Meet The Instructors

Matthew Jones is a seasoned musician with over 25 years of experience, specializing in piano and bass guitar, while also possessing a diverse skill set with various instruments. His musical journey began at Stivers School for the Arts, where he developed a deep understanding of music theory that would shape his career.

After serving in the US Marine Corps, Matthew returned to his passion for music, dedicating himself to teaching children in both group settings and private lessons. His commitment to music education is matched by his leadership experience as Vice President of Circo Productions, a music production company. During his tenure, he gained invaluable insights into building recording studios and has since contributed to over ten studio construction projects, leveraging his expertise in sound design and engineering.

Matthew’s musical talents have taken him on an international journey, touring for nearly a year with his band Side Talk across the UK, Morocco, and Europe. He further honed his skills by attending Berklee College of Music, where he deepened his understanding of the business side of the music industry.

Beyond his professional achievements, Matthew is a devoted father to three children. Balancing his passion for music with family life, Matthew Jones continues to inspire the next generation while pursuing his love for sound and creativity.

With over 20 years of experience in music, Christopher Durand is a multifaceted musician and educator. Proficient in guitar, piano, drums, and vocals, Chris has dedicated more than five years to teaching music, both in group settings and through private lessons. His commitment to nurturing young talent has led to the remarkable achievement of coaching two students who were accepted into the prestigious Berklee College of Music.

As a seasoned music producer and sound engineer, Chris has honed his craft in both studio recording and live music environments. His extensive experience includes an international tour with his band, Side Talk, where he performed across the UK, Morocco, and Europe for nearly a year. Currently, he serves as the lead guitar player for a local house band, showcasing his skills in a vibrant music scene.

Chris's passion for music extends beyond performance and teaching; he has invested over 10,000 hours in self-taught music theory and excels in building custom instruments, stages, and speakers. A master of sound design, he continues to push the boundaries of creativity in his musical endeavors. Whether in the classroom, studio, or on stage, Christopher Durand embodies the spirit of innovation and dedication in the world of music.

Nicholas Giovanni (Gio) Yaquinto is a singer, songwriter, and guitar player currently based out of Atlanta, Georgia. He tours full time with his Rock N Soul band ‘Edgewood Heavy,’ hosts the Smith’s Olde Bar weekly ‘Live Band Open Mic‘, and works privately as a voice & guitar teacher in Atlanta. He holds a Master’s degree in Vocal Performance from Florida State University.

Before founding Edgewood Heavy, Gio performed professionally in styles ranging from opera, art song, singer-songwriter, musical theatre, barbershop, jazz, and more. He trained as an opera singer for close to a decade, and performed professionally around the world with respected companies such as The Atlanta Opera, Seagle Music Colony in New York, The Mozarteum with Prague Summer Nights Festival in Austria & The Czech Republic, The Atlanta Symphony Orchestra, Opera Saratoga, The Savannah Voice Festival, and many more.

The son of a Grammy nominated producer, Gio has had a rich background in many types of music. He has also found great success as a guitar and voice teacher, teaching voice at Florida State University for two years. He has also been recognized with awards at competitions such as the Metropolitan Opera National Council Auditions, Casa Italia Vocal Competition, The Classical Singer Competition, and the Concours National de Chant de Marseilles in France.