Who We Are
Base Academy of Music exists so that every child would have access to the brain changing, joy inspiring, interpersonal connecting power of music. We have taught thousands of students over tens of thousands of hours and built a community that is not just about music but using the power of music as a pathway to reach their potential in life.
Our leadership, staff, and teacher's purpose is to build a community, make our students feel heard, and connect the discipline, learning, and habits of practice and performance to their future in getting through school, going to college and succeeding to bring the power of music to every part of their life.
Executive Director
Clint Velazquez is a dedicated performer, speaker, and teacher who is passionate about helping others surpass their own expectations. As the visionary founder of Base Academy of Music, he leads with inspiration and compassion, deeply committed to his staff and the community they serve.
Clint holds a degree in musical theatre from Kansas State University and spent a decade as a private music instructor before founding Base Academy of Music in 2012. He completed the Nonprofit Management Certificate program at UMKC in 2013 and has been recognized as a LEANLAB education fellow and a Network for Good and Gate’s Foundation Jumpstart fellow.
Program Director &
Piano Instructor
Grace Odell is a pianist, musicologist, educator, and writer originally from South Carolina. She holds master’s degrees in both piano performance and musicology from the University of Missouri Kansas City, following her bachelor’s degree in piano performance from Furman University.
Since joining BAM in 2018, Grace has been actively involved in Kansas City’s nonprofit arts scene, serving on the board of the Westport Center for the Arts and helping launch the Puerto Rico Center for Collaborative Piano. In 2020, she created Resonate, an online subscription platform that combines piano improvisation with meditation.
Board Member
Board Member
BAM teachers represent some of Kansas City’s finest musicians. They regularly perform at venues ranging from the Blue Room to the Kaufman Performing Arts, have been featured soloist at international symphonic and jazz festivals, and have toured with national artist like Blues Traveler and Stone Temple Pilots. Their diversity and dedication to BAM’s teaching method make our teachers perfect mentors to train and develop youth.
Drum Instructor
Daniel Cole is a Kansas City-based drummer with a strong background in both performance and teaching. He holds a bachelor’s degree in Music Technology and Performance from Missouri Western State University and has toured with ensembles such as major label artist XV and the internationally acclaimed performance art project Quixotic.
His wedding band has been recognized as Kansas City’s number one wedding band multiple times by The Knot. Currently, Daniel performs as part of the Kansas City band Run With It.
Piano & Viola Instructor
Bronwyn Milldyke Gifford began her musical journey at age 8 with piano lessons at the Kansas City School of Music and soon expanded to violin at age 10, later switching to viola in middle school. She excelled in high school, playing in the top orchestra group while continuing private piano studies.
Currently, Bronwyn is pursuing a degree in music therapy at the University of Missouri Kansas City Conservatory of Music and Dance. She has been actively involved in the UMKC orchestra and has sung with both the Conservatory Singers and University Singers.
Guitar Instructor
Dayve Huckett, a Kansas City native, developed his love for music early on, playing guitar at school dances and coffee houses in the 1960s. His career expanded in the 70s to include performances at clubs, hotel bars, and recording studios, and he later added ski resorts to his performance venues, including a notable 18-year run at TopNotch in Stowe, Vermont.
A dedicated teacher, Dayve has taught at institutions such as Calliope Music, Middlebury College, and Middlebury Community Music Center. He has collaborated with various artists, including percussionist Dave Whittle, flutist Laurel Ann Mauer, and cellist Bonnie Klimowski.
Woodwind and Piano
Billy Von Winston is a dynamic saxophonist and talented film scorer from Kansas City. With 13 years of experience in music, Billy's journey began in his hometown, leading him to study at Kansas City Kansas Community College, where he honed his skills and developed a distinct sound. At 26 years old, Billy has spent the past two years performing with the Bonner Springs Kicks Big Band, bringing soulful improvisation and energy to every performance.
Violin & Viola Instructor
Brandy Albrecht began teaching violin to elementary-aged students in 2003 with the Cameron Youth Chamber Orchestra in St. Louis, focusing on fundamentals like hand position, scales, and music literacy until 2008. She has since expanded her teaching to middle and high school students of varying skill levels.
