Brittany DeCristofaro (Voice & Piano)
Brittany is a voice teacher and performer who has appeared with professional opera and musical theater companies, choirs, and as a soloist in major oratorio works including Brahms’ Requiem, Mozart’s Requiem, and Handel’s Messiah, among others, across the United States and Canada.
She is currently completing her Doctor of Musical Arts in Vocal Performance from Arizona State University, holds a Master’s degree in Vocal Performance from UNC Greensboro, and a Bachelor’s degree in Music Education from Gardner-Webb University.
Rooted in classical training but experienced across a wide range of styles, Brittany is passionate about helping students find their unique voice and sing confidently in multiple genres. Much of her teaching career has been in higher education, with positions at Arizona State University and Queens University of Charlotte, as well as work as a choir director, classroom teacher, and church musician.
Her students have gone on to perform Off-Broadway, in regional and community theaters, with professional choirs and touring bands, and to release original music. Now based in Chapel Hill, NC, Brittany teaches singers of all ages, serves as a clinician and adjudicator for regional voice events, and is an active member of the National Association of Teachers of Singing (NATS) and the National Association for Music Education (NAfME).
Bryan DeCristofaro (Drum Set, Guitar & Wind Instruments)
Bryan is a passionate and dedicated music educator with over a decade of experience inspiring students through the power of music. He has served in many roles throughout his career, most notably as a middle school band director, where he built programs from the ground up, transforming them into award-winning ensembles recognized for both excellence and inclusivity.
Currently, Bryan serves as the Lead Arts Coordinator for Chatham County Schools, where he champions high-quality arts education across the district. He believes deeply in the role of the arts in shaping confident, creative, and well-rounded individuals.
While he studied percussion in college, Bryan is a true multi-instrumentalist, equally comfortable teaching brass, woodwinds, and guitar. From marching band to jazz combos, he shows versatility in his musicianship and embodies the spirit of a true “jack of all trades.
In 2019, Bryan was honored as one of the Top 10 Music Educators in the Nation by Music & Arts—a testament to his leadership, vision, and unwavering commitment to the field. He is also an active member of NAfME (National Association for Music Education) and continues to advocate for every student’s access to the transformative power of music.
Casey Spillman (Woodwinds)
Casey Spillman joins our studio with nearly two decades of experience as a professional music educator and woodwind specialist. A veteran of the North Carolina music community, Casey has been teaching students of all ages since 2007. While he is a saxophonist by trade, his extensive background in music education allows him to provide high-level instruction across the woodwind family, helping students of all levels build a strong technical and musical foundation.
Casey’s teaching is backed by a rigorous academic foundation. He earned his Bachelor of Music in Music Education from East Carolina University (Magna Cum Laude, 2007) and recently completed his Master of Accounting at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (2025). This unique combination of high-level artistry and professional discipline makes him an ideal mentor for students looking to balance their musical passions with academic or personal goals.
Specializing in both Classical and Jazz, Casey is uniquely equipped to guide students through a variety of musical paths. His experience ranges from helping beginners produce their very first notes to coaching high schoolers through successful All-District and All-State audition cycles.
Outside of the private studio, Casey remains deeply involved in the local music scene. He has served on the instructional staff for the UNC Marching Tar Heels since 2018 and is an active choral musician with the Schola Cantorum at St. Thomas More Catholic Church, where he previously served as interim director. He lives in Chapel Hill with his wife, two children, two cats, and a bird.
David Czechut (Drum Set/Percussion
David Czechut is a versatile percussionist hailing from the Chicagoland area. His life changed when he joined marching band to take care of his arts credit in high school. The band director gave him a pair of cymbals, and the first crash changed David’s life forever.
David earned his bachelor’s degree in percussion performance from Quincy University, where he studied under Bill Machold and Dr. Christine Damm. He earned his Master’s in percussion performance from Northern Illinois University, where he studied percussion under Dr. Gregory Beyer and Ben Wahlund, along with composition and arranging under Dr. Thomas Bough. He has worked and with multiple award-winning artists, including Russel Hartenberger, Keith Aleo, and Aiyun Hung, and Raychel Taylor. He has background in classical and contemporary traditions, as well as Afro-Cuban, Afro-Brazilian, and Balinese gamelan.
David teaches drum set as well as classical concert percussion, such as snare drum, xylophone, and bells kit.
Ruthie Rhodes (Voice)
Ruthie is a voice teacher and performer with a background in contemporary and choral music. She earned her Bachelor of Arts in Music with honors in Vocal Performance from the University of the South, graduating in May 2025.
As a recent graduate, Ruthie is excited to continue growing as an educator while guiding students in developing their own musical skills. She is passionate about helping singers bring their musical goals to life through healthy vocal technique, exploration of a wide range of genres and styles, and discovering where each individual voice shines.
A highlight of Ruthie’s musical career was singing Evensong at St. Paul’s Cathedral in London with the University Choir during a tour of England. The tour also included a four-day residency at York Minster, where she sang five services with the ensemble. During her time at the University of the South, Ruthie presented two vocal recitals: a half-length junior recital and a full-length senior recital, the latter earning her honors in the major.
In addition to her music studies, Ruthie double majored in English. A passionate writer, she has spent much of her young adult life reading and writing poetry, with three of her original poems published in 2023. Her love for writing continues alongside her dedication to music, and continues to influence her work as both a performer and teacher.