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Brian Bemman, Piano, Guitar (BA) |
 Brian Bemman is a music theorist, composer and performer residing in Columbia, SC where he teaches the classical guitar and piano. He completed his B.A. in Music from The Florida State University and is currently working on his M.M. in Theory at the University of South Carolina where he holds a graduate assistantship in theory. Brian's academic focus is primarily on music cognition/perception, pedagogical methods and mathematical models of music and he has been happily teaching for 7 years.
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Chris Essig - Guitar (MM) |
 Mr. Essig has been teaching guitar for over nine years and enjoys teaching in the Columbia area. He has an earned a M.M in Music at USC under the instruction of Christopher Berg and a B.A in Guitar Performance from Geneva College. Essig has performed in numerous settings including USC Solo Master's recital, USC Concerto Recital, Columbia Guitar Society, CIU Faculty Recital, St. Martins in the Fields Episcopal Church, and various weddings and events.
Essig is also Worship Director at Columbia Crossroads Northeast church, where he works with various instrumentalists.
Essig specializes in Solo Classical guitar but also teaches from a broad perspective in polular music. Styles include Jazz, Rock, Blues, Bluegrass, and Contemporary Worship styles. His philosophy in teaching the guitar is to help students develop a rich understanding of music, guitar technique, and guitar repertoire so that they can have the tools they need to excel in whatever style they are drawn to.
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Jeff Harris - Guitar (MM) |
Jeff received his Bachelor's degree from Stetson University and holds a Master of Music degree from USC. He has been an active teacher and performer throughout South Carolina for the past several years. Jeff teaches all styles of music on the guitar and is comforable teaching students of any level or age. He periodically offers group classes in guitar and ukulele as well. |
Alan Knight - Guitar (MM) |
 Alan grew up in New Orleans playing many instruments and experimenting with various musical styles. Throughout his studies at the University of New Orleans, he performed extensively as a soloist and in ensembles. Alan's teaching reflects this experience by approaching each student differently. His graduate studies at USC with Christopher Berg have enabled him to teach at the highest level of Classical guitar while his love of more popular styles adds depth and variety to his approach. Classical, Blues and Rock are all a part of his musical spectrum. |
Steve Sloan - Guitar (MM) |
 1st prize-winner in the 2007 James Stroud Classical Guitar Competition and 2nd prize-winner in the 2006 Rosario Guitar Competition, Steve Sloan has been heard in a variety of venues across four states. His first solo recording, “Constellations”, was released in June 2009. Sloan has given performances at Presbyterian College (SC), Nashville Public Library (TN), Oberlin Conservatory (OH), Weaver Academy (NC), and many others. He has performed in master classes for such luminaries as Sharon Isbin, Pepe Romero, and Benjamin Verdery. In addition to his activities as a soloist Sloan has accompanied singers, flutists, violinists, saxophonists, played in guitar duos, and is currently director of the Columbia Guitar Orchestra. Mr. Sloan has five years experience teaching guitar. A Graduate of the University of Akron’s School of Music, Steve also completed his Master's degree at the University of South Carolina
studying with Professor Christopher Berg.
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Robert Neese, Piano, Organ, Theory (MCM) |
 While at USC, Robert studied theory with Dr. Jerry Curry and Dr. Fred Teuber, as well as choral conducting with Dr. Arpad Darazs and organ with John Haney. He received his Master of Church Music degree from New Orleans Theological Seminary with a major in organ performance. The study of music has been a lifelong pursuit for Robert, from early lessons with his mother to his present work as church musician, community choir conductor and teacher. He requires a serious commitment to musical study from his student, balanced with fun and friendship in the lesson. To Robert, the enjoyment of music is a very important facet of music education. |
Brian Bemman, Piano, Guitar (BA) |
Brian Bemman is a music theorist, composer and performer residing in Columbia, SC where he teaches the classical guitar and piano. He completed his B.A. in Music from The Florida State University and is currently working on his M.M. in Theory at the University of South Carolina where he holds a graduate assistantship in theory. Brian's academic focus is primarily on music cognition/perception, pedagogical methods and mathematical models of music and he has been happily teaching for 7 years.
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Jamie Hawkins - Piano (BA) |
Jami Hawkins has over 30 years experience as a piano teacher. In the past she has held positions as organist, pianist, and choir director. She served at Ebenezer Lutheran Church as Associate for Communications and Learning Ministries, working with Ebenezer's children's choir and annual Music Camp. Jami brings a love of music and a love of children to her teaching. She holds a BA degree from the University of South Carolina, where she graduated Magna Cum Laude, and was inducted into Phi Beta Kappa academic honor society.
"One of the greatest gifts we can give to our children is a love and appreciation of the arts. I have always been grateful to my own parents for providing me with piano lessons as a child. They gave me a legacy of love for music, which I have passed down to my own children, now teenagers. Teaching piano helps me to bring that love of music to an even wider audience." |
Sarah Moore - Piano (MM) |
 Sarah holds a bachelor of music degree in piano performance and a master of music degree in piano pedagogy. She is currently pursuing a DMA degree in piano pedagogy from the University of South Carolina and studies piano with Dr. Charles Fugo. In addition to her studies, Sarah serves as president of the MTNA Collegiate Chapter at USC. Some of Sarah’s profession contributions include poster sessions at the National Conference on Keyboard Pedagogy, various adjudication engagements, and workshops for teachers and students. Recently she won first prize in the Collegiate Writing Contest sponsored by Clavier Companion. Her article “Lowell Lieberman’s Album for the Young: A Fresh Approach to Teaching Literature” appears in the January/February 2009 issue |
Abigail Wylie - Piano (MM) |
Abigail Wylie received her Master of Music degree in piano pedagogy from the University of South Carolina and Bachelor of Music degree in piano performance and choral/general music education at Lawrence University in Appleton, WI. Along with colleagues at USC she was selected to present her current research "My Students Aren't Listening! Effective Strategies for Engaging Young Learners" at the 2010 Music Teachers National Association National Conference Collegiate Chapter Session. Her background in music education and experience teaching as an elementary music teacher has naturally led to an interest in teaching piano in group settings as well as using classroom techniques to create a fun and exciting environment in private lessons. Currently she is completing doctoral studies at USC where she holds assistantships in group piano and accompanying.
