Hays Dowdy
GUITAR
Hays Dowdy is a DMV-based alternative indie songwriter and multi-instrumentalist, performing both as a solo artist and alongside elite bands in the International Musicians League. With roots in British Invasion rock, bluegrass, and formal jazz training, his music blends intricate lead guitar work with baroque lyricio....→READ MORE
GUITAR - UKULELE - BASS
Hays Dowdy is a DMV-based alternative indie songwriter and multi-instrumentalist, performing both as a solo artist and alongside elite bands in the International Musicians League. With roots in British Invasion rock, bluegrass, and formal jazz training, his music blends intricate lead guitar work with baroque lyricism, creating a distinct and dynamic sound.
A graduate of Montgomery College with an Associate of Arts degree (2014), Hays has studied under jazz mentor Bob Israel and bluegrass musician Vernon Santmeyer. His decades of experience in live performance, recording, and private instruction have shaped his unique musical approach.
Backed by a high-energy live band, Hays delivers a fusion of classically inspired pop-punk, agile grooves, and ethereal harmonies. His top-streamed single, "Voodoo Doll" (feat. Abby Sevcik), is out now, and his debut album, Dreaming in Seven Senses, was released on January 10, 2025. Check out Hays’s music under Hays Dowdy on Spotify, Apple Music, and Bandcamp!
In addition to his performance career, Hays is a dedicated music educator, teaching acoustic and electric guitar, bass, and ukulele. He has a natural ability to connect with younger students, fostering their confidence and creativity while making learning engaging and accessible.
LISTENING TO:
The Magnetic Fields – I Don’t Want to Get Over You
Bud Powell – Autumn in New York
Panda Bear – Ends Meet
John Lennon – Mother
Billy Strings – Heartbeat of America
Grey Rayadurg
GUITAR - VOICE - PIANO - BASS - SONGWRITING - PRODUCTION
Grey is a versatile music teacher with over two decades of diverse experience across multiple instruments and disciplines. He is a local Baltimore artist and frequently performs in the area. As a vocalist with 10 years of expertise in pop and R&B, he also offers instruction in rock and... --> READ MORE
GUITAR - VOICE - PIANO - BASS - SONGWRITING - PRODUCTION
Grey is a versatile music teacher with over two decades of experience across multiple instruments and disciplines. As a local Baltimore artist, he frequently performs with his group The Honest Thief. With a decade of expertise as a vocalist in pop and R&B settings, Grey also provides instruction in rock and metal. His teaching philosophy emphasizes vocal therapy, improvisation, and songwriting, fostering a passion for helping students “find their own voice.”
As a multi-instrumentalist, Grey enjoys teaching a broad array of genres, guiding students to discover songs that excite them. He has over 15 years of experience playing and teaching guitar, piano, and bass. In the world of audio engineering, Grey works as a producer for recording sessions and excels in front-of-house and monitor mixing.
With a wide array of talents, Grey is a career musician committed to introducing students to the world of music, regardless of their age or experience level. His goal is to help foster a lifelong passion for music in every student.
LISTENING TO:
Ichika Nito - The World is still Beautiful
Tyla - Tyla
Dirty Loops - loopified
The Home Team - Walk This World with Me
Fox Capture Plan - Butterfly
Charlie Ballantine
GUITAR
Named as one of the top 200 living guitarists by All About Jazz Magazine, Charlie Ballantine is acclaimed as one of the finest and most versatile young guitarists on the scene today. JAZZ TIMES MAGAZINE hails his playing as “teeming with intricate grooves and maniacal precision. ..→ READ MORE
GUITAR
Named as one of the top 200 living guitarists by All About Jazz Magazine, Charlie Ballantine is acclaimed as one of the finest and most versatile young guitarists on the scene today. JAZZ TIMES MAGAZINE hails his playing as “teeming with intricate grooves and maniacal precision his guitar work is both beautiful and complex” and VINTAGE GUITAR MAGAZINE described his style by stating “Jazz, rock, and folk music peacefully coexist in Charlie Ballantine’s world”.
