The music faculty at Piedmont School of Music & Dance brings elite training, professional performance experience, and a deep passion for teaching. With degrees from top institutions like Berklee, Harvard, and Kansas State, our instructors have performed and directed across the U.S. and Europe—in opera, musical theatre, commercial music, and more. From classical to contemporary, they offer expert, personalized instruction to help each student grow into a confident, expressive musician.
Piano, Voice & Guitar
Ms. Bickford holds a Bachelor of Arts in Music with a concentration in Popular Music Industry Voice from Palm Beach Atlantic University. With over ten years of teaching and performing experience, she specializes in voice, piano, and guitar instruction.
Ashley began her teaching career at the age of 15 in her hometown in northern New Jersey, where she gave lessons at a local music store and began performing regularly at local venues. Her passion for music and education quickly became clear and has only grown stronger over the years.
While pursuing her degree in West Palm Beach, Ashley immersed herself in music theory, performance, private instruction, and songwriting. She is passionate about developing not only strong musicians but well-rounded young artists. Her teaching style blends solid technique with creative exploration, helping students find their own voice and artistic identity.
In Spring 2020, Ashley earned first place in the NATS Southeastern Regional Auditions (Upper-Level Theater Voice), and in 2021, she was inducted into the prestigious Society of Pi Kappa Lambda for musical and academic excellence.
Ashley is thrilled to continue her teaching career in Charlotte and looks forward to helping each of her students grow in confidence, skill, and creativity.
Voice & Piano
Ms. Frost is a passionate and dynamic artist whose love for music and performance blossomed at a young age. From an early age, she showed a natural inclination for creative expression—through both movement and voice—and immersed herself in a wide range of artistic disciplines throughout her youth.
She went on to study at the renowned Berklee College of Music, where her passion for the arts evolved into a professional pursuit. There, she trained in vocal technique, songwriting, music theory, and performance, learning from and collaborating with some of the most respected figures in the music and entertainment industry.
Her experiences included sharing the stage with Stevie Wonder, participating in workshops led by Quincy Jones, and working under the guidance of Otis the Creator, a lead choreographer from The Wiz. These opportunities deeply shaped her as an artist and affirmed her commitment to a life in the arts.
Parris was also cast in a major production directed by Michael Bearden, best known as Michael Jackson’s final Musical Director. This experience further solidified her dedication to her craft and broadened her perspective on the art of performance at the highest level.
In addition to her own artistic endeavors, Parris finds fulfillment in education. When she’s not cheering on her talented children, she dedicates her time to teaching aspiring singers—offering lessons in vocal technique, songwriting, music theory, and college preparation.
With a foundation built on years of training, mentorship, and professional experience, Parris continues to inspire the next generation of performers with her energy, knowledge, and unwavering love for the arts.
Voice & Piano
Ms. Goodman is a dedicated and passionate vocalist and educator, committed to fostering both technical skill and artistic expression in her students. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Music Education with a concentration in Choral Music from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro, complemented by a minor in Musical Theatre.
With a lifelong involvement in singing—both professionally and recreationally—Maria brings extensive experience across a broad range of styles, including opera, musical theatre, and contemporary genres. This versatility enables her to customize lessons to meet each student’s unique voice and artistic goals.
Maria is known for her dynamic and engaging teaching approach, balancing rigorous technical instruction with an encouraging and enjoyable learning environment. Her students appreciate her lively style and effective methods, often describing her as both “witty and highly effective.” Maria believes that vocal development should be both challenging and enjoyable, and she is dedicated to helping students build confidence, refine technique, and cultivate their individual artistry.
Piano & Voice
Mrs. Jensen holds dual Bachelor’s degrees in Music and Arts Criticism from Westmont College, where she was a three-time winner of the school’s Concerto Competition. In 2010, she was one of only four students accepted into Harvard University’s graduate program in dramaturgy. As part of her studies, she spent three months in Moscow, Russia, immersed in Russian theatre and culture. Christina earned her Master’s in Dramaturgy from the American Repertory Theater/Moscow Art Theatre Institute for Advanced Theater Training at Harvard University.
During her undergraduate years, Christina was awarded the opportunity to study voice in Graz, Austria, through the prestigious AIMS (American Institute of Musical Studies) program, where she trained with internationally renowned vocal instructors and performers.
Since 2012, Christina has directed opera, musical theatre, and plays across Southern California. She also spent several years teaching and directing drama for students in grades K–8, overseeing more than four full-scale productions while continuing her own vocal studies and performing in regional theatre and recital settings.
