Music Teachers that Combine Progress and FUN

Stephanie has been with us since the summer of 2019. Music is an integral part of her life and nothing makes her happier than to share her love and passion with eager students. She received her B.A. in Music Performance from Lubbock Christian University, and has been using her degree to teach privately and publicly since 1991. She is currently the Choir Director at Lake Dallas Middle School and is celebrating her 20th year teaching music with Lake Dallas ISD. She has two grown children and one beautiful granddaughter who are also musically inclined!

Caden is a talented, hardworking musician from Houston Texas that has been with us since March of 2020. He graduated from Dallas Baptist University in 2017 with a Degree in Music Business with emphasis in Songwriting and Worship Leadership. Caden started learning the guitar in 2007 and also has 10 years of piano experience. With this experience, he also hasn’t shied away from applying these skills to a plethora of other instruments. Caden is a singer/songwriter, releasing music under the name Water & Bone. He has a passion for music and people, in hopes of spreading his love and understanding of the language of music.

Kyle is a percussionist, pianist, bandleader, and dedicated instructor from Santa Barbara, California with experience in every genre from jazz to metal. He began studying drums and learning the language of music in 2008, and since then has been part of bands, drumlines, and orchestras as a percussionist. In 2010, Kyle began studying piano and developing his skills further as a musician. Currently, he is a Drum Set Performance student in his second year at the University of North Texas and has been with us at ZMC since May 2021. Outside of music he enjoys exercise and spending time with his family. He is dedicated to helping others improve their musicianship and increase their love for the art of music.

Harli holds a Bachelor of Music in Vocal Performance from the University of North Texas and currently teaches high school voice. Her passion for music began in high school, where she studied both piano and voice. Since joining our team in April 2022, Harli has developed a teaching style that focuses on building solid technique, confidence, and expressive artistry. She emphasizes strong music-reading skills, theory understanding, and independent problem-solving to create capable, well-rounded musicians.

Minnesota native, Jacob has his Bachelor of Music in Piano Performance from Jackson State University and has been teaching with us since August 2022. Throughout college, Jacob was a member of the “Sonic Boom of The South” Marching Band where he was a saxophone section leader for three years and was awarded 2nd and 1st prizes in the James E. Hefner HBCU Piano Competition held at Tennessee State University in 2011 and 2012 respectively. Upon graduation, Jacob moved back home to St. Paul, MN to work as the Assistant Music Director at his home church, and was soon promoted to the Minister of Music. Throughout his time in St. Paul, Jacob had the privilege of working with the Minnesota State Baptist Convention Choir, and also collaborating with an eclectic background of artists such as Stokley, Dottie Peoples, “The Voice’s” Jesse Larson, and Kierra Sheard, to name a few.

Angie B has taught students at all skill levels and ages for over 35 years. Her musical journey started in high school when learning piano, and in 2001, she picked up an acoustic guitar and hasn’t put it down since. Angie loves serving at her church where she helps write worship songs and plays acoustic and electric guitar as well as mandolin. Music is her passion, and in her spare time, she enjoys learning as many classic rock songs as possible, and attending her grandson’s t-ball and soccer games.

FUN FACTS: Angie loves eating out at J. Macklin’s Grill, Ole’s, Tex Mex, Anamia’s and Salt Grass Steakhouse, and her favorite snacks include Sun Chips, Spicy Trail Mix, Reese’s peanut butter cups, and Paydays.

Riley is a passionate music educator from Mississippi who loves to help students achieve their personal musical goals. He and his wife Katie come to the DFW area from the Houston area where he worked as a middle school choir director in La Porte ISD. Riley earned both his Bachelor’s and Master’s in Music Education from the University of Mississippi where he gained a wealth of vocal knowledge and experience studying under multiple award-winning and nationally recognized professors and conductors. Riley is thrilled to work with aspiring musicians and help them grow in both their musical abilities and their passion for music!

Coleton Harris is a musician based in Frisco, Texas. His love for music started at an early age, beginning with piano in 2006, and eventually moving towards a variety of other instruments. Coleton has a passion for teaching and pouring into the next generation, with a focus of making things fun/engaging. He is excited to partner with Zera Music Co. and their mission to make it easy for young musicians to grow in their unique gifts and callings for music.

Nate J. has had a love for music since he was little. His musical journey started in 2014 when he started learning to play the fiddle and guitar. In high school, he joined choir and started learning piano. He further continued his musical education at The Master’s University getting his bachelor’s degree in music theory and vocal performance, and is studying to get his master’s degree in music business at Berklee. He is based in Irving TX and lives with his wife and two dogs, Lars (a hound dog) and the newest member, Percy (a golden doodle puppy).

Justin P. is a vocalist and pianist who aspires to create camaraderie and empathy through his music. Having recently graduated from the University of Texas at Austin with a Bachelors of Arts in Music, he now sings alongside the Fort Worth Chorale. Inspired by his deep love for the arts, he performed in the Butler Opera Center and helped manage a Student Theatre Organization as President. Justin cherishes the people around him and believes that music was crucial in forging these life-long bonds. His passion for Video Game Music motivates him to learn composition and voice acting in his free time. A food lover at heart, Justin enjoys eating at buffets and Vietnamese restaurants with his family and appreciates gummy candies as his favorite snack.

Jaden is a vocalist and pianist from Iowa City, Iowa who loves the classics and is pursuing her dream of singing with a big band and vocal group professionally. She received an Associate of Applied Arts in Professional Music from the School for Music Vocations in May of 2024. It was there that she grew in her love for jazz, musical theatre, and other contemporary music. Jaden is currently pursuing a Bachelor’s in Jazz Studies at the University of North Texas in Denton, Texas. She has skills and experience in jazz/classical voice, jazz/classical piano, saxophone, arranging, composing, songwriting, and studio engineering. When she’s not working on her music, Jaden loves to find time for reading, embroidery, and baking.

Gershom is currently a senior at Southwestern Theological Seminary pursuing an undergraduate degree in Guitar Performance and Pedagogy. Originally from Uganda, he has lived in the United States for the past eight years and in addition to his studies, he serves as a pianist at First Baptist Church Lakeside, where he also teaches piano and guitar lessons to youth students.

Passionate about both performing and teaching, he enjoys collaborating with other musicians and is always eager to learn something new. However, his greatest joy comes from sharing his knowledge and helping students of all ages grow in their musical abilities. His long-term goal is to teach music full-time while continuing to perform on the side.