The Team
musical beginnings music instructors
Brittney Cowart
Founder & CEO, 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.
Victoria Hawkes
Group and Private Piano Instructor
With a lifelong passion for music, Victoria began studying piano at the age of five and later expanded into guitar at fourteen. Currently pursuing a degree in Music Composition at Coastal Alabama Community College, she is deeply engaged in both the academic and performance aspects of music.
As an active member of CACC’s jazz and show band, Victoria has participated in a variety of notable performances, including appearances at Universal Studios and in New Orleans. These experiences have helped shape a dynamic and versatile musical perspective.
A Brazilian-American musician, Victoria is fluent in both English and Portuguese, with additional proficiency in Spanish and ongoing studies in Japanese. Her strong foundation in music theory is balanced by a creative and open-minded approach, allowing her to guide students with both technical precision and artistic freedom. Passionate about creativity across all art forms, she strives to inspire students to develop both skill and individuality in their musical journey.
phyllis
demetropoulos
opera & voice instructor -
world famous soprano
Phyllis Demetropoulos is an accomplished American soprano whose international opera career has taken her throughout Europe and the United States. She has performed with many of the world’s renowned opera companies and theaters, including Moscow’s Bolshoi Theatre, the Kirov Opera in St. Petersburg, the Greek National Opera in Athens, Prague State Opera, Hungarian State Opera, and national theaters throughout Poland, Bulgaria, Estonia, Latvia, Ukraine, and Georgia. Her signature roles have included Cio-Cio San in Madama Butterfly, Violetta in La Traviata, Mimi in La Bohème, Alice Ford in Falstaff, and Hanna in The Merry Widow.
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In the United States, Phyllis has performed with opera companies in Las Vegas, Memphis, Syracuse, Indianapolis, Mobile, and at the Natchez Opera Festival. She also made her New York concert debut at Lincoln Center performing Rossini’s Stabat Mater and the premiere of Dino Constantinides’ Lament of Antigone. She earned both her Bachelor of Music and Master of Music degrees from Florida State University and later graduated from the prestigious Academy of Vocal Arts in Philadelphia.
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In addition to her extensive performance career, Phyllis has years of experience as a vocal teacher and coach. From 1995 to 1997, she toured with the Broadway production of The Phantom of the Opera as a cast voice teacher and coach and later maintained a private teaching studio in Mobile. She is delighted to be teaching again and sharing her professional experience with students interested in developing their voices and pursuing vocal studies.
sharon martin
classical pianist, violin instructor & multi-instrumentalist
Sharon has been passionate about music from an early age, beginning piano lessons at nine and performing through church and community events throughout her youth. She later studied music education at the university level, continuing her training in both voice and piano. During this time, she performed as the lead singer of a contemporary Christian band and was selected to perform in a prestigious regional talent show.
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Throughout her adult life, Sharon has remained actively involved in music as a worship leader, soloist, vocalist, pianist, and keyboardist. Her love of music has also led her to study drums and violin, giving her experience with a variety of instruments and a broad understanding of how they work together. She especially enjoys singing and teaching harmony, which has always come naturally to her ear.
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Sharon also spent many years homeschooling her twin sons while teaching piano through her private studio. She passed her love of music on to both sons, who went on to graduate summa cum laude with degrees in piano performance and violin performance. As a teacher, Sharon enjoys introducing students to great music and composers while encouraging them to develop their own talents, confidence, and individual musical goals.
kawanis johnson
Director
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.
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TIFFANY JOHNSON
piano, guitar, ukulele,
& cello
Tiffany Johnson grew up right here in Baldwin County and has been making music since the age of eight. A returning Musical Beginnings instructor, Tiffany is excited to be back in the area and once again sharing her love of music with her students.
Tiffany brings creativity, encouragement, and a genuine love for teaching into each lesson. She especially enjoys helping young musicians build confidence in their abilities and discover a love for music of their own.
Outside of teaching, Tiffany enjoys baking, traveling, and spending time outdoors. She brings that same creative and adventurous spirit into her lessons and loves making music an enjoyable and encouraging experience for every student.
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 a versatile performing artist with experience in film and theater acting, directing, voiceover work, singing, makeup, and costume design. She earned her degree in Musical Theatre from the University of Mobile and has spent more than 13 years bringing stories to life on stage and screen. Her work includes independent films featured on Amazon Prime, YouTube, and Tubi, as well as audiobook narration for Audible.
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As a director, Leah has brought productions including Bonnie and Clyde, The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe, and The Somewhat True Tale of Robin Hood to the stage with local theater groups. She has also written and directed original interactive dinner theater productions, performed with regional theater and improv troupes, and coached more than 1,000 students online since 2020.
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Leah first joined Musical Beginnings in 2023 as the summer musical theater camp director for Aristocats Kids and returned the following year. As an instructor, she loves helping students build confidence, discover their individual voices and creative styles, and set goals that help them continue growing as performers and artists.
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.
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.
