Faculty Bios

Our Teaching Staff

Leslie Carey (Piano) retains a strong focus on the discipline and determination necessary to conquer classical piano. With more than 10 years of teaching experience, she focuses on technique and is exceptional in helping students tackle the most challenging pieces. A hard working touring and recording musician, Leslie headlines the Leslie Carey Band. LCB is currently in the studio recording their third CD.

Jean Dougherty (Piano) has been teaching piano for over 35 years, having begun her own studies at age 6. She recently spent four years teaching piano at the Family Music Center in Las Vegas, before returning to Wilmington. Jean is a graduate of St. Olaf College and has a Bachelor of Music degree with pipe organ as her performing instrument. This prepared her for a life-long career as a church musician/choir director and complements her love for teaching piano students. "Music is my Life."

Shaun Dougherty (Guitar/Beginner Bass) was born into a family of talented musicians: father John Dougherty, recognized among the world's fastest guitarists during the 1970s and '80s, and mother Jean Dougherty, a classically trained organist. Shaun is a graduate of Berklee College of Music, and is experienced in producing, songwriting, teaching, and performing. He has performed with several rock bands, jazz bands, celebrated musicians including George Benson, and at Caesar's Casino in Las Vegas with headliner Matt Goss. Shaun has recordings by The John Dougherty Jazz Guitar Duo, The Pretty Babies, Janke, Unforgiven Lullabies, and Lockdown, among others.

Atiba Fields (Steel Drums)
Hailing from Trinidad/Tobago, Atiba has been bringing his Steel Drum classes to The Grand since 2001. Focusing the student on reading music and perfecting rhythms, instruction is usually a class setting providing students the opportunity to learn in an ensemble environment. As an educator, Atiba has conducted countless residencies and school performances throughout Delaware, consulted the University of Delaware Steel Band, and directed the Adult Steel Drum Ensemble at the Center for Creative Arts in Hockessin, Delaware. In addition, Atiba is also the director of both Wilmington Montessori and Tatnall Lower School Ensembles. Atiba has performed nationally and internationally, and his work experience includes concert performances, cruise ship tours, and recordings.

Fa Fields (Voice)
An accomplished vocalist, having appeared with The Opera Company of Philadelphia and the Spoleto Festival in Italy, Fa is a professional choral singer and director. She has been the Soprano Soloist in several Delaware and Pennsylvania churches and has sung with The Philadelphia Singers and Chorale Delaware. Fa holds a BA in Music Performance from West Virginia Wesleyan College and an MA in Vocal Performance from Western Michigan University.

AJ Malme (Drums) has been playing, studying and teaching percussive arts for more than 12 years. At University of Delaware, AJ played in several ensembles (Orchestra, Jazz, Marching, Percussion and Gamelon). He was the Timpanist for Delaware Repertory Orchestra under Leo Aramjian and played percussion in The Haddonfield Symphony and Glassboro State Orchestras. AJ also played with the Boysie Lowery Alumni Big Band.

Dwight McIntosh (Piano)
A professional instructor, producer, arranger, composer, and performer, Dwight joined the Arts Academy faculty in 2006. His extensive knowledge of music was gained at an early age and led him to a remarkable ability for self-expression through music. His talents cover Reggae, Soca, Calypso, R&B, and smooth jazz. Dwight has toured with renowned artists: Arrow, Sparrow, Becket & Shadow; and performed with a variety of bands including Island Vibes, Final Cut, Flex, New Direction, Caribbean Authentics, Steel Kings, and Open Minds. He attended the Royal School of Music and Trinity College of London, and achieved certificates of honor and merit from Jazz Mobile in New York.

Chris Sherlock (Drums) An accomplished studio and touring musician, Chris has recorded in such renowned studios as Studio 4 and Sigma Sound (Philadelphia), Chelsea (NYC, NY), Warner Brothers (Nashville) and Target. A composer of music, nationally touring drummer and experienced drum instructor, Chris has a needs-based approach to his long-term following of students. He has performed extensively along the East Coast (most notably with Jill Sobule and George Thorogood), and brings a jazz and rock influence to his teaching methods.