Equipped with an impressive body of original compositions on albums like “Vonnegut” and “Cold Coffee”, Ballantine also displays a great reverence for the jazz tradition through the inclusion of standards like ‘My One and Only Love’, ‘East of the Sun’ and an entire double album dedicated to the music of Thelonious Monk released September 2021. “In the vein of fellow guitarists like John Scofield, Bill Frisell and Julian Lage, Ballantine reconciles his educational background in jazz with the stylistic background of his instrument. He approaches the gratifying tonal and harmonic language of rock/roots with the groove, ambition and improvisational focus of a jazz musician” - (JAZZIZ MAGAZINE)
After graduating from the Jacobs School of Music under the direction of David Baker, Ballantine relocated to Indianapolis and quickly developed a name for himself with a string of high energy performances at clubs like the Jazz Kitchen and Chatterbox Jazz Club. After releasing two solo albums Ballantine was able to attain global recognition with his award winning third album “Life is Brief: The Music of Bob Dylan” which ALL ABOUT JAZZ named in their top ten jazz albums of the year. “From the opening bars of "The Times They Are a-Changin'" it is clear that something special is happening” - (ALL ABOUT JAZZ)
Although primarily a front man for his own projects with tours and frequent appearances throughout the US and Canada at venues and festivals such as the Indianapolis Jazz Festival, The Winnipeg International Jazz Festival and The Elkhart Jazz Festival, Ballantine also has an extensive list of side man credits having performed with names like Nicole Henry, Walter Smith III, Emmett Cohen, Dave King, John Raymond, Russell Hall, Frank Glover, Steve Alee, and Rahsaan Barber helping to further solidify him as a creative force and put him in the highest of ranks as a performer.
"Befitting a guitarist from America's heartland, Charlie Ballantine mixes jazz, folk-rock, surf/instro, blues, pop, and country into a simmering pot of guitar sound and style."
- Vintage Guitar Magazine
LISTENING TO:
Female President - Bring Back The Ghosts
Yazoo - Only You
Miley Cyrus - Flowers
Collective Soul - December
Stevie Nicks - Crystal
Noah Stuehler
GUITAR- SONGWRITING
Noah Stuehler is a passionate music teacher hailing from Baltimore, Maryland. Currently attending UMBC for Music Technology, Noah channels his love for music into teaching guitar and songwriting lessons. Beyond lessons, he frequently....→ READ MORE
Guitar - Songwriting
Noah Stuehler is a passionate music teacher born and raised here in Baltimore, Maryland. Currently attending UMBC for Music Technology, Noah channels his love for music into teaching guitar and songwriting lessons.
During his time at UMBC, Noah studied classical guitar under Felipe Garibaldi de Almeida and Nathaniel Cornelius and developed a deep interest in classical playing and performance. Also at UMBC, Noah met the connections that would lead to the creation of his lyrically driven indie-rock band Fly By the Seat. He believes that music is a powerful means of expressions and hopes to share the creative side of music with all of his students.
Be sure to catch Noah at our monthly Open Mic—where he typically debuts new material—or see his band perform at venues around town.
LISTENING TO:
Tenci - My Heart is an Open Field
Little Dragon - Little Dragon
Glauque - Flaming Swords
Palm - Shadow Expert
Hiatus Kaiyote - Choose Your Weapon
Nick Gennuso
GUITAR - UKULELE
Nick is a musical performer and educator with a background in classical, jazz, rock, and pop guitar styles. His teaching style has been developed through his experience teaching privately while studying to earn a bachelor’s degree in Music Education from Towson University...→ READ MORE
Guitar - Ukulele
Nick is a musical performer and educator with a background in classical, jazz, rock, and pop guitar styles. His teaching style has been developed through his experience teaching privately while studying to earn a bachelor’s degree in Music Education from Towson University.
Nick has studied guitar at Harford Community College with Brian Kooken and at Towson University with both John Lee (jazz) and Troy King (classical and pedagogy). He’s developed a deep knowledge of pedagogical methods and strategies for all ages and skill levels via Towson’s highly regarded college of education.
