MEET Our Teachers
Encore Music Studios prides itself on providing students with top-notch music education taught by experienced and passionate music teachers. Each teacher has a unique approach to teaching, but all share a dedication to helping students achieve their musical goals. Whether it's learning a new instrument, preparing for a performance, or simply developing a love for music, the teachers at Encore Music Studios are committed to guiding students on their musical journey with patience, skill, and FUN!
Kyle GavaganStudio Manager / Instructor- Brass, Woodwinds, Guitar, Piano, Ukulele
Location- Fort Mill, Tega Cay Kyle is the studio director and one of our teachers at Encore Music Studios. He has always been passionate about music and loves sharing his passion with his students. Kyle has been playing trumpet for over 15 years and teaches brass, woodwinds, piano and guitar. |
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Mark gannon
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Instructor- Guitar, Voice, Piano, Ukulele
Location- Fort Mill, Tega Cay Hello everyone, my name is Mark Gannon. I was born and raised in Colorado Springs, Colorado and my wife and I moved from Denver to Charlotte in 2003. Music has always been a part of my life! I started playing piano at the age of 5, guitar at 11 and have been singing since I can remember. I graduated from the University of Northern Colorado with a B.A. in Music (voice emphasis). At Northern Colorado, along with my voice lessons, I sang in the Concert Choir, Men’s Glee, and was fortunate to sing bass in an amazing vocal jazz group called The Axidental’s. We recorded two albums and performed in Europe at the North Sea Jazz Fest, Uppsala Sweden Jazz Fest, and the Montreux Jazz Festival in Switzerland. Also while in college, I sang in a guitar duo called Acoustic Rock-it where we opened for Big Head Todd and the Monsters and The Bellamy brothers. After college, I spent many years as a solo vocal/acoustic guitarist in many different venues all over the states. I also have been privately teaching guitar, voice, piano, ukulele for over 17 years here in the greater Charlotte area. I was the Contemporary Worship Leader at Philadelphia United Methodist Church for 3 years! I also am very fortunate to sing in the Charlotte Chorale, The Queen City Swing Band and am in a Rock n’ Roll band called Half Past Tomorrow where I sing, play keys and guitar. I am very passionate about music and hope to reflect that when I teach. I absolutely love to teach and do my best to pass on as much knowledge and experience as I can. Hope to meet you soon! |
christopher verdecia
Instructor- Voice, Piano
Location- Fort Mill
Hello! My name is Christopher Verdecia. I am a proud graduate of FIU in Early Childhood Education with a minor in music. I am a preschool teacher at ISWA Headstart where I teach 3-5 year olds. I have been playing piano and singing in choirs and Operas for 12 years. I have sung backup in an album and even performed on “Premio De Nuestros”. Some hobbies I enjoy are cooking, camping, reading, music and video games. I have loved tutoring and teaching my whole life and that drove me to get myself an education in education!
Location- Fort Mill
Hello! My name is Christopher Verdecia. I am a proud graduate of FIU in Early Childhood Education with a minor in music. I am a preschool teacher at ISWA Headstart where I teach 3-5 year olds. I have been playing piano and singing in choirs and Operas for 12 years. I have sung backup in an album and even performed on “Premio De Nuestros”. Some hobbies I enjoy are cooking, camping, reading, music and video games. I have loved tutoring and teaching my whole life and that drove me to get myself an education in education!
