Jason Carter
Jason Carter has been playing drums and other percussion instruments for over 40 years. His interest in drums began at age 4 and he first started playing in church at age 8. His early musical influences were black gospel and southern gospel, but over the years it expanded to all genres. He earned his Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Mount Olive.
Jason has been teaching percussion lessons and mentoring people for 25 years. He stays active as a performer, playing for churches, studio projects, live shows, and touring. He has traveled nationally and internationally, participating in music mission trips including the Philippines and Africa. He uses his gifts in the Worship and Fine Arts ministries of various assemblies but mostly serves his home church of Mechanicsville Christian Center. He enjoys making new connections and collaborating musically with friends.
Alongside drums and percussion, Jason also loves singing, enjoying solo performances in places of worship (and in his car), and participating in college and church choirs. Outside of music he serves as a Brand Manager and as Director of Information Technology at Equity Concepts in Richmond. He enjoys working out and sporting activities (especially golf), but mostly spending time with his wife, Krystal, and their daughters.
Jason Carter has been playing drums and other percussion instruments for over 40 years. His interest in drums began at age 4 and he first started playing in church at age 8. His early musical influences were black gospel and southern gospel, but over the years it expanded to all genres. He earned his Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Mount Olive.
Jason has been teaching percussion lessons and mentoring people for 25 years. He stays active as a performer, playing for churches, studio projects, live shows, and touring. He has traveled nationally and internationally, participating in music mission trips including the Philippines and Africa. He uses his gifts in the Worship and Fine Arts ministries of various assemblies but mostly serves his home church of Mechanicsville Christian Center. He enjoys making new connections and collaborating musically with friends.
Alongside drums and percussion, Jason also loves singing, enjoying solo performances in places of worship (and in his car), and participating in college and church choirs. Outside of music he serves as a Brand Manager and as Director of Information Technology at Equity Concepts in Richmond. He enjoys working out and sporting activities (especially golf), but mostly spending time with his wife, Krystal, and their daughters.
Rusty Farmer
Rusty Farmer has been teaching music in the Richmond area for over 30 years. A native of Richmond, Rusty studied string bass at Virginia Commonwealth University where he completed his Bachelor of Music Degree in Jazz Studies. Rusty has studied with Clarence Seay, Paul Langosch, Mark Bernat, Victor Dvoskin, Doug Richards, Paul Bedell and John D’earth.
Rusty teaches string bass, bass guitar (electric bass), beginning cello, beginning guitar, ukulele, music theory and beginning piano. He is currently guitar and string bass/ bass guitar instructor at several institutions in the Richmond Metro region. His goal as an instructor is to motivate, inspire and educate the total musician. He is well versed in music theory and improvisation as well as a variety of musical styles.
As a performer, Rusty has had the privilege to perform with Jason Marz, Stanley Jordan, Harry Allen, Romero Lubambo, Rogerio Boccato, and many others. He is a regular performer at Jazz at the Lincoln Center’s Dizzy’s Club in New York City and has toured Russia, Peru, South America and Ireland. He is a member of the worship team at Eternity Church.
Rusty teaches string bass, bass guitar (electric bass), beginning cello, beginning guitar, ukulele, music theory and beginning piano. He is currently guitar and string bass/ bass guitar instructor at several institutions in the Richmond Metro region. His goal as an instructor is to motivate, inspire and educate the total musician. He is well versed in music theory and improvisation as well as a variety of musical styles.
As a performer, Rusty has had the privilege to perform with Jason Marz, Stanley Jordan, Harry Allen, Romero Lubambo, Rogerio Boccato, and many others. He is a regular performer at Jazz at the Lincoln Center’s Dizzy’s Club in New York City and has toured Russia, Peru, South America and Ireland. He is a member of the worship team at Eternity Church.