Nick currently teaches guitar and ukulele while working as an intern with Baltimore County Public Schools. He also has performed around the Towson and Baltimore areas, including participation in outdoor pop-up jazz jams during the Covid-19 pandemic. His teaching style is centered around strong student interactions and building rapport. Nick caters his lessons to the needs of the individual student. He is always asking what they would like to learn, and he sets up a plan in order to help students meet those goals. His teaching philosophy is based around being available to meet the goals of all students. He puts an emphasis intentional performance decision.
Nick focuses on the fun and reward that comes from playing music. He knows some students will be hobbyists and others will have more ambitious goals, and he aims to meet the needs of these varying levels of aspiration.
LISTENING TO:
Arctic Monkeys - Fluorescent Adolescent
Temples - Shelter Song
The Shins - Australia
Fleet Foxes - Ragged Wood
Houndmouth - Sedona
Rob Holthause
BASS - DOUBLE BASS
Rob has been playing guitar since age 11, and switched to bass at 18 to get into the jazz program in college. He is currently adjunct faculty at McDaniel College, his alma mater. He is the bassist for local reggae group Can’t Hang, and also plays...→ READ MORE
ELECTRIC BASS - Double Bass
Rob has been playing guitar since age 11, and switched to bass at 18 to get into the jazz program in college. He is currently adjunct faculty at McDaniel College, his alma mater. He is the bassist for local reggae group Can’t Hang, and also plays in the wedding band The Bachelor Boys and his side project, The Charm City Pop Punk All Stars.
LISTENING TO:
The Heavy Heavy - Life and Life Only
Mogwai - As the Love Continues
John Brown - Amplify
Friendship - Ain’t No Shame
Max Phelps
GUITAR - BASS
Max Phelps has performed internationally in over 30 countries throughout North America, Europe and South America, performing with progressive metal acts Exist, Cynic, Death to All (a tribute to musician Chuck Schuldiner comprised of members of the band Death) and Defeated Sanity. Max also plays locally with the funk oriented working band “Bachelor Boys Band” as well as various jazz ensembles and freelance work both recording and playing live....→ READ MORE
GUITAR - BASS
Max Phelps has performed internationally in over 30 countries throughout North America, Europe and South America, performing with progressive metal acts Exist, Cynic, Death to All (a tribute to musician Chuck Schuldiner comprised of members of the band Death) and Defeated Sanity. Max also plays locally with the funk oriented working band “Bachelor Boys Band” as well as various jazz ensembles and freelance work both recording and playing live.
Max's general teaching philosophy is that music should be fun and rewarding to participating individuals. Every situation is different based on a student’s interests, goals and skill level. For beginners, Max's aim is not just to provide an enriching musical education, but to aid students in finding their own love for music and the instrument. For already established players, Max seeks to help them accomplish their own unique goals as well as to knock down any road-blocks that the student may be encountering.
LISTENING TO:
Devin Townsend - Ocean Machine
Kurt Rosenwinkel - Our Secret World
Elliott Smith - Figure 8
Meshuggah - Obzen
King Crimson - Thrak
Kit Benz
PIANO - GUITAR
Kit Benz is an accomplished pianist, guitarist and songwriter from New York City. With 10 years of experience and several hundred performances, his thirst for musical betterment is unquenchable. He began taking piano lessons at age 4 and continued his studies at Shenandoah University, studying jazz and classical piano, as well as music production and jazz guitar...→ READ MORE
PIANO - GUITAR
Kit Benz is an accomplished pianist, guitarist and songwriter from New York City. With 10 years of experience and several hundred performances, his thirst for musical betterment is unquenchable. He began taking piano lessons at age 4 and continued his studies at Shenandoah University, studying jazz and classical piano, as well as music production and jazz guitar. His versatility and love for all genres of music has taken him from performing with jazz quintets to engineering for Ginuwine.
Benz has been teaching students of all ages for several years. With a background in classical music, Benz instructs with an emphasis on reading, theory and of course, fun.
“I want my students to have fun and learn music that they love.”
In addition to wedding bands, cinematic composing, and shredding guitar, Benz also loves Mario, Tolkien and comic books. He hopes to one day compose for a Marvel movie.
