Julea Duke
Executive Director
Julea grew up in a musical piano industry family with her father, mother, and brother all spending time in the piano education industry. Once she learned that she could play along to her favorites like the Phantom of the Opera, she was in love with the piano. The link between music and math has always interested her and something she credits for helping her achieve both a Bachelors in Industrial & Systems Engineering and a Masters in Quantitative and Computational Finance from the Georgia Institute of Technology.
David England
President
Mr. England has 48 years of experience in the piano industry with extensive relationships with global piano manufacturers. He consults with public and private schools, universities, and many other musical venues on a regular basis. In 1976, he founded one of the Metro Atlanta Music Teachers organizations (Gwinnett County Music Teachers Association). He has served several other Music Teachers Associations over the years. He truly fits his position on the Board of Directors given his passion for what piano lessons and playing the piano has meant to his life. When he speaks to various groups, his personal piano story is quiet amazing and impressive. He has played piano since age 8 and still enjoys what playing the piano continues to contributes to his life.
Mr. England duties as President includes overseeing the direction of the organization, developing and maintaining relationships with potential donors and grantee organizations.
June Irvine
Secretary Treasurer
June grew up in Indiana in a musical family. She took piano lessons,
played in the band and sang with a traveling group. While still in high
school she began her career in finance working for a bank. She continued
in banking throughout her college years and graduated from Oklahoma
Wesleyan University. After college she married and moved to Kansas City
where she became a staff accountant for a large corporation. She and her
family moved to Atlanta in 1988. While raising three children she worked
full-time and sang on her church worship team for 25 years. She continues
to work in the area of finance as an Independent Contractor and enjoys
staying actively involved with her children and nine grandchildren. Music
remains an integral part of her life.
Jeffery Funderburk, EdS
Board Member
Jeff Funderburk is the former director of choral activities at the DeKalb School of the Arts in Atlanta, GA, having retired in 2020. He is also currently on the Board of Directors for the DeKalb School of the Arts Foundation. Jeff is a graduate of Auburn University receiving the degrees of Bachelor of Music Education, the Master’s in Education, and the Education Specialist degree. Jeff has been very involved with the Georgia Music Educators Association having served as Vice-President for Evaluations, State Choral Chair, District Choral Chair, District Treasurer, and organizer for All-State Chorus.
He has served in churches for over 40 years in the roles of music director, organist or combination organist/music director. He is currently the Organist/Music Director at Columbia Presbyterian Church in Decatur, Georgia.
Mr. Funderburk began piano lessons at the age of 8 and knows how important the role of music is in the development of the total person. He has advocated piano education his entire career and believes that you are never too old to start!
William Suit
Board Member
Will Suit is a native of North Georgia. His involvement in music is a lifelong love. He is a member of the Music Teachers National Association and The National Federation of Music Clubs. He also holds certifications in Early Elementary Education with the Royal Conservatory in Voice and Piano. His studio is geared toward engaging students, young and mature, to find the fun and sheer joy of experiencing music.
Will grew up in the mountains of North Georgia, where he began singing and playing piano at age 5. His dad was a church pastor and his mom the pianist. So, his talents were developed and pursued in that setting. Upon graduation from college, he spent more than twenty years as a music director. After leaving that profession in 2005, Will continued his love for writing as well as providing private music instruction. He worked as an independent contractor until 2018 when he opened Pedal Point Music. While the business keeps him busy, Will continues to maintain a full studio of students and a myriad of other activities.
Will is also an avid composer and writer. He loves blogging, writing poetry, and, of course, composing music. He released a children’s album in 2017 called, “IN MY BACKYARD.” “IL GUFO, IL TOPO” is a children’s opera about the adventures of a young mouse, who ventures into a dark forest and encounters an owl. He’s written a stack of anthems, orchestrations and solos over the years. His series of musical studies/tools, “THE OWL SAYS HOO” encourages young singers toward healthy vocal production and musicianship. Most of the children’s songs in his collections were written to enhance the learning experience. It’s not unusual for others to pass his studio and hear his young students gleefully singing along to one of his tunes while he belts out the lyrics at the piano. His love of music is not lost on his young students, who eagerly look forward to lessons with “Mr. Will” week after week.
