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

John Jorgensen
John Jorgensen Portrait

Meet John Jorgensen!

I have been playing guitar and bass for 30+ years, keyboard and drums for 15 years. I have a degree in music and dual master’s degrees in the Humanities. I love teaching and do so around 25% of my week and produce music the rest: selling my music to use in TV/Cable/Streaming outlets. I’m currently a guitar player in Valley Range (a Charlotte band), a reggae band and an electronic project.

Why I Became A Musician

The rock/pop/garage music of the 1960s was my first musical love. Bands like The Who, The Beatles, The Kinks, etc were central to me wanting to learn how to play guitar and learn songwriting and later, production (recording & mixing).

My Memorable Musical Experience

The first time I saw Pat Metheny play. His compositions and mastery of the guitar is spell-binding.

A fun fact about me is...

I love cats, and have two sister cats.

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

Have some music that you love on the instrument that you are learning. The desire to hear that music will be an engine to learn it together with your instrument. Also, take your time and let your mind and fingers develop at your individual pace - all while keeping the joy of music alive.

Jessica Milner
Jessica Milner Portrait

Meet Jessica Milner!

I am a certified music educator with over 13 years of experience. I am classically trained in voice and musical theater. I enjoy making lessons fun and engaging for all of my students.

Why I Became A Musician

My first time singing in Carnegie Hall sparked my passion to become a music educator. The absolute joy it brings me to help my students reach their goals is indescribable.

My Memorable Musical Experience

My most memorable musical moment would be taking my high school choral students to perform in Spain and Italy.

A fun fact about me is...

I recently performed in Theater Charlotte’s Little Shop of Horrors.

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

Be kind with yourself. Mistakes will happen but that’s all apart of the journey.

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.

Madison Lucas
Madison Lucas Portrait

Meet Madison Lucas!

I have been a performing indie rock musician and band leader in Charlotte for over 10+ years. In my band I play guitar, synthesizer and piano. I’m also the vocalist and main songwriter. I’m classically trained on piano and trumpet.

Why I Became A Musician

Watching videos of The Beatles, David Bowie, Fiona Apple (to name a few) over and over.

My Memorable Musical Experience

My band opened for a sold out Echo and the Bunnymen show at The Filmore. Highlight of my life!

A fun fact about me is...

My love of music began in the marching band (7 years experience).

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

Your only goal is to be a little bit better than you were the week before. That’s all you ever have to focus on and you’ll always be growing!

Miasol Yara
Miasol Yara Portrait

Meet Miasol Yara!

I grew up in a musical family taking lessons in cello, violin, and piano as well as participating in musical theater and choir. I picked up guitar and ukulele when I was around 9 years old, the same time I joined my first pop/rock band. During middle school I started teaching music, and I later was a member of a funk band and another rock band. During college, I joined and music directed an a capella group and continued to teach music.

Why I Became A Musician

My parents are musicians and filled our lives with music as children, so it has always been a natural part of my life. I found a particular love for singing to the point where I feel I can't go without it, and a lot of my motivation to grow my instrumental skills is to accompany that love.

My Memorable Musical Experience

Getting to play Esmeralda in The Hunchback of Notre Dame, with Legacy Theater!

A fun fact about me is...

I have lots of other interests including art, creative writing, and animals- I even have a pet snake!

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

The more tools you have to work with, the more you can create. So many of my skills have come not just from lessons, but from expanding my listening and personal practice into a huge variety of music. Even more importantly, you have to consistently use the tools you have so they don't get rusty. Figure out what kind or what part of music draws you in the most, and create your own standards. Nobody is born a musician, and anyone can become one.

Frances Nieves
Frances Nieves Portrait

Meet Frances Nieves!

I have been playing instruments for over 20 years and spent more than half of that time studying classically. I have worked in Music Supervision (Soundtracking) and scored for a short film. I have been a part of many ensembles including youth orchestra. During my time in University I studied Viola under Leilehua Lanzilotti and released music independently as part of a band. I have been teaching privately since college and love to help others find the joy that music brings.

