Mr. Jay Broussard – Director
Voice/Piano/Guitar/Drums/Ukulele/Bass/Recording
About Mr. Jay:
Mr. Jay started The Octave in 2018 with his wife Angelle, and has been loving it ever since. With a special connection to young and special needs kids, he has been able to bring great lessons to any and everyone. Mr. Jay is a graduate of the University of Louisiana at Lafayette with a music media degree that has a concentration in voice.
As the youngest of eight kids, he’s grown up with an abundance of patience and a love for kids. He’s well known for his approachable teaching style and limitless patience in the classroom.
As a father of four (yes, four!) he loves long walks on the beach, spending time with his family, and playing in his original band Jay and the Cover Up as well as That 90s Show, a 90s tribute group.
Ms. Juliana Russell
AdaptiveMusicLessons/Piano/Guitar/ Voice/Theory/Composition
Juliana Russell is a multi-faceted musician who moved to New Orleans from the Bay Area, California in the summer of 2022. She earned her B.A. in Music Composition in 2014 from the College of Creative Studies at UC Santa Barbara, and is currently attending Loyola University pursuing a Masters in Music Therapy. She taught a wide range of music classes in California for seven years, mostly to children, and is thrilled to be teaching again. Juliana became a board-certified music therapist in October 2024 and is excited to begin her career in music therapy.
Her main instrument is piano; she is also skilled with guitar, voice, and percussion. She is passionate about music theory, composition, and arrangement. Other interests include journaling, meditating, listening to K-Pop, doing HIIT & strength training, playing JRPGs, and watching wholesome cartoons.
Mr. Michael Sze
Violin/Mandolin/Piano
About Mr. Michael:
Michael Sze is a musician based in the New Orleans area. He started playing piano at the age of 5, but found his main instrument in violin at age 9. Though versed in classical repertoire, Michael found his passion in Jazz, and holds a Bachelors of Fine Arts in Jazz Studies from Tulane University, which he graduated Summa Cum Laude and inducted into the Phi Beta Kappa Honors Society.
When he’s not teaching, Michael performs in the New Orleans area. He joins fellow Octave School instructor Dane Harter in a Jazz Fusion and Prog-Rock band Skeptic Moon, and acted the leader of the Tulane Black American Music Ensemble with notable performances at Jazz Fest 2022 and the Ascona Jazz Festival in Ascona, Switzerland.
Mr. Sam Colgate
Percussion/Piano
Sam Colgate is a drummer, composer, and educator based in New Orleans. Born in Chicago, Sam moved to New Orleans in 2012 to attend Loyola University, where he earned a Bachelor of Music degree with a focus on Jazz Studies in 2016. Since moving to New Orleans, Sam has had opportunities to study with some of the city’s best, including Johnny Vidacovich, Stanton Moore, Wayne Maureau, and Jim Atwood.
Sam began teaching privately in 2018, and around the same time he began to work with the Riverdale High School Jazz Ensemble, coaching the rhythm section. As an educator, Sam’s primary goal is to cultivate a love of music in all of his students, and help them utilize musical skills across all disciplines they might encounter in life.
Sam can regularly be found performing all over town, both as a sideman and with his own group, The Colgate Collective.
Ms. Ivory McCann
Piano/Woodwinds/Brass/Harp
Ivory McCann is a multi-instrumentalist who began playing music in elementary school. Along her music journey, she participated in concert and symphonic bands, jazz band, marching band, stage band and more where she played oboe, flute, and saxophone. While in grade school, she also played many seasons with the Youth and Community Orchestra in Slidell, Louisiana. In the spring of 2014 with a Bachelor of Arts in Music, Ivory became the first harpist to graduate from the University of New Orleans. Besides being a pioneer at university, she has also lead community organizations, hosted national conferences and competitions, taught at workshops, in music schools and privately within her own studio, and created her own music and dance fusion ensemble called Ivory and the Silk Road Travelers which has performed at festivals and haflas along the Gulf Coast. Ivory is Level 1 Orff Schulwerk certified, teaches many instruments, and students of all ages.
Ivory believes in the power of music, personal expression, and the importance of cultivating and sharing our passions with the world. Her goal is to help all her students develop well-rounded skills and understanding through music that can be applied to many facets of life. She is excited to teach with The Octave School!
Beyond the music, Ivory enjoys traveling, gardening, cooking, and spending quality time with her partner. Being a lifelong gamer, she can often be found gaming solo or with her newly gamer indoctrinated partner playing series like Assassins Creed, Fallout, Elder Scrolls, and various coop games.
Mr. John Renshaw
Guitar/Piano/Voice/Theory/Composition
John Renshaw is a composer and multi-instrumentalist from New Orleans, Louisiana. He began playing the guitar at the age of twelve, focusing on the craft of songwriting and performance.
After a decade of touring, playing gigs internationally he decided to return to school at learn his masters degree in music composition from the University of New Orleans, graduating in 2025.
Currently he is working on an album with hopes of touring the country in 2026. Teaching and spreading his love of music is a constant passion which he aspires to pass on to his students and community.
Mr. Will Carroll
Percussion/Beginner Piano
Will Carroll is a percussionist currently living in New Orleans. Originally from New England he obtained his Bachelor of Fine Arts in Jazz Studies at Westfield State University before moving to Chicago to earn a Master of Music in Jazz Studies from DePaul University. He has been performing and teaching professionally for eight years.
Will’s main instrument is the drumset, but he also plays piano and percussion, and enjoys composing and recording music. When not teaching he can be found around New Orleans playing with different Jazz, Funk, and Rock acts.
Will’s teaching style is focused around helping his students reach their personal creative goals, by giving them the musical and creative tools to express their sound.
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