Staff & Music Teachers at Bach to Rock East Marietta

Mara M - Owner of Bach to Rock East Marietta in Marietta, GA, has more than 27 years of experience as an Early Childhood Educator in Georgia. In addition to Bach to Rock, “Ms. Mara” was the Lead Pre-K Teacher at Park View Montessori in Woodstock, GA where she has taught for more than 17 years. She holds degrees in Psychology and Early Childhood Education from Indiana Wesleyan University and is a Certified Montessori Teacher. As an Early Childhood Educator, her approach has always been to stay relevant by finding creative and fun ways to teach and connect with students to help them excel. This makes her a perfect fit for Bach to Rock and their unique approach to music education that allows children to explore the kinds of music they love and want to play.

Jason J - Jason J: grew up in Aiken, SC.  At age 6, he started piano. Later on chose trombone when joining middle school band.  He is an honor graduate from Winthrop University; both in trombone performance in 2000, and a master’s in music education in 2002.  After graduation, he taught middle and high school band in SC before being cast in the Broadway show “Blast!”.  He has performed with “Blast!” on 4 international tours including London and Japan and was the trombone soloist on the 2005-06 US tour before settling down in Columbus, OH.  There, he was head band director at Westerville Central High School.  In 2019, Jason moved back to SC to be closer to family and taught band in his home school district as well as a private lessons studio at Music and Arts in Augusta, GA. Most recently, he accepted a post as band director at The American School of Bombay in Mumbai, India.  There, he taught students from over 30 nationalities and got to travel to several locations in the Middle East and South Asia. After completing his contract, returned to the USA and relocated to Atlanta in March of 2024. Though teaching has been his main career, Jason remains an active performing brass musician and plays in several groups in the Atlanta area, including the Atlanta Trombone Ensemble, AFB Metrognomes, and Concert Band. In his spare time, Jason enjoys spending time with his two puppies, hiking, playing video games, and playing in bands around Atlanta.

Kai L - Kai L: is a performance artist, educator, and technician from Atlanta, GA. As a graduate of Columbia College in Chicago majoring in music with a concentration in vocal performance, she primarily sings R&B, Neo-Soul, Hip-Hop, and Gospel. Her musical and vocal inspirations include Erykah Badu, Jill Scott, Donnie Hathaway, James Blake, Tracie Chapman, and Anita Baker. Throughout her vocal career, she has been privileged enough to study under some of the best in the industry including vocalist/voice-over actor/vocal producer Jeff Morrow, gospel artist Jonathan McReynolds, vocalist/musician Cassandra O’Neal, and supporting vocalists/vocal producers/vocal coaches RAII & Whitney. She has performed in venues such as The Rialto Theater in Atlanta, Fox Theater in Atlanta, Metro Chicago, House of Blues Chicago, and Lincoln Hall in Chicago; while as an official member of Maverick City Music’s Gospel Choir was a part of a several tour dates during their “Kingdom” and “Kingdom Arena” tours in collaboration with Kirk Franklin.

Kevin J - is originally from Decatur Georgia and attended Decatur High School where he was very involved in the marching band and concert band. Outside of school, Kevin played in multiple rock bands and played shows in multiple venues in the metro Atlanta area. In college, he was introduced to music production and beat making where he produced multiple Hip-Hop records. Kevin also learned to DJ and began DJ-ing at weddings, and clubs in the southeast portion of the country. He has been privileged to have been able to create and contribute to multiple music productions and to have performed on stages small and large. He is excited to pass along the knowledge that he's gained and continues to gain through music.

LaErica S - is primarily a Clarinet player. Born and raised in Atlanta, GA. She started her musical journey in the 4th grade, on a clarinet her grandmother gave her. Throughout middle and high school, she began picking up other instruments in the clarinet family, performing as a drum major, performing at the District and State level in numerous ensembles, and also having the honor of performing in the symphonic band at the University of South Carolina’s band clinic. After graduation, she began working under the direction of Renée Jenkins at Eagle’s Landing Middle by assisting with music lessons inside and outside of the classroom, making sure that each student was able to receive the one-on-one time they needed to become more proficient and confident in their abilities. She continued to play throughout college, playing clarinet in the marching band at Savannah State, leading the band as the head drum major, and even playing alto and tenor saxophone in their jazz ensemble, performing in parades, concerts, and galas around the city of Savannah and Coastal GA region. Whenever available, she likes to check out local concerts and events, travel, and spend time with friends and family. She looks forward to creating a wonderful musical experience for new and returning musicians here at Bach To Rock East Marietta.

