Meet Our Instructors

MEET THE INSTRUCTORS

All DPV Instructors have been fingerprinted and background checked at both the state and federal level with TBI and the FBI.

Zero infringements are allowed to become a DPV instructor.

Lael Eccard

LAEL ECCARD

Owner & Lead Instructor
DRUMS, PERCUSSION, VOICE

Lael moved to Nashville, TN in 2015. Since moving here with his wife, Amanda, they’ve added to the family with son Kairie. Since the move he’s played with the legendary country icon Tanya Tucker, as well as Reverie Lane and R.J. Ronquillo. However, Lael has spent most of his time as the drummer and backing vocalist to the insanely talented Jake Clayton!

Lael’s passion for drums began because of his father. Larry Eccard played drumset with several high school and college groups, but is a great rudimentary snare player. He took these talents and played with the Texas Aggie Band as well as the Davis Demon Drum Core, whom were based out of Circleville, Ohio where Larry grew up with his high school sweetheart, and wife of over 50 years, Linda Benzenberg Eccard. Linda played flute through high school, but developed into a passionate and beautiful singer that continues to stay busy in several community choirs. Laurie Ellerman, Lael’s sister is also very musical. She very much followed her mothers footsteps by starting in flute an also developing into an incredible singer that also continues to stay busy with community choirs. The entire Eccard family is very musical, yet it was Laels Dad ,who’s love of and history with the instrument, planted the seed that continues to grow in Lael. Lael often sites a grade school assembly, where his dad played a snare etude called “The Downfall of Paris”, as being the turning point and moment where he knew music was his calling…and he’s never looked back!

Lael grew up in the seacoast of NH and started his training at about age 11 by joining both his grade school jazz band and orchestra. He soon began private lessons with an instructor whose roots were deep in jazz. It was also about this time he learned of his love for singing after joining the school choir. Drum, percussion and vocal groups filled his days from grade school into high school. It was during high school that he auditioned for both All State choir and jazz band 3 years in a row, was accepted each time and given an honors chair twice. He also attended a Jazz Camp at the University of New Hampshire during 3 summers. He continued his education at Eastern New Mexico University. All in all, during his primary, secondary and post-graduate schooling, Lael took part in multitude of groups including, but not limited to: Marching bands, orchestras, jazz big bands, jazz combos, percussion ensembles, choirs, jazz choirs, chamber choirs, rock bands, funk bands, jam bands, blues bands and several musical theater productions. . There was no doubt that music was his life’s calling.

While enrolled in the Music Performance Degree, at ENMU, Lael began playing regularly with a group who’s musical styles varied greatly, which is how he’s approached music ever since. After completing three years at ENMU, Lael decided to return to his then home town of North Hampton, New Hampshire to pursue his professional career. Over the next 13 years, starting in 1997, Lael would play around the country in a variety of different bands whose styles included country, blues, rock, jazz, folk, reggae and one of his favorite genres, jam bands.

However, after thousands of gigs, Lael was looking for the next step. He felt his playing and career had reached a plateau. It was in late 2010 that he made the decision to go back to school and further his knowledge of drums, percussion and singing at the Musicians Institute in Hollywood, CA. During this time he recorded full length album with Byzantium (a folk group) and Jimmy Jax Pinchak Band (a blues/rock guitarist and actor) and, after graduation, legendary Pete Anderson’s “Live at The Moose”, with whom toured the country and played 2 weekly residencies while living in LA. He also started his private lesson business in 2011 while in school. Lael graduated from MI with an accredited music degree in March of 2013.

Music City Lessons Tennessee

The Next Chapter: DVP Music Lessons

Lael, his wife Amanda, and son Kairie, now live in the Nashville area, where he continues to teach and play. During the summer of 2018 Lael had been working for about a year ‘rebooting’ his private instruction business. Countless hours at his instrument, in his studio, behind a computer, pushing pencil to staff papers and development of a tiered, goal oriented, song and performance based music program in 3 disciplines had finally been born. Drums, Percussion and Voice! The relaunch and rebrand became DPV Music Lessons. 25 plus years experience in the music business has given Lael his next calling: Passing along the knowledge he’s gained to all ages, but specifically KIDS!

