Our Instructors are the best!

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We ensure that only the best instructors become Bold Music instructors by thoroughly vetting every candidate against our core values and their music ability, guaranteeing that they are an excellent fit for our Bold families.

Our white-glove matching process ensures that we match you and your family with the best instructor for your goals and schedule.

Take a look at all our instructors and if you’re ready to get started simply click below!

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The Hiring Process

  1. Application Review/Screening
  2. Core Values Exercise
  3. Live Interview with Bold Management Team
  4. Performance/Proficiency Review
  5. Mock Lesson
  6. Reference Reach Out
  7. Background Check
  8. Final Review and Offer!

Meet Our Instructors

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Benjamin Pearson
Benjamin Pearson Portrait

Meet Benjamin Pearson!

I am a seasoned multi-instrumentalist with over 16 years of piano experience, alongside guitar and bass expertise. My repertoire spans classical, jazz, hymns, and contemporary Christian music, shaped by years of performing for local churches, gospel choirs, and live shows across Charlotte, NC and Williamsburg, VA. I majored in music at the College of William & Mary and love to share my love for music through teaching, conversation, and demonstration.

Why I Became A Musician

My mom inspired me. She grew up playing the bagpipes and piano and initially taught me piano.

My Memorable Musical Experience

In high school I sang Wellerman with two of my best friends for a talent show. We walked off the stage thinking we bombed and were pretty hard on ourselves but when the awards were being announced, we received 2nd place. It's memorable because it taught me not to be too critical of my own ability and skillset; if I work hard, practice, and pour myself into a performance, it will be evident.

A fun fact about me is...

I know Morse code!

My advice to someone starting to learn music is...

You are not bad, you're inexperienced. Even the best musicians started as beginners. Time + practice = skill.

Joseph Conde
Joseph Conde Portrait

Meet Joseph Conde!

Music has been a part of my life since I can remember. It’s the biggest part of my life and I hope to share that magic with every one of my students. As a multi-instrumentalist I offer a tailored approach to the needs and goals of all of my students regardless of instrument!

Why I Became A Musician

The magic it invokes and the happiness it brings me.

My Memorable Musical Experience

Playing for a crowd of 700 people, all excited to hear my music.

A fun fact about me is...

I can juggle.

My advice to someone starting to learn music is...

Keep going and don’t give up. Music can be difficult but incredibly rewarding. Take breaks but always keep pushing.

Caroline Belk
Caroline Belk Portrait

Meet Caroline Belk!

I’ve been playing and writing music since I was 10 years old. I’ve played and toured in bands and also write, record and produce my own solo music. I have a BA degree from Berklee College of music in Songwriting and Producing Music with Summa Cum Laude honors. It is such a joy for me that I now get to teach music!

Why I Became A Musician

My older brother teaching me Nirvana songs on the guitar when I was 10.

My Memorable Musical Experience

Going on tour in Europe last minute for 3 weeks with an old band I was in many years ago.

A fun fact about me is...

I love analog synthesizers!🎹

My advice to someone starting to learn music is...

Be patient with the journey and don’t forget to have fun all along the way. Music has a place for everyone.

Domenice Elcock
Domenice Elcock Portrait

Meet Domenice Elcock!

Charlotte based singer/songwriter, producer, and teacher – Domenice Elcock has been teaching piano, holistic vocal training, vocal therapy, songwriting, production, and artist development for 10 years. With experience ranging from theatre/musicals, choir directing, composing, live shows, studio recording to doing one on one sessions, she has created and contributed to forming safe spaces for others to explore a vast musical landscape and learn about themselves in the process.

Why I Became A Musician

I remember at the age of six my father came home with a huge bag of cassette tapes. There were Spanish songs, opera, instrumental tracks from India, and even indigenous music from aboriginal tribes in Australia! We would listen to, and sing with them in the car everyday. I fell in love with the language of music. No matter where it came from or how different it was…it all told these beautiful and sometimes heartbreaking stories. I wanted to be able to communicate that way too and so I asked for a keyboard for Christmas!

My Memorable Musical Experience

My very first show that I performed under my artist name. My husband and I did a song that we wrote together. And hearing everyone in the room singing it with us was just pure magic!

A fun fact about me is...

I loooove anime!!! I am currently learning Japanese and Korean so I can watch my favorite shows without subtitles.

My advice to someone starting to learn music is...

