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 90 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!

Nathan (Nate) has been involved in percussion since age nine. At 12 he discovered drum set and fell in love. He has been playing live shows with local bands since his freshman year at Decatur High School, where he also played in the marching, concert, and jazz bands. He holds a degree from Atlanta Institute of Music (AIM) where he studied a wide range of musical styles and techniques. As an accomplished studio and live musician, Nate now plays with several Atlanta-based groups including E.R.E (reggae) and Tom P (hip-hop). He has been teaching private lessons since 2006.

Outside of music, Nate enjoys fishing, hiking, landscaping, graphic design, pool, and singing poorly. He is also a fan of hot sauce and other spicy food.

Shreepal Zala (Shreeps) graduated from Emory University in 2003 with a B.A. in Economics.  Since then, he has devoted himself singularly to the pursuit of music.  He is a graduate of the Atlanta Institute of Music.  The programs he completed introduced him to many different styles of guitar playing including blues, rock, jazz, and classical. Currently, Shreeps plays in an acoustic duo and is re-vamping his full band for a 2009 studio EP.  Shreeps has been teaching piano, guitar and drums with Play More Music™ since 2005.

Shreeps is also a recklessly dangerous Philadelphia sports fan (Go Eagles!) and enjoys playing poker, running with his dog, and eating cheese steaks.

Steven began playing piano in the 2nd grade and shortly afterwards began to study the saxophone and the guitar. He graduated from the Florida State University College of Music with a B.A. in Commercial Music. He has been teaching music lessons since his senior year of high school and has been teaching with Play More Music™ since 2008.

In addition to private lessons, Steven also teaches young children's music at Oak Grove CDC (pre-school).

As a singer/songwriter, Steven has performed in several bands offering him opportunites to tour the midwest and southeast.

Outisde of music, Steven enjoys playing basketball, throwing a frisbee, traveling, philosophy, and reading.

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.

Vinny Iskhakov has been playing the violin since the age of three. In 1991 Vinny and his family moved to the United States from Uzbekistan. In 2006 Vinny completed his degree in Music Education from Columbus State University. Some of Vinny's violin instructors have included: Oscar Pirerra and David Dillard of the ASO, Patricio Cobos of the CSO, and Dr. Vladimir Yampolsky. Throughout his high school and college years he has performed with the Atlanta Symphony Youth Orchestra, Metropolitan Youth Symphony Orchestra, and was a member in the All-State Orchestra; he has performed in numerous solo recitals in Atlanta, New York, Columbus, Indiana, and Miami. Vinny has been teaching violin, viola, guitar and piano with Play More Music™since 2005.

In his spare time, Vinny likes to play sports (including basketball and tennis) and compose music for classical guitar, viola, and violin. Vinny is also the lead singer and guitarist for his rock band, The SixxiS.

Nathan (Nate) Brown began his musical career in elementary school, playing trumpet in the school band. After a few years of the trumpet, he began playing the euphonium, and followed this horn into college at the University of Georgia, where he studied for his B.A. in Music Education. After four years as a Music Ed. Major, Nate decided to adjust his education path, and graduated from UGA with a degree in Sociology. However, he never lost interest in music, or his love for music education. Nate has been teaching with Play More Music™since 2006.

Along with his background in Orchestral/Band performance, Nate is also an accomplished electric bassist and guitarist with styles that range from bluegrass to rock.

Outside of music, Nate is an avid outdoorsman and photographer, and enjoys playing with his two dogs.

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.

Erin Cassel studied cello with Felix Wang in the pre-college program at Vanderbilt's Blair School of Music before attending University of Louisville, where she studied with Paul York and received a Bachelor's of Cello Performance.

In addition to working with Play More Music™, Erin teaches and coaches at local music stores and various middle schools in the area. She recently returned from a series of three tours with the International Concert Management, including a tour in China and a month on the road with Academy-Award winning singer/actress Shirley Jones. Erin began playing cello at age 4 with the Suzuki method of learning, and now incorporates those ideals into her own unique blend of cello teaching.

Students will learn all elements of cello playing, including note-reading, music theory, and proper bowing along with musicality and originality. Erin is also teaches introductory piano, establishing musical foundations and basic piano technique.

In her free time, Erin enjoys kicking back with a good book and also kintting (but not at the same time).

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.

Abby Hammond graduated from New York University with a B.M. in cello performance and is almost finished with her M.M. in cello performance at Georgia State University.  She studies cello with Martha Gerschefski and is currently in Suzuki training with Pam Devenport. She has performed at Sydney Opera House, New York City's Town Hall, and the Romanian Cultural Institute.  Abby began piano studies at the age of 5 and teaches both piano and cello for Play More Music.  Abby is currently the Play More Music™ teacher for the Imagine Wesley International Academy.

When she's not making music, Abby enjoys doing anything outdoors, reading, crossword puzzles and devouring chocolate in any form.

Play More Music™ is a group of energetic instructors with a passion and commitment to music education. Our mission is to instill in our students a life-long love of music by fostering creativity and excellence in practice and performance.

Please select from the above list of teachers to learn about our background and qualifications.

"The skills that the students learn are really an international language that is understood by anyone, even those not educated in the arts. What I appreciate about teaching is that I know that what my students are walking away with is more than just notes, theory, and melody. They are walking away with the ability to communicate with anyone in the world with a language that transcends words and gestures, it is pure emotion." - PMM Instructor