Teachers

Guitar, Ukulele, Bass, Mandolin, Banjo

Clay is a songwriter, composer, and multi-instrumentalist born and raised in Jackson. His musical upbringing was rooted in the bluegrass and western traditions of the Bar J Chuckwagon, which his family ran for 44 years and on whose stage he performed. He began playing guitar at 12, and has since added bass, mandolin, ukelele, banjo, piano, violin, and vocals. He participated in orchestra, band, choir, theater, and several extracurricular bands while at school in Jackson, and was a member of the University of Wyoming’s Singing Statesmen choir. Clay believes that anyone can learn to make the music they love, and that with a solid understanding of theory and technique, the barriers between musical styles and expressions fall away.

Piano, Saxophone, Flute, Clarinet, Production/Technology

Joe Rudd, a Wyoming native, is a multi-instrumentalist, composer, and music producer. He has a Bachelors of Music in Jazz Studies from the University of Utah and is a certified Apple professional, where he taught music production for 7 years. During that time he also worked for a live sound company based in Hollywood as an engineer and worked with artists including Jeff Goldblum, Stevie Wonder, Justin Bieber, Gavin Degraw, and top studio jazz musicians on the west coast. Joe has many performance credits as a saxophonist and has worked with hip hop artist Nipsey Hussle and producers Larrance Dopson and DJ Mustard. Notable performances include opening for B.B. King, Karl Denson, Ivan Neville, and playing at Hugh Hefner’s wedding. As a composer, some of Joe’s original compositions were recently featured in a documentary by Academy Award-nominated Matthew Cooke. Joe now works out of his studio based in Jackson Hole. He is passionate about performing, teaching and producing music.

Voice

Lynnette Turner Parry is a professional singer, actress, dancer and teacher. She holds a Bachelor’s in Fine Arts from Utah State University and has studied with accomplished vocalists Allison Roddy and Kim Wood Sandusky. Lynnette is an upbeat and energetic teacher who encourages her students to explore multiple styles of music and makes the learning process fun. Her many performances span a huge range, playing Mabel in “Pirates of Penzance” at the Royal Theater and Megara in “Hercules: The Musical” on Disney cruise ships. Since moving to Jackson, Lynnette played Velma Kelly in the Riot Act production of “Chicago” and currently sings with the Jazz Foundation of Jackson Hole.

Voice, Piano, Guitar, Ukulele

Melissa is a singer, songwriter, and multi-instrumentalist. A Jackson Hole native, Melissa's first music experience was taking piano lessons with Kyle Johnson at age 7. With her musical foundation, she taught herself guitar and ukulele, began writing songs, and became very active in high school choir and theater. She has a Bachelor of Music in Jazz Studies from the University of Denver. From learning how to scat solo at late-night jazz jams, leading an all-female a capella group to regional competitions, and playing mandolin on the rainy streets of Cork, Ireland in a busking swing band during her semester abroad, Melissa strives to embody the many (and often unconventional) elements of music-making, something she strives to inspire in her students. Melissa moved back to Jackson in the Fall of 2019, excited to reconnect with the JH music and arts community!

Guitar, Ukulele, Piano, Music Together

Susan Jones is a multi-instrumentalist and has been teaching private lessons in piano, guitar, and ukulele since 2007. She performs in several bands, and currently plays keyboard for Chanman Roots Band, a local 9-piece reggae ensemble. In 2005, she started Music Together, LLC, a popular family music program for parents and children ages 0-5. As an active and committed member of the community, Susan provides outreach for the library, teaches multi-generational music classes, and runs mobile music camps. Read more about Susan's work with Music Together during the pandemic here.

Taylor Upton is originally from Atlanta, GA and moved to Jackson in 2006. Taylor has been playing guitar for 25 years and has always had a passion for performing. Since moving to Jackson, he has played hundreds of local and regional shows throughout the area and around the country. He is the co-founder, lead singer, and rhythm/lead guitar player in Jackson’s premier live events band, Whiskey Mornin’ and is involved in many other exciting projects. He’s always looking for a stage to perform on! Taylor has a true passion for music and is very excited to share this with his students at Teton Music School. He believes that by focusing on hard work and making music fun, anyone can learn to play an instrument.

