Zack Albetta has been playing and teaching professionally for 15 years. He grew up in Santa Fe, NM, where he began playing drums at age 8. He went on to earn a Bachelor of Music in percussion performance, a Master of Music in percussion performance, and a Master of Arts in jazz and studio performance. From 2003 to 2010, Zack lived in Kansas City, MO and was a first call drummer in that city’s rich and historic jazz scene.

In 2010, he moved to Los Angeles, where he expanded his jazz resume, played dozens of musicals for the region’s top theatre companies, and became a staff musician at Disneyland. In 2016, he and his wife relocated to Atlanta, where he has hit the ground running with top acts such as Atlanta Funk Society, The Equinox Orchestra, and Delta Moon. As an educator, Zack has taught everything from beginning private lessons to college classes with students ranging from ages 8 to 80.

Zack’s website: Zack Albetta

Nichelle has over 18 years’ experience teaching music and theatre in various public and private schools instructing Pre-K, elementary, middle, and high school students. In addition to group teaching, she has over 16 years’ experience instructing students of all ages in private voice and piano lessons. Nichelle has enjoyed being on a brief tour with Grammy award winning Speech from Arrested Development as well as conducting a 24-piece choir for one of Josh Groban’s tour concerts. She has also had the pleasure of being an integral part in the audio recording, instructing and conducting of a 60 -100-piece choir and band for many years under the direction of Frank Davis. Currently she helps lead worship, singing from the keyboard alongside her husband (bass player) with various musicians and singers on Sundays.

Nichelle is ecstatic to be using her Bachelor of Music degree as she steps into the role of teaching both piano and voice here at Guitar Shed. She equally enjoys her administrative role as Office Manager assisting Parker as a liaison between parents/students and teachers.

We are very excited to announce that the musical, The Dragon King, (created by one of Guitar Shed’s own teachers, Vivian Slade) will be performed by the Academy Street Theatre Group at River Ridge High School, 400 Arnold Mill Road, Woodstock, GA.  Performance times:  7pm, Thursday, January 31st and Friday, February 1st.  Tickets are $5.  The musical, The Dragon King, is based on the children’s book, The Dragon King (www.TheDragonKing.com)–an entertaining fairy tale with an empowering message written for a boy who had been badly burned. This is Vivian’s first musical.

What people are saying about the book, The Dragon King:

“I loved it!  I want to give you a hundred hugs for it!  I am definitely adding it to my list of favorite books.” –Kiley, Age 10.

“Courage, responsibility, and dependability are character traits that every parent wishes for their child.  As a mother and a licensed therapist, I highly recommend The Dragon King as a must read.” –Sandy O’Donnell, LPC, MHSP, Nashville, TN.

The Dragon King is a children’s book (also in Spanish), audio book, values education curriculum/workbook and musical.  Find out more/purchase at www.TheDragonKing.com.

Based on the book by Vivian Slade