Instructors

Mike Graci - Owner

  • Drums
  • Percussion

I have been teaching and playing drums professionally for over 20 years and learned from some of the most prominent instructors in the industry. These instructors include Dom Famularo, Jim Chapin, Joe Franco, Al Miller, and Frank Cassara. I was an instructor at one of the top drum schools in New York, The Long Island Drum Center, and obtained a BA in Music Education from Long Island University-CW Post Campus.

In 2007, I moved with my wife and two children to the Matthews-Charlotte area of North Carolina. Upon arriving in Charlotte, I started instructing and performing. I established a student base teaching drums/percussion to all ages and skill levels, including hand drum lessons (Conga/Djembe). From 2007-2012, I was a member of the NBA Charlotte Bobcats Drumline, The Rhythm Cats. In my years of playing professionally, I have performed in over 5000 shows including Off-Broadway, House of Blues, The Fillmore and many other venues. I’m currently the bandleader and drummer of the popular bands, KidsinAmericaband.com-Totally 80s Tribute Band, NewKidsband.com-The Super Fly 90s Tribute Band, and Chicago Rewired-The Premier Chicago Tribute Band.

My music lessons include all aspects of drumming and drumming theory, drum set, snare drum, school band, church, rock, pop, jazz, etc. I also teach the many important areas of drumming (reading, proper technique, double bass, Moeller, independence, timing, speed, and control).

jennifer playing guitar and singing

Jennifer Gayle Nicks - MGM Manager

  • Voice
  • Piano
  • Guitar
  • Ukulele

Jennifer has been teaching private music lessons for many years. Children, youth & adults are drawn in by her fun-loving enthusiasm her love and joy of music. She has a unique gift of making harder to grasp concepts, very possible and quickly attainable. Jennifer’s goal is to unlock the gift within and to instill lifelong musical expression.


She accelerates performance with her students as early as possible and likes to build musical confidence within a student. Jennifer teaches theory but makes sure it’s clear to the student, how it’s used in music performance. Each student has a custom lesson plan built that’s just for them. Jennifer looks at each student is an individual. One students lesson plan can be very different from another students. Jennifer believes music should be a retreat of fun, joy & healing. Something that can be part of every day life. She believes that by encouraging the positives, “mistakes” work themselves out much faster when inner confidence is built.

man holding guitar

Arda Bagcioglu

  • Guitar
  • Bass
  • Ukulele

Experiences I’ve had include teaching private lessons, music schools, church, original bands,cover bands, duos, trios, private parties, festivals, special events, clubs, and weddings for over 20 years! Opened for Chuck Berry, Uriah Heep, Blues Brothers,The Wailers , Marshall Tucker Band, Nantucket, played shows with Jimi Hendrix’s percussionist Gerardo Velez and Lynyrd Skynyrd original drummer and hall of famer Bob Burns. Played on “Rock Legends Cruise 2011” and “Simple Man Cruise 2012” with Preacher Stone and shared the stage with ZZ Top, Lynyrd Skynyrd, George Thorogood, Marshall Tucker Band, The Outlaws, Blackberry Smoke, Steppen Wolf,Johnny Winter, Edgar Winter, Molly Hatchet, Doobie Brothers, Foghat, Pat Travers, Blackfoot and many more national acts. Performed at Carolina Country Music Festival with Moses Jones in 2017,among other artists such as Luke Bryan, Kenny Chesney, Jason Aldean, Montgomery Gentry, Big And Rich, Darius Rocker, Davison Brothers, Gretchen Wilson, Kip Moore,Lee Brice and many more…

Played more than 2500 shows overseas and more than 25 states including major cities like Nashville, Austin, New York City, L.A, Atlantic City. Won “Best World

Music Artist w/ Tsunami Wave Riders” at Charlotte Music Awards in 2009 and won “Best Country Artist w/ Jeff Luckadoo & Southern Wave” at Charlotte music awards in 2011. Won “Best Country Band of The Year and”Charlotte Blues Society Competition with Moses Jones in 2017. Performed At International Blues Challenge in Memphis with Moses Jones in 2018. Played shows with bands such as Preacher Stone, Moses Jones, Wink Keziah, Michael Tracy Band, Flashback Party Band, Emerald Empire Band, Right To Party Band, The Extraordinaires, Jeff Luckadoo & Southern Wave, ThrowbackThursday Party Band, Tsunami Wave Riders, Shannon Lee, Jade Moore, Lisa De Novo, Terri Marie, Leaving Texas, Stella Rising, Brett Greer Band, Honky Tonk Playboys, Tastes Like Chicken,Redemption Church Band and recorded with Wink Keziah, Michael Tracy, Moses Jones and Shannon Lee.

