Piano
Davis McKinney
Davis McKinney has been playing brass instruments for 20 years and the piano for nearly as long. A recent graduate of Bowling Green State University, he completed his master’s in trumpet performance there while studying with Charles Saenz. He also accompanied many students for various juries, recitals, and other performances. A native of the Cleveland area, yet an Ohioan all his life, Davis received his Bachelor’s in Music Education from Miami University while studying there with James Olcott and Dr. Robert Thomas. While in school he had the privilege to perform with various orchestras in the area, specifically the Hamilton-Fairfield Symphony Orchestra, the Springfield Symphony Orchestra, the Middletown Symphony Orchestra, and the Lebanon Symphony Orchestra. After student teaching and graduation, he taught private lessons around Dayton before moving to Bowling Green to further his education. Currently Davis plays in several groups around town including several brass ensembles and choirs, as well as helps musicians of all ages with piano accompanying for solos and recitals.
Sarah Stevens
Sarah Stevens has been singing and playing piano for 12 years. A Lebanon native, she participated in musical theater, choir, and private music lessons. In musical theater, she took on the roles of performer, and stage manager, as well as accompanying rehearsals on piano. She has participated in many ensembles including Cincinnati Children’s Choir in which she was a member of the internationally recognized traveling ensemble. In high school, she participated in the highest level of auditioned concert choir ensemble as well as show choir. In these choirs, she took on roles of section leader, and soloist, and received the National Choral Leadership award which is the highest honor for a choral performer given at high schools across the United States. After high school, Sarah went on to study vocal music education and musical theater at Miami University. At Miami University, she studied both classical and musical theater vocal performance and was a member of the Miami University Choraliers. Sarah has a passion for teaching people of any age and has experience in preparing for auditions for musicals, choral ensembles, and college auditions and is excited to be teaching music in her hometown of Lebanon, Ohio!
Lee Sullivan
Lee Sullivan is a recent graduate from CCM with a Bachelors of Music in Jazz Studies with a minors in Commercial Music Production and Entrepreneurship. Currently, he plays in the national award-winning CCM Jazz Orchestra directed by Dr. Scott Belck, and has studied saxophone and jazz arranging under world-renowned saxophonist and composer, Craig Bailey. He specializes in saxophone and guitar, but also plays piano, bass, and clarinet. Originally from Raleigh, North Carolina, Lee grew up playing in various ensembles including the Triangle Youth Jazz Orchestra, the All District High School Jazz Ensemble, Broughton High School Wind Ensemble and marching band, which performed at the Peach Bowl in 2014. He has played in Praise Bands in Raleigh and Cincinnati for the past seven years. Lee is a freelance musician and member of pop, rock, jazz, and country groups around the city such as Saving Escape, Mill Creek Band, This Pine box, and groups under his own name. Lee has played all over the country and has been teaching in the Cincinnati area for 3 years.
Katie Oliver
Katie doesn’t remember a time without music not being a focal point in her life. Starting at age 8, she studied in piano and a few years later the guitar. At the age of 13 she switched over to study at the academy and it kickstarted her passion. She quickly started learning every instrument she could get her hands on. Including the guitar, ukulele, bass, drums, and piano. Since then she has found her sound as a vocalist and has started studying audio engineering. Katie's lessons keep students engaged and always ready to learn more!
