The Team
musical beginnings music instructors
Brittney Cowart
Founder & CEO
of musical beginnings baldwin county
Brittney is a native of Spanish Fort. She began taking piano lessons at the age of six from Margaret Guenther.
Through her years of training and music education, Brittney participated in Sonata Contests and State competitions from 1997 - 2008, placing in the Top 3 contestants every year in both competitions.
Upon her graduation from Spanish Fort High School, Brittney pursued a Bachelor’s degree from the University of Alabama where she studied English, Music Education, and Music Administration. She continued her studies with Dr. Noel Engebretson throughout her college career.
She joined Musical Beginnings in Tuscaloosa as an instructor in 2012, and was offered the opportunity to bring the program to Baldwin County in 2013. She acted as Assistant Director of Musical Beginnings Baldwin County, until she became
Director in 2015.
Brittney received the Steinway Piano Gallery Top Teacher Award for 2017-2022. She is an active member of the MTNA (Mobile and Baldwin Branches) and ALMTA.
She believes that all children should have the opportunity for music education, and that encouraging students to dream will result in their success. Brittney resides in Fairhope, and may be reached at MusicalBeginningsBC@Outlook.com.
Mary Claire Fargarson
Singer-Songwriter, Piano
Having grown up playing piano, writing songs, & leading worship in her church community alongside her dad, music was always a significant part of MaryClaire’s life. She never expected it would lead to a scholarship to study music at her Christian university. During her undergraduate career, she sang and traveled for six semesters with Mississippi College’s premier choral group, the MC Singers. Additionally, she spent two semesters in a worship ensemble and studied a variety of musical disciplines, from vocal and piano pedagogy to orchestration and composition. She graduated Magna Cum Laude with her Bachelor’s degree in 2022. The following summer, she served on staff at Lake Forest Ranch as worship leader. She continues to use her passion for music as a leading vocalist at The Table Church in Foley, Alabama.
phyllis
demetropoulos
opera & voice instructor -
world famous soprano
The beautiful and gifted American soprano, Phyllis Demetropoulos, has performed extensively throughout Europe. After returning to the U.S. to perform some of her signature roles, Miss Demetropoulos made a highly acclaimed debut with Moscow’s Bolshoi Theatre at the Palace of Congresses in the Kremlin to which she later returned to sing Madama Butterfly and Violeta with Bolshoi costars. She made an auspicious debut at the Kirov Opera in St. Petersburg and has since returned to Europe for extensive engagements with the state theaters of Greece, Bulgaria, Poland, Hungary, the Czech Republic, Lativa, the Ukraine, Estonia, Georgia, and Russia.
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Phyllis Demetropoulos sang a critically acclaimed La Traviata with the Nevada Opera Company in Las Vegas, Nevada and received their first standing ovation. She inaugurated the Natchez Opera Festival with Madama Butterfly. The soprano made her debut with the Memphis, Syracuse and Indianapolis operas, singing Alice Ford, and sang the Merry Widow with the Mobile Opera in her native city.
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Miss Demetropoulos first attracted international attention when she made her European debut as Lisa in La Sonnambula at the International Festival in Corfu. She returned to Corfu to sing Ariadne, and made her debut with a Greek National Opera in Athens as Mimi in a gala new production of La Boheme.
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Active on the concert stage as well, the soprano made her New York debut at Lincoln Center performing Rossini‘s Sabat Mater and the premiere of Dino Constantinides’ Lament of Antigone. Miss Demetropoulos earned her Bachelor of Music and Master of Music degrees from the Florida State University, and later graduated from the Academy of Vocal Arts in Philadelphia.
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Professional Performances in Opera include:
The National Opera of Greece in Athens, Greece (where she performed as House Soprano from 1981-1989)
The Bolshoi Theater in Moscow, Russia
Kremlin, Palace of Congresses, Moscow, Russia
Kirov Theater in St. Petersburg, Russia
National Theatre in Warsaw, Poland
Prague State Opera in Prague, Czechoslovakia
Odessa National Academic Theatre in Odessa, Ukraine
The Estonia National Opera in Tallinn Estonia
Tbilisi Opera in Tbilisi, Georgia
Riga Opera House in Riga, Latvia
Sofia National Opera in Sofia, Bulgaria
Hungarian State Opera in Budapest, Hungary
Mobile Opera in Mobile, Alabama
Indianapolis Opera in Indianapolis, Indiana
Memphis Opera in Memphis, Tennessee
Syracuse Opera in Syracuse, New York
Las Vegas Opera in Las Vegas, Nevada
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Professional Performances include the roles of:
MIMI - LA BOHEME (Professional Debut)
CIO-CIO SAN - MADAMA BUTTERFLY
ELENA - MEFISTOFELE*
ANNA - ANNA BOLENA*
MARIA - MARIA STUARDA*
DONNA ELVIRA - DON GIOVANNI*
ELLETRA - IDOMENEO*
COUNTESS - MARRIAGE OF FIGARO
TOSCA - TOSCA*
LIU - TURANDOT*
ELVIRA - ERNANI*
LUISA - LUISA MILLER*
LADY MACBETH - MACBETH*
LEONORA - IL TROVATORE*
VIOLETTA - LA TRAVIATA
HANNA - DIE LUSTIGE WITWE (THE MERRY WIDOW)
ALICE FORD - FALSTAFF (Under the direction of Robert Driver)
*in preparation
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From 1995-1997 she toured with the Broadway show of Phantom of the Opera as cast voice teacher and coach, and has taught privately in Mobile from 2002-2007. She is thrilled to be teaching again for students that are interested in vocal studies.