My approach to students is to keep them engaged by learning songs, music theory, and teaching proper technique. Those techniques are : Picking, legato, arpeggios, chord structures, scales, improvisation,rhythm. I teach in many different styles: Rock, blues, country,honky tonk, classic-rock, hard-rock, jazz-rock,pop,soul and funk.

man playing keyboard

Robert Bowser

  • Drums
  • Percussion
  • Piano
Rob started playing drums at the age of 8 in his hometown of Reading, PA. His early influences were mostly gospel and R&B musicians from the greater Philadelphia area. Rob played percussion through middle, high school and college. He started playing piano and keyboards during his college years and went through formal training for piano performance and composition shortly thereafter. Now residing in Charlotte, NC he’s been a part of several original and cover projects. Most recently playing with a group of top NC and SC musicians backing and touring with recording artist Sy Smith.

Some of his more recent influences include popular mainstream & jazz players such as Taylor Eigsti, Nicholas Semard, Cory Henry, Robert “Sput” Searight and Robert Glasper. He has 20+ years experience playing and composing. Comfortable on any stage and very easy to get along with. He has supported a few national touring artists, including Ronnie Laws, Paula Atherton and Jeanette Harris to name a few.

Rob’s teaching philosophy is to make learning music fun through various methods including explaining theory behind your favorite popular songs, flashcards, fun practice techniques and easy memorization methods.
man playing drums

Garrick White

  • Drums
  • Percussion
  • Piano
I have always loved music and have been playing for over 25 years. I started playing drums when I was very young. My dad was a drummer in the Independence High School Marching Band and started me playing when I was old enough to hold sticks. I have always been surrounded by music. My grandmother and aunt taught piano and I absorbed some of that early on. In 5th grade, I started band and learned all the elements of percussion in a concert band including keyed instruments. I continued playing in school band all the way through graduation from Weddington High School, playing mostly battery in the marching band.

One of the greatest joys of being a musician is being able to share that knowledge with others. I have been teaching privately for over 9 years, as well as working with a few local marching bands. Some of my favorite styles are jazz and Latin. In addition to teaching, I play in a local Charlotte band called Runnin Down A Dream, which is a tribute to Tom Petty and another band called FM Encore. Some of my influences are Mike Portnoy, Neil Peart, Jon Bonham and Danny Carey.
man playing guitar on stage

Zac Robins

  • Guitar
  • Drums
  • Vocal
Zac Robins has been working and performing as a vocalist, guitarist, drummer, and audio engineer for the past 20+ years across the US East Coast. Zac started his musical journey as a young child with music lessons that taught him the basics of violin and voice. At 15 Zac picked up the guitar and drums playing in pop bands and ultimately going on his first tour by age 17.

Predominantly performing in the genres of pop, rock, and blues, Zac has been able to creat unique stylistic fusions in his original music. Over the course of his career there have been many blessings and opportunities including opening for and performing with artists such as Philmont & Australian singer-songwriter Nadéah Miranda of the Lovegods

Today Zac has brought his experience from the original live music scene and focused his passion back in Charlotte North Carolina. You can catch him performing around the city, teaching music lessons, or co hosting an open Jam at Zee’s Tavern where musicians of all skill levels can grow by performing with others.

