Music Academy

Afsheen Fatemi is an electric and upright bassist. He played in the high school jazz band and was drawn to alternative rock and grunge. After moving to Los Angeles with his band he gained experience writing and recording music for a wide array of artist and projects. Afsheen studied music theory, composition, and performance, at the Santa Monica College with Jazz Band Conductor, Keith Fiddmont. He currently plays in a number of bands based in the Pacific Northwest and continues to develop his studio practice.

Aidan Daly is a life-long lover of music, learning to play the drums at seven years old. He enjoys most genres of music but has a particular fondness for rock, funk, and hip-hop. Aidan was a member of the Roosevelt jazz band, as well as several rock bands with his friends. It is rare to find Aidan without music playing somewhere near him, and he considers music essential to his happiness. Aidan loves to engage in long discussions about music and art.

Claudia Lee Horna is a violinist and composer who graduated with a film scoring degree and a minor in American Roots music from Berklee College of Music. With over ten years experience playing classical violin, she is currently working to develop a range in different musical styles from around the world including Celtic, Old Time and traditional Eastern European. Born in Peru, Claudia began playing the violin at the age of 6 and learned in the classical style. Claudia is committed to encouraging both academic and creative growth in music students.

Peter Leyden is a Whitman College graduate, born and raised in Seattle. After teaching himself to play the Stairway to Heaven solo in 5th grade, guitar continued to provide him with a source of boundless creative inspiration and self discovery. Throughout high school and college, Peter played in numerous bands including (most recently) "Loose Collective" a reggae/ rhythm and blues staple of the Walla Walla winery scene. His personal guitar style is largely influenced by 70s & 80s legends as diverse as James Taylor, Jackson Browne, Slash, and Van Halen. He also admires new generation players such as Ben Howard and Garry Clark Jr.

Peyton Levin is the lower school music specialist here at Hamlin Robinson School and is an active musician in the Seattle area. He is a studio drummer for local bands and Electro-Kitty Recording Studio and performs in multiple Pacific Northwest-based groups. Peyton is also experienced with teaching a variety of instruments including drums, piano, guitar, ukulele, bass, voice, and more in schools and private lesson settings.

Jessica Thaxton is originally from Tampa, Florida, and is currently a student at the University of Washington studying voice and psychology. She has loved singing for as long as she can remember, harmonizing in the car with her sisters or singing in choirs. Jessica is trained in voice, violin, and piano. Her proudest accomplishment was playing the violin in concert at Carnegie Hall. Jessica is now in the University Chorale as an executive board member and loves to create music with like-minded musicians, with a fond spot for singing. She is incredibly excited and dedicated to helping students grow as musicians and people.