A Dekalb County native, Dr. Johnson’s aptitude for music was first discovered as a 7th grader at Wadsworth Elementary School, where he would often stay hours after school to teach himself piano by ear. When the school music teacher realized he was playing Beethoven sonatas, she recommended that he apply to the DeKalb Center for Performing Arts (now the DeKalb School of Arts). Within two years, he was the first-place prize winner in the Greater Atlanta Music Alliance Bach Competition. Soon after, he relocated to Atlanta, where he studied at the North Atlanta School for Performing Arts.  As a student, he represented North Atlanta in many GMEA (Georgia Music Educators Association) auditions and performances, consistently receiving high rankings. He spent several summers studying with pianists Drs. Barbara Lister-Sink and Lita Guerra, as well as performing at the prestigious Brevard Music Center Summer Institute & Festival.

After four years of formal piano study, he was awarded a full Presidential music scholarship to attend Morehouse College. At Morehouse, he studied piano with Dr. Jefferson Ethridge. He performed with the Morehouse College Glee Club, Morehouse Jazz Band, and the Morehouse-Spelman String Quartet. He also participated in masterclasses with renowned pianists such as Awadagin Pratt and Andre Watts. He was a multi-prize winner in the James A. Heffner Piano Competition. A continuous learner and serious piano student, Dr. Johnson currently studies with internationally acclaimed concert pianist Julie Coucheron.

A Phi Beta Kappa graduate of Morehouse College, Dr. Johnson holds a Bachelor of Arts in Music (Piano Performance), a Master of Arts in Musicology (Washington University, St. Louis), a Master of Arts Teaching in Elementary Education (National Louis University-Chicago), and a Ph.D. in Curriculum, Instruction, and Teacher Education (Michigan State University). He also holds a School Management and Leadership Certificate from Harvard University and an Urban Education Graduate Certificate from Michigan State University. He is a member of several professional organizations, including the Music Teachers National Association, Georgia Music Teachers Association, Decatur Music Teacher Association, and the National Federation of Music Clubs.   

In his spare time, Dr. Johnson enjoys supporting the arts, spending time with his wife and kids, and engaging in community service with his fraternity, Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. 

Erin fell in love with the violin at age seven under the instruction of Natalie Colbert at E. Rivers Elementary School in Atlanta, GA. She studied violin through high school and college, and received a BA in Communications with a Minor in Music from Georgia State University.

After a lifelong study of the violin, Erin began to play the viola as a happy accident.  As an undergraduate student in college, Erin’s chamber music group needed a violist to play the Schubert Trout Quintet. Never one to turn down a challenge, Erin jumped right in and never looked back. She has played viola in addition to the violin ever since.

After a lifetime love of playing the violin, Erin is eager to share her knowledge of music. She is especially passionate about enabling young children to express themselves through music In addition to teaching, Erin has played with the Atlanta Community Symphony Orchestra, the Mannes Community Orchestra in New York, NY, the Doctors Orchestral Society of New York, and the Brooklyn Symphony Orchestra. Erin has played on albums for recording artists in Atlanta and NYC, and also composes and records her own original music. 

Erin is an active member of the Suzuki Association of the Americas, the American String Teachers Association, and the Music Teachers National Association. She completed her first unit of Suzuki teacher training with Carrie Reuning-Hummel, and Unit 1 Revisited and 2 through 8 with Judy Bossuat-Gallic. Erin has also completed Suzuki in the Schools Level 1 training with Dr. Laurie Scott and Winifred Crock.

With a passion for music that transcends genres, Bria is a versatile and accomplished vocalist with a rich history of performance and accolades. From an early age, Bria showcased her vocal talent as a soloist in middle and high school choruses, captivating audiences with renditions of everything from musicals to classical music. Dedication to honing her craft led her to study vocal performance and music production at the prestigious Atlanta Institute of Music and Media, where she refined her skills and deepened her musical knowledge.

Among her many achievements was being featured soloist as the "BB Queen" for the renowned B.B. King Allstar Band. In addition to her solo endeavors, she has shared the stage with major stars such as Gladys Knight, After 7, and the Temptations, serving as an opening act. Her talent has taken her beyond traditional venues, as they have also graced the stage as a featured performer on the Soul Train Cruise ship, enchanting audiences with her soulful voice and magnetic stage presence.

