Instructors

VIOLIN:
Dr. Andrea Dawson

Dow Street Community Music School founder and Violinist Andrea Dawson is Professor of Violin and Viola at Middle Tennessee State University. (Lessons by audition only)

Dr. Dawson is also the Founder of Dow Street Community Music School. Read her full bio here.

VIOLIN:
Sophie Buck

Sophie Buck is a multi-style violinist and fiddler with experience in Celtic, Classical, Old-Time, Country, and church music. Sophie performs regularly at weddings, contra dances, churches, farmers markets, and as a violist with her trio. Sophie has teaching experience at The Huntsville Strings Shop and Elite Dance, Music, and Art. Her teachers include Jim Wood, Inge Wood, Dr. Andrea Dawson, and Stephan Dudash. As a graduate of Middle Tennessee State University, Sophie is currently pursuing her dream of illustrating children’s books in addition to playing music. For more about Sophie, please visit www.sophiebuck.net.

VIOLIN:
Devin Smith

Devin is a violinist and fiddle player originally from Winchester, Kentucky. He received his Bachelor’s degree in Music Performance from Eastern Kentucky University and his Master’s degree in Music Performance from Middle Tennessee State University. Devin served as concertmaster in the Symphony, Chamber, and Concert Orchestras at both universities, as well as playing in several string chamber groups. As a fiddle player in the EKU Bluegrass Ensemble, he went on tour in Colombia, South America in 2016 and played in several cities and venues. He has also performed in a number of Bluegrass festivals and in the college showcase at the International Bluegrass Music Association Conference. His eclectic musical taste allows him to enjoy performing many different genres and he is a professional freelance musician. Devin started teaching private violin lessons when he was 13 and enjoys teaching students of all ages.

VIOLIN:
Rebekah McCain

Rebekah McCain is a dedicated violin teacher with over a decade of experience in music education. She began her violin journey with the Suzuki Method at the age of four, nurturing a lifelong passion for the instrument. Rebekah studied music at Liberty University and continued her education at Teachers College, Columbia University, with an emphasis in strings pedagogy and performance. Her teaching experience spans private lessons, classroom instruction, and leading strings programs. Rebekah has worked with students of all ages and skill levels, from beginners to advanced players. Known for her patient and supportive approach, she tailors her lessons to meet each student’s unique needs and goals. In addition to her teaching roles, Rebekah has performed at a variety of fiddle festivals, orchestra concerts, chamber groups, and symphonies. She also engages in recording session work and performs with bands, further enriching her musical expertise and experience.

VIOLA:
Alex Yanovitch

Alex Yanovitch has nearly 2 decades of playing experience on both the viola and violin. He has studied with Shu-Zheng Yang, Dan Reinker, Kathryn Plummer, and John Kochanowski. Since receiving his Bachelor’s in Viola Performance from Vanderbilt Blair School of Music in 2019, he has worked as a professional freelance musician around the middle TN area. He has several years of experience teaching at W.O. Smith Music School in Nashville and private lessons.

CELLO:
Dr. Amber Den Exter

Dr. Amber Den Exter is a native of Australia and a cellist of over twenty-five years’ experience. She holds degrees from the New Zealand School of Music, Middle Tennessee State University, and Florida State University where she earned the degrees Bachelor of Music, Master of Music, and Doctor of Music, respectively. Dr. Den Exter is a committed and experienced teacher and has held the position of Lecturer of Cello and Academic Studies at Middle Tennessee State University from January 2022 to June 2023. Her previous teaching experience includes employment with Florida State University (2019-2022) and the Javacya Conservatory of the Arts (2019-2022). Dr. Den Exter is an active chamber musician and enjoys frequent collaboration with her colleagues across the country, especially with the MTSU Stones River Chamber Players. A successful orchestral musician, she has won auditions with the Tallahassee Symphony Orchestra, Tallahassee Ballet Orchestra, Northwest Florida Symphony Orchestra, Valdosta Symphony Orchestra, Sinfonia Gulf Coast Orchestra, and, most recently, the Tennessee Philharmonic Orchestra. Her success as a soloist includes placements in competitions including the Nashville Summer Orchestral Institute Concerto Competition and the New Zealand National Young Performer of the Year Competition and performances in master classes

CELLO:
Annalisa Thomas

Annalisa Thomas is a cellist from Dacula, Georgia.  She began playing cello at age 9. While in high school, Annalisa participated in Gwinnett Youth Symphony Orchestra and the University of North Georgia’s chamber orchestra. Currently, Annalisa is pursuing her bachelor’s degree in Cello Performance from Middle Tennessee State University. She is studying under Dr. Bryan Hayslett.  Annalisa is a member of the Suzuki Association of America, having completed Units 1 and 2 as of 2024. She adds to her Suzuki certification annually.

