Meet the Team

Our professional staff are here for you and your musical journey. We all have a passion for music and are honored to be able to share our craft with all of our LWMA community.

  • Founder/pianist/producer/sound designer

    Born and raised in South Florida, Nate is the director and creator of Lake Wylie Music Academy. He earned his Bachelor of Music degree from Florida Atlantic University for commercial music. He also is a registered certified music teacher in SC that currently teaches in the Clover School District. He has over two decades of teaching experience and has a passion for being a creative in music production.


  • Voice/piano

    Savanna is acurrent student at Winthrop University working towards her Bachelor of Music Education in Choral Music. She is al the Director of Music at Bowling Green Presbyterian Church, vice president of American Choral Director’s Association at Winthrop, and a South Carolina Teaching Fellow. She has a passion for instilling others with the joy of creating music.


  • Piano/Drums

    For over 15 years, Dan Barnaba has taught piano, guitar, drums/percussion, and saxophone to students in Lake Wylie, Charlotte, and surrounding areas. He prioritizes providing his students with a thorough foundation of music fundamentals, including note-reading, theory, and proper rhythm, all taught in a comfortable, non-judgemental, and fun environment. Mr. Barnaba has years of rich experience in orchestral composition and arrangement, as well as interests in home recording and music video production.

  • Jacob Adam Davis is a passionate worship leader, musician, and educator whose heart beats to raise up the next generation of “musicianaries.” With over 19 years of experience leading worship and writing songs across various denominations—and 10 of those years professionally—Jacob brings both depth and energy to everything he does. He has taught music for 8 years across all age levels, from elementary students to college musicians, and is known for inspiring students through faith, creativity, and excellence.

    A highly skilled multi-instrumentalist, Jacob is proficient in guitar, bass, baritone guitar, piano, mandolin, and voice, with formal collegiate training in a wide range of styles and genres. Over the past six years, he has toured nationally and internationally, performing and leading worship at conferences, ministries, churches, and venues throughout the Midwest, Europe, and the Southeast.

    Jacob holds a Master's in Modern Music Leadership and a Bachelor's in Modern Music Songwriting & Ministry from Visible Music College. He currently serves as a remote adjunct professor in Visible’s Modern Music and Creative Leadership programs. When he’s not teaching or touring, Jacob enjoys life with his wife Ivy and their cats, and loves deep conversations about history, philosophy, and the Bible.

  • Ava is a dedicated educator-in-training currently pursuing her degree in Elementary Education at Winthrop University. With four years of experience as a proud member of the award-winning Clover High School Choraliers, Ava developed a deep love for music and performance. Her passion now lies in blending music with learning—using it as a powerful tool to spark creativity, boost confidence, and make learning joyful for children. Ava brings warmth, energy, and a nurturing spirit to every lesson, helping young students discover their unique voices while building valuable social and emotional skills through music.

  • Description text goes here