Owner and president of Play More Music™, Melissa Bennett Sebel has been playing music since the age of three.  Her main instruments are flute, piano, and folk guitar though she's been known to pick up drums and cellos occasionally.  Since 1988, Melissa has participated in numerous recitals and competitions at the state and regional levels in the Philadelphia area. Studying with Dr. Lynne Cooksey, Melissa received honors, grants, and awards for her work.  In 2000, she earned her degree in music performance from Emory University under the tutelage of Christina Smith, principal flutist of the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra and jazz pianist, Gary Motley of The Swing Association.  Melissa has been teaching 60 private lessons a week since 1998, with students ranging in age from 3 years old to 93 years old.

In her free time, Melissa enjoys running with her dog, Louie (Armstrong) and dabbling in the culinary arts with her husband, Tim. She also likes to bang on drums and sing rock music when no one is looking!

David Bang is originally from Alexandria, VA, where he spent most of his childhood. He has been playing the violin since 1980 starting with the Mueller Rusch method and later Suzuki. His musical journey with the violin ranges from early childhood recitals, high school symphony concerts and Virginia state competitions, college level duet gigs, a few weddings, and prior experience giving lessons to school age children in South Carolina where he lived previously.

During the early years as a violin player, David took private lessons from various teachers including a violinist with the National Symphony Orchestra in Washington, DC; but his favorite teacher was Mr. Peter Soho who played regularly with the U.S. Marine Band. Mr. Soho inspired David to love music for music's sake and to put one's soul into the melodies without being so mechanical. Even to this day, Mr. Soho's passion and love for music and teaching carry across into David's long-term passion to teach violin to those who appreciate the art at any age.

Francesca has been heavily involved in music all her life. She began playing the piano and clarinet at age 10, the guitar at age 11, and the bass guitar at age 15. Francesca was a highly ranked clarinet player in middle and high school and participated in the Dekalb County District Honor Band. She has taken lessons from two Play More teachers: guitar from Tim Sebel and piano from Melissa Sebel. Francesca has also participated in Play More Music's “Rock More Music” summer program, playing guitar in a band.

Shaun Evans studies at Georgia State University, working on a bachelor’s degree in saxophone performance. Shaun has studied with many different musicians from around the United States and is currently under the instruction of Dr. Baker at GSU. As a member of NASA (North American Saxophone Alliance) and as a participant of saxophone day at Emory, Shaun has had the opportunity to take part in Master classes with Griffin Campbell, Theofilos Sotiriades, Michael Ibrahim, and Masahito Sugihara.

Shaun’s lessons have a strong focus on embouchure and sound quality through air support, as well as the importance of scales. Students are taught how to approach music in a way that helps them to be successful in accomplishing style, dynamics, articulation, and above all the emotion and character of their music. Shaun believes in accomplishing these goals with hard work and determination, a positive attitude, and above all having fun with the music. In his spare time Shaun is a member of the Broad Street Saxophone Quartet, Vice president of the GSU Kappa Kappa Psi chapter, and holds one of the four drum major positions in the GSU marching band

Hanna Lisa Stefansson is a 2005 graduate of Emory University, earning a B.A. in Music.  Her piano education includes classical, 20th Century, and rock music.  She has a deep interest in the recording arts, and is currently working on her masters in composition at Georgia State University. Hanna Lisa has been teaching with Play More Music™since 2005.

In her spare time, Hanna Lisa enjoys photography, dance, traveling, and creating her own musical compositions.

Alex Rodiek graduated Cum Laude and holds a Bachelor of Music performance from Vanderbilt University where he studied with Alan Cox. He also holds a Master of Music performance and studied with Judith Saxton at the University of North Carolina School of the Arts.

Alex believes that his students should practice the "sing, buzz and play" approach to playing the trumpet. If a student can vocally sing the rhythms and style of the piece with confidence, they can then begin buzzing the pitches on the mouthpiece. After that, they can apply these elements to the trumpet. He encourages his students to continue singing through their instrument!

Alex has been an active freelancer since 2004 and has done clinics with the Metropolitan Youth Symphony Orchestra, Cherokee County middle schools and high schools in the Metro–Atlanta area. Alex is currently a solo cornet member of the Georgia Brass Band, and in 2011, he became a member of the Delta Brass Quintet.

When he isn’t playing his horn, he can usually be heard singing songs with a guitar or enjoying the great outdoors. He is also a huge movie buff.

Shari Rene Taylor was destined to learn the piano when, in the comforts of the womb, she could hear her mother playing "Silent Night".  By 8 years old, she had her first real piano and her first real private lesson with Mr. Quackenbush.  His mode of transportation was his 10-speed bicycle and despite not always practicing her assignment diligently, she was eager to see him!  He taught her various genres: classical, jazz, baroque, rhythm & blues, popular, gospel and a wide range of secular music. Shari competed in - and won - city and state competitions under his tutelage.  She attended San Francisco State University and the University of Maryland in Okinawa, Japan. 

Her skills include teaching a varied selection of classical and popular repertoire on piano, theory classes, and chorus ensembles to young children and young adults.