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Chris Gardner - Violin, Cello, Bass (BME)
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 Chris Gardner received a Bachelor of Music in Education from West Chester University of Pennsylvania in 2008. During his time at West Chester he studied the Double Bass under Peter Paulsen and performed in a variety of settings including Symphony Orchestra, Chamber Orchestra, Statesmen Jazz Band, and Jazz combo. After completing his undergraduate degree Chris moved to Nashville, TN where he taught violin, cello, and bass through a store specializing in stringed instruments. During instruction Chris places emphasis on general musicianship while focusing on the development of correct performance techniques for the instrument at hand. He has had experience with teaching students of all ages and feels that there is no wrong time to begin learning music.
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Karen Fowler Shevenell - Voice (BME, MCM) |
 Karen Fowler Shevenell has a B.M. degree from Columbia College, Columbia, SC, with an
emphasis in Vocal Performance and Church Music. Karen studied voice with Lanny Palmer, while at Columbia College. She received her M.C.M. degree from The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, with an emphasis in Vocal Pedagogy. She studied voice with Mozelle Clark-Sherman, while at The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary.
Karen is currently the organist at Platt Springs United Methodist Church. Prior to this
position, she has served as Minister of Music to churches in Indiana and Annapolis, MD;
substitute organist in churches in the Lowcountry and midlands of SC; and as a Children's
Choir Director. She taught voice lessons at the churches where she served as Minister of
Music. Karen has performed several solo vocal recitals. She enjoys the opportunity to
work individually with singers, children through adults.
Karen currently sings with the Sandlapper Singers, directed by Dr. Lillian Quackenbush;
and she also sings with Colla Voce, directed by Dr. Larry Wyatt. Karen is a native of the Saint Andrews area of Columbia, SC.
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Felicia A. Torres - Voice, Flute (BME)
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 Felicia A. Torres graduated as an Honor Graduate in December 2010 from Columbia College with a Bachelor of Music in Vocal Performance. While attending Columbia College Felicia studied voice with Dr. Serena Hill, Dr. Ann Benson, and Mr. Tom Brunson. During her time at Columbia College Felicia was awarded the Outstanding Junior Music Major Award, the Carolyn Parker Award for voice, and the Gilkerson Award for music. Felicia has served as President for the Columbia College Choir, Chorus, and Hi C’s, she also served as the music director for the 2009 Columbia College Opera Scenes Production.
Felicia is currently a staff musician under Dr. Lillian Quackenbush at Shandon Presbyterian Church. Felicia maintains a private voice studio, but is very excited to begin teaching at the Music Academy. As a flute player since the age of 12, Felicia is also able to offer instruction in flute.
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Felicia A. Torres - Voice, Flute (BME) |
Felicia A. Torres graduated as an Honor Graduate in December 2010 from Columbia College with a Bachelor of Music in Vocal Performance. While attending Columbia College Felicia studied voice with Dr. Serena Hill, Dr. Ann Benson, and Mr. Tom Brunson. During her time at Columbia College Felicia was awarded the Outstanding Junior Music Major Award, the Carolyn Parker Award for voice, and the Gilkerson Award for music. Felicia has served as President for the Columbia College Choir, Chorus, and Hi C’s, she also served as the music director for the 2009 Columbia College Opera Scenes Production.
Felicia is currently a staff musician under Dr. Lillian Quackenbush at Shandon Presbyterian Church. Felicia maintains a private voice studio, but is very excited to begin teaching at the Music Academy. As a flute player since the age of 12, Felicia is also able to offer instruction in flute.
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Teri Forscher-Milter - Flute (BME) |
 Teri Forscher-Milter is an honors graduate of Interlochen Arts Academy and holds her bachelor’s degree from the Cleveland Institute of Music. She also studied in the Performer’s Diploma program at the Cleveland Institute of Music and Indiana University. She received first prize from the prestigious Arts Recognition and Talent Search Competition in Miami, Florida and subsequently was awarded by President Bill Clinton as a Presidential Scholar in the Arts in 1994. Teri received the Maurice Sharp Flute Award from the Blossom Music Festival in 1996 and as a member of the Juniper Quintet, won prizes at the Fiscoff National Chamber Music Competition and Darius Milhaud Competition. Mrs. Forscher-Milter was named second flutist and piccoloist for the American Sinfonietta in 1996 and played with the orchestra for six years, including a European tour. Teri was principal flutist for the Knoxville Symphony Orchestra and toured as a soloist with the orchestra in 2000. Mrs. Forscher-Milter also performed with the Cleveland Orchestra, Atlanta Symphony, Alabama Symphony, Charleston Symphony, and the Columbus Symphony. She has also held many teaching positions across the country at various institutions and has a great passion for the art of flute pedagogy. She joins the Columbia, SC community as Vice President of the South Carolina Flute Society and plans to perform at the National Flute Association convention this coming summer. |
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Carolina Music Academy Office Hours: |
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Monday |
10:00 am - 12:00 pm |
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Tuesday |
10:00 am - 12:00 pm |
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Wednesday - Friday |
10:00 am - 12:00 pm |
Other times by appointment |
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