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 67% 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 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
Michael Ridenour (B.S., M.M., Electric, Acoustic, Classical Guitar, Ukulele – Faculty Member Since 1997)
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)
Drums & Percussion
Jeff Lott (B.M., Drums & Percussion – Faculty Member Since 2022)
Piano & Keyboard
Anita Robertson (B.M.E., M.D., Piano – Faculty Member Since 2022)
Elizabeth Churchya (B.M., M.M., D.M.A., Piano – Faculty Member Since 2022)
Emily Songster (B.M.E., M.M.E., Piano – Faculty Member Since 2022)
Kevin Ayesh (B.M., M.M., D.M.A., Piano – Faculty Member Since 2021)
Voice
Joanna Boyd Best (B.A., M.M., Voice & Choral Conducting – Faculty Member Since 2021)
Angela Hayes (B.M., M.M., Voice – Faculty Member Since 2022)
Orchestral Strings
Jamie Leigh Bennett (B.M.T., M.M., Cello – Faculty Member Since 2015)
Ashlee Booth (B.M., M.M. Cello – Faculty Member Since 2023)
Jan Daugherty (B.M., Viola/Violin – Faculty Member Since 2013)
Claudia Malchow (B.M. M.M., D.M.A., Viola/Violin – Faculty Member Since 2022)
Eben Mann (A.D. Violin – Faculty Member Since 2018)
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
Jamie Leigh Bennett (B.M.T., M.M., Flute, Clarinet, Saxophone, Oboe – Faculty Member Since 2015)
Leigha Turner (B.M.E., Flute, Clarinet, Saxophone – Faculty Member Since 2022)
Emily Songster (B.M.E., M.M.E., Trumpet, Trombone, Euphonium – Faculty Member Since 2022)
Songwriting
Michael Ridenour (B.S., M.M., Songwriting – Faculty Member Since 1997)
Ensemble Directors & Coaches
Jamie Leigh Bennett (B.M.T., M.M., Woodwinds Ensemble – Faculty Member Since 2015)
Jan Daugherty (B.M., String Quartet Coach – Faculty Member Since 2013)
Andrea Dennis (B.MEd. Strings Ensemble Conductor- Faculty Member Since 2016)
Joanna Boyd Best (B.A., M.M., Serenata Chorale – Faculty Member Since 2021)
Amanda Tant (B.MEd. Strings Ensemble Conductor – Faculty Member Since 2019
Amy Turlington (B.MEd. Strings Ensemble Conductor – Faculty Member Since 2019)
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
Jamie Leigh Bennett (B.M.T., M.M., Flute, Clarinet, Saxophone, Oboe – Faculty Member Since 2015)
Emily Vaughn (B.M., B.M.E., M.M., Violin/Viola – Faculty Member Since 2018)
Accompanists
Elizabeth Churchya (B.M., M.M., D.M.A., Piano – Faculty Member Since 2022)
Anita Robertson (B.M.E., M.D., Piano – Faculty Member Since 2022)
Kevin Ayesh (B.M., M.M., D.M.A., Piano – Faculty Member Since 2021)
Band & Orchestral Instrument Rental
Jamie Leigh Bennett (B.M.T., M.M., Flute, Clarinet, Saxophone, Oboe – Faculty Member Since 2015)
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.