Peter Greydanus
Mr. Greydanus teaches cello lessons and is an active orchestral and chamber musician. He is currently a member of the Richmond Symphony Orchestra and the Williamsburg Symphony Orchestra, and frequently performs with the Virginia Symphony Orchestra. Formerly an associate musician with the Columbus Symphony Orchestra, he has also been a member of the Wheeling WV, Youngstown OH, Haddonfield NJ, Albany NY, and Canton OH symphonies.
Peter has performed with the Sarasota Opera Orchestra and been a participant in the Spoleto festivals in Spoleto Italy and Charleston SC, as well as the Europaisches Musikfest Stuttgart and the Crested Butte Music Festival in Colorado. He served as adjunct professor of cello at Christopher Newport University, as a member of the Clivia String Trio, and is an artist with Arts for Learning Virginia.
Mr. Greydanus is a graduate of Temple University where he was a student of Orlando Cole; he also studied cello with Metta Watts and William Stokking. During the 2009-2010 season, Peter and his wife, Jocelyn Smith, lived in Crested Butte CO and organized a strings class at the Crested Butte Community School.
Peter has performed with the Sarasota Opera Orchestra and been a participant in the Spoleto festivals in Spoleto Italy and Charleston SC, as well as the Europaisches Musikfest Stuttgart and the Crested Butte Music Festival in Colorado. He served as adjunct professor of cello at Christopher Newport University, as a member of the Clivia String Trio, and is an artist with Arts for Learning Virginia.
Mr. Greydanus is a graduate of Temple University where he was a student of Orlando Cole; he also studied cello with Metta Watts and William Stokking. During the 2009-2010 season, Peter and his wife, Jocelyn Smith, lived in Crested Butte CO and organized a strings class at the Crested Butte Community School.
Lawrence Heath
Lawrence Heath has taught children, youth, and adults in the public schools, at Geneva College, and in music ministries in several churches. He teaches private organ and piano lessons at Eternity Music Academy. He earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Music Education from Eastern Nazarene College, his Masters Degree from Westminster Choir College, and pursued Doctoral Studies at the Robert E. Webber Institute for Worship Studies. Larry previously served as Artistic Director of the Central Virginia Masterworks Chorale, and retired from the position of Director of Music & Principal Organist at River Road Presbyterian Church in Henrico in 2017. He currently serves as Organist/Choir Director at Ginter Park United Methodist Church. Larry and his wife, Laurel, live in Quinton, VA, where they enjoy beautiful Kent Lake and visits from their 5 grandchildren.
Sophia Kadi
Sophia Kadi's musicianship experience began at the age of five when her mother enrolled her in piano lessons. This naturally led her to sing and cover songs that she admired, which resulted in a growing passion to learn other instruments along the way such as guitar, ukulele, flute and percussion. She performed in a variety of choral, orchestral, wind and percussion ensembles while in college including a steel band and jazz combo. Sophia served as a percussion instructor for several high school bands over the past five years and has taught music classes at all levels in Richmond and Harrisonburg metro area public schools.
Ms. Kadi recently earned her B.M. in Music Education from James Madison University and plans to complete her Master of Education degree in 2023. She has experience teaching all ages and abilities in the Richmond, Shenandoah and Tidewater areas. As an instructor, Sophia believes in instilling self-directed learning that helps foster lifelong musicianship in whatever facet aligns best with the student. She teaches vocal, piano, percussion, guitar and ukulele lessons at EMA.
Ms. Kadi recently earned her B.M. in Music Education from James Madison University and plans to complete her Master of Education degree in 2023. She has experience teaching all ages and abilities in the Richmond, Shenandoah and Tidewater areas. As an instructor, Sophia believes in instilling self-directed learning that helps foster lifelong musicianship in whatever facet aligns best with the student. She teaches vocal, piano, percussion, guitar and ukulele lessons at EMA.
