RJ Smith is a classically trained violinist as well as an outstanding fiddle player. She began studying violin at the age of 9, and at 16, joined a top high-school orchestra program at a local private school. During her 2 years there, she served as the principal 2nd violinist and a 1st violin section player. R.J. also served as the concertmaster of another local youth orchestra and played percussion in a youth concert band. She began studying classical piano and voice during this time as well. After graduation, RJ enrolled in college in South Carolina. While there, she majored in Spanish, but continued her violin studies through all 4 years with a minor in music. Along with her violin studies, she studied piano, percussion, theory and orchestration. RJ also performed with the University orchestra as well as in the pit orchestra during performances by the university opera association. She was also selected for and performed with the first South Carolina All-State Collegiate Orchestra.

After college graduation, RJ spent 3 years riding colts as an apprentice horse trainer. This brought her to Texas, and it was here where she heard Western Swing, Traditional Country and the music of Bob Wills and Ray Price for the first time. In 2006, she gave up her ranch job to focus on her first love, music, and began studying fiddle this time, with a focus on Western Swing, Traditional Country and Jazz. In February of 2007, she met and began studying fiddle with Bobby Flores at Bulverde Academy of Music. Just six months into her studies, she joined Bobby Flores’ Yellow Rose Band, as well as started teaching violin/ fiddle and music theory at Bulverde Academy of Music.

RJ toured with Bobby's band for 15 years throughout Texas, New Mexico, Louisiana and several other states in addition to performing overseas at the Festival Rendezvous du Country in France, the Northern Nashville Country Festival in Scotland and the 31st International Country Music Festival in Switzerland. She has performed for the last seven seasons on RFDTv’s TruCountry show and also on the KENS 5 morning show live. RJ was also privileged to play on all of Bobby Flores’ Western Swing Cruises.

Since Bobby's passing in June of 2022, RJ and the Yellow Rose Band members have decided to keep the band together under a new name, "Legacy Rose Band", which will continue to play many of their favorite arrangements of Bobby's along with new material showcasing the multi-talented band members.

RJ has played for several other great artists and bands as well, including a performance with Ray Price in November of 2012 as a part of his string section. Truly a dream come true! Other notable artists she has performed with recently include Darrell and Mona McCall, Tony Booth, Amber Digby, Jeff Woolsey, Justin Trevino, George Chambers, the Drywater Band, the Bret Mullins Band, T Gozney Thornton, Kelly Spinks, KR Wood and many others. She also played fiddle for Rick Orozco’s premiere and concert for his documentary film “This Is My Country”. At this event, RJ backed such great artists as Joel Guzman, Flaco Jimenez, Sunny Sauceda, Michael Salgado, Gabe Garcia and Rick Orozco.

The last few years have also seen the beginning of RJ’s recording and session career and she also has released her first solo studio album, titled “Living My Dream”.

With all this going on, RJ still found time to study Studio Engineering with Damian Rodriguez at Bulverde Academy of Music and has become Staff Engineer at B.A.M. Recording Studios, with numerous great sessions in her credits already.

RJ is so thankful to have been given the chance to pursue what she loves and to “Live Her Dream”!

Amanda Bryant is a singer/performer originally from North Carolina, but now happily performing and teaching the greater San Antonio, Texas area. Having been raised in a very musical family, Amanda began performing on stage at age four with her mother.  From there she continued performing on stages around eastern United States.  

As a studied performer, she has acquired skills and techniques in multiple genres like rock, indie, pop, jazz, blues, gospel, classical, oratorio, opera and even rap! She has performed in broadway-style musicals, operas and many showcases. She has performed with the North Carolina Symphony, South Carolina Master Chorale, Lynchburg Choral Union, Opera on the James, Houston Symphony Chorus, and Opera in the Heights and several churches as a soloist. Ms. Bryant frequently performs on stages around Texas (NRG Arena/Stadium, Revention Center (Bayou Music Center), Houston Rodeo, performing for the Houston Astros, Houston Women's Roller Derby, and the list goes on) but is passionate about bringing people to their potential in their music and performing. With over 15 years of teaching private, professional lessons, Ms. Bryant continues to inspire others in music to audiences and her students.

Grant Benjamin is a powerhouse musician, possessing silvery vocals, swift and sleek guitar skills, along with his rockin' look.

Nine years ago, Grant began his journey with music through his actions of being self-taught, stamping himself as one of San Antonio's rarities in the rock music scene. Before filling up his schedule with local gigs and his current position as a guitarist for Six Flags, Grant spent his musical years with guitar at North East School of the Arts under Mark Twehues. He performed for many of NESA's Musican theater productions, even performing some of his own impressive written originals. After graduating, Grant spent his time focusing on his skills in live performance, grabbing gigs at local areas in San Antonio. During this time, Grant's skills were so valued that NESA called him back to keep the same performance atmosphere that Grant provided for their shows.

Grant plans on focusing on becoming a professional musician with his guitar skills, in addition to giving students who aspire to be a musician plenty of guidance, inspiring students to climb their ladder in their journey with guitar. Grants following. musical plans are focused on his band, Grant Benjamin's Undervention, exhibiting his original music with his band. WIth his plethora of experience in performing, teaching, and written originals, Grant will continue to grow alongside BAM Music Studios along with his students!

