WMT STAFF
Dr. Emmett Wilson - Executive Director
Emmett Eton Wilson began music lessons at the age of six and studied for ten years at Ms. Louise Agard's music school in Georgetown, Guyana. After completing Queen's College High School, Eton left Guyana for Howard University where he graduated with a Bachelor of Science (B.S.) degree and a Doctor of Dental Surgery degree. He then completed post-graduate studies in General, Hospital Dentistry and Anesthesiology at Martin Luther King Hospital in Los Angeles, California. Dr. Wilson thereafter moved in Connecticut where he opened a dental practice. He continued his love for music by completing one year of organ studies at the University of Hartford and developing Wilson Music & Tutoring LLC in Hartford, Connecticut.
Emmett Eton Wilson began music lessons at the age of six and studied for ten years at Ms. Louise Agard's music school in Georgetown, Guyana. After completing Queen's College High School, Eton left Guyana for Howard University where he graduated with a Bachelor of Science (B.S.) degree and a Doctor of Dental Surgery degree. He then completed post-graduate studies in General, Hospital Dentistry and Anesthesiology at Martin Luther King Hospital in Los Angeles, California. Dr. Wilson thereafter moved in Connecticut where he opened a dental practice. He continued his love for music by completing one year of organ studies at the University of Hartford and developing Wilson Music & Tutoring LLC in Hartford, Connecticut.
Saleena Holder - Director (piano & steel pan)
Saleena is currently the Director of Wilson Music and Tutoring LLC as well as a piano and steel pan teacher at WMT. She graduated with her Bachelor of Science degree from Central Connecticut State University and is currently working on her Master’s. In addition to working at WMT, she is a general music teacher in New Haven where she teaches music (recorder, singing, guitar, keyboard, drums, music technology) to grades 4-8. She is also the Music Director at Bloomfield United Methodist Church and teaches piano in Hamden. In her spare time (which is not much!) she is a member of the St. Luke’s Panatics steel band and the Yale University Pan Jam and Lime Steel Band. She loves music, loves teaching music and is truly dedicated to fulfilling the vision that Dr. Wilson has started with the Wilson Music and Tutoring program.
Saleena is currently the Director of Wilson Music and Tutoring LLC as well as a piano and steel pan teacher at WMT. She graduated with her Bachelor of Science degree from Central Connecticut State University and is currently working on her Master’s. In addition to working at WMT, she is a general music teacher in New Haven where she teaches music (recorder, singing, guitar, keyboard, drums, music technology) to grades 4-8. She is also the Music Director at Bloomfield United Methodist Church and teaches piano in Hamden. In her spare time (which is not much!) she is a member of the St. Luke’s Panatics steel band and the Yale University Pan Jam and Lime Steel Band. She loves music, loves teaching music and is truly dedicated to fulfilling the vision that Dr. Wilson has started with the Wilson Music and Tutoring program.
Eustace Straker - Assistant Director (piano)
Eustace Benjamin Straker, a native of Barbados, West Indies began his studies of piano and organ at an early age under the tutelage of his father, a teacher and church organist/choirmaster. In New York City, he studied with Eugene Hancock, Associate Organist/Choirmaster at the Cathedral of St. John the Divine and at Hartt School of Music, University of Hartford, with John Holtz, Organist/Choirmaster of Center Church, Hartford. In February 1969, he accepted the position of Organist/Adult Choirmaster at First Congregational Church in Bloomfield where he is currently the Minister of Music. He also serves as the Organist/Choir Director at St Martin's Episcopal Church in Hartford. For several years, he was the organist at all the Hartford high school graduations. He is a recipient of the Collin Bennett-Marcus Garvey Community Award. Mr. Straker is a member of the Hartford Chapter of the American Guild of Organists.
Eustace Benjamin Straker, a native of Barbados, West Indies began his studies of piano and organ at an early age under the tutelage of his father, a teacher and church organist/choirmaster. In New York City, he studied with Eugene Hancock, Associate Organist/Choirmaster at the Cathedral of St. John the Divine and at Hartt School of Music, University of Hartford, with John Holtz, Organist/Choirmaster of Center Church, Hartford. In February 1969, he accepted the position of Organist/Adult Choirmaster at First Congregational Church in Bloomfield where he is currently the Minister of Music. He also serves as the Organist/Choir Director at St Martin's Episcopal Church in Hartford. For several years, he was the organist at all the Hartford high school graduations. He is a recipient of the Collin Bennett-Marcus Garvey Community Award. Mr. Straker is a member of the Hartford Chapter of the American Guild of Organists.
Antonette Cornelius (piano & voice)
Antonette is the holder of three Licentiates of the ROYAL SCHOOLS of MUSIC in Pianoforte Performers, Pianoforte Teachers and Pipe Organ Teachers. She has performed as a solo concerto pianist, and in solo piano and organ recitals as well as performing as an ensemble and chamber group member. She is a member of Music Teachers Associations in USA, UK and South Africa as well as the South African council of Educators.
Antonette is the holder of three Licentiates of the ROYAL SCHOOLS of MUSIC in Pianoforte Performers, Pianoforte Teachers and Pipe Organ Teachers. She has performed as a solo concerto pianist, and in solo piano and organ recitals as well as performing as an ensemble and chamber group member. She is a member of Music Teachers Associations in USA, UK and South Africa as well as the South African council of Educators.
David Cervantes (violin)
David is a professional violinist who began his musical career in Las Vegas, Nevada. There David studied at the Nevada School of Arts and graduated from the Las Vegas Academy of the Arts. Soon after, David accompanied Placido Domingo and the Las Vegas Philharmonic at the Colosseum at Caesars Palace on the Las Vegas Strip. David continued his musical studies at the Hartt School after relocating to Hartford, CT In August of 2016 to open a new music school in Hartford, the Mariachi Academy of New England. Currently, David directs the Mariachi Academy of New England and is motivating a new generation of musicians to achieve their full potential.
David is a professional violinist who began his musical career in Las Vegas, Nevada. There David studied at the Nevada School of Arts and graduated from the Las Vegas Academy of the Arts. Soon after, David accompanied Placido Domingo and the Las Vegas Philharmonic at the Colosseum at Caesars Palace on the Las Vegas Strip. David continued his musical studies at the Hartt School after relocating to Hartford, CT In August of 2016 to open a new music school in Hartford, the Mariachi Academy of New England. Currently, David directs the Mariachi Academy of New England and is motivating a new generation of musicians to achieve their full potential.