Jessica S. C. Chakonas
Piano, Strings, Voice, Flute, Guitar, Ukulele
Ms. Jessica is the owner and founder of Elite Music. With more than 17 years of teaching experience, 3 degrees in Musical Performance with concentrations in piano and voice, multiple awards for musical achievement, a mastery of 7 instruments, and additional training in Therapy from the University of California, Santa Barbara, Jessica provides a unique set of skills, enabling her to find the best fit for your musical needs! Jessica holds two AA degrees from Young Harris College and a BA in Vocal Performance with a minor in Piano Performance from North Georgia College and State University, now known as the University of North Georgia. She graduated magna cum laude in 2012 as the first woman in her family to achieve a higher education degree. Jessica has been teaching since the age of 13 and studying music since the age of 5. She has been part of many collegiate level orchestras, bands and choirs since the age of 15 and gleaned experience and a deep love for music and all things teaching from those experiences. Jessica is an active instructor along with the other select Elite Music teachers.
Dr. Jacob Craig
Piano
Dr. Craig is the Director of Music and Arts at First Presbyterian Church of Vero Beach. Jacob received his Bachelor of Music Education and Piano Performance degree from Shorter University in Rome, GA before moving on to Tallahassee, FL to receive his M.M. in Choral Conducting and Literature under Dr. Andre Thomas at Florida State University. As of 2019, Jacob completed his Doctorate of Sacred Music in Performance at the Graduate Theological Foundation and Oxford University. As Director of the ACTS Choristers, Sea Oaks Chorus, John’s Island Singers, and Silver Tones community choirs, Jacob is also the Pipe Major of the Vero Beach Pipes and Drums.
Dr. Richard Knepp
Guitar
Dr. Richard Knepp is a guitarist with over 30 years of experience teaching private lessons. He
has been teaching music at Young Harris College since 1999. Dr. Knepp holds a DMA from the
University of Georgia where he studied under the direction of acclaimed guitar instructor John
Sutherland. He also holds a MM in Classical Guitar Performance from Georgia State University
and a BMA from Georgia College and State University in Instrumental Performance. Dr. Knepp
has performed in ensembles and as a soloist throughout the United States. As a classical guitarist,
he is a regular feature on the concert stage and has been a strong advocate for classical guitar
education within the state of Georgia. Many of Dr. Knepp’s students have gone on to pursue
college level studies and have also had successful careers as performing artists.
Jacob Bicknase
Piano, Percussion
Mr. Jacob has 10 years of experience and specializes in drums and piano. Originally from small town Wisconsin, Jacob Bicknase is a recent transplant to the Chicago community. His background in music began with his father and first piano teacher, David Bicknase, who instilled a lifelong passion for the arts. After growing up with a background in piano, Jacob found percussion as his next passion and began a college degree in percussion while performing and teaching on the side. Jacob has been teaching percussion and piano for the better part of 10 years. He instills above all else, a passion for music making with a personal and creative approach that makes students want to learn and help them realize their musical goals.
Rebecca Gerstenlauer, M.M.Ed.
Violin, Piano
Miss Rebecca has been an elementary school music teacher in the Forsyth County Schools since 2007 and also maintains a large studio of piano and string students from around the North Georgia region. Ms. G started the orchestra program at Chattahoochee Elementary in 2015 and started orchestra programs at Chestatee Elementary and East Forsyth High School in 2021. She regularly performs with the North Georgia Chamber Symphony on violin, viola, and piano. In the summers, she directs the Laurel Ridge Music Festival and spends time with her daughter, husband, dogs, and horses.