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Kimberly VinsonInstructor- Violin, Viola, Cello, Upright Bass
Location- Fort Mill, Tega Cay Hi, my name is Kimberly Vinson and I am a strings instructor and performer. I've been teaching music since college for 20 plus years. I graduated from The University of SC with a degree in Music Education, taught public school for 7 years, and received my Master’s from The University of Georgia. Since moving back to SC, I have been teaching privately and at schools. I play and instruct violin, viola, cello, bass, and guitar. I also perform monthly at my church, play for weddings, funerals, and churches. I love teaching, spending time with my family, eating good food, listening to audiobooks, and traveling. |
Erika BrownInstructor- Voice, Piano
Location- Fort Mill I've been singing for over 15 years. Music has always been a major part of my life ever since I was a little girl. I'm from the Fort Mill area and recently graduated college specializing in music and theatre. I love singing anything from opera to Disney show tunes to contemporary music. |
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Kade robinsonInstructor- Drums
Location- Fort Mill, Tega Cay Kade Robinson has been playing drums for over 10 years and is passionate about helping students develop both their skills and their love for music. In addition to drums, Kade plays several other instruments, giving him a well-rounded understanding of musicianship and how each instrument fits together in a band setting. As an instructor, Kade believes that learning music should be engaging, encouraging, and tailored to each student's goals. Whether you're picking up drumsticks for the first time or looking to sharpen your technique, he focuses on building strong fundamentals while making lessons fun and inspiring. Kade enjoys working with students of all ages and experience levels and loves seeing them gain confidence as they grow into capable musicians. His goal is to create a positive learning environment where every student feels motivated to improve and enjoy the journey of playing music. |
Jacob WrightInstructor- Guitar, Banjo, Bass, Ukulele
Location- Fort Mill Originally from Cincinnati, Ohio, I was a child filled with musical dreams playing air guitar to Tom Petty, Bon Jovi and Dire Straits. At the age of 12, the movie School of Rock opened a door inspiring a newfound musical taste as he started listening to Zeppelin, Cream and other classic rock bands that were fresh to his ears. I wanted to form a band with his friends so he saved to buy his first guitar for his 13th birthday. I'm currently playing guitar nationally with Crystal Aria. Now in my 20th year playing music I believe, “Music has the power to heal, bring joy and unite like nothing else. It is true magic.” |
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Shauna GordonInstructor- Voice, Piano, Flute, Ukulele
Location- Fort Mill Shauna Gordon is an experienced and well-traveled musician who has performed in numerous venues across the globe, from Carnegie Hall in New York City to Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris, France. She has previously been a member of multiple professional music groups including choirs, orchestras, and marching bands, and was privileged to study under world-renowned performers including members of the original Broadway casts of ‘Newsies’ and ‘Phantom of the Opera’. She has been teaching music for 3 years now, and looks forward to watching her students grow. |
Christina BenhamInstructor- Voice, Piano
Location- Fort Mill I have loved music since early childhood. My family is musical and the joy it brought our home led me to earn a bachelor's degree with a music focus. Band, choir, and orchestra have been a lifelong part of my journey, building a rich foundation for my primary focus in piano and voice. I am delighted to welcome piano and vocal students from the beginner level up to early advanced. When I am not homeschooling my four children, I play piano and sing for my church's worship team. I look forward to passing on the gift of music on to my students. |
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GARY ChudykINSTRUCTOR- Guitar, Woodwinds, Drums, Bass
Location- Fort Mill Gary Chudyk is a transplant from New York. He owned and operated his own private music lesson studio for four decades. During that time, he worked with 3200 private students. Gary holds music degrees from Nazareth College of Rochester, Berklee School of Music, and Eastman School of Music. Gary's goal in lessons is to have fun and help the students succeed. |
Bud Burke
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DAVE FINchInstructor- Guitar, Bass
Location- Fort Mill David has been performing and teaching professionally in the greater Charlotte area for several years and has been playing guitar for over a decade. He loves music and seeing his students progress and perform in recitals. You can expect to learn a variety of genres and music styles including blues, jazz, country and more! |
