Our Teachers Rock!

Gabriel moved to Jackson Hole in 2020, bringing a rich musical background. He began his violin studies at age 11, later developing a passion for the viola during high school under the mentorship of renowned violist Hector Mercado Chapman. This mentorship, rooted in the legacy of the Figueroa family and their connection to the master cellist Pablo Casals, deeply shaped Gabriel’s musical understanding. He also studied with Victor Defillo, nephew of Casals, further enhancing his skills.

Gabriel holds a degree in communications and music from the University of Puerto Rico, where he performed with the university orchestra and the Puerto Rico Symphony. His training includes masterclasses with prominent violists like Pierre Lenert from the Opéra National de Paris and study at the Conservatorio de Música de Puerto Rico.

Known for his warmth and patience, Gabriel continues to inspire his students through his passion for music. Outside of teaching, he enjoys the scenic beauty of Jackson Hole

Amber is a vocalist, French horn player and upright bassist who developed her musical chops in New Orleans. She has performed on national and international stages as a bandleader and sideman since 2013. She is a songwriter, arranger, composer and recorded artist. Amber specializes in vocal instruction for individuals with diverse learning styles, students with high support needs and those who want to enhance vocal communication/ performance in their personal and/or professional lives. She is an experienced teacher of students of diverse backgrounds, inclusive of all ages and ability levels. She assists learners in connecting their values and goals to creative expression. ​

Amber studied French Horn Performance at the University of Denver and holds a Master's degree in Autism Studies and Applied Behavior Analysis with a certificate in Autism Spectrum Disorders from Mary Baldwin University. She is the assistant director of the Jazz Foundation of Jackson Hole, where she is also a vocalist and French horn player.

Laura's musical training began with classical piano at age 7. Under the tutelage of Margaret Witschard (Marylhurst University) and Connie Grabow (Lawrence Arts Academy) her proclivity for the performing arts was nurtured through amateur competitions including the Oregon Jr. Bach Festival, The Northwest Piano Teacher's Forum, and Laurence University's Arts Academy for talented youth. She has a Bachelor's degree from Brigham Young University.

A 20 year Wyoming resident, Laura has developed strong relationships with community organizations, local musicians, and creative leaders in Teton County. Laura is an accomplished pianist, accompanist, and seasoned musical director. She assumed the position of Artistic Director of Cathedral Voices in January 2009. In addition to choral conducting, Laura currently teaches general music (K-8th grade) in Swan Valley, Idaho, serves as Music Director at the Presbyterian Church of Jackson Hole, and is a proud mother of two youngsters. She enjoys gardening, traveling, and Chopin.

Born and raised in Jackson Hole, Jack grew up in a family deeply committed to music and the arts. His early exposure to music and theater inspired him to earn a degree at Berklee College of Music. Jack also spent a year studying music in Spain, immersing himself in diverse musical traditions and approaches that have broadened his perspective as both a musician and educator.

As an accomplished multi-instrumentalist and composer, Jack is proficient in fretted instruments, drums, and piano. His teaching also encompasses music theory, composition, and recording techniques. Jack’s lessons are designed not only to enhance technical skills but also to encourage students to explore their own unique relationship with music. His approachable teaching style and passion for music have made him a favorite among his students.

A Wilson native, Molly Moon Thorn first honed her musical chops singing and dancing on Jackson Hole’s myriad stages. Blessed to have learned from so many local music and theatre legends, Molly ventured off to Sewanee, TN to earn a BFA in Theatre Arts and returned to the Tetons in 2003. A singer songwriter & multi-instrumentalist, Molly can be found on and off stage with Pet Raven, the Chanman Roots Band and Off Square Theatre. Ever grateful for all she’s learned from the Jackson Hole music scene, Molly is excited to share her love of music by offering Beginning Guitar and Ukulele lessons at Teton Music School.

