Katchen is the Program Director for the Bahama Village Music Program. Starting out as a piano teacher, Katchen has been with Bahama Village Music Program since 2002. Katchen began her piano career at the age of 8 with piano teacher Lillian Van Hest, later studying with Robin Kaplan, founder of BVMP. Robin recruited Katchen to teach piano at the Bahama Village Music Program and Katchen found her true calling in life, bringing the love and joy of music to future generations. Katchen’s devotion and dedication to the Bahama Village Music Program did not go unnoticed, and she was promoted to Program Director in early 2004. Since then, Katchen studied with renowed pianist Franko Richmond, and increased BVMP’s enrollment to over 150 students!

Melson Maxime learned to play the steel pan at BVMP-- starting in the second grade. He now gives back to the community through teaching. He is actively involved in his parent's church "The First Hatian Baptist Church" and is proud of his island heritage. In his spare time, Melson enjoys playing basketball and practicing the steel pan.

Evan Lawrence is a graduate of Key West High School and has been teaching at Bahama Village Music Program since his junior year. Evan was one of the first students to learn to play steel pan at BVMP in the House of Pan Steel Pan Band over 8 years ago. Evan began playing guitar in middle school. He really enjoys teaching music and hopes to pursue a career in music.

Katey is a 2010 graduate of Key West High School and a long time employee of BVMP. Katey began at the Bahama Village Music Program as a student at the age of 7 and made the transition into student teacher when she entered high school. Katey specializes in piano instruction with an artistic flair. Katey plans to pursue her Associates Degree at Florida Keys Community College while continuing to teach music at BVMP.

Lauren is a sophomore at Key West High School and has had music in her life for almost six years. Lauren’s interest in music increases the more she plays her trumpet and piano. Lauren was a Bahama Village Music Program student before deciding to teach others her musical experience. Lauren plans to go to college up north.

Rusty has lived in Key West for 16 years and is a junior at Key West High School. Rusty studied pop and rock piano with Franko Rickmond for 7 years and is currently studying classical piano with Yehuda Guttman. Rusty is a saxophonist with the Marching Conchs and a basoonist in the Key West High School Wind Ensemble. Rusty is planning on majoring in piano performance at UCF or FSU.

Chanice is a sophomore at Key West High School and is a former Bahama Village Music Program clarinet student. This will be Chanice’s first year teaching her own students, after “teacher training” with her clarinet teacher Lauren last year. Chanice is in the Key West High School Wind Ensemble and plays bass clarinet in the Key West High School Marching Band.

Olivia is a junior at Key West High School. Olivia has played flute for 4 years and piano for the last 9 years. Olivia was a former Bahama Village Music Program student before being asked to teach. Olivia is very interested in art, but is unsure if she’d like to pursue it. Olivia is an enthusiastic teacher and excited to be giving the gift of music to her young students.