Mary Claire B - Mary Claire B. is a native of Georgia. She began her musical journey at 8 as a violinist before discovering her love for vocal performance at 15 through choral singing and musical theatre. Her studies have taken her across Europe, from training at the Helsingin Konservatorio in Finland, operatic and language study in Italy, and studying music at the University of Oxford where she sang with the Exeter College Chapel Choir and as a featured soloist in concert. Mary Claire earned her B.M. in Vocal Performance with a Public Musicology Certificate from Columbus State University’s Schwob School of Music and Honors College. She was an active member of opera productions and choral ensembles. Her talent has been recognized in competitions, including placements in Charleston Music Competitions and multiple Georgia NATS awards in both classical and musical theatre categories. Passionate about community arts and vocal education, she remains committed to making singing accessible and fulfilling for all.

Ben L - has been playing the piano since the seventh grade, and loving it every step of the way. He is a currently enrolled sophomore at Kennesaw State University studying Jazz Performance. Born and raised in Georgia, he has gathered experience playing on stages in Atlanta area restaurants as well as with Kennesaw's Jazz Bands and Combo programs. He also has performance experience accompanying bands in church. Ben is also interested in the world of audio and video production, and occasionally produces videos of him and his friends playing. Ben loves teaching and is excited to be a part of the team at Bach to Rock!

Caleb B - Caleb B. is a multi-instrumentalist who specializes in trumpet. Having studied instruments such as the trumpet, bass, piano, guitar, and ukulele, he is well-prepared to teach at Bach to Rock East Marietta. Currently pursuing a degree in Jazz Performance at KSU, Caleb aspires to tour on Broadway one day. With over a decade of musical experience, he aims to provide insightful lessons that empower students to refine their skills and craft.

J. Gabriel O - Gabe O. is a musician and multi-instrumentalist from Tacoma Washington, currently located in Atlanta, Georgia. Well-versed in piano and drums, his main instrument is guitar and bass. His primary music genres are rock, metal, jazz, and funk. He first learned how to play guitar when he was 10, but did not start devoting himself to the instrument until well into high school. Raised in Columbus Georgia, music was not on his mind for much of his youth. He met friends in 10th grade who were very proficient in the instrument and he told himself "Man, I want to be like them." Since then, he has honed in on his skills and has all but exceeded his peers in both technical proficiency and compositional expertise. Gabe moved to Atlanta in 2017 to finish college at Georgia State University. Upon graduating, he founded his musical passion project "Novumora," a female-fronted post-hardcore/metalcore band. In the two years of its existence, he has led the project into creating and releasing its debut EP "Good Grief" in 2023 which has garnered over 30,000 streams across all platforms. He has directed and edited 3 music videos for the project grossing over 40,000 views on YouTube. With his warm demeanor, necessity for fun, and welcoming attitude, he is a must-have instructor for students of all ages and skill sets.

Megan M - Megan was born and raised in British Columbia, Canada. She Started playing piano at the age of 10, taking private lessons with a focus on classical music. She has her Grade 9 Royal Conservatory and Grade 2 Music Theory certifications, a degree in Theatre Arts, and is a certified Behavior therapist. Megan took part in many community events over the years, participating in music festivals and competitions, and playing with an orchestra, as well as playing at multiple weddings and on her church worship team. She enjoys all aspects of the performance arts, and has trained in voice, ballet, contemporary dance, and acting for stage, TV and film. In her off time Megan enjoys hiking with her dog, painting, reading, and her new hobbies of modeling, collecting comic books and watching K-dramas.

Scott E - has been studying percussion for over a decade in varying genres. He has performed solos in the Georgia Dome and other concert halls. He most recently studied at the Atlanta Institute of Music and Media under world-class drummers Craig Harber, Eric Sanders, and Jack Jones, who also witnessed Scott’s ability to help musicians succeed in reading and writing music. Scott’s teaching style centers around how enjoyable drumming is, even while teaching the fundamentals. He teaches students age seven through adult and focuses on his students learning and applying new ways of thinking....Before long, they realize how much fun it is! Scott is a relatable, energetic, and educational influence to many who want to learn various percussion instruments (drum-set, mallet instruments, etc.).