Shari's entire family has been her inspiration and support behind her passion for teaching piano lessons.  She says, "Learning to play the piano is the greatest gift that my mother gave to me and I would like to pass it on.  As my student, won't you join me in helping my mother, pictured above, continue to smile as she does in this photo?"

Tim Sebel began his musical career at the age of nine studying piano, then moving to guitar at 12. His father introduced him to the 60's British Blues Invasion and Tim has been playing the blues ever since. Tim has been teaching with Play More Music™since 2006.

A graduate of Emory University, where he met his wonderful wife and boss, Melissa, Tim studied jazz with Gary Motley and blues and rock with numerous other Atlanta area musicians.

Tim is an avid football fan, much to Melissa's chagrin.

Jennie Lynn "Jyl" Rudder began playing piano at the age of five, igniting her lifelong love of music.  Growing up, she participated in chorus and ballet, adding guitar to her repertoire in high school and even becoming a college radio DJ.  Jyl studied piano formally under Marilyn Walthall of the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra and Chorus.

Harrison Cook has been a cellist since age 9 and is now a student at Georgia State University, where he studies under Martha Gerschefski. Prior to Georgia State he studied at Columbus State University under world renowned cellist Andres Dias. Other teachers include Troy Stuart, Andre Gaskins, Joel Dallow, and Sarah Paul. He plans on continuing his education in grad school and eventually become a member of the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra.

Harrison also enjoys playing golf, ultimate frisbee, and swimming. He is also slightly obsessed with the original Star Wars movies. But only slightly.

Penelope Williams has been teaching and performing professionally in the Atlanta area and nationwide for 20 years. She conducts clinics and workshops in improvisation, piano styles, harmony, theory and composition. She is also called upon as a lecturer, delivering speeches on critical issues affecting the arts.

Penelope holds a Master of Music degree in Jazz Studies from Georgia State University and Bachelor of Science degree in Music Marketing and Management.  While receiving her MM degree she held the position of interim Jazz Vocal Choir instructor where she collaborated with African American Studies, leading the way for interdisciplinary activities in a concert setting. 

Penelope Williams has crusaded for recognition of women jazz musicians, leading International Assoc. for Jazz Education (IAJE) Women’s Caucus for many years and celebrating jazz during conferences and Women In Jazz Festival at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts.  Her leadership has provided a lasting impact in re-discovering significant historic women of the jazz tradition.

Adam Maurasse picked up his first electric bass at 15 years old and fell in love. He studied at the Atlanta Institute of Music under Russ Rodgers and Gary Wilkins where he became well-versed in many different styles of music. Since then, he has been involved with numerous bands in the Atlanta area, including one working on an album release. Adam has been teaching with Play More Music™since 2008.

Adam also has a B.A. in History from the University of Florida and is a substitute teacher for Cobb County middle schools. He has been known to occasionally bring his bass in to classes and take requests from the students!

When he's not teaching or playing music, Adam loves keeping up with UF football and basketball teams, reading, and playing video games.

Michael has been involved in music all his life. He began playing piano over 40 years ago and has taught privately for over fifteen years. He has been teaching piano workshops for ten years. In addition to his own private studies when he was young, he has completed the certification requirements to teach three different workshops from The New School Of American Music (Chicago, CA.)

A professional musician on piano, keyboards and vocals, Michael performs different styles of music in a variety of situations (clubs, concerts, weddings, USO tours, piano bars, etc.) around the USA, and in several foreign countries.  This experience combined with his training provides him with a unique perspective to offer students. He can answer any question about "real world" applications of what he teaches, but mainly his emphasis is on having fun with music as to enrich your life!

Scott Bryan is a graduate of James Madison University where he received a degree in Cultural Anthropology with a focus on Ethnomusicology and a minor in Music Industry.  Also while at Madison, He participated in the Jazz Studies program.
Currently he is a member of Cinetrope, The Atlanta Funk Society, 3052 Dub Collective, Abby Wren and What it Is, and the Ruination.

Mr. Bryan is a multi-instrumentalist and music instructor with over6 years of teaching experience.  His primary instrument is drums, however He is also proficient in piano, guitar, bass and Latin and African Percussion. Students of all ages have benefited from the fun yet knowledgeable teaching style Mr. Bryan offers.

Reina Baizan, a music lover since starting piano at age four, has been playing flute and taking lessons from Play More Music founder Melissa Sebel for six years; in addition she has participated in many district and state ranked bands and served as the drum major for the Lakeside High School Marching band. Reina is currently the principal flute for the LHS Symphonic I band; she loves teaching and is thrilled to be given the opportunity to work with so many budding musicians.

Reina is also an avid equestrian, she enjoys competing and even has a world championship title to her name. Possible college choices include Cornell University and Virginia Tech, with plans to study animal sciences and obtain a degree of veterinary medicine. Reina also enjoys singing with the Lakeside High School Chorus, and is heavily involved as president of the Lakeside National Honor Society. To Reina, the best part about being a musician is the expression that accompanies such an art form, and how music gives all the ability to tell a story.