Asia Ellingsworth Columbia Piano.

Born in Rolla, MO, Asia Ellingsworth discovered her passion for music at the young age of 7. Her musical journey began within a local community choir for children, where she took her first steps into the world of melodies. During her time in this choir, she found inspiration in a skilled pianist who left an indelible mark on her heart.

Upon grasping the essence of music and its intricate workings, Asia embarked on a new path—learning to play the piano. Guided by a team of exceptional music instructors, she tirelessly honed her skills, gradually unraveling her deep-rooted affinity for the instrument.

Currently a sophomore at Mizzou, Asia is passionately pursuing psychology, nurturing her ambition to become a Music Therapist. Her desire to touch lives through the magic of music has always burned brightly within her. Endowed with kindness, compassion, and unwavering patience, Asia extends these qualities to everyone fortunate enough to cross her path.

Audrey Bush Columbia Violin, Improvisation, Song Writing.

Audrey Dae Bush was born into a family of musicians from the small river town of Washington, Missouri. Her mother, a voice and piano teacher, encouraged Audrey to start violin lessons at the age of 5, and Audrey has loved to fiddle ever since.

Throughout elementary, middle, and high school, Audrey was a member of the Washington School District Orchestra, eventually becoming concertmaster in 12th grade. Also through high school, Audrey participated in theatre, where she strengthened her vocal skills.

Audrey sang in the East Central College Community Choir and regularly performed as a church musician. She played with friends in a local ensemble and even took on fun fiddle gigs.

Becca Griffin Columbia Guitar, Piano, Ukulele.

Rebecca Griffin is a piano and guitar teacher. She loves to teach beginners and enjoys journeying with students as they learn their instrument. She enjoys finding the best way to teach each student – everyone is different!

Rebecca Griffin has been playing guitar since a young age and has teaching experience even before being trained and starting here at A Major Music. She minored in music and is currently studying to become a Music Practitioner, a practice that creates a healing environment in clinical settings for patients by responding musically based on the science of sound. She uses voice, guitar, and piano for this practice.

Rebecca loves playing and singing for special events and has worked as a professional musician since 2010.

Caitlin Nance Columbia Guitar, Piano, Voice, Ukulele, Ear Training, Music Theory.

Caitlin is a harpist, pianist, guitar player and more from a small town in Illinois. She started on the flute at age 9 until she could convince her mother that she really did like music and would commit to learning the harp and piano at age 12. She moved to Indiana, PA in 2011 to get her Bachelor of Science in Music Education at Indiana University of Pennsylvania. Caitlin enjoyed being in a variety of ensembles as a harpist in an orchestra to a flute player in a concert band to a singer in a jazz band.

In 2015, Caitlin moved to Dallas, Texas to start and teach in an elementary music program and then to start a middle school program in 2016 where she taught for 4 years. In 2018, Caitlin continued with her passion for music and expanded her musical and education repertoire by enrolling in a distance music therapy program with St. Mary of the Woods College based in Indiana.

Dante Cartwright Columbia Guitar, Saxophone, Ear Training, Song Writing, Ukulele.

Dante is an accomplished guitarist from Columbia, Missouri.

Since his 6th-grade days, Dante has showcased his musical talents in various settings, from performing with top nationally ranked high-school jazz bands to captivating audiences at concerts, and even participating in marching bands.

Dante's passion lies in teaching and discussing music. His teaching style is both informative and laid-back, creating a comfortable learning environment. One aspect he cherishes most about teaching is fulfilling students' requests by learning and playing songs they love.

Jackson Speed Columbia Piano.

Born in Chicago, and raised in the small town of Ozark, Missouri, Jackson Speed began studying piano and guitar at age 6. His influences encompass the Southern Bluegrass of The Ozarks, Classical Music, and 70s Rock. Whenever the opportunity arises, Jackson delights in teaching, performing, or engaging in discussions about anything related to music.