Chris Lucas
Chris Lucas began playing guitar at age 11, after 5 years of piano study. He later received two music degrees from Virginia Commonwealth University, including a Masters in composition. He stays active as a songwriter, performer, arranger, and accompanist at his church, in the community, and along the East Coast. He has recorded 4 solo CD's of his own songs and instrumentals, and has appeared on the recording projects of many others. He regularly performs at local establishments and The Country Club of Virginia.
Chris has opened concerts for internationally known artists including Phil Keaggy, Pierce Pettis, Ashley Cleveland, and Andrew Peterson. He composed The Three Penny Cantata, a Lenten/Easter song cycle which he and singer Laura Ann Singh perform at local churches. In 2008 he was awarded a Momentum Award as Acoustic Artist of the Year by Indieheaven, a Nashville organization devoted to Christian independent artists. He also received a Momentum Award in 2009 as Instrumentalist of the Year. Chris and Laura Ann Singh have also collaborated on two recording projects, all of which feature songs written either by Chris or Wally Boyd, Laura Ann's father. Chris teaches Monday and Tuesday evenings at EMA.
Chris has opened concerts for internationally known artists including Phil Keaggy, Pierce Pettis, Ashley Cleveland, and Andrew Peterson. He composed The Three Penny Cantata, a Lenten/Easter song cycle which he and singer Laura Ann Singh perform at local churches. In 2008 he was awarded a Momentum Award as Acoustic Artist of the Year by Indieheaven, a Nashville organization devoted to Christian independent artists. He also received a Momentum Award in 2009 as Instrumentalist of the Year. Chris and Laura Ann Singh have also collaborated on two recording projects, all of which feature songs written either by Chris or Wally Boyd, Laura Ann's father. Chris teaches Monday and Tuesday evenings at EMA.
Roger Novak
Roger Novak teaches brass and piano lessons. He has enjoyed over 30 years of professional experience in music education with students of all ages. He earned his Bachelor’s Degree in Music Education from the University of New Mexico, and then taught instrumental music in Clovis, NM for four years. He then served in U.S. Air Force Bands for 22 years, where he performed in the concert band, chamber winds, woodwind quintet and brass quintet. While in the Air Force, he recorded 42 internationally released CD’s, and has recorded in the private sector with the National Chamber Players, National Symphonic Winds, Richmond Symphony, and the Virginia Symphony.
Mr. Novak is a member of the Richmond Symphony Orchestra and has performed with the Malaysian Philharmonic Orchestra, Kwazulu-Natal Philharmonic in South Africa, Virginia Opera, Virginia Symphony, Richmond Ballet, North Carolina Symphony, Williamsburg Symphony, St. Louis Philharmonic, and the Southwest Symphony Orchestra. He is a founding member and manager of the Capital Horn Quartet, and stays active as a freelance musician, clinician, adjudicator and teacher in the Richmond and Hampton Roads Metro areas. He serves as the director of Eternity Music Academy and ministers with the worship team at Eternity Church.
Mr. Novak is a member of the Richmond Symphony Orchestra and has performed with the Malaysian Philharmonic Orchestra, Kwazulu-Natal Philharmonic in South Africa, Virginia Opera, Virginia Symphony, Richmond Ballet, North Carolina Symphony, Williamsburg Symphony, St. Louis Philharmonic, and the Southwest Symphony Orchestra. He is a founding member and manager of the Capital Horn Quartet, and stays active as a freelance musician, clinician, adjudicator and teacher in the Richmond and Hampton Roads Metro areas. He serves as the director of Eternity Music Academy and ministers with the worship team at Eternity Church.
Dennis Pucci
Dennis Pucci has been an active singer and thespian for six decades. He started playing clarinet as a 5th grader in New Jersey, and added saxophone lessons as a high school sophomore to be part of the stage band. He double majored in clarinet and voice at Glassboro State College (now Rowan University) in NJ, and earned a Masters in Vocal Performance at Syracuse University while serving as a graduate teaching assistant. His other musical studies include the Aspen Music Festival and the Amato Opera in New York City, performing the roles of Guglielmo (Cosi Fan Tutte), Count Almaviva (Marriage of Figaro), Baron Scarpia (Tosca) and Ford (Falstaff).
