EDUCATION
Webop Faculty
Our faculty is dedicated to fostering a playful and engaging learning environment for your little ones. Through interactive music experiences, we aim to ignite a love for jazz, rhythm, and creativity in the hearts of the youngest member of our community.
Join us on this musical journey, where every note is a step towards a lifelong appreciation of the art form.
Faculty Bios
Ms. Goussy – instructor
Pianist, vocalist, composer, and dancer, Goussy Célestin has been a WeBop instructor since 2013. “What I love most about WeBop is not only the connection I get to make with families, but also the connection I witness within families, with music and movement as the focal point.” Goussy is also mother of 2, who occasionally allows their mom to be a part of their band. Currently, Goussy is an artist fellow with The Field and a recipient of The Field Leadership Fund Grant, in support of her current music and movement project Ayiti Brass. For more information on Goussy, visit www.goussycelestin.com.
Ms. Sofia – instructor
Originally from Córdoba, Argentina, Sofia Tosello has lived in New York for 20 years working as a vocalist, composer, and educator. JazzTimes notes, “The next wave in Latin-American jazz may well begin with Tosello.” Sofia has been involved in early childhood education for the past 15 years, working for Carnegie Hall, Musica Para Mi, Arts Connection, One World Arts, and Bash The Trash, among others. “I love teaching music to young kids,” she says. “I believe that music transforms them in such a positive way, it makes them find their own voices, their own personalities!” Sofia studied at The City College of New York and received her master of fine arts from the Queens College Aaron Copland School of Music. She has performed both as a leader and a collaborator in renowned venues and festivals throughout the United States, Asia, and Latin America.
Ms. Michelle – instructor
Michelle Walter-Palmieri is a Guatemalan-born singer-songwriter and early childhood music educator. She holds a M.A. in Music Education from Teachers College, Columbia University and a B.A. in Professional Music from Berklee College of Music. Over the past decade, Michelle has actively participated in the New York City early childhood music education scene, collaborating with prestigious institutions such as The Columbia Greenhouse, The Family Annex and the Head Start program.
In addition, she founded the early childhood music exploration program, Play Out Loud: “I believe in child-centered musical play that prioritizes imagination, creativity and collaboration. Self-expression should be nurtured while fostering cognitive and emotional development.”
As a performer, she has worked with world-renowned Latin artists such as Juan Luis Guerra and Issac Delgado, performed with the Istanbul Symphony Orchestra in Turkey and represented the United States Department of State as a cultural ambassador in Russia.
Michelle was awarded the 2020 ACP Grant and the 2021 QAF Grant from the Queen Council on the Arts for her commitment to building social consciousness through music education.
For more info about Michelle visit www.playoutloud.org.
Mr. Brad – accompanist
New York City-based pianist, organist, and keyboardist Brad Whiteley released his debut Pathless Land on Destiny Records to critical acclaim. He has performed and recorded with Regina Spektor, David Byrne, Kellylee Evans, David Liebman, Lionel Loueke, and Grace Kelly; appeared on The Colbert Report, The Late Show with David Letterman, The Tonight Show with Jay Leno, and PBS; and recently composed music for the PBS Learning Matters show School Sleuth. He has performed at the Royal Albert Hall, the Sydney Opera House, The Beacon Theater, Smalls Jazz Club, 55 Bar, Smoke Jazz Club, and The Jazz Gallery. Brad earned his master’s degree from the Indiana University School of Music, subsequently studying at the Mancini Institute in Los Angeles, The Banff Centre, and the Aspen Music Festival.
Mr. Adam – accompanist
Pianist, composer, and educator Adam Platt has been involved with WeBop since 2007. He began playing piano at age 4 and released his first jazz trio album at 14. Adam performs regularly throughout the New York metropolitan area with his trio AP3, as well as nationally and internationally with a range of stylistically diverse artists. Whether interpreting jazz, electronic, rock, or various world musics, Adam always keeps an open ear and brings his ever-evolving influences into his improvisations. Adam’s favorite aspect of WeBop is seeing how jazz can bring people of all ages and backgrounds together in “a joyous celebration of community and individual expression.”
Ms. Mika – accompanist
Pianist and composer Mika Nishimura was born and raised in Nagano, Japan. She began playing at age 3, later completing her studies at Tokyo University of the Arts High School for composition. She then received a scholarship to attend Berklee College of Music, earning her bachelor’s degree in performance. Mika was selected for the prestigious piano spot at the International Association for Jazz Education Sisters in Jazz in 2007. Soon after, she led her quartet in performing her original music at the Monterey Jazz Festival. Mika has also performed at the Kennedy Center, Carnegie Hall, Lincoln Center, NJPAC, The Apollo Theatre, Symphony Space, Harlem Stage, the United Nations, and at the US Open Tennis Championships in New York. She has been part of the WeBop faculty since 2008.
Mr. David – accompanist
In 2013, pianist and vocalist Dave Drake moved from the United Kingdom to New York after receiving a full scholarship to study at The New School for Jazz and Contemporary Music. He has always had a passion for creating varieties of moods and joys through improvising — a passion he brings to WeBop as an accompanist. Dave performs and tours with his own group Dave Drake & Common Ground, having performed alongside Theo Croker, Andrew Cyrille, Vic Juris, Seamus Blake, Dayna Stephens, Dave Glasser, Will Vinson, and Lionel Loueke, among others. In addition to performing, Dave works as a film composer, having scored commercials and short films. He released his solo piano debut Live at Sussex University in 2018.