About Us
Providing Music for Everyone.
At Wind Gap Music, we're all about community and connection through music.
We offer lessons tailored to each student's goals and learning style, with flexible scheduling and a friendly, welcoming vibe. Our mission is to make quality music education accessible, enjoyable, and part of what makes our town special.
Our Story
Wind Gap Music was founded by Sean and Holly Alessi, originally from Buffalo, New York, and now proud to call the Shepherdstown area home. Music has been a part of Holly's life for as long as she can remember - from playing organ alongside her grandmother to making music with her father on bass, piano, and vocals. She picked up the clarinet in grade school and continued playing all the way through college.
Holly began teaching private lessons at just 16 years old at Matt's Music in North Tonawanda, where she fell in love with the energy and connection of a true mom-and-pop music shop. After moving to West Virginia, she continued teaching at Ellsworth Music, all the while dreaming of one day opening a space of her own.
While both Holly and Sean work full-time in the corporate world, their shared dream has always been to build a place where anyone who wants to learn music can feel welcome with no judgement. They believe deeply in the importance of having a local music shop as part of a thriving community — one that honors the heart of a mom-and-pop store while evolving to meet today's needs.
Wind Gap Music opened its doors on June 1st, 2025, starting small with private lessons and big hopes for the future — to grow into a place that supports all music education and instrument needs in the community.
Our Teachers
Angela (Angie) Steele
Violin, Viola
With a Bachelor of Music from Lebanon Valley College, she’s been teaching violin and viola since 2005 in northern Virginia.
Angie is the viola section leader for the Charles Washington Symphony Orchestra and has also played with the Shepherd Community Orchestra and Main Street Chamber Orchestra. She’s a passionate freelancer too, bringing her classical violin, viola, and fiddle skills to various groups and events around the region.
Alistair (Ali) Morgan
Cello
Ali brings over 25 years of experience playing cello and more than a decade of teaching students of all ages. Whether you're brand new to the instrument or ready to refine your technique, Ali’s adaptive and encouraging teaching style meets you where you are.
Ali can guide beginner students in exploring the range of sound and textures this instrument has to offer - and - lead intermediate students toward more advanced goals like perfecting form, translating and performing their favorite songs, and even composing and recording their own
Andy Tucker
Percussion, Tuba, Brass, Woodwinds
Andy joined Wind Gap Music in our still newly opened months here in 2025, and teaches tuba, percussion, and brass and woodwind instruments.
He served 20 years in Air Force regional bands, using music to “honor, inspire, and connect” people across the nation and in several foreign countries; his personal “Stars and Stripes Forever” play count stands well over 1,000!
He holds music education and music performance degrees from Roberts Wesleyan University and Indiana University. Andy enjoys performing with his church and local community orchestras and bands, and occasionally getting called up for pro (ie. “paid”) gigs. In his non-music hours, he is a part-time church custodian and music librarian, avid reader, and enthusiastic succulent, vegetable, and flower gardener.
Bridget Ellsworth
Guitar, Bass, Piano, Percussion, Ukulele, Voice, Recorder, General Music
Bridget is a versatile and dedicated musician who brings both skill and heart to her teaching. She leads our Music for Munchkins classes and has a special gift for young musicians specifically. Bridget is passionate about creating an inclusive and supportive learning environment, and she is experienced in working with students of all abilities, including those with autism and other diverse learning needs. Her patience, creativity, and genuine love of music make her an invaluable part of the Wind Gap Music team
Chris Pearlberg
Bass, General Music, Guitar, Horn, Music Theory, Piano, Trombone, Trumpet, Tuba, Ukulele
Dr. Christopher Pearlberg is an active performer and educator based in Washington, DC. He is the inaugural Director of Athletic Bands and serves as the conductor of the Wind Ensemble at the Catholic University of America. Chris has performed with ensembles such as the Pittsburgh Symphony, the Rhode Island Philharmonic, the Fort Wayne Philharmonic, and the Evansville Philharmonic.
Chris completed a Doctor of Music degree in Music Literature and Performance with a Music Theory minor from the Indiana University Jacobs School of Music, where he served as the Associate Instructor of Tuba and tuba studio assistant. Chris holds a Master of Music degree from Carnegie Mellon University, and a Bachelor of Music degree from Temple University.
Chris has extensive teaching experience working with students from beginning to advanced levels in multiple instruments and musical genres. He looks forward to working with you to meet your musical goals.
Emma Price
Flute, Intro To Percussion, Music Theory, Recorder, Trombone, Trumpet
Emma Price is a 3rd year student at Shepherd University working towards her bachelor's in Music Education with an emphasis on flute.
At Shepherd University, she has been involved with the Ram Band, Wind Symphony, Wind Ensemble, Community Orchestra, Flute Ensemble, and Recorder Ensemble. In high school, Emma was the WVMEA All-State Band Principal flutist from 2020-2022, and she was selected to perform with the NAfME All-National Honor Band. Emma also has experience playing jazz trombone, as well she is able to teach beginner trumpet, percussion, and recorder. She has been a tutor for music theory and aural skills I and II at Shepherd, and is excited to teach any student the basics of both. Today Emma is heavily involved in Shepherd University's NAfME and serves as the social media chair. Her goals after college are to become an elementary general music teacher, obtain her master's in either music education, music therapy, or composition during a summer program, and potentially have her own flute studio. Outside of music, Emma loves to play Animal Crossing, watch cartoons, and sew. Emma is beyond excited to work with new students at Wind Gap Music and share her love for music!
