| Eric Bylund | George Moore | |
| Victoria Cottrell | Chris Parker | |
| Debbi Frenchak | Nicole Pearson | |
| Chad Inch |
|
|
Eric Bylund
Eric has been playing the guitar for over 40 years and teaching for over 20 years. In addition to eight years of training at VCU in classical and jazz guitar, he has also received training in both classical and jazz theory and ear training. Eric regularly uses his gifts in ministry outreach performance, playing in praise and worship bands and leading worship teams. Other experience includes Richmond area studio work with local bands.
Eric has been on the Music Academy teaching staff for several years. He teaches guitar, bass guitar, and ukulele.
Instrument Requirements: Students must have an instrument for lessons and practicing between lessons. Eric will be happy to advise the student/their parent(s) or guardian(s) regarding choice of instrument. -Back to Top-
Victoria Cottrell
Victoria Cottrell received her Bachelor of Arts Degree in Music from Virginia Commonwealth University in May 2019. She currently teaches vocal lessons at weMUSIC Academy and works as the Annual Fund Coordinator for the Richmond Symphony. She is also a member of the Richmond Symphony Chorus and performs famous works such as Handel’s “Messiah”, Carl Orff’s “Carmina Burana”, and works by Zemlinksy. Although she is new to the teaching world, her love for music and singing is something she wants to share with others.
Victoria began performing as a young child. In fact, her performance experience began at West End Assembly of God. Some may remember her debut of “O Holy Night” at age 10 on the GCN stage. She continued performing throughout her college years, from choral to operatic settings. As a member of the Virginia Commonwealth University Commonwealth Singers, Vox Concordia, and Opera Choir, she has experience in numerous genres of music. She has performed in two operas including “Le Nozze di Figaro” and “Pirates of Penzance” and has performed many classical works; some of her favorites include, “Neue Liebe” by Mendelssohn, “Va Godendo” by Handel, and Roger Quilter’s Seven Elizabethen Songs.
Victoria is excited to continue her teaching journey at the church she grew up in, instructing youth and adults in vocal technique.
Debbi Frenchak
At the age of four years old, Debbi Frenchak began studying piano with her mother, who was an accomplished piano teacher, and, by the time Debbi was in high school, she was teaching her mother’s overflow students. Throughout her school years, from elementary through college, Debbi played in orchestras, first on violin, then on piano and percussion. While studying a double major in piano and voice at King’s College and Pennsylvania State College, she earned extra money subbing for church organists and playing for weddings. Debbi subsequently took Masters Lessons with Steven Heyman at Syracuse University and received her Bachelor of Arts Degree in music education from Grove City College.
Debbi continued her musical pursuits after graduating college. In addition to teaching both piano and voice, she served as the church pianist and directed children’s choirs at several churches, accompanied numerous worship teams and ensembles, and played in the “pit” for numerous musicals. While living in New York, she taught in both public and private schools and was a recital accompanist with the Syracuse Chapter of the Professional Artists Guild. She served as a rehearsal pianist for backup-vocalists of recording artists Steve Green, Larnelle Harris and Judy Jacobs, and has played piano for numerous clinics premiering music to choral directors. Drawing upon years of musical theatre experience, Debbi frequently performs in Glorious Christmas Nights, including creating the role of Susan in GCN 2016, Finding Christmas.
We are delighted to have Debbi as a member of the weMUSIC staff, teaching piano to students of all ages. Debbi describes teaching as her vocation and avocation. She loves the process of transferring information and seeing it change lives.
Chad Inch
Chad Inch began playing the piano as a young boy in 1986, later building upon his initial training with 16 years of classical instruction which included studying under Ms. Betty McClure and Dr. Nanette Solomon. In 2002, he was awarded a Bachelor of Science Degree in Music Therapy, with an emphasis in piano and a minor in psychology, from Slippery Rock University in Pennsylvania. He began teaching private piano lessons in 2000, joining the staff of weMUSIC Academy in Spring 2014, and is a member of the Music Teachers National Association and the Richmond Music Teachers Association.
An accomplished accompanist for soloists and choral groups, Chad has been the pianist for various churches since 1992 and currently plays keys in the worship band at West End Assembly of God. Having diverse experience with music and the arts, he also plays the cello, sings in choral groups, including the West End Assembly of God Sanctuary Choir, performed for Lou Gramm, the lead-singer of Foreigner, and directed a Holiday music program for hospital patients with special needs. Chad also performed in supporting vocal and dramatic roles in Glorious Christmas Nights 2012 through 2020, most memorably appearing as “The Penguin” in Sincerely Yours (GCN 2015) and Chappeau in Hold on to Hope (GCN 2019). He also served as music Rehearsal Director for GCN 2016-2020.
