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.

STRING ORCHESTRA DIRECTOR/VIOLIN:
Susan Mullen

Susan Mullen is a dedicated music educator, conductor, violin instructor, and freelance violinist/violist with a passion for working with students of all ages. She co-founded and conducted the Murfreesboro Youth Orchestra from 1997 to 2008 and went on to establish the orchestra program at The Webb School, where she taught from 2008 to 2025. She is the co-founder and conductor of Dow Street’s Lionheart Orchestra, an adult string chamber ensemble, and serves as assistant concertmaster of the Tennessee Philharmonic Orchestra in Murfreesboro. Susan also teaches at the Festival Internacional de Música de Cobano (FIMC) in Costa Rica’s Nicoya Peninsula, where she has conducted for 13 years. At the Tennessee Valley Music Festival’s summer program in Huntsville, Alabama, she conducts two orchestras and leads a session on Video Game Music for string players. With decades of performing and teaching experience, she continues to inspire musicians through her artistry, energy, and commitment to musical growth.

STRING ORCHESTRA DIRECTOR/VIOLIN:
Allison Cowan

Allison Cowan has been teaching privately since 1998 and has been a public school educator with Williamson County Schools for the last 14 years. She was the founding director of the orchestra programs at Centennial High School, Ravenwood High School, and Woodland Middle School. She is currently serving as Director of Orchestras and Guitar at Ravenwood High School in Brentwood, Tennessee where her orchestras were identified as an Orchestra of Distinction in both 2025 and 2026.

Previously, Mrs. Cowan has been a conductor with the Music City Youth Orchestra Program and the Ethos Youth Ensembles. On top of her teaching responsibilities, Mrs. Cowan is the Past President and current Treasurer of the Tennessee Chapter of the American String Teacher Association, serves on the American String Teacher Association K-12 Committee, is a District Orchestra Lead for Williamson County Schools, and is Past President of the Williamson County Orchestra Directors Association.

In her spare time, Mrs. Cowan enjoys traveling, camping, hiking, and spending time with her husband and daughter.

STRING ORCHESTRA DIRECTOR/CELLO:
Laura Shaw

Laura Shaw is an accomplished music educator, conductor, and professional cellist with more than 18 years of experience teaching and inspiring string students throughout Middle Tennessee. She holds a Bachelor of Music Education from Eastern Kentucky University and pursued graduate studies in Cello Performance after relocating to Murfreesboro.

Throughout her career, Laura has built and led thriving orchestra programs in both Metropolitan Nashville Public Schools and Williamson County Schools, while also directing youth orchestras and maintaining a vibrant private studio. She is passionate about making high-quality music education accessible to all students and believes every child deserves the opportunity to experience the joy and discipline of learning a string instrument.

In addition to teaching, Laura has performed professionally for more than 20 years. She enjoys playing in symphony orchestras, musical theatre productions, FUMC worship band, weddings, chamber groups, and a variety of contemporary performances throughout Middle Tennessee.

Laura’s teaching philosophy centers on growth through the learning process.

“I teach students to love the process. Learning a string instrument teaches perseverance, patience, and confidence one note at a time. Those ‘aha!’ moments that happen through consistent effort don’t just make better musicians, they help build resilient, confident people. Watching students discover what they’re capable of is the greatest reward of teaching.”

Laura lives in Murfreesboro with her husband, Ben, and three children: Brewer (11), Charlie (9), and Ellie (5). Laura is excited to join the Dow Street Community Music School family and looks forward to helping students of all ages grow as musicians and develop a lifelong love of music.

VIOLIN AND VIOLA:
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.

VIOLIN AND 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.

VIOLIN AND VIOLA:
Julianna Brown

Julianna Brown is a violinist and violist from Murfreesboro Tennessee and has over 11 years of playing experience. She is currently pursuing a degree in Music Education from MTSU and hopes to teach orchestra in the public schools. As a performer she has played in a variety of settings such as pit orchestras, weddings, symphonies, and studio sessions. She also enjoys performing with local ensembles such as the Middle Tennessee Sinfonietta, the Nashville Concerto Orchestra, and the Middle Tennessee Choral Society. Outside of classical music, she enjoys playing with the Murfreesboro Ukulele Club, crocheting, and collecting CDs.

