J. J. Borja (guitarist) graduated TJI in 2016 and currently lives in Hopkinton, Maine. He graduated Yale University in 2020 with a B.A. in History, a M.A. in History, and a M.Ed. from the University of Arizona in 2021 (Secondary Education).
J. J. studied to become a history teacher in the Teach Arizona program at the University of Arizona with Dr. Patricia Stowers. He taught at Walden Grove High School in Sahuarita, Arizona, for five years (2020-2025): . He taught seven different classes during his tenure, including AP Chemistry, AP European History, and Academic Decathlon.
His Academic Decathlon team won the 2025 AZ Region III Title (setting a new all-time scoring record for the state) and the 2025 AZ State Championship. They went on to finish 4th overall at the 2025 National Finals in Des Moines, IA.
In June 2025, J. J. moved to Hopkinton, Maine, to rejoin his college girlfriend after five years apart. Now he teaches at Nipmuc Regional High School in Upton: geometry, AP Psychology, AP Microeconomics, and AP Macroeconomics. He also started an Academic Decathlon team at Nipmuc: they won the 2025 Massachusetts Round 1 Competition on November 22!
J. J. started a non-profit organization that enables students in public schools to compete in Academic Decathlon at a high level. It is called the Academic Decathlon Community Team. It was inspired by TJI. He provides extra support and guidance to talented students, which they can carry back to their own teams and “pass the torch.” Many of the top ranked decathletes in the country are in his program. They learn to become leaders in their own teams, create a winning culture, and prepare to compete at the highest level. He teaches them the fundamentals of economics, literary analysis, essay writing, public speaking, art history, and music theory! The program is run virtually, allowing students across America to compete at an elite level. The ADCT currently teaches students in Alaska, California, Texas, and Arizona.
In addition to teaching, J. J. likes to run, bike, read and travel.
Atley Bellon, trumpeter, was a member of the TJI Ellington Big Band in 2024. She commuted from Phoenix twice a week to rehearse with the band. She enlisted in the U.S. Army, 13b field Artillery, and is stationed in Fort Wainwright, Alaska. It’s a little bit colder then Phoenix.
Micah Laird, trumpeter, graduated TJI in 2014 and attended Northern Arizona University and The University of Oregon. He currently resides in Holt, Michigan, and is the director of jazz and concert bands at Ferris State University. The past several summers Micah worked for the Oregon Bach Festival, The Ad Astra Music Festival, and has been on teaching staff for the Blue Devils Drum and Bugle Corps. He taught in Kansas City for several years as well.
Micah is married to Shelby who currently is completing her Doctorate of Choral Conducting at Michigan State University. Bonus: he loves to cook!
Sarah (Milligan) Koussevitzky – (Chandler AZ / graduated from the University of Texas at Austin, former artistic director and co-founder of Jazz Girls TX, former spokesperson for Macsax Saxophones & Mouthpieces, former social media marketing for ReedGeek and Jazz Outreach Initiative, former development intern at Ballet Austin). Sarah is originally from Sierra Vista and attended TJI circa 2014. She’s active in the valley’s music scene and is a photographer when the music business slows down in the valley.
“I also have a music lesson business here in Chandler and also play music and do composition projects and am currently working in the nonprofit sphere with Jazz Houston.”
Miranda Agnew – trumpeter, composer, improviser, educator, adjudicator (TJI circa 2017), lives in Brooklyn Heights, performs and teaches. Miranda was an adjudicator and performer at last month’s ASU/Highland Jazz Festival in Gilbert AZ (March 2025). She had an opportunity to connect with Scott Black (TJi co-owner /director) and other TJI alums at The Century Room. Some of you may remember her solo performance at The Grammy Awards program.
Miranda graduated with dual degrees from the New England Conservatory and Harvard College, Bachelor of Arts in Anthropology and a Master of Music in Jazz Performance. From her website: She was named a Next Jazz Legacy SemiFinalist in 2023, attended the 2017 Banff International Workshop in Jazz and Creative Music, and was commissioned to perform and record a piece of music for a panel discussion with Terri Lyne Carrington as part of Harvard’s 2021 CompFest.
Alan Acosta – saxophonist, graduating this year with an MA, The New School, NYC (TJI circa 2014). Alan is currently working in the Education Department at Jazz at Lincoln Center (NYC) and has performed at prestigious festivals and venues worldwide. He studies under Arturo O’Farrill and bassist Reggie Workman. Alan has also produced and managed international artist tours and educational exchanges while maintaining an active career as a multi-instrumentalist.
