Teachers
Greenbrier, Online, & In Your Home
Chris Pickett - Owner / Executive Director
(Main Location Studio or Online)
(Main Location Studio or Online)
Voice, Guitar, Piano, Songwriting, Ukulele, Drama,
Bass, Xylophone, Percussion Instruments, Acting
Public Speaking, Harmonica, Conducting, Music Theory
Bass, Xylophone, Percussion Instruments, Acting
Public Speaking, Harmonica, Conducting, Music Theory
Chris has been teaching private music lessons for over 30 years. He has a Bachelor of Music degree from Longwood University and a Master of Music degree from Southeastern Seminary. Chris has worked in several churches as the head of the church music program, overseeing vocal groups and instrumentalists of all sizes and ages. He founded Creative Music in 2007 in the Hampton Roads area. He has coached and guided hundreds of students from beginners to experts. Whatever your goal as musician, he will ensure you achieve it!
From Facebook reviews...
~"...a great teacher, full of energy, fun loving, and makes lessons enjoyable"
~"He is fun and patient, encouraging and helpful. He's a great teacher who is passionate about what he teaches and really cares about what you learn and seeing you succeed."
From Facebook reviews...
~"...a great teacher, full of energy, fun loving, and makes lessons enjoyable"
~"He is fun and patient, encouraging and helpful. He's a great teacher who is passionate about what he teaches and really cares about what you learn and seeing you succeed."
Cara McKinney (main location or online)
Voice, Drama, Musical Theater, Piano
Cara is a brilliant music and drama instructor with over 2o years of teaching experience and over 30 years of performances. She has been praised for her ability to adapt to various musical styles, possesses a vocal quality that has been described as an "angelic, rich, silvery" in tone. She is an award winning and experienced performer whose credentials and affiliations include a Bachelor's in Arts from Lamar University, Hurrah Players, Governor's School for the Arts, and VA Opera. Trained by some of the best artists and teachers in Virginia, Texas, and New York, she has gained extensive knowledge and experience in performing and vocal pedagogy that has allowed her to become versed in numerous styles and genres including Classical, Musical Theater, Rock/Alternative, Jazz, R&B/Soul, and Country.
Taylor Parker (main location)
Guitar, Bass, Ukulele, Piano, Voice, Drums
DeLora Lambert
Singing, Acting for TV & Film, Spoken Word Poetry, Stand Up Comedy, Public Speaking
DeLora Lambert, a seasoned educator and Navy veteran, holds a bachelor's degree in communications with a concentration in speech and theater. Her passion for the arts led her to pursue a Master of Fine Arts with a concentration in producing and directing for film and television, which she obtained from Regent University. DeLora honed her craft at the prestigious Stella Adler Studio for Actors in New York City, graduating from their esteemed summer conservatory program.
Her dynamic background includes performances on diverse stages, including the renowned Push Comedy Theater and Cozzy's in Newport News, Virginia. As a New York native, DeLora brings a rich artistic perspective to her teachings.
As a New York native, DeLora is a versatile instructor with a genuine love for helping others, creating a supportive and engaging learning environment for students of all ages, while also fostering practical skill development, personal growth, and an attitude to have fun while learning.
Her dynamic background includes performances on diverse stages, including the renowned Push Comedy Theater and Cozzy's in Newport News, Virginia. As a New York native, DeLora brings a rich artistic perspective to her teachings.
As a New York native, DeLora is a versatile instructor with a genuine love for helping others, creating a supportive and engaging learning environment for students of all ages, while also fostering practical skill development, personal growth, and an attitude to have fun while learning.
Kaida Lavan (main location, online, or your location)
Drama, Musical Theater, Dance, Choreography, Voice, Tutoring
Kaida is a dancer, actor, and vocalist who is always learning as she goes. Kaida graduated from Salem High School Performing Arts Academy with a major in Theatre and a minor in Dance. Then spent 4 months in New York continuing her dance training and is excited to be back and share what she has learned. Kaida has been dancing and acting for 14 years and performing in all 3 art forms for 12. She's taught drama and dance for 5 years with the Hurrah Players. She directed and choreographed the musical "Madagascar," a major production from Hurrah Players. Kaida has taught summer camps in drama, dance, and musical theater for 3 years in all of Hampton Roads. She believes the goal is not perfection, the goal is enjoyment and the skill can only grow from there.