Keep an open mind. Be kind to yourself while you are learning, and acknowledge that growth doesn’t happen without struggle. Some days will feel better than others but each day you work at it, remember that it’s worth it!

Chad White
Chad White Portrait

Meet Chad White!

Chad White teaches Trumpet, Piano, Drums, Guitar, Bass and Ukulele. A multi-instrumentalist, Chad is a 2020 graduate of the University of North Carolina at Greensboro where he studied Music as well as Arts Administration. Chad is a Charlotte resident and has many years of experience playing music professionally and has played in various musical ensembles including the UNCG Wind Ensemble, Jazz Ensemble, and Trumpet Ensemble, as well as other local bands.

Why I Became A Musician

When I was very young around the holidays, I saw a band playing jingle bell rock, which was my favorite holiday song at the time and thought it was super cool! I always loved music and jumped at the opportunity to join band in middle school.

My Memorable Musical Experience

Performing at the 2019 National Trumpet Competition in with the UNCG Trumpet Ensemble.

A fun fact about me is...

I love hiking!

My advice to someone starting to learn music is...

Focus on getting a strong set of basics at first. Memorize all of the musical alphabet, chord tones, and scales. After that you can really start having fun!

Inyoni N’Kosi
Inyoni N’Kosi Portrait

Meet Inyoni N’Kosi!

Hello! My name is Inyoni N’kosi, and I’ve been teaching private music lessons in the greater Atlanta area since 2016.
I earned my music degree from Florida State University, with a minor in Japanese and a focus on Music in Special Education.
If I could go back to school, I’d add ethnomusicology to my degrees.

Why I Became A Musician

My grandmother was my biggest inspiration for being a musician. Her eager and adamant support always keep me happily practicing. I still play the last song she ever got to hear me play to honor her memory.

My Memorable Musical Experience

My most memorable musical moment was writing a piece of piano music with one of my students. It was about dragons, and we are moving on to our third piece together. And the dragons come from the book series I used when I had the privilege of being his reading tutor.

A fun fact about me is...

I've had a wonderful career as a performing musician and as a bard!

My advice to someone starting to learn music is...

Pick a reason to love it, and never lose sight of it. Learn the fundamentals of the skill before trying to master it. Trust the process.

Colby Whaley
Colby Whaley Portrait

Meet Colby Whaley!

Colby is a Raleigh native and graduate of North Carolina Wesleyan University where he obtained a Bachelor’s degree in Music Production. He has years of experience playing gigs in several acts as a guitarist as well as occasionally playing bass and drums. Colby also has experience in live sound and production on both the semi and professional level ranging from personal projects to engineering and recording classical and jazz ensembles. He enjoys helping his students explore music and acheive growth through accomplishing their personal musical goals.

Why I Became A Musician

Guitar Hero is the reason I picked up an instrument at a young age. However, learning about the career of Frank Zappa as a teen made me believe that becoming a musician is not only possible, but important and worthwhile.

My Memorable Musical Experience

My most memorable musical moment was playing the UNCW Battle of the Bands in college with my friends. Incredibly fun lineup of awesome bands and people cheering each other on.

A fun fact about me is...

My band KOMODO plays the Raleigh Museum of Natural Science's "Bugfest" every year.

My advice to someone starting to learn music is...

Be consistent! You don't need to practice for 3 hours every single day. You'd be surprised how much growth you can achieve with consistent daily practice for just 10-15 minutes!

Ben Bourne
Ben Bourne Portrait

Meet Ben Bourne!

Ben is a multi-instrumentalist who has been performing live in the Charlotte area for close to 20 years, both as a solo artist and a band member. He currently hosts weekly full-band improvisational nights (jam sessions) and also performs live as a guitarist, keyboardist, and vocalist with his band that plays regularly throughout the southeast.

Why I Became A Musician

My oldest sister introduced me to a lot of music that I still listen to today, and when she began to learn guitar, it was inevitable that I'd want to follow after her. I started playing guitar when I was twelve, after she was kind enough to show me how to play a Michelle Branch on her nylon stringed classical guitar. But I ultimately wanted to play pop-punk music like my first favorite band, New Found Glory, and that was where I initially gravitated.

My Memorable Musical Experience

My first time going on tour. I played drums at the time, and we went from NC out to Austin, TX for South by Southwest. It was always a dream of mine to travel with music, and I made lifelong friends and musical collaborators in the process.

