins” and is committed to helping aspiring musicians make the connection. He strives to pass on positive mindsets, enabling students to foster and grow a passion for music. Deevon also desires to give his students practical strategies that allow the student to become their own teacher, able to diagnose problems and fix them. 

Woodwinds

Ms. Diane Hargreaves, Clarinet

Diane Hargreaves received her BM and MM degrees in clarinet performance from the Cincinnati College - Conservatory of Music.  She is currently principal clarinet with the Georgia Philharmonic, Rome Symphony and Gwinnett Symphony Orchestras, and also freelances in the area.

Throughout her career she has thoroughly enjoyed playing in woodwind quintets and various chamber ensembles.  The past few years, she has also coached some student chamber groups, including a clarinet quintet, Quintet ENVY, that performed at GMEA in 2023 and the Music For All National Festival in 2024.

She has been teaching private students for over 30 years.  Many of her students have earned placement in select ensembles, such as All-State Band, Atlanta Youth Wind Symphony, Metropolitan Youth Symphony Orchestra and Atlanta Symphony Youth Orchestra.  She has had numerous students win major scholarships to college, and a couple of her students have even gone on to professional careers in music, teaching at the college level or playing in the United States Marine Band.

Ms. Judith Klein, Flute

 Judith recently returned to the Atlanta area after completing her graduate studies in flute performance at the Indiana University Jacobs School of Music. She has performed with the Georgia Symphony Orchestra, the Bloomington Camerata Orchestra, and various other theater and chamber ensembles. As a graduate assistant during her master's degree, she directed the Western Carolina University Flute Ensemble. She spent the 2007-2008 school year in England as one of only five international students selected for Trevor Wye's unique flute studio. Her teachers have included Kate Lukas, Eldred Spell, Trevor Wye, Angela Jones-Reus, Christina Smith, and Jeanne Carere.

Mr. Melvin Robinson, Saxophone

As an educator and saxophonist, Melvin Robinson is a native from Duncan, SC. Robinson graduated from Furman University in Greenville, SC with a Bachelor of Music in Music Education with extensive experience as a soloist and chamber musician. Robinson was a finalist in the 2019 MTNA National Young Artist Competition and was a co-founder of the Mezcla Reed Quintet. The Mezcla Reed Quintet was awarded first prize at the 2017 South Carolina MTNA Chamber Music Competition. After graduating from Furman, Robinson pursued a graduate degree at the University of Georgia where he earned a Master of Music in Saxophone Performance from the Hugh Hodgson School of Music. 

Robinson’s prior experience as an educator includes working as the woodwind specialist of the nationally recognized James F. Byrnes High School band program in SC, and served as the Assistant Band Director at John McEachern High School in Cobb County School District. Students of Melvin Robinson have found success with placing seats in the South Carolina (SCMEA) and Georgia’s Music Educator Association (GMEA) District and All-State Band auditions and JanFest. Melvin Robinson currently teaches Music Technology and is a Jazz Band Director for Gwinnett County Public Schools. Robinson lives in Duluth, GA with his wife Victoria. With a love for music and an extreme sweet tooth, the Robinsons enjoy visiting local pastry and record shops for new tastes and finds.