VIOLIN:
Alex Csaki

Alexander Csaki is a Nashville based violinist of 4 years with a music industry degree from Middle Tennessee State University. As a performer Alexander has done a variety of pit work on musicals such as, She Loves me and Rodger and Hammerstein’s Cinderella; for orchestra, The Nutcracker, Mozart’s The Magic Flute, and The Pirates of Penzance. His violin has taken him from weddings and church services to venues such as the Tennessee Performing Arts Center. Alexander also enjoys playing in various chamber ensembles and choral settings. As a teacher, he prioritizes the “How” in practicing the violin, while creating an inviting and focused lesson space. In his free time, he enjoys playing board games with friends, collecting classical vinyl’s and learning German.

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:
Dr. Jose Ottonello

Dr. José Ottonello is a talented Uruguayan-Italian virtuosic cellist, researcher, conductor and educator. He is the Director of Orchestras at The Webb School in Bell Buckle, TN; a cello teacher for the Dow Street Community Music School in Murfreesboro, TN; and the founder and artistic director of the El Salvador Chamber Music Festival. He completed his Doctorate in Musical Arts at Louisiana State University with honors in cello performance under the guidance of Prof. Dennis Parker and minor studies in Jazz with Dr. John Bishop and Prof. Doug Stone. He completed a master’s degree with honors under the guidance of Maestro Vladan Kočí at Universidad de Ciencias y Artes in Mexico (UNICACH). He is a former Assistant Professor for the National School of Artistic Studies by SODRE Uruguay, founder of the Hattiesburg Civic Orchestra and worked in Schools System for more than 20 years. He is the former cello professor at Loyola University of New Orleans and William Carey University, and at Universidad de la República in Uruguay.

Dr. Ottonello’s has performed with mayor orchestras like Mendoza Symphony Orchestra
Argentina, Panama National Symphony, Orchestra IPU in Paraguay, Loja Symphony Orchestra in Ecuador, the Academic Chamber Orchestra in Uruguay, the MEC Chamber Orchestra in Uruguay, and The Youth Symphony Orchestra of New York at Carnegie. He is the principal cello for Tennessee Philharmonic Orchestra, Jackson Symphony, Starkville Symphony. He has taught at important festivals in Panama, San Salvador, Bogotá, Florianópolis, Jaraguá do Sul, Tuscaloosa, New Orleans, Hattiesburg, Houston,
Baton Rogue, New York, Portland, Buenos Aires, CDMX, Xalapa, Guaranda, Bogota, Loja,
Montevideo, among many others, solidifying his reputation as a dedicated educator.

CELLO:
Nathan Smith

Nathan Smith is a real estate paralegal in Murfreesboro, but he has maintained a love for classical music since beginning his cello studies at age eight.  He had the distinct pleasure of studying under incredible educators, including Milica Zivkovic, Dr. Christine Kim, and Dr. Amber den Exter. At Middle Tennessee State University, Nathan completed a minor in music, serving as the principal cellist of both the MTSU Symphony and Chamber Orchestra before graduating in 2021. Since then, he has continued to collaborate with his former professors, from assisting with MSTU ensembles to his more recent involvement in the Lionheart Community Orchestra with Dr. Andrea Dawson. Nathan is a lifelong resident of Rutherford County.

More than anything, however, Nathan is a total nerd for classical music history; he primarily works from the 20th century (the best musical era in his opinion). As an educator, Nathan stresses the importance of musicology in private studies – more than just playing in tune with the right technique, he prioritizes a deeper understanding of the music, the composer, and how students emotionally connect to and appreciate what they are playing. Having also recovered from nerve injuries in both arms, Nathan educates students on how to pinpoint and reduce tension when playing, while also incorporating key orthopedic stretches and exercises.

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.

Grace Thompson was raised in the Blue Ridge mountains of north Georgia and has studied piano for nearly 20 years. She recently completed her master’s degree in Collaborative Piano at MTSU, where she is now an adjunct faculty member as well as a part-time accompanist for the music department. Grace also holds undergraduate degrees in Piano Pedagogy and Piano Performance from Bryan College. 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 eight years. She has also been involved in worship music as a church pianist/keyboardist for over ten years and frequently performs as a solo and collaborative pianist at various recitals and events. 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.

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.  She has taught at Dow Street Music since January 2024. She worked with students at MTSU for two years tutoring for the music theory and piano department.  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.  She completed a music degree at Middle Tennessee State University in spring 2025.

