Meet the Rhythm & Grooves Instructors
Richard Henson is currently a freelance percussionist, composer, clinician, and owner of Rhythm & Grooves Music Academy in Bartlett, TN. Henson is also the percussion coordinator for Munford Middle and Munford High School in Munford, TN.
As an active performer and educator, Richard has made appearances as a solo recitalist, clinician, and guest performer with assorted musical organizations across the United States. As an ensemble performer, Henson has made appearances with the Knoxville Symphony Orchestra, Macon Symphony Orchestra, Carrollton Symphony Orchestra, Sewanee Symphony Orchestra, Symphony of the Mountains, Chattanooga Choral Arts Society, East Tennessee Brass, Cleveland Jazz Quartet, Jamaica Me Happy, Classical Mystery Tour, and Blood, Sweat, & Tears. Henson has presented solo recitals at the University of South Alabama, Ouachita Baptist University, Valdosta State University, the University of Tennessee at Martin, Southern Adventist University, Lee University, and the Amro Music Recital Hall. Richard has presented percussion clinics at the Kentucky State Day of Percussion, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Campbellsville University, Furman University, University of Tennessee at Martin, University of Memphis, University of North Alabama, University of South Carolina, and Tennessee Tech University.
Richard holds the Master of Music degree in Percussion Performance from Lee University and a Bachelor of Music Education degree from the University of Tennessee at Martin. His primary teachers include Dr. Andy Harnsberger, Dr. Julie Hill, and Nancy Matheson.
Richard Henson is a performing artist and clinician for Innovative Percussion, Remo drumheads, and Sabian Cymbals.
Paul Hayes is a diverse percussionist, playing in a variety of musical settings including: orchestral, concert band, jazz, percussion ensemble, world percussion and church music. He currently resides in Memphis, TN and is a D.M.A student at the University of Memphis, where he studies with Dr. Bill Shaltis, pursuing his Doctorate of Musical Arts in Percussion. He is a current member of the World Percussion Committee for the Percussive Arts Society. He performs as one half of Unfiltered Duo, a percussion and clarinet duet with Amy Humberd, as well as performing various freelance gigs in the Memphis area.
Formerly, Hayes resided in Knoxville, TN where he was the Percussion Professor at Pellissippi State Community College. While there, he taught percussion lessons and directed the percussion ensemble. He was also an instructor at School of Rock where he taught drum set lessons, directed the Rock 101 performance group, and taught their beginning and intermediate drum set camp.
Paul has performed with various orchestras throughout North Central Illinois and East Tennessee. He holds both a Masters and Bachelors of Music in Percussion performance from Lee University where he studied with Dr. Andy Harnsberger and Richard Henson. Paul has also studied World Percussion with Yshai Afterman.
Dr. Utku F. Unsal is a freelance composer guitarist and pianist active in the Memphis area. He holds a Doctor of Musical Arts degree from the University of Memphis where he studied composition with Dr. John Baur and Dr. Kamran Ince. His compositions encompass pieces for orchestra, ensemble and solo pieces as well as music for visual media. Upon graduation, he taught ear training, electronic music introduction to music technology and music appreciation at the University of Memphis.
He is currently teaching harmony, theory and instrument classes as well as performing at ROTB Church and various freelance gigs. In his free time Utku enjoys sports, food and nature activities.
Lori Lester-Kovar is a pianist from Memphis, TN. She studied piano privately with Gina Neupert before attending the University of Memphis where she was classically trained under concert pianist Cathal Breslin. She received the Rudi E. Scheidt School of Music talent-based scholarship at the University of Memphis where she graduated with honors with a bachelors degree in International Business and double minored in Japanese and Piano Performance. She has performed in concerts and recitals throughout her community and internationally.
Lori has an extensive repertoire of solo and chamber music. She was the pianist for her high school choir during her senior year. Throughout her undergrad, she accompanied voice and string students.
During her free time, Lori is usually reading or hanging out with her husband and their three corgis. She loves to travel and tries to visit a new country every year.
Cami Is an upcoming young artist from Houston, Texas. She graduated from Kinder High School of the Performing and Visual Arts (HSPVA) in Houston, Texas, In 2020 where she began her studies In music theory, music history, choral works, languages, private voice lessons, recitals, and solo repertoire.
Cami decided to further her education by attending Loyola University of New Orleans, for her undergraduate studies, to build her skills and to fulfill her dreams as a young artist. Throughout her four years as an undergraduate In New Orleans, Cami has garnered extensive performing experience. Cami has traveled outside the country pursuing her craft and passion for voice and placing in voice competitions. Cami has been a part of several Opera productions such as “The Magic Flute” by Mozart, “Suor Angelica” by Puccini, “The Rakes Progress” by Stravinsky, L’enfant Prodigue” by Debussy, and played “Maman” in “L’enfant et les sortileges by Ravel. Among her other accomplishments, Cami earned her Bachelors Degree from Loyola University New Orleans In 2024 and then pursued her passion for music by continuing her studies at the University of Memphis to work towards her Master's Degree In Classical Voice.
Bryson Harding is an active tuba player and low brass educator in the Tennesse/Mississippi area. He is currently a second-year DMA student at the University of Memphis; he received a Master's degree from Washington State University and a Bachelor's degree from The University of North Carolina at Charlotte. His primary instructors include Zack Corpus, Dr. Chris Dickey, Dr. Ian McCollum, Dr. Doug Black, and Aubrey Foard.
