Our Founder & Faculty
We are pleased that we are able to offer training taught by the most qualified and experienced instructors in the area.
An appreciation and love for music began very early for our founder, Janis Palmore Afotey. For her, there is no greater joy than to see the pride of accomplishment on a beginning student’s face when they have learned their first song or performed in their first recital. She began formal piano lessons at the age of eight and continued with voice lessons in high school. Attending the first performance arts high school in the country and discovering a passion for the classical arts encouraged her to continue studies at New England Conservatory of Music and Boston University School of Fine Arts. After a number of years of performing as a concert soloist, she has returned to her love of teaching.
DeVonté Taylor has been playing the piano since the age of seven. Initially encourged to play by his mother, his love and passion for it grew quickly. DeVonte's love for teaching began in 2013 with the company Skilled Musician. It was then, that a newfound passion for teaching music was discovered. Starting off as a teacher helper in 2013, he is now Lead Teacher for in-person learning at Skilled Musician. DeVonté strives to become one of the best there is; not only when it comes to teaching piano, but also when it comes to building the relationships needed to help people achieve their goal of learning to play the piano.
Demi Willis began classical piano lessons at eight years old and throughout childhood performed in numerous GMEA (Georgia Music Educators Association) piano adjudications receiving consistent superior ratings. She also performed in numerous talent shows in Atlanta. At 16 years old, Demi was named overall winner of the Atlanta Parent Magazine talent showdown competition where she wrote and performed an original song. Demi went on to continue her passion of music after receiving a presidential scholarship to attend Jacksonville University in Jacksonville, Florida. There she earned a Bachelor’s of Science in Music Business and graduated with honors. Demi has worked with children of all ages in teaching them piano basics and instilling a love of music. She also continues to work in the entertainment industry where she has been apart of various business deals. In her spare time, Demi enjoys spending time with her fur baby and getting out into nature.
Kate Warner has been playing piano since the age of six, and stringed instruments since the age of eleven. Through her early music education, she placed with superiors in many Gwinnett County piano evaluation programs, and was accepted into Kendall and GCYS honors orchestra throughout her middle and high school career. Kate studied Piano Performance at Georgia Southern University with a keyboard scholarship, and focuses on world music history, pedagogy, and expression. Kate has worked with students across all ages, and loves helping them work towards their personal goals in both music and life.