CELESTE WISE
Student Rock Band Coordinator, Private Lesson Insructor, Sound Engineer
Two time Grammy Nominated (2007-2008) for her sound engineering work, Celeste Wise has been teaching groups and private lessons for 15 years. She has taught 4 year olds how to jam on the drum set, college students how to record in the studio, and Grandpa’s and Grandma’s how to rock out in our Adult Rock Band. Cel’s specialty is teaching beginner drums, guitar and piano private lessons as well as Student Rock Band Classes
Cel graduated Cum Laude with a degree in Music Media and Percussion from the University of Southwestern Louisiana (ULL). She continued her education with Full Sail Real World Education in Orlando, FL where she won the Mix Master Competition for audio recording
With her passion for teaching and sharing her skills and talent, Cel brings opportunity and expertise to all students at Creative Soul
Celeste's Collaborations Include:
Will Porter – "Best Produced CD" winner, NY Jazz and Blues Society
Allen Toussaint – Jazzity Project
Mike Gordon of Phish – The Green Sparrow and Moss albums
Russell Batiste Jr. from Harry Connick Jr., The Funky Meters
George Porter Jr. from The Meters, Patti LaBelle, Gov't Mule, Tori Amos
Various Commercials: Red Lobster - "Lighthouse Selections", Louisiana Tobacco Commission - "1800 Quit Now", Emeril's Sausages – radio spots, Jewish Hospital in Louisville, Kentucky- TV, ESPN Saturday Gameday, Ruth's Chris Steak House – TV
JERMAINE LAYTON
Piano/Drum/Saxophone Instructor
Jermaine Layton is a full time musician, instructor, arranger, writer, and producer with greater than 16 years experience as a trained musician. Jermaine most recently began graduate school at the University of North Texas in pursuit of his Graduate Degree in Music Jazz Studies
He received his Bachelor of Science degree in Music in 2004 from the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff (UAPB). As an instrumentalist, Jermaine’s areas of primary expertise are Piano/Keyboard, Organ, Saxophone (Alto and Soprano), Percussion, Oboe, and Clarinet.
While pursuing his Bachelor’s Degree at the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff, Jermaine was a member of the UAPB marching band, UAPB Jazz Ensemble (saxophonist/pianist), and the Arkansas Intercollegiate Wind Symphony.
As a music industry professional, Jermaine has worked as Music Director and/or Accompanying Musician for the following international gospel recording artists: Dorinda Clark Cole(2005-current), Kim Burrell (2007-current), Donnie McClurkin, Judith McAllister (2008-current), Angel Chisholm (2008-current), Maurette Brown Clark (2008), Daryl Coley (2008), Smokie Norful, Lisa McClendon (2008), and Tonex’.
Jermaine has worked as an accompanying musician for the world renowned Hollywood vocal trainer and International Ambassador of Music, Professor Iris Stevenson of Los Angeles, California.
He has recently served as an accompanying musician for 2010 Grammy nominated best female R&B vocal performance artist Lalah Hathaway, daughter of soul music legend Donny Hathaway. Jermaine is currently an accompanying keyboardist for 8 time Grammy award nominee Artist Kirk Whalum.
BENJAMIN SHIREY
Guitar/Voice/Piano & Home School/Rock Band Instructor
Growing up in a family of musicians Ben learned to sing "loud and proud" at the young age of 9, in his families bluegrass band. He recently graduated from UNT with a Composition Degree, in the hopes to pursue songwriting as a career. In High School, Ben joined a rock band to pursue his love for Songwriting and Performance. He later studied Contemporary Music at Greenville College in Illinois. Ben's philosophy for teaching is "all music education should start with creativity within a structured environment."
ROSCOE JUSTICE
Guitar/Piano/Drums/Voice/Bass/Harmonica Instructor
Roscoe Justice is a singer/songwriter from Cincinnati Ohio. He began voice lessons when he was 7 years old, and began performing on stage shortly after. By the time he was 17, he had won 2 national titles in opera, and had been the lead in such musicals as Cinderella (as the prince),Tony in West Side Story, The Velveteen Rabbit, and several others. Roscoe's high school band Vas Deferens won the Battle of The Bands at Bogart's 3 years in a row from '92-'95. After releasing his first album with his new band The Laid Law Union, Roscoe and the band went on tour all over the US, opening up for such acts as Foreigner, Dr. Hook, and Jethro Tull. As a solo artist Roscoe has played on stage with such great names as Bonnie Raitt, B.B. King, Jackson Browne, and Jimmy Buffett. Roscoe has been teaching guitar and vocals since high school, and is still playing regularly around the Dallas Ft. Worth area.
DANE ERNST
Drum Instructor
Dane graduated from the University of North Texas in Denton, TX with a B.A. Degree in Music with a concentration in Percussion. In addition to North Texas, Dane has also studied at the University of Texas in Arlington in the Winter Drumline, and with adjunct Professors there. In the summer of 2006, he marched in the Blue Knights Drum and Bugle Corps touring across the country. Dane has performed with Chad Wackerman, former Drummer of Frank Zappa, and Steve Smith, former Drummer of Journey. He has studied percussion privately with Warren Dewey, former Drummer for LeAnn Rimes. Dane has been performing for over 10 years, and is currently the Drummer for the local Band "Born & Raised".
CARLO DECANINI
Bass/Guitar & Rock Band Instructor
Carlo graduated from The University of North Texas in May 2009 with a Bachelor of Arts in Music emphasis in Composition and Bass Performance (with a Minor in Business). He studied under Bass players, Paul Leblanc and Sergio Rodriguez. Carlo has played in numerous Rock Bands since he was a freshman in High School and his current band, “Werewolf Therewolf,” just put out their first CD.
Carlo is also multi-lingual, speaking fluent Spanish.
KELSEY HAWTER
Voice, Piano, Guitar, & Musical Theatre Instructor & Front Desk Assistant (Saturdays)
Bio Coming Soon!...