Instrument and Vocal Lesson Programs
Not only will we sell you the best quality instruments, we will also teach you how to use them! RMC's lesson program is one of the largest and most diverse in the area, with a teaching staff comprised of the area's most experienced and easy-going musicians. We want to inspire you and bring out the best of your abilities...sign up today and take it to the next level!
Meet the Teachers
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Bradford CarsonTeaching music professionally at Prince Edward County High School, Richmond Music Center, and Buffalo Creek Guitar Company specializing in jazz, rock, blues, classical, and theory. Currently performing with High Street Jazz Band, The Mamajamuhs, Confirmation, solo jazz, and duo jazz with VCU’s own Mike Ess. |
Guitar, Bass, Violin, Keyboard |
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Brady ColeBrady has more than 22 years of playing experience, with 10+ years teaching and gigging in many styles. |
Guitar |
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Chris WhitemanChris has been playing guitar for over 20 years. He studied both classical and jazz guitar at Virginia Commonwealth University before transferring to the University of Miami, where he recieved his Bachelor of Music in Studio Music & Jazz, and his Master of Music in Jazz Pedagogy. While at the University of Miami, Chris was the graduate teaching assistant for jazz guitar and for two years held the position of guitarist for the Grammy nominated U.M. Concert Jazz Band. After graduation Chris was hired as full time faculty at the University of Miami and in 2007 was appointed the acting director of jazz guitar studies, a position he held until relocating to Richmond in 2008. Chris has been involved in many areas of the music industry, including: performing, composing and arranging for T.V., Film, other artists, and studio work for major label releases. Chris teaches all styles of guitar as well as music theory and sight reading. |
Guitar |
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Bryan StiglichBryan has been playing since he was 12, with nearly 20 years of experience in all genres ranging from jazz to metal. He teaches technique, sight-reading and theory in numerous styles. |
Drums |
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Chuck Harrel |
Bass |
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John McCloudJohn is a versatile musician, well accomplished in Piano, bass guitar, and woodwinds. John regularly performs around the area and can be found online at myspace.com/mccloudmusic |
Piano, Bass, Sax |
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Josh Bryant |
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Mike Anderson |
Bass |
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Mike MoranMike holds a Degree in music from VCU, enjoys teaching all ages and genres of music, specifically rock, bluegrass, country, jazz, hard rock, classical and fingerstyle. |
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Reggie PaceHailing from Hampton VA via Chicago IL, Reginald migrated to VA to study music/music education at VCU. He has been playing for over 15 years and has been teaching all brass instruments for nearly a decade. Reggie is classically trained, and also plays in several jazz, R&B and rock groups. |
Trumpet, Trombone, French Horn, Tuba |
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Scott CoryA native of Ft. Lauderdale, Scott has performed as a professional guitarist for over a decade in the Richmond area. Scott regularly performs for receptions, corporate functions and private parties throughout central VA. Scott has performed for non-profit organizations like the Virginia Museum, the Valentine Museum, Science Museum of Virginia, MCV, Johnston Willis hospital, United Way, Sierra Club and others. |
Guitar |
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Tonya CoryTonya has been a voice and piano instructor in the Richmond area since 1996. She has studied voice and piano since the age of 6 with teachers such as Cynthia Donnell and Wayne Batty. |
Voice, Piano |
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Andre LaBelleWith 30 years experience performing and recording, Andre teaches not only the mechanics of drumming but the ability to play with character and feeling within a band as well. Living ten years in Los Angeles as a session player, Andre has worked with such world-renowned artists as KISS guitarist Vinnie Vincent and can be found in the KISS family tree, Buckcherry's Josh Todd, Richie Kotzen of Poison, and currently Robert Fleischman of Journey. He has also appeared in a variety of clinic and live settings including work on television and film. Andre's drumming is a blend of many musical styles and he believes one's growth as a artist never truly ends. http://www.myspace.com/andrelabelle |
Drums |
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Lee CovingtonLee holds a degree in Jazz Performance from VCU and has been a working musician around the area for over 30 years. Lee teaches all styles from Jazz to Classical to Pop. |
Piano, Keyboards |
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Dean BerryDean brings more than 28 years of playing experience, classical guitar training from Marshall University, and over 20 years professional teaching experience to Richmond Music. Dean basically started the guitar program at RMC nearly 20 years ago. Dean has performed with The Change, Stretch Tracy, Pug-N-Bones, Undone, Guff Tribe, Mad Marjorie, S.N.A.F.U., and Sin City Revival. Currently playing with the B-Side Electric Band among others. Dean offers all styles and levels to all ages of students. |
Guitar |
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Mike EssMike has a diverse career as a music educator and professional guitarist on call for many jazz and pop players in the Richmond and Washington D.C. areas. Mike has performed with such artists as Jimmy Bruno, John Scofield, Clark Terry, Barry Harris, George Coleman and John D'earth. Mike has perfomed as leader or sideman for many many groups in the area. |
