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THRELKELD ACADEMY OF MUSIC AND ARTS


FAYETTEVILLE, GEORGIA

Threlkeld Academy of Music & Arts

Meet Our Teachers

Please Note:
Tuition for private lessons is $130 per month for weekly, 30 minute lessons. We require a 6-month agreement.

FAYETTEVILLE FACULTY: ALL DEPARTMENTS
Enter the category for this item: PRE-SCHOOL MUSIC, ORGAN
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Shannon Adams
Instructional Department: Pre-School Music, Organ
Campus:
Fayetteville

Shannon Adams is a board-certified music therapist who has spent over ten years working primarily in children’s hospitals. She holds a bachelor’s degree in elementary music education from Brigham Young University, where she studied organ as her primary instrument under Douglas Bush, as well as a master’s degree in music therapy from Texas Women’s University. She also had the rare opportunity to study and play the carillon while at BYU. As a Kodaly certified elementary music teacher, she enjoyed working in the public school setting in Fort Worth, Texas before shifting her focus to music therapy. Shannon is a frequent accompanist in the community and at her church and enjoys teaching organ.
Enter the category for this item: PIANO, VOICE
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Tracy Threlkeld Beaton
Instructional Department: Piano, Voice
Campus:
Fayetteville

Tracy Threlkeld Beaton has a passion for teaching beginning through intermediate piano and voice lessons. She is a former children’s music minister and chapter president of the South Metro Atlanta Music Teacher’s Association. She also has had her own children’s chorus with Griffin Choral Arts. Tracy currently serves as children’s music accompanist for her church and is a soprano in the Griffin Choral Arts chorus. When a music student of Clayton State University, she took piano and voice pedagogy and studied private piano with Dr. Michiko Otaki and voice with Dr. Christina Howell. She opened Threlkeld Academy of Music and Arts in August 2014 and has grown her business while continuing to teach private lessons.
Enter the category for this item: PIANO
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Deborah Beasley
Instructional Department: Piano
Campus:
Fayetteville

Deborah Beasley has been teaching for more than thirty years. She has also been pianist for several churches in Georgia and Alabama. She has served as accompanist for various choral groups and jury performers at Georgia State University.
She enjoys teaching beginner, intermediate and advanced students, imparting her love and appreciation for beautiful music of all types. Many of her students have become pianists in church ministries and contemporary groups.
Enter the category for this item: MUSIC THEORY, CELLO, VIOLA, DOUBLE BASS
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Hannah Cranfill
Instructional Department: Music Theory, Cello, Viola, Double Bass
Campus:
Fayetteville

Hannah Cranfill teaches violin at Threlkeld Academy of Music and Arts. She earned her B. A. in Music Education from North Greenville University, where she studied with Dr. Leslie Warlick and Dr. Michael Weaver. She has also studied with Felix Farrar and Kathryn Gardner. Hannah earned her Kodály Level 1 certification from the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga. She is an active member of the Georgia Music Educators Association and also participates in events held by the South Metro Atlanta Music Teachers Association. Hannah has been teaching violin for 7 years. In addition to teaching privately, she is a former middle school orchestra director. She currently teaches general music at a preschool and
elementary school. Hannah was previously a member of the First Baptist Atlanta Worship Orchestra for 11 years. Now she enjoys leading worship at her church, Faith Community Church, in string trios, quartets, and ensembles.
Enter the category for this item: PIANO, ORGAN, VOICE
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Pat Dodson
Instructional Department: Piano, Organ, Voice
Campus:
Fayetteville

Pat has a Bachelors of Science degree from Emory University, a masters degree from EMORY' Candler School of Theology, and an accredited masters in music from the state of Georgia. She has 50 years of service as a Minister of Education; organist and choir director. Pat teaches beginning piano and beginning through advanced voice.
Enter the category for this item: GUITAR
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Bill Hearn
Instructional Department: Guitar
Campus:
Fayetteville

