Music Voice Songwriting Production Acting

Our professional, industry-leading teachers collaborate and work together to raise your skills to the next level!
We provide custom teaching to your particular skill level no matter your experience or age.

BENJAMIN KAWSKY, voice + acting

Boston and online

Benjamin is a celebrity vocal coach and has helped singers reach the highest levels in the music business. He has extensively studied the art and mechanics of singing. He has a Master's degree in Vocal Performance from the Chicago College of Performing Arts, and a Biology degree (which enabled him to study the anatomy of the voice). Benjamin founded BAWS Studio in 2017. He has worked for several recording studios and loves to help singers write, record, and cultivate their artistic voice. He works with singers of all genre and cares deeply about authenticity, originality, and technique. His students have received billions of streams, sold out world tours, been finalist on The Voice, won pageants, performed on Broadway, receive full-ride scholarships to study music, been in the Top 10 Billboard charts, and received record and publishing deals.

Lucas burr, voice

Chicago and online

Multi-instrumentalist and Baritone vocalist Lucas Burr recently moved to Chicago after completing his first year teaching choir and adaptive music at Ben Franklin Middle School in Fargo, North Dakota. He received a degree from Concordia College in Moorhead, Minnesota in Vocal Music Education. At Concordia, he performed in multiple theatrical productions, directed and managed Concordia Vocal Jazz, and sang with the Concordia Choir on multiple national tours as well as internationally during their recent tour in Italy.

Outside of college, Lucas sang with the Fargo Moorhead Choral Artists as well as performed in multiple musicals with Straw Hat Theatre and ActUp Theatre. Lucas has also served as a co-director and music director for two musicals (25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee, Godspell) and music director/composer/arranger for an original play (Darling) in the non-profit community theater organization he founded with his father in his hometown - Little Falls Theatre Company. 

Lucas brings a wide range of skills from his experience in classical choir, vocal jazz, musical theatre, rock bands, and more to his classroom. In lessons, Lucas strives to highlight each voices unique and beautiful sound through healthy techniques and careful attention to detail.

zachary bradley, acting

Chicago and online

Zach Bradley was born and raised in Chicago, Illinois and stayed true to his midwestern roots while he attended the University of Chicago.  While there, he studied Psychology and inevitably caught the “acting bug,” starring in several short films early on in his acting career. Before long, his hobby became his passion, and his passion became his life. Zach's unique journey helps him to bring a very grounded, genuine, and heartfelt nature to his teaching philosophy at BAWS.

His most recent works include a supporting role in Asbury Park, where he acted alongside veteran Hollywood actor, Glenn Plummer (Showgirls, Speed, Saw II), and up-and-comers Noah Lalonde (My Life with the Walter Boys, Criminal Minds) and Adrian Hassan (The Bachelorette). He also stars as Robbie in Connor McBride's Saturday Night Inside Out, which releases in theaters this fall. He also recently wrapped a Ukrainian feature film Love & Vodka, a film based off of R.J. Fox’s book, where he portrayed R.J. himself.  You may have also seen his face on recent national commercial spots for Honey Nut Cheerios and Kia Motors.

Zach will also be starring in a brand new series shooting all over the world following the end of the strikes, which is still set to be released in 2025.

Jonah brooks, guitar + production

Chicago and online

Jonah Brooks is a Chicago-based guitarist, music producer, and seasoned educator with over fifteen years of experience in private instruction. Jonah discovered his passion for the guitar at the age of 10, exploring a variety of musical styles throughout the years. With a B.A. in Music Business Management from Columbia College Chicago, Jonah teaches at an advanced level, guiding students to turn their passion into a profession.

As the proud owner of a music production business, he offers real-world insights into sound design, composition, mixing and mastering, and artist production. Jonah's achievements include reaching the semifinals in an international jazz competition, and in 2023, his music accumulated nearly three million streams.

Beyond the classroom, Jonah not only gives students a practical view of the dynamic music industry but also empowers them to create their own structure as professionals. Excited to share his expertise at BAWS, Jonah looks forward to embarking on a musical exploration together, diving into the realms of guitar, production, and creative expression.

Mario Ángel Pérez

Online

Mario Ángel Pérez is a Minnesota-based tenor. Previous roles include Remendado (Carmen) at the Pine Mountain Music Festival, First Priest (Die Zauberflöte) with Lakes Area Music Festival, a cover of Emperor Altoum (Turandot) at Cedar Rapids Opera, and Gran Sacerdote (Idomeneo), Gherardo (Gianni Schicchi), and First Priest (Die Zauberflöte) at the University of Minnesota.

Mario Ángel has also been seen in many productions with Minnesota Opera as a member of their professional chorus. As an avid recitalist, he has been performed in Adam Guettel Myths and Hymns at the MacPhail Center, Schumann's Liederkreis, op. 39 at Hamline University’s Sundin Hall and with the Pine Mountain Music Festival, and Die Schöne Müllerin at the University of Minnesota. He is a co-founder of B-Sides Art Song Collective in the Twin Cities, an organization which specializes in the performance of rarely heard art song and contemporary commercial music.

Mario Ángel studied Mozart arias with Helen and Klaus Donath through the Internationale Sommerakademie at the Universität Mozarteum in Salzburg, Austria and has performed for the Austrian Ambassador to the United States, Dr. Wolfgang Waldner, at the Center for Austrian Studies 40th anniversary celebration at the University of Minnesota. Currently, he resides in Saint Paul and studies under Victoria Vargas. He received his BM and MM at the University of Minnesota under the tutelage of Adriana Zabala.

Stephanie Joyce, guitar + songwriting

Online

Stefanie Joyce is a singer-songwriter in Nashville, Tennessee. With four years of experience as a signed writer on MusicRow, she is excited to teach and encourage the craft and art of songwriting. 