Kynsy Arthur
Group and Private Piano Instructor
Mrs. Kynsy was born in Syracuse, NY and raised in Saratoga Springs, NY until her and her family moved to Robertsdale, AL in 2004. Ever since she was a little girl, she has always enjoyed music. She started learning piano when she was 9 years old and her love for music has flourished ever since. From 2005-2010, she participated in several contests and competitions with the Mobile Music Teachers Association (MMTA). In 2012, she graduated from Coastal Alabama Community College with an Associates Degree in Music. In 2014 she joined Musical as a piano teacher and has been part of the team for over a decade!
After taking some time off from teaching to focus on her family, Mrs. Kynsy returned to Musical Beginnings in 2026 to continue to share with children of all ages her love of music! She is so excited to be back and has missed all her students!
Evangeline McCallon
Banjo, Guitar, Beginner Piano
Evangeline, originally from north Louisiana, has been playing music since the age of 12. She got her start playing bluegrass banjo with a local group of pickers, and soon added mandolin and acoustic guitar to her arsenal. Soon after, she began playing in church bands and has been involved in music ministry ever since. Exposure to the genres outside of traditional bluegrass introduced her to the electric guitar. She then quickly developed a love for playing blues, funk, and country chicken'-pickin' styles. By college, she began teaching group and private music lessons.
Evangeline then moved to New Orleans for graduate school and furthered her musical career. Here, she was recording music, playing live, teaching guitar, and leading worship full time. Three years later, she moved to Baldwin county after marrying her husband, and began work with Musical Beginnings. She teaches piano basics, and beginner, intermediate, and advanced levels of guitar. She specializes in contemporary and classic worship, blues, bluegrass, and country styles, focusing on improvisational literacy and advanced technique in each.
When she's not teaching music or traveling to play live, Evangeline enjoys cooking, baking, crafting, and kicking around the soccer ball with her husband here in Baldwin county!
Chantelle Waddell
Piano, Guitar, Songwriting
Chantelle holds a Bachelor of Science in Recreational Therapy from the University of South Alabama, where she studied art and music therapy and gained experience working with students with developmental disabilities. Music has been part of her life from an early age, beginning with childhood piano lessons and a family tradition of singing and gathering around the piano. She is passionate about creating a supportive environment where future generations can discover their own love of music.
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Her musical experience includes choir, vocal performance, musical theater, jazz band, concert band, percussion, and marching band. Chantelle has participated in District Honors Chorus and All-State Choir and received first-place honors in state vocal and musical theater competitions. She has studied classical, opera, and modern vocal techniques with an emphasis on vocal health and longevity, and continues to sing with a local community choir while exploring songwriting and composition.
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Chantelle's instrumental background includes piano, guitar, ukulele, percussion, marimba, and basic drum set, and she is currently learning violin. Her varied musical experiences allow her to bring a broad perspective to her students while remembering what it feels like to learn something new. Her teaching philosophy centers on patience, encouragement, and creating a positive environment where every student, especially beginners, can feel comfortable, capable, and excited to learn.
Elizabeth Murschell
Piano, Flute,
Beginner Band Instruments
Elizabeth grew up surrounded by music at home and at church and started taking piano lessons early on. She became a band kid during fifth grade, playing flute and taking lessons in flute, piano, voice, and French horn, as well as participating in choir and color guard.
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She switched to percussion in her senior year in high school; and during her time at university continued to participate in every possible musical group and activity (orchestra, band, choir, woodwind ensemble, flute choir, operas, percussion ensemble, marimba quartet) while getting both her degrees in music education.
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Her primary proficiency was in piano, and her secondary was in flute; but she also was involved in choirs and vocal ensembles. She had the opportunity to work at Interlochen National Music camp one unforgettable summer, surrounded by talented musicians and passionate supporters of the arts.
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She has taught music in some form (elementary music, band, choir) at every grade level as well as teaching private lessons at school and at home. She loves seeing kids light up when they discover new sounds or groups or experience playing musical instruments for the first time.
DeShawn Sewer
All Band Instruments,
Beginner Piano
Deshawn Sewer is a conductor, multi-instrumentalist, clinician, and music educator from Mobile, Alabama. He earned his Bachelor of Music, cum laude, from Alabama A&M University and is pursuing a Master of Music Education at the University of South Alabama. His experience includes teaching instrumental and vocal music, directing concert and marching bands, and working with chamber ensembles and music programs throughout Mobile County.
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From 2022 to 2026, Deshawn served as Director of Bands and Fine Arts Department Chair at Williamson High School, where he taught students in grades 6 through 12. Under his direction, Williamson's ensembles consistently earned Excellent and Superior ratings at district and state music performance assessments. He was also named Williamson High School's Teacher of the Year for the 2023-2024 school year.
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In addition to conducting, Deshawn performs on multiple wind instruments and provides private instruction to students preparing for district honor band and Alabama All-State Band auditions. He is passionate about making high-quality music education accessible to students and helping young musicians develop their skills, confidence, and love of music.