info@creativedanceandmusic.com
504-390-2552
Jennifer Erwin White - Music Director & Instructor (Voice, Piano, Ukelele, Guitar)
Jennifer has been singing and playing piano since the age of five, and teaching both since 2000. Coming from a family of musicians, she grew up active in school and church choirs, performing in plays and singing solos, and playing clarinet in marching band from 6th to 11th grades. She earned a degree in Voice from the University of Oklahoma, and a Master of Fine Arts in Creative Writing from the University of Arkansas. While at OU, Jennifer was voted Outstanding Soprano her senior year, and won several scholarships throughout her time there. She also played in three bands that performed in Norman and Oklahoma City, and later in a large country-folk group in Fayetteville Arkansas, where she sang and played guitar and mandolin. Jennifer loves the jazz and blues heritage of New Orleans, and believes in learning to play whatever style of music you like through a foundation of solid classical technique.
Jennifer has been teaching with Creative Dance & Music Studio since 2009. She is a well rounded, caring instructor teaching piano, voice and guitar students.
Craig Wilson - Instructor (Guitar, Drums, Beginner Piano)
Craig started playing the piano at age 7, and by the age of fifteen, he had also learned to play guitar and drums as well. He received a Bachelor of Music degree at the University of Southern Mississippi. Also preforming on bass guitar, Craig has enjoyed performing music one way or another for over 30 years. He has been teaching private lessons since 2008 and is excited to begin his eighth year with us at CDMS.
Brian King - Instructor (Guitar, Bass, Ukulele & Piano)
Brian King was born and raised in the culturally rich city of New Orleans. He studied guitar and piano at the New Orleans Center for the Creative Arts and went on to receive a Bachelors in Music from Oberlin Conservatory and a Masters in Music from the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland. Brian has performed throughout the United States and Europe and has received numerous prizes from competitions including the Southern Guitar Festival Competition and the New Orleans International Guitar Competition.
Brian’s teaching approach is aimed at creating a relaxed environment for students to have fun and grow, and his extensive musical background allows him to adapt to whatever the student's interests are. Brian teaches guitar, bass, ukulele, and piano.
Andrea Beltran - Instructor (Voice, Guitar, & Piano)
Andrea N. Beltrán Rodríguez (a.k.a. Drea) is a vocalist, guitarist, composer and producer, born and raised in the mountains of Cayey, Puerto Rico. Coming from a very musical family, she grew up listening to and learning from traditional folkloric Puerto Rican music. Her mother was her first voice teacher and taught her to play guitar at around 6 years old. Her father was an amateur conga player and singer. At age 15 she enrolled in a special arts school in Cayey, specializing in vocal technique and choir. At the age of 17 she recorded and co-produced her first single with the producer Andy Mendoza, mentored by her professor Jaime David Vasquez. Andrea began her studies with Berklee online in 2020. Andrea decided to move to New Orleans in July of 2021 where she would later begin her studies at the University of New Orleans in vocal Jazz performance. Shortly after arriving to New Orleans, she joined the musical project titled ÌFÉ on vocals and minor percussion. With a passion for paying forward her knowledge, Andrea currently is a multi-instrumentalist music instructor and is continuing her studies at UNO.
Kimberly Allen - Instructor (Voice & Piano)
Kimberly Allen grew up in Metairie, LA. She recently relocated back home to New Orleans. Kimberly holds a degree in Music and Theatre/Communications from the University of New Orleans. Kimberly has been teaching piano since the age of 16, and has over 15 years experience training actors and musicians, as well as writing and directing stage productions for her own company in 2007-2014. She has trained extensively in classical, pop, Christian and jazz music and acted as church pianist. Kimberly has been a long time member of the Piano Teachers Guild of America. Kimberly is very excited to share her expertise in her home city!
Chloe Washington - Instructor (Voice & Piano)
Chloe’ V. Washington is a Loyola University New Orleans graduate with a bachelor’s degree in Popular and Commercial Music, concentrating in Vocal Music. She is an extremely talented singer, songwriter, entertainer, and musician. She began singing at the early age of 4 and began taking her talents more seriously during high school and decided to continue her musical journey in college. She will be continuing her studies at the University of Miami in pursuit of her Master’s degree in live Entertainment Management. Her goal is to learn more about the music industry and in hopes of becoming an accomplished recording artist someday. She will be teaching piano and voice lessons here at Creative Dance and Music Studio.