Music Lessons

 

 

Mr. Brandt holds a B.M. from Michigan State University and an M.M. from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro. His teachers include Charles Owens, Salvatore Rabbio, Robert Pangborn, Douglas Roose, and Tom Schneller. Jim was a charter member of the Drum Corps Midwest Judges Guild and served as the caption chairman of the Great Lakes Judges Association. Currently, he holds active memberships in the Percussive Arts Society, ASCAP, and The Jazz Education Network. Jim is active as a composer, arranger, instructor, performer, clinician and adjudicator for high school and university marching bands, drum and bugle corps, symphonic bands and orchestras, jazz ensembles, chamber ensembles, vocal groups, and praise bands. 

Currently, he is performing with The Piedmont Wind Symphony, as well as touring as the percussionist with Daphne Nichols. Jim has performed and recorded with many varied artists including The TWA Jazz Ensemble, Karen Carpenter, Hubert Laws, Eumir Deodato, Don Ellis, Grover Washington, Jr. and Lionel Hampton as well as fronting his own ensembles. Equally at home in all genres of music, Brandt has performed with the Rochester, Detroit, Grand Rapids and Lansing Symphonies. 

He has also toured with numerous off-Broadway production companies. Jim has appeared as guest soloist with The Ferndale High School Symphonic Band and The Michigan State University Wind Ensemble. Former students of Mr. Brandt are currently playing on Broadway, in major US symphony orchestras, in Nashville, Los Angeles and New York clubs and recording studios as well as DCI drum and bugle corps percussion sections. 

 

 

B.M., Wheaton College Conservtory of Music
Suzuki Certification 1-4
Starling-DeLay Symposium at Julliard

 

Rebekah Carlson is a Suzuki violin and viola teacher and freelance violinist. She has played with several professional music ensembles, including the North Carolina Opera, the Carolina Ballet, and the Chamber Orchestra of the Triangle, the Durham Choral Society, and the NC Master Chorale. 

Rebekah holds a Bachelor of Music in Violin Performance from Wheaton College Conservatory of Music (IL) and is a passionate music educator with extensive training in Suzuki pedagogy. She has taught at the NC Suzuki State-wide Play-in and has been a frequent clinician at several regional workshops. 

Rebekah is the founder and director of the Chapel Hill String Ensemble, which has performed both regionally and internationally, with recent tours to Austria, Germany, and Italy. While in Chapel Hill, she had a studio of 50 students, and her pupils were active in several area orchestras, including the Piedmont Youth Orchestra and the Mallarmé Youth Chamber Orchestra. 

Rebekah and her family relocated to High Point in June 2012 with her husband, Matthew, an English professor at High Point University, and her baby girl, Ingrid Elizabeth.

 

"When love is deep, much can be accomplished." - Dr. Suzuki 

Colleen Finan received her Bachelor of Science in Music Education from Pennsylvania State University with an emphasis in General and Instrumental Music playing clarinet in ensembles ranging from  the  Clarinet Choir to the Penn State Marching Blue Band. Since moving to North Carolina in 1997, Colleen has continued to perform throughout the area with community and professional ensembles. She has previously served as the Instrumental, Choral, and General Music Instructor at Perry Harrison Elementary School in Pittsboro, NC, General Music Instructor at Wallburg Elementary School in Davidson Co., NC as well as Music Camp Woodwind Instructor for Ledford High School.

 

B.M., Wesleyan College  
M.M., University of South Carolina   
M.M., University of North Carolina at Greensboro

 

Carolyn F. Hall, Mezzo Soprano, received her Bachelor of Music from Wesleyan College, Master of Music Education from the University of South Carolina and Master of Music in Choral Conducting from the University of North Carolina Greensboro. Ms. Hall sings with Bel Canto Company of Greensboro and has performed with the Charlotte Symphony, Charlotte Repertory Orchestra, Oratorio Singers and Oratorio Chamber Singers of Charlotte, Piedmont Chamber Singers, Columbia and Augusta Choral Societies. Her repertoire includes among other works, J.S. Bach “Magnificat”, Beethoven “Mass in C Major”, Bernstein “Chichester Psalms”, Handel “Messiah”, Mozart “Requiem”, Saint-Saens “Christmas Oratorio”, Vivaldi “Gloria” and Sibelius “The Tempest”. Ms. Hall appeared as Mrs. Ott in the 2004 UNCG production of Susannah by Carlisle Floyd and Kate Pinkerton in Columbia Lyric Opera’s production of Madame Butterfly.

