Jonathan Davis, co-leader of our Brass Ensemble, has been playing music since he was nine years old with Joyful Noise and has loved every moment of it. He plays low brass instruments, as well as the guitar. He has taken several conducting classes and was drum major for two years with the Joyful Noise Marching Saints. He is currently working towards a degree in Computer Game Development and Design with a minor in Music at Southern Polytechnic, so he can get a job composing music with a game design company. He is excited about the chance to come back and teach for the group that taught him so much, and he hopes to be able to pass on the love for music that Joyful Noise started in him.
Ginger Faller, will be assisting in the Joyful Noisemaker’s class. She has worked in children’s ministry for over 10 years and has a heart for teaching children all about God’s love. She is originally from Ohio and holds a BS from Miami University in Political Science, Diplomacy, and Foreign Affairs. Before becoming a stay-at-home mom and homeschooling her three children, she worked in sales and marketing for Coca-Cola, Dial and Revlon. Music has been an important part of her life as she’s been actively involved in marching band, symphonic band, jazz and pep bands throughout school. She played the saxophone, oboe, clarinet, baritone and was Field Commander of her high school marching band. She and her family are actively involved at West Cobb Church in Powder Springs.
Glenda Garwood, our Recorder and “Joyful Noisemakers” preschool instructor, was born and raised in Alaska where she met and married Paige Garwood, our guitar instructor. Paige and Glenda have been married since 1976. Music has been part of the fabric of family life from the beginning. Glenda began teaching preschool -K4 in the fall of 1995. God took her teaching into a new direction in fall of 2004 when she began teaching music for homeschooled children. Currently, she is teaching music at four different home school academies in the metro-Atlanta area to students from age 3 up to 4th grade. She also enjoys teaching private piano lessons to children from age 4-5 on up. Glenda has a passion to help your child discover a love for music and to find their own unique gifts. She believes music is a gift from God, to be enjoyed by everyone, regardless of ability.
Paige Garwood, our guitar instructor, is a Guitarist/Bassist in the Metro Atlanta, Georgia area. He teaches privately, giving group or individual instruction to approximately 200 students each week during the school year, and is an on call studio recording session player as well. He is currently employed by four Homeschool Academies, and is actively involved with recording and producing other artist’s albums. A graduate of the Armed Forces School of Music, Paige has traveled widely in his role as a guitarist and bassist. Paige lives in Dallas, Georgia, with his lovely wife Glenda, another Joyful Noise instructor. He is the father of two children, Joy and Matthew, both of whom are married to wonderful spouses and are gainfully employed, for which Paige and his wife are grateful.
Amy Gravitte, our Marching Band director, is a graduate of Dalton College and grew up as the daughter of a Minister of Music. Since music was a natural part of daily life, picking up several instruments was not uncommon. Amy marched 4 years at Dalton High School, playing the flute and piccolo. During this time, she traveled to many locations for competitions and exhibitions, including the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York City. She has taught music lessons privately as well as in a homeschool organization and is currently the Praise Band leader at Grace Church. Amy and her husband, who is also a musician, are passing their love of God and music to their 6 children.
David Klausman, our Jazz instructor, received a music scholarship and graduated from Furman University with a Bachelor of Arts in Music, emphasis in Trumpet Performance, He has had the privilege to perform with the following artists: Aretha Franklin, Johnny Mathis, Brian Wilson of the Beach Boys, Olivia Newton-John, Lionel Hampton. David toured the 25th Anniversary Tour with the contemporary Christian group TRUTH and played with artists Ron Kenoly, “Annointed”, Pat Boone, Sheila E., Dave Boyer, and Babbie Mason. David started the VICTORY JAZZ ORCHESTRA, an 18 piece big band that really swings even today! He is on staff at Eastside Baptist Church as the Instrumental Director.
Marla Majett, our Orchestra instructor and cellist, is a dedicated and gifted performer and teacher in the Greater Atlanta area. She brings a wealth of experience and enthusiasm to her work with students. She graduated from Furman University with a music performance degree in Cello. Marla has also done post-graduated studies on Music Education and Music Performance. Marla also holds a Suzuki Certification in cello from Western Illinois University. She taught in the public school system for several years and also in such schools as the Atlanta International School and Trinity School of Atlanta, Marla currently teaches at The Waldorf School of Atlanta.
April Pettus, our Orchestra instructor and violinist, has her Master’s Degree in Music Education from the University of Georgia and undergraduate degree from Berry College. She started her music study at the age of 5 and has never stopped, playing piano and violin. Growing up in East Cobb, God blessed April with the opportunity to successfully participate in fine arts programs through church, private instruction and school, earning many honors and awards. In college, she discovered she not only had a passion for playing music, but even more to teach others how to play an instrument. After graduating, April taught orchestra classes in the Fulton County School System to elementary, middle school and high school students for twelve years. Currently, April maintains a private piano & violin studio while being a wife and homeschooling mom of three girls.
Deborah Scarazzo, the director of our Elite and Advanced Bands and the woodwind ensemble, is an accomplished musician. In addition to Joyful Noise Band, Deborah has taught college music for 13 years at various schools, including North Georgia College and Reinhardt College. Her classes included Woodwind Private lessons, Symphonic Band, Chamber Ensemble, Flute Ensemble, Music Theory, Sight Singing, and Music Appreciation In addition she has worked with Middle School and High school Students for 6 years and her church choirs for 7 years. Her education includes a Master of Music Education Degree from Columbus State University, Graduate studies in flute performance at DePaul University, Bachelor of Music in flute performance from the University of Denver. She has studied flute with various master flutists in various settings. She is an active member at Christ the King Lutheran Church where she performs as flute soloist, in chamber ensembles, and serves as children’s choir musical director. Deborah is a member of the National Flute association, the Atlanta Flute Club, and Georgia Music Educators Association.
Elijah Stallings, co-leader of our Brass Ensemble, has been playing music for ten years with Joyful Noise and his church orchestra. He plays trombone, baritone, tuba and guitar. He currently works at Chic-Fil-A in Hiram and will be starting school at Southern Polytechnic State University in the fall. He plans on majoring as an engineer of some kind, possibly military technology and applied sciences. He is ready to follow in the footsteps of his former brass ensemble teacher and teach young musicians how to improve their talents.
Peggy Wilson, our Chorus and Beginner and Intermediate Band Instructor graduated from Southwest Missouri State University in 1985 with a K-12 Instrumental/Vocal Music Degree. She plays piano, trumpet and French Horn. Peggy taught Middle School Band and Elementary and middle school chorus in the public school systems for 11 years. She has taught band and elementary music within the homeschool community for the past 5 years as she homeschooled her two children. Peggy, her husband Doug and 2 beautiful girls are members of North Point Community Church.