Caitlin attended the University of North Texas and received a Bachelor’s degree in violin performance under Julia Bushkova. She has performed in many orchestras and chamber ensembles throughout the United States and Canada, as well as in England, The Netherlands, Belgium, Germany, and China. Recent appearances include performances given with the Anderson Chamber Music Series, a concert series she co-founded with Alex Spainhour in 2019. Caitlin has been teaching for fifteen years in a variety of settings including private lessons, masterclasses and classroom teaching. Caitlin’s biggest goals for her students are to learn the life skills that accompany musical study and to form a lifelong appreciation for music.

Mike Cannon is a guitarist who has been playing and writing music since before he can remember. He enjoys many musical styles including pop, country, bluegrass and Americana. Mike graduated from Clemson University with a BSEE in computer engineering and then worked as the Design Engineering Manager for NCR Corporation for 32 years. When Mike retired from NCR in 2013, he opened his own music recording studio on his lakeside property in Townville, SC, where he lives and write music with his wife Rosalinda. Mike enjoys teaching and his goal is to help beginning musicians get started and develop their skills on guitar.

Throughout his childhood, Jordan has studied music, taking lessons for violin, guitar, drums and percussion, piano, and music composition. In high school he attended a fine arts conservatory called Artios Academies, where he studied music theory and composition, musical theatre, choir, and choreography. In college he studied Commercial Music with a focus in piano performance at Anderson University under Dr. Howard Kim. Jordan has experience leading music worship at church, working as musical director for various shows in the upstate, working as a piano accompanist, and working as a collaborative musician on both drums and piano. Jordan believes music should be a fun experience that teaches skills such as creative thinking and persistence.

A native of Greenville, South Carolina, Ashlyn Athey graduated from Furman University with degrees in Violin Performance and German Studies in May 2023. Since 2019, she has worked as the strings intern for the Carolina Youth Symphony, attended the Brevard Music Center summer festival, studied violin in Vienna, Austria, served as a violinist at the Collaborative Strings Institute in Baton Rouge, Louisiana and worked as a counselor at the New England Music Camp in Sidney, Maine. During the next year, she plans to continue her studies with Professor Simon Gollo while teaching violin students at Sounds of Carolina. In her spare time, she enjoys researching, hiking, spending time with family, and doing yoga.

Callie Williamson was born and raised in Anderson, SC, and is currently a senior at Anderson University. She is double majoring in Dance and Human Development and Family Studies while also pursuing a minor in Music. With 18 years of dance training and experience and 11 years of playing the violin, Callie has a deep love for the arts. Her career goal is to work as a Music or Dance Therapist, specifically with special needs children, using the power of music and movement to make a positive impact in their lives.

Destinee Webb has a bachelor's degree in Music Education with emphasis in keyboard and voice from Lander University. She also has her master's degree in Music Education from Anderson University. She has played the piano for 18 years and was classically trained in vocal pedagogy for 7 years. Destinee is currently the Choral Director and Musical Drama teacher at Pendleton High School. One of Destinee’s favorite vocal genres to teach is music theater. Destinee enjoys to read, watch anime, and learn new things in her spare time!

Doug, a native of Charlotte, North Carolina, discovered his passion for guitar at the age of 14. Inspired by the virtuoso guitar heroes of his time, he dedicated himself to emulating their skills. Doug's music education began at CPCC, where he studied classical music theory and composition, before moving to Atlanta to attend the Atlanta Institute of Music. Upon Graduating at the top of his class with a degree in performance and music technology, Doug was offered a teaching position at his alma mater. With over 20 years of experience, he has shared his expertise with countless students . Doug has released five solo albums and worked as a sought-after musician for various projects. Doug's teaching philosophy encompasses all levels of skill, from beginners to advanced students. He excels in guiding his students in performance, songwriting, theory, and recording. One of Doug's greatest joys is helping his students discover their unique musical voice, whether through songwriting, composing, or simply finding personal fulfillment in the beauty of music.

