The Music Battery
Taking the beat to the street
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Kris Manning, Co-Founder 

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Kris Manning Moved to Charleston, SC in 2011 from Connecticut.  Her music background includes a Percussion Performance Degree from the University of Connecticut and Music Composition Studies from the Hartt School of Music. 

From 1991 to 2006, Kris held various sales and sales management positions with multi-media companies including Meredith Corporation, Clear Channel Communications and CBS Radio.  She also held senior-level positions at First National Supermarkets, a food retailer, and Bozzuto’s, Inc., a food distributor based in Cheshire, CT.

Kris has over 30 years’ playing experience in the music field and over 20 years’ experience in the business field. She currently teaches private music and art lessons on Daniel Island, SC.  Kris is also an artist, www.feralcreative.com

Kris has an extensive background in creating events and marketing strategies to benefit non-profit organizations.  

Examples include:
  • In 2001 Kris developed and implemented  The Dreamride concept and campaign to raise monies for Special Olympics CT.   Proudly, Dreamride has raised over $2,245,000 and is still going strong!
  • In 2003 Kris took the national IGA (Independent Grocers Association) Country Jam concept and developed, produced and implemented The IGA Country Jam in Cheshire, CT to benefit Special Olympics, CT and inner-city youth
  • 2015 producer of the first annual Unity Music and Arts Festival at the Family Circle Stadium grand lawn on Daniel Island, SC to benefit The Music Battery

Some musical milestones include:
  • touring Russia in 1990 with John Beck and 13 percussionists from the Percussive Arts Society. 
  • studying marimba with Leigh Howard Stevens.  
  • and currently gigging as That Girl Drummer in Charleston, SC with various bands.

Kris is co owner of Black Tie Music Academy, a place where dynamic one-of-a-kind music instruction is offered to all ages and founder and co owner of A.R.T. The Academy of Rightbrain Technology.  

Kris lives with her awesome husband and two strapping boys in Charleston, SC.


    




Braeden Kershner, Co-Founder

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Braeden Kershner is a South Carolina native. After high school, Braeden enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps and served in the 2nd Marine Division Band in Camp Lejeune, NC. 

After serving in the Marines, he attended Southern Wesleyan University in Central, SC and earned a BS in Music Education. 

He then earned his Masters in Education from Indiana Wesleyan University. 



Some of the recognition Braeden has received for his drive, perserverance and musicianship include:

  • serving in 2001 as guest conductor of the Boston Pops.  
  • in 2009 the completion of a lifelong goal of smashing a Guinness World Record! 
  • being named the 2010-2011 runner-up for Charleston County Teacher of the Year. 
  • Awarded the Professional Excellence Award for Education from Southern Wesleyan University in 2010
  • and June 2011, Braeden was Huffington Post's "Greatest Person of the Day." 
  • May 2015, Charlie Magazine's, 50 Most Progressive People in Charleston

Braeden taught in the Charleston County public schools for five years and is also the Music Director of Holy Trinity Episcopal Church and former Director of the Citadel Gospel Choir. He has taught private music lessons for 14 years and plays all of the instruments. 

His professional affiliations include the Music Teachers National Association (MTNA), the National Association for Music Education (NAfME, formerly MENC), and the Barbershop Harmony Society (BHS). 

Braeden is co owner of Black Tie Music Academy, a place where dynamic one-of-a-kind music instruction is offered to all ages and co owner of A.R.T. The Academy of Rightbrain Technology.  
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Braeden lives with his beautiful bride, young daughter and newborn son in Charleston, SC. 


Because of the founder’s roots as musicians and business professionals, THE MUSIC BATTERY provides tightly controlled processes to ensure the highest level of service to our youth. 



1.    Our leadership team is comprised of experienced musicians and business professionals who manage and oversee every aspect of our operation.

2.    We require that every youth that becomes a participant of THE MUSIC BATTERY is serious about participating through school studies, music and the development of their skills.

3.    We partner with like-minded businesses who are invested in the success of our youth in their development.

 



We have a Board of Directors consisting of the following community leaders:


​Tim Macon, Project Manager, SCRA


Robin Howard, Freelance Writer and Artist

John Tecklenburg, Mayor of Charleston

Lydia Cotton, Hispanic Liason in North Charleston and Executive at Art Pot

Braeden Kershner, Co-Founder of the Music Battery and Founder of Black Tie Music Academy

Kris MAnning, Co-Founder of the Music Battery and Co-Owner of Black Tie Music Academy

 



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  • Who We Are
  • How It Works
    • Support Us
  • Our Impact
  • Family of Sponsors
  • Press
  • Contact