Board of directors -

Board of Directors

Get to know our directors

Antoine wears several hats for Doors Open Jazz. He is the founder, executive director, and instructor. Doors Open Jazz was a natural extension from Antoine’s love for jazz and likewise his love for the youth in Chattanooga.

Antoine has been a professional trumpeter for 30 years traveling over the southeast fusing: jazz, reggae, soul, funk, salsa, and calypso for audiences of all ages. He is considered one of the best jazz trumpeters in the state of Tennessee.

Clayton Jones has been playing guitar since he was a kid. He comes from a musical family from the Chattanooga Metro area. Although Clayton is primarily a singer-songwriter, he is a very versatile musician, as he is an accomplished banjoist and mandolin player. He enjoys American roots music, and is proficient in bluegrass, rock, blues, country, jazz, and many folk styles. He is also on the worship team at his church. Clayton teaches private lessons in guitar, banjo, mandolin and other folk instruments, but also teaches writing at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga. Finally, he is the head guitar repairman at The Picker’s Exchange, a guitar shop in East Ridge.

Dr.Terri R. Hall, is a
Former Elementary School K-5 Principal, and retired Associate Professor of Education & Literacy Specialist. She has worked with students from pre-K through graduate school.Dr. Hall is a jazz singer & is currently the vocalist for the Scenic City Sound Big Band of Chattanooga. She joined the Board of Doors Open Jazz to support the mission of providing opportunities for young people to learn about music, play instruments and perform.

Please support our mission

Former Directors

Thomas Tee Bumpass was born in Chattanooga, TN. He comes from a family of eight siblings four of them also being musically inclined. Fresh out of high school at age 17 he went on tour traveling across the US as a trumpeter. His music has been featured on the big screen with the band Ozone and he later formed the The Tee Bumpass Band.

Antonio Bettini is a self-educated musician presently living in Chattanooga, Tennessee. His musical career spans many genres and instruments, but it is his love of humanity that compels him to work to improve the lives of those who would sincerely appreciate the opportunity to play music. Bettini’s love of music combined with the desire to give back to the community is what brought him to Doors Open Jazz.

Growing up in a musical family on the south side of Chicago Ron Griffin was exposed early to music. Often hearing records of BB King, the commodores, John p kee and miles Davis, Twista and tribe called quest all in the same day. This molded Rons ear to remain grounded into the emotions of music. It was not until he picked up the trumpet that it all came together. Now 20+ years later his love for music still inspires him to perform and educate.

Julie’s love of music spans her entire life … piano lessons at an early age and choral performances. Later in life, her passion for singing included being in her church choir, a vocalist in various gospel groups and a soloist at weddings and funerals. This love of music continues through her desire to support and be a part of Doors Open Jazz.

A Navy veteran and civil mediator, Julie is currently the Director of Employee Relations and a doctoral student at UTC. She was born and raised in South Carolina and has called Chattanooga her home since 2010. Her favorite pastime is watching sci-fi and horror movies with her husband and kids.

Born and raised in Kenya, educated in the US, McCallie, UTC. Relocated back to Kenya and started an IT institute offering free education to African youth. Founded Alice in Africa Baseball Academy which has become a National Champion.

Lindsey Eskridge is co-founder of Music Is Our Medicine, a local company that supports live music and musicians in Chattanooga. She moved to Chattanooga in 2013 and fell in love with the city. Lindsey is passionate about live music and the community it fosters.A pharmacist by degree, she believes that music is the universal language and that every person should have access to make music. She is proud to serve as a Director to help bring music lessons to any and every child possible!