Ethan Vaughan is a Pianist from Kingsport, TN. He grew up playing the violin and drums, but he fell in love with playing piano around the 6th grade. In high school, he was the accompanist for the choir, as well as the pianist for the jazz band. He has played in multiple jazz honor bands, and in 2023, he was selected as a Pianist for the Tennessee Governor’s School of the Arts. Currently, he is pursuing an audio production degree at MTSU, and is studying piano under Dr. Arunesh Nadgir.

Chloe has been studying classical piano for 16 years and teaching private lessons for over 5 years. Starting at the age of 5, Chloe enjoyed participating in many piano festivals and competitions. Many of her most notable accomplishments being qualifications for state competition every year, placing runner-up at state twice, winner of the University of Tennessee Chattanooga piano competition and recipient of the National Federation of Music Clubs grand cup; as a recipient of this award, Chloe was featured in the Fall 2024 NFMC Junior Keynotes magazine. She is currently an upcoming Sophomore at MTSU, studying piano under Dr. Eunbyol Ko. As a teacher, she prioritizes cultivating a process-oriented mindset into her students, while still highlighting the importance of simply making music for enjoyment.

Amelia Ochoa is a graduate student at Middle Tennessee State University.  She is working toward a master’s degree in piano performance.  She is a graduate assistant in the MTSU School of Music and a piano student with Dr. Arunesh Nadgir. She moved from Arkansas to Nashville in 2020 to complete her Bachelor of Arts in Music from Belmont University.  She earned her degree in 2024 and studied with Dr. Kristian Klefstad. Amelia has performed with university choirs, soloists, and ensembles. She was a scholarship recipient at the Brevard Music Summer Institute in 2023. She has taught privately for over two years and loves getting to know each of her students and helping them find joy and confidence in music and themselves.

Kalea Villas began studying classical piano at the age of seven. She has remained actively involved in music throughout her academic career. Kalea was selected to perform in the MTSU School of Music Honors Recital in 2026.  She has competed in numerous piano competitions. Most recently, the Knoxville International Piano Competition (2nd place in the Romantic/Contemporary Category – 2025) and the Nashville Piano Achievement Competition (Outstanding Performance Award – 2023.)  Kalea was a student with the Blair Academy at Vanderbilt University’s Blair School of Music from sixth through twelfth grades as a Myra Jackson Blair (MJB) Scholar. Kalea is currently a student at Middle Tennessee State University. She studies Computer Engineering and Technology and has a minor in Music.  She studies piano under Dr. Arunesh Nadgir. Kalea currently serves as a church pianist, playing hymns regularly for King’s Cross Reformed Church in Columbia, Tennessee, and she previously performed as a keyboardist for student worship bands throughout middle and high school at Rolling Hills Community Church.  As a teacher, Kalea is committed to helping students develop strong technical foundations while growing in confidence and musical expression. She looks forward to working with her students and supporting their musical growth.

Abbie Barton is a pianist from Huntsville, AL.   She started playing piano at age four; she developed a deeper love and appreciation for piano while studying toward a piano performance degree at Auburn University.  Abbie believes a teacher should work with students on their individual goals while also encouraging them to cultivate good practice habits and technique.  As a teacher, she provides a positive, supportive environment.    Abbie says,“Having fun but goal-oriented lessons is important to me and I want to make sure that students are excited to come to their weekly lessons and also be ready to learn and grow.“ Currently, Abbie is pursuing a master’s degree in piano performance at Middle Tennessee State University. She studies piano with Dr. Adam Clark.

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.

VOICE AND CHOIR:
Amanda O’Connor

With degrees in music education, vocal performance, and vocal pedagogy, Amanda loves using her performance background to enrich her teaching skills.  Originally from the Chicago area, she has experience teaching at every level, from pre-k to university and conservatory music, and her performance experience spans genres and continents.  In addition to leading a children’s choir and teaching lessons at her church, she also enjoys homeschooling her own three boys. Amanda has sung with organizations including Chicago Symphony Chorus, Grant Park Symphony Chorus, Nashville Opera, and Cedar Rapids Opera Theater, and she remains an active performer in the Murfreesboro community. Amanda’s special interests in music are vocal health and technique, operatic and classical singing, music theory, and choral artistry.

