Staff

Adrien Gaines is a graduate of Shenandoah University’s Conservatory of Music where he earned a Bachelor’s degree in Clarinet Performance with an emphasis on Music Education. He then went on to earn a Masters of Music Business and Technology from Berklee College of Music. Adrien is also a decorated military musician of the United States Army Bands and has taught internationally for over 15 years in Tokyo, Beijing, and Shanghai at many prestigious institutions. Alongside teaching, he has performed in and conducted orchestras, wind bands, and jazz ensembles all over the world.

Adrien has recently returned to his native Newport News where his love for music began. He will share his expertise with our students and guide them on their own musical journeys. “I hope to be an inspiration for students at Soundscapes in the hopes that they will grow in their connection to music and pass on that togetherness to society.”

With the mission of bringing equality to individuals and communities by empowering them to see life through the lens of music as a meaningful art, César I Pimentel Ortiz has dedicated more than a decade to the education of students throughout all academic levels.  Currently, César serves as trombone instrumentalist with the US Navy Fleet Forces Band in Norfolk, VA. Also, he is the brass instructor of the Soundscapes chapter in Greenwood Elementary School.

As an internationally trained maestro, cellist, and full-time master educator Charlotte Dettwiler brings many years of performing, recording, and international teaching experiences. She is a core cellist for Symphonicity and is a member and former secretary of VASTA. Soundscapes continues her El Sistema approach, which focuses on bringing communities together through music.

Ciara Alexander-Baker is a singer-songwriter from Richmond, Va. After graduating from Norfolk State University, Ciara began to pursue her Career in Music. In 2016, Ciara began working at Soundscapes; a non-profit organization based in the Hampton Roads area of Virginia. She is currently Co-Level 1 director at Soundscapes. Ciara enjoys everything music and technology and loves to incorporate unique styles of playing. She finds great pleasure playing with her all-female band and promotes the empowerment of women in music.

Fredrick Williams is a native of Bannettsvile, SC and 29 year old father of five. He graduated from Marlboro County school in 2009 and Norfolk State University in 2015. His bachelor’s degree is in music education. Fred has been into music his whole life and loves teaching music to the youth! “I love the impact and difference I am able to make working for soundscapes!”

Lynn Ballou helps young people to achieve interpersonal skills through music at Warwick High School, where she directs six choirs – a position she has successfully maintained for over twenty years. Since receiving her MS in School Leadership from Old Dominion University, Lynn proudly holds the position of Site Manager for the Greenwood Elementary Soundscapes location.

Marlana Chamblee is currently an elementary music teacher with Newport News Public Schools at Carver Elementary. She joined the Soundscapes teaching artist staff Sept. 2018 as Level 2 Woodwinds instructor. Her primary instrument is alto saxophone. Marlana holds a bachelor’s (ECSU) and master’s degree in music education (ODU). She began her teaching career in September 2015 teaching in Camden County.

Meagan is a native of Baltimore, MD. She began her love for music at and early age which later led her to pursue a degree in music education with an emphasis in music media from Norfolk State University. Meagan enjoys playing multiple instruments, but her favorite is the bass guitar. Meagan believes that music is life. That’s why our hearts have beats.

Rebecca Kim holds a degree in music education from James Madison University and graduate degrees in music performance from The Boston Conservatory and East Carolina University. She has performed with faculty of Old Dominion University and ECU, and has played abroad in Japan and the Czech Republic. For Rebecca, the best thing about music is collaborating with other creative minds to bring great ideas to life!

Ron Boucher has served the peninsula since 1992. He formed the Eastern Virginia School for the Performing Arts, and the Community Alliance for the Performing Arts Fund, a non-profit organization dedicated to showcasing talented youth. In addition, he is a well noted voice teacher, and a member of the National Association of Teachers of Singing, a musical theater director, and a choreographer.

Westley Benson graduated with a Bachelor of Music degree from the Peabody Institute. He began studying piano and percussion at age five. He has taught piano and percussion to several students in the Hampton Roads area and continues to maintain a roster of active student musicians. He is the Music Director of the Doorway Singers. He is currently the Wind Band Director for Soundscapes.

Born and raised in Newport News, Will Hederer began his journey as a musician in seventh grade. He went on to study at VCU, earning a Bachelor of Music in Strings Performance. He then taught at Hines and Crittenden Middle schools before joining Soundscapes. Now Will gives private lessons through Soundscapes and has been accepted, with scholarship, to study at Boston Conservatory’s Masters program.