Music for Everyone
In-home Lessons
We come to you! This keeps you from having to drive to yet another location.
Balanced Curriculum
Student Community
Our Story
At Ampersand we believe in music. We believe that music has the power to change a person’s life. We believe that Music can inspire great ideas, heal the mind, and even feed the soul. Music is everywhere, in every culture, part of every creed, and community. Music my not be the universal language, but it is a universal human need.
The word ampersand comes from the Latin phrase “and per se,” meaning “and by itself.” At Ampersand Music we use the word “ampersand” as our company’s name as if to say “Music in and of itself.” We believe that by bringing music to people of all ages we can actually change lives through enriching their minds.
OUR TEAM MEMBERS
Ethan Shirey
Director of Operations
Ethan began the pursuit of music at a young age of 9, playing guitar in a Bluegrass Gospel band from ages 9 to 15 at festivals and concerts across Texas and Arkansas. The band had many accomplishments including Recording a full length studio album, appearing live multiple times on a Dallas based radio station, and sharing the stage with Grammy nominated acts like The Isaacs Family. In 2008 Ethan started an Alternative Rock band encompassing all original music. In 2009 the band was able to appear as the opening act for the Grammy nominated rock band After Edmund. In 2011 the band signed a management contract with a Dallas based booking agency. That same year the band released a studio single on iTunes, Amazon, and Spotify. August of 2014, Ethan graduating from the University of North Texas, with a bachelors degree in Finance.
June of 2013 Ethan co-founded Ampersand Music School along with his brother Benjamin. Together they operate Ampersand as business partners bringing music lessons to students throughout the Denton County area. Ethan’s passion is to inspire students with a love for music and to give his students the tools they need to create music on their own
Benjamin Shirey
Director of Curriculum
Benjamin Shirey began performing music at the early age of 9 playing double bass. He later went on to study voice, guitar, piano, drums and music composition. First and foremost Benjamin considers himself a composer. He received a bachelor’s degree in Music Composition in 2010 from University of North Texas and later received his Masters in Music Composition from the same university. His mentors include composers Jon Nelson, David Stout, Cindy McTee, Andrew May, and Panayiotis Kokoras. His compositional work explores acoustical phenomenology, art teleology, and the epistemology of music itself, expressed through a variety of forms such as installation art, experimental opera, textural counterpoint, intermedia performance and music for film.
In June of 2013 Benjamin co-founded Ampersand Music School along with his brother Ethan. Benjamin is very passionate about teaching the next generation musicians and composers. It is his hope to impart a love for music and a thirst for creativity in music.
Julia Boudreaux
Instructor
Julia Boudreaux is a pianist and organist currently working towards a master’s degree in Sacred Music and Organ Performance at Southern Methodist University. Julia grew up in south Louisiana and began studying piano at the age of nine.
For the last 12 years Julia has worked for many churches as organist/Director of Music, as well as regularly teaching private
music lessons. She has taught students of all ages and has taught many different styles, such as classical, jazz, show tunes, and popular music. She attended Louisiana State University where she received her
undergraduate degrees in Organ Performance and Academic Studies of
Music, while also studying piano, voice, and French. In addition to studying at SMU, Julia is currently the organist at Northridge Presbyterian Church.
Ava Bigalke
Instructor
Nathan Ash-Milby
Instructor
Nathan Ash-Milby is a pianist and trumpet player based in the DFW metroplex. Nathan graduated Cum Laude from the University of North Texas in May ’22 with a bachelor’s degree in Music Education – Band Focus, and a minor in Social Sciences. He has been playing piano for 17 years and trumpet for 13 years. Nathan has performed in many ensembles throughout his musical career, most notably the UNT Concert Band, Jazz Pedagogy Ensemble, and the Championship winning Blue Devils Drum and Bugle Corp from 2019-2021. He has taught students in many different styles including classical, jazz, and popular music. Nathan is also very passionate about Music Production, creating songs in all different styles. He is knowledgeable in programs such as Ableton, Logic, and ProTools. Nathan is dedicated to teaching music through fun and passion, making the most out of the music experience.
Rolen Glover
Intern
Rolen is a 16-year-old multi-instrumentalist originally from Northwest Arkansas. He mainly focuses in rock ‘n’ roll drumming but is also a strong guitarist and vocalist. He grew up with influences such as Elvis Presley, The Stooges, and Metallica, which soon turned what was once a simple hobby into a life passion.
He has since grown to range in the study of other genres such as rap, jazz, soft pop, and funk. His ever-expanding musical journey seem limitless and he is thrilled to embark on a new adventure as an intern with Ampersand Music School.