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Agents include:
Kritas Productions - Europe
Columbia Artists Management (Cami) - North America
Richard Realmuto - North America
sharon martin
classical pianist, violin instructor & multi-instrumentalist
Sharon has an extensive background in music and has been performing since she put on her first show for her friends at age 6. With a passion for singing, she could always be found playing the piano, haven taken lessons since the age of 9, singing for her church and other events.
At her University she studied music education for nearly 2 years, continuing her voice and piano instruction. While studying music there, she joined and performed with a contemporary Christian Band as the lead singer and was invited to perform at the prestigious talent show for the area.
She especially loves to sing and teach harmony to others as it comes natural to her ear. Immediately out of University, for many years she was a worship leader and led worship from the piano, with back-up vocalists, violin, banjo and drums. It was during this time that she became interested in studying the drums with a local instructor as she was inspired by a drummer on her team.
Since that time she has been involved in the music ministry at the many churches she has attended over the years as soloist, back-up vocalist, piano and keys.
Sharon homeschooled her twin sons for their entire education. Along with her private studio for piano, she taught them piano until they went to University. It was during this time she studied violin with a local instructor so she could play along with her sons who also played violin in the 84 piece Orchestra in one of the largest churches in the nation, where she played for many years.
It was wonderful to share and pass on her love of music to her sons and see them excel and use their gifts to the glory of God. They both graduated summa cum laude with degrees in music––piano performance and violin performance. One of her sons won numerous awards as a composer and had one of his pieces performed by the Boston Brass.
For many years in Atlanta she was blessed to attend the Orchestra Performances by the Cobb Symphony and Atlanta symphony and enjoy the power of all instruments working together to create such a glorious and complex sound. With this background she believes in exposing her students to great work and composers, while also encouraging their own talent and dreams.
kawanis
johnson
group piano instructor
& Multi-instrumentalist
Like every other band kid in the county, his journey with music started in the sixth grade. He originally wanted to play percussion, but the last spot was filled right before him, and he picked the euphonium. Because it wasn’t his initial pick, he hated it at first, but by the end of the first semester, he was having a blast.
Fast forward to his seventh grade year and he was fully confident that he wanted to pursue this for the rest of his life, and he began the process that year. From that moment, he taught himself how to read music in the treble clef, as well as teaching himself clarinet, alto saxophone, flute, and their corresponding scales, transposing whatever baritone music he had to fit whatever instrument he was learning that day to give himself more music to play.
In high school he joined the marching band where he served as low brass drill sergeant for two years, and baritone section leader in his senior year. While in college marching band, he served as baritone section leader for two years, assistant drum major for one year, and head drum major for another two years until he eventually left school. Also in that time, he joined the Phi Boota Roota Percussion Fraternity, where he expanded his musical knowledge and learned to read percussion music and learned mallet instruments.
mitchell robinson
group piano instructor
drum & strings instructor
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bluegrass, rock 'n' roll, blues & Jazz
Mitchell Robinson is from Kentucky
and has lived in Alabama from the last decade where he attended the University of Mobile and graduated with a minor in music. While in school, he toured, playing hundreds of shows, including performances in France and Carnegie Hall.
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Mitchell has taught private lessons for the better part of ten years, as well as group music classes at public schools. Aside from teaching music, he also taught high school level History and English classes and has offered one-on-one tutoring with students with learning disabilities like Austism Spectrum Disorder and Dyslexia.
Mitchell has been playing piano since he was eight years old and drums since he was ten. His grandfather, a long time bluegrass musician from Ashland, Kentucky, taught him both instruments and toured with him all over Appalachia when Mitchell was growing up. Mitchell has played in several bands, as well as having played on a few recorded albums. His preferred styles are Blues, Rock n' Roll, and Jazz.
