Meet the Music By Tritone Team
Sarah Chari Grasso is a piano and percussion educator with over 15 years experience. She owns Music By Tritone in Roswell, Ga. and teaches piano and drums there full time. She studied classical piano performance under the guidance of Harriet Goler (Cleveland Institute of Music) and Dr. Robert Henry (Kennesaw State University) and is as comfortable with improvisational keyboard and percussion as she is with the piano's expansive repertoire encompassing many genres.
Her drum studies included extensive work with Steven O'Reilley and Tom Knight at the Atlanta Institute of Music. She is versatile in advanced classical, rock, world, funk and jazz performance and instruction and has taught hundreds of students of all levels.
In 2006, Sarah created her own curriculum rooted in fundamental music technique and the musical repertoire students enjoy playing. She also developed an extensive music library of favorite songs arranged for students of various levels and a successful group class format for beginners and intermediate students. She continues to coordinate group music events and performs solo piano and ensemble repertoire in the greater Atlanta area.
Joshua K. Chari is a full time musician and teacher in Roswell/Alpharetta, GA. He owns Music By Tritone, teaches, performs and records cello and guitar, and produces studio strings in the Atlanta area. He also provides orchestral, sectional workshops and coaching in over a dozen area high schools and middle schools.
Joshua began his musical studies on the cello with the Suzuki Method at the age of 4. He went on to study with internationally known cello teacher Richard Aaron (presently a professor of cello at the Juilliard School formerly at the Cleveland Institute of Music) and Stephen Kates at the Peabody Conservatory-Johns Hopkins University. Joshua’s advanced guitar studies included work with Peter Vogl and Bill Hart (Atlanta Institute of Music and Media.)
Joshua has taught cello and guitar for over 16 years and has had many students participate in Georgia All State Orchestra, Georgia Honors Orchestra, Atlanta Youth Symphony Orchestra, Emory Youth Symphony, Georgia Youth Symphony Orchestra, Ludwig Symphony Orchestra and Metropolitan Youth Symphony Orchestra. He teaches students of all levels -beginner to advanced and enjoys helping students develop their musical interests and achieve their goals.
Zac Lavender, an Alpharetta native, is a versatile teacher composer, producer, performer and session musician. He teaches cello, guitar, bass, drums, piano, ensembles, and recording. Zac is classically trained cellist and vocalist holding a Masters Degree in film scoring from New York University and a BA in music composition from University of Michigan.
He is an experienced producer and recording engineer and an ASCAP composer published through Abundant Silence Publishing and Bird Castle Music Group. His compositions have won national awards including the ASTA Merle J. Isaac prize and his film music has been heard at the Atlanta Jewish Film Festival, Traverse City Film Festival, New York News Doc Festival, Cannes, and Tribeca Film Festivals. His concert music has been played internationally by ensembles including the University of Michigan Symphony Orchestra, Latitude 49, the New York Composers Ensemble, and members of the Yale School of Music. He has been a featured composer at the Wintergreen Summer Music Festival and Fresh Inc. Festival in Chicago and has completed commercial music projects for major companies and PBS. As a producer, Zac has recently completed works for clients in New York and Los Angeles including Alethea.
He is a versatile guitarist and bassist in a wide range of styles and has been playing guitar since the age of five. Zac was a long-time cello student of Joshua K. Chari through middle school and high school.
Ally Bellhaven, an experienced pianist, composer and lyricist holds a Masters degree from New York University in Musical Theater and is a graduate of Berklee College of Music where she received the highest honors. She is a multi-faceted teacher with a passion for teaching students ranging from young children to teens and serious adult classical and jazz pianists. She also loves directing ensembles, arranging music and teaching composition.
Ally teaches with Music By Tritone in a hybrid format including remote lessons and in-person workshops and lessons. She loves to giving back to the community by teaching the next generation of music lovers. When not teaching or writing, you can find her curled up with a good fantasy novel or making dinner for friends.
Alina “Ali” Nelson holds a Master's degree in music performance and is an active performing and teaching violinist. Ali, originally from Saint-Petersburg, Russia, is a Mussorgsky University Concerto Competition winner and has had the privilege of working alongside renowned conductor Valery Gergiev.
At the age of 19, Alina relocated to the United States, where she completed a violin performance degree from SFA in Nacogdoches, Texas under Dr. Jennifer Dalmas. During this time she performed solo with the SFA Symphony Orchestra. Upon completion of her degree, she moved to Athens, Georgia to study music at University of Georgia and received her Masters in Violin Performance at UGA studying under the guidance of Levon Ambartsumian.
Currently, Alina performs as a violinist in the Augusta and Asheville orchestras, while also dedicating her time to teaching at Music by Tritone, where she shares her passion and joy for music with her students.