Jeff Kauffman
Guitar
Jeff is a true legend around Wind Gap Music. With decades of teaching experience and a deep passion for guitar, he helps students of all levels grow and find their own musical voice. When he’s not teaching, Jeff plays with the Gypsy Ramblers, bringing his artistry and energy to gigs around the region. Known for his skill, enthusiasm, and dedication, he’s a beloved and invaluable part of our team.
Janet Hinzman Robins
Organ, Piano, Trumpet, Voice
Janet brings over five decades of musical knowledge, passion, and heart to her work as a piano, organ, and voice teacher. Her musical journey started early—playing for church services at just 12 years old—and she’s never stopped since. Her resume is as impressive as it is inspiring: she holds a degree in Church Music from Baptist Bible College with a major in Organ Performance and minors in Piano and Voice. She studied with distinguished musicians like John Greenbank, Bruce Melton, and Wayne Wold, dean of the American Guild of Organists. Janet has served as a church choir director for over 25 years, held district-level music leadership roles, and is a certified handbell director with more than 40 years of experience. She’s also an arranger, composer, and Senior Olympics gold medalist in piano, with a top talent trophy to match.
Pat Lowry
Alto Saxophone, Bari Saxophone, Clarinet, Flute, Guitar, Jazz Guitar, Jazz Theory, Piano, Saxaboom, Soprano Saxophone, Tenor Saxophone, Ukulele
Patrick Lowry is a true Wind Gap Music legend that we are lucky to have part of the crew. With decades of experience in the music industry — from managing Veneman Music and Dale Music Co to Ellsworth Music Supply and Repair — Patrick brings unparalleled expertise and passion to his teaching. A graduate of the University of Miami with a degree in Music/Business, he has a wealth of knowledge in both performance and the music business. Pat is a character like no other and locally has either taught or repaired your instrument.
Jordan Siwek
Jazz Theory, Music Theory, Piano, Voice
Jordan Siwek is a New York City-born pianist, singer, and songwriter whose music weaves together soulful melodies, jazz rhythms, and bluesy undertones. His passion for music began early when he played Gavroche in the 10th Anniversary Broadway Cast of Les Miserables. That experience sparked a love for storytelling through music, which has shaped his unique sound ever since.
Jordan’s critically acclaimed debut album, Sun Inside You, won a Global Music Award and earned him the 2018 L.A. Music Critic Award for Best Pop Artist. Known for his heartfelt lyrics and soulful piano-driven tunes, Jordan aims to uplift and inspire through his songs, creating a musical world that reflects the light within.
Jordan has also made waves on TikTok as @pianojordan, where his piano karaoke videos have attracted over 700k followers, inviting thousands of people worldwide to sing along. He’s collaborated virtually with top artists like Halle Bailey, Andy Grammer, Tove Lo, Jordin Sparks, and Javier Colon, and performed live with Joss Stone and Constantine Maroulis.
Logan Sandefur
Song Writing, Music Theory, Voice
Logan Sandefur in a vocalist, songwriter, arranger, and educator born and raised in Winchester, VA. Logan graduated from the Frost School of Music at the University of Miami this past spring where he studied songwriting, music business, and music production. While in school, Logan's love of vocal music blossomed in his role as arranger and Music Director for Miami's premier a cappella group BisCaydence. In 2024, he received the ICCA South Semifinal award for Outstanding Arrangement as well as a nomination for the Contemporary A Capella Recording Award (CARA) for Best Mixed Arrangement. Five of his works have been released by BisCaydence over the course of two EPs, and his time with the group ultimately culminated in their second-ever trip to ICCA Finals in New York City.
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In addition to his passion for voice, Logan is also an avid songwriter and lifelong self-described "music-nerd". Growing up in a music-forward household, he fell in love with the creative process from an early age, and began songwriting at the age of 15. His love of music matured as he began studying songwriting under Craig Carothers in college. In an effort to create a collection of his first few years of songwriting, Logan released his debut album "Projections" in April of 2024. On the record, he served as the Executive Producer, songwriter, lead vocalist, and acoustic guitarist. He is always working on new music, and is looking forward to his next release coming in 2026!
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Outside of music, Logan is an avid lover of baseball, reading, cooking, and building lego sets.
Holly Alessi
Woodwinds, Piano, Music Theory
With a Clarinet Performance Degree from Buffalo State and a strong foundation from Niagara Wheatfield High School, music has always been part of life for me. Locally I am the Principal Clarinetist, Secretary and Marketing Directory for the Charles Washington Symphony Orchestra, and a Board Member and player for the Eastern Panhandle Community Band. It's pretty neat, I am also the owner along with my husband of Wind Gap Music which is a life long dream that has amazingly come to fruition. When I'm not immersed in music or my role as a Senior Account Manager in Business Insurance, I enjoy time with my beloved pets and playing video games.
