Staff
Brian Burton
Jenny Giduz
Ray Tyson
Kelly Thurston
Wade Drye
Reggie Graves
Charity Helms
Brian Sullivan
Brian Jacobs
Ryan Merritt
Ruthie Espinal
Shelley Bissette
Tony Montieth
Sidney Helou
Sandy Herrault
Meredith Swanson
Annette Calud
Charles Morrow
Jeff Gastineau
Dave Zeltner
Diamelen Partridge
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Brian is an honored graduate of the Berklee College of Music in Boston, MA with a degree in Professional Music emphasizing Performance, Workshop Teaching, and Music Synthesis. At Berklee, he studied with many acclaimed percussionists including Kenwood Dennard, Dave DiCenso, and Rod Morgenstein. He has also studied with noted educators Rupert Kettle, Vuk Kulenovich, and Bob Moses. Brian has been a full time drum set performer and recording artist for the past decade. Highlights include work with Cast Iron Filter, the American Repertory Theatre, the Jon Finn Group, Brooke Starr, Rick Spreitzer, Jah Kings, and Billy Jones. Currently he performs regionally with Hipshack. Brian began his teaching career at RIT Music in his hometown of Grand Rapids, MI where served as head of percussion instruction. He also was an adjunct music professor at Grace Bible College. He uses Sabian Cymbals, Vic Firth Sticks, and Aquarian Drum Heads. Brian teaches private drum and percussion lessons and coaches bands.
Visit our music page to hear Brian's music.
Soprano Jenny Giduz studied vocal performance at UNC School of the Arts under Dr. Marilyn Taylor, and currently studies with Jacquelyn Culpepper of Davidson College. She has also studied piano under Theresa Woody of Davidson, NC and organ under Henry Lebedinsky. She has worked as a service accompanist for St. James Episcopal Church, and as a children’s choir accompanist for Davidson United Methodist Church. Jenny specializes in early opera and sacred/liturgical music, but also enjoys Broadway and jazz. Her repertoire includes the Rutter Requiem, Bach Magnificat, Vivaldi Gloria, Handel’s Messiah, and Mozart’s Solemn Vespers. She frequently appears as a soloist with local churches, and participates in recitals. This November she will be appearing as the soprano soloist in Howard Goodall’s Eternal Light: A Requiem with Davidson United Methodist Church.
Ray started playing professionally at age 17 in his hometown of Dallas, Texas. He was greatly influenced by Texas Blues artists such as Freddie King and the Vaughan Brothers, as well as rock guitarists Jimi Hendrix and Carlos Santana. During his 34 year career, Ray has divided his time between playing and writing original music and performing in cover bands.
He has shared the stage with artists such as Joe Walsh, Delbert McClinton, and Mother's Finest. He has studied with guitarist/songwriter Chet Catello of Spyro Gyra. Ray is well versed in rock, blues, R&B, funk, and roots music, and welcomes students of all levels. Ray teaches private guitar lessons and coaches bands.
Watch Ray on our video page.
Kelly Thurston is a commanding vocalist whose family has a deep history in Minnesota Music. She has been singing since the age of 11, and has performed with gospel and jazz acts for over 15 years.
Kelly has worked with the Twin Cities Gospel Choir, Steele Family Singers, and the South African musical group Ambition, and has collaborated with gospel and jazz artists Troy Williams and Keith McCutchen on CD projects. Before relocating to Charlotte in 2008, Kelly was a praise and worship leader at Central Community Church in South Minneapolis.
Kelly has sung and performed in over 12 languages. She enjoys and teaches a wide range of musical styles including pop, rock, R & B, country, folk, alternative, jazz, inspirational and gospel.
Reggie Graves has professionally played guitar for 25 years and has a solid background in electric and acoustic guitar, bass guitar, keyboards, and drum programming. Reggie is a well respected studio musician and tours nationally with some of the best gospel groups around, including Donald Lawrence and the Tri-City Singers. He has spent several years as the lead guitarist for University Park Baptist Church, one of the largest churches in the nation. Reggie teaches private lessons in guitar, bass guitar, keyboards, theory, and songwriting at Creative Ej. In addition, he coaches praise & worship, pop, rock, and country student bands.
Charity Helms, a Liberty University graduate, is a vocal, piano, and songwriting coach at Creative Ej, who performs throughout the United States on weekends. She has even performed in Europe. Charity coaches our advanced singing/dancing group, Starz, and specializes in vocal harmony and blending. Charity loves singing praise and worship music most, but is well versed at teaching pop, rock, country, as well as classical styles, too.