Huijeong Lee, a passionate solo, orchestral and studio violinist known for her dynamic stage presence is also a career music educator. She holds a bachelor’s degree in both music performance and music education and has served as both a high school and middle school orchestra director. She is a member of American String Teachers Association (ASTA), National Association for Music Education (NAfME) and Georgia Music Educators Association (GMEA). Huijeong's performance education included performances in master classes with renowned violinists Midori Goto and Augustin Hadelich and she is a winner of the Kennesaw State University concerto competition. Huijeong frequently performs across Atlanta and the Southeast while also working regularly as a studio artist. Her collaborations include recordings with notable artists such as Tyla, Baby Rose, Raiche, Van Hunt, Jai’len Josey, and more. Huijeong is dedicated to supporting students of all ages at all stages of their musical journey. She finds joy in helping children and adults reach their full potential and achieve their personal aspirations.
Ekaterina is an experienced pianist and a dedicated educator with a profound background in piano performance. She has made solo appearances locally and internationally with orchestras including the Cobb Symphony Orchestra under the direction of Steven Byess and the Tbilisi Symphony Orchestra in Eastern Europe. Her musical studies include piano performance at Kennesaw State University (KSU) under the guidance of David Watkins and solo performance at the Music Academy in Tbilisi, Georgia, under the tutelage of the esteemed Veronica Svaindze. Ekaterina has had the privilege of performing in master classes with world-renowned artists such as Jose Feghali, Lorin Hollander, Susan Starr, and Veronica Jochum and her induction into the Pi Kappa Lambda National Music Honor Society honors her commitment to musical excellence. With over 20 years of teaching experience, Ekaterina is passionate about inspiring a love for music in her students. She enjoys working with young children, teens and adults, tailoring her lessons to meet each student's individual goals and aspirations. Ekaterina believes in a comprehensive approach to music education, incorporating instruction in music theory, ear training, and the development of a solid technical foundation. She is dedicated to creating a supportive and engaging learning environment where students can thrive and develop their musical abilities. Ekaterina's teaching philosophy emphasizes the importance of fostering creativity, discipline, musical fundamentals and a lifelong appreciation for music.
Noah Johnson is a cellist and music educator with experience ranging from performing with the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra to teaching high school orchestra. Noah is a symphonic cellist, a studio musician and an indie artist who has performed with artists such as Robin Thicke, Migos, India Arie, and Baby Rose. His wide range of repertoire and styles means he has been equally at home on stage with the Charleston, Tuscaloosa and Atlanta Symphonies as in pit orchestras for musicals at local theaters like the Alliance and City Springs Theaters. Noah holds a music performance degree from the University of Georgia and his diversity as a musician and educator translates into an inspiring, adaptable and enthusiastic teaching style rooted in traditional cello technique fundamentals and musical expression across all genres.
Macie Connor is a voice and piano teacher with over 14 years of experience. She began her musical journey with piano lessons at the age of 4 and quickly found that her love of music extended to the stage. This led her to pursue musical theatre throughout her childhood and she began working in the professional realm at the age of 17. Her love for teaching others about music and performing led her to continue her studies at Lee University with a degree in Vocal Music Education. Macie is a former member of the Charlotte Symphony's Oratorio Singers and has also performed and lived in the United Kingdom. She has run successful high school music and theater programs and has years of experience teaching in elementary schools. Many of her students have gone on to professional careers including performers on Broadway, composers and fellow music teachers.
Macie is a Meisner trained actress and has a passion to teach students how to find their unique voice through music and performance. She works with a very wide range of students from very young children and beginners to competitive vocalists, musical theater and drama students desiring to make their career in the arts. She is also experienced with teaching music to special needs students and adapts her lessons to suit each individual student. Macie has a desire to help her students learn to love their musical journey, finding their own voice and expression through music. She strives to bring the best out of each student, no matter what their age or ability. When she is not teaching, you can find Macie performing on the stage in theatres around Atlanta or on the big screen, working in the tv/film industry.
Dr. William R. "Will" Whitehead, a performing violist, violin and viola teacher and orchestral conductor, is an experienced music educator and performer. He has held positions as a section violist and principal violist of orchestras throughout the state of Florida and is currently a Cobb County school director of orchestras. Will holds a Ph.D. in Music Education and Orchestral Conducting from the Florida State University (FSU) College of Music. His students have successfully auditioned into All-State orchestras, youth orchestras, pre-conservatory programs and university music programs, going on to pursue degrees in music performance and music education around the country. As a former collegiate music educator, Dr. Whitehead's teaching included coursework in string methods, applied viola, and conducting. He currently spends a part of his summers as teaching faculty directing ensembles at the FSU Summer Music Camps' String Orchestra Camp. Will is an active professional and scholar both on and off the podium. He has presented at the College Orchestra Directors Association (CODA) and the American String Teachers Association (ASTA) National Conferences, and has been a guest speaker for the National Association for Music Education (NAfME) FSU Collegiate Chapter. He has publications in the American Suzuki Journal and the Florida ASTA newsletter, has served as a district chairperson on the executive board of the Florida Orchestra Association and has been a member of the American Viola Society's Youth Advisory Council. Dr. Whitehead leverages his performance and academic experience to inspire and enthusiastically motivate viola, violin, orchestra and music theory adult students and children from elementary school through high school.