After relocating to Kansas City, Brandy taught with the A-Flat Orchestra under the direction of Daryl Chamberlain from 2016 to 2019. She holds a BS in biotechnology and is currently an Associate Scientist in the biopharmaceutical industry. Brandy is a devoted mother of two and enjoys reading mystery books, listening to true crime podcasts, and caring for her two dogs.
Percussion, Piano, Vocal Instructor
Nina Cherry is a Kansas City-based musician and writer. A versatile percussionist and vocalist, Nina enjoys playing an array of genres, from jazz to soul and beyond. A contributor for Kansas City Magazine and The Pitch, Nina is passionate about amplifying KC’s vibrant arts scene from past to present day.
Nina holds a bachelor’s in Music Theory from the University of Missouri-Kansas City Conservatory and teaches voice, percussion and beginner piano with Base Academy of Music. In her spare time, she enjoys cooking, reading and spending time with her cats.
Voice Instructor
Savaun Williams-Bounds, born and raised in Cedar Rapids, began his musical journey singing and playing instruments in church. His passion for music led him to participate in show choir and chamber choir in middle school and high school.
He continued to develop his talent in college by taking classical voice lessons, performing at campus events, and directing the LBC Gospel Choir at Mizzou. Now residing in Kansas City, MO, Savaun has performed live and studio background vocals, contributed to a nationally aired TV commercial, and been featured as a solo artist. He is grateful for every experience that has shaped his journey.
Piano & Guitar Instructor
Taylor Corn is a multi-talented musician with a bachelor’s degree in Sustainability and Spanish from Drake University. In addition to teaching piano with BAM, he works for the Department of Energy and is an independent artist, engineer, and producer.
Currently, he is finishing his first album and planning a tour to coincide with its release. Taylor, who took guitar lessons at BAM as a child, has come full circle by now teaching young students. In his free time, he enjoys being active in nature, playing chess, and spending time with his two cats, Cheeto and Silvy.
Drum Instructor
Liam has been playing drums since the age of ten, studying privately and performing in school bands, jazz band, and orchestras before starting his own rock band in high school. He majored in Entrepreneurship and minored in Graphic Design at the University of Missouri-Kansas City, understanding the evolving music industry.
After graduating in 2010, he co-founded the band Not A Planet, embarking on tours across the East Coast and Texas, playing major festivals, and earning accolades like Best Rock EP and Best Rock Band. Today, Liam continues to play in Not A Planet, Kangaroo Knife Fight, and Jaenki.
Bass Guitar
Blake Hughes has played electric bass in a variety of bands in Kansas City, the United States and around the world since he learned to play "Louie Louie" in 1970. He has taught bass to a wide range of students' abilities and ages and is very happy to be a part of the BAM staff and organization.
Drums
Kelsey Cook from Kansas City, AKA - K.C. from KC, has been playing the drums since she was 10 years young. K.C. has her Percussion Performance Degree from Washburn University and her Summer Shot Program Certificate from Musician’s Institute in LA. K.C. played on the Kansas City Chiefs RUMBLE Drumline as a Snare Drummer and in several area bands before moving to Nashville, TN. After living in Nashville for almost 10 years - playing the Ryman Auditorium and The Grand Ole Opry, along with performing around the country and also playing in Canada, K.C. is back in KC continuing her music career.
Brass and Piano
Roman Gonzales also known as Roman G. is a trumpeter, composer, arranger, producer, and teacher. Born in Waukegan, Illinois and raised in Los Lunas, New Mexico. Music has always been an important and integral part to Roman's life. He began playing the trumpet at the age of 11 and took to it instantly, after some diligent practice, he began participating in district solo/ensemble competitions the following year. This would culminate at the end of high school where he would amass over 70 individual awards including a spot in the nationally acclaimed Honor Band of America. In an effort to take his education further, he would audition and be accepted into Berklee College of Music. While there he had the opportunity to study from masters such as Tanya Darby, Marshal Gilkes, Phil Grenadier, Leon Dorsey, Bill Banfield, Livingston Taylor, Marcus Rojas, and countless others. Roman would later form his large group, Roman G & The Odyssey (RGO). Beginning with a string of successful shows at the college, he wasted no time in making The Odyssey's presence felt, releasing their debut EP “Sketches” in 2019. Roman remains an active performer, composer, and educator in Kansas City and is currently working on his next project entitled "The Return".