Jackson has secured numerous State and National awards in classical piano, and in the years 2022-23, he held the prestigious position of president within the Young Artists of SAMTA (Springfield Area Music Teachers Association). As an instructor, Jackson offers a balanced blend of a relaxed demeanor and dedicated guidance, nurturing his students toward their musical aspirations and fostering their growth.

Currently pursuing a major in Business with a minor in Architecture at the University of Missouri, Jackson maintains a harmonious relationship between his academic pursuits and his musical passion.

Jamaica Scott Columbia Piano, Improvisation.

Jamaica is from Saint Louis, Mo. She began taking piano lessons at the age of 9. She has a love for education and has held a love for music her entire life. Classical music is her favorite, but she also enjoys jazz and ragtime. Jamaica has attended Saint Louis University, the University of Missouri-St. Louis, and is finishing up her Psychology degree and Elementary Education certification at Columbia College.

Jamaica has played at churches, weddings, recitals, competitions, and talent shows. One of her relishes is to be able to share the gift of music with the world and ignite the talent in those around her. Jamaica has one daughter, 7, and is a full-time homeschooling parent. She and her daughter enjoy reading, watching 'Turtle Tales' and listening to Michael Jackson in their spare time.

Josh Golden Columbia Guitar, Bass, Drums, Ear Training, Music Theory, Song Writing, Ukulele, Mandolin.

Josh is a guitar player from O’Fallon, Missouri. He currently resides in Columbia and is working towards his Bachelor’s degree in Anthropology at Mizzou. He has been playing guitar, drums, and bass for over 8 years. After starting his musical journey in 6th grade, Josh fell deeper into his love for music and played in bands throughout high school. This experience gave him what he needed to expand his taste and musical abilities.

Josh enjoys playing, writing, and listening to as many genres of music as possible. He's an expert finger picker! These genres range from Bluegrass, to Indie, to Metal, and everything in between. Josh is experienced in playing rhythm and lead guitars, as well as writing original pieces. He is always looking to refine his musical skills and knowledge. No matter the taste in music, Josh is sure to be able to assist students on their musical journey.

In addition to guitar, drums, and bass, Josh has taught himself to play banjo, mandolin, ukulele, and piano.

JT McClendon Columbia Drums.

JT is a drummer from Dixon, MO. He started playing drums as a toddler but started taking it seriously at around 13 years old. He played in school, churches, and cover bands growing up and now plays in a band around the Columbia area. As a kid he mostly listened to metal and heavy rock, which led to progressive metal and jazz in high school and college.

JT's passion and natural talent for drumming has helped him refine his skills to get where he is today. Now he wishes to help other people build their talent and skills so they can feel the joy of creating music. 

Lauren Abbott Columbia Voice, Violin.

Lauren Abbott was born and raised in Rolla, Missouri. She grew up singing in church and started playing violin at the age of 8. She immediately loved it and excelled quickly.

She enjoys listening to and playing lots of different music genres, including but not limited to indie, 80s, and modern rock.

Lauren has previously been employed at a summer camp ministry, working for multiple summers and gaining experience on building relationships with kids. She moved to Columbia in 2022 and gained more experience with children working as a school photographer.

She is so excited to teach new students wether they are beginners or advanced!!

Mikayla Fender Columbia Piano, Voice, Ear Training, Music Theory.

Mikayla, a recent music graduate from Central Methodist University, has been singing since she was 10 years old. Throughout middle school and high school, she continued to participate in the worship team at her church, knowing she wanted to pursue music as a career. Mikayla picked up the piano the summer before attending college, and went on to study both voice and piano as part of her degree.

While in school, she participated in the Worship Band, Jazz Band, Conservatory Choir, and maintained a 4.0 GPA for all four years of study. Due to her dedicated work ethic, she was able to graduate a semester early in December of 2022.

Mikayla focused on music ministry in college and has applied those skills in various aspects of her life. She consistently plays, sings, and leads contemporary worship music at local churches in Columbia. Beyond her primary involvement in the church, she regularly performs as the lead singer and keys player for her cover band, which she started with her husband.