A fun fact about me is...

I refer to myself as a chronic hobbyist; my interests span very far and I love to tinker with anything from plants to cars to electronics repairs.

My advice to someone starting to learn music is...

Identify the artists, songs, or styles of music that motivate you to want to learn to play, and focus the majority of your efforts there. There are countless paths to learning music, but the one that works best for you is the one that keeps you picking up your instrument not because you feel you should, but because you have a desire to.

Corrina Lewis
Corrina Lewis Portrait

Meet Corrina Lewis!

Classically trained since age 5. Lead Songwriter and Artist of my own six piece band that performs in Charlotte regularly “Lucid Dreams”. I can teach either classical or contemporary music to any age.

Why I Became A Musician

Music has always been there for me and has been a great big fun adventure. Music makes me happier than anything else, and I love sharing that inspiration with my students!

My Memorable Musical Experience

I love writing music with my band! Starting with just some ideas and taking it all the way to production and across the ‘finish line’ is a very rewarding process!

A fun fact about me is...

I love to play and sing at the same time.

My advice to someone starting to learn music is...

It’s a lot of work in the beginning, but it’s worth it for a lifetime of joy.

Bryan Hansen
Bryan Hansen Portrait

Meet Bryan Hansen!

I have spent my life learning how music works and performing. I play regularly with local orchestras and seek out opportunities to grow and improve. I am also a founding member of the CinciSon Latin group in Cincinnati, OH.

Why I Became A Musician

I was in Fifth Grade Orchestra and the cello was too small for me, so the teacher pulled out the biggest instrument I'd ever seen.

My Memorable Musical Experience

I got to be part of orchestras supporting Edgar Meyer and Ben Folds.

A fun fact about me is...

I play Dungeons and Dragons!

My advice to someone starting to learn music is...

Find something you want to learn and start there, and don't give up. A little bit every day is better than a lot all at once. Take notes! Write things down! Keep the ball rolling!

Nicole Yakovlev
Nicole Yakovlev Portrait

Meet Nicole Yakovlev!

Music has always been a big part of my life! I’m classically trained in piano and voice and self taught in guitar and ukulele. I’ve spent years honing my musical skills through a variety of genres, and am eager to share all I have learned!

Why I Became A Musician

My mom was always playing the piano and guitar when I was a kid and I was entranced by the melodies she played! We were always singing or listening to something and it always gave me such peace. Music’s ability to make you feel connected, healed, seen, and heard is what made me become a musician.

My Memorable Musical Experience

My most memorable musical moment was when a group of friends and I sold out a well known venue in Decatur called Eddie’s Attic! We had been preparing for the show and unsure of how everything would turn out, but the day of the show we found out that we packed the venue and gave a killer performance to a crowd full of eager ears!

A fun fact about me is...

I can do a back bend!

My advice to someone starting to learn music is...

To a new music learner, I would recommend finding ways to make it fun! Practice and consistency are key but finding ways to make practicing fun can make you enjoy the learning process a lot more and make you realize how much music can give to you! Whether that’s finally learning a song that has been stuck in your head, making a game out of practicing scales, or writing your own tune, finding creative ways to spark a connection with music will create a life long relationship between you and your craft.

Casey D’Eon
Casey D’Eon Portrait

Meet Casey D’Eon!

Massachusetts native and lifelong musician with a deep-rooted passion for music. Now based in Charlotte, NC, my musical journey began at age 8 with piano and music reading, followed by guitar and bass at 13. By 15, I had joined my first band, and at 16, I taught myself to sing and write original songs—marking the start of a creative path that continues to evolve.

Why I Became A Musician

I was inspired to become a musician because my dad is one too. Growing up, I watched him play in different bands, and seeing the energy, creativity, and joy he shared with other musicians made me want to be part of that world.

My Memorable Musical Experience

My first gig was at 15, playing bass in a hardcore punk band called Erroneous Decision. The energy of that night made everything click for me—I knew right then that music was the direction my life was meant to go.

A fun fact about me is...

I have 2 children, a daughter who is 8 and son who is 3.

My advice to someone starting to learn music is...

Be kind to yourself. You won’t become a master overnight, and that’s okay. Start slowly, be patient, and remember that you’re capable of far more than you think!

JT Sutek
JT Sutek Portrait

Meet JT Sutek!