Whether you are writing songs for a personal project, for other artists, for fun, or for film and TV placement, Stefanie has experienced it all! She believes that all great songs, regardless of genre, need a strong foundation. Her lessons start with basics of form, rhyme, rhythm, lyric, hook, and melody before moving onto writing and workshopping full songs. She wants to give students the tools they need to best capture inspiration when it comes, and always encourages creative risks.

Stefanie grew up in the Pacific Northwest and moved to Nashville in 2018. After four years of penning songs for other artists (such as Mary-Heather Hickman's viral, billboard-charting hits "Baptist Parking Lot" and "Treasure"), she released her debut EP "Marlboro Reds & Motel Rooms" in 2022. The lead single "Idle Hands" was featured on editorial playlists and publications after amassing almost 1 million views on TikTok. Stefanie continues to write for other artists while working on new music for her own project and regularly performing with her band around Nashville. 

Stefanie encourages all songwriters regardless of musical ability. You don't need to be an amazing singer to write amazing songs! All you need is enthusiasm and a bit of creativity :)

Andrea shapiro, voice + acting

Online

Andrea Shapiro is a professional singer and actress in New York City. Having over a decade of private voice instruction and graduating with her BFA in Acting, Andrea is ecstatic to work as a vocal instructor.

When working with Andrea, her main focus will be cultivating and maintaining a healthy singer's body and mind, while discovering and achieving individual goals. Everybody learns differently, so being able to adapt to your needs is an essential part of Andrea’s teaching. She will develop technique, confidence, and individuality at every stage of the work. Andrea’s areas of expertise include: musical theatre, pop, rock, country, jazz, belting, and mix.

Harry Bartlett, guitar + songwriting

Online

Harry Bartlett is a Nashville based guitarist, composer, and bandleader. He has an education in jazz music from the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra School of Music, The University of Toronto, and the School of Improvised Music in Brooklyn, NY. Harry is excited to share some tools and resources he has picked up over a 10 year career as a bandleader, composer, and guitarist spanning jazz, folk, bluegrass, and old time music.

As an educator Harry has a decade of experience teaching through the VSO School, High Park Music, and a private studio. In 2019 he developed and ran a program on open improvisation which were delivered across North America. This project successfully provided young musicians with an opportunity to improvise in a context free of right and wrong, providing a sense of confidence and a deeper connection to making music for students, which speaks to his philosophy as a teacher.

Harry adapts lesson plans according to his students goals and learning style to help you develop a personal voice on the instrument. Through a combination of personalized exercises, structuredimprovisation, and composition, you will develop genuine ownership of these techniques and concepts and an ability to freely make use of them.

Johnny wright, Guitar + Production

Chicago and online

Johnny is a multi-instrumentalist, music producer, and production manager with over a decade of experience coaching students across all areas of music. When not touring or managing festival dates for some of the most recognizable names in live music, his core teaching focuses include: music theory, recording and production, songwriting, performance, and anything else a student may take interest in.

A proud alum of Columbia College Chicago, Johnny is a big proponent of following your passion and strives to provide an open environment for students to grow while exploring theirs!

Hristo Mintchev, guitar + Production

Chicago and online

Hristo’s musical journey started when he was 13 and now holds a Bachelor's degree in Performance from Columbia College. Hristo started teaching all over the Chicagoland area when was 17.  Hristo’s fluency in Jazz, Blues Theory and Songwriting has led him to perform nationally and teach music at a high level. Touring nationally helped him understand how music affects others and the role it plays in the general public. He’s produced multiple albums and singles with different types of artists in varying genres. Hristo has appeared on Converse Rubber Tracks and Audiotree with his bands as featured artists garnering a following. 

Ever since Hristo immigrated to the United States from Bulgaria, music has always helped him communicate and is passionate about creating that experience for others. Currently Hristo is producing and performing with varying Artists in the city of Chicago.

Sunghyun Jang, piano

Boston and Online

Sunghyun Jang, also known as Sung, is a pianist, composer, arranger, and producer in Boston. He graduated from Berklee College of Music with a CWP degree (Contemporary Writing and Production), and he has various experiences performing in South Korea, Ukraine, Spain, and Boston as a pianist. His specialty is in music theory, writing, production, engineering, and piano.

If you are looking for a place to start your music career or as a hobby, this is the perfect place for you to start!

With Sung, you will be learning piano, songwriting and production, or both, depending on what you want to experience. He wants to teach the students as much as he can and help them achieve what they truly want.He is flexible with his courses and interactive with students, so whether you want to express your music in piano keys, papers, or DAWs.

He is so excited to teach and support the students as they dive into the music and create something of their own.

Justin Daley, Voice and Acting

Chicago and Online

Justin Daley is a Chicago-based singer, actor and voice teacher. Justin is equally at home on the stage, or in the classroom. He is a former adjunct faculty member at New York University, where he taught voice to a diverse array of students, from pop to opera. He holds a master’s degree in classical Vocal Performance and an Advanced Certificate in Vocal Pedagogy from NYU Steinhardt, as well as a Bachelor of Music in Vocal Performance from Millikin University. There, his education ranged from directing theatre programs, performing in main stage operas, and singing with the famous Millikin University Choir. He has performed numerous roles with Portland Opera, Lakeland Opera, Victor Herbert Renaissance Project, Chicago Drama Group, The Hawaii Performing Arts Festival, and Chicago Summer Opera. Of note was his time with Portland Opera, where he taught group classes at dozens of schools across Oregon and Washington. 

He is also an established vocal clinician, giving masterclasses at Washington State University as well as for the student actors at Street of Dreams Theater in Mokena, IL. He aims for authenticity in everything he does, whether it be his teaching or performing.