Instrument Requirements: Students must have a piano or keyboard for practicing between lessons. Chad will be happy to advise the student/their parent(s) or guardian(s) regarding choice of instrument.
George Moore
George Moore received a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Social Work with a Minor in Vocal Music Education from Susquehanna University and a Master of Science Degree in Rehabilitation Counseling with Post-Masters’ Work in Exceptional Education from Virginia Commonwealth University. He is an Exceptional Education teacher at A. M. Davis Elementary (1999 to the present) and directs the Voices of Davis 4th and 5th grade Show Choir. George has over ten years of private teaching experience in both piano and voice.
George boasts a long list of performance credits. While at Susquehanna he performed with the University Choir, Chamber Singers and Show Choir (1982-1986). He appeared in the musical “Company” during University of Richmond’s 2002 Summer Stock Season, as a selected Susquehanna Alumnus Tenor at Carnegie Hall in 2007, and as emcee and vocalist for Miss Teen Pennsylvania in 2010 and 2011. At West End, he has appeared in twenty-five years of leading and supporting roles in Glorious Christmas Nights, the Master’s Plan and Deliverer, served as WEAG Kids Choir Assistant Director and sings regularly with the Sanctuary Choir. GCN audiences will remember George most-vividly as one of the bumbling angel duo in “That Would Be a King,” select performances as J. J. Gates in “Streets of Gold,” Jim, the team’s loveable lead carpenter, in GCN 2014, “Under the Same Stars” and the Angel Gabriel in Glorious Bethlehem Nights (2020). He also has periodically played the role of Judas in Master’s Plan. George currently teaches voice and piano at weMUSIC Academy.
Chris Parker
Chris Parker, an accomplished drummer and percussionist, graduated from Shenandoah College and Conservatory of Music, now Shenandoah University, and has since applied his music studies across a wide variety of styles and venues — playing steel drum, vibes, percussion and drums ranging in size from shakers in his hands to timpani. He has performed with many groups around Richmond and his drum set work has set the beat for many musical theater performances, including shows at Barksdale Theater and Swift Creek Mill Playhouse. Chris utilizes his gifts regularly in ministry outreach performance, including playing conga in the Drums No Guns outreach program for inner-city youth, playing on drum set and/or percussion in WEAG worship services and playing timpani in the WEAG Orchestra on Easter and Palm Sundays.
Chris has taught private lessons since 1998 and has been a drum and percussion instructor at the Music Academy since its opening in 2000. He enjoys teaching aspiring drummers of all ages, from elementary-schoolers to adults― stressing the rudiments of music instruction in a welcoming and motivating environment.
Instrument Requirements: Students may begin with practice pad and sticks. As the student continues, Chris will be happy to advise the student/their parent(s) or guardian(s) regarding choice of instrument
Nicole Pearson
Nicole first began teaching voice lessons 14 years ago in the weAcademies and absolutely fell in love with the process of one-on-one coaching. She is thrilled to be back!
Nicole has a degree in Music with an emphasis in Musical Theater from Belmont University in Nashville, TN. Nicole has spent the last 14 years since graduation performing (she was last seen in Virginia Rep’s Songs from the Soul), teaching musical theater classes, and teaching private voice lessons. Nicole believes that all gifts and talents come from God, and that He is honored when we work to develop those gifts. She feels blessed to be a part of that process!
Charles Stout
Charles Stout is in his fifth year on the teaching staff of weMUSIC Academy, and currently teaches both strings and piano to students of all ages. Charles graduated from James Madison University in 2006 with a BA in Music. He has been playing violin for 20 years, has played 1st violin with the Richmond Philharmonic for several years, teaches music in the public school system and directs the Sanctuary Choir at his home church. Charles, also an accomplished pianist who appreciates a broad spectrum of musical styles, encourages his students to explore many varieties of string music, including classical, jazz, fiddle, and contemporary Christian.
Instrument Requirements: Private strings students should bring their instrument of choice and a pencil to each class. Charles will be happy to advise the student/their parent(s) or guardian(s) regarding choice and sizing of instrument.