“I love kids. I realized this only after having Kairie. It really changed me in more ways than I can keep track. I never thought I’d be a dad, and it’s by far the best stage I’ve ever stepped foot on!”

-Lael Eccard

On His Time with Pete Anderson

Lael played for Grammy award winning guitarist/producer Pete Anderson (Dwight Yoakum, Lucinda Williams, k.d. Lang & Roy Orbison, Tanya Tucker, The Meat Puppets and more) from 2013-2015 when they toured both nationally and internationally. “Pete was such a mentor to me”, Lael says. “It’s was an honor to play with such a country/blues legend! His music was inspiring and an absolute joy to play. Super roots’y blues/swing with the with a taste New Orleans here and there. Classic Americana stuff, but done only as he can!” In December of 2015 Pete released “Live at The Moose”, a live album Lael recorded with Pete a year prior which included keyboardist Luke Miller.

Lael was also Pete’s go to drummer for sessions at his studio. Most notable is his work with Heather Ballentine, who’s sexy country/swing and 50’s rockabilly songwriting is matched by her classic ‘pin-up girl’ look and an captivating stage presence.

Links to a few of the groups Lael’s worked with in last 10 years:
Porter Ellerman

PORTER ELLERMAN

Instructor

Percussion

Well-received and dynamic percussionist Porter Ellerman loves bringing energy and pin-point precision into any project he takes part in. Graduating from The University of Arizona with a degree in percussion performance in 2021, he specializes in solo and chamber performance and electronics using Ableton Live, with groups such as the University of Arizona Percussion Ensemble, Speak-Easy Ragtime Marimba Band, and CrossTalk Electronic Percussion Ensemble. His attention to detail, dynamic performances, and dedication to projects have allowed him to perform across Tucson and the Southern United States, in projects with Tucson and Yuma theater companies, playing special events, award-winning high school drumlines, Arizona Days of Percussion, to the Disney Concert Hall, Centennial Hall, and more. Working both in solo and chamber settings, Porter aims to bring new music to the forefront of stages, promoting and expanding the literature of contemporary percussion performance, through conveying personal messages and meaningful stories and soundscapes in music to the young and old.

Porter’s experience in the chamber, orchestral, and wind ensemble settings has broadened his view of what music is and can be, performing both standard and varied repertoire of the eras for both orchestra and percussion ensemble. Having attended multiple summer programs and camps such as Tocalo Tucson and Idyllwild Arts Summer Program, he has been able to work with artists like Derek Tywoniuk, Larry Livingston, Bob Becker, Anders Astrand, Matthew Burtner, Casey Cangelosi, and Bill Cahn among others.

While being a proponent and performer of new music, Porter is also an active music producer, creating both anthemic and immersive ambient tracks. His familiarity with MIDI instruments, controllers, and audio recording and production with Ableton Live have proven invaluable in live performance, and prerecorded pit performance along with his flexibility and knowledge in both traditional instrumentation and electronics. His experiences beyond producing his own music have included live performances with audio or playback, composing and arranging for the electronic percussion ensemble CrossTalk, as well as collaborating with other producers on tracks.

Beyond music, Porter is an avid plant-based cook, rock-climber, and bicycler. He spends quality time daily with his two cats, and if the moment arises, is always game to bake treats for his friends at a moment’s notice. His favorite to make is coffee-chocolate chip brownies with walnuts!

Megan Richardson

MEGAN RICHARDSON

Instructor

DRUMS, HAND PERCUSSION

Born into a family of drummers, Megan Richardson grew up playing in school bands and orchestras, and cut her rudimental drumming teeth on the Southern California drumline circuit. She attended Berklee College of Music as a Drum Set Principal, earning a Bachelor of Music in Songwriting with a Minor in Recording and Production.

Over the years, Megan has volunteered as a Sunday school teacher and worked as an accompanist for children’s choirs and summer music programs. Studying under world-class players and mentors has taught her the value of quality, attentive instruction that balances positive reinforcement with objective challenges.

Megan plays drums around Nashville in a variety of genres, from rock to country to singer-songwriter to R&B. In between live gigs, recording, and writing projects, she can be found learning traditional rhythms for African or Latin percussion.