Madison Cline
Instructor- Woodwinds, Piano
Location- Tega Cay Maddi teaches woodwinds and piano for students of all ages. She has been teaching private lessons since she was 14. She first began playing alto saxophone when she was 11 and quickly became enamored with music. She has been a part of a variety of different ensembles throughout high school and college. Maddi prides herself on creating a supportive environment through which students can build confidence and gain a creative outlet. Outside of playing or teaching, she enjoys going to concerts, gaming, hiking, and crocheting. |
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Eric SerbinowskiInstructor- Drums
Location- Tega Cay, Fort Mill Hi, my name's Eric! I'm a Charlotte multi-instrumentalist, songwriter, and music producer, but my main focus is on the drum kit. I started out learning piano by ear as a kid, moving on to guitar and drums, and eventually deciding I love playing everything! Fast forward to now, I've been performing, learning, and playing for well over a decade, and don't plan on slowing down. That being said, the biggest leaps in my progress and understanding have come from the long, secluded hours dedicated to becoming closer to the musician I want to be. The connection you have with your instrument grows exponentially when you fall in love with playing for an audience of one. Not to be limited, though, I now drum for a screamo band in the Queen City, while working on my B.S. in Electrical Engineering. It feels like I've been playing for forever, but at the same time, I know it's only the beginning! |
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Dottie BuchanInstructor- Guitar, Brass, Piano
Location- Fort Mill, Tega Cay Dottie's horn tooting started fifty years ago when her school hired a band director and offered instrument rentals. She describes holding her first Bundy trumpet as her very own Harry Potter wand moment. She took her trumpet to heart and started challenging others, earning a soloist spot in her award winning marching band at her high school. She would, from there, be offered a side gig playing the National Anthem at all home sporting events at her high school. She went on to win a trumpet scholarship to play with the New Mexico State University Marching Band. From there, she found a home in community bands, playing with over a dozen as the years went by, on trumpet, baritone and tuba. In 2008-2010, she played with the Atlanta Swing Orchestra, a professional 17 piece swing band. Over the years, she's played numerous Easter/Christmas/flagpole ceremonies. The guitar playing really started though Girl Scout camp, and grew from there to eventually playing weddings, funerals, and open mics as a singer/songwriter. In 1993, she completed one year of performance guitar at Rhode Island College, then began teaching. All this trumpeting and guitaring led to playing piano, the whoopie cushion, steel drums, crystal glasses, cowbell, triangle, and the meanest kazoo this side of the Mississippi. Dottie is a collector with a passion for band instrument repair. Famous for doing fun things like turning a walker into a tuba stand so she can march with her friends in a parade but not actually carry the heavy tuba. Favorite guitarist: Chet Atkins Favorite genre: 30's and 40's jazz Favorite trumpeter: Harry James Favorite pianist: Victor Borge Interesting sidenote: Dottie is a thru-hiker, completing the entire 2,178 mile Appalachian Trail in 2010. (No instruments were harmed en route.) |
Taylon HenryInstructor- Trombone, Guitar, Piano
Location- Fort Mill, Tega Cay Taylon Henry is a lowcountry based musician and undergraduate at Winthrop University pursuing a B.M. in Commercial Music. He has performed at venues throughout the Lowcountry and has experience teaching privately at both the high school and collegiate levels. With a deep appreciation for Jazz, Blues, Rock, and R&B, Taylon has had the opportunity to perform with groups such as the Charleston Jazz Academy, The Chosen Levites, and the Winthrop Swinging Eagles Jazz Band. As an independent artist and producer, he’s passionate about helping students grow creatively, find their sound, and is excited to teach with Encore Music Studio. |
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Ashlyn clarkInstructor- Voice, Piano
Location- Tega Cay Ashlyn Clark is a mezzo-soprano from Mint Hill, North Carolina. She earned her Associate of Fine Arts degree in Music from Central Piedmont Community College and recently graduated from the University of North Carolina at Charlotte with a Bachelor of Music degree in Vocal Performance and an Undergraduate Certificate in Musical Theatre. Ashlyn has studied and performed in both Musical Theatre and Classical styles and has taught music for Matthews Playhouse School of Theatre. She also performs regularly throughout the Charlotte area. Ashlyn enjoys helping students grow as singers while building confidence, developing healthy vocal technique, and finding their own unique voice. |