JT is a musician and teacher with a deep passion for anything musical. He first picked up guitar at age seven, and throughout the years has added a variety of instruments into his musical portfolio. He has eight years of experience recording, performing, and teaching music across North Carolina and beyond. You can often find him performing with one of his bands, investigating the local record shops, or enjoying the weather with a book and a cup of tea.

Why I Became A Musician

My parents took me to my first concert, and the rest is history.

My Memorable Musical Experience

The first time I got to see one of my students perform with a band they started. I felt so proud getting to see someone else find their passion for music, and knowing I had even a small part in that!

A fun fact about me is...

My socks never match, but there’s always a theme!

My advice to someone starting to learn music is...

You become a real musician the second you pick up an instrument. There is no magical moment where you suddenly become “good enough” to have music be a part of your life - you did that just by starting!

Jackson Harden
Jackson Harden Portrait

Meet Jackson Harden!

Jackson Harden is a multi-instrumentalist, songwriter and performer from Utah and now residing in Concord. He got his start in music at the age of eight when he started taking private lessons for guitar, now his primary instrument, specializing in fingerstyle picking and folk & rock music. Over the twenty years since then he has picked up the piano, bass, banjo, harmonica, and lap steel guitar as well. He attended Snow College for music and graduated with a Bachelors of Commercial Music degree in 2019 which provided him with a thorough education of music theory, technique, ear training, composition and wide range of genres and musical styles. Some of his favorite artists include Bob Dylan, The Beatles, and Arctic Monkeys.

Why I Became A Musician

When I was seven years old my childhood friend gave me several burned Green Day CDs and it rocked my world. I wanted to be just like Billie Joe Armstrong and begged my parents to get me a guitar. On my eighth birthday they got me on and signed me up for guitar lessons and the rest is history!

My Memorable Musical Experience

Seeing my first real concert when I was 12 years old. I saw Jack Johnson in Salt Lake City and I remember thinking that that's what I want to do when I grow up.

A fun fact about me is...

I was an extra in High School Musical 3.

My advice to someone starting to learn music is...

Don't get discouraged if it doesn't come naturally right away. Practice a little bit every single day rather than letting days go by without practicing. Eventually it will click and then it starts to get really fun!

Matthew Johnston
Matthew Johnston Portrait

Meet Matthew Johnston!

I was self-taught on the guitar until I went to Winthrop University for Guitar Performance with a focus on Jazz. After college, I began teaching privately and playing gigs in the Rock Hill and Charlotte area. I’ve had the opportunity to play as a soloist, duo, trio, and even with a 40-piece orchestra. I now teach Elementary Music to Pk-5th grade students, as well as, play gigs as they arise. I also started a Youtube channel, Tune Time with Mr. Johnston, to help create kid-friendly resources.

Why I Became A Musician

I've always known music was my passion and knew I wanted to be involved in it in any way that I could. Neither of my parents are musicians so I've had to make and find my own path. My inspiration comes from wanting to always work hard at whatever I do and I feel that music gives my life focus.

My Memorable Musical Experience

Getting to play in downtown Nashville at Tootsies with a country band. Releasing an album with my band. Playing at the Blumenthal Theater with a 40-piece orchestra for 3 sold out shows.

A fun fact about me is...

I have a twin brother.

My advice to someone starting to learn music is...

Listen to what you want to play all the time. Find someone who inspires you on your instrument and try to learn all their ideas as best as you can. Take every opportunity you can to play live.

Jonathan Gutierrez
Jonathan  Gutierrez Portrait

Meet Jonathan Gutierrez!

I have played instruments since I was nine years old. I taught myself to play a couple of instruments. I started out learning drums, then quickly moved to guitar and bass. Ever since I have been blessed to be able to play on a live stage with good friends and I love to teach others who wish to achieve that dream as well!

Why I Became A Musician

Many bands inspired me to become a musician. I always loved music so much that hearing it wasn’t enough. I wanted to learn how to play it, this progressed me into becoming a musician.

My Memorable Musical Experience

My most memorable musical moment is the first time I went on tour with my band. I went to cities I have never been to before and got to play at them. It was an experience I truly never thought I’d get to live and I am super grateful for it!

A fun fact about me is...

I love to cook.

My advice to someone starting to learn music is...

Keep going! It will can be a little frustrating at the start. But once you learn your first chord or even a song, it is a very fulfilling feeling.

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