David Vogel

David Vogel

Instructor

Drums, Piano, Guitar, Vocals

David is a multi-instrumentalist and vocalist with over 10+ years doing music professionally. He started performing in church at 14 years old, learned new songs every week and playing large events in front of 1,200+ people. He started a band with his brother and best friends in 2018 and played shows all over NYC and the tri-state area. He went on to study audio engineering and production in NYC.

He taught instrument lessons at a music school in New York and has a passion for helping people hone in on their craft and become the best musicians they can be.

David lives in Nashville and actively writes, records, and plays shows in town and around the country.

Luke Woodle

LUKE WOODLE

Instructor

DRUMS, PERCUSSION, KEYS

Luke Woodle’s passion for music started at an early age, fostered by a family of musicians and incredible mentors in Seattle, Washington. Luke is known for his musicality and love for music of all genres, having performed with a wide variety of musicians live and in the studio.

Graduating from the University of Southern California Thornton School of Music in Los Angeles, California with both an undergraduate (2019) and masters degree (2021), he has performed and taught across the U.S. and throughout the world including South Korea, the Netherlands, Italy, France, Japan, and Switzerland.

He has recorded and performed with countless musicians including Sullivan Fortner, Louis Cole, Felly, the New York Voices, Subat, the Shake City Band, Ethnos Worship, Eric Lige, the Bob Mintzer Big Band, Jon Hatamiya, the Kyle Athayde Dance Party, Stillwater Sound, Zakk Garner, Jack Roben, Pierre Charles, Robert Anderson, Jay Thomas, Thomas Marriot, Vince Mendoza, Ricky and Paul Peterson, and Luciana Souza. He has studied with some of the worlds greatest drummers and composers including Peter Erskine, Roy McCurdy, Ndugu Chancler, Will Kennedy, Aaron Serfaty, Vince Mendoza, Alan Pasqua, Russ Ferrante, and Bill Platt.

John Allen

JOHN ALLEN

Instructor

BASS, UPRIGHT, GUITAR

John Allen Is an upright and electric bassist who hails from Ohio. A graduate of Ohio State University with a BMA in Jazz Bass, John studied jazz and classical music on the Upright Bass and contemporary styles on the electric bass.

John has been performing professionally since the age of 16 and has played electric bass since the age of 10. As an instructor, John focuses on developing a supportive foundation and stable technique to ensure the students’ safe development on the instrument. He has taught students ages 8-60+ and is adept at adjusting his instruction to where ever the student may be in their musical development.

Nicolas Hosford

NICOLAS HOSFORD

Instructor

GUITAR, BASS, UKULELE

Nicolas Hosford is a guitarist from Grand Rapids, Michigan and currently residing in Nashville, TN. He received both a Master and Bachelor of Classical Guitar Performance from Eastern Michigan University and an Associates in Music with an emphasis in classical guitar and audio engineering from Grand Rapids Community College.

During his time at EMU, he was the second guitarist in the university’s history to receive the graduate performance award in music.

Upon finishing graduate school, Nick taught classical guitar, audio engineering, and music business at GRCC for five years before pursuing a career with his band, Outer Vibe, and relocating to Nashville, where he spent a year as a songwriter with Music Row recording studio and publisher Catch This Music.

Nick has 19 years of experience teaching guitar of all styles, skill levels, and ages. Nick also has experience working with students with playing injuries, other physical injuries, and cognitive challenges.

William O'Rourke

Instructor

Guitar, Trumpet, Ukulele, Bass, Drums, Keys

William grew up in the Pacific North West (PNW) and has accrued multiple instruments and skills over his career. First was the Trumpet when he joined the school band at age 10. At the age of 13 he fell in love with his first guitar and later joined the high school jazz band. By age 17, William formed a rock band with his friends called Crushingcrayons where William decided to take on the role of lead vocalist and rhythm guitar. William studied Audio Engineering at Lane Community College and applied the skills he learned to help produce/engineer his band's first record.

Crushingcrayons went on to record their self-titled LP with producer Tony Esperance, father of Tobin Esperance (Papa Roach). This record allowed the band to go on multiple tours along the west coast. William also stayed busy playing guitar, drums, and bass in numerous bands in the PNW. From 2018-2020 William recorded his solo LP where he sang, played all the instruments, and mixed the record himself. He planned on touring, in promotion of the record, but COVID brought it all to a halt.e!!