Alan is in town manifesting his school project called STRIFE THROUGH SOUND at Desert View High School (Sunnyside S/D) and also working with a middle school in Rio Rico. He’ll be visiting the TJI Ellington BB Sunday to help prepare for their trip to Essentially Ellington May 7-11 in NYC. The Foundation is happy to act as a Fiscal Agent for Alan’s project as it aligns with our mission.
Nick Bruno – trumpeter and educator (TJI circa 2015), formerly with the National Touring cast of The Cher Show on Tour, How The Grinch Stole Christmas, and A Christmas Story. Nick is also the former Assistant Marching Band Director at Southern Nazarene University in Bethany OK, former jazz band director at Heartland Homeschool Bands in Oklahoma City OK, and former middle school band director at Success Academy Charter Schools in Manhattan NY.
Nick received his Bachelors in trumpet performance from Morehead State University in KY and is now getting his Masters of Trumpet with an emphasis in Jazz pedagogy and arranging at Southern Illinois University- Carbondale, with a graduate assistantship in Trumpet and Athletic Bands.
Sergio Tabanico – saxophonist living in NYC (TJI circa 2015) is often visiting and performing at The Century Room. He received his BFA from The New School (NYC) in 2019 and graduated from the Juilliard School with a masters in 2023. Tabanico is currently performing throughout New York City with his own music. And he’s in an off-Broadway production that tours the world!
Robbie Lee – vocalist, jazz pianist, composer, and educator lives and performs in NYC. In 2006 Robbie begins his Great American CROONERS national tour with Shennel Johns and Bennie Benack. He’ll be in Scottsdale Feb 9, 2026 – www.greatamericancrooners.com.
Robbie toured with the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra (JLCO) Holiday Show in 2024. Some of you saw him in Wickenburg or at the Mesa Arts Center. April 2024 Robbie performed in the JALC Gala celebrating Tony Bennett and shared the stage with many celebrities – Josh Groban, Kristin Chenoweth, Bernadette Peters, Kurt Elling, Ruben Blades and more. Robbie graduated from The Juilliard School in 2021 and The Manhattan School of Music in 2018.
Max Goldschmid – multi-instrumentalist (TJI circa 2012) lives in Tucson and that makes us happy! He leads The Century Room Jazz Jam on Sundays and is now often seen/heard performing with singer Sheryl Ann Mckinley. Occasionally he’s part of the Monday night Century Room Jazz Orchestra playing any number of needed instruments. Max is pictured with Paul Bowman, host of The Century Room.
Julianne Colwell – bari saxophonist, vocalist and educator, is now living in Fayetteville, Arkansas (TJI circa 2014)! Julianne moved from Phoenix in July where she was active in the music community, specifically working with Mary Petrich at The Nash and in the Phoenix Jazz Girls Rising program. She even had the opportunity to perform with Ballet Arizona a few years back. Julianne graduated from ASU/Jazz Studies. She’s a teacher at Fayetteville Public Schools.
Tim Rachbach – drummer, graduated from Manhattan School of Music with studies at Jazz Department Conservatorium van Amsterdam (TJI circa 2013). Tim moved to Paris (from Amsterdam) in September 2024 for a semester and is now back in Amsterdam where the school is better and the Amsterdam lifestyle is more relaxed. He released his new album The Sam First Sessions. You can find his music on BANDCAMP.
Cameron Davidson – He performed in his senior recital April 14, 2025 – University of Southern California Thornton School of Music. All original songs except the last. You can watch it here on YouTube.
Cameron is getting his Bachelors degree in music/jazz trumpet. He does play the electric bass and other instruments, but decided to focus on jazz trumpet for his degree because that was his best instrument. He’s also a composer and arranger, sings and plays in his own rock band, and plays mariachi gigs around Los Angeles. [Some of you may remember him as the only red-haired Mariachi player in Tucson.]
Cameron will be returning to Tucson after his graduation in May. Look for him performing at The Century Room – the local hang for TJI alums and current students.
Anthony Gibes (TJI class of 2014) – Anthony (pictured playing with Emmet Cohen) can be found performing at The Century Room every Monday with the Century Room Jazz Orchestra, with various bands on “Hot Jazz Wednesday”, leading his own late night gigs on Fridays and Saturdays, and is also part of the Century Room staff — home away from home! Anthony is also a member of Sergio Mendoza y La Orkesta and The Coolers and is currently finishing his music degree at the University of Arizona studying with Jason Carder.