OBOE:
Will King

Will King is a talented and motivated educator with nearly 17 years of experience making music and nearly 12 years studying woodwind instruments. His teaching philosophy focuses on developing the whole musician, emphasizing leadership and personal discipline along with instrumental skills. He is attending Middle Tennessee State University, studying Instrumental Music Education and Oboe Performance, with an anticipated B.M. degree in 2025. At MTSU, he has performed as principal Oboe and English Horn with the Wind Ensemble and Symphony Orchestra; has been named a finalist for the 2024 Tom Naylor Memorial Solo Artist Competition and was given the award of Honorable Mention; has guest conducted multiple concerts for the Concert Orchestra; and has held leadership roles in many student organizations including being a drum major for the Band of Blue and President of the School of Music Student Advisory Council. In 2024, he was also inducted into the Pi Kappa Lambda Music Honors Society. As a performer, he has participated in masterclasses with Titus Underwood, Stephen Caplan, Ari Cohen Mann, Kathleen Carter Bell, and Kristin Leitterman. His primary teachers are Keith Sorrels and David Cyzak. In Will’s free time, he enjoys hiking, crocheting, trying out new vegetarian recipes, and going to the dog park with his dog Hazel.

PIANO:
Langley Buck

Langley Buck is a passionate piano instructor with a lifelong love of music. She began playing piano at the age of 6 and quickly fell in love with the instrument. Langley’s accompanying experiences with the piano include accompanying orchestra in middle school and choirs throughout high school.  Currently pursuing a music degree at Middle Tennessee State University, Langley will graduate in 2025. She has already gained teaching experience, having spent a semester instructing at Dow Street and two years of tutoring for the music theory and piano department at MTSU.  Langley is committed to sharing her love of piano and theory and fostering a deep appreciation for music in her students. She believes in a holistic approach to piano education, emphasizing the love of piano, discipline, and character growth.

PIANO:
Austin Ford

Austin Ford is a pianist, singer, composer, and bandleader. His passion in teaching is to find the styles of music that most excite each student and help them build the requisite skills to play that music. Therefore his curriculum is highly tailored to individual students’ needs. He’s able to do this because of his diverse musical background: he grew up playing classical music, fell in love with commercial music (especially Billy Joel and the Beatles) as an adolescent, and studied jazz at MTSU. Now Austin is a published recording artist, leading his band Austin Ford and the Time Travelers to release a ten-song album in 2024. He’s been teaching piano lessons since 2019.

PIANO:
Arunesh Nadgir

Dr. Arunesh Nadgir has performed as a soloist and chamber musician in the United States, South America, Europe, and Asia. He is the Coordinator of Keyboard Studies and Associate Professor of Piano at Middle Tennessee State University. He has previously held teaching positions at New England Conservatory’s Preparatory and Continuing Education Departments, the Eastman School of Music, the Blue Lake Fine Arts Camp, and the Point CounterPoint Music Camp. His students have been accepted to music festivals and college music programs across the country and have won top prizes at pre-college and college level music competitions including the University of Rochester Concerto Competition, the MTNA Tennessee Young Artist Piano Competition, and the Tennessee Music Teachers Association Solo Piano Competition.

Dr. Nadgir holds degrees from the New England Conservatory of Music, The Juilliard School, and the Eastman School of Music where he studied under Wha Kyung Byun, Robert McDonald, and Natalya Antonova, respectively.

Sarah Martel holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Piano Performance from University of Louisville, where she studied under Dr. Anna Petrova.  Her pre-college years were spent at DuPont Manual/YPAS Piano Program with Dr. Matilda Ertz in Louisville, Kentucky where she also studied privately with Nancy Albrink at the Academy of Music at St. Francis in the Fields (2007-2017). Alongside piano teaching, she enjoys taking on accompanying opportunities and singing/songwriting.

Her teaching career began November 2020 in Louisville, Kentucky. Although her students were mainly of beginner and intermediate level, she has had experience with students in the later intermediate to early advanced level, including students of adult age. In her lessons, she uses the Faber Piano Adventures method series along with supplemental materials.