Collin is a performer and educator. He has worked as a public school music teacher in a variety of settings ranging from elementary to high school. He currently serves as the Jackson Hole Middle School Choir, Band and Guitar Director. He holds a Bachelors in Music Education with focus in Jazz Performance from Duquesne University in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. An active performer, Collin was previously a member of Richie Coles Alto Madness Orchestra as well as an arranger and saxophonist for R&B singer Lyndsey Smith in addition to leading a variety of projects.

Collin strives to teach music to all ages by creating a safe and positive space so that all students can grow and find joy in making music.

Emma Bittner began her cello studies at the age of 11 with Milwaukee Symphony cellist Laura Love. She quickly fell in love with the instrument, and decided to pursue a music education degree at the University of North Texas so that she could further that same love in her students. While at UNT, she studied cello with Professor Nikola Ruzevic, and pedagogy with Dr. Elizabeth Chappell. She also played under the batons of Clay Courturiaux and David Itkin. After graduating, Emma taught 5th-8th grade orchestra at Strickland Middle School in Denton, TX. Her orchestras regularly received Excellent and Superior ratings at competition and her program had almost 250 students enrolled every year. In addition to her regular teaching load, Emma taught an after-school Mariachi Club that performed regularly in the Denton community. Emma joined the Jackson community in 2022 as the music teacher at Colter and Moran Elementary Schools. She looks forward to bringing the joy of music making to her students.

In her free time, Emma enjoys baking, hiking, playing Bach and spending time with her two cats.

Clay is a songwriter, composer, and multi-instrumentalist born and raised in Jackson. His musical upbringing was rooted in the bluegrass and western traditions of the Bar J Chuckwagon, which his family ran for 44 years and on whose stage he performed.



He began playing guitar at 12, and has since added bass, mandolin, ukelele, banjo, piano, violin, and vocals. He participated in orchestra, band, choir, theater, and several extracurricular bands while at school in Jackson, and was a member of the University of Wyoming’s Singing Statesmen choir.



Clay believes that anyone can learn to make the music they love, and that with a solid understanding of theory and technique, the barriers between musical styles and expressions fall away.

Vince is in his 16th year as the Director of Strings at Jackson Hole High School and Jackson Hole Middle School. Vince teaches chamber, concert, and middle school orchestras and directs the Jackson Hole Youth Orchestra.

Vince received his Bachelor and Masters in Music Education from the University of Wyoming and is a National Board Certified Teacher. Vince studied cello with Barbara Thiem at UW and has held such positions as the Wyoming American String Teachers Association (ASTA) president, and the National Association for Music Education (NAFME) Orchestra Vice President and Jackson Hole Symphony Orchestra Director.

Vince has a vast performance background and enjoys performing and recording music with local musicians. Vince resides in Jackson and enjoys skiing/ snowboarding, backpacking, and fly fishing with his wife Shannon, son August and daughter Iris.

Melissa is a singer, songwriter, and multi-instrumentalist and teaches choir at Jackson Hole Middle School. A Jackson Hole native, Melissa's first music experience was taking piano lessons with TMS Founder, Kyle Johnson, at age 7. With her musical foundation, she taught herself guitar and ukulele, began writing songs, and became active in choir and theater.

She has a Bachelor of Music in Jazz Studies from the University of Denver. From learning how to scat solo at late-night jazz jams, leading an all-female acapella group to regional competitions, and playing mandolin on the rainy streets of Cork, Ireland in a busking swing band during her semester abroad, Melissa strives to embody the many (and often unconventional) elements of music-making, something she strives to inspire in her students.

Melissa moved back to Jackson in 2019, excited to reconnect with the JH music and arts community!

Laura Wanek grew up in New Mexico and San Diego playing violin and piano. She earned a Masters of Music from San Diego State University and spent many years playing and teaching music in San Diego and Baja California.

She has performed with the Orquesta de Baja California, Opera de Tijuana, City Ballet of San Diego, Lyric Opera of San Diego, and San Diego Musical Theater.

Laura teaches violin and piano in Jackson, and performs with the Idaho Falls Symphony. She also, at times, plays percussion with the Jackson Hole Community Band. Laura enjoys the mountains and the outdoors of Wyoming.

Taylor Upton is originally from Atlanta, GA and moved to Jackson in 2006. Taylor has been playing guitar for over 20 years and has always had a passion for performing. Since moving to Jackson, he has played hundreds of local and regional shows throughout the area. He is the co-founder, lead singer, and rhythm guitar player in Jackson’s premier live events band, Whiskey Mornin’.

Taylor has a true passion for music and is very excited to share this with his students at Teton Music School. He believes that by focusing on creativity and making music fun, anyone can learn to play an instrument.

So, let's make some music!

Joe Rudd, a Wyoming native, is a multi-instrumentalist, composer, and music producer. He has a Bachelors of Music in Jazz Studies from the University of Utah and is a certified Apple professional.

Joe has many performance credits as a musician and has worked with hip hop artist Nipsey Hussle and producers Larrance Dopson and DJ Mustard. Some notable performances include opening for B.B. King, Karl Denson, Ivan Neville, and playing at Hugh Hefner’s wedding.

Joe now works out of his studio based in Jackson Hole. He is passionate about performing, teaching, and producing music.

Lynnette Turner Parry is a professional singer, actress,

dancer and teacher. She holds a Bachelor’s in Fine Arts from Utah State University and has studied with accomplished vocalists Allison Roddy and Kim Wood Sandusky.

Lynnette is an upbeat and energetic teacher who encourages her students to explore multiple styles of music and makes the learning process fun.

Her many performances span a huge range, playing Mabel in “Pirates of Penzance” at the Royal Theater and Megara in “Hercules: The Musical” on Disney cruise ships. Since moving to Jackson, Lynnette played Velma Kelly in the Riot Act production of “Chicago” and currently sings with the Jazz Foundation of Jackson Hole.

Susan Jones is a multi-instrumentalist and has been teaching private lessons in piano, guitar, and ukulele for the since the turn of the twenty-first century.

She is a performer in several bands, and currently plays keyboard for Chanman Roots Band, a local 9-piece reggae ensemble, and is the founder of Seven-Eleven, a songwriters trio. She brought the internationally acclaimed curriculum, Music Together (r) to Jackson in the early 2000's, sharing this a popular family music program for parents and children ages 0-5 with our community. Susan is trained in LifeTime Arts Creative Aging techniques and leads group classes for older adults as well. A deeply involved member of the community, Susan is known for her adaptive teaching style and ability to respond to diverse needs in a single room.

Read more about Susan's work during the pandemic at the link below.

Tom Goicoechea
Board Certified Music Therapist
Tom has lead a life of music from his upbringing in Elko, NV, to his education and career as a professional drummer in New Orleans and Portland, OR to his career as a music therapist here in Jackson. Tom completed his music therapy internship in the summer of 2020 at Primary Children’s Hospital in Salt Lake City, UT, and has lived and worked as a music therapist in Teton County since September, 2020. Having earned three degrees in music over the years, Tom plays the drumset, percussion, piano, guitar, and other various instruments. He has extensive history in performance, touring, and teaching, from individual drum and piano lessons to college level survey courses.

Tom is passionate about teaching and performing music, especially the healing and well-being that music therapy can promote in communities, families, and individuals. He is excited about working with various populations throughout Teton County and the mountain west.

Ed Domer has been a professional drummer and percussionist for over 35 years. He has toured and performed with The Letterman, The Drifters, and Jennifer Batten, among many others.

As a private teacher and clinician, Ed has taught thousands of students over the years. Many of his former students are now working professional musicians in the US and abroad. Ed also co-founded Jackson Hole Rock and Roll Camp, a one of a kind program, that was very popular and successful.

Ed continues to have a very busy gigging schedule. He plays 150-200 gigs a year with a number of bands, both local and beyond, while maintaining an active teaching schedule.