Felixx Alvis

  • Drums
  • Percussion
Felixx Alvis is a drum and percussion instructor with 20 years experience. A graduate of Ohio State University and has focused his studies on rudimental snare and technique with a special interest in teaching Latin, jazz, worship and rock.
man singing and playing keyboard

Pat Cray

  • Voice
  • Piano
  • Violin

Patrick Cray is a highly accomplished musician with a Bachelor of Music in Piano from Queens College. Over the past two decades, he has toured extensively, showcasing his talents as a keyboardist and vocalist for renowned artists such as Chubby Checker, Percy Sledge, Amy Grant, Johnny Rivers, and Gino Vannelli. In addition to his impressive performance career, Pat has recorded hundreds of commercials for both local and national markets. With over 25 years of experience, Pat is a respected music educator, having taught students of all ages. Currently serving as the Music Director and Worship Leader at Blair Road UMC, he continues to inspire through his dedication to music and faith. Outside of his professional pursuits, Pat cherishes family time with his wife and two children.

man singing and playing guitar

Todd Langdon

  • Guitar (electric and acoustic)
I have been playing guitar in bands for over 25 years. I graduated with an associates degree in classical guitar from Onondaga Community College under Tim Schmidt.

I began playing and writing original music at age 16 and have been the lead singer and guitarist of 5 original bands. I’ve has also played and recorded with multiple musicians in the New York area and up and down the east coast. I like to play a myriad of styles : rock, emo, country, classical, pop and heavy metal.

I’ve worked as a studio guitarist on several types of original projects. I’ve written and performed live music for a theatrical Ariel dance production. My former band won best video at the Charlotte Video awards contest in( 2018 ISH Cookie Pusher ) My original music was featured in a movie trailer for a movie filmed in NC and our band was also in the movie.

I have been teaching professionally for over 15 years and enjoy instructing students of all ages. I aim to make it fun and keep students engaged and learning. I begin by teaching students how to play their favorite songs. Then I move into working on proper technique and practicing exercises. I am currently playing in 4 tribute bands, acoustic gigs, weddings, special events, outdoor concert series and private parties.

You may see me out in Charlotte playing music with my favorite guest singer. My 9 year old daughter who often comes up and sings a few songs accompanied by guitar. She has been performing with me since she was 7 years old.

GK Via

  • Guitar
  • Piano
  • Ukulele
  • Bass

GK is a seasoned guitarist and bassist with over 20 years of experience touring and recording with original bands across the United States. His versatile musical influences span singer-songwriter genres, hard rock, metal, country, pop, and more.

Since relocating to the Charlotte area in 2017, GK has become a prominent figure in the local music scene, performing with acclaimed tribute bands such as Kids in America: Ultimate ’80s Tribute, 70’s Kids: Solid Gold Tribute, Superfly ’90s Kids Tribute, and Y2K Kids.

In addition to his band performances, GK delivers captivating solo acoustic shows, showcasing his dynamic talent and wide-ranging repertoire.

Chris Leich

  • Drums
  • Guitar
  • Bass
  • Songwriting/Composition

Chris is quickly becoming a jack-of-all-trades musician. Having Masters degrees in Percussion and Composition he is capable of playing an extremely wide range of percussion instruments as well as bass guitar, piano, guitar, and more. Having performed internationally with his percussive endeavors he is most suited for teaching in that field, but has also done some freelance work and gigging on bass.

Each student is unique. Chris would like to connect with the interests of whoever he is working with to help them achieve their goals. Being musical is a way of thinking, how to apply what you already know to what you want to do and when you can put a personal spin on it. Building up one’s musical vocabulary and familiarity with an instrument in the ways that interest them will slowly improve what they can do with the medium of music.

Eric Esposito

  • Guitar
  • Bass
  • Ukulele

Eric has been teaching guitar for more than 20 years and loves doing it. A jazz-trained musician, he also has a special affinity for rock music and R&B. Eric has played guitar and bass innumerous successful bands in both the New York City and Charlotte areas over the last 30 years, and is currently in several bands that perform across the East Coast.

He has a B.A. in Music Education and Performance from the Five Towns College in New York.

Bethany LaShell

  • Piano

Bethany LaShell has always loved music—her baby book boasts a picture of her sitting at a piano at 18 months old! She began piano lessons at age 6 and continued through college, including an unofficial minor in music.

Bethany played 4-5 instruments throughout school and was involved in every music group available.

She then transitioned to teaching piano lessons for a number of years and started a music program in a private school. In addition, she has led multiple children’s musical productions.

She has played the piano and organ for churches, weddings, and other events and has sung in local choirs such as The Oratorio Singers (affiliated with the CSO) and Nova Voce.

Bethany is delighted to return to teaching music at Mike Graci Music Lessons. Her specialties are sacred and classical music.

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