Duane L. Ream, a native of Kansas, earned bachelor’s and master’s degrees in music from Bob Jones University in Greenville, SC in 1984 and 1986, respectively. Upon graduation, he joined the faculty of the Division of Music at BJU, where he taught for 34 years. In 2019, he left BJU to become the Chairman of the Music Department at Ambassador Baptist College in Lattimore, North Carolina, where he served until 2023. He has served for many years as a judge for the National Federation of Music Clubs, The National Guild of Piano Teachers, and the American Association of Christian Schools National Competition. In recognition of almost four decades of teaching and performing in church work, Duane was recently presented with the honorary Doctor of Ministry degree (DMin.)

Hannah Dara holds a Master of Music degree from the University of Maryland and a Bachelor of Music degree from Oberlin Conservatory. She is currently pursuing a doctoral degree. Ms. Dara grew up in South Carolina, where she began learning viola at the age of 9 in the ARMES after-school program. She later attended the Governor's School for the Arts and Humanities. Ms. Dara performs with the Greenville Symphony and other orchestras in the Southeast. She participated in the National Orchestral Institute and Festival in Maryland.

In her teaching, Ms. Dara seeks to build strong foundational skills in her students, addressing posture and the technical skills necessary for string playing while also incorporating the history and context of the music. Learning an instrument takes time, patience, and focus; but the progress that results is always rewarding.

Hanna Ward is a graduate of Anderson University with a Bachelor of Music in Voice Performance and Pedagogy and a minor in Theatre. She has earned honors through the National Association of Teachers of Singing Student Auditions. She qualified for the Mid-Atlantic Regional Student Auditions in both Musical Theatre and Classical in 2020, 2021, 2022, and 2023 and qualified for the National Student Auditions in Classical in 2020, in the Hall Johnson category in 2022, and in the Musical Theatre and Spiritual categories in 2023. She was also a semi-finalist in the John Alexander National Vocal Competition in Musical theatre in 2022. She has participated in Opera Workshop productions, various choirs, and performed with the Jazz Band while at Anderson University. She was also a soloist with the Anderson Symphony Orchestra in 2022. She has also participated in Florence Little Theatre Productions. In the Summer of 2022, she studied with the International Performing Arts Institute in Germany. She continues her vocal studies under Deirdre Welborn, M.M, in Anderson, South Carolina.

Jer Nelsen is a photographer, artist, and educator. He holds an MFA in Visual Art from Lesley College of Art and Design, in Cambridge, MA, and teaches Photography at South Carolina School of the Arts at Anderson University. Jer is passionate about music, and he loves helping Sounds of Carolina with the tech side of things. He's handy with spreadsheets and workflows, and he loves to us those skills to make things run as smoothly as possible so that the musicians can focus on making great music with their students. Jer is also a passionate teacher, and he loves to share his knowledge and enthusiasm with his students.

Katie Jo Oliver is a vocalist/performer based in the upstate of South Carolina. She received her BFA in Musical Theatre from the South Carolina School of the Arts at Anderson University. Having been a part of many singing groups and countless amounts of live productions, she is looking forward to teaching. Katie Jo enjoys performing in local theatre productions and is heavily involved in music ministry at her home church, Mt. Pisgah Baptist Church. Katie Jo has a large passion for music and the arts. She is excited to see that spark grow in her students.

Originally from New Jersey, Kayla has called the Upstate home for most of her life. Kayla studied under Dr. Kristen Wunderlich at Winthrop University, graduating with a Bachelor of Music in Performance in 2020. She has experience performing with various ensembles, working as a music and creative director for performances, and teaching voice, piano, and music theory lessons. Kayla strives to help her students discover their distinct sound and personal strengths through establishing healthy technique and self-confidence. In her free time, Kayla loves to, learn about space and astrology and play with her pet dogs and cats.

Kelly Ward graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Piano Performance from Azusa Pacific University in Southern California. Kelly has had a diverse experience in the Arts with over 20 years experience as a musician, composer and teacher. Kelly has composed music for productions at the Warehouse Theater and the South Carolina Governor’s School for the Arts and Humanities. She has 2 full-length albums available on iTunes and Amazon and has also performed her original compositions in the Greenville and Asheville areas. Kelly loves to read, crochet, knit, yoga and go for walks.