Morgan Asher
Morgan Asher cannot remember life before music. At the age of 3, he started playing the classic beginners kit, pots and pans on the kitchen floor. He received his first real drum kit at the age of 4 and haven’t stop playing since. Morgan grew up playing in multiple bands and performing at various venues from the age of 10 with bands such as Thunderhead (including various members of The Blessed Union of Souls). Around the age of 12 he started recording in studio and writing originals with various bands he was affiliated with gaining experience in musical composition. Being consumed by the idea of recording records, Morgan furthered his education by attending The Warren County Career Center for Digital Design for 2 years and taking as many music course that his high school had to offer from music theory to choir and jazz band. After high school Morgan decided to make music his life pursuit by attending Sinclair Community College for 2 years for music production and various music theory and composition classes, eventually leading him to UC for Electronic Media and Jazz Studies. While enrolled in college pursuing his education and passion, Morgan co-owned and co-operated This Is That Recording studio located in Maineville, gaining experience and knowledge that would be a defining movement in his development in life and as a musician. Being the head engineer and the drum session musician of This Is That, Morgan was challenged with having to understand and be completely comfortable with almost every type of musical genre such as R&B, Jazz, Rock, Pop, Metal, Hip-Hop, Brazilian, Afro-Cuban, Blues, Indie, Country, Electronica, Fusion, and Classical. Through opening the recording studio, he has been introduced to many great opportunities such as recording drums on Roy Orbison’s song “Evergreen” for the “Sun Records” label’s archive in Nashville, performing with Oregonia, appearing on Cincinnati’s own television show “Cincinnality”and performing at the Freedom Center on the 4th of July celebration in front of 5,000 people. He has recorded over 20 albums and has performed either drums and percussion or background instruments on 15 of those albums. In the 20 years of experience that he has accumulated, with the innumerable performances, recordings, extensive education and research in music, Morgan Asher is able to craft lessons that suit each student’s learning style. No one person is alike nor should they’re path to understanding be the same as any other.
Wesley Michael
Jackson Spencer
Wes Michael has been playing brass instruments for 14 years. He is a proud Dayton area native and lifelong lover of music. Wes received a Bachelor’s degree in Music Education from Wright State University in 2020 where he studied with Mr. Jonas Thoms and Mr. Aaron Brant. While at WSU he performed with many ensembles including the WSU Wind Symphony, Chamber Orchestra, Brass Quintet, and Collegiate Chorale. After his time at Wright State he spent two years as band director for River Valley local schools in Caledonia, OH and is a licensed music educator in the state of Ohio. Wes also had the great privilege of marching with the Seattle Cascades Drum and Bugle Corps which included performances all across the country on a summer long tour.
In addition to Brass instruments Wes has skills on all Woodwinds and Concert percussion instruments as well as an extensive vocal and piano background. When not teaching in the classroom Wes can be found on the instructional staff at many school band camps or performing with Música in Dayton. Wes is experienced teaching a variety of ages and skill levels in piano, trumpet, trombone, french horn, tuba and has a passion for teaching people a new instrument and getting them involved in music.
Jackson developed a love of music at an early age and started playing the guitar when he was five years old. His musical influences are diverse, and he plays acoustic and electric guitar, bass, ukulele, mandolin, keyboards, and drums. Jackson earned an AAS degree in music recording and technology at the Alabama Center for the Arts, under the instruction of Chris Vrenna, Grammy-winning musician, producer, and Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee. Jackson has worked as a musician and producer for online ad campaigns and sound engineer for performers, music events, and live theater. While in college, he also worked as a teaching assistant at music summer camps for high school students at the Alabama Center for the Arts.
Leah Smith
Leah Smith is an experienced performer and vocal coach with a strong background in musical theater and contemporary music. She currently serves as a worship leader at Rivers Crossing and has contributed to several Rivers Crossing Worship music albums, recently as a lead vocal on "Here I Am (Live)" released in 2023.
Leah has performed the National Anthem at multiple Cincinnati Reds games and other live events. She has played roles in multiple musical theater productions, her favorite role being Eponine in Les Misérables.
As a vocal instructor, Leah specializes in Pop and Musical Theater. Now joining Lebanon Music Academy as a vocal coach, Leah brings comprehensive experience in both performance and vocal training. Her dedication to music and education makes her a valuable asset to the academy, where she aims to foster the growth of aspiring singers.
Fred Tuazon
"Frederic’s journey in music teaching began in the Philippines, where he taught music in a private school and provided private lessons to elementary students. His deep connection to music was cultivated as a member of a worship team in a Christian church. His dedication to nurturing musical talent extended to coaching other bands, helping them prepare for performances, and guiding church members eager to learn instruments.
Now based in Ohio, USA, Frederic is excited to continue his teaching journey at the Lebanon Music Academy. His lessons are not just about learning an instrument; they are about discovering the joy of music and unlocking each student's potential. Whether you are a beginner or looking to refine your skills, Frederic’s personalized approach ensures that every student receives the attention and encouragement they need to succeed.