Bryson has performed with various groups, including the Memphis Symphony Orchestra, Charlotte Civic Orchestra, and the Bluff City Brass Quintet. He has performed across the US in states such as North Carolina, Tennessee, Indiana, and Washington. He has also performed internationally in Canada and France.
During his free time, Bryson enjoys spending time with friends, reading, and trying new recipes.
Originally from Arkansas, Jimmy Rhine is an active freelancer horn player throughout the Mid South region, currently based in Memphis, Tennessee. Jimmy holds a Bachelor of Music Education degree from Arkansas Tech University where he studied under Dr. Daniel Belongia, Dr. Jon Nash, and Professor Evan Mino. He has had the opportunity to attend the Hot Springs Summer Orchestral Music Festival as a horn fellow, participate as a performer in DCI, and perform on the Perelman Stage in Carnegie Hall. Jimmy is currently pursuing his Master of Music degree in French horn performance as the Graduate Assistant of Professor Jeremiah Frederick at the University of Memphis Rudi E. Scheidt School of Music. At the University of Memphis, he holds the French horn seat in the Bluff City Graduate Brass Quintet where he participates in numerous outreach programs and multi-departmental collaborations.
Jean-Pierre Mora has been deeply involved with music from a young age, whether aspiring to proficiency on an instrument or embracing cultural traditions from his Latin background. As a musician focused on woodwind expertise, he has cultivated extensive performance experience on saxophones (his primary instrument), as well as clarinet and flute, during his time at Azusa Pacific University in Southern California. He earned his Bachelor of Music in Music Education from APU in May 2021, followed by a Master of Music in Wind Conducting in 2024.
Through his connection with the Los Angeles-based institution, Jean-Pierre has had the opportunity to perform alongside several notable artists, including Brazilian guitarist and composer/arranger Chico Pinheiro, legendary jazz vocalist Barbara Morrison, Grammy-nominated singer/songwriter Melissa Manchester, saxophonist and Latin jazz group leader Justo Almario, and Grammy-nominated composer Adam Schoenberg.
Professionally, Jean-Pierre has extensive experience performing with Latin bands throughout the Southern California and Memphis areas. Additionally, he has worked with local musical theater programs, preparing and performing the woodwind chairs for several well-known productions, including The Wizard of Oz, West Side Story, The Hunchback of Notre Dame, and The Phantom of the Opera.
As a music instructor, Jean-Pierre has been involved with and employed by numerous school districts in Southern California, such as Chino Hills Unified, Duarte Unified, Glendora Unified, and Whittier Unified. He has directed a wide range of ensembles, from wind symphonies to jazz bands, and has coached woodwind section members and drum majors.
The art of teaching music has been central to Jean-Pierre’s career aspirations since he graduated high school. Over the years, he has had numerous opportunities to strengthen his leadership and teaching skills, both through private instruction and in classroom settings. Jean-Pierre is currently pursuing a Doctor of Musical Arts in Wind Conducting at the University of Memphis, where he serves as a graduate assistant for the band program. Ultimately, he aims to become a university professor of music and director of bands.
Mercy Hammond’s musical journey began at a young age, singing in her church choir and taking private flute lessons. Her passion for music grew during her high school years at DeSoto Central High School, where she served as section leader in the competitive marching band. Her leadership skills and rapid improvement earned her numerous awards and recognition.
Mercy’s dedication to her craft led her to win scholarships for her flute performance at the prestigious Rudi E. Scheidt School of Music, where she studied under renowned flutist Elise Blatchford. In addition to her flute studies, Mercy has honed her vocal skills, studying voice with Mary Wilson and currently taking lessons with Carlos Enrique Santelli to continue refining her technique.
Mercy is currently pursuing her bachelor’s degree in Choral Music Education at the University of Memphis, where she deepens her understanding of vocal pedagogy and music theory. She is an active cantor at St. Louis Catholic Church, where she shares her musical talents with the congregation.
Zeke David is a graduate of the University of Memphis where he earned a bachelors in Music Business. Currently, Zeke is an active writer/arranger/teacher for various high schools, universities, and professional organizations throughout the United States.
His performance background includes five years with the University of Memphis Mighty Sound of the South, one summer with the Memphis Sound Drum and Bugle Corps, and four summers with the Phantom Regiment Drum and Bugle Corps, where they won two High Drum Trophies and one World Championship. Zeke has also been a performing member in professional drumlines with the Memphis Grizzlies and the Milwaukee Bucks.
Zeke also has experience working with drum and bugle corps, including The Phantom Regiment, Crossmen, and most recently the Troopers Drum and Bugle Corps.
Dr. Cory J. High maintains a robust career as a performer, educator, and music advocate. He has been featured as a soloist in multiple competition and conference performances, performs with symphony orchestras throughout the Southeastern United States, and is a member of The Wildlight Collective; a chamber ensemble focused on highlighting new and underrepresented percussion works. His current long-standing project involves performing and recording self-transcribed Baroque lute works for marimba.
Dr. High currently serves as the Director of Percussion Studies at Winthrop University and Newberry College, and has previously held positions at multiple HBCU institutions in South Carolina. He can also be found advocating for music education in panel interviews and as a recording specialist with his company HighSeas Media.
Dr. High holds degrees from the University of Florida, Lee University, and the University of South Carolina. He is a proud Artist Endorser of Malletech and SABIAN Cymbals.