Lindsay Brazell is a local singer-songwriter and performer in the upstate of South Carolina. She is the Greenville Chapter Coordinator of the Nashville Songwriters Association International, and helps facilitate group songwriting activities in the area for local organizations. Lindsay has also served as a judge for local songwriting competitions in the Greenville area. You can find Lindsay's music on all of your favorite streaming platforms, or visit the music page. Lindsay serves as the Director of Choirs at Riverside High School in Greenville County. She has a Bachelor of Arts in Production Studies in Performing Arts from Clemson University, a Master of Arts in Teaching from The College of Charleston, and doctoral coursework from The University of Southern Mississippi. In addition to high school teaching, Lindsay maintains a private studio teaching guitar, piano, and voice. Her teaching philosopy centers on the goals and desires of each student, as everyone's musical journey is different.

Maren Dameron Reaves has studied violin with R. Alexander Spainhour and at Wake Forest University. She completed training in the Suzuki method for books 1-3. She has over ten years experience teaching violin and viola, including five years as the Strings teacher at the Montessori School of Anderson. She has played with the Anderson Symphony Orchestra, the GAMAC Chamber Orchestra, the Spartanburg Philharmonic, and various bluegrass groups around Anderson. She teaches all ages, including adult beginners, with the Suzuki method and teaches bluegrass fiddle to those who are interested.

Mary Beth Carpenter is a violist and pianist with over 15 years of experience. She holds a Bachelor of Music Education from Anderson University, and is currently pursuing a Master of Music Education at VanderCook College of Music. Mary Beth was formerly the strings teacher at Calhoun Academy of the Arts, and is currently the orchestra director at Wren High School. Mary Beth resides in Piedmont with her husband, Gary, and Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, Calvin.

A lifelong musician and arts educator, Michelle earned her Bachelor of Music Education at Western Kentucky University and her Master of Music Education at Bowling Green State University (piano emphasis). Michelle is certified in both First Steps in Music and Conversational Solfège Levels 1 & 2, and she has maintained a private piano studio for over twenty years. She has worked in both private and public schools, teaching middle school choir, group piano, and elementary general music. Michelle also served as the Founder and Director of RUS Academy, a nonprofit organization that offered classes for K4-8th grade homeschooling students in the Upstate. She recently obtained her Educational Specialist degree in Administration and Supervision at Converse University. Michelle believes fervently that the arts can enrich everyone’s life, and she combines her talents as an educator and musician to inspire her students to excellence.

Olivia is a graduate of Anderson University, having completed her bachelor degree in Vocal Performance and Pedagogy. Olivia’s educational background includes technical, pedagogical, musical theater, classical, and operatic training. Performance achievements include serving the role of The Queen of The Night in Mozart’s “The Magic Flute”, performing as a soloist with the Anderson Symphony, and competing in NATS vocal competitions. Her passion is sharing her love for musical storytelling with others, vocal health, and expanding others confidence in their musical gift. Apart from teaching, Olivia loves jazz, cooking, spending time with loved ones, and playing with her puppies.

Savannah York was born and raised in Greenville, South Carolina and has 15 years of experience as a violist. She graduated from Furman University with a degree in Viola Performance and continued on to receive her master’s degree in Viola Performance and Literature from the Eastman School of Music in Rochester, New York. Since returning to Greenville, she has been a guest clinician at Furman University’s Band and Orchestra Camp, the ASTA Violin/Viola Workshop, and Christ Church Episcopal School’s Jumpstart program for beginning string players. Savannah has experience performing solo, in chamber ensembles, and full orchestras. She regularly performs with the Greenville Symphony Orchestra as well as the Hendersonville Symphony Orchestra. As a teacher, Savannah’s goal is to share her passion for music and she strives to create a safe space to facilitate creative learning. When not playing the viola, Savannah enjoys reading, pilates, and playing all day with her dog, Winston.

Timothy Blaha has taught instrumental music for 36 years at the middle school, high school, and adult levels. His career spans placements at four different schools teaching woodwinds, brass, percussion, strings, and piano. He was selected as teacher of the year at two of the four schools he served. He has a bachelor’s degree in music education from The University of Wisconsin at Madison and a master’s degree in music education from The University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. His educational philosophy for music is to have all students understand music by reading, writing and performing.