Staff

Aaron holds a Bachelor of Music in Trumpet Performance and Jazz Studies from CNU, where he studied with Dr. Kelly Rossum. In 2015 Aaron toured with the Norfolk band Super Doppler, performing nearly 100 shows along the east coast. Aaron then joined the 10-piece horn band Brasswind as a full-time member in late 2018, playing the Trumpet II book until late 2022.

Brandon Musko was born and raised in a steel mill town in Pennsylvania. He discovered his passion for music at age ten, through his elementary school music teacher and a borrowed saxophone. His family recognized his ability and provided the support he needed to become an accomplished woodwind musician. He received his Bachelor of Music in Performance degree from the University of Slippery Rock in 2007. He has had a fascinating musical career including six-month stints on cruise lines and contracts with Busch Gardens Williamsburg. He currently performs with Good Shot Judy, renowned swing band, as well as teaching at Soundscapes.

Bryan Austin is a dedicated music educator at Soundscapes, bringing 10 years of experience and expertise to the classroom with a nurturing approach and a deep understanding of various genres and instruments.

Donald’s childhood dream was to become an entertainer and perform for audiences. He began by picking up instruments and learning fast. He attended Heritage High School and Elizabeth City State University where music allowed him to perform and grow. Now, as a professional bassist and artist, he enjoys sharing knowledge back with the youth!

Joshua Sierra-Delgado began studying Cello when he and his family moved to the United States more than a decade ago from Humacao, Puerto Rico. He attended Loyola University New Orleans, under the tutelage of Professor Philip von Maltzahn. Mr. Sierra-Delgado has performed with the VSO, LPO, and Nola Chamber Orchestra, and is also a Studio Cellist. He is excited to join us at Soundscapes!

Julieta has lived most of her life in San Diego, California, but was born in Acapulco, Mexico. She discovered her love of music while attending music class in elementary school. She continued her music career by participating in a mariachi band, choir, and many ensembles. While attending Grossmont College in San Diego, she studied classical voice, majoring in music with a minor in musical theater.

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.

Paola Zamora, a Kansas native, studied Music Education with a vocal emphasis at Kansas State University. She taught elementary music, served as a high school marching band assistant, and taught private voice and piano lessons at Flint Hills Academy of Music. Now based in Virginia, Paola is eager to continue teaching music as one of the Level One Directors at Soundscapes.

Paul Sanho Kim teaches violin and conducting at Old Dominion University and directs the ODU Symphony Orchestra. Named the Virginia Music Teachers Association’s 2022 Commissioned Composer, Kim’s music has been featured on NPR and by the Virginia Symphony and Symphonicity. He was formerly a violinist with the Roanoke Symphony and also a U.S. Marine.

Peter is a guitarist, composer, and educator in the Hampton Roads area of Virginia. Following his graduation from college, Peter moved to New York City, where he performed in jazz clubs, art spaces, avant garde theater productions, converted auto-body shops, and subway stations. He now lives in Newport News, where he performs, writes, and maintains a large private studio.

Rita Hsu has been playing the Piano and the Cello since she was 6 years old. She holds a degree in music performance from the National Taiwan University of Arts and earned a degree in music education from the University of Taipei. After being an Elementary School music teacher for over 10 years, she currently joins Soundscapes in 2024 as a Level 2 Low Strings Instructor.

Dr. Steven Cunningham is the Assistant Professor of Music Education at Hampton University. He earned his Doctorate of Musical Arts and his Master of Music from the University of Maryland and his Bachelor of Music from VCU. Steven has performed with the Brass Band of Battle Creek, 8-Bit Big Band, Camille Thurman, Rodney Marsalis Philadelphia Big Brass, No BS! Brass Band and many more.

Taylor Williamson has been playing the violin since she was 5 years old, and has studied under Dianne Chapman, Brendan Elliot, Jeanne DeDominick, and June Huang. While a student of Old Dominion University, she participated in the symphony orchestra and the Russell Stanger String Quartet before earning her bachelor’s degree in music education with a concentration in orchestral strings.

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.