Introduction: Dustin Kaufman Music is a virtual music school where you can study with some of the best musicians in the world from the comfort of your own home!
MEET OUR FACULTY!
Karina Camile Parker - Vocals
Karina is a Brooklyn-based multi-disciplinary performing artist, educator, and director. Karina is also a co-founder and co-director of the new, grassroots opera company, Killer Queen Opera, and is a founding member of the New York-based vocal ensemble Musica Vera.
Karina received her Bachelor's of Fine Arts and Music Education Certification for instrumental and vocal instruction from Carnegie Mellon University School of Music. She now performs, directs, and teaches in New York City's five boroughs.
Currently, Karina is a Resident Teaching Artist and Education Assistant at the Jamaica Center for Arts and Learning. She also runs her own private teaching studio providing vocal and piano lessons for students of all ages and experience levels.
Sinclaire Wade - Drums
Growing up in Houston, Texas, Sinclaire has experienced a full array of musical situations. From gospel and jazz, to rock and classical; Sinclaire can perform, and most importantly teach, all of these styles at a very high level. Currently a student at the University of North Texas, Sinclaire is continuing to develop and study her craft to the fullest.
Dustin Kaufman - Drums
Dustin has been the drummer for the band St. Lucia since 2014. He has also toured with other notable artists including: Moon Boots and Gavin Turek. Some performance highlights include Coachella, Red Rocks Amphitheatre, The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon, Late Night with Seth Meyers, Jimmy Kimmel Live, and Good Morning America. Dustin received a Bachelor of Fine Arts Degree in Jazz Performance from The New School, a Master of Music Degree from the Manhattan School of Music, and Master of Arts Degree from Columbia University.
Garyfallia Kerkezou - Drums
Gary Kerkezou is a NYC based drummer and violin player. Born in a family of professional musicians, she moved to Boston from Greece for her undergraduate studies at the prestigious Berklee College of Music, where she was accepted with the Berklee European Tour Scholarship, the Kostas Kouvidis Foundation Scholarship, and the BIN Augmentation Award. While in Berklee, Gary won the Berklee Achievement Grant, the “Most Improved Drummer” Award, the Terri Lyne Carrington Scholarship and the Zildjian Scholarship. She was featured in WBGO Radio’s Jazz Appreciation Month on April 2018 and the same year she got accepted into Berklee Global Institute of Jazz’s graduate program with a full scholarship but instead chose to move to NYC and pursue her Masters degree at Manhattan School of Music as a student of Kendrick Scott. Having graduated from MSM on May 2020 after receiving a Downbeat Student Award in March, she now continues to perform and record based in New York.
Bobby Wiens - Drums
Bobby Wiens is a Denver, CO based drummer. He has toured as both a leader and a sideman with several world-class musicians throughout the U.S. and Canada. Wiens has had the privilege of studying with master drummers such as John Riley, Joe Farnsworth, Jim White, Dylan van der Schyff, Jon McCaslin, and Memo Acevedo among others. Since graduating from the University of Northern Colorado with his Masters degree in Jazz Studies, Wiens maintains a busy playing and teaching schedule in the Denver metro area.
Tim Basom - Guitar
Since 2017, Tim has been one half of the guitar section on Broadway’s Dear Evan Hansen, and in addition has been fortunate to collaborate with some amazingly talented artists. Some notable appearances include: The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel, FX’s Fosse/Verdon, Trixie Mattel, Mandy Gonzalez, Frances Ruffelle, Phillipa Soo, and a host of others. Tim received a Bachelor of Music degree in Jazz Studies from The University of Akron, as well as a Master of Music in Instrumental Jazz Performance from The Manhattan School of Music.
