Owner and president of Play More Music™, Melissa Bennett Sebel has been playing music since the age of three.  Her main instruments are flute, piano, and folk guitar.  Since 1988, Melissa has participated in numerous recitals and competitions at the state and regional levels in the Philadelphia area and received honors, grants, and awards for her work.  In 2000, she earned her degree in music performance from Emory University under the tutelage of Christina Smith, principal flutist of the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra and jazz pianist, Gary Motley of The Swing Association.  Melissa currently teaches 60 private lessons a week and runs young children’s music appreciation classes at Oak Grove CDC and The Clifton School at Emory.

In her free time, Melissa enjoys running with her dog, Louis (Armstrong) and dabbling in the culinary arts with her new husband, Tim.

Amy Vagts grew up in Mora, Minnesota and began playing the piano at age five. Later on, she learned how to play the flute and guitar. After high school, Amy studied piano under Dr. Justin Rubin, Assistant Professor of Theory/Composition and Organ/Piano at the University of MN, Duluth. She also enjoyed singing and performing with UMD's Concert Chorale, University Singers, and Chamber Singers under the direction of Dr. Stanely Wold. After graduating in 2002 with a B.A. in Music, Amy began working with children in a variety of settings. After moving to Atlanta in 2006, she continued her work with children and searched for the perfect opportunity to combine her two passions. She looks forward to giving children the tools they need to embark on a musical path of their own!

Shreepal Zala (Shreeps) graduated from Emory University in 2003 with a B.A. in Economics.  Since then, he has devoted himself singularly to the pursuit of music.  He is a graduate of the Atlanta Institute of Music.  The programs he completed introduced him to many different styles and schools of guitar playing including blues, rock, jazz, and classical. Since graduating from AIM, Shreeps plays in the band “Lunar” where he handles the lead vocals and guitar for the band, as well as managing the business details.  Shreeps has been teaching with Play More Music™ since 2005.

Shreeps is also a recklessly dangerous Philadelphia sports fan (Go Eagles!) and enjoys playing poker, running with his dog, and eating cheese steaks.

Steven began playing piano in the 2nd grade and shortly afterwards began to study the saxophone and the guitar. He recently graduated from the Florida State University College of Music with a B.A. in Commercial Music. He has been teaching music lessons since his senior year of high school. Steven is also a singer/songwriter and has performed in several bands offering him opportunites to tour the midwest and southeast.

Outisde of music Steven enjoys playing basketball, throwing a frisbee, traveling, philosophy, and reading.

Hanna Lisa Stefansson is a 2005 graduate of Emory University, earning a B.A. in Music.  Her piano education includes classical, 20th Century, and rock music.  She has a deep interest in the recording arts, and is a current intern at a local professional recording studio here in Atlanta. Hanna Lisa has been teaching with Play More Music™since 2005.

In her spare time, Hanna Lisa enjoys photography, dance, traveling, and creating her own musical compositions.

Vinny Iskhakov has been playing the violin for 21 years. He began playing at the age of three. In 1991 Vinny and his family moved to the United States from Uzbekistan (part of the former Soviet Union) where he continued his violin studies. Some of Vinny's violin instructors have included: Oscar Pirerra and David Dillard (both members of the ASO), Patricio Cobos (Concertmaster of the Columbus Symphony Orchestra) and Dr. Vladimir Yampolsky. In 2006 Vinny completed his degree in Music Education from Columbus State University. Throughout his high school and college years he has performed with the Atlanta Symphony Youth Orchestra, Metropolitan Youth Symphony Orchestra, and was a member in the All-State Orchestra; he has performed in numerous solo recitals in Atlanta, New York, Columbus, Indiana, and Miami.

Vinny has been teaching with Play More Music™since 2005.

In his spare time, Vinny likes to play sports (including basketball and tennis) and compose music for classical guitar, viola, and violin. Vinny is also the lead singer and guitarist for his rock band, The SixxiS.

Nathan (Nate) Brown began his musical career in elementary school, playing trumpet in the school band. After a few years of the trumpet, he began playing the euphonium, and followed this horn into college at the University of Georgia, where he studied for his Bachelors in Music Education. After four years as a Music Ed. Major, Nate decided to adjust his education path, and graduated from UGA with a degree in Sociology. However, he never lost interest in music, or his love for music education. Nate has been teaching with Play More Music™since 2006.

Along with his background in Orchestral/Band performance, Nate is also an accomplished electric bassist and guitarist. He has been playing these instruments for 9 and 7 years, respectively. He has been involved with several outfits over the years, playing styles that range from bluegrass to rock.

Outside of music, Nate is an avid outdoorsman and photographer, and enjoys playing with his two dogs.

Tim Sebel began his musical career at the age of nine studying piano, then moving to guitar at 12. His father introduced him to the 60's British Blues Invasion and Tim has been playing the blues ever since. Tim has been teaching with Play More Music™since 2006.

A graduate of Emory University, where he met his wonderful wife and boss, Melissa, Tim studied jazz with Gary Motley and blues and rock with numerous other Atlanta area musicians.

Tim is an avid football fan, much to Melissa's chagrin.

Chelsea McGough is currently entering her junior year at Georgia State University, where she studies cello with Pamela Davenport and Martha Gerschefski. She was awarded the University Scholar Assistantship entering her freshman year. She recently returned from Hot Springs Music Festival in Hot Springs, Arkansas where she served as an apprentice on full scholarship. She is an active member in the Bellecorde String Quartet of Atlanta and Les Violoncelles.

In her spare time, Chelsea likes to read, ride her bicycle, cook, and play her ukulele.

Andy Yates began studying guitar and piano in his early teen years. While pursuing a degree in English at Birmingham-Southern college, he performed with a number of acoustic-guitar based rock acts and sang in the college concert choir.

Andy is also an avid songwriter, putting his talents to work for The Redaction, an Atlanta rock band for whom he is also the lead singer and guitarist. He is currently recording and producing the band's first full-length album. In addition to teaching private lessons, Andy also teaches young childrens' music classes at The Clifton School and Oak Grove CDC. Andy has been teaching with Play More Music™since 2007.

When he's not playing or writing, Andy enjoys Atlanta Braves baseball and reading about religion and history.

Caroline Marcum was born in St. Louis, Missouri, but began studying classical piano at the age of five while living in Tokyo, Japan. Her passion continued throughout high school and she decided to focus on piano in college. She graduated in 2008 from Emory University with a B.A. in Music Performance studying under Dr. William Ransom and Keiko Ransom. While in the music program, she developed a strong interest in music composition as well. Other musical activities she pursued at Emory included singing in the University Chorus and Women's Chorale as well as playing the gamelan in the World Music Ensemble. Her love for music and working with children has involved her in a Kindermusik program in Atlanta.

Aside from playing piano, Caroline spends her time composing (with a focus on film and electronic music), playing tennis, reading, and doing anything outdoors!

Play More Music™ is a group of energetic instructors with a passion and commitment to music education. Our mission is to instill in our students a life-long love of music by fostering creativity and excellence in practice and performance.

Please select from the above list of teachers to learn about our background and qualifications.

"The skills that the students learn are really an international language that is understood by anyone, even those not educated in the arts. What I appreciate about teaching is that I know that what my students are walking away with is more than just notes, theory, and melody. They are walking away with the ability to communicate with anyone in the world with a language that transcends words and gestures, it is pure emotion." - PMM Instructor