Our Team

As a native of Hanover County and a graduate of Atlee High School, Lisa has a deep connection to this community. Her passion for music began at a very young age with choir and piano lessons. She spent 14 years following her dreams and teaching music, 13 of which she spent as the choral director at Chickahominy Middle School. Her mission behind creating Thrive Creative Arts is to mentor kids through music and help them discover their potential. Understanding that not everyone is motivated by the same type of music, her approach to music education is to give students the tools they need to learn and play the music they love, and carry that love for music with them for life. She truly believes that music is for everyone and music is for life. Lisa looks forward to continuing to share her passion for music and youth with the Hanover community and helping students of all ages thrive at Thrive Creative Arts!

Ben is a versatile multi-instrumentalist and educator with four years of private lesson teaching experience who believes music should be engaging, hands-on, and enjoyable. Ben strives to create a supportive learning environment where students feel confident and excited about music. Their teaching approach emphasizes active learning, encouragement, and building strong technical foundations while fostering a genuine love for music.

Ben is active in the local music scene, performing in two bands, and continues to grow as an educator through ongoing study with Debbie Lamb, an experienced private piano teacher.  Ben began studying classical piano at age six, training for 13 years under Dr. Gravis Sung, with additional experience in classical guitar and performing double bass with the Richmond Youth Symphony Orchestra during high school.

Outside of teaching and performing, Ben enjoys gardening, making music, and relaxing with their cat.

Christian, a Williamsburg native, began his musical journey in his late teens when he first picked up the guitar. He later attended Christopher Newport University, where he deepened his musical interests and experienced firsthand the powerful role music plays in building community.Since then, Christian has collaborated with local bands throughout Hampton Roads and the greater Richmond area. With eight years of lead guitar experience and five years of vocal performance, he is a regularly performing artist who also spends much of his time recording, composing, and publishing electronic music that showcases his ever-expanding skill set. He believes music offers a unique opportunity for both individual and communal growth-one that cannot be replaced. He is excited to be part of the Thrive team and looks forward to inspiring his students through a love of musical exploration.

Maddy is a third-year student at Virginia Commonwealth University, pursuing a Bachelor of Music in Choral Education with a minor in Theater Studies. With over 14 years of choral experience, her passion for music continues to grow. She currently serves as the president of ACDA at VCU, the university's student chapter of the American Choral Directors Association.

Maddy has a deep love for musical theater, having performed in numerous productions throughout high school. During her time at VCU, she also discovered a newfound passion for opera. In addition to her academic and musical pursuits, Maddy is an active member of her community and is thrilled to be part of the Thrive team!

Samantha is a fifth year teacher, environmental activist, performer and a watercolor artist with a passion for inspiring young artists to find their own particular brand of art. She grew up hula hooping on the streets of Virginia Beach and participating in the local art shows before going to VCU to study Education. She is excited to serve Thrive staff and families through teaching art classes and advancing the Thrive Arts curriculum. When not teaching she can be found training circus acts with her dog, Chicken Pot Pie, or reading a sci-fi novel next to the James River.

Shalini brings over 17 years of drumming experience and believes that music education should be accessible to everyone, regardless of skill level or background. She is passionate about creating a comfortable and supportive environment where students can learn something new every day while feeling safe and encouraged. Their teaching style emphasizes strong foundational technique, allowing students to confidently build and expand their skills. Shalini is actively involved in the VCU music scene and has performed in multiple bands. Additional, having participated in jazz band programs throughout her education, and continues to engage with a wide range of musical communities.

With over twelve years of experience in choral directing, Tiffany is a dedicated music educator who is passionate about helping young singers discover their voice and grow in confidence. She holds a Bachelors Degree in Music and a Masters in Teaching from Christopher Newport University, and has spent her career fostering a love of music in students of all ages. Growing up in the Richmond area, music has been a central part of her life since she was elementary-aged. As a lifelong singer, she has performed and provided leadership in a variety of school, church, and professional ensembles, experiences that have continued to shape her approach to teaching and mentorship. She is especially proud of building a successful choral program at her school, where she has guided many students in developing their vocal skills and musical understanding. Tiffany strives to create a welcoming, encouraging environment where every student feels supported, challenged, and inspired. She is excited to bring her experience, energy, and love of music to Thrive, helping students grow both as singers and as individuals.