Mitchell believes that everyone can learn how to play an instrument, if given the right tools and if they have the desire to. He also has an intimate understanding of how music can positively impact a young person's life and is passionate about helping make that impact with any student that he can.
jennifer
felicelli
group piano instructor
& Multi-instrumentalist
Jennifer Felicelli was raised mostly in the Midwest and earned a Bachelor’s Degree in French and Psychology while playing volleyball at Marietta College in Ohio. She earned a Master’s degree in Clinical Psychology at the University of Alaska Anchorage, and a PhD in Psychology at Capella University.
She began taking piano lessons at the age of 9 and has always enjoyed music in all forms. She is fluent in French, Spanish and Italian and believes music is another language in which to communicate.
Jennifer has a long history of working with children in many settings, most recently in education settings and sports. She especially enjoys watching children learn a new skill and the pride you can see on their faces.
She believes music students are a special treat because of their ability to share their talents with others.
Leah
johnson
Film & Theater Acting, Directing,Singing, Voiceovers,Makeup, Costume Design
Leah is no stranger to wearing many hats in her chosen field—film and theater acting, directing, voiceovers, singing, makeup, and costume design. She thrives on challenging creativity and achieving new goals and hopes to bring to Musical Beginnings students the confidence and joy in finding their own voices and creative styles while setting goals to continue becoming better artists.
Leah earned her degree in Musical Theatre from the University of Mobile and has spent the past 13 years bringing stories to life on stage and screen. She’s appeared in several independent films featured on Amazon Prime, YouTube, and Tubi, and has narrated numerous audiobooks for Audible.
As a director, Leah has brought shows like Bonnie and Clyde, The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe, and The Somewhat True Tale of Robin Hood to the stage for local theater groups. She’s also written and directed original interactive dinner theater productions, performed with regional theater and improv troupes, and coached over 1,000 students online since 2020.
Leah first joined Musical Beginnings in 2023 as the summer musical theater camp director for Aristocats Kids—and she loved the experience so much, she came back the next year! She’s thrilled to be working with Musical Beginnings again and can’t wait to share her passion, creativity, and love of the arts with a new group of students!
Emily
Stuckey
Sellers
Singer-songwriter Voice and Guitar instructor
Emily Stuckey Sellers is a singer-songwriter from Fairhope, AL. Her songwriting is characterized by her vocal abilities and melodic sensibilities. Emily has released one solo, self-titled EP and is a two-time IMA Song of the Year winner in both the Folk and Alt Country categories with her Americana band, The Krickets.Mrs. Sellers has enjoyed 15 years of singing, recording, and playing acoustic guitar along the Gulf Coast.She is passionate about teaching students who are eager to develop their musical interests.
Trevor
Perez
Drum and Percussion Instructor
Trevor Perez is a percussionist and educator in the Baldwin County area. He recently moved back into the area from Jacksonville, FL and while he was there, he was an active educator, teaching percussion at Yulee High School and Allen D. Nease High School.
He graduated with his Master's degree in Music from the University of North Florida in Jacksonville, FL studying under Dr. Andrea Venet and Mr. Kevin Garry. While attending USA, Trevor performed with the Mobile Symphony Orchestra and the Northwest Florida Symphony Orchestra. He additionally performed with Drum Corps International's Cadets Drum and Bugle Corps Front Ensemble in 2018.
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Nick Mustin
Guitar, Piano, and Bass Instructor
Nick's musical journey began at the age of 12 when he was first captivated by a guitar solo. Over the past 11 years, this initial spark has evolved into a thriving music career. From Gulf Shores, Alabama, Nick immersed himself in music while attending Gulf Shores High School. He honed his guitar skills and gained invaluable insights from mentors Tim Simmons and Jeff Jones. In 2020, he earned a music scholarship to Coastal Alabama Community College, to begin his academic music studies. This led him to pursue jazz studies at The University of Southern Mississippi, under the tutelage of Larry Panella, Nicholas Ciraldo, Eric Merchant, and David Pellow.
Mustin's musical versatility shines in diverse settings, ranging from cover band gigs, solo and duo acts, corporate parties, weddings, to small festivals and musicals. His repertoire spans many genres, including Pop, Rock, Blues, Funk, Soul, R&B, Jazz, and more. Notable highlights include his graduation performance at the Wharf Amphitheater, numerous appearances at The Hangout, roles in productions like Shrek the Musical, collaborative performances with The Paper Dolls, and performances with Southern Misses very own JazzTet.