Georgette Class-peters
Georgette Class-peters Portrait

Meet Georgette Class-peters!

Georgette Class-Peters is an award-winning singer-songwriter, vocal coach, and educator with over 10 years of experience helping students discover the power of their voice. A Ghana Music Awards winner who has performed alongside artists like Ne-Yo and Keri Hilson, she brings both professional artistry and heartfelt mentorship to every lesson. Her mission is to empower singers to grow in confidence, skill, and authentic expression through faith and music.

Why I Became A Musician

I used to have a serious stutter. And then I realized that when I was singing, I was not stuttering by the time I became adept at speaking. I realize that music was a love that I could not shake. It was a spark that changed my life and saved it in so many instances.

My Memorable Musical Experience

When I won a Ghana music award as well as singing back up for some of my favorite artists.

A fun fact about me is...

I love coffee.

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

Consistency is key! Trust the process keep practicing every day and you’ll become a better musician day by day. Before you know it you’ll love your voice more than ever.

John Stephens
John Stephens Portrait

Meet John Stephens!

I have bachelor’s in Arts Studies (Music), a minor in Arts Entrepreneurship, and years of experience in various parts the music field. From writing/producing hardcore songs for my solo project to singing Sabrina Carpenter at karaoke, music is always at the forefront of my life!

Why I Became A Musician

At the end of my junior year of high school, a couple of friends came to my dorm room one night to hang out and play guitar; merely a week later, I impulsively bought an acoustic and got my musically-inclined cousins to show me some scales & chords that same summer.

My Memorable Musical Experience

My first live performance to debut my solo act’s first EP was surreal; being the center of attention was unfamiliar at the time, but something I’d grow to aspire for above all else. Since then, I‘ve aimed to be able to share my story, provide entertainment, and connect with people through performances on any occasion possible.

A fun fact about me is...

I got my black belt at 16!

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

Take it slow! Progress may not happen as quickly as you’d like, but getting better at slower speeds and at easier music is essential to your foundation as a musician.

Matt Cairns
Matt Cairns Portrait

Meet Matt Cairns!

Matt Cairns is a native of Edinburgh, Scotland and studied at the prestigious London College of Music. He has a bachelor’s degree in music performance and a master’s degree in music management. Throughout his career, he has performed professionally both in bands and as a vocal and guitar soloist. Most recently, he toured as a headline act on several major cruise lines, performing a blend of pop, rock and traditional Celtic music from his homeland. He has previously taught private guitar lessons in his hometown in Scotland, and he enjoys mentoring aspiring guitarists of all ages. He and his wife, moved to Charlotte in 2020, and joined Bold Music in 2024 with the goal of providing top-tier guitar education to students in the South Charlotte area.

Why I Became A Musician

Music was always something I was naturally good at and I found community through playing in bands as a teenager. The feeling of playing live with friends was magic and I wanted to keep doing that for as long as possible.

My Memorable Musical Experience

Playing my first headline show in the giant cruise ship theatre.

A fun fact about me is...

I've played music on 7 continents!

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

Have patience, it's a long road. Try to enjoy every little improvement you make.

Eric Forbis
Eric Forbis Portrait

Meet Eric Forbis!

I grew up around music with my dad being a choir director and music teacher for my childhood. I have been a full time dueling piano player for 13 years now, and I enjoy performing. I love teaching, and helping spark a love of music in a student.

Why I Became A Musician

Watching my Dad direct choirs definitely inspired me, and helped me realize my love of music. Walking into my first dueling piano bar inspired me to learn the craft, and I have enjoyed it ever since.

My Memorable Musical Experience

I was in the choir that my dad conducted all throughout High School. My senior year at our final chorus concert, my dad and I got to sing a duet. We sang “You’ve Got a Friend” by James Taylor, and I will always remember that performance.

A fun fact about me is...

I love riding motorcycles.

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

Be patient with yourself and allow yourself to make mistakes. Realize that progress happens in ways you may not notice right off the bat. Also, practice consistency is more important than practice length.

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.

Jackson Cini
Jackson Cini Portrait

Meet Jackson Cini!

I studied music at college and have been playing professionally for over ten years. I play various genres of music across the East Coast with my band and other groups.

Why I Became A Musician

From the moment I started playing at a young age, music was fun. I was inspired to chase the feeling you get playing music with others.

My Memorable Musical Experience

Playing a sold-out show for my band's debut album release.

A fun fact about me is...

I have played with a member of the Duke Ellington Orchestra!

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

Listen lots! Music is a language best learned by ear.

Michael McKeithen
Michael McKeithen Portrait

Meet Michael McKeithen!

Pianist, composer, and educator seeking to empower the next generation of musicians and artists.