Board Certified Music Therapist

Tom has lead a life of music from his upbringing in Elko, NV, to his education and career as a professional drummer in New Orleans and Portland, OR to his career as a music therapist here in Jackson. Tom completed his music therapy internship in the summer of 2020 at Primary Children’s Hospital in Salt Lake City, UT, and has lived and worked as a music therapist in Teton County since September, 2020. Having earned three degrees in music over the years, Tom plays the drumset, percussion, piano, guitar, and other various instruments. He has extensive history in performance, touring, and teaching, from individual drum and piano lessons to college level survey courses.

Tom is passionate about teaching and performing music, especially the healing and well-being that music therapy can promote in communities, families, and individuals. He is excited about working with various populations throughout Teton County and the mountain west.

Piano, Trumpet, Trombone

Dr. Jeremy Perkins holds a Doctor of Music (Florida State University, 2024), Masters of Music (Michigan State, 2021) and a Bachelor of Music (Kennesaw State University, 2019) and performed in wind ensembles, symphony orchestras, jazz bands, trumpet ensembles and chamber groups during his studies. He was a Quarterfinalist at th eNational Trumpet Competition and is a two-time recipient of the International Trumpet Guild Ryan Anthony Scholarship Competition.

Jeremy has toured internationally with the FSU Symphony Orchestra and had performed regularly with the Tallahassee Symphony, Georgia Symphony Orchestra and with churches, musical theaters, community orchestras and various chamber ensembles in teh Metro Atlanta, Mid-Michigan and Florida Big-Bend areas.

Collin is a performer and educator. He has worked as a public school music teacher in a variety of settings ranging from elementary to high school. He currently serves as the Jackson Hole Middle School Choir, Band and Guitar Director. He holds a Bachelors in Music Education with focus in Jazz Performance from Duquesne University in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. An active performer, Collin was previously a member of Richie Coles Alto Madness Orchestra as well as an arranger and saxophonist for R&B singer Lyndsey Smith in addition to leading a variety of projects. Collin strives to teach music to all ages by creating a safe and positive space so that all students can grow and find joy in making music.

Rock Band Prep

Clinton has been involved in music teaching and learning for over a decade. Currently teaching music at Wilson Elementary, he has experience working with all ages - from newborns to those in their golden years - in schools and community organizations.

Clinton holds music education degrees from the Baldwin Wallace Conservatory and Eastman School of Music. He is an active Little Kids Rock teacher and earned additional certifications from the Gordon Institute for Music Learning. Clinton is a multi-instrumentalist with experience performing and gigging with a variety of ensembles and bands.

​He strongly believes every person is a musician and is excited to join Teton Music School in expanding musical opportunities in the Jackson Hole community. When he's not teaching or playing, you will most likely find Clinton in the mountains or rivers.

Violin, Viola, Cello, Bass, Guitar

Vince is in his 16th year as the Director of Strings at Jackson Hole High School and Jackson Hole Middle School. Vince teaches chamber, concert, and middle school orchestras and directs the Jackson Hole Youth Orchestra. Vince received his Bachelor and Masters in Music Education from the University of Wyoming and is a National Board Certified Teacher. Vince studied cello with Barbara Thiem at UW and has held such positions as the Wyoming American String Teachers Association (ASTA) president, and the National Association for Music Education (NAFME) Orchestra Vice President and Jackson Hole Symphony Orchestra Director. Vince has a vast performance background and enjoys performing and recording music with local musicians. Vince resides in Jackson and enjoys skiing/ snowboarding, backpacking, and fly fishing with his wife Shannon, son August and daughter Iris.

Youth Choir

Laura Huckin is the Artistic Director of Cathedral Voices Chamber Choir. Her musical training began with classical piano at age 7. Under the tutelage of Margaret Witschard (Marylhurst University) and Connie Grabow (Lawrence Arts Academy) her proclivity for the performing arts was nurtured through amateur competitions including the Oregon Jr. Bach Festival, The Northwest Piano Teacher's Forum, and Laurence University's Arts Academy for talented youth. She has a Bachelor's degree from Brigham Young University.

A 20 year Wyoming resident, Laura has developed strong relationships with community organizations, local musicians, and creative leaders in Teton County. Laura is an accomplished pianist, accompanist, and seasoned musical director. In addition to choral conducting, Laura teaches general music (K-8th grade) in Swan Valley, Idaho, serves as Music Director at the Presbyterian Church of Jackson Hole, and is a proud mother of two youngsters. She enjoys gardening, traveling, and Chopin.