VOICE:
Jaedyn Heil

Jaedyn Heil is a singer, songwriter, and actress with a Master’s degree in Classical Vocal Performance from NYU and a Bachelor’s degree in the same field from Middle Tennessee State University. Some of her favorite operatic and musical theater roles include Erminio in Scarlatti’s Il trionfo dell’onore (Voci nel Montefeltro Festival) and Johanna in Sondheim’s Sweeney Todd (MTSU Theater).

Jaedyn enjoys writing and producing music, performing as a background vocalist with Christian band Sonicflood, and pursuing work as a singer and actress. As a teacher, she strives to create a safe and encouraging space where students can explore new things, build confidence, and discover their unique artistic expression. She enjoys combining acting and vocal techniques to help students connect with their music and bring their performances to life.

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.

DOUBLE BASS/GUITAR:
Andrew Simons

Andrew Simons earned his Bachelors Degree in Jazz Performance with a concentration in Double Bass from University of Memphis in 2006. While there he studied Electric and Upright Bass with Tim Goodwin, and Classical Bass with John Chiego. He performed with the University Orchestra, Southern Comfort Jazz Band, as well as many local Memphis acts, styles ranging from Jazz, Blues, Funk, Salsa, Rock, Pop, Folk, and Country. After graduating he taught Guitar, Bass, and Piano at Lausanne Collegiate School and continued performing in Memphis before moving to Denver, CO in 2010. While in Colorado he continued teaching Electric and Upright Bass and performed and toured with notable Ghanaian Drummer Paa Kow, playing West African Highlife music, and later Reggae with Selasee and the FaFa Family. He has several decades of experience performing and teaching all styles of popular music. He moved to Murfreesboro in 2023 and currently offers lessons for Upright Bass (Jazz and Classical), Electric Bass (All Styles), Acoustic Guitar (Beginner and Advanced Fingerpicking), and Electric Guitar (Beginner). As a teacher he focuses on Technique Fundamentals, Ear Training, as well as reading written notation and music theory. He currently performs solo and with bands around the Nashville and Middle Tennessee area.

BASSOON:
James Orme

James Orme is a bassoonist, jazz bassist, composer, and passionate music student of 10 years, originally from South Africa, now based in Tennessee. At Middle Tennessee State University he is currently pursuing a degree in composition and music industry studies, with a strong emphasis on music theory, chamber music, studio collaboration, and the exploration of diverse musical cultures. While bassoon is his primary instrument, James is also an experienced jazz bassist, which brings a unique rhythmic and improvisational perspective to his playing and writing.

As a teacher, James values patience, openness, mindfulness, and mutual growth. He believes that teaching is a two-way process—where both teacher and student can learn from each other—and strives to create a supportive, encouraging environment in every lesson. Whether students are learning the fundamentals of bassoon, diving into jazz, exploring composition, or trying to make sense of music theory, James is excited to help them grow as musicians and as people. His goal is to make music education meaningful and enjoyable—no matter where a student is on their musical journey.

DRUMS:
Miles Damaso

Miles Damaso is a percussionist, music educator, and composer-arranger based out of Nashville, Tennessee. As a bandleader, he has performed at many reputable venues including City Winery Nashville and Rudy’s Jazz Room. Miles also frequently performs as a sideman with groups throughout the south and mid-west playing a wide variety of music, including rock, country, blues, jazz, Brazilian, Afro-Cuban, and musical theater. Passionate about sharing the gift of music with people, Miles has been teaching private lessons since 2017 and currently has students across the United States. He is also an active clinician and guest artist working with music programs in Iowa, Indiana, and Tennessee.  Miles is currently continuing a full-time career composing, performing, and privately teaching in the Nashville area, having recently completed a Master of Music degree at Middle Tennessee State University and Bachelor of Music degree at the Jacobs School of Music at Indiana University.  For more information, visit milesdamaso.com

CLARINET:
Sully Sullivan

Eric “Sully” Sullivan is a music educator and clarinetist from Northeast Georgia. After graduating with his B.M in Music Education from the University of North Georgia in 2025, he moved to Tennessee to pursue a M.M in Clarinet Performance from Middle Tennessee State University. Sully studies with Dr. Todd Waldecker, serving as his Graduate Teaching Assistant within the clarinet studio. Sully looks forward to completing his degree in 2027, with future intentions of pursuing a Doctorate or teaching in the public school system.