Welcome To Williamsburg Music Studio

Kaz first learned to play guitar at age thirteen from his father, an accomplished amateur classical guitarist.  Growing up in South Orange, NJ and later Yokosuka, Japan, he studied clarinet, piano, electric bass and snare drums, before continuing his studies in guitar at Duquense University where, as a scholarship student, he studied with world recognized jazz guitarist, Joe Negri. Later transferring to Mason Gross School of the Arts, the conservatory of Rutgers University-New Brunswick, he studied with Vic Juris, Stanley Cowell, Ralph Bown, and Conrad Herwig. Upon graduating, Kaz has been teaching guitar to students of a variety of ages and skill levels. He is devoted to helping students accomplish their goals in the most direct and achievable way possible. As a composer, he recorded his first album In February of 2014, which is deeply steeped in the jazz tradition and features compositions that combine lyrical melodies and colorful harmonies with swinging, propulsive rhythms.

Will Baughman possesses an irrepressible passion for discovering, creating and sharing the joy of musical expression through piano. At the age of 6, he began studying with Nancy Bachus. He developed a passion for traditional and modern jazz through his teen years while maintaining his roots in classical performance, performing regionally with his family band since the age of 9. Will continued his classical and jazz training at Kent State University under Steinway Artist Dr. Andrew Le. In 2022, he won the Kent State University Concerto Competition and performed with the Kent State Orchestra. Will’s vast experience in performance has continued as well as collaborations with musicians and ensembles including The Madtown Jazz Expansion, The Colin Palmeri Trio, Scott Keo (Michael Bublé Tribute Band), South Street Jazz Company, Gateway Worship Band, Anshe Chesed Fairmount Temple, and The Michel Weber Show. In addition, he frequently performs at public and private events adding his unique style to each musical endeavor.

Melanie is a musician with over 20 years of professional experience and has a passion for both education and performance.  She holds a B.A. in Music Education from Western Illinois University and an M.M. in Opera/Music Theater Performance from Southern Illinois University.  Her performing credits range from off-Broadway theater to choral work.  After teaching in multiple schools in New Jersey, Connecticut, and New York, she is so happy to be a voice instructor, piano teacher and director at WMS!

Abby Daggett is a performer and arts educator originally from the Boston area. Holding duel BAs in Music and Theatre from the Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts, her training is based in opera and musical theatre. Having focused on specialized vocal techniques, her teaching methods are founded in the Bel canto method and Linklater Theory. Abby also teaches Music and Movement for preschool and early elementary students across the NYC public school system. She believes deeply in the influence of music on a persons life, and aims to aid students with both technical tools and life skills. Guiding her students is one of her greatest joys!

Michael Eaton is a Brooklyn-based performer, composer, and educator, teaches saxophone, flute, and clarinet.  Michael earned a degree in jazz studies from the Jacobs School of Music at Indiana University-Bloomington, and he has studied with top jazz educators like David Baker, David Liebman, and James Moody, and classical saxophone with Eugene Rousseau. A patient, analytical, and insightful teacher, he focuses on imparting solid fundamentals while working with each student to achieve their personal musical goals and direction. You can hear Michael perform his original music in venues across NYC, and as a sideman he has shared the stage with internationally known artists Ingrid Jensen, Jim Snidero, Fred Hersch, and The Temptations.

Marshal Herridge is a Vancouver-born jazz bassist currently residing in New York. He has shared the stage with some of North America’s preeminent jazz musicians. He holds a Bachelor of Music Degree from Humber College, a Master of Music Degree from McGill University in Jazz Performance and an Artist Diploma in Jazz Instrumental Performance from New York University. He was awarded the Oscar Peterson Prize from Humber College and received a substantial scholarship to both McGill University and New York University. His debut album Chapter One (released in 2019) pays homage to his heroes Scott LaFaro and Paul Chambers. Since then, he has recorded and appeared on numerous other recordings, including a collaboration with JUNO Award winning Canadian vocalist Caity Gyorgy on one of his most recent singles A Day Too Late. He has also recorded as a sideman with GRAMMY award winning musicians including Joe Farnsforth and Mike Rodriguez.

Jane Lee is a graduate from the University of Michigan where she earned her Master’s degree in Violin Performance and studied with Professor David Halen, a concertmaster at St. Louis Symphony Orchestra. Jane currently holds a position in the Holland Symphony Orchestra (Holland, MI) and has performed as a substitute violinist with the Rochester Symphony Orchestra (Rochester, MI), Windsor Symphony Orchestra (Windsor, ON, Canada), and Akron Symphony Orchestra (Akron, OH). As a dedicated music educator, Jane currently serves as a Violin Teaching Artist at the Rosalyn Yalow Charter School in Bronx and private violin, viola, piano, and voice instructor at the Williamsburg Music Studio in Brooklyn and The Music Academy Foundation in Garden City. Before Jane was relocated in NYC, Jane taught at the Expressions Music Academy and Treeside Music Academy in Michigan. 

