Ashanti Sims serves as the Director of Programs at the West Point School of Music and is also a Clarinet Instructor. She began her musical studies at the age of 13 under the mentorship of Julian J. Champion, Executive Director of West Point School of Music.

Upon entering high school, Ashanti auditioned for and was accepted into the Chicago High School for the Arts, where she continued to excel in her musical studies, earning superior and excellent ratings at regional and state competitions. During this time, she studied clarinet with Dr. Rose Sperrazza, Professor of Clarinet at Northeastern Illinois University and director of the Chicago Clarinet Ensemble. She also studied under Mr. Cory Tiffin, principal clarinetist of the Las Vegas Philharmonic, further refining her musicianship and technical skill. During her college years, she continued her private studies with Mr. Gene Collerd, principal clarinetist of the Elgin Symphony Orchestra.

In her role as Director of Programs, Ashanti oversees the development and implementation of West Point’s educational and performance initiatives, helping to expand access to high-quality music education for youth throughout the community. She is passionate about mentorship and raising awareness of the critical role music education plays in the development, discipline, confidence, and growth of urban children. West Point School of Music is proud to have one of its own serving as a vital leader within the organization.

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 Facilities & Shops Manager, Beaushay oversees the maintenance, organization, and daily operations of West Point School of Music’s facilities and instrument shop. He manages equipment care and repair, supports the preparation of instruments for rehearsals and performances, and leads renovation efforts for West Point’s new program space. In addition to his operational responsibilities, Beaushay serves as the low brass coach for West Point’s Urban Music Makers program and performs as a cello panist with 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.

Courtney Chambers serves as the Instrument Repair Shop Manager at West Point School of Music and is a dedicated musician and woodwind repair technician with a strong foundation in both performance and instrument restoration. Her musical journey began at the age of 9 under the guidance of Julian J. Champion, Executive Director of the West Point School of Music. Throughout her academic years, Courtney studied clarinet and saxophone, excelling in concert band, orchestra, and solo competitions. She further developed her clarinet performance skills through private studies with Dr. Bonnie Campbell, Clarinet Professor at Vandercook College of Music.

Following her passion for music and service, Courtney currently serves in the military as a clarinetist with the 484th Army Band. At the age of 18, she pursued formal training in instrument repair at Badger State Repair School and later specialized in clarinet repair under the mentorship of renowned clarinet specialist Rick Sayre of Sayre Woodwinds.

As Instrument Repair Shop Manager at West Point, Courtney oversees the maintenance, restoration, and care of the organization’s instruments, ensuring students have access to high-quality equipment in optimal playing condition. Passionate about professionalism, and musicianship, she is committed to helping young musicians build confidence, discipline, and excellence both on and off the stage.

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.

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.

Emani Norwood is a proud product of the West Point School of Music. Her passion for music began at a young age and continued to grow after becoming a student at West Point. Emani began learning the steel pan in the 4th grade and quickly developed a deep love for the instrument. When presented with the opportunity to study a concert band instrument, she eagerly began clarinet studies at the age of 10. Over the years, Emani earned several honors, including the Award for Musical Excellence, and had the privilege of serving as band whip while attending Joseph Kellman Elementary School.

Emani continued her musical studies at Lockport Township High School under the direction of Mr. Brian Covey, with a focus on clarinet performance. Throughout high school, she remained an active student at West Point and served as a summer intern for four consecutive years. During this time, she demonstrated a natural talent and strong interest in instrument repair and maintenance.

Today, Emani serves as a West Point woodwind coach and instrument repair technician. Passionate about mentorship and youth development, she is excited to continue her journey as an instructor and role model for urban youth. Through her work, she hopes to inspire students and help create opportunities for success just as West Point helped pave the way for her own growth and achievements.

Kayla Sowell, a former West Point School of Music scholar, began her musical studies at the age of 9 under the direction of 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 serves as a member of West Point’s premier performing ensemble, Epic Steel Orchestra and as a Coach specializing in Oboe. Kayla also has a passion for the visual arts, and has taken that passion and poured it into West Point as well. Over the past year and a half, she has been sharpening her editing skills, and gathering content day to day on behalf of her role as Social Media Manager for the West Point team. 

Through her role, Kayla hopes to show the world the very personality of WPSoM; through the candid moments, the emotional moments, behind-the-scenes footage, and so much more.

Ashanti Fleming serves as the Office Clerk and French Horn Coach at West Point School of Music. She began her musical journey at 11 years old while in the sixth grade, studying both the French horn and tenor steel pan.

In addition to her passion for music, Ashanti has a lifelong love for the visual arts, including drawing, painting, and animation. Her creativity can be seen throughout West Point, where she painted the mural in the music theory room, designed a dry-erase mural in the student lunchroom, and created an original animation featured during West Point’s first Pan Is Beautiful concert in 2024.

Ashanti is a graduate of Gwendolyn Brooks College Preparatory Academy, where she continued her musical studies and performances under the direction of bandmaster Brandon Harding throughout all four years of high school. During her time there, she performed in the CPS Spring Music Festival and various school concerts, while also participating in the UIC Honors Band Festivals from 2017 through 2019 through opportunities provided by West Point.

As a French hornist, Ashanti is dedicated to investing in today’s urban youth by offering guidance, encouragement, and musical instruction as students navigate their own artistic journeys just as West Point School of Music has done for her.

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.