Staff

Ashanti Sims is West Point School of Music’s Director of Music Education and Clarinet Instructor. She began her musical studies at the age of 13 under the tutelage of her mentor Julian J. Champion, Executive Director of West Point School of Music.

Upon entering high school, she auditioned and was accepted to the Chicago High School for the Arts where she continued to excel in her musical studies, receiving superior and excellent ratings at regional and state contests. During this period, she studied Clarinet with Dr. Rose Sperrazza, Professor of Clarinet at Northeastern Illinois University and leader of the Chicago Clarinet Ensemble. She also sat under the tutelage of Mr. Cory Tiffin, principal of the Las Vegas Philharmonic with whom she further developed her skill and craft as a clarinetist. During her college years, she studied privately with Mr. Gene Collerd, principal of the Elgin Symphony Orchestra.

In her role at West Point, Ashanti helps to raise awareness of the critical need for music education in the environment and maturation of urban children. West Point is proud to have one of its own as an essential part of its team.

Manasseh Champion is a gifted trumpeter and hip hop artist on the local Chicago music scene. A graduate of the William Jones College Preparatory High School in downtown Chicago, Champion is truly in love with urban life and music. He commenced his musical studies at the age of seven, quickly adopting his father’s instrument, the trumpet. He played throughout elementary and high school with a variety of concert, jazz and orchestral ensembles.

In adulthood, Manasseh has taken his focus and discipline into the area of mechanics. After training to be a diesel mechanic at Universal Technical Institute, he was able to secure employment at Norfolk Southern, a Fortune 300 company.

As a hip hop artist, Manasseh performs under the sobriquet “Doso”. His performances are energetic and strong with cutting, contemplative lyrics.

Manasseh currently works for West Point as the High Brass instructor and enjoys teaching young musicians, suggesting that he inherits his passion for helping young people from the work he has seen his father devoted to over the years.

Beaushay Norton began his formal study of music at age 11 under the tutelage of Julian J. Champion, and is a graduate of West Point School of Music. He studied the Trombone and Euphonium and played with the Evergreen Park High School Band, the Merit Wind Symphony, and the Red Shield Concert Band. He is a proud graduate of the Urban Prep Academy — Englewood Campus.  Beaushay studied Jazz Performance at University of Illinois at Chicago. In addition, he is a licensed commercial truck driver and is also an Army Reserve bandsman with the 484th Army Band out of Arlington Heights, IL and Milwaukee, WI.

In his current position as Director of Operations, Beaushay is responsible for transporting West Pointers to and from various rehearsals; a crucial element for West Point’s target audience. He also transports music instruments to and from schools and events while managing the renovation of our new program space. Beaushay also serves as the low brass coach for WP’s Urban Music Makers program and a cello panist in Epic Steel Orchestra.

West Point considers Beaushay as a perfect representative of its mission. His daily involvement helps young West Pointers discover purpose and meaning for their lives.

Coming from a musical family, James Russell Sims started playing drums at the age of 3. He studied under the direction of Greg Barksdale, Kristen Regester, and Jarrett Hicks prior to attending Chicago High School for the Arts where he continued his musical studies.

James graduated from the University of Illinois at Urbana – Champaign with a Bachelor’s of Music in Jazz Performance where he studied with Joel Spencer. He currently plays with jazz, hip hop, and R&B artists throughout the Midwest.

James currently works as a steel drum maker and teaches all concert percussion to eager West Pointers. He plans to continue helping young musicians through West Point School of Music for years to come.

Danielle Pilate, Senior Brass Coach, began her trumpet studies in her local band program in the sixth grade and continued through high school during which she performed in Concert, Symphonic, Jazz, and Marching bands. She sat first chair in the South Suburban All Conference Band and was awarded the National School Marching Award. 

Danielle is a graduate of the University of Illinois at Chicago where she earned a BA in Music Performance specializing in classical trumpet. During her tenure at UIC, Danielle performed in all of the top ensembles including Wind Ensemble, Orchestra, Brass Quintet, Big Band, and Pep Band. 

Following her time at UI, she began performing with Mariachi Estrellas de Chicago with notable performances in the Disney original movie Christmas Again soundtrack and appearance in the film.  She has also performed in many festivals across the Chicagoland area. Danielle is a wonderful representation of what professional musicianship looks like to students. 