Bria continues to captivate audiences with her music, bridging genres and touching the hearts of students and audiences with each performance. Whether singing a heartfelt ballad or belting out a soulful blues melody, Bria is a true vocal powerhouse whose passion for music shines through in every note.

A DeKalb County native, Stephen has served as drum major for the Southwest DeKalb High School Marching Panther Band, the Atlanta Hawks Band, and the Florida A&M University's "Marching 100". He has performed in venues such as Carnegie Hall. He has performed with many ensembles, including the Atlanta Symphony Youth Orchestra and the Metro-Atlanta Youth Wind Ensemble. Stephen has also performed on Tyler Perry's Madea's Homecoming, Amazon Prime's "Them," and Marvel's "Captain America." Stephen holds degrees from Florida A&M University and Georgia State University. A versatile performer and teacher, Stephen is experienced in preparing students for marching and concert bands. He offers trumpet, trombone, tuba, euphonium, and French horn instruction. 

Jaila is passionate about sharing her expertise in singing and performance. She has performed in various prestigious venues and events as a professional vocalist, honing her skills in genres ranging from classical to contemporary pop. Her journey has equipped her with a deep understanding of vocal techniques, stage presence, and music theory. As a music educator and graduate of the Atlanta Institute of Music, Jaila believes in nurturing each student's unique talent and helping them achieve their musical goals. Whether you're a beginner looking to explore your voice or an experienced singer aiming to refine your technique, Jaila's personalized approach ensures a supportive and enriching learning experience. Her lessons focus on vocal development, repertoire building, and performance skills tailored to individual interests and aspirations. Jaila is dedicated to fostering a love for music while empowering students to reach their full potential.

Let's embark on this musical journey together and discover the joy of singing! 

Let's explore this musical journey together and discover the joy of singing!

Taylor began taking drum lessons at ten and later graduated from the Atlanta Institute of Music. Contributing to original projects such as Old Hopes, Spirit Healer, and Self Absorbed (solo project) and doing fill-in work in Atlanta and the surrounding areas. Taylor has developed a unique sound and a process for quickly and efficiently learning material and strategies for practice to ensure students see consistent growth in their playing. Taylor loves seeing a passionate student grow and realize that all goals are achievable with training and a little direction.

Alicia Taylor has been playing piano since just prior to her fourth birthday. She grew up in a very musical family, and her parents were music professors at the University of Arkansas, Missouri Southern State University, University of Southern Mississippi, University of Louisiana at Monroe, William Carey University, and Auburn University, among others. Alicia has served as a church musician since the age of 12. Her first compensated position was playing piano and accompanying the choir in a small Baptist Church in Monroe, Louisiana. Alicia also learned to play violin and flute quite proficiently (principal second violin with the Auburn University Symphony Orchestra while in high school and as a flute soloist with the Seattle Symphony while in high school), but piano has always been her primary instrument. 

She has twice sung in Carnegie Hall, performing the Robert Ray GOSPEL MASS under the baton of Dr. Eric Nelson, Director of Choral Studies at Emory University; and performing The Sounds of War and Peace: A Great and Glorious Victory under the baton of Jonathan Willcocks, the son of Sir David Willcocks. Alicia has served churches all over the country (Washington, New York, North Carolina, and Georgia). 

Since moving to Georgia in 1995, she served as a part-time staff singer at various churches in Metro Atlanta and full time as Director of Music at Norcross Presbyterian Church, Director of Worship and Arts at Johns Creek Presbyterian Church, and most recently as Director of Music and Worship Arts at Covington First Presbyterian Church. She is now serving as the pianist/accompanist at Wesley Methodist Church in Covington, Georgia. Alicia maintains a small piano studio at Johns Creek Presbyterian Academy of Fine Arts, a ministry she founded in 2009.

She has been teaching piano for nearly 30 years and loves to share the joy of making music with students of all ages. Alicia is the mother of four grown children and grandmother to two grandsons and one granddaughter. She resides in Covington with her dog, Molly.