Kevin Chaney, Violin
The Alston & Bird, LLP violin faculty chair
An active performer, Kevin Chaney has played with many orchestras including: Macon Symphony, Atlanta Pops, Hilton Head Symphony, Tuscaloosa Symphony, Valdosta Symphony, Cobb Symphony, Albany Symphony, Capitol City Opera, and the Ocmulgee Symphony. As a contracted violinist with Quality Concerts, LLC, he has toured extensively throughout the United States, Japan, and China on various concert tours. In addition to his extensive touring experience, he also plays frequently with many well known artists such as Sarah McLachlan and Trans-Siberian Orchestra. He also has appeared in movies and TV: Tyler Perry's Diary of a Mad Black Woman, Madea's Family Reunion, Joyful Noise, and TLC’s Say Yes to the Dress.
In addition to his active performance schedule, Kevin teaches violin at the Atlanta International School and maintains a private studio. Kevin is originally from Atlanta and received his Bachelor of Music and Master of Music Performance degrees from Georgia State University under the tutelage of Tania Maxwell Clements, Christos Galileas, and Michael Palmer.
In addition to his active performance schedule, Kevin teaches violin at the Atlanta International School and maintains a private studio. Kevin is originally from Atlanta and received his Bachelor of Music and Master of Music Performance degrees from Georgia State University under the tutelage of Tania Maxwell Clements, Christos Galileas, and Michael Palmer.
Lee Taylor, Violin
A native of Atlanta, Georgia, Lee Taylor enjoys a varied musical career involving performance, education, and administration. Lee is currently a member of the Tallahassee Symphony Orchestra and is a founding member of Amati Chamber Music. She was a long-time member of the Atlanta Opera and Ballet Orchestras and has played with the Alabama Symphony, Columbus Symphony, Atlanta Symphony, Chamber Music Quad Cities, and Colorado Music Festival.
As a private teacher, Lee maintains an active home studio and is the coach for the Tallahassee Youth Symphony Quartet. Along with her husband, Greg Sauer, Lee directs the LAMP Chamber Players, an afterschool chamber music program in Tallahassee. Former students have gone on to study violin performance at Oberlin Conservatory, Lawrence University, FSU, and Boston University. Lee has taught at Ursus String Camp at the University of Tennessee and Oklahoma Arts Summer Institute. As an administrator, Lee has been on staff at the Cincinnati Young Artists Chamber Music Festival and Green Mountain Chamber Music Festival.
In 2020, Lee joined forces with Dr. Shannon Thomas to establish MusicBridges Tallahassee. As Co-Artistic Directors, they introduce pre-K students in Title I schools to the violin with a curriculum that strengthens literacy skills and promotes early music education: www.musicbridgestallahassee.org/
Taylor received her Bachelor’s in Violin Performance at the University of Michigan as a student of Paul Kantor.
As a private teacher, Lee maintains an active home studio and is the coach for the Tallahassee Youth Symphony Quartet. Along with her husband, Greg Sauer, Lee directs the LAMP Chamber Players, an afterschool chamber music program in Tallahassee. Former students have gone on to study violin performance at Oberlin Conservatory, Lawrence University, FSU, and Boston University. Lee has taught at Ursus String Camp at the University of Tennessee and Oklahoma Arts Summer Institute. As an administrator, Lee has been on staff at the Cincinnati Young Artists Chamber Music Festival and Green Mountain Chamber Music Festival.
In 2020, Lee joined forces with Dr. Shannon Thomas to establish MusicBridges Tallahassee. As Co-Artistic Directors, they introduce pre-K students in Title I schools to the violin with a curriculum that strengthens literacy skills and promotes early music education: www.musicbridgestallahassee.org/
Taylor received her Bachelor’s in Violin Performance at the University of Michigan as a student of Paul Kantor.
Leah Jacobmann, Violin
Leah began her musical studies at the age of three with her mother Dr. Gloria Jacobson, and subsequently with David Dillard of the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra. At 6, Leah began studying piano with Lynda Kenny and subsequently with Keiko Ransom.
At the University of Georgia, she received a Bachelor of Music in Music Performance for violin, under the instruction of Levon Ambartsumian and Shakhida Azimkhodjaeva, and a Bachelor of Arts in piano under Dr. Martha Thomas. She went on to earn a Master of Music at Georgia State University, studying violin under Dr. Christos Galileas, chamber music under Dr. Brandt Fredricksen and Martha Gerschefski, and conducting under Maestro Michael Palmer.
From 2014-2019, Leah lived in Los Angeles, CA, where she taught violin and freelanced. She also recorded for over 30 commercials and trailers, and coached Elliot Page on violin for his role in “The Umbrella Academy”!
In Atlanta, she maintains an active private violin studio for children. Her teaching focuses on the Suzuki method, in which she has trained in all 10 books. She was the founder and conductor of SODA, a string orchestra for young players. In addition to teaching, Leah has freelanced in and around Atlanta for many years, with trios such as Luna Strings, regional orchestras such as Macon Pops, Atlanta Pops, and the Macon, Columbus, and Valdosta Symphonies, and musicians such as the Trans-Siberian Orchestra, Sarah McLachlan, Josh Groban, and Earth, Wind & Fire. She lives in Dunwoody with her husband and 3 kids.