In 2019, Christina relocated to Charlotte, North Carolina, where she remains active in the arts community. She serves as a soloist, choir member, music librarian, and pageant director at St. Michael the Archangel Anglican Church. Christina is passionate about sharing her love of music with students of all ages and helping them grow as confident performers and expressive artists.
Piano
Ms. Kolesnikov is an accomplished pianist and dedicated educator with a lifelong passion for classical music. Born and raised in Ukraine in a musically enriched family, she was immersed in music from an early age—her father sang in a church choir, and her mother played both piano and accordion. This environment fostered Inna’s early love for music and led her to enroll in a local music school, where she studied piano, music theory, and music literature.
Ms. Kolesnikov earned her Bachelor’s degree in Piano Performance and Music Pedagogy from the Volyn State Institute of Arts and Music in Ukraine. After relocating to the United States, she continued her studies and completed her Master’s degree in Piano Performance at Kansas State University.
With over three decades of teaching and collaborative performance experience, Ms. Kolesnikov has worked extensively with both vocalists and instrumentalists in chamber music settings. She has taught students of all ages and skill levels, and her approach to instruction is both nurturing and structured, designed to help each student realize their full musical potential.
Passionate about sharing the joy of music, Ms. Kolesnikov finds deep fulfillment in guiding students through their musical journeys and fostering a lifelong appreciation for the art.
Piano, Guitar & Bass
Mr. Logothetis is a passionate musician and dedicated educator with a lifelong commitment to the art of music. He holds a degree in Music from Catawba College and specializes in teaching guitar, bass, and piano to students of all ages and proficiency levels.
Tommy’s teaching approach combines technical precision with creative expression, encouraging students to develop not only their musicianship but also their confidence as performers. His ability to inspire and connect with students stems from his extensive experience as both a performer and educator.
Outside of teaching, Tommy is an active musician, performing with his band, The Lunar Coastal Inn, where he channels his artistic vision and stage presence. This dual perspective enriches his instruction, enabling him to guide students through their musical development with enthusiasm, expertise, and genuine passion.
Piano, Voice, Guitar, Bass & Song Writing
Mr. McCoy is a multi-instrumentalist, producer, songwriter, and dedicated music educator with over a decade of teaching experience. A graduate of Catawba College with dual degrees in Popular Music Studies and Music Business, Ben brings both artistic and industry insight to each lesson.
Known for his ability to build strong, trusting relationships with students, Ben creates a supportive and engaging learning environment where students feel motivated to grow. He meets each student where they are and helps guide them toward their personal musical goals, tailoring his instruction to bring out their full potential.
Outside the studio, Ben is an active performer in the local alternative scene with his band, Benz.Birdz, and composes original music for commercials and online media. Whether he's teaching, performing, or producing, Ben’s passion for music is evident—and he brings that same enthusiasm into every lesson.
With Ben as you or your child's instructor, expect to be challenged, encouraged, and inspired—all while having a great time.
Piano
Mr. Poissant is an accomplished pianist, composer, and educator based in Charlotte, North Carolina. He holds a Bachelor of Arts in Music from the University of North Carolina Wilmington and a Master’s degree in Piano Performance from the Fontys Conservatory of Music in Tilburg, Netherlands.
During his time abroad, Daniel performed extensively across Europe, appearing in solo recitals, chamber concerts, and music festivals in the Netherlands, Germany, Ireland, and Finland. His Master’s thesis composition, Lucid, premiered at the historic Castletown House in Celbridge, Ireland, and was later featured in a lecture recital at the Oulu University of Applied Sciences in Finland. He continues to perform actively, including frequent appearances in musical theatre productions and with the Raleigh Symphony’s Chamber Players.
As an educator, Daniel brings over six years of teaching experience and a deep commitment to helping students grow as musicians. He has taught students ranging in age from 5 to 60, tailoring his approach to each individual’s personality, interests, and goals. His students have earned top honors in competitions, achieved high scores at the North Carolina Music Teachers Association (NCMTA) Piano Festival, and overcome personal musical challenges with confidence.
In his teaching, Daniel emphasizes strong foundational skills—technique, music theory, and expressive playing—while also equipping students with effective practice strategies. He is passionate about creating a supportive and inspiring learning environment that empowers students to reach their full musical potential.
Join us for fun and exciting music lessons for all ages and skill levels. Learn piano, voice, guitar, bass, and more from our experienced instructors.
Call today to schedule your VIP Intro! (704) 971-2011
Piedmont School of Music & Dance
1605 Old Earnhardt Rd Kannapolis (704) 932-8888 / 3220 Prosperity Church Rd Charlotte (704) 971-2011
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