John Southard (Piano)
An esteemed music educator, John graduated with a BA in Music from University of Delaware where he has been on the faculty for over 25 years. He has performed with countless entertainers in venues from Washington DC to Philadelphia, New York, Boston and throughout the New England area. He brings with him a thorough understanding of the complexities of music and provides his students with all the tools they need to excel at the piano in all styles: traditional classical, jazz, popular, blues and rock, including improvisation from beginner to professional levels.

Harry Spencer (Saxophone/Clarinet)
Having the good fortune to have grown up in Harlem, Harry spent his formative years in jam sessions with Al Foster, Eddie Gomez, Billy Gardinier, and Charles Tolliver. His earliest formal lessons were at age 8 when he began studying the clarinet. Later, he switched to alto saxophone before attending theory and ear training classes at the Manhattan School of Music with legendary jazz pianist, Lenny Tristano. During the 1970s, Mr. Spencer performed with the Sun Ra Arkestra for two years, recording the Magic City album with the ensemble. Since his move to Wilmington in the 1980s, he has worked extensively throughout the Mid-Atlantic region both as a sideman and bandleader. Performances include appearances at Caesar's Palace in Atlantic City and with Dizzy Gillespie at the Clifford Brown Jazz Festival. His ability to perform multiple styles has allowed him to work not only in jazz but with Latin music, Calypso, and heavy metal rock bands. He has recorded music for commercials in addition to his own albums.

Emily Samson Tepe (Voice)
Wilmington native Emily Samson Tepe, otherwise known as IVA, gave her first public performance at the age of nine on The Grand’s mainstage. Now a formally trained opera singer, the rising phenom has crossed over into the world of popular music while maintaining her classical career. Cited as an artist to watch by Billboard magazine, IVA is described as a mix between Madonna and Enya, and has recently performed at Opera Delaware's Opera Ball, World Café Live at the Queen, and live at the baby grand. Emily is trained in and teaches both classical and popular singing styles. www.IVAsound.com

Mark Unruh (Guitar/Five-String Banjo/Mandolin/Electric Bass)
Mark Unruh began teaching in 1984 and joined The Grand’s music faculty in 2001. This multi-instrumentalist brings a down-home approach to his technique and covers a variety of musical styles including bluegrass, classical, jazz, blues, rock, and ragtime. An established performer, Mark has shared the stage with folk and blues legend David Bromberg, folk musicians Jay Unger and Molly Mason, jazz saxophonist Chucky C of New Orleans, country singer Tammy Wynette, and banjoist Steve Lutke. He has performed with numerous local bands, including The Blue Corn Dawgs (bluegrass), Pangea (world music), Ten Spiders (fusion rock), and is a current member of The Brandywine Guitar Quartet (originals, classical, jazz, folk). In 2005, Mark received the Delaware Division of the Arts’ Individual Artist Fellowship for his achievements in folk music.

Janina Williams (Voice)
Born and raised in Philadelphia, Janina began singing at the age of five and taught herself how to play guitar early on. She attended Settlement Music School and the esteemed High School for the Creative and Performing Arts, where she competed at state and national levels. She went on to study at Temple University's Esther Boyer College of Music as a vocal performance major. Active in musical theatre, her most recent roles were as Mary Magdalene in Jesus Christ Superstar and Beneatha in A Raisin in the Sun. Janina has sung for Queen Latifah and Rosa Parks. Her impressive resume includes work with the Harry Spencer Jazz Trio, Lee Howell and the Gentlemen of Jazz, Honest John Band, Huff Brothers, Larry Tucker Band, Dave Dixon Band, and Group Therapy. She came to The Grand in 2004 and has over 16 years of teaching experience.