A Word About Our Instructors
You will find the instructors at the Music Factory to be highly qualified, professional, and accredited. They are happy to instruct the recreational student, aspiring professional, as well as the student wishing to continue his or her musical education at a university level. Lessons and classes are tailored to the individual student’s personal musical goals. We have helped many students get accepted into college music programs throughout the country.
Lane Drum | Guitar | (540) 308-5123
Lane received a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from Virginia Commonwealth University, where he participated in a master class with Eliot Fisk. Mr. Drum later studied Jazz Performance at Berklee College of Music where he studied with Jon Damien. After Berklee, he lived and performed solo classical, jazz, rock and blues in New York City for six years. He also privately taught more than 100 students in NYC. While in New York he studied with Mike Stern, Peter Bernstein, Adam Rafferty and Joe Giglio. In the Fredericksburg area Mr. Drum teaches numerous students. His areas of instructional focus include classical, jazz, blues, rock, contemporary pop, country, bluegrass, and contemporary Christian. He is the guitar instructor for Fredericksburg Area Young Musicians, a local home-school music program. Mr. Drum also taught at forte music and Pickers Supply for over ten years. His teaching emphasizes music theory, improvisation, ear training, and sight reading. He also focuses on simple songs and the ability for a student to learn a song by ear. Mr. Drum directs multiple ensembles including rock, jazz, classical. These ensembles perform regularly. Mr. Drum has a Passion for music that is evident in his teaching. His own excitement and enthusiasm for music and instruction are demonstrated for his love for teaching. Many of his former students have gone on to study music in local Universities as well as Berklee College of Music. One of his extremely talented former students had the privilege to audition for Prince. Mr. Drum performs regionally in all musical styles.
Wesley Hockaday | Piano and Vocal | (540) 834-7009
Wesley Hockaday is the piano and vocal instructor at The Music Factory. Wesley performs regularly with several local opera companies, both as vocalists and conductor. He graduated with Highest Distinction from the University of Mary Washington, earning a Bachelor’s of Liberal Arts of Music. He is an assistant conductor of the UMW Fredericksburg Singers, the Assistant Music Director of Emmanuel Church on the Hill (Episcopal) in Alexandria, Virginia, and piano substitute with the Rappahannock Pops Orchestra. His passion for teaching has resulted in inspiring several students to pursue music studies in higher education. He describes his mission in these words: “To inspire in others a love for the art of creating music, to build musical foundation in young musicians, and to encourage students to take responsibility in their musical practice, studies and ensemble participation.”
Christopher Huppuch | Piano, Drum, Guitar, Contrabass, Violin, Viola, Cello, Trumpet, Trombone, Flute, Clarinet, Saxophone
Multi-instrumentalist,teacher and composer Mr. Huppuch began his study of music and performance at the age of six. His first instrument was the piano and was taught by Mrs. Mage Ring; Director of Piano Studies at the Conservatory of Shenandoah, Winchester Virginia. He continued to study and perform at the piano while endeavoring into the field of percussion and drum set at the age of 13. Christopher played in several school music organizations, such as marching, jazz and concert bands. Soon after graduating high school, Mr. Huppuch studied Percussion Performance at the University of Georgia Southwestern. During his time at GSW, Mr. Huppuch began to compose and perform percussion music for local music organizations in the area, notably, the community orchestra and choir, musical theatre and the local high school band drum line. Mr. Huppuch included the study of guitar and Contrabass to his arsenal of instruments. After college, Mr. Huppuch moved to Washington, D.C. and began to perform with a local rock and jazz fusion band at various locations in the DC area with notable musicians such as Wynton Marsalis and Dizzy Gillespie. Not resting on his current position, Mr. Huppuch picked up his sticks and enlisted in the Marine Corps Band. A two year stint was short-lived and transferred to aviation inspection when the Gulf War broke out. Soon, Mr Huppuch ended his tour in the Marine Corps and went back to college and earned a degree in instrumental music education. At Jacksonville State University, Mr. Huppuch added violin, viola, cello, trumpet, trombone, flute, clarinet and saxophone to include in his Bachelor of Arts and license. Teaching in various public and private school systems, Mr. Huppuch also began to compose more and had the privilege to perform with Charlie Daniels. Mr. Huppuch has published several pieces of percussion music for education as well as full arrangements for other artists and film projects. Mr Huppuch’s future intentions are to continue to spread music by inspiring students and to compose for other unnamed projects.
Chase Gilbert | Drums
Chase Gilbert has been teaching drum-set at the Music Factory since 2021. Chase studied for 10 years from some of our areas best performers. At 17 years old, Chase started teaching at Picker’s Supply where he taught for 6 years. On top of teaching privately, he also taught at Greenbrier Music for 2 years. Chase has performed with a wide array of musicians and regularly performs with rock band Goodtime Alibi and country group the Wellbillies. Chase specializes in drum-set, snare work, and hand percussion. He can teach students how to play any genre of music, teaches all ages and has worked with students with disabilities. Chase has a simple and concise approach to his teaching method, which includes basics, how to read drum-set notation and how to apply it. He loves to let his students play to music and shows them what it takes to be a performing musician. Chase also recorded drums on an album with his band Goodtime Alibi, called “Palm of Your Hand”
Hannah Gould | Violin, Viola, Cello
Hannah has been making music in the Fredericksburg area since 2009. Hannah played in the orchestras at Freedom Middle School and Riverbend High School as a student, and after completing her undergraduate degree in Music Education at James Madison University, returned to the area to student teach at Massaponax High School. Hannah has also taught at Walker-Grant Middle School, James Monroe High School, and now at Courtland High School. Hannah offers lessons through the Music Factory VA in Fredericksburg. Hannah also performed as a student with The Rappahannock Youth Symphony, and now performs with The Virginia Cello Ensembles and The Fredericksburg Symphony Orchestra.