Jennifer Marie

Jennifer Marie is a classically trained artist with a passion for teaching and vocal pedagogy that has led to her becoming a highly regarded commercial voice teacher and coach. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Vocal Performance from Towson University, where she studied opera and classical vocal technique, and has performed as a member of the Baltimore Symphony, Baltimore Concert Artists, Lyric Opera Company, and the Young Victorian Theatre Company in addition to working as a classical soloist. Jennifer has continued her education by studying vocal jazz, piano, and guitar and recently completed both levels at The Voice Foundation with the goal of becoming a Certified Master Teacher.

When she’s not in the studio teaching private lessons, you can find Jennifer teaching early childhood music classes at local studios and with the non-profit Cherry Children’s Music Outreach.

Charnice Frazier

Charnice Frazier is a classical and commercial music educator that is passionate about creating a “well-rounded” singing musician. She is currently Broadneck High School’s choral director and musical director. She served in the same role for six years at Thomas Stone High School in Waldorf, MD. Charnice is an active guest clinician and adjudicator in Maryland and Virginia. She is an active member of MCEA, currently serving as the MCEA President-Elect.

Charnice has served as the Music Director for the semi-professional a cappella group, The District, for over 5 years. She is a sought-after a cappella arranger and clinician and is a frequent adjudicator for The Varsity Vocals ICCAs and ICHSAs. Charnice holds a Bachelor of Music in Music Education from James Madison University and a Master of Music Education from the Shenandoah Conservatory of Music at Shenandoah University. In her vocal training, she studied with an emphasis in musical theatre, jazz, classical, and commercial styles.

L. Rodgers

L. Rodgers is a classically and musical theatre trained artist from Baltimore, MD. You may recognize her from season 13 of American Idol or as Reality Show Reject on Tik Tok.
She completed Peabody’s prep program in 2006 and graduated from AMDA’s conservatory program with a professional certification in Musical Theatre and Vocal Performance in 2009. L. provides an individualized experience based on the students needs; from getting ready for a big audition to building your karaoke confidence.

George Cowan

George Cowan started playing guitar when he was 10 years old. He began taking lessons at local music stores and studied with teachers such as John Smith and our very own, Lee Priddy!

As a teenager,George and a few friends formed their first band playing 90’s rock as well as some original music under a few different names.

In 2004, George graduated from AACC with a few music credits, where he studied guitar with Rob Levit. He went on to study composition under Stewart S. Smith and Linda Dusman at UMBC and furthered his education with Rick Hannah and Tom Lagana. He played with the jazz ensemble under the direction of Lafayette Gilchrist and Matt Beltzer. George graduated from UMBC in 2007 with a BA in music.

In 2005, George took a job at Music and Arts Center and Bill’s Music House as a private music instructor.

George has played with several Baltimore/Annapolis area bands, including, True Urban Rhythm Notion or the TURN (not currently performing), GoGo Mouth (a pop/top 40 cover band), and Cooper Watts and Cowan or CWC (blues and classic rock). George has been teaching at Priddy Music Academy since 2012.

Luke

Luke is a guitar, bass and music theory tutor who has been with the academy since he was 14 years old. He began playing live in bands since he started here at Priddy Music Academy, and still plays locally around the Baltimore/Annapolis area. Luke has been a musician all his life, and wants to help others learn and create the music that they are passionate about. He began teaching at the academy in 2019, and since then has coached countless bands and students through the development of their skills. He is also currently enrolled at Towson University, pursuing a bachelor’s degree in jazz guitar performance, but is skilled in a ranged of genres from rock to classical.

Benzel Cowan

Priddy Music Academy is thrilled to work with a musician of Ben’s caliber. An outstanding musician in his own right, he loves teaching young drummers the fundamentals of drumming. Students and parents alike love Benzel’s energy. While he makes lessons fun for his students, it’s clear is he always pushing to get the best out of them.

What George Clinton and The Parliament Funkadelic have to say about Benzel:
“If there was ever a question if a young musician could effectively and effortlessly play true, authentic funk as well as embody the finesse of a seasoned jazz swing, drummer Benzel Baltimore puts the question to rest by doing just that. Held by Bootsy Collins as a baby, the Baltimore native got his first taste of drumming at the age of 2 and has been gigging as a professional musician since the age of 15. As the son of the legendary trumpet player Bennie “The General” Cowan, Benzel was bred into funk music so there was no doubt that he was destined for greatness.

Benzel Baltimore studied early with the likes of Dave Weckl, Steve Smith, Pat Patrillo, and Horacio Hernandez, which has made him the versatile drummer he is today. He caught the attention of world-famous drummer Dennis Chambers so much that he took Benzel under his wing and became his mentor.

Many people describe Benzel as the “young guy with an old soul” and “the positive, energetic personality wearing the big smile behind the kit” on and off stage. His energy on stage and his electrifying performances and improvisational drum solos landed him a coveted spot as the drummer for George Clinton and Parliament Funkadelic. Other credits include the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, Woodstock 99, Jazz in Vienne, and the Essence Festival. As well as playing on the same bill as many legends such as Meshell N’Degeocello, Sheila E, Melanie Fiona, Robert Glasper, Robbie Coltrane, and Pat Metheney.”