Ben Weiss - Guitar
Ben Weiss is an acoustic/electric guitarist, pianist, composer, and educator from Los Angeles, California. Having worked with hundreds of students through private and group instruction over the last ten years, Ben has taught students in a wide variety of ages, skill levels, stylistic preferences, and disciplines. His teaching style is to tailor the curriculum to the needs and current abilities of each individual student. In order to make the learning process as enjoyable and accessible as possible, Ben makes a concerted effort to inspire his students by teaching instrument fundamentals, technique, and music theory concepts through the use of material that stylistically resonates with each student’s personality and musical preferences.Besides being an educator, Ben has performed on national tours, recording sessions, residencies, and for private events throughout Greater Los Angeles. He is a graduate of Berklee College of Music, where he received a Bachelor of Music after studying composition and production as a guitar principle. Ben is also a proficient pianist with experience teaching piano to students of all ages and skill levels.
Connor Terrones - Guitar/Bass
Connor Terrones is a Denver-based music teacher, singer, performer, songwriter and producer. He grew up in Colorado Springs and fell in love with the guitar as a teenager when he discovered rock music. Terrones went to the University of Northern Colorado to obtain a Bachelor’s in Music Performance in Jazz Studies. Since graduating from UNC in 2016, he has taught many students of various ages and experience levels and performed extensively inside and outside of Colorado. His favorite part of teaching is when he gets to show a student an incredible recording they've never heard before for the first time.
Jillian Shively - Piano/Vocals/Songwriting
Jillian Shively is a vocalist, pianist, songwriter, and film composer based in Nashville, TN. She attended the University of Northern Colorado where she studied Film Scoring, Vocal Jazz, and Music Technology. She has been a gigging musician for over 10 years. Her love of various genres and avenues of music has taken her in many directions— from writing pieces for symphonic orchestra, to becoming the lead singer of a funk band.
Whatever your musical goals may be, Jillian will help you reach them through lessons tailored to your individual learning style. She has experience teaching many different genres of music and students of all ages. Jillian truly believes that every student learns differently, and everyone deserves to learn music in a fun and encouraging way. She can’t wait to be a part of your musical journey!
Spencer Zweifel - Piano
Since forming his first jazz group at age 16, Spencer Zweifel has become a regular member of the Colorado music scene. An accomplished jazz pianist, Zweifel has performed professionally in a wide variety of genres across Colorado as well as in tours around the US. In 2021, Spencer was selected as a national finalist for both the Jacksonville Jazz Festival jazz piano competition, where he placed third. Spencer graduated in 2019 with a degree in jazz studies from the University of Northern Colorado and won ‘Best pop/rock soloist’ in the 2018 Downbeat Magazine student awards. In 2021, Spencer completed a Master’s in jazz studies at William Paterson University, where he studied with Bill Charlap, Aaron Diehl, and Geoffrey Keezer. In 2020 Zweifel formed the Spencer Zweifel Quintet which has since released 2 records, including 2022's 'Before It's Too Late'.
Will Kjeer - Piano
Dynamic, tenacious, and highly inventive, pianist and composer Will Kjeer has defined himself as an artist to watch, both literally and figuratively. Having cut his teeth in Los Angeles as well as his hometown of Minneapolis, Will has been widely regarded in each city as a firebrand, a first-call, and a must-hear. A refined and powerful pianistic profile has garnered Will performances for audiences across America at venues including the John F. Kennedy Center for Performing Arts, The Los Angeles County Museum of Art, and Ravinia’s Bennett Gordon Hall in Chicago. He has shared the stage with many world-class performers including Dave King (The Bad Plus; Happy Apple), Jerry Bergonzi (Dave Brubeck, Elvin Jones), and Adam Nussbaum (Stan Getz, Michael Brecker). For the past 7 years, Will has inspired students of all ages and backgrounds as both a private instructor and as an artist clinician at institutions including California State Fullerton and the Saint Paul Conservatory for Performing Artists. He holds a B.F.A. in Jazz Arts from The California Institute of the Arts and is a Yamaha Young Performing Artist. He also loves cats.
Whether you're a total beginner or a seasoned pro, we can help you accomplish your musical goals!