Ms. Hall was a 2001 NATS Mid-Atlantic Region Finalist and has served as Assistant Director for Oratorio Singers of Charlotte and Augusta Choral Society.  In addition, Ms. Hall has also participated in productions at USC Opera Theatre Workshop, Augusta Opera, Opera Carolina,  Conductor’s Institute of South Carolina Opera Program and UNCG Opera Theatre. Ms. Hall has recently studied voice and coached with Levone Tobin-Scott at UNCG and has sung in masterclasses with Phyllis Curtin, Elizabeth Graham and Patrice Michaels-Bedi. At the University of South Carolina she was choral assistant to Dr. Arpad Darazs and to Dr. Welborn Young at the University of North Carolina - Greensboro School of Music.

Named a North Carolina Regional Artist in 1998, Ms. Hall pursued her orchestral conducting studies as a Fellow at the 2001 Conductors Institute of South Carolina and served as Conductor of Gaston String Orchestra in Gastonia, NC, before moving to High Point. Ms. Hall is an experienced choral music educator and currently is the Conductor/Artistic Director of the High Point Children’s and Youth Chorales and completed her certification to Level III in the Choral Music Experience program at Elon University in 2009.

She teaches private voice and voice class at Wesleyan Teaching Studios and also has experience at the college/university level. During the 2008-2009 academic year,  Ms. Hall served as Interim Director of the Chapel Choir and University Singers for High Point University.

Ms. Hall lives in High Point with husband Steve and sons, Erik, David, and Steven where she enjoys gardening, especially collecting named hybridized daylilies. Active in many choirs at Wesley Memorial United Methodist Church, Ms. Hall sings alto in the Chancel Choir, plays handbells in the Chancel Bells and Handbell Quartet and is a frequent soloist. Her musical hobby is composing for solo voice, choral ensembles, chamber instrumental and handbell ensembles. Ms. Hall is a member of National Association of Teachers of Singing, American Choral Directors Association, Music Educators National Conference, Choristers Guild and Sigma Alpha Iota. Ms. Hall serves on the Musical Arts Guild Board of Directors for the School of Music at UNCG.

B.S., Winston Salem State University  
M.M., University of North Carolina at Greensboro    
D.M.A., University of North Carolina at Greensboro  

 

Michael Jarrett received the Doctor of Musical Arts degree from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro in 1998. He also holds the Master of Music in Trombone Performance with graduate level certification also from UNCG, and the Bachelor of Music in Music Education from Winston-Salem State University. Teachers include Sandy Poindexter, Richard Liston, and Dr. Randy Kohlenberg. 

Dr. Jarrett has taught band at both the middle and high school level in Davidson County, and most recently served as Band Director at Wesleyan Christian Academy for the 2006-2007 academic year. In addition, he served on the faculty at John Wesley College and Pfeiffer University.

From February, 1996 until March of 2007, Dr. Jarrett, in cooperation with C.H. Duncan of Duncan Music Co., was founder and Director of Duncan Music Teaching Studios in Winston-Salem and owner since 2004. In this capacity, Dr. Jarrett oversaw a staff of 18 instructors offering private instrumental lessons to some 300 students per week. In addition to his administrative duties Dr. Jarrett maintained a large studio of private trombone students from throughout central NC. 

Dr. Jarrett’s middle and high school students have consistently secured seats in All-County, All-District, and All-Sate Honors Bands. Many students have also successfully competed in many regional orchestral and jazz ensembles. Dr. Jarrett’s students have gone on to pursue undergraduate and graduate music degrees in education and performance, with many winning auditions for scholarships and other financial prizes. Dr. Jarrett continues to serve as a trombone clinician for area schools presenting master classes and adjudicating auditions.

Dr Jarrett is an active freelance performer throughout the region having performed with most notable orchestras and musical theater organizations. He as also made numerous appearances with churches and community ensembles as well as colleges and universities. Performances include appearances at the International Trombone Festival and the Eastern Trombone Workshop. Currently, Dr. Jarrett is trombonist with the Stratford Brass Quintet, which he founded in 1996, and continues to perform in other area venues.

