If you look up in the sky on a cloudless night, there's a good chance you might catch a glimpse of one of our FF Shooting Stars. They're probably in a hurry - late to a gig or a recording session, leaving just a fiery trail behind. Nonetheless, we're very proud of our ambitious students and grads and honored to recognize them here:
Ben Cramer
"After taking lessons with Flying Fingers from 5th to 12th grade, I went on to study music at University of Miami's Frost School of Music. After college, I moved around between Athens, NYC, and Nashville while playing in various bands and touring the country. One of my bands toured with the classic rock band, Kansas, for more than a year, playing more than 60+ shows opening for them. In the past year, I've started my own band called Old Sea Brigade that has recently signed a record and publishing deal with Nettwerk Music Group (Passenger, Fun, Dispatch). It was through Flying Fingers that I was lucky to discover my passion for music at an early age."
Spotify: spoti.fi/1n9pY3R
Facebook: www.facebook.com/oldseabrigade
Instagram & Twitter: @oldseabrigade
Website: www.oldseabrigade.com
Jacob Moran
The bright lights called out to Jacob Moran at a very early age. He picked up his first set of drum sticks at around 18 months old and hasn't stopped chasing his music and theatrical dreams since. Jacob has performed in over 50 concerts as a lead drummer and has been studying music, acting, dance, modeling and vocal performance for most of his young life. He loves to be in front of the camera. Born to rock, Jacob's latest accomplishment in 2018 has been landing the role of "Freddy" in the national tour of the Broadway Musical "School of Rock".
Instagram: @thejacobmoran
Website: www.jacobmoran.actor/
Jake Goldwasser
Originally a piano student of Flying Fingers, Jake Goldwasser is a multi-instrumentalist currently living in Vienna, Austria. After years of collaborating and recording with local Atlanta artists including Chelsea Shag, Demo Taped, and others, Jake recently released his first solo collection on all major platforms as a conclusion of his first year of studies at the Music and Arts Conservatory Vienna. In addition to his studies, Jake plans to continue releasing his own musical compositions and spreading their message worldwide.
Website: www.jakegoldwasser.com
Facebook: www.facebook.com/goldwasserjazz
Instagram: @jakegoldwasser
Listen to Jake's Full Length Album "Beginnings: Vienna" jakegoldwasser.bandcamp.com/releases
"The Great Gig in the Sky" (2011)
Jimmy Mc Alpin
Having graduated from Flying Fingers, Jimmy has gone on to be a Live Performer, Songwriter, Engineer, and Producer in the Atlanta area. While previously living in Athens, GA, he played in a variety of bands whose genres ranged from rock, pop, jazz, punk, fusion, and experimental music. He performed at well known venues across town like the 40 Watt Club and Georgia Theatre, as well as on the UGA radio station WUOG and Television channel WUGA. He learned the ropes of Sound Engineering and Production as an intern at both Full Moon Studio and Chase Park Transduction, and worked under Jay Rodgers and long-time Producer of the Drive-By Truckers, David Barbe, who also helms the Music Business Program at the University of Georgia. Now based in Atlanta with the jam rock outfit Dank, Jimmy has gone on to perform across the Southeast and beyond at venues such as the Buckhead Theatre in Atlanta, GA and the Visulite Theatre in Charlotte, NC, as well as at festivals like Sweetwater 420 Fest held in Centennial Olympic Park in downtown Atlanta, GA. With Dank, he has helped write and produce 2 albums, including their current EP Get Up, and wrote the script for the Music Video "Get Up."
Music Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EvZ_hDLoag0
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/crankthedank
Website & Music: https://www.crankthedank.com
Noah Cooney
"Vunder-kid", Noah Cooney is an inspiration to his peers and his teachers. Just entering the 6th grade this year, Noah has been taking lessons for the past 5 years and chopping down music at a ferocious rate. Fluent in German, unstoppable in soccer, and the fastest sprinter on two feet, Noah definitely sets the bar high when it comes to his piano playing, too. Here's a note from his teacher: "I don't think I'll ever forget when Noah's mom set up a session at a local recording studio for Noah. This little dude, only 10 years old, walked in, hardly said a word, sat down at this piano he'd never played before and nailed "Your Song" by Elton John in one take with just a drum loop going in the background. The engineer and everyone else in the room had to pick our jaws up off the ground." The sky's the limit for this "shooting star".