Mechella Willis is another product of West Point School of Music. Her introduction to instrumental music instruction came at the tender age of 11 under the direction of Julian J. Champion, Executive Director of the organization. Mechella demonstrated the capacity to lead early on and was named Band Whip for two consecutive years while attending Whistler Elementary.  In this role, she relayed messages to the students on behalf of the Executive Director regarding rehearsals and upcoming events. 

Mechella continued to hone her musical skills while playing in high school at South Shore International College Prep.  While there she studied euphonium and trombone under Mr. Xavier Custodio and was appointed section leader. In addition, she played with a Jazz ensemble for the After School Matters program as well as served as a participant in the UIC Honors Band festivals.  Since her start as a student of West Point, she has remained dedicated to the organization that gave birth to her passion for music.

Mechella currently serves as West Point’s Office Administrator and also coaches the low brass section for the Urban Music Makers Program. A very competent steel pan player and a long-standing member of West Point’s premiere ensemble, Epic Steel Orchestra, she has made it her mission to give back to students of underserved communities and pour into them in the same manner as her predecessors. 

Ashanti Fleming, Assistant Brass Coach, is a talented hornist and steel pannist. As a protege of West Point, her formal music instruction began at age 11.  As a student of West Point, she received several accolades; most notably, the 2016 Music Excellence Award for performance on steel pan. 

Ashanti is a graduate of Gwendolyn Brooks College Preparatory High School where she continued performing under bandmaster Brandon Harding. She has also participated in the CPS Spring Music Festival and UIC Honors Band festivals from 2017 through 2019. 

Her focus is French Horn instruction. Her ultimate goal is to invest in today’s urban youth just as was done for her. 

Kayla Sowell, a former West Point School of Music scholar, began her musical studies at the age of 9 under the direction on WPSoM’s President, Mr. Julian J. Champion. Kayla demonstrated exemplary technique on the double lead steel pan as a part of the inaugural pan class held at Kellman Elementary school in 2013.

As a gifted oboist and flutist, Kayla showed tremendous passion for music and the work of this organization from an early age. She attended De La Salle Institute playing in the marching and concert band for the duration of her high school career.

Kayla is currently enrolled at Roosevelt University earning a BA in Graphic Design. She serves as a member of West Point’s premier performing ensemble, Epic Steel Orchestra and as an Assistant Coach specializing in Oboe.

Curtis Johnson joined West Point School of Music in the summer of 2024, bringing with him a diverse background in both music and engineering. As our Senior Percussion Coach and Facilities Manager, Mr. Johnson blends his passion for music with his extensive experience in leadership and facility management.

Mr. Johnson holds a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Illinois at Chicago, where he also pursued his musical interests. During his time at UIC, he performed with the Wind Ensemble and Pep Band, demonstrating his commitment to both his studies and his art.

His percussion journey began early, with notable achievements including his participation in the Marian Catholic High School Marching Band and Concert Band, where he contributed to their four-time State Championship and two-time Class National Championship titles.

Outside of music, Mr. Johnson is a dedicated bowler and an active member of the United States Bowling Congress. He volunteers as an assistant coach for a junior bowling league, where he has mentored young bowlers ranging from ages four to twenty, helping them develop their skills, build confidence, and enjoy the sport.

Mr. Johnson is excited to integrate his love for music, engineering, and youth development into his role at West Point School of Music. His commitment to leadership, integrity, and community enhancement is instrumental in making our institution a vibrant and nurturing environment for both our students and the broader community.

Andrew Walker is the Facilities Manager for West Point School of Music. His introduction to musical studies came in the 4th grade when his father encouraged him to pick up the trumpet and play in the school jazz band. During Andrew’s high school years, he developed a passion for working on the business side of the music industry. Meeting, now close friend, Manasseh Champion, the two formed a partnership in an effort to record and release Manasseh’s music under the stage sobriquet, Doso. Andrew took it upon himself to assist with booking shows, running light shows and identifying strategic marketing opportunities.

Andrew’s experience in the trades started at a young age working in the automotive industry for several years until his interest in carpentry was sparked during his Eagle Scout Project. From 2018 to 2020, Andrew took on working alongside a general contractor in completing home renovations. Now his technical desires find him pursuing a degree in Engineering. Mr. Walker is a vital team member and a delight to have on board at West Point School of Music.