Music Academy faculty members are selected from the finest area music teachers and performers. All of our faculty members hold advanced degrees in their field of study (over 60% hold a Masters or Doctorate degree), have decades of teaching and performing experience, and teach all styles of music. In addition to their teaching credentials, our faculty members have warm personalities, are extremely friendly, and are dedicated to teaching you the style of music that you want to learn in your music lesson.
Please select an instructor from the drop-down “Faculty” menu above or the list below to read their biography.
Administration
Michael Ridenour (B.S., M.M., Director – Faculty Member Since 1997)
Guitar, Bass & Ukulele
Andy Burns (B.A., Guitar – Faculty Member Since 2025)
Brian Dooley (B.M., M.M, D.M.A, Classical, Electric Guitar, Ukulele – Faculty Member Since 2025)
Andrew Preston (B.S.M.E, M.M, Electric & Upright Bass – Faculty Member Since 2024)
Andrew Thelston (B.A., Acoustic & Electric Guitar, Electric Bass, Ukulele – Faculty Member Since 2018)
Collin Smith (B.M., Acoustic & Electric Guitar, Electric Bass, Ukulele – Faculty Member Since 2022)
Drew Spencer (B.A., Acoustic & Electric Guitar, Electric Bass, Ukulele – Faculty Member Since 2024)
Bob Songster (B.A., M.M., Acoustic & Electric Guitar, Electric & Upright Bass, Ukulele – Faculty Member Since 2023)
Drums & Percussion
Jeff Lott (B.M., Drums & Percussion – Faculty Member Since 2022)
Joe Esposito (B.A., Drums & Percussion – Faculty Member Since 2025)
Piano & Keyboard
Sophia Kilpatrick (B.A., Piano – Faculty Member Since 2025)
Richard Riccardi (B.M., M.M.A., Piano – Faculty Member Since 2024)
Anita Robertson (B.M.E., M.D., Piano – Faculty Member Since 2022)
Emily Songster (B.M.E., M.M.E., Piano – Faculty Member Since 2022)
Voice
Angela Hayes (B.M., M.M., Voice – Faculty Member Since 2022)
Sophia Kilpatrick (B.A., Voice – Faculty Member Since 2025)
Orchestral Strings
Amy Bouman (B.MEd. Violin/Viola- Faculty Member Since 2025)
Tinder Burris (B.M., M.M.E. Cello – Faculty Member Since 2023)
Jan Daugherty (B.M., Viola/Violin – Faculty Member Since 2013)
Andrea Jackson (B.MEd. Violin/Viola – Faculty Member Since 2016)
Eben Mann (A.D. Violin – Faculty Member Since 2018)
Andrew Preston (B.S.M.E, M.M, Cello, Upright Bass – Faculty Member Since 2024)
Bob Songster (B.A., M.M., Double Bass – Faculty Member Since 2023)
Carolyn Tackett (B.MEd., Violin – Faculty Member Since 2012)
Emily Vaughn (B.M., B.M.E., M.M., Violin/Viola – Faculty Member Since 2018)
Folk & Traditional Music
Jan Daugherty (B.M., Fiddle – Faculty Member Since 2013)
Carolyn Tackett (B.MEd., Mark O’Connor Fiddle Method – Faculty Member Since 2012)
Brass & Woodwinds
Emily Songster (B.M.E., M.M.E., Trumpet, Trombone, Euphonium – Faculty Member Since 2022)
Leslie Zarnowski (B.M.E., M.Ed., Saxophone, Clarinet, Oboe, Bassoon, Flute – Faculty Member Since 2023)
Songwriting
Michael Ridenour (B.S., M.M., Songwriting – Faculty Member Since 1997)
Ensemble Directors & Coaches
Jan Daugherty (B.M., String Quartet Coach – Faculty Member Since 2013)
Michael Ridenour (B.S., M.M., Fusion/Rock Band Coach – Faculty Member Since 1997)
Michael Ridenour (B.S., M.M., Guitar Ensemble Director- Faculty Member Since 1997)
Music Together Class Instructor
Emily Vaughn (B.M., B.M.E., M.M., Violin/Viola – Faculty Member Since 2018)
Accompanists
Richard Riccardi (B.M., M.M.A., Piano – Faculty Member Since 2024)
Anita Robertson (B.M.E., M.D., Piano – Faculty Member Since 2022)
Band & Orchestral Instrument Rental
Amy Bouman (B.MEd. Educational Representative- Faculty Member Since 2025)
Emily Vaughn (B.M., B.M.E., M.M., Customer Service Representative – Faculty Member Since 2018)
Piano Tuning, Maintenance, & Repair
LeVar Stripling (Certified Piano Tuner with Steinway of the Carolinas – Faculty Member Since 2022)
Stringed Instrument Repair
Mike Dunham (Handcrafted Instruments & Repair- Faculty Member Since 2023)
Give us a call at 828-693-3726 to schedule your FREE introductory consultation to meet perspective faculty members, tour our facility, ad discuss your musical direction before you commit to private lessons.