Christmas Music Video: The First Noel
Recital Video: Chim Chim Cher'ee
For more videos of Noah tickling the ivories, search him on our Flying Fingers TV Channel
Your Song (Instrumental Studio Rough Mix) - press play on the bar below
Reid & Zach Calhoun
Reid Calhoun and his twin brother Zach really left us with some great memories here at Flying Fingers. Apparently being the President and VP of their graduating class at Westminster while playing year round sports still wasn't enough for these two. Maybe they just didn't sleep - it will remain a mystery. One thing is for sure - having let the bug catch them in the 5th grade, they saw their lessons all the way through high school and continue to pursue music ferociously, now well into their college years at W & L and UVA. Between attending some heavy college engineering courses, rocking out on the guitar, bass, banjo, piano and drums is just part of a normal day in their lives. Here are just a few of the many stunning performances the Calhoun Brothers you can find on our Flying Fingers TV Channel. (Can't resist a shout out to their fellow Flying Fingers alumni who you'll spot in some of these clips... brothers from another mother Ryan and T. Watson who helped to form their high school rock band "Analog Funk")
Update on Reid
"I've Got a Name"
"Country Roads"
"Whipping Post"
Wilson McLennan
"Fretboard Phenom" Wilson McLennan had his first guitar lesson with Flying Fingers in the 6th grade and found himself hooked like brim on a harpoon (he likes that analogy because his other pastime is fishing). Wilson recently quit his guitar lessons with Flying Fingers for our favorite reason... we don't commute to Tennessee (well, not yet anyways). You see, Wilson's a recent high school grad, and is just now entering the college ranks as a University of Tennessee Volunteer. During his high school years, Wilson put together some electrifying bands that had the prestigious honor of rocking the house at Chastain Amphitheatre and The Roxy (aka. Buckhead Theater). Along the way, he and his guitar teacher made some fun videos of various songs he mastered, for your entertainment pleasure.
"Always with Me, Always with You"
"Hotel California"
"Mary Had a Little Lamb"
"More Than a Feeling"
Bennett Lisenby
How cool would it be to have your own album released on vinyl at only 16 years old? I guess we'll just have to ask Bennett Lisenby. Bennett's "flying fingers" are rarely idle. Whether wrapped around a golf club, gripping the handle bars on his dirt bike, banging a wrench on his 1976 Ford Bronco, or jamming out on his "cigar-box" guitar, Bennett is always up to something good. In addition to all of the library and coffee shop gigs he has booked over the years as a solo artist and with his band "North of Nowhere", Bennett plays a key role in his school's "JugBand". It's a fun group of kids who get down to a variety of traditional and eclectic Americana music utilizing just about any old thing that makes sounds (yes, that includes trash can lids, washboards and literally... jugs). But after taking a studio recording class offered at his school, Bennett was inspired to take his creativity to the next level by producing his own amazing, original music. Have a gander at some of the stellar performances he's delivered over the years at our Spring Concerts!
"Blue Sky" (2015)
"Chasing Cars" (2013)
"Halelujah" (2013)
Check out "Ignite" from Bennett's solo album - press play on the bar below
Clay Milling
Clay started out plucking the guitar with us in just the 2nd grade. And he held in there for quite a while before finding his permanent home on the drum kit. The timing was just right when around the 8th grade, his dad took him and his bass playing little bro', Will, to see the famous rock band Rush (well known for their pioneering drummer Neil Peart). Since then, Clay's passion for drumming hasn't skipped a beat. The Millings Family Basement Band used to keep the neighborhood entertained throughout Clay's high school years - with Dad on guitar, Will on bass, and Mom on lead tambourine. Clay is actually quite the singer, too, as you will see in some of the videos below. Nowadays, you'll find Clay hitting the various stages around Athens where he attends UGA. Check your local copy of Flagpole to find out where his latest band Thirty Spokes is jamming this weekend.
AC/DC Medley (2011)
"Dani California" (2012)
"Sweet Emotion" (2012)
Dan Yellin
You're never gonna find any moss growing on Dan Yellin. Like a rolling stone, Dan knows how to keep it moving. One of those "super achiever" types, back in his high school years, it was constantly impressive to watch this young man "ace" all his AP classes while keeping up a rigorous soccer commitment and a perfect attendance with his Flying Fingers lessons. Dan was really blessed with a gift for entertaining and we'd never seen a student so comfortable on stage. It's no wonder since music runs in the family blood. Mom had to put up with all the long jam sessions that would take place with Dad (Seth) on drums and Dan's brother (Ben - also a Flying Fingers graduate) on the keyboard and harmonies. Dan went on to study at UPenn and kept himself musically active while a student there by singing with the school's incredible a capella group "Dischord". After graduating college in 2015, he joined the working ranks as a business professional and still keeps up a healthy relationship with his guitar and singing whenever possible.
Dischord - "Counting Stars"
Dischord - "I Don't Wanna Be"
"Fire & Rain" (2011)
"Why Georgia" (2009)
Mitch Stallings
These days, you'll find Mitch hurling knuckleballs past his opponents from the pitching mound of the Duke Blue Devils. But we like to think Mitch began developing his "perfect pitch" with us way back in the 2nd grade when he scored his first guitar. Here's a word from his teacher: "Far out that my buddy Mitch is all growed up and on a baseball scholarship at a major university. I remember this tiny, high-pitched, 8 year old voice singing & strumming Eagles songs with me in his living room like it was yesterday". Mitch kept up with lessons until shipping off for college. And along the way, he wrote a couple of fantastic songs to boot. The one appearing beneath his photograph became something of a sensation at his alma mater, the Lovett School. Mitch was able to figure out how to upload his song to Itunes somewhere around 6th or 7th grade and sold hundreds of copies! How entrepreneurial, wouldn'tcha say?
"Never Wanted Nothing More" (2012) (with guest appearance from Mitch's partner in crime and fellow Flying Fingers grad Burke Martin on the drums)
"Free" (2011)
ITunes Smash Hit "If She's Got the Time" written by Mitch Stallings