Brian Sullivan began his drumming career when he was 15 years old playing in clubs in Long Island, New York. What started as a favorite hobby became much more serious when he began to study privately with world renown drummer and former Buddy Rich roadie and student, Joe Ascione. From ages 19-21, Brian studied with Joe, concentrating on Jazz, Latin, Fusion, and Funk as well as Technique.
At age 21, Brian moved from NY, to Charlotte, and began working as a professional drummer in the Queen City. Since that time he has worked with most all of the area’s best musician’s including Beth Chorneau, Jon Thornton, Bill Hanna, Gary Marcus, John Alexander, Chad Lawson, Elisa Pruett, Troy Conn, Lovell Bradford, Jordan Klemons, Scott McCloud and many others. Brian has also played with national artists such as Dave Leibman, Wycliffe Gordon, Dave Easley, Harry Allen, John Butte and Christian Tamburr. Playing the drums has allowed Brian the chance to travel much of the world and to play in many different countries including Russia, Sweden, Finland, Denmark, Estonia, Ireland, Portugal, Bermuda, New Zealand, and Tahiti, as well as all over the United States.
Currently Brian plays with a couple of different bands including the Beth Chorneau Quartet, the Chad Lawson Trio, the Jordan Klemons Quartet, the Gary Marcus Quartet and an 11 piece Latin Band called Fuego Lento, including percussionist’s Jim Brock and Rick Dior. Brian has also been playing drums every Sunday morning for the last two years at Stonebridge Church on Prosperity Church Rd.
Ruthie was born and raised in New York, and always had a passion for music. She was discovered at age 16 in New York, and formed a pop/latin/rock band called Runaway, as the lead vocalist. Ruthie also is known as an R&B solo artist, and has performed in Charlotte at the Milestone and Wine Up.
Shelley has been playing the piano since she was seven years old and has been singing for as long as she can remember. She was born in Wilson, NC and has lived in the Charlotte area for 6 years. Although she graduated from East Carolina University with a degree in marketing, her real passion has always been in music.
She was the accompanist, President, and also a vocalist for the Hunt Chorus and Ensemble. This group competed in National Competitions each year and was awarded first place in chorus, ensemble, and the Grand Championship award. The Hunt Ensemble was invited to perform at different venues for the Commemoration honoring the 50th anniversary of World War II in Europe in 1995. During this trip, Shelley had the opportunity to perform and accompany with the Ensemble at the American Cemetery on Omaha Beach, Paris, and London.
Sidney Helou is a vocal powerhouse. Being a part of the worship team at Mosiac Church, she performs weekly for over 2,000 people. Her incredible range is matched only by the power of her voice. Sidney is currently shopping for record deals. She is teaching vocals, piano, and Kreative Kids at Creative Ej.
Sandy started playing violin at the age of 7 through the Philadelphia public schools. She was a dedicated student of the violin, studying under Edgar Ortenberg and playing in as many area-wide student orchestras as time would allow. Her love of the violin continued as she majored in violin performance at the University of West Virginia. Years later, she fell in love with Irish music, learning from fiddlers such as James Kelly.
In 1998 she co-founded the band, “Celtic Soul”, and toured the East Coast for three years playing at festivals and recording two albums. She also performed with a rock/DMB cover band.
Since moving to North Carolina in 2003, Herrault has been teaching violin full-time, and until recently was performing with the band, The Merrows, www.myspace.com/themerrowsband, a contemporary Celtic band. She has taught music previously at an Arts Magnet High School, and area studios. She also performs a mix of Classical, Irish and Gypsy violin at weddings and other venues. Herrault has authored four books for violin students, the Smart Violin Method (www.smartviolin.com).
Meredith Swanson earned her Bachelors of Fine Arts from East Carolina University in Musical Theater in 2005. Since then she has stared in Walt Disney World’s “High School Musical” and “Playhouse Disney Live” in Orlando, Florida. Meredith has performed professionally throughout the United States and is a member of the Actors Equity Association. After moving to Charlotte in 2008, Meredith was a lead soloist in Charlotte’s own Carolina Voices “Singing Christmas Tree.” She is well versed all aspects of performing arts including dance, acting, piano, pop and vocal jazz. . Meredith is the elementary music teacher at Countryside Montessori School.
