Founding Member

Bruce E. Ware Bio

Bruce Ware was born and raised in Washington, Ga. Music has always been a major part of his life since childhood. His mother, Frances Ware, played piano and sang in the church choir. She served as his inspiration to study music. He followed her footsteps and began playing in church at the age of ten. During his tenure in school, he studied saxophone and and oboe. After graduating high school, he enrolled in Columbus College, now Columbus State University. In 1990, he transferred to the University of Georgia where he studied Music Composition and Theory, with a concentration in Oboe. Bruce has been a long-standing musician at Timothy Baptist Church( Athens, Ga). He also serves as as Director of Ministry for an Academy in Athens,Ga. His main goals are to aid in the growth and development of all musicians and continue the legacy of love for music that was instilled in him by his parents.

Brian Gladmon Bio

Brian Gladmon was born in Decatur, Ga but raised in Gainesville, Ga. HIs love of music blossomed at an early age. At the age of Eight, he began studying music at the Georgia Music Co. He excelled in his studies and began performing at various locations. As gifted as Brian was in music, he was equally gifted in sports. Sports began to consume his time and music took a backseat. He went on to play semi pro football. His love of music never faded and eventually resumed his studies under the tutelage of Dr Marcia Leeks. Under her guidance and mentorship, he began to thrive again. He furthered his education and enrolled in the University of North Georgia. His major was music education. Brian’s music career has flourished. He has traveled the nation playing and has worked with several artist on the professional level. Brian’s focus, now, is to help musicians get to the next level and become the best version of themselves.

Marcus Bio

Marcus Thompson is the head instructor and the one tasked with bringing Aria Academy of the Arts to life. He was born in West Florida but grew up in Jefferson, Ga. His music career begin under the tutelage of his mom, the late great Dr Marcia Leeks. She had a long standing music school in the community and Marcus was her second student. He was in symphonic, jazz, and marching band during his tenure at Jackson County High school. He furthered his music studies at Morris Brown College in Atlanta, Ga. After college, he went on to play at the professional level with many different artist. His focus, now ,is bringing that knowledge to students and giving them the opportunity to go places that music afforded him to go.