Grace Thompson has studied piano for over fifteen years and holds undergraduate degrees in Piano Pedagogy and Piano Performance from Bryan College, where she studied under Dr. Olivia Ellis. She is a Nationally Certified Teacher of Music (NCTM) through MTNA (Music Teachers National Association), and she has taught private and group piano lessons for almost five years. She was previously an intern and teacher with the Bryan College Performing Arts Academy and served as a music tutor, accompanist, and student leader for the Bryan music department. She has also been involved in worship music as a church pianist/keyboardist for over ten years. She is currently pursuing a master’s degree in Collaborative Piano at MTSU under the instruction of Dr. Adam Clark. As a teacher, Grace is passionate about sharing the gift of music with her students, and she hopes to pass on to her students the enthusiasm, inspiration, creativity, and excitement she finds in music via a fun, compassionate, and encouraging learning environment.

Joseph Walker is a Collaborative pianist, Vocal Coach and Musical Director who works with students and faculty at MTSU. Joseph believes that music brings people together and helps shape our lives. He has worked on numerous musicals and operas at MTSU. Also, in his work at MTSU, Joseph has had the honor of coaching and performing recitals at MTSU. He holds a BA in Music from Armstrong Atlantic State University in Savannah, Georgia and an MA in Collaborative piano from MTSU. Along with his work at MTSU, Joseph enjoys cooking and spending time with his wife and furry friend Petey.

FLUTE:
Alice Judy

Alice Judy is a freelance flutist and private teacher based near Nashville, TN. She was recently named a finalist in the 2023 Flute Society of Washington Young Artist Competition. She maintains a strong private studio, and has placed students in regional and county honor bands. In addition to performing as principal flutist of the Middle Tennessee Sinfonietta and as a substitute flute with the Tennessee Philharmonic, Alice is an avid chamber musician, and was featured as a concerto soloist alongside fellow flutist Jacob Farmer with the 2022 Nashville Summer Orchestral Institute.

Originally from Louisville, KY, Alice earned a BM in flute performance from Middle Tennessee State University in 2020. During her time at MTSU, she performed as principal flute of the Wind Ensemble and the Symphony Orchestra, as a member of the MTSU Flute Choir, and in various chamber ensembles. She was named a finalist in the 2019 Tom Naylor Solo Artist Competition and the winner of the 2018 MTSU Flute Studio Orchestral Audition Competition.

Alice is a two-time winner of the National Flute Association’s Collegiate Flute Choir Competition. She has participated in and performed at a variety of summer festivals and masterclasses, including Marrowstone Summer Music Festival, Whole Flutes, and the William Bennett Summer Flute Academy, among others. She has performed in masterclasses for flutists such as Marianne Gedigian, Jill Felber, William Bennett, and Erik Gratton. Her primary teachers include Deanna Little and Don Gottlieb.

VOICE:
Julie Daltorio

Julie Webster is a graduate of Middle Tennessee State University with honors in vocal performance, where she studied with Dr. Will Perkins. She is a member of Phi Kappa Lambda music honor society. Her roles include Alice Ford in Verdi’s Falstaff and Genovieffa from Puccini’s Sour Angelica in Middle Tennessee State University’s opera scenes program. Her musical theater experience includes being a featured towns person and the understudy for the Beggar Woman in Sondheim’s Sweeney Todd. She was excited to debut her first lead role as Valencienne in the MTSU Spring 2022 production of Franz Lehar’s Die Lustige Witwe or “The Merry Widow”. She has performed solo recitals and been a featured soloist for MTSU’s Schola Cantorum in their Opera to Broadway concert as well as a soloist in the Mozart’s Requiem. She was a featured Young Artist for North Carolina’s Brasstown Concert Association in November 2022, and currently directs the choir at her church. She loves art song, folk music and Opera alike. In her free time, Julie enjoys taking her dog, Schubert, on walks in nature and getting coffee with friends.

GUITAR:
Jack Crowley

Jack Crowley received his Bachelors in classical guitar performance from Middle Tennessee State University where he has continued his studies towards a masters with Dr. William Yelverton. With his origins within the rock and pop genres, he used his education to widen his expertise into the classical and jazz genres. He spent much of his undergraduate years developing the specialized skill in arranging music for solo classical guitar and has continued to arrange with his most recent large work creating a complete arrangement of the Minecraft Alpha OST. He currently assists and performs with the guitar ensembles at MTSU and teaches privately in Murfreesboro between the ages of 7-60.