Annette Calud is thrilled to be joining the Creative EJ family. Though she majored in Molecular Biology at the University of Wisconsin and earned a Doctor of Optometry degree at the Illinois College of Optometry, theater was always her real passion. After graduation she practiced as an Optometrist while also working in professional musical theater.
Annette got her start working in Theme Parks including Marriott’s Great America. She went on to perform as a Kid of the Kingdom and Emcee of the World Dancers at Walt Disney World and EPCOT Center in Orlando. After appearing in regional theater productions including “A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum”, “Anything Goes”, “Gypsy”, “They’re Playing Our Song”, and the “20th Anniversary Revival of HAIR”. Annette made her Broadway debut in the original cast of “Miss Saigon” and went on to play the leading role of “Kim” She then went on to portray the recurring role of “Celina” the Dance Teacher on the Emmy award winning children’s’ television show, Sesame Street for five years.
Annette felt fortunate to work with such luminaries as Sesame Street founder, Jon Stone, producer Cameron Macintosh and award winning directors such as Nick Hytner and Frank Galati.
Annette has also traveled around the United States performing her interactive dance program, “Celina’s Dance Party” for over 10 years. She loves introducing music and movement to children of all ages.
After working in professional theater, television, print, industrials and commercial work, Annette used her experience in ministry. She spent seven years working as the drama and dance project manager at Willowcreek Community Church in Chicago. Annette also taught musical theater and dance at the Willow Arts Center and Einstein Academy.
Most recently Annette was on staff at Lake Forest Church as a director, writer and choreographer. She is also a weekly columnist for the Charlotte Observer and a freelance photographer. Annette loves helping children and students discover passion for the arts.
Charles Morrow is a 2004 graduate from the Lenoir Rhyne College School of Fine Arts. He holds a Bachelor of Music in Voice Performance and a Minor in Sacred Music. Although Charles uses his voice as his main instrument he also enjoys the piano and trumpet. While in college, Charles had the opportunity to study with known vocal coaches as; Michael Clawson from Virginia and Judith Burbank from the Cincinnatti Conservatory of Music. After graduation, Charles had the opportunity to study with choral directors from Florida State, St. Olaf and Luther College.
Charles enjoys a wide range of music and has helped students from all areas of music. Some of Mr. Morrow's private students have obtained full music scholarships to schools such as; Southeastern, Appalachian State, Alabama and Covenant College.
Charles has enjoyed touring musically through out the United States and Europe. He has also been with Grammy Award winner Steve Green during his 2003 Christmas tour in North Carolina.
Jeff Gastineau
Originally from Ohio, Jeff performed on guitars, keyboards, and vocals as a member of several extremely successful regional groups including Scram, Money, Glass Hammer, and The Press, with total independent record sales of over 50,000 units. These groups were attendance record-holders at the largest clubs in the area during their existence and opened for acts such as Toto, Joe Perry Project, John Waite, Robin Trower, Molly Hatchet, Night Ranger, and others.
Jeff had a long run of success in the Columbus Ohio music scene, and appeared on WLVQ (Columbus, Ohio) Q•FM•96 Hometown Album Projects 7, 8, and 9 with Durzo & Keen, Gastineau & Harriman, and The Press, respectively. As a product specialist and clinician, Jeff performed hundreds of synthesizer and guitar concerts and seminars across the country for Korg Keyboards, Marshall Amplifiers, BOSS, and Roland Musical Instruments. As a participant in the first wave of online internet music services, several of Jeff's songs charted in the Top 5 on the Classic Rock and Guitar Rock charts on MP3.com.
Jeff has been active in studios for over 25 years and has produced and engineered for various artists including Royal Crescent Mob, The Press, Gastineau & Harriman, Eurogression, JB Bruck, Money, Durzo & Keen, Def Dee, Tetrec, IPYPU, Razor Penguins, Susan Kay Johnson, The Point, The Bellows, LeDanse Classical, Five Mighty People, Miss America Troupe, War Minister, Spirit Song, Donald Scales, Peggy Lacey, and Final Flight, among others.
Dave Zeltner is a producer, composer and multi-instrumentalist originally from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, who has studied privately with Ted Baker (keyboardist for Steely Dan), George Mesterhazy (pianist for world-renowned jazz artist Gary Burton) and Mr. James Amadie (pianist for Woody Herman and Mel Torme as well as Berklee College of Music Guest Lecturer).
