stone cottage music school

Saxophones, Clarinet, Jazz and Rock improvisation on most instruments

Dylan attended the University of Central Florida, earning his degree in Jazz Studies.

He also pursued a private study in theory/composition on piano, and learned to double on Clarinet and Flute. Dylan performed with many tremendous jazz artists during this time such as John Alred, Veronica Swift, Dave Liebman, and Emmet Cohen. As a performing artist, Dylan has played in many musical idioms, including Rock, R&B, Salsa, Reggae, and Jazz. In 2016, Dylan opened for trumpet legend Arturo Sandoval in a salsa band. In 2017, Dylan was invited to the SeaWorld Saxophone Quartet. After graduation, Dylan formed his own jazz trio, started two original music projects, and performed frequently with the Orlando Jazz Orchestra, and the Space Coast Symphony. After Covid, Dylan received a call for the Glenn Miller Orchestra and officially joined the band for their next two tours, performing in 18 states and 4 Canadian provinces. Dylan appears on their newest album which is set to release in 2023, his 7th appearance on record. 

As an educator, Dylan has taught everything from private students to entire woodwind sections as a marching band tech. His students have found success in All-State & All-County bands. Dylan has taught 6 All-County saxophonists, an All-County jazz bassist, 2 All-State Saxophonists, and one student who went on to make the NAfME All-National Jazz Band. Three of Dylan’s former students are currently studying music at the collegiate level.

Trumpet 

Joseph DeLage is a freelance musician with over 25 years of experience on the trumpet. After taking some time away from music, he returned to trumpet and the music community with renewed passion during the COVID-19 lock down. Local residents may be familiar with his playing in the productions of West Side Story as well as Mozart to Pop Chart at Flat Rock Playhouse, the state theater of North Carolina. Additionally, Joseph has played with the Four Seasons Chamber Orchestra, Asheville Choral Society, holiday productions by the Western Carolina Community Chorus. Outside of classical music, Joseph can occasionally be spotted playing lead trumpet with the Asheville Jazz Orchestra.  

Originally from the Birmingham, Alabama area, Joseph relocated to the Waynesville area at the start of 2021. His primary trumpet teacher as a young player was Dr. Joe Ardovino, head of bands at the University of Montevallo. After graduating high school, Joseph studied trumpet performance at the University of Alabama under the tutelage of Dr. Eric Yates and is currently finishing his degree at Western Carolina University under Dr. Brad Ulrich where he is the principal trumpet in the WCU Wind Ensemble and the Balsam Mountain Brass Quintet. Joseph has also received additional lessons from Prof. John Rommel of Indiana University and Dr. Michael Mergen of the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music.  

While primarily focused on classical music, Joseph prides himself on being a flexible player and enjoys performing all genres of trumpet repertoire. As a teacher, he is happy to teach all ages and all skill levels. From beginner playing to all-state/college prep, Joseph is comfortable and confident in his ability to identify goals and execute strategies to see results. His primary goal is to imbue his students with the ability to love the musical process as much as it is to teach specific trumpet techniques. From range building to articulation to general sound concepts, Joseph is ready to do it all! 

  DRUMS SET, AFRICAN DRUMS, PIANO 

Cary earned his music education degree with an emphasis in percussion from Indiana State University.  Since then, he has continued to study a wide variety of genres and instruments.  On two separate occasions he visited Guinea, West Africa to study the music of the Susu people.  The knowledge Cary gained of African rhythms adds an extra element to his lessons.  
     Cary has conducted and performed in many settings including percussion ensembles, orchestras, steel drum ensembles, rock bands, pep bands, funk bands, marching bands, African troupes, Salsa bands, and has played for a variety of dance classes.  He also enjoys the creative side of music and has written over 50 of his own compositions.  Cary's extensive study of music encompasses over 35 years of playing and 25 years of teaching experience.
     Learning to play an instrument gives us a life long tool to improve our physical and mental capacities.  Lessons with Cary have proven to be a success for teaching discipline, patience, respect and a joy of learning.  The rapport he has with his students continues to motivate and stimulate to reach higher levels of proficiency on their instruments and in life. 

 Ian is a seasoned music educator with a degree in education and a jazz and commercial music minor, boasting over 25 years of piano expertise. Based in Haywood County, NC, and deeply embedded in the Asheville music scene, he thrives on teaching students of all ages. 

"My diverse musical palette spans various genres, while my commitment is to nurture and cultivate musical abilities in every individual. Join me on a journey to unlock the joy of playing music." 

 Flutes, Fife, Penny Whistle

Anna has over 30 years of experience as a flute instructor at the university level, both in the USA and in England.  In addition to teaching higher education, she has extensive experience of teaching children as young as five years old. She was a band director for two years in DeKalb County, GA and understands how to work with the band programs on schools. Anna has a Bachelor of Music in Music Education, a Master of Arts in Musicology and a level 5 teaching certificate from the European Suzuki Institute.

Anna has been a freelance flutist all her adult life, playing with diverse groups as the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra and on stage for Gladys Knight and the Pips. She is founder and director of the Wildacres Flute Retreat, an internationally recognized flute course near Little Switzerland, NC.  

Anna's philosophy of teaching is that in a perfect world, everyone would learn to play a musical instrument. Music is great fun, and playing an instrument offers a lifetime of pleasure.  She tailors lessons to the individual and enjoys teaching both children and adults. 

 Violin, Viola, Bass and Guitar

Sophie earned her Bachelors in Music Performance from Florida Southern College in 2016. She taught in Florida public schools as an orchestra and guitar teacher for  5years, and is a certified K-12 music teacher.
Sophie has been teaching lessons for students and adults over the past 10 years. She specializes in beginner to intermediate violin, viola,bass and classical guitar, and can work with beginner to advanced players on the cello.

"My philosophy on teaching music is that anyone can do it, at any time in their lives. I believe that music can give you the freedom to create and express yourself in ways that are not always explored. I always welcomed everyone into my lesson space, whether they are a casual beginner, or a more advanced player, wanting to move towards pursuing music in their future. "

Trombone, Tuba

Bio coming Soon

 ukulele, banjolele, autoharp

Bio Coming Soon