Why I Became A Musician

I've been playing since I was so young that I'm not sure there is one thing exactly. My dad used to play guitar to my mom when she was pregnant of me and then I had one in my hands by age 7. I've just always known that no matter what I did for the rest of my life, music had to be a part of it... Also Continuum by John Mayer 🙂

My Memorable Musical Experience

When I was at NYU my band was asked to play for the next freshmen class of Steinhardt Students and their parents. We played a venue called Kimmel and there were almost a thousand people there. It was electric and we felt so cool. It was also the biggest crowed I've played for.

A fun fact about me is...

My high school orchestra played Beethoven's 5th when I was 17 in the original arrangement.

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

Follow your heart and your ears. Trust that you will learn what you need to know so long as you are in line with what you want to get out of playing and also what sounds good to you. Technique can be learned but true music is made with feeling. Dedicate how you can but do so with consistency. Be patient. Trust the process.

Phil Pucci
Phil Pucci Portrait

Meet Phil Pucci!

I’ve been writing songs and playing in bands for 25 years. I started teaching and coaching student bands 8 years ago.

Why I Became A Musician

When my older cousin visited my family for a week, and he was constantly playing Jimi Hendrix and Led Zeppelin licks on guitar. I asked for my own guitar that Christmas.

My Memorable Musical Experience

My proudest music memories are when I’ve played album release shows. That’s a very accomplished feeling.

A fun fact about me is...

Many years ago, an anonymous person recorded covers of over 10 of my songs and uploaded them to bandcamp. I never found out who it was.

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

Learn songs you already know and like. Have fun playing and don’t put too much pressure on yourself.

Elliot Shaw
Elliot Shaw Portrait

Meet Elliot Shaw!

I have been playing drums and guitar for over 20 years, playing in multiple bands and in lots of settings. My influences include Danny Carey, John Bonham and Chad Smith on the drums. I can play/teach most styles including rock, pop, jazz, hip hop and more.

Why I Became A Musician

My parents are both musicians and had their own band when I was growing up. Once I started playing drums at 13 years old, they even had me play some shows with them!

My Memorable Musical Experience

Playing in front of 5,000 people for St. Patrick’s Day a few years ago.

A fun fact about me is...

I got to play impromptu shows with a lead singer of Trans Siberian Orchestra and a former bassist of Stevie Wonder.

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

Take it slow and have fun. Don’t get frustrated if something is hard. You’ll look back in a year or two and be amazed at how far you’ve come.

Jack Erickson
Jack Erickson Portrait

Meet Jack Erickson!

Music is my expression of my creativity. Been a constant in my life since a young age. I love teaching professionally and helping my students grow through both practice and performance experiences!

Why I Became A Musician

My brother.

My Memorable Musical Experience

Building my own guitar!

A fun fact about me is...

I've built my own instruments.

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

Do it for the passion and nothing else!

CJ Baker
CJ Baker Portrait

Meet CJ Baker!

I’ve been a full-time musician for 12 yrs. I’ve toured and played with all types of industry artists. Music is my life!

Why I Became A Musician

I come from a musical family.

My Memorable Musical Experience

Getting called for my first touring gig.

A fun fact about me is...

I'm silly.

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

Never stop learning, stay ready, and be willing to evolve.

Kay Millward
Kay Millward Portrait

Meet Kay Millward!

I’m a lifelong pianist and experienced teacher who loves helping students reach that “I can actually play this!” moment. I keep lessons relaxed, supportive, and centered around music each student is excited to learn. My goal is to make playing piano feel fun and doable for anyone.

Why I Became A Musician

I grew up surrounded by musicians, like my piano teacher/alto/cellist mother, pianist/tenor father, and piano teacher/drummer/composer/producer brother. I couldn't help but be inspired by the creativity and musicality of my wonderful family.

My Memorable Musical Experience

When I was 10, I sat down at the piano in front of a crowd of parents to perform my recital piece. I started playing, but I just couldn't get past the first couple of bars. I knew that piece so well, but my fingers all of a sudden forgot. Luckily, I also had a Scott Joplin piece memorized that I decided to try instead, and my fingers remembered that one just fine. In the end, Scott Joplin turned out to be more of a crowd pleaser than Bach probably would have.

A fun fact about me is...

I love knitting!

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

Find a song you really want to know how to play, whether that be the Succession theme song or Pagliacci. Set that goal and work towards it!

Harry Charles
Harry Charles Portrait

Meet Harry Charles!