Bill Hearn received Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Guitar Performance from Florida State University, and a Doctorate in Guitar Performance from the University of Arizona in Tucson. He was chosen three times as an International Semifinalist in the Guitar Foundation of America Solo competition, and worked for four years in the North Carolina Visiting Artist program. He currently teaches guitar and World Music at Clayton State University, and performs frequently with the Atlanta Guitar Trio. In addition to being one of the Atlanta area’s premiere classical guitarists, Bill also enjoys performing and teaching flamenco, American folk styles and blues, ukulele, mandolin and banjo.
Enter the category for this item: FLUTE, PIANO, VOICE
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Courtney Hughes
Instructional Department: Flute, Piano, Voice
Campus:
Fayetteville

Courtney attended the Music Business Institute c/o the Art Institute of Atlanta,where she received her Associate of Arts Degree in Music Entertainment Management. She served with the World Changers Church International and served in the Music Department faithfully for five years. While there, Ms. Hughes became one of the leading audition team members. Later, she was called out of World Changers and has since been vocal coaching and instructing Praise Teams of other churches. Ms. Hughes received her Bachelor of Arts Degree as a Piano Performance Major from Clayton State University. Ms. Hughes has been teaching private piano, flute, and voice for several years. She is currently a member of the Georgia Federation of Music Teachers through the Newnan Notes local chapter. She has students who participate in the National Federation of Music Clubs Festival auditions every year. She teaches in the areas of Flute, Piano, and Voice beginning with students at the age of 6
years old through senior adults.
Enter the category for this item: PIANO, VIOLIN, VIOLA
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Jessica Hutcherson
Instructional Department: Piano, Violin, Viola (Speaks Spanish)
Campus:
Fayetteville

Jessica Hutcherson received her B.A in Music Education at Clayton State University, where she studied violin under Kevin Chaney and piano under Dr. Michiko Otaki. During her time at Clayton State, she was able to teach private lessons for 5 years with the Music Prep School. In addition, she played in the Clayton State jazz combo as a jazz violinist and pianist. She is currently the Orchestra director and General Music teacher at Forest Park Middle School. She is also experienced at playing for churches and playing different genres of music (R&B, pop, gospel, etc.) when gigging.
Enter the category for this item: GUITAR
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Lane McDuffie
Instructional Department: Guitar
Campus:
Fayetteville

Lane grew up in a musical family and her first instrument was the saxophone in the school band. Her interest in guitar first started with her mother, who sang and played guitar in church. Lane has pursued the art of playing guitar since 2007, and is currently working toward an Associate Diploma of Guitar Performance with the Royal Conservatory of Music, having earned certificates of achievement in music theory and guitar performance. She received a bachelor in arts degree from Emory University, and studied music at Clayton State as a guitar student of Dr. Bill Hearn. She also studied privately with Nashville session and touring guitarist, Andy Gurley, and classical performance teacher, Lyster Bass. While a student, she gave lessons from her home and a love of sharing music developed into a passion for teaching. Lessons include practice methods, technique, music theory, improvisation, and students are encouraged to explore and be creative. She recently began teaching ukulele and group classes, too. She enjoys arranging music for solo guitar and playing a variety of genres. Lane has performed at weddings as a solo guitarist and with other musicians, and was a performing member of the Atlanta Guitar Orchestra in 2015. Over the years, she has had a wide variety of interests, working as an events administrator, realtor, and was also a private pilot. Lane has two grown sons and in her spare time these days, mostly enjoys the outdoors and painting.
Enter the category for this item: ART
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Nnamdi Okonkwo
Instructional Department: Art Classes, Private and Semi Private Lessons
Campus:
Fayetteville

We are pleased that world renowned sculptor, Nnamdi Okonkwo, will be offering beginning as well as advanced classes in drawing, oil pastels and sculpture. He will also be sharing valuable lessons he has learned along his journey, and what he feels are his secrets, to becoming successful as an artist. His sculptures adorn many homes in this country and abroad. His monumental pieces, as well, can be seen in sculpture gardens and other outdoor locations locally and internationally.
Website: www.nnamdiart.com
Enter the category for this item: CELLO, VIOLIN
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Jalan D. Tillman
Instructional Department: Cello, Violin
Campus:
Fayetteville

Jalan Tillman received his B.A. in Music Education from Clayton State University, where he studied Cello with professor Ismael Akbar, Double Bass Dr. Richard Bell. Jalan has worked with and Conducted the Clayton County Youth Orchestra while developing his Violin and Viola pedagogical skills. Jalan is a certified music educator and Teaches Choir and Orchestra at Kendrick Middle School in Clayton County.