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

    Landon Watts is currently pursuing a Bachelor of Music Education in Choral Music at Winthrop University. He is a member of the National Association for Music Education (NAfME) and is passionate about music, performance, and arts education.

    Landon is actively involved in choral and musical performances throughout the community, including appearances at local churches and community events. He is dedicated to inspiring creativity, building confidence, and fostering a lifelong love of music in the next generation of students.


  • 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.

  • Adam is a guitarist, performer, and guitar instructor with more than 25 years of experience. His musical journey began in church, where he developed a passion for connecting with others through music.

    Today, Adam performs at local venues throughout the Clover, South Carolina area while sharing his love of music with audiences of all ages. As a dedicated guitar teacher, he enjoys helping students build confidence, develop solid technique, and discover the joy of playing guitar. Adam is passionate about inspiring the next generation of musicians and creating a fun, encouraging learning environment for every student.

  • 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.

  • Danika Jakab teaches piano and voice to homeschool students during the day. She is also a proud alumna of the Choraliers and participated in Chamber Singers and All-State Choir. While attending Southeastern University, she was actively involved in chorus and the worship team.

    Danika holds a Bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education and currently serves in her church by leading worship for children’s ministry alongside her husband, who is the children’s ministry pastor. She loves teaching and working with children and enjoys incorporating music into learning whenever possible.

    With a deep passion for music, Danika is dedicated to helping her students grow in both skill and confidence while developing a lifelong appreciation for music.