Harry Charles is a multi-instrumentalist from Rock Hill, South Carolina. He began playing piano in his early teens and has developed a high musical proficiency and repertoire spanning many genres and styles. He has performed extensively throughout the southeast with his award-winning musical variety show “Harry & Harrison.” Harry believes that with the right instruction, anyone can become a musician and unlock their own potential.

Why I Became A Musician

There's always something so magical about watching somebody operate a musical instrument with precision & passion. I can remember as a kid having countless experiences of seeing live musicians in restaurants or busking on the streets and knowing that if it was possible for me to find a way to do that for the rest of my life, I was going to find that way.

My Memorable Musical Experience

When I learned my first song on the piano and played it over and over again because of how proud I was!

A fun fact about me is...

I love cooking!

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

Don't be afraid to mess up! To be a great musician you have to be patient with yourself and with the process; learning to command rhythm melody & harmony is like learning a new language and no one can do that in a day, it takes time. Remember this because it's important- 10 minutes of practice every day is far more beneficial to your learning than cramming for an hour once a week.

Dillon Taylor
Dillon Taylor Portrait

Meet Dillon Taylor!

Dillon’s passion for music began at an early age, growing up in a home filled with musical toys and instruments. Their formal musical education started in elementary school orchestra and expanded through private guitar lessons and like-minded friends. From performing in string quartets and rock bands to recording and producing music, Dillon enjoys exploring all parts of music.

Why I Became A Musician

The seemingly endless sounds that even a single instrument can make. I was fascinated by how something as deceptively simple as a guitar could always surprise me with something new.

My Memorable Musical Experience

Seeing a live performance of Yo-Yo Ma and The Silk Road Ensemble - they were all such amazing musicians who exuded not only talent but joy as well.

A fun fact about me is...

I still have all of my widsom teeth.

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

Follow your curiosity and whatever you find fun! There are so many ways to enjoy music, and chances are it will take some exploring before you find something that speaks to you.

Dave Spencer
Dave Spencer Portrait

Meet Dave Spencer!

I have been playing and teaching music for almost 50 years! I play a dozen instruments and sing, and have 3 local bands in Raleigh.

Why I Became A Musician

Has to be seeing the Beatles on Ed Sullivan.

My Memorable Musical Experience

Playing Jazz Fest and the World's Fair in New Orleans.

A fun fact about me is...

Just bought a sitar - trying to play some scales!

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

Play every day, and keep it fun.

Robin Halferty
Robin Halferty Portrait

Meet Robin Halferty!

I started playing piano at the age of 3 and was exposed to it a lot due to my mother being a piano instructor. Three years later I learned the violin and stuck with it for years to come, and played in multiple rigorous youth orchestras. I play casually now, but continued my passion for music through teaching.

Why I Became A Musician

My mother inspired me to become a musician. I grew up watching her teach her students piano and ended up following in her footsteps.

My Memorable Musical Experience

My most memorable musical moment was playing in symphony orchestras since I was a young girl. I never knew that so many moving parts could create such a beautiful, unified sound and it was so fun to see (and hear) everything come together.

A fun fact about me is...

I am a fur baby lover. If you have pets, I will always be okay with them sitting in and hanging out during lessons. :).

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

Sometimes learning something new can be hard, but the hard stuff becomes easy eventually. Instead of seeing it as an obstacle, take it on as a challenge! The reward of accomplishing what you once thought was impossible or difficult is the best feeling.

Catarina Sanchez
Catarina Sanchez Portrait

Meet Catarina Sanchez!

I started out playing saxophone in middle and high school, then joined choir in high school and decided I wanted to teach. At WCU I was apart of the marching band, symphonic band, concert choir and chamber choir. Now, I play piano and sing whenever I get the chance to, teach as much as I can, and learn every day.

Why I Became A Musician

When I was young, my oldest brother was a trombone player and encouraged me to learn an instrument. When I got older, I just absolutely loved the feeling of creating and sharing beautiful music with a group of people.

My Memorable Musical Experience

Singing Poulenc's Gloria with my college choir and a visiting orchestra from New York.

A fun fact about me is...

I love to sew and crochet.

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

Get your fingers on the instrument, or sing, as much as possible. Even if it's for 5 minutes!

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