Mikayla enjoys teaching students who may be new to music, looking to learn, and practice basic knowledge and skills. While Contemporary Worship is where her greatest passion lies, she also has a deep appreciation for Musical Theater and Pop.

Moon Ray Columbia Piano, Voice, Ukulele.

Moon Ray was practically born on the stage, dancing by the age of four and appearing in countless musical theatre productions with PACE, CEC, and Maple Wood Barn over the years. Throughout the years at school, Moon participated in regional and state ensembles and solo vocal competitions as well as competitive show choir.

More recently they performed original songs at local venues and worked with The Revolution Church's primary and youth worship bands – helping lead vocals and teaching harmonies, as well as playing bass.

Moon enjoys making art, hiking and composing songs, and is abundantly grateful to be able to teach and perform music with others.

Noah Schmitz Columbia Guitar.

Noah Schmitz is a guitar teacher from Kansas City, MO. He started playing when he was 14. Noah knows that anyone can learn and play music and he loves helping others achieve their dreams of becoming a musician! Noah would describe his teaching style as patient, accessible, and enthusiastic.

Noah started his musical journey at a young age by joining the ukulele club at his school. He fell in love with music and progressed so quickly that his instructor would have him help teach songs to the class. There he learned that playing music with others is one of the most fulfilling things in this life. Noah’s musical education is never finished, and he loves teaching others what he’s learned!

Phiya Kushi Columbia Guitar, Piano, Ear Training, Arranging, Music Theory, Improvisation, Song Writing.

At an early age his older musical sister taught him to read music and he was immediately hooked. By age 11 he spent hours on the piano learning every song and style he heard and loved. In his teens, he was gifted a classical guitar and quickly developed the ability to learn songs and complex chord arrangements by ear on the guitar. Although he loves playing and teaching all different genres, his forte is classical and finger styles.

Professionally, Phiya is a macrobiotic educator and has worked in the natural and organic foods industry his entire life. Through the years, in his spare time and as a hobby, he strove to advance his musical skills whenever he could, focusing more recently on jazz piano improvisation and expanding his Brazilian, Spanish and classical guitar. Through the years he has met and been inspired by many musicians who sees music as the universal language that brings people together.

Sage Cuebas Columbia Guitar, Improvisation, Song Writing.

Sage Cuebas is a nice, fun, and well-rounded guitarist hailing from New York City who specializes in heavy rock/metal.

Growing up in such a melting pot, he was exposed to music from all over the world at a young age, and that inspiration led him to start playing guitar at an early age.
He soaked up every music education program he could find, including classical guitar at university.
In time, he would come to take lessons from renowned guitarists Angel Vivaldi and Emil Werstler for a short time.

He played in various hard rock and heavy metal acts throughout New York State, eventually touring the country before landing permanently in Columbia, Missouri, where he began actively pursuing his project as a solo instrumental guitarist.
Since relocating to Missouri, he has branched out into a multitude of genres such as neo-soul, gypsy jazz, trap metal, and country, among others.

Stephen Lavely Columbia Guitar, Piano, Ear Training, Arranging, Music Theory, Improvisation, Song Writing.

Stephen is a guitarist and pianist from O Fallon, Missouri. He has been playing music every day for hours a day for over ten years. He studied music in college and is currently a senior at MU getting his bachelors degree.

He has played with choirs, jazz bands, rock bands, and many other types of bands. He has studied Jazz, classical, rock, country, folk, bluegrass, funk, experimental, and many other types of musical genres in the world.

Sydney Syd Hemwall Columbia Piano, Voice, Arranging, Music Theory, Improvisation, Song Writing.

Sydney Hemwall was born in Columbia and has been playing music since she was 8. She got started on piano and added voice, flute, oboe, and saxophone in middle school. In high school she began show choir while continuing to take voice and piano.

Sydney went to college at University of Missouri Kansas City for music therapy at their conservatory. She is currently pursuing a degree in environmental science by working on her general education at Moberly Area Community College although music is still huge in her life.