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 getting a music degree and a certificate in multicultural studies, 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 was born into a family of musicians from the small river town of Washington, Missouri. She began learning violin—classical and folk/fiddle—at the age of five, taking private lessons and joining the Washington School District orchestras, where she eventually became concertmaster. In high school, Audrey also participated in four musical theatre productions, sang in the East Central College Community Choir and earned state festival recognition.

Audrey plays music for occasional church services and regularly performs for local weddings and events, including the annual Sounds of Starkenburg Holiday Concerts. Her musical influences include Dr. Susie Thierbach of the Metropolitan Orchestra of St. Louis, Alison Krauss and, of course, Lindsey Stirling. She loves all styles and teaches learners of all kinds!

Audrey completed her BA in English from the University of Missouri in the spring of 2023 and is now working toward her graduate degree. She believes that music, with all its psychological benefits, truly has the power to stop time and change lives for the best. Audrey has worked at A Major Music Lessons since 2020.

Becca Griffin Columbia Guitar, Piano, Ukulele, Voice, Song Writing.

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.

Carter Moore Columbia Guitar, Piano, Bass, Voice, Ear Training, Music Theory, Ukulele.

Carter Moore was born into a very musical family and has been singing and playing instruments for most of his 26 years. He received his vocal training from Nollie Moore, and while getting his Bachelor of Arts in Music at Columbia College, he performed in various productions, including playing the role of Dickon in the college’s production of The Secret Garden, Fagin in Oliver!, as well as Jack in Into the Woods, and the role of Jesus in Godspell. Carter has performed in over 30 staged shows during his time in musical theater, starting from age 7 and continuing to this day.

While at Columbia College, he also advanced to the national round of the singing competition NATS (National Association of Teachers of Singing) and placed 2nd in the musical theater category, while placing 1st in musical theater and 2nd in classical at the annual Mid-Mo NATS.

Moore plans to continue his education with a master’s degree in vocal performance and conducting. Carter also performs live around Columbia with the local band Outermind, where he is the lead guitarist, keyboardist, and a singer-songwriter for the group.

Davion Hambrick Columbia Voice, Music Theory.

Davion is a classically trained tenor with nearly 20 years of musical experience.

He holds a Bachelor of Arts in Music with a Voice Concentration from the University of North Texas and also plays acoustic guitar.

He currently serves as the Worship Director at his church and enjoys helping students grow in skill and confidence.

Dominick DeStefano Columbia Piano, Saxophone, Ear Training, Arranging, Music Theory.

Originally from Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, Dominick is a composer, musician, and music educator. As a composer, he has written works for a wide variety of ensembles, including wind ensemble, big band, brass ensemble, and various chamber ensembles. His works have been recorded and performed by numerous groups including the West Chester University Wind Symphony, the Criterions Jazz Ensemble, Network for New Music, and Constellation Men’s Ensemble.

In addition to his work as a composer, Dominick performs regularly as a bassoonist and is an active educator. Dominick holds a bachelor’s degree in composition from West Chester University and is currently pursuing his master’s degree at the University of Missouri.

He enjoys sharing his passion for music and helping students grow as musicians.

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. 

Kaitlin Arellano Columbia Piano, Voice, Ukulele, Ear Training, Music Theory, Improvisation, Song Writing, Conducting.

Kaitlin is a classically trained musician from rural southwest Kansas. Although it was a challenge to pursue music education in an agricultural environment, Kaitlin and her parents were determined to find opportunities for musical growth wherever they could. Weekly hour-long drives for piano lessons, trips across the state for weekend performances and collegiate music workshops, along with daily in-home musical immersion, have all shaped Kaitlin into the musician she is today.

Kaitlin received her degree in Music from Emporia State University, where she minored in Psychology, sparked by her interest in Music Therapy. She understands the intrinsic motivation required to continue pursuing music education and works hard to instill confidence in her students by fostering a positive, healthy learning environment.

With eight years of teaching experience, Kaitlin has positively impacted many students and is passionate about how music can shape us into better individuals. In her free time, she enjoys crafting and creating, traveling back to Kansas to visit family, learning Spanish, and advocating for causes like environmental sustainability within her local community.

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!!

Michael Dixon Columbia Violin, Music Theory, Cello, Conducting.

Michael Dixon has been playing the violin since 4th grade. Michael’s passion for orchestra music soon grew as he continued to play through middle school and high school. This eventually led to him leading a high school quintet to state finals in the Kansas Solo and Ensemble Festival.

He realized that in leading this group, he enjoyed helping others and teaching. Michael pursues a music education major. He is currently student teaching in the Columbia School District.

Throughout his musical career, Michael has performed in the Johnson County Community Orchestra, Emporia Symphony Orchestra, Baker University Orchestra, and is currently playing with the Columbia Civic Orchestra.

Mikayla Fender Columbia Piano, Voice, Ear Training.

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.

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.

Scott Fletcher Columbia Guitar, Voice, Arranging, Music Theory, Song Writing.

Scott is a guitarist and singer born and raised in Eureka, MO, just outside of St. Louis. He first found his love for playing music in 8th grade after joining a band with his friends. This band gave Scott much experience in playing, performing, and especially songwriting throughout high school.

He's been playing guitar and singing night and day since he was a kid. He enjoys all kinds of genres ranging from rock, jazz, country, etc.

Scott is currently attending Mizzou and seeking a degree in Secondary Education. He has a passion for teaching and sharing his love of music with others.

Trey Parks Columbia Guitar.

Trey Parks is a guitarist that was born in and raised in Texas, now living in Columbia, Missouri. He has played guitar since the age of 13. He has also had experience playing with ensembles and a band in many different contexts.

More info coming soon...