Kellis A. Dryer ( Piano), founder of Dryer Music Studio, has been teaching students of various ages and levels since 1988. She has maintained a studio of over forty students and has taught piano and music appreciation courses at the college level. She enjoys teaching beginning level students, advanced students who are studying major concert repertoire, and everyone in between. Several of Kellis's students have gone on to major in music and have become successful piano teachers and performers. Kellis holds a Bachelor's Degree in Piano Performance and Pedagogy with a minor in Harpsichord from Illinois Wesleyan University where she studied with celebrated master teachers Dr. R. Bedford Watkins and Dr. Thomas Hecht. Kellis completed Master of Musicology coursework at Ohio University.
Kellis is a member of Music Teachers National Association, North Carolina Music Teachers Association, Raleigh Piano Teachers Association (RPTA), Cary/Apex Piano Teachers Association (CAPTA), and The American College of Musicians. She serves as the chairperson of student recitals for CAPTA.
Richard Dryer (Clarinet) earned a Bachelor's Degree in Music Education from Butler University, where he studied with Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra clarinetist, Achille Rossi. He earned a Master's Degree in Clarinet Performance from Kent State University where he was a pupil of Dr. Dennis Nygren. Richard is experienced as a soloist and performer of orchestral, wind ensemble, and chamber music. Critics have praised him for his "rich, velvety tone" and "expressive playing." He is a past member of the United States Air Force Band of Flight at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio where he performed in the concert band, clarinet quartet, and also as a soloist and guest conductor. Richard has been a guest conductor with the Indianapolis Community Band and has performed with the Rome Festival Orchestra in Italy. In addition to teaching at Dryer Music Studio, Richard is the Band Director at Thales Academy in Apex.
Ecki Heins (Violin) was born and grew up in Germany. There he received a thorough classical training. He graduated from Ignatz-Guenther-Gymnasium in Rosenhein, Germany, majoring in violin performance and music theory in a conservatory-equivalent curriculum in 1989. He has played in various orchestras and ensembles, in theatre productions, churches and at private functions. Later, Ecki branched out into the pop fields, playing on several studio productions for an eclectic variety of German bands. He was a founding member of the critically acclaimed country roots and soul band Cow in Hamburg and toured extensively in Germany and throughout Europe. After moving to North Carolina in 2006 he continued freelance performance and session work in the triangle music community. Ecki is currently performing and touring with his wife Lynn Blakey (of Tres Chicas) as a violin and vocal accompanist. Ecki teaches mainly in the classical tradition but is open to folk and country styles.
Katherine Gordon (Flute) earned her Bachelor's of Music in Performance at Western Carolina University, studying under the tutelage of Dr. Eldred Spell. She has extensive experience as a soloist, as well as in wind ensembles, orchestras, and various chamber music groups. However, her favorite experience was performing in pit orchestras for The Music Man, Guys and Dolls, and Of Thee I Sing. In addition, she has participated in master classes with such world renowned flute players as Peter Lloyd, Susan Milan, and William Bennett. Katherine is a member of the Raleigh Area Flute Association and performs in the Triangle Area as a chamber musician. Katherine also functions as the Class and Workshop Coordinator for Dryer Music Studio.
Andrew Pittman (Voice) When it comes to vocal artistry, Andrew Pittman does not believe in the phrase "Jack of many trades, master of none." Andrew has chosen to focus on not only one aspect of vocal music, but to master and participate in all three great venues: Choral music, Solo Voice, and Opera/Operetta. Mr. Pittman believes that through excellence in one, excellence can be achieved in another and that they are truly interrelated.
Originally from North Carolina, Mr. Pittman has a BM in Music Education from East Carolina University, a MM in Voice Performance from New England Conservatory of Music, and is currently finishing his dissertation requirements at the University of South Carolina for a DMA in Choral Conducting. Additionally, Andrew has taught College-level voice, opera, and choral music as well as having performed professionally in opera and musical theatre. Andrew believes that singing should be natural and easy and works with students of all levels to free them from inhibitions and empower them to be their own best teacher and artist.
Ellen Swanson (渠志芳) (Piano) earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Music Education with a concentration in piano performance from Datong University in Shanxi province, China. Ellen has been teaching piano since 2000 to students of various ages and levels. She is a member of the Cary/Apex Piano Teachers Association. She is bilingual (Mandarin Chinese and English). She has worked as the accompanist for a local high school choir and as a choir director/music teacher at Cary Chinese School.
