Elizabeth Robbins began studying the viola at age 9 and the flute at age 10, and has experience performing and teaching strings and woodwinds. She earned her Bachelor of Music in Music Education at Ithaca College, where she studied flute with Kelly Covert. She spent one semester at the Ithaca College London Center, taking lessons with Susan Milan at the Royal College of Music. After completing her undergraduate degree, Elizabeth moved to southern Maryland, where she taught pre-k through fifth grade band, strings, chorus, and general music for four years at St. Mary’s County Public Schools. While in Maryland, she earned her Master of Music in Music Education from Boston University. In 2010 she played Griffes’s Poem for Flute and Orchestra with the Chamber Orchestra of Southern Maryland In Concert as the winner of the COSMIC Young Artist Competition.
Elizabeth earned her PhD in music education at Temple University in 2019. While at Temple, she worked as a TA in the music education department, which included serving as a graduate conductor of the Night Owls Community Band and teaching Woodwind Methods to undergraduate and graduate students. She also taught as an adjunct and supervised student teachers at West Chester University. During her doctoral studies, she was a member of the viola faculty for the Music Education Pathways program at Settlement Music School in Philadelphia, PA and was a member of the flute faculty at Ferrwood Music Camp in Drums, PA. Elizabeth is happy to be back in Maryland, teaching 4th-6th grade band and orchestra in Prince George’s County Public Schools.
Nelson is a dedicated teacher who is committed to making sure his students explore their musical interests while simultaneously advancing their skill level. He has been playing guitar since he was 11 years old, and he also plays and teaches clarinet and ukulele. He has experience with piano, drums, alto saxophone, and bass as well. Nelson has been working behind the counter at Mike’s Music since 2016 with instrument rentals and sales. This has given him extensive knowledge on many instruments, microphones, pedals, and more. He has performed at private parties and restaurants in Howard and Baltimore Counties and is currently working on a debut alternative rock album as part of a band. Nelson is also a soloist performer and songwriter. He enjoys teaching alternative, pop, jazz, punk rock, heavy metal, neo-soul, funk, and foreign (Japanese rock, Korean pop, Spanish) music. He has a flexible teaching style that is tailored to best fit his student’s needs and interests in order to keep the student engaged. He loves helping others discover their passion for music and to see the joy and excitement light up a student’s face when they work on something hard and finally get it down! He is determined to give every student the opportunity to express themselves through music.