During this time of reflection William entered the education field and was quickly teaching to over 200 students ranging in all ages. In pursuit of continuing a career in live music performance as well as education, William decided to take a leap and move to Nashville in July 2023. He plans on continuing his education here as well as teaching all while diving deeper into the Nashville music scene!!

Hunter Strasser

Hunter Strasser

Instructor

Guitar, Bass, Keys, Ukulele, Mandolin

Hunter has always been extremely passionate about music, and specifically guitar. Growing up in a musical family led to Hunter starting guitar lessons at the age of seven and never turning back. In high school, Hunter attended the Fine Arts Center in Greenville, SC where he received instruction in Jazz guitar, music theory, and audio production, after which he went on to receive a degree in Jazz Guitar Performance from the University of North Texas(2019).

During his roughly eight years in the DFW area, Hunter was a top call guitar player for Jazz,R&B, Indie, and Christian artists, with whom he was able to participate in multiple Texas and Midwest tours. In addition to his performance career, Hunter was also on staff at a large church as the Music Director. Hunter and his wife moved to Nashville in early 2023 to continue his musical journey!

Michael Sharp

Michael sharp

Instructor

piano, guitar, voice, ukulele

Michael sharp is a multi instrumentalist who has performed, recorded, and taught for over 16 years. He plays and teaches piano, guitar, voice, and ukulele. He started at MTSU as a classical piano performance major, but switched to a commercial and jazz concentration after his second year. During this time he also performed in multiple bands including Baby Blues, winner of the second best blues band in middle Tennessee. He also played and recorded on the first project and album of Mike Anderson called Anderson East.

Throughout and following college Michael played with various other groups and taught. He was super fortunate to accrue experience performing as the keyboard player for the global touring American Idol hard rock tours and appeared on an episode of the television show Nashville. Today, he teaches and plays professionally around town in addition to doing local recording sessions.

Ben Pranger

BEN PRANGER

Instructor

GUITAR, BASS, UKULELE, MANDOLIN, KEYS

An ex-athlete (Southeast Missouri State University Basketball) with a writing degree from the prestigious Johns Hopkins University, Ben picked up the guitar in middle school and never put it down. He took an active interest in songwriting from an early age, with many band and solo projects branching into many more musical occupations, from songwriter and singer on independent labels to producer, videographer, touring guitarist and Nashville session musician on guitar, keys and mandolin.

Along the way he’s worked with Nashville-centric artists including Lucinda Williams, Brandi Carlile, The Wood Brothers, Aaron Lee Tasjan and Mercy Bell while touring some incredible venues like The Kennedy Center, The Great American Music Hall in San Francisco and The Beacon Theater in New York City.

From the self-taught school until dobro lessons with the great Opry Dobroist/Flatt & Scruggs protégé Don Earl, Ben has given introductory lessons for fifteen years and focuses new students on picking apart their favorite songs and learning to play along, the BEST (and most fun) way to learn any new instrument!

Layla Frankel

LAYLA FRANKEL

Instructor // Voice, Guitar

Layla Frankel is a vocalist, recording artist, songwriter, and teacher with a background in a variety of styles including jazz, pop, soul, musical theater, indie rock, folk, and R&B. Raised in a musical family in Chicago, Layla began performing on stage when she was just four years old. She later grew up to front big bands and jazz combos before moving on to write and perform her own originals. Since the release of her debut EP, “Tame the Fox,” in 2017, Layla has been playing to enthusiastic crowds across the country, with tours throughout the Midwest, East coast, and Pacific Northwest. Her latest EP, “Postcard from the Moon” features 6 original tracks that showcase Layla’s timeless, soulful vocals, and skillful songwriting craft. Layla’s R&B single, “You Can’t Love Me Like I Loved You,” was a finalist in both the 2020 John Lennon Songwriting Contest, and The Great American Song Contest, and “Josephine” was a semi-finalist in the Music City Song Star songwriting contest.

As a teacher, Layla’s primary focus is to help students discover new sounds and sensations in their voices and become excited about using their instruments in a healthy way. Layla is passionate about helping students develop a deeper understanding of singing, knowledge of music, and awareness of their own authentic voice and self.

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