Flicka Rahn is an internationally known performer, teacher, sound therapist and composer.  She is retired as Professor of Voice at Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi where she taught for twenty-two years.  She has also served on the faculties of Brandeis University, the Boston Conservatory of Music, and the University of the Incarnate Word in San Antonio. Ms. Rahn has sung major operatic roles throughout the United States, appearing as guest artist with companies such as the Boston Lyric Opera, Boston Concert Opera, Minnesota Grand Opera, and San Antonio Opera.  She has performed on the stages of major concert halls both here and abroad, including the Boston Academy of Music, Boston Symphony Hall, and Carnegie Hall.  Her most recent international recital appearances were in Bolivia, Spain, and Mexico as part of a Cultural Music Exchange showcasing American Art Song with author and pianist, Ruth Friedberg. Also with Ruth Friedberg, Ms. Rahn has performed, in  the duo called “Los Bilbilicos”,  a large repertoire of Ladino Song in many venues.  As a Fulbright scholar, in 2011 she traveled to the University of  Queretaro, Mexico, and taught courses on American Art Song and American Musical Theater. Rahn’s art songs have been published in the Southern Music Co. series of Art Songs by American Women Composers and she has participated in numerous conferences featuring the works of American women composers.

Emily Bayardo is a session vocalist who took the San Antonio pop-punk scene with her spunky and fierce style, along with her powerful and passionate vocals, by storm. Emily Bayardo has been on one cross-country tour and multiple Texas tours. Along with recording and writing all of her original music, Bayardo is the lead vocalist for Finding September, a high-octane alternative/pop-punk band whose fusion gives them an in-your-face edge, sharpened by their musical prowess and professionalism. Along with Emily’s touring and her excellent talents in writing, Emily has focused a lot of her abilities not only on vocals but also in her high-energy music videos. Her band Finding September has played many covers for plenty of memorable pop-punk bands. In addition, a lot of Emily’s talents have been highlighted in many of her professional and energetic music videos, such as “Fools Gold” - Finding September, and “Hostage” - Finding September, which can be found on their Finding September youtube channel. Emily is a classically trained artist who has been studying voice for five years and is continuing her journey through writing music and teaching students here at BAM Music Studios. With her past studying under Sonya Florie, Emily Bayardo has developed a significant and genuine teaching style for her students that has continued to grow and flourish throughout their journey with vocal instructing.

Renee’ Coale Willis is a prolific and accomplished professional singer/songwriter.  She began her career at the age of 13, when she started shaping her thoughts, emotions and experiences into songs and performing publicly. Renee’ grew up in the rural Texas Gulf Coast town of Blessing, amidst rice fields and cattle ranches, in a family where music was a dominant every day feature.  Her writing is a reflection of her southern roots with an insightfulness and honesty that quickly endears listeners to her music. Renee’s voice is strong, pure and full of emotion.

Renee’ earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Mass Communications from Trinity University in San Antonio, TX, then moved to Nashville, TN in 1988 to join the professional songwriting community.  Her songs are catalogued with such prestigious publishers as Almo-Irving, Hayes Street Music, Moraine Music Group, and Universal. Renee’ has had songs recorded by various artists in the U.S. and abroad.  She achieved platinum level status with Sony artist, Rick Trevino, on his debut album with “Life Can Turn On a Dime,” a song co-written with Austin Cunningham and Allen Shamblin.  The song was also featured on the Sony produced, Common Ground album.  Renee’ penned, along with three army wives,  “Charm of the Army (A Tribute to the Army Wife)” and “Rolling Along With the Army (A Tribute to the Army Spouse),” which have rapidly gained popularity on posts around the world when they gather for various social occasions and ceremonies.  In 2016, the esteemed Bluebird Café produced a benefit album, “Keeping It Original for Alive:  A Celebration of Songwriters Benefiting Alive Hospice”, and chose her song, “Love Is a Higher Power,” a collaboration with singer/songwriter, Billy Montana.

Renee’ is a professional member of the Nashville Songwriters Association International, of which she served from 1994-1995 on the Steering Committee, primarily addressing rapidly arising royalty issues related to internet downloading.  She is also a voting member of the Country Music Association, and has been a registered songwriter with the BMI performing rights organization since 1989. Renee’ has her own song publishing company, Little Blessing Music. She has recorded three CD’s featuring her original songs:  A Front Porch, A Kitchen Table and God, Love Is All That Matters, and Small Town Deep Within.   

Renee’ has taught songwriting workshops and classes throughout her career.  She was invited in 2011 to teach a formal self-written course on the fundamentals of professional songwriting as an adjunct professor at her alma mater, Trinity University, for the fall semester.  Since 2013, she has been teaching her songwriting course for Incarnate Word High School, an all-girls college preparatory curriculum. She has additionally taught at the Warrior and Family Support Center at Ft. Sam Houston, and in various continuing education programs.  She is a faculty member at the Bulverde Academy of Music, a conservatory for budding songwriters, musicians and sound engineers. Other writing credits include, “Manners for Life,” a short course addressing etiquette and civility for young women. Renee’ is also working on writing children’s books and a collection of inspirational thoughts based on life lessons.  One of her aspirations for the future is to collaborate with various co-writers to create music for a theatrical play. She divides her professional time between Texas and Tennessee, and loves touring and performing with songwriter colleagues. Renee’ also participates in fund-raising concerts for non-profits, and is an inspirational and motivational speaker.