B.M., University of North Carolina at Greensboro  
M.M., University of North Carolina at Greensboro

 

 

Elizabeth received both the Bachelor and Master of Music in Music Education from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro and is currently on faculty at Lawndale Fine Arts and Music Academy in Greensboro teaching individual and group instruction on flute, piccolo, conducting and piano. 

Over the past 24 years, Mrs. Mosher has taught both instrumental and choral music from beginner to advanced levels as well as performed as a soloist with various ensembles throughout the East Coast in sacred and secular music. She has served as Director of Music Ministries in High Point and Greensboro, Band Director in Lexington, and Elementary Music Teacher in Colfax. 

She and her husband Cliff reside in Greensboro and have 3 grown sons Clark, Matt, and Eric.

 

Bob Spencer’s career is an interesting and eclectic journey spanning over three decades in an amazing array of genres.  Bob has established himself as a highly sought after guitarist, but his performing talents also encompass the bass, mandolin, harmonica, keyboard as well as flute and sax.  Bob graduated with a degree in Music Education from the University of North Carolina-Greensboro and initially taught in the Chapel Hill/Carrboro County school system. From ’77 to ’93, Bob toured 47 states with performers such as Billy “Crash” Craddock, Helen Cornelius and Jim Ed Brown, Southern Crescent, Sundance, and Johnny Fisher.  During this period he appeared on “Hee Haw”, Showtime, and 23 performances at the Grand Ol’ Opry, ’87-88.

 

Bob also performs with The Vicki Skinner Band, Soul Biscuit, Windfall, Mood Swingz, Espresso Brazil, in addition to making numerous solo appearances.  Also possessing vocal talents, Bob served as Choir Director at Springfield Friends from ’93 to ’04 and currently teaches guitar classes there.

 

Bob achieved a No. 1 Country Music hit, “Peaches” in ’85 with band Southern Crescent.  He currently has an instrumental CD titled Carolina Dreaming which is available throughout NC.  Please visit www.themoodswingzband.com to learn more.

B.M., Oral Roberts University
M.M., Southern Baptist Theological Seminary

 

 

Charlene Sullivan holds a Bachelor of Music from Oral Roberts University and a Master of Church Music, with an emphasis in piano pedagogy, from Southern Baptist Theological Seminary. She has taught piano, maintaining a successful studio for over 25 years. 

Charlene is also an accomplished accompanist, having served as accompanist at Green Street Baptist Church, Guilford Baptist Church, and presently serves as music Director for Archdale Friends Meeting. 

In addition, she has been accompanist for the High Point Community Theatre, and is currently serving as the performance accompanist for the Trinity High School Chorus. A member of the High Point Piano Teachers Association, Charlene’s teachers have included Maurice Hinson and Don Hustad. She has a great relationship with her students, past and present, and enjoys teaching immensely! 

 

 

With more than 40 years of playing and teaching experience, Mr. Woodell is well-versed in a variety of styles and genres. He began his professional playing career at the early age of 15 in his hometown of Chicago, where he played with the band Crosswind. While attending the Devry Institute of Technology to advance his knowledge of electronics for guitars and amplifiers, he continued to play in and around the Chicago area. After spending time in Nashville, at age 22 he moved to North Carolina, and for the next four years, he traveled the East Coast with Billy Dee Hanes and Branded Country, achieving a number-one single in Canada. 

Mr. Woodell has performed in bands opening for many national acts including Neil McCoy, Tracy Lawrence, Little Texas, Exile, The Tams, and The Vogues. He continued his studies in music and technology at Guilford Technical Community College. Between 1987 and 1995, he played with more than 20 different bands. 

From 1991-2000, Mr. Woodell served as guitar instructor and manager for Ivey Music in Thomasville. After meeting Billy Bazemoore, former lead singer for the Band of Oz, Mr. Woodell joined the Tymes Square Band playing beach music. Because of his solid guitar skills and ability to read charts, he continues to be called by national tours such as Percy Sledge and The Crystals. He maintains an active playing schedule along with a studio of successful students where his motto is “never stop learning and growing!”