LISTENING TO:
Radiohead - All I Need
Mammoth WVH - Epiphany
Knocked Loose - Forced to Stay
Prince - 3121
Los Lonely Boys - Di Mi Amor
Ralph Bernabe
SONGWRITING - VOICE - GUITAR - PIANO - MUSIC THEORY
Ralph Bernabe is a Baltimore musician, songwriter, and instructor. He believes in learning and progressing in music at any age and time. “No one is ever old enough to learn a new skill.” He began his musical endeavors by teaching himself guitar, piano, and vocals while performing jazz, pop, and country covers. Soon, he realized that he wanted to have music...→ READ MORE
SONGWRITING - VOICE - GUITAR - PIANO - MUSIC THEORY
Ralph Bernabe is a Baltimore musician, songwriter, and instructor. He believes in learning and progressing in music at any age and time. “No one is ever too old to learn a new skill.”
He began his musical endeavors by teaching himself guitar, piano, and vocals while performing jazz, pop, and country covers. Soon, he realized that he wanted to have music as his career. At 16, Ralph began taking piano, guitar, and voice lessons. This was only the beginning, and opened many doors in music for Ralph. His next chapter in life with music involved him receiving a Bachelor’s in Music Education in 2018 from Towson University.
For a majority of his life, he has performed with a variety of musicians and groups ranging from the Maryland State Boychoir to All State Jazz Bands from his adolescence. Today, he performs with two bands: The indie pop band called “Plant Dad” and a country project called “Cromwell and Sparrow.”
If he is not teaching, he is frequently performing all over the DMV area with his bands and writing with fellow songwriters throughout the East Coast and Canada. His philosophy is: your skills improve with every performance. To be a great musician, you also have to be a great performer.
LISTENING TO:
Erkyah Badu - Certainly
Tom Misch - Movie
Plant Dad ft. Father - Immature
Hippo Campus - Buttercup
Eyas - Object Permanence
Derek Wiegmann
DOUBLE BASS - ELECTRIC BASS
Derek Wiegmann is an in demand bassist and teacher who lives in Baltimore, MD. He began playing the electric bass at the age of twelve. He was introduced to the double bass at the age of 17 and fell in love with the instrument. During his freelance career, Derek has performed a wide variety of genres including classical, jazz, rock, blues, R&B, Motown, bluegrass, country, and pop...→ READ MORE
DOUBLE BASS - ELECTRIC BASS
Derek Wiegmann is an in demand bassist and teacher who lives in Baltimore, MD. He began playing the electric bass at the age of twelve. He was introduced to the double bass at the age of 17 and fell in love with the instrument. During his freelance career, Derek has performed a wide variety of genres including classical, jazz, rock, blues, R&B, Motown, bluegrass, country, and pop. Derek has been teaching privately since 2012.
In 2012, Derek entered the Jazz/Commercial Music program at Towson University where he studied with Jeff Reed. While at Towson, he also studied improvisation with the renowned trumpeter Dave Ballou and played in the big band directed by Jim McFalls. Through the jazz residency program, he studied and performed with artists such as Drew Gress, Ralph Alessi, Ellery Eskelin, Tony Malaby, and Mary Halvorson. He played in master classes held by David Liebman, Donny McCaslin, Mark Dresser, and Jeff Lederer. During his junior year, he was selected to perform with the Mid Atlantic Collegiate Jazz Orchestra under the direction of trumpeter Sean Jones at Dizzy’s Club Coca Cola at Jazz at Lincoln Center in New York City. He has always been interested in versatility and exploring different styles. During his senior year, he studied South Indian Karnatic music with Jon Seligman and performed in the Latin ensemble. He has performed Balkan music with Orchestra Prezavica in Baltimore and D.C. and Persian classical music with Nader Najd’s orchestra in Alexandria, VA.