Playing professionally at the age of 15, Dave performed in every major city of the United States as well as toured throughout Mexico and Puerto Rico. He also served as a musical director and keyboardist in Atlantic City performing with many well-known artists including Mel Carter, Danny Aiello, Danny Bonaduce and The Soul Survivors at Trumps Castle, Tropicana Hotel, and Bally's Casino and Hotel.
Performing as an artist, clinician and product specialist, Dave worked for Ensoniq, Korg USA and the Roland Corporation, the world’s largest manufacturers of synthesizer workstations, digital samplers and professional recording equipment. David has composed product demos, conducted clinics, published articles and appeared in instructional videos for a number of high tech product releases by these companies. While on board with Korg and Roland, Dave worked with Stevie Wonder, Herbie Hancock, Oscar Peterson, REO Speedwagon, Keith Emerson, Dennis DeYoung (Singer and Keyboardist for Styx) and Chuck Leavell (keyboards for the Rolling Stones, Eric Clapton and the Allman Brothers).
Dave’s keyboard and production work can be heard on hundreds of Karaoke versions of today's top selling artists distributed worldwide and has performed on the "Artists Song Series" of Celine Deion, Shania Twain, The Beach Boys, Christina Aguilera, Hall and Oates, Neil Diamond, Partridge Family, Chaka Kahn, Travis Tritt, The Bangles, Harry Chapin, Orleans, Bette Midler, Taylor Dayne, Ronnie Milsap, Kenny Rogers, Player, Mary Chapin Carpenter as well as many others. Recently Dave released his first solo CD of original compositions entitles "Smooth Sailing" as well as a CD of contemporary Christmas arrangements. Dave can also be heard performing locally with Maxwell Smart and Zeltner and Montieth, as well as on the following CD's: David Caudle's "Night Passions", Christopher Cortez's "Territorial Imperative", Kathy Dulin's "The Truth", Andre Ferreri's "Family Album", Paul Kramer's "Seasons", Jim Benham's "Midwest Rain's and Weather Vanes", Tesser's "Walk a Different Line", Dr. Cecil Edward's "Faithful till The End Of Time" and Lisa Gianikos ' "Starting From Zero".
Diamelen has experience in all facets of the entertainment industry. She started professionally as a dancer with a Pacific Northwest company, eventually working in Los Angeles and internationally. This area of performing branched into the fashion industry where Diamelen has worked for a variety of clients in couture and ready to wear runway markets in Los Angeles, New York, Paris and Sapporo , Japan; including television modeling on shows like “The View” ,” Donnie and Marie” and “The Other Half” with Dick Clark and Mario Lopez.
While pursuing dance and modeling careers, she booked various print ads including campaigns for the Korean make up line Ferity, Southern California Bride, and Ventura County Star as well as television work including videos, commercials for Us Health, Aetna, American Breads Council, Heineken, various industrials and hosting fashion segments for Los Angeles news programs, “The Other Half”, “Soap Talk”, and “The Christopher Lowe Show” pilot for Merv Griffin Productions.
Transitioning to the other side of the stage and camera, Diamelen has been a fashion show choreographer and director, pageant coach and judge for local and Miss Teen USA systems, and been coaching models and talent for over 12 years. Her models have been signed to contracts in the US and Japan, Spain, South America, Paris, Greece, and Germany. Her runway teams have won awards in international competitions. Some of her private clients include Shane Sweet of “Married With Children”, Olivia Olsen of “ Love Actually” and the “Barbie Movie” where Diamelen also served as a dance consultant, Jessica Goulet, Elite Model Search Winner of 2000, Liz Luque, Pan American Miss Universe 3rd place winner, as well as numerous clients who have booked print campaigns and gotten commercial and dramatic television representation. Her 3 children, signed with Ford Models and Abrahms Artists have worked regularly since they were 6wks old.
Valuing community involvement and relationships with people, Diamelen has volunteered for the Special Olympics as a coach, Girls On The Run, Bloom Project, Target’s “Arts in School” grant program ,YMCA, local church and missions work,( wherever “local” happens to be at the time). Diamelen and her family now live in North Carolina , where they have worked for local television, fashion and print clients including Coke, Presbyterian Hospitals, Nascar, Car Quest, Coats and Clark, Charlotte Fashion Week, American Girl, and Verizon. Nationally, they have worked for Banyan Productions on The Travel Channel and even done an episode of “Trading Spaces”. Diamelen is a photo shoot creative stylist as well as make up artist, fashion show choreographer, fashion and talent coach, event hostess, and spokesperson.