Isabel is a musical theatre performer and singer-songwriter, orginally from South Dakota. Isabel is from a family of songwriters and has been surrounded by music all her life. She has established herself as a recording artist releasing an EP of orignial music and two singles. Her passion for singing and storytelling led her to the Institute of the Arts Barcelona where she earned her BFA in Musical Theatere with a  concentration in Vocal Studies. Since graduating Isabel has been teaching a wide range of ages in singing and piano. Her teaching approach is a combination of knowledge, compassion, and creativity. Encouraging her students with play to express themselves with their music while providing knowledge of the craft.  Isabel is currently in the process of recording an album while performing, teaching, and exploring New York.

Thomas Meyer is an accomplished pianist and composer from San Diego, California, specializing in classical, rock, R&B, salsa, and jazz. He recently completed his bachelor’s degree at California State University Northridge. Thomas has studied with mentors such as Sam Hirsh, Irving Flores, Gary Fukushima, and Otmaro Ruiz and has performed with artists including Tito Puente Jr, Rob Thorsen, Gilbert Castellanos, and Leonard Patton. His current projects include a series of original ocean-themed compositions titled “Songs from the Sea”, his working jazz trio, and regular performances as a side musician throughout New York. As a teacher, Thomas prides himself on personalizing his lessons to each student, making lessons fun, and holding his students to a high standard both musically and personally.

Madison is a vocalist, pianist and composer. She is a graduate of Berklee College of Music with a Bachelor of Music in jazz composition and contemporary classical composition. Madison is dedicated to helping her students grow as musicians and aims to foster in her students creativity, strong musicianship and an individual sound.

Hannah Selin is a composer, violist and vocalist with over ten years of experience teaching students of all ages. Her teaching areas include violin, viola, composition, and music theory. Hannah’s first goal for students is always to tap into the joy of playing an instrument, while also learning how to read, interpret, and create music. She encourages students to think (and play) outside the box, incorporating songwriting, composition and improvisation into lessons depending on each student’s interests and needs. Hannah has over three years of experience teaching undergraduate courses in music theory, ear training, electronic music, composition, and orchestration at Brooklyn College (CUNY) and Temple University.

Scott Sewell is a singer, composer, and educator based in Brooklyn, NY. Having endeavored in music since he was eight years old, Scott is no stranger to the adventures and experiences that music can offer us all. Beginning with piano and guitar as a child, Scott laid a wholesome foundation to pursue degrees in percussion and voice at the University of Arkansas. Scott has toured both nationally and internationally with the University of Arkansas music ensembles, taught multiple private studios of his own, and garnered experience in public and charter school classrooms. Having moved to New York City to pursue the arts and teach, Scott is excited to be a part of the Williamsburg Music Studio.

Alyssa Smith is a pianist, composer, and educator based in Brooklyn, New York. Originally from Madison, Wisconsin, Alyssa received her Bachelor’s degree in Piano Performance from the University of Wisconsin under the instruction of Christopher Taylor, and her Master’s degree in Jazz and Contemporary Improvisation from the University of Michigan under the instruction of Andy Milne and Ellen Rowe. Alyssa began playing the piano at a very young age, and started teaching piano and music theory in middle school. Having graduated with degrees in both classical and jazz piano, Alyssa seeks to bridge the gap between the two genres and explore musical spaces in between in her teaching. Alyssa believes that every student has a unique set of strengths and interests and is deeply invested in providing materials and an educational atmosphere that challenges and excites students. 

Rachel Marie Snyder is a lifelong music lover. She is a fourth generation pianist and grew up in a house full of singing. Rachel has been teaching voice, piano, and musical theatre for over 5 years at studios in New York and across the country. She shares her passion for musicality and self-expression in the classroom and on the stage. Rachel has performed internationally as a vocalist with Aida Cruise Lines and regionally in roles such as Mrs Lovett in Sweeney Todd and Nancy in Oliver!. She continues her lifelong music training in Brooklyn and loves to pass on her knowledge to the next generation of young artists.

Yago Vazquez studied piano at the Music Conservatory of Vigo, SPJ Pontevedra and Estudio, Escola de Musica. He moved to NYC in 2008 to study at The New School for Jazz and Contemporary Music where he graduated with honors in 2010. He has toured extensively playing jazz festivals in Switzerland, Germany, Spain, Portugal, England, United States, South Korea, Guatemala, Mexico, Salvador, Costa Rica, and Chile, and has performed at some of the most prestigious jazz clubs in New York City (Blue Note, Jazz Gallery, Jazz at Lincoln Center, The Jazz Standard, Cornelia Street Cafe, etc…). Yago Vazquez has been featured on over 30 albums and has performed with musicians like Reggie Workman, Billy Harper, Jesse Davis, Jamie Baum, Gilad Hekselman and Brad Shepik. Yago has released one album as a leader, “Chorale” (Free Code Jazz Records 2011) featuring Logan Richardson, Aidan Carroll and Tommy Crane. He is a member of “Stream”, a trio project with bassist Scott Lee and drummer Jeff Hirshfield.