At the University of Georgia, she received a Bachelor of Music in Music Performance for violin, under the instruction of Levon Ambartsumian and Shakhida Azimkhodjaeva, and a Bachelor of Arts in piano under Dr. Martha Thomas. She went on to earn a Master of Music at Georgia State University, studying violin under Dr. Christos Galileas, chamber music under Dr. Brandt Fredricksen and Martha Gerschefski, and conducting under Maestro Michael Palmer.
From 2014-2019, Leah lived in Los Angeles, CA, where she taught violin and freelanced. She also recorded for over 30 commercials and trailers, and coached Elliot Page on violin for his role in “The Umbrella Academy”!
In Atlanta, she maintains an active private violin studio for children. Her teaching focuses on the Suzuki method, in which she has trained in all 10 books. She was the founder and conductor of SODA, a string orchestra for young players. In addition to teaching, Leah has freelanced in and around Atlanta for many years, with trios such as Luna Strings, regional orchestras such as Macon Pops, Atlanta Pops, and the Macon, Columbus, and Valdosta Symphonies, and musicians such as the Trans-Siberian Orchestra, Sarah McLachlan, Josh Groban, and Earth, Wind & Fire. She lives in Dunwoody with her husband and 3 kids.
Joli Wu, Viola
The Alfaro Violins/Huthmaker Stringed Instruments viola faculty chair
Joli Wu, violist, received a bachelor’s degree in performance from the Juilliard School and a master's degree from the Yale University. Upon graduation, she served as a resident tutor in the Currier House at Harvard University. Ms. Wu was a member of the New Haven Symphony Orchestra, and performed with the Boston Pops Esplanade Orchestra and the Boston Symphony Orchestra. Ms. Wu has also performed and recorded with musicians such as Bruce Springsteen and Aerosmith, and others. Currently, she is the principal violist of the Atlanta Ballet Orchestra and a section member of the Atlanta Opera Orchestra. For the past five summers, she has served on the faculty at the Atlanta Chamber Music Festival. In 2016, the Georgia Asian Times named Ms. Wu one of the 25 Most Influential Asian Americans in Georgia. She serves as the Director of the Upper School Orchestra at the Westminster Schools and maintains a private studio.
Barney Culver, Cello
The Beau Vinci Violins/Voss Violins cello faculty chair
Barney Culver is a cellist who teaches and performs throughout the southeastern United States. He attended the University of Michigan for his bachelors degree and Carnegie Mellon University for his masters degree, both in cello performance. Barney enjoys teaching at both the Lovett School and at Agnes Scott College, and plays often with the Atlanta Symphony, Opera, and Ballet, the Atlanta Pops Orchestra, and with symphonies in Charlotte, Savannah, Charleston, Tampa, Naples, and Sarasota.
Gregory Sauer, Cello
Gregory Sauer, professor of cello at Florida State University, enjoys a vital and varied career as a teacher and performer. He has appeared in recital at prominent venues across the U.S. and at universities such as Vanderbilt and Rice University. Mr. Sauer has performed concertos with the Hudson Valley Philharmonic, the Houston Symphony, the Quad City Symphony, Oklahoma City Philharmonic, the Columbus (GA) Symphony, and the Missoula Symphony, among others. His most recent recording on the Albany label is titled Conversa, and features 20th and 21st century Brazilian and North American duos with pianist Heidi Louise Williams. As a member of the Carpe Diem String Quartet, Greg played concerts in Carnegie's Weill Recital Hall, Siena, Italy, and in the group's first China tour. Other chamber music appearances have been at the Austin Chamber Music Center, the Victoria Bach Festival, and the Colorado Music Festival. In addition to the Florida State position, Sauer has taught at the Texas Music Festival, Green Mountain Chamber Music Festival, and the Oklahoma Summer Arts Institute.
Gabriel Monticello, Bass
Gabriel Monticello’s music career is a diverse blend of many genres and styles. Gabriel is one of the top freelance classical musician in the Southeast. He serves as principal bass for The Albany Symphony and frequently performs in the Savannah Philharmonic, Valdosta Symphony, LaGrange Symphony, Greenville Symphony, and many others in the region. Gabriel has toured internationally with The Hollywood Concert Orchestra and Spaceseed. He in the modern ensembles The Artifactual String Unit, and Panthera Leo Atrox, and Chamber Cartel. Gabriel also plays bass guitar for Space Mirrors which includes members from The United States, United Kingdom, Italy and Russia. Gabriel has frequently performed with the art duo The Ghosts Project, and has had the honor of performing with artists such as 2cellos, Kristen Chenoweth, Amy Grant, Michael W. Smith, Sarah McLachlan, Chris Tomlin, The Nathaniel Johnstone Band, Walfredo Reyes Jr, and János Starker. As an educator, Gabriel is the bass instructor for the Atlanta Chamber Music festival and is a frequent clinician for Upbeat String Camp as well as many High Schools and Middle Schools in the Atlanta Area.
You can follow his travels on his facebook page www.facebook.com/Gabriel.J.Monticello
You can follow his travels on his facebook page www.facebook.com/Gabriel.J.Monticello
*Artist-faculty are subject to change.
