STAFF
“Music is a moral law. It gives soul to the universe, wings to the mind, flight to the imagination, and charm and gaiety to life and to everything.”
David B. - Owner/Teacher / Technician
David Has Been a Long time Musician since childhood, starting on the piano at 7 years. His Primary instrument currently is Cello, but he plays quite a few Stringed Instruments including Banjo, guitar, Uke, tenor guitars/ banjos. He Works/Repairs many musical instruments with a focus on Violin/cello family and wood repairs/color matching. David is a music Nerd and Loves all music Nerds:)
“If art is how we decorate space, then music is how we decorate time.”
John K. - Guitar tech
John has lived in Michigan his whole life and has been playing and repairing guitars since the 1970’s. He is well versed in many types of acoustic and electric guitars and playing styles. His expertise has brought new life into many of the guitars GLMS is proud to display. He is currently playing guitar with his band Beyond Eleven and also plays in his church’s worship band at Journey Ministries in Davison.
“The BIG secret to music is timing with a capital ‘T’. ”
Josie S. - fRONT COUNTER/ Scheduling/Sales,
Instructor of Cello,Violin, piano, Vocals
Josie has been with GLMS since 2022. She started her musical career when she was 9 with cello and studied all throughout high school. While in grade school, she participated in the flint youth symphony orchestra. Then, attended mott community college for her associate degree in music. She currently plays and teaches cello, violin, piano, and vocals.
““Music is the universal language of mankind””
aIDEN n. - FRONT COUNTER
Aiden has been with the Great Lakes Music family since 2020. He started his musical career playing trombone in school and then started playing electric and acoustic guitar. Aiden enjoys school and is attending college for music currently.
““One good thing about music, when it hits you, you feel no pain.””
meET OUR INSTRUCTORS!
Mitch A. - bOWED STRINGS, Violin, Viola, Cello, Double Bass
Mitchell performs and teaches violin, viola, cello, and bass locally. He has studied music education and double bass performance at Wayne State University and is a registered Suzuki teacher with training in Suzuki violin, cello, and bass methods.
“The roots of education are bitter, but the fruit is sweet.”
Russ S. - Drums and percussion, guitar, piano, theory
Russ Sauter is an experienced musician and instructor in the Genesee County area. He has taught private lessons for percussion, piano, and guitar for over 10 years. In addition to his work as a private teacher, he has coached school drumlines and percussion ensembles, helping them score 1's at Solo & Ensemble and Band Festival performances. He enjoys playing vibraphone and drumset in local jazz combos and rock groups and often serves as a pit musician for musicals. He holds a Bachelor's Degree in Music Performance from the University of Michigan-Flint and currently resides in Flint.
“Music is a language that doesn’t speak in particular words. It speaks in emotions, and if it’s in the bones, it’s in the bones.”
Emily P. - Piano
Emily has been playing piano for over 10 years and has been involved with several groups including Third Degree Burns and her church’s worship team. Although versed in a variety of musical styles she prefers classical piano arrangements and rock genres.
“Music, at its essence, is what gives us memories. And the longer a song has existed in our lives, the more memories we have of it.”
Caleb N. - GUITAR, BASS Guitar, PIANO, UKULELE
Caleb Nathanael Nettles has 19 years of music experience and has been teaching for 11 years. He has studied Digital Media Arts at Lapeer Vocational School, Fine Arts/Music at Mott Community College, and Audio Engineering at RRFC (interning at Metro 37 recording studio.) He is a full-time musician, composer, producer, and instructor.
Caleb has played and worked with several music groups, such as Toolology, Have a Pink Cigar, Jemmi Hazeman & The Honey Riders, Collapse//Revive, Quells, InDebt, ZANG, and more. He is currently the lead guitarist and backup vocalist of the rock band ZANG and provides lead electric guitar for the Motor City Church worship team. You can find his full credentials, credits, original music, bio, and upcoming performance dates at calebnettles.com
Caleb has dedicated his life towards spreading love, joy, peace, and inspiration through the vessel that is music and continues to strive towards that mission daily.
““Musicians do not have to be believed in. We do not have to be trusted. Our Music speaks for itself without the listener having to know anything about us. Music touches people’s emotions in a way that nothing else can. When people find a musician they like, they are usually fans for Life. If they like the musician and his Music, they will open up their hearts to whatever that musician has to say. It matters not what country the musician or the fan comes from. Music is a language that all understand. It goes beyond and breaks down barriers. This makes the musician very powerful, and with power comes responsibility.”
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Jessica G.-violin
Jessica has been with us since February 2021. She studied violin in middle and high school. She has played in the Flint Youth Symphony Orchestra and the Lapeer Symphony Orchestra as well as participates in her church’s worship team. She currently is attending OCC but transferring to OU in the fall of 2024. Minoring in Music Ed and majoring in Prosthetics and Orthotics. She has a passion for sharing knowledge and spends time teaching dance and acrobatics when not teaching violin.
“Music is to the soul what words are to the mind.”
“If you are a chef, no matter how good a chef you are, it’s not good cooking for yourself; the joy is in cooking for others - it’s the same with music.”
tIM s. - aLTO sAX
Tim has been playing alto saxophone for 20 years and has been teaching for 4 years at Great Lakes Music Studio. He comes from Lapeer and played in Lapeer West High School’s Marching, Jazz, Concert and Symphony bands. After graduating he played with the Belle Vally Community Band in Imlay City and continues to this day. He also teaches tenor saxophone.
“Music is life itself. What would this world be without good music? No matter what kind it is.”
bRYANT g. - Guitar, bASS gUITAR
Hailing from Lapeer, Bryant started his musical career in the well-known group Third Degree Burns. In his time there, he learned how to perform guitar and bass as well as how to teach the gift of music. Bryant’s musical preferences tend to lean towards rock genres. Although, his current band, Beyond Static may seem like otherwise.
“Music is a language, and every dialect is as enjoyable as the rest.”
“Music drives you. It wakes you up, it gets you pumping. And, at the end of the day, the correct tune will chill you down.”
JeremY bearimy -
Master Instructor, Philanthropist, movtivational speaker, bear
After a career of consulting for numerous world leaders (including Donald Trump), winning a Noble Prize for catching light in a box, and becoming the only one to successfully count to infinity, Jeremy decided to focus his efforts on music education. While considered a bear of few words, his actions speak volumes to the countless students that have benefitted from his guidance.
“If you listen to what I don’t tell you, you will undoubtedly succeed.”