Mr. Pucci has served as a music educator for 50 years, teaching vocal/choral and instrumental music in New Jersey and New York public schools, a community college and a private Christian school while maintaining a studio for private students of all ages. He also served as a New York State All-State Adjudicator for more than 30 years. Conducting credits include Northern Choral Society (Watertown, NY) and a number of church and community choruses.
Dennis has also been active in community groups both in lead roles (Kiss Me Kate, Kismet, Gypsy, I Do I Do and Annie) and as soloist in oratorios (Messiah, Elijah and others). He has played woodwinds in a 17 piece Big Band and various pit bands since high school. He and his wife recently moved to Richmond to be closer to family (especially their new grandson) and he cherishes the opportunity to share the joy of music with students of all ages. Mr. Pucci teaches woodwind and voice lessons.
Mr. Pucci has served as a music educator for 50 years, teaching vocal/choral and instrumental music in New Jersey and New York public schools, a community college and a private Christian school while maintaining a studio for private students of all ages. He also served as a New York State All-State Adjudicator for more than 30 years. Conducting credits include Northern Choral Society (Watertown, NY) and a number of church and community choruses.
Dennis has also been active in community groups both in lead roles (Kiss Me Kate, Kismet, Gypsy, I Do I Do and Annie) and as soloist in oratorios (Messiah, Elijah and others). He has played woodwinds in a 17 piece Big Band and various pit bands since high school. He and his wife recently moved to Richmond to be closer to family (especially their new grandson) and he cherishes the opportunity to share the joy of music with students of all ages. Mr. Pucci teaches woodwind and voice lessons.
Jocelyn Smith
Jocelyn Smith grew up in Albuquerque NM, where she began string and piano studies at the age of nine. She has enjoyed teaching violin and viola for over twenty years and is passionate about sharing the benefits of music study as well as the connections made through music with the community in which she lives.
Ms. Smith and her husband, cellist Peter Greydanus, are founding members of the Clivia String Trio, which was named Performing Artists of the Year by Young Audiences of Virginia in 2008. From 2001 to 2016 she was a member of the Crested Butte Music Festival in Colorado. During that time, Jocelyn and Peter formed the Sally Miner String Quartet in the Gunnison Valley of Colorado and spearheaded the creation of an after-school strings program for the students of Crested Butte.
Ms. Smith earned her Bachelor of Music degree in viola performance from the Cleveland Institute of Music, where she studied with
Chauncey Patterson, former violist of the Miami String Quartet, and Lisa Boyko of the Cleveland Orchestra. She just completed her 20th season as a member of the Virginia Symphony Orchestra, and recently moved to Richmond to become a full-time member of the Richmond Symphony Orchestra. Ms. Smith is excited to find and nurture musical connections and friends in the Richmond area.
Ms. Smith and her husband, cellist Peter Greydanus, are founding members of the Clivia String Trio, which was named Performing Artists of the Year by Young Audiences of Virginia in 2008. From 2001 to 2016 she was a member of the Crested Butte Music Festival in Colorado. During that time, Jocelyn and Peter formed the Sally Miner String Quartet in the Gunnison Valley of Colorado and spearheaded the creation of an after-school strings program for the students of Crested Butte.
Ms. Smith earned her Bachelor of Music degree in viola performance from the Cleveland Institute of Music, where she studied with
Chauncey Patterson, former violist of the Miami String Quartet, and Lisa Boyko of the Cleveland Orchestra. She just completed her 20th season as a member of the Virginia Symphony Orchestra, and recently moved to Richmond to become a full-time member of the Richmond Symphony Orchestra. Ms. Smith is excited to find and nurture musical connections and friends in the Richmond area.