While at Towson University, Derek was also an active performer and student in the classical department. He studied classical bass with Victor Dvoskin. In his fourth semester, he began attending Cecylia Barczyk’s cello studio’s weekly master classes. He continued to attend and participate in her weekly master classes until graduation. While at Towson, he played in chamber ensembles coached by Mrs. Barczyk and played principal bass in Towson’s orchestra his junior year. Also during his junior year, he performed alongside Towson faculty and Baltimore Symphony Orchestra members in the pit orchestra for Randall Thompson’s Solomon and Balkis as part of the American Opera Symposium hosted at Towson that year. He also in played in and observed master classes in the violin studio. Cecylia Barczyk became an important mentor to him. He assisted Professor Barczyk in writing her instructional method, “Teaching the Double Bass in the Classroom.” Together they filmed a series of videos to compliment the text. The materials are used in the lower strings method class for music education students at the university.
As a teacher, Derek uses student-centered teaching strategies as a means to actively engage the student in his or her learning process. The role of the teacher should be to help a student learn how to teach him or herself. He firmly believes that students should understand the “why” and not just the “how” and “what.” Inspired by his exposure to the Alexander Technique, Derek teaches technique based on natural body movements and the release of excess tension. When teaching technique, he does not just teach what it should look like, but how it should feel. He has explored a variety of different playing postures with the double bass (sitting, standing with straight and angled endpins) and electric bass (various ways of sitting and standing) in order to help students of all body-types and sizes find a way of playing that is comfortable for them. Regarding lesson structure, he does not believe in a “one-size-fits-all” mentality and caters lessons to the goals of the individual. He firmly believes that talent is not an innate ability that one is born with; it is a skill that is trained and developed.
In addition to teaching at the Music Space, Derek has been an adjunct professor at Howard Community College since Spring 2017, and has taught lower strings as part of the after school music program at the Park School of Baltimore since 2016. Derek has coached double bass sectionals at the Baltimore County Summer Music Camp (2016) and the Howard County’s Elementary School Honors Orchestra (2018). He was an All State Orchestra string judge for cello in 2016.
LISTENING TO:
Edgar Meyer - Uncommon Ritual
Bill Evans Trio - My Foolish Heart
Dexter Gordon - Soul Sister
Rev. James Moore ft. MS Mass Chori - Interiors
Eivind Opsuik - Twelve Days
Roxanne Wehking
GUITAR - UKULELE - BASS
Roxanne is a highly-accomplished musical performer and educator who is technically proficient at playing classical, jazz, and rock guitar styles. Roxanne’s teaching style draws from her experience with all types of music, her study of guitar pedagogy, and the Alexander Technique: a method that advocates for efficiency of movement and control...→ READ MORE
GUITAR - UKULELE
Roxanne is a highly-accomplished musical performer and educator who is technically proficient at playing classical, jazz, and rock guitar styles. Roxanne’s teaching style draws from her experience with all types of music, her study of guitar pedagogy, and the Alexander Technique: a method that advocates for efficiency of movement and control of the body, allowing a musician to play without pain or tension.
Roxanne currently teaches a guitar summer camp at the Barbara Ingram School for the Arts, and she was recently promoted to Musical Director of the Baltimore School of Rock due to her excellent work as an instructor. Roxanne’s reputation for creating exciting and informative lessons for students is informed by her diverse background: she learned classical guitar in high school, studied with Shawn Purcell and took master classes with jazz guitar legend Pat Martino in college, and currently plays in several different bands. At Towson University, Roxanne became only the 3rd guitarist to ever make the jazz orchestra in their second semester. In her Junior year, she won the Talent Award for Jazz, and she is currently nearing completion of her degree.
Although Roxanne has a top-notch educational pedigree, she has also earned valuable experience performing in bands at a young age. Before she could even legally enter bars, Roxanne found herself playing lead guitar in the Livin’ Loving Maids - a Led Zeppelin tribute band – due to the recommendation of her long-time guitar instructor. She has continued performing around the area as part of the funk group Filthy McNasty and the jazz trio Rose Room.
LISTENING TO
Cheryl Lynn - Got to be Real
St. Vincent - Cruel
Led Zeppelin - Ten Years Gone
Harry Styles - As it Was
Stevie Wonder - Knocks Me Off My Feet