Guitar |
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Bryce McCormickBryce holds a Bachelor Degree in Jazz Piano Performance and is a Certified VA music teacher. He performed for 3 years on Spirit Cruise Lines and was the pianist for Ruths Chris Steakhouse. |
Piano |
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Matt GovesPercussionist and drum set artist Matt Goves has been active in the greater Richmond area as an educator, performer and clinician since moving to Richmond in 1990 to attend VCU’s School of Music. Matt has served as an instructor for many middle and high school ensembles and has spent the past 12 years as Percussion Coordinator for Douglass Freeman High School in Henrico County, where he oversees the marching percussion program and directs the percussion ensemble. Matt also currently serves as Instructor of Percussion at The Collegiate School. Since 1996, Matt has been teaching private percussion and drum set lessons at Southern Music and Richmond Music Center. He credits his refined teaching style to the late Don Bick, with whom he had the great fortune to study percussion while at VCU. Matt’s performing career has been very successful and quite diverse. He performed 200 concerts a year and recorded three full-length CDs with Universal Records artists, The Ernies, over the span of seven years. Matt has also been a member of well-known regional bands such as The Kyle Davis Band, The King Pins, Schwa, and Time and a Half. Currently, Matt can be found performing with the critically acclaimed country group, The River City Gang. In addition to his work with these popular bands, Matt’s work as a percussionist has allowed him to perform with The Richmond Symphony, The Commonwealth Winds and as a soloist with the VCU Orchestra. The latter was the result of winning the 1994 Virginia Music Teachers Association Concerto Competition in which he performed Toshiro Mayuzumi's Concertino for Xylophone & Orchestra. Matt brings a level of enthusiasm and appreciation for every student to each lesson. With his extensive background in so many different areas of percussion, Matt is able to connect with each student regardless of background or experience. In addition to Matt’s passion for percussion, he enjoys spending time with his family, especially his son, Evan. |
Percussion, Drum Set |
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Peter SimsTeaching professionally for five years. Peter has studied privately with the best local musicians in jazz, classical, and music theory. Specializes in teaching students a broad range of playing styles, from metal to blues to jazz and classical. Plays with a national recording/touring group and has placed former and current students in different bands in the state. Teaches bass, guitar, and beginner/intermediate upright bass. -Ages 6 and up. |
Bass, Guitar |
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Heidi Csallner |
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Tony Ruiz |
Guitar |
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Tommy DaughtreyTommy has been playing professionally for 20 years. A 1983 graduate of Virginia Tech, he has taught saxophone and clarinet for 15 years at Richmond Music Center. In 1989, Tommy moved to Athens, Georgia to play in one of Athens first bands, Love Tractor. Love Tractor enjoyed success as a headliner as well as a back-up band to groups such as REM, the B-52's and Widespread Panic. Tommy returned to Richmond in 1994 and played with several local bands before heading to the Caribbean to play in the big band aboard Royal Caribbean's S.S. Monarch. After several months in the Caribbean, Tommy began studying with Gunnar Mossblad, Professor of Jazz at James Madison University. Since Mossblad's relocation to Philadelphia, PA, Tommy has continued a more comprehensive study of horn and baritone sax under his tutelage. Tommy is the tenor saxophonist for Richmond based funk band Soulercoaster, formerly known as Phat Albert. Tommy cites his influences as Sonny Rollins, Dexter Gordon, Stan Getz and Miles Davis. Check out Tommy at: www.therhythmasters.com |
Clarinet, Saxophone |
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Jason Scott |
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Josh GramlingJosh Gramling is an experienced professional both as a performer and educator.He spent 4 years studying classical and jazz guitar at Virginia Commonwealth University.Where he also gained valuable training in Piano,Theory,Aural skills,Vocals and Pedagogy. Josh has studied and or taken lessons with Mike Ess,Anthony Wilson,Adam Lorrabee,and Dave Tousaint.As a performer Josh is versed in many styles including -Country,Blues,Rock/Metal,Funk,Pop,Jazz and Classical. Currently plays throughout the state of Virginia,D.C,Maryland and North Carolina with his bands.DB Band (Country),Southern Ground(Blues,Classic and Southern Rock) and with his own Josh Gramling Trio. Josh also performs solo gigs for weddings and private events.Josh brings his love for Music, the Guitar and Teaching to Richmond Music. |
Guitar |
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James OyanJames Oyan has been a percussionist in the Richmond area for the past 15 years. He holds a Bachelor's degree in Performance from Virginia Commonwealth University. As a performer, James plays regularly as a member of Quux Collective, alongside saxophonists Sheri Oyan and Michael Straus, and clarinetist Roland Karnatz. He has also played drums in musicals for the Swift Creek Mill Theatre, percussion for the Richmond Philharmonic, and is the drummer for the local Richmond group The Hadron Delay. As a teacher, James has been the drumline instructor at Nottoway High School, and most recently at L.C. Bird High School. In addition, he has taught several clinics as a solo marimba artist at several schools in the area. He has been teaching private lessons since 2004. |
Drums, Percussion |