Chloe Wenzel (main location, online, or your location)
Drama, Musical Theater, Dance, Choreography, Voice
Chloe has been a dancer for about 18 years and an actor/singer for 16 years. She has trained in many places, including Maryland, Virginia, and Hawaii. Chloe has worked with many companies for musical theatre, including the Hurrah Players, Diamond Head Theatre, and PACK. She also worked with the company Camp Broadway, performed in the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, as well as, performed in a Broadway show called Rocktopia as part of the children’s choir. Chloe has been a student director for Shrek the musical her freshman year of high school and, also choreographed a cabaret her senior year of high school. She was a student teacher for the Theatre 1 class at her high school in Hawaii. She has also taught musical theatre dance and taught summer camps with the Hurrah players. She is so excited to get to know her students and help them reach for the stars!
Alaina Shaw (main location, online, or your location)
Viola, Violin, String Quartet Performances
Sought-after violist Alaina Shaw from Virginia Beach, VA, began her musical studies at age 5. Best known for her performances with Evil Woman, The American ELO, she is the cofounder and violist in the Norfolk, Va based string quartet, La Primavera Strings. She also holds a viola seat in the Virginia beach symphony, Symphonicity.
She has over 10 years of industry experience and has graced the stage of Carnegie Hall, Universal Studios, as well as many local venues in Hampton Roads, VA.
She is available for solo performances as well as chamber orchestra, string quartet, trio, and duet arrangements, as well as beginner viola and violin lessons. For more info on La Primavera Strings: https://laprimaverastrings.com/
She has over 10 years of industry experience and has graced the stage of Carnegie Hall, Universal Studios, as well as many local venues in Hampton Roads, VA.
She is available for solo performances as well as chamber orchestra, string quartet, trio, and duet arrangements, as well as beginner viola and violin lessons. For more info on La Primavera Strings: https://laprimaverastrings.com/
Elijah Hall (main location, online, or your location)
Cello, Voice, Piano, String Quartet Performances
Elijah Hall is a musician with decades of experience. He began studying cello at 10 years old and went on to study music performance with a concentration in cello at Virginia Commonwealth University. While there he minored in vocal performance as well. Today he plays cello for weddings and other events with La Primavera Strings. Elijah also is a singer/songwriter who utilizes his vocal and piano skills to both produce/record music and perform at multiple local venues. He has sang and played cello in ensembles at Carnegie hall and Lincoln center. For more info on La Primavera Strings: https://laprimaverastrings.com/
Casey Copeland (main location, online, or your location)
Violin, Voice, Piano, String Quartet Performances
Casey Copeland, a Virginia Beach native, is a professional vocalist, and plays both the violin and piano. A natural performer and artist, in addition to performing, she teaches music lessons throughout Hampton roads. When she isn’t teaching, she is playing as a professional violinist with her locally founded string quartet, La Primavera Strings.
She spends her free time producing and writing music as a recording artist. When she’s not touring with Evil Woman–The American ELO experience, You can find her onstage collaborating with other artists or in the studio recording. Her favorite thing other than music is sunny weather and soaking up the rays at the beach. For more info on La Primavera Strings: https://laprimaverastrings.com/
She spends her free time producing and writing music as a recording artist. When she’s not touring with Evil Woman–The American ELO experience, You can find her onstage collaborating with other artists or in the studio recording. Her favorite thing other than music is sunny weather and soaking up the rays at the beach. For more info on La Primavera Strings: https://laprimaverastrings.com/
Miles Hoyle (main location, online, or your location)
Accordian
Miles Hoyle is an accordionist with over 15 years of experience & specializes in folk & world music.He currently performs both as a solo accordionist & as a member of the Irish-rock outfit the Fighting Jamesons.
His repertoire draws from various styles and countries ranging from German, Irish, Scandinavian, French, Klezmer, & more!
Additional Faculty
Other teachers available for flute, clarinet, & saxophone. Drum set lessons are available to be taught in your home. Drawing, painting, and other arts are also offered!
Other teachers available for flute, clarinet, & saxophone. Drum set lessons are available to be taught in your home. Drawing, painting, and other arts are also offered!