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.

A Dekalb County native, Dr. Johnson’s aptitude for music was first discovered as a 7th grader at Wadsworth Elementary School, where he would often stay for hours after school to teach himself piano by ear. When the school music teacher realized he was playing Beethoven sonatas, she recommended that he apply to the DeKalb Center for the Performing Arts (now the DeKalb School of the Arts). Within two years, he was the first-place prize winner in the Greater Atlanta Music Alliance Bach Piano Competition. Soon after, he relocated to Atlanta where he studied at the North Atlanta High School for the Performing Arts.  As a student, he represented North Atlanta in many GMEA (Georgia Music Educators Association) auditions and performances where he consistently received superior rankings. He spent several summers studying (with pianists Drs. Barbara Lister-Sink and Lita Guerra) and performing at the prestigious Brevard Music Festival and Summer Institute. After four years of formal piano study, he was awarded a full Presidential music scholarship to attend Morehouse College. At Morehouse, he studied piano with Dr. Jefferson Ethridge and performed with the Morehouse College Glee Club, Morehouse Jazz Band, and the Morehouse-Spelman String Quartet. He has also participated in masterclasses with renowned pianists such as Awadagin Pratt, Andre Watts, and George Francois. He was a multi-prize winner in the James A. Heffner Piano Competition. When he is not teaching piano, he’s working to educate the next generation of teachers as an assistant professor of education at Georgia State University. Dr. Johnson enjoys supporting the arts, spending time with his wife and kids, and engaging in community service with his fraternity, Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. Education Morehouse College - BA, Piano Performance  Washington Univ. in St. Louis - MA, Musicology National Louis Univ. - MAT, Elementary Education  Michigan State Univ. - PhD, Curriculum, Instruction, and Teacher Education  Music Certifications & Professional Affiliations  - Royal Conservatory of Music, Elementary Piano Specialist - Music Teachers National Association (MTNA) - Georgia Music Teachers Association (GMTA) - Decatur Music Teachers Association (DMTA)   ​

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.

Canangela Robertson is a professional vocal coach and piano instructor who has worked with artists in a variety of styles including classical, R&B, jazz, gospel, contemporary Christian, pop, and musical theater. Her experience spans from elementary school to church, and the recording industry. She is a classically trained pianist and vocalist with a Master’s Degree in Music Education. Online courses such as The All In One Voice Lesson and The Play For Life Piano Course (offered on Udemy.com and Amazon.com) allows her to educate students worldwide. It is her goal to pour her over 25 years of experience into YOU. Canangela wants to help you soar into your craft in a way the world has never seen before. Let’s make it happen and enjoy the magic on the way.

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.