Madeline Summers, a passionate performing and teaching bassist, is a graduate of Kennesaw State University where she received her Bass Performance degree. She has worked with teachers including Leonardo Laurenco Lopes, Marc Miller, Dr. James Barket, Karl Fenner and Mikyung Sung. She plays a variety of genres from classical (solo, chamber ensemble, symphony orchestra), to jazz combos, wind ensembles and theater pit orchestras and has played in a wide variety of venues from Washington state to Prague and Vienna. After beginning the bass at age eleven, she quickly became enamored with the instrument, and the people who play it. Madeline has a deep love for music, and the bass in particular. She loves meeting bassists of all ages, and experience levels and is incredibly passionate about her instrument and craft. She believes that playing and learning should be inspiring, fun and enjoyable for everyone involved.
Tony Monticello teaches guitar, bass, and ukulele. He attended Valdosta State University as a classical guitar performance major and has performed on guitar and bass for over three decades with a wide variety of bands and ensembles in genres, including rock, funk, punk, pop, classical and musical theater.
Music has been a passion for Tony his entire life. From an early age, he would listen nonstop to his parents' record collection, feeling and absorbing every note. When he received his first electric guitar and banged out his first power chord, the deal was sealed. Music was his calling and there was no looking back.
As time went on, Tony's desire grew to "pay it forward" to the next generation of talented musicians. He believes that each person is unique and every musical voice should be nurtured and valued. For Tony, the beauty of being a musician and teacher is it’s never ending journey: always new things to learn, different avenues to explore, and fresh adventures to be had. Helping students discover their musical voice is as important to Tony as teaching the fundamentals. Tony knows that fostering students’ self-expression stokes their desire to grow.
Mary Kalin holds a bachelors in Instrumental Music from Butler University Indianapolis, Indiana. She is a career teacher, and a lifelong pianist and an accomplished brass performer. Mary began studying piano at the age of four and picked up trombone in fifth grade. She studied trombone under the direction of John Bart, bass trombonist of the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra, and after receiving her music degree she has built a career performing and teaching piano, saxophone, trumpet and trombone. Mary loves working with students of all ages starting young pianists as early as four years old. She also enjoys working with recreational and competitive middle and high school students and adults. Mary is well versed in a wide variety of music including classical, jazz, pop and rock. Her style of teaching is
based on traditional methods, but is very flexible in order to meet the students' needs and goals for music study.
Mary is currently enrolled in a master's degree program in Educational Psychology. She is passionate about music education and changing the face of public education from a platform of music and arts education.
Giancarlo Ortiz is a multi-dimensional cellist and cello teacher with a Master of Music in Cello Performance from Florida State University and a cello performance bachelor degree from New World School of the Arts. He actively performs with the Huntsville Symphony Orchestra, Rome Symphony Orchestra, Atlanta Pops Orchestra, and the Valdosta Symphony Orchestra. Collaborations with artists including Tevin “Penny” McGuire, the Mad Violinist and Jai’len Josey and studio work round out his musical range. Giancarlo began his serious studies a the Miami Conservatory of Music preparatory program where he was a prizewinner at the Young Talent Big Dreams Competition with Kuyayky. He has worked with teachers including Gregory Sauer, Dr. Bryan Hayslett, Aaron Merritt, Alain Orbiz Dr. Theodore Buchholz, Dr. Diana Golden, Natalie Helm, Neal Cary, and Julian Schwarz. Presently, Giancarlo works closely with numerous school orchestras in the Metro Atlanta, East Cobb, and North Fulton school districts. He is an ardent educator and teacher working with students of all ages and experience levels from the beginner to university levels. His teaching philosophy focuses on teaching students to teach themselves, build discipline and independence, hone their craft, find their own voice and have fun in the process!
Music By Tritone also works closely with other experienced, highly-qualified teachers who share our vision for inspiration and motivation of students rooted in sound fundamentals and an individual approach to each student’s education. If you are looking for instruction on another instrument or have other specific needs, please reach out. If we don’t have an ideal fit for you on staff, we will refer you to a colleague and do our best to make sure you find the perfect teacher for you.