Why I Became A Musician

Being able to express emotion without words/convey a message with only sound.

My Memorable Musical Experience

My first recital I ever played.

A fun fact about me is...

Really enjoy AI.

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

Practice at your own pace.

Brad Steed
Brad Steed Portrait

Meet Brad Steed!

Lifelong musician with a passion for spreading the joy and personal growth that comes with learning an instrument. I firmly believe the skills and discipline learned through the pursuit of music resonates with all other aspects of life.

Why I Became A Musician

Hearing my grandfather playing the piano as a child.

My Memorable Musical Experience

Finishing my first self-produced album!

A fun fact about me is...

Peanut butter is my favorite food!

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.

Vlad Diviziev
Vlad Diviziev Portrait

Meet Vlad Diviziev!

I’ve been performing and teaching piano for over 20 years. Music has always been a central part of my life! I offer a flexible, tailored to your level/interests/personal goals approach to my teaching method.

Why I Became A Musician

The endless creative possibilities.

My Memorable Musical Experience

Performing ans working in Japan.

A fun fact about me is...

Love to play soccer.

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

Don't give up! Steady practice with quality instruction goes a long way!

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!

David D’Angelo
David D’Angelo Portrait

Meet David D’Angelo!

David D’Angelo is a multiinstrumentalist (piano/guitar/bass), producer, composer, songwriter, performing artist & DJ. His first love is piano, which he has been playing since age 7 and teaching for 15 years now, including over 4 years with Bold Music!

Why I Became A Musician

My mother started teaching me piano! My father also played traditional Peruvian music growing up. So my family and my love for music and being able to create my own songs!

My Memorable Musical Experience

One of my most memorable moments in my music career is performing as an opening act for FKJ, In New Orleans!

A fun fact about me is...

I love Football and spending time outdoors!

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

If you truly love music then start learning and never give up! It may take longer than you think, but the journey is worth it!

Chase Taylor
Chase Taylor Portrait

Meet Chase Taylor!

I started playing piano, drums and singing in Church, with aspirations to be like Prince. That foundation ultimately led to classical voice, and now I am a 2 time Grammy winner performer at the Metropolitan Opera, and have helped produce music with some of the biggest names in Pop and hip hop.

Why I Became A Musician

Making music feels like speaking a native language.

My Memorable Musical Experience

My first performance of Rachmaninov Vespers, followed by my Met debut.

A fun fact about me is...

I am a national champ in Muay Thai, and worked as an underwater gold miner.

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

Fall in love with your instrument.

Shane Burbage
Shane Burbage Portrait

Meet Shane Burbage!

Shane is a multi-instrumentalist with years of experience and a Music Degree from UNC Asheville. He specializes in Music Theory and Music History and loves using his knowledge and passion to teach and jam with students. Shane has experience directing and leading different age groups. Shane’s favorite way to teach music is to find patterns and connections within songs emphasizing universal elements like rhythm, dynamics, and note direction.

Why I Became A Musician

Playing music with my friends growing up! You don't have to be a seasoned pro to start jamming with your best buds...it's a great way to start feeling the music and the sense of community it provides 🎵.

My Memorable Musical Experience

Seeing Radiohead cover Neil Young's "Tell Me Why" at the Hollywood Bowl.

A fun fact about me is...

I have an IMDB page.

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

Keep your ears open! Your ears are your best teacher, so figuring out how to better listen to things like melodies, chord progressions, and song structure can super charge your improvement!

Gabriel Mejia
Gabriel Mejia Portrait

Meet Gabriel Mejia!

Gabriel’s love for the piano runs deep. Growing up in a household filled with a diverse mix of rock, pop, funk, jazz, classical, and merengue, he developed a passion for music at an early age. He began piano lessons at six and never looked back, eventually finding work in various recording studios throughout Charlotte and playing gigs across the state.
In his free time, he enjoys camping, building musical instruments, and spending time with friends and family.

Why I Became A Musician

My dad introduced me to jazz music when I was a kid, which lead me to pick up the piano. I've been hooked ever since!

My Memorable Musical Experience

Trying busking (playing music as a street performer) for the first time.

A fun fact about me is...

I can name all the carpal bones of the hand.

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

Don't rush into the learning the hardest songs you can think of! Challenge yourself, but also learn to have fun at the level you're at.

Marcelo Falconi
Marcelo Falconi Portrait

Meet Marcelo Falconi!

Macelo attended Berklee college of music. The majority of his professional career was spent performing live in Las Vegas! He moved to Raleigh and is now teaching music in public school and private students at night.

Why I Became A Musician

Guns and Roses.

My Memorable Musical Experience

Sharing the stage with my kids.

A fun fact about me is...

I’m from Ecuador.

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

Don’t compare yourself to others.