José is a multi-instrumentalist from Salina, KS, pursuing degrees in Music and Exercise Science at the University of Kansas. He's part of KU’s Jazz One Ensemble and often plays with the Wind Ensemble. José began playing piano at age 7 and picked up the trombone around...
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Brandon Jones
Brandon Jones is a percussionist residing in Lawrence, KS. While pursuing a B.A. in Music at Fort Hays State University (2015-2020), Brandon performed often with the FHSU Jazz I Ensemble on drum set and vibraphone as well as serving as drumline coordinator and playing...
HOLLY O. TAYLOR
Holly O. Taylor is a graduate of the University of Missouri-Kansas City Conservatory of Music, with an emphasis in both music therapy and percussion performance. She has maintained her board-certification in music therapy forover 20 years, serving in schools, private...
JOSEPH ARMETTA
Joseph has been playing guitar professionally for many years, in New York, Montana, Missouri and Colorado. For over 30 years he has been performing, recording, arranging, teaching, studying and composing. He has also composed for television, radio, stage and small...
Trey Durkin (virtual)
Music is a wonderful thing to have in our lives, and it has always been my biggest passion. Working with beginners is one of my favorite things because I love sharing the gift of music and introducing others to the thing that has brought so much joy to my life. I...
Alison Mahal (virtual)
Meet Alison! We are so excited to welcome this accomplished voice, piano and early childhood music education dynamo to our teaching ranks at Americana Music Academy. Alison has experience both in the public education classroom and teaching private, one-on-one lessons...
Vineel Mahal (virtual)
Vineel is an award winning actor, singer and professional performer with appearances at opera houses and theaters from Hong Kong to New York to Cincinatti to the Dallas/Fort Worth area. Trained at NYU and with experience teaching at that prestigious university in New...
Kendra Switzer
Kendra Switzer is a coloratura soprano from Joplin, MO. She is pursuing her PhD in Musicology at the University of Kansas and is also a GTA in the Musicology Department. Kendra also teaches music appreciation courses for Highland Community College. Her first masters...
Chad Buck
Chad grew up in Lawrence and started his musical journey on the tuba and then electric guitar. He immersed himself in the vibrant local music scene, playing rock n roll and attending many all-ages shows at the Bottleneck. In high school, he picked up the banjo sitting...
Jim Krause
Jim has been playing guitar since his teens, and fiddle and banjo since the early 1980s. He has performed and toured with such groups as The 97th Regimental Stringband and The Euphoria Stringband. Jim specializes in finger-picking guitar, old-time contra-dance style...
Dave Ludwick
David has played music professionally since junior high school in various groups and styles. His most recent ventures include the Lawrence City Band, Ottawa Symphony, several rock and country dance bands, and a ballroom dance band called the Prairie Dogs. After...
Linda Tilton
Linda got interested in playing ukulele when she regularly attended old-time music jams. Tired of being an observer, Linda mentioned to a friend that she wished she had a banjo ukulele to play at the music sessions. Two years later that friend surprised her with a...