Guitar / Bass / Ukulele
Brandon Bolton
Lessons & Performance Manager, Guitar
Brandon Bolton was born into a very musical family. “From a very young age some of my fondest memories were watching my grandfather and uncle playing guitar while my grandmother and mother would sing. My grandfather was a professional musician as well as one of my biggest influences throughout my musical career”. Brandon began playing guitar at 16 and began playing professionally at the age of 18, averaging four bookings per week. At the age of 21, while touring with a Columbia Record's artist in Chattanooga, TN, he visited the Atlanta Institute Of Music and became inspired to pursue a music degree. Upon graduation, he relocated back to Nashville to pursue a music career. Brandon became involved in business management in various music studios throughout the south. Throughout the years, he built a solid teaching career and has developed a loyal student base. In 2018, Brandon moved back home to Lawrenceville, GA and began teaching guitar lessons full time to 70+ students per week. Brandon's teaching, touring, studio, and business management experience make him a welcome addition to The Music Garden family!
Lane McDuffie
Guitar and Ukulele
Lane McDuffie teaches beginning to intermediate guitar and ukulele lessons and is excited to be a part of The Music Garden! Lane is a Georgia native and grew up in a musical family, playing saxophone in the school band, and learned guitar from her mother. She has a B.A. from Emory University (in History) and studied classical guitar as a music student at Clayton State under the guidance of Dr William Hearn. She also received certificates of achievement, with honors, through the Royal Conservatory of Music in Toronto. She has performed at weddings and with the Atlanta Guitar Orchestra. In addition to being a classical guitarist, Lane enjoys playing and teaching various styles of music. She has a passion for teaching, and is always learning from her students too. She has been been giving private lessons since 2011 and has experience in both private and group settings. She is a member of the South Metro Atlanta Teachers Association and Suzuki of the Americas. Lane has 2 grown sons and 2 dogs.
Jack Gordy
Guitar, Ukulele, Drums,
Percussion
Jack Gordy is a multi-instrumentalist who studied business and music theory at West Georgia Tech and the university of West Georgia. He specializes in stringed instruments and has had experience with percussion, brass, electronic, and wind as well. He has over three years of studio experience where he has learned to record/produce music for artists and has played live performances at venues in the surrounding Atlanta area as well as other states and cities. He's performed as a guitarists for many musical projects over the years and has not only taught instrumental work but also, he shows others how to record and produce the music they create.
Frank van der Merwe
Guitar, Bass, Drums, ROCK E.D.U.
Frank van der Merwe grew up in a family that loved music so he was of course drawn to the same love at an early age. He started his musical journey by learning a chord on his father’s guitar and after that he couldn’t put it down!
Growing up and living in Australia, Frank moved to the US four years ago. He has played many different styles and experienced countless venues and genres. He has played on worship teams, with road bands, and in recording studios. When Frank isn’t teaching, he is recording and producing his own music in his home studio.
Frank has always found himself surrounded by music..performing, listening, and teaching. He is excited to make a difference in the Peachtree City / Atlanta area by sharing his passion and skill with students of The Music Garden.