GUITAR/UKELELE/MANDOLIN:
Mike Carraway

Mike Carraway has more than twenty-five years of experience teaching guitar and music ensembles.  He has been a performer in the music industry for more than 50 years. Starting guitar at age 12, he knew that was his life dream. Playing rock, country, and pop has been his focus for many years, but he has played other genres of music throughout his career. Carraway (originally from Lubbock, Texas) has spent time in the Nashville area playing with signed recording artists. He has videos on CMT and various television shows that show off his talents and experience in the music industry. Other musical interests include playing musicals and recording studio tracks. Carraway also plays bass, mandolin, and ukulele. He taught private lessons and different genres of ensemble bands for nineteen years at South Plains College Creative Arts Department. He earned an Associates of Applied Arts in Commercial Music, Certificate of Proficiency, and Certificate of Advanced Proficiency at South Plains College and Texas Tech University.

EARLY CHILDHOOD MUSIC:
Abbi Miller

Abbi Miller is a sixth-year elementary music teacher who teaches in Murfreesboro, TN. She is a fully certified Orff-Schulwerk educator with a Bachelor’s degree in Music Education from MTSU and a Master’s degree in Music Education from Anderson University. Abbi has experience teaching pre-K through sixth grade students and a passion for helping students find various ways to engage in active music-making. She is so excited to be leading the Little Beats camp this summer and can’t wait to be making music with those students soon!

BASSOON:
Katherine Adelott

Katherine Aydelott has lived the majority of her life in Rutherford County, where she maintains a thriving private bassoon studio. Her bassoon students are regularly accepted into MTSBOA Mid-State, TMEA All-State, Governor’s School for the Arts, and more. Ms. Aydelott’s background in Music Education has helped guide the development of her bassoon pedagogy.  In her previous position as assistant band director at Page Middle School, her students were highly successful in MTSBOA Concert Performance Assessment, TMEA State Concert Festival, and Solo and Ensemble. She and her former colleagues at Page Middle School were invited to present their professional development “Team Teaching in the Bandroom: Working Together to Sound Better” at the 2021 Midwest Clinic International Band and Orchestra Conference.

Ms. Aydelott holds a Bachelor of Music Education degree from the University of Illinois at Champaign-Urbana and a Master of Music degree in Musicology from Middle Tennessee State University. Her interest in information used as a tool for growth led her to library work, and to her current position as Circulation Assistant with James E. Walker Library at Middle Tennessee State University. When not working, she enjoys reading, writing, and learning how to make new things!

SAXOPHONE:
LOGAN BARRETT

Logan Barrett, saxophone instructor, is a native of Murfreesboro. He brings a unique blend of knowledge and experience that is built upon a multi-faceted education from Middle Tennessee State University, extensive experience in both solo and ensemble playing, and a curated network of musical colleagues he’s drawn influences from over the last decade. Logan graduated with his BM in Saxophone Performance in 2019, and more recently with his MM in Instrumental Conducting in 2022. Supplementing his education is six years as woodwind staff with the Mount Juliet High School Band of Gold, experience as both lessons instructor and salesperson at Music & Arts, as well as involvement as instructor and ensemble director with Love Learning Music nonprofit organization.

Logan is the founder and Director of the Middle Tennessee Woodwind Orchestra (MTWO), a collective of semi-professional woodwind musicians from the middle Tennessee area based in Nashville and sponsored by Love Learning Music. Logan is also the creator and head of the Consortium for American Woodwind Orchestra Music, as well as a recipient of the Special Opportunities: Arts Engage grant from the Tennessee Arts Commission for the ensemble and their most recent performance.

Outside of music, Logan’s hobbies include reading fantasy and science fiction novels, cooking and recipe research and testing, taking walks at Oaklands Park at the historic Oaklands Mansion, and spending time with his black cat, Salem.

CLARINET:
ELISABETH JACKSON

Elisabeth Jackson, a graduate teaching assistant at MTSU and local Nashvillian, holds a degree in Instrumental Music Education from Maryville College with honors. A recipient of a full tuition music scholarship, she excelled academically and is a proud member of Kappa Delta Pi, the National Honors Society for Education. Elisabeth has contributed to various music ensembles such as the Youth Philharmonic at Vanderbilt, and currently contributes to the MTSU Clarinet Choir, Wind Ensemble, and Chamber Winds. She has also published original songs with her group Sisters J, achieving number 1 and number 5 on the Indie and Euro World Charts. With a passion for teaching, Elisabeth has held various directing positions throughout the past ten years and advocates for universal access to music education.