Chris Wear(Guitar) has been teaching guitar in Cary NC since 2003, after graduating from the North Carolina School of the Arts with a degree in Classical guitar performance. Chris teaches Classical, Jazz, Rock, Blues, and general beginning guitar. He performs regularly with the Triangle Jazz Quartet: www.thetrianglejazzquartet.com, and plays regular solo gigs at the Irregardless Cafe in Raleigh. Chris was a Finalist at the 2003 Boston Classical Guitar Society Competition, and has performed in masterclasses with several renowned artists, including Christopher Parkening. Chris enjoys hiking, mountain biking, and spending time with his wife. www.christopherwear.info
Kellis A. Dryer ( Piano), founder of Dryer Music Studio, has been teaching students of various ages and levels since 1988. She has maintained a studio of over forty students and has taught piano and music appreciation courses at the college level. She enjoys teaching beginning level students, advanced students who are studying major concert repertoire, and everyone in between. Several of Kellis's students have gone on to major in music and have become successful piano teachers and performers. Kellis holds a Bachelor's Degree in Piano Performance and Pedagogy with a minor in Harpsichord from Illinois Wesleyan University where she studied with celebrated master teachers Dr. R. Bedford Watkins and Dr. Thomas Hecht. Kellis completed Master of Musicology coursework at Ohio University.
Richard Dryer (Clarinet) earned a Bachelor's Degree in Music Education from Butler University, where he studied with Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra clarinetist, Achille Rossi. He earned a Master's Degree in Clarinet Performance from Kent State University where he was a pupil of Dr. Dennis Nygren. Richard is experienced as a soloist and performer of orchestral, wind ensemble, and chamber music. Critics have praised him for his "rich, velvety tone" and "expressive playing." He is a past member of the United States Air Force Band of Flight at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio where he performed in the concert band, clarinet quartet, and also as a soloist and guest conductor. Richard has been a guest conductor with the Indianapolis Community Band and has performed with the Rome Festival Orchestra in Italy. In addition to teaching at Dryer Music Studio, Richard is the Band Director at Thales Academy in Apex. 
Ecki Heins (Violin) was born and grew up in Germany. There he received a thorough classical training. He graduated from Ignatz-Guenther-Gymnasium in Rosenhein, Germany, majoring in violin performance and music theory in a conservatory-equivalent curriculum in 1989. He has played in various orchestras and ensembles, in theatre productions, churches and at private functions. Later, Ecki branched out into the pop fields, playing on several studio productions for an eclectic variety of German bands. He was a founding member of the critically acclaimed country roots and soul band Cow in Hamburg and toured extensively in Germany and throughout Europe. After moving to North Carolina in 2006 he continued freelance performance and session work in the triangle music community. Ecki is currently performing and touring with his wife Lynn Blakey (of Tres Chicas) as a violin and vocal accompanist. Ecki teaches mainly in the classical tradition but is open to folk and country styles. 
Katherine Gordon (Flute) earned her Bachelor's of Music in Performance at Western Carolina University, studying under the tutelage of Dr. Eldred Spell. She has extensive experience as a soloist, as well as in wind ensembles, orchestras, and various chamber music groups. However, her favorite experience was performing in pit orchestras for The Music Man, Guys and Dolls, and Of Thee I Sing. In addition, she has participated in master classes with such world renowned flute players as Peter Lloyd, Susan Milan, and William Bennett. Katherine is a member of the Raleigh Area Flute Association and performs in the Triangle Area as a chamber musician. Katherine also functions as the Class and Workshop Coordinator for Dryer Music Studio.
Andrew Pittman (Voice) When it comes to vocal artistry, Andrew Pittman does not believe in the phrase "Jack of many trades, master of none." Andrew has chosen to focus on not only one aspect of vocal music, but to master and participate in all three great venues: Choral music, Solo Voice, and Opera/Operetta. Mr. Pittman believes that through excellence in one, excellence can be achieved in another and that they are truly interrelated. 
Ellen Swanson (渠志芳) (Piano) earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Music Education with a concentration in piano performance from Datong University in Shanxi province, China. Ellen has been teaching piano since 2000 to students of various ages and levels. She is a member of the Cary/Apex Piano Teachers Association. She is bilingual (Mandarin Chinese and English). She has worked as the accompanist for a local high school choir and as a choir director/music teacher at Cary Chinese School.
Chris Wear (Guitar) has been teaching guitar in Cary NC since 2003, after graduating from the North Carolina School of the Arts with a degree in Classical guitar performance. Chris teaches Classical, Jazz, Rock, Blues, and general beginning guitar. He performs regularly with the Triangle Jazz Quartet: