POTOMAC FALLS MUSIC - Key Persons
Alea McDuffie is a Virginia Beach native and a lifelong vocalist who has been singing and receiving vocal training since the age of 13. She teaches voice, beginning piano and ukulele. In 2021 she obtained her Career Studies Certificate in Music from Tidewater Community College and is currently pursuing a degree in Music Therapy at Howard University. Alea believes that music is a sonic display of the soul and looks forward to sharing her passion and igniting the same passion in others!
Thabie Melvin has an impressive background and expertise with a piano pedagogy degree and bachelor of arts degree in music from George Mason University. He is passionate about teaching music and loves to connect with students of all ages on their journey in music! Thabie will often teach songs that students might recognize, whether it is from popular music or movies.
Jim Cash is a private music instructor at Potomac Falls Music. He teaches guitar, bass, piano, ukulele, and Native American style flute lessons. He and his wife founded the private music instruction company in 2005. Jim is the go-to for all things guitar, from classical to rock to contemporary acoustic fingerstyle. He is well versed in teaching beginning students as well as advanced serious players who are wishing to learn more about theory or simply evolve their own playing. Jim also teaches piano, bass, and ukulele.
Monty Smith is a piano, drum, and beginning guitar instructor for Potomac Falls Music. He offers private music lessons in pop, rock, fusion, electronic, Classical and more! He has been a part of the Potomac Falls Music family since 2016. Monty enjoys teaching Pop, Rock, Fusion, Electronic, Classical and more to any student with a thirst for learning!
Monty Smith is a piano and drum instructor for Potomac Falls Music. He offers private music lessons in pop, rock, fusion, electronic, Classical and more! He has been a part of the Potomac Falls Music family since 2016.
Classically trained on piano from the age of 4, Monty Smith graduated from Northern Virginia Community College in May of 2014 with an Associate of Arts degree in Music. Both of his parents play multiple instruments, which served as a strong driving force in his musical upbringing. His father teaches bassoon and directs orchestras, while his mother plays flute and piano with several groups. During Monty's college years, he added drum kit, guitar and bass to his arsenal of instruments, studying under multiple instructors to heavily broaden his musical horizons. Aside from classical endeavors, Monty has also played in numerous rock bands, several church groups, accompanied choral ensembles. He has also taught group keyboard and band classes at summer camps. Monty enjoys teaching Pop, Rock, Fusion, Electronic, Classical and more to any student with a thirst for learning!
When he isn't teaching lessons or playing in bands, Monty occasionally works as a stagehand for concerts of all sizes. Monty also maintains a vast collection of model trains built from Lego bricks! He displays his model trains at public shows several times a year.