Administrative Staff
Faith Music Academy Director: Ryker Dillard: 901-531-6829
Associate Pastor, Music and Worship: Terry Easley: 901-531-6819
Administrative Assistant Music and Worship: Konnie Easley: 901-531-6825
Associate Pastor, Music and Worship: Terry Easley: 901-531-6819
Administrative Assistant Music and Worship: Konnie Easley: 901-531-6825
Teaching Staff
Brass
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Randy Peace-Trumpet-rpeace1@comcast.net
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Guitar
Grayson Inman-Guitar-thegraysoninman@gmail.com
Piano
Dianna Samples-Piano-dsamples38002@aol.com
Hello my name is Dianna Samples. I have been married to Dan Samples for 45 years and we have 3 children and 6 grandchildren. I taught kindergarten for 28 years with Shelby County Schools. I have been teaching private piano lessons at Faith Music Academy since retiring 6 years ago. I also teach private piano lessons at Lausanne Collegiate School and until last year taught group piano lessons for Memphis City Schools. I attended the University of Memphis and earned a BS in education in 1974. During my high school and college years, I was the church pianist/organist and taught private piano lessons. During my adult life, I have played piano for various children's choirs, Sunday School classes, and weddings. I have also sung in various church choirs and sang with the choir in The Memphis Passion Play at Bellevue Baptist Church for over 10 years. God called me to teach and I love teaching piano to all different ages of children. My desire is to see children grow to love music and express it in worship to our Lord and Savior.
Hello my name is Dianna Samples. I have been married to Dan Samples for 45 years and we have 3 children and 6 grandchildren. I taught kindergarten for 28 years with Shelby County Schools. I have been teaching private piano lessons at Faith Music Academy since retiring 6 years ago. I also teach private piano lessons at Lausanne Collegiate School and until last year taught group piano lessons for Memphis City Schools. I attended the University of Memphis and earned a BS in education in 1974. During my high school and college years, I was the church pianist/organist and taught private piano lessons. During my adult life, I have played piano for various children's choirs, Sunday School classes, and weddings. I have also sung in various church choirs and sang with the choir in The Memphis Passion Play at Bellevue Baptist Church for over 10 years. God called me to teach and I love teaching piano to all different ages of children. My desire is to see children grow to love music and express it in worship to our Lord and Savior.
Ashley Shearin-Piano-ashshearin9212@gmail.com
My name is Ashley Shearin. I have been playing piano for 20 years and teaching for 13 years. I went to the University of Tennessee in Knoxville and double majored in music education and piano pedagogy. In addition to piano I also play organ, harpsichord, flute, piccolo, violin, percussion, and I sing. Although I enjoy performing, my passion is teaching. My goal for my students isn't just to teach them an instrument but to read and understand all aspects of the music and to instill a passion for the history behind the music. I have also performed jazz and recently have had the privilege to be apart of theater productions. My background is classical piano but have experience teaching all genres of music. My philosophy has always been that for a student to practice they have to want to learn. What better way to do that than to learn music that they like! In addition to learning the basics they will have the chance to choose pieces that they like for supplemental learning.
My name is Ashley Shearin. I have been playing piano for 20 years and teaching for 13 years. I went to the University of Tennessee in Knoxville and double majored in music education and piano pedagogy. In addition to piano I also play organ, harpsichord, flute, piccolo, violin, percussion, and I sing. Although I enjoy performing, my passion is teaching. My goal for my students isn't just to teach them an instrument but to read and understand all aspects of the music and to instill a passion for the history behind the music. I have also performed jazz and recently have had the privilege to be apart of theater productions. My background is classical piano but have experience teaching all genres of music. My philosophy has always been that for a student to practice they have to want to learn. What better way to do that than to learn music that they like! In addition to learning the basics they will have the chance to choose pieces that they like for supplemental learning.
Greg Sims-Piano-gregory.sims@acsk-12.org
I’ve taught for the past 9 years at Faith’s Music Academy and I love it! I also teach in the Shelby County School system for the past 12 years and currently teach in the Arlington School District. My passion and calling is to ensure that young people use their God-given musical talents and abilities to honor and glorify God. I also believe that students will grow more in their walk with Christ as they practice & practice to be able to perform in front of various audiences. I enjoy working with students – but I am blessed even more by watching them grow in musically and spiritually.
I’ve taught for the past 9 years at Faith’s Music Academy and I love it! I also teach in the Shelby County School system for the past 12 years and currently teach in the Arlington School District. My passion and calling is to ensure that young people use their God-given musical talents and abilities to honor and glorify God. I also believe that students will grow more in their walk with Christ as they practice & practice to be able to perform in front of various audiences. I enjoy working with students – but I am blessed even more by watching them grow in musically and spiritually.
Strings
Anthony Lu-Cello-alu@memphis.edu
Kristy Rhodes-Violin-krhomusic@gmail.com
I am a violinist/violist who grew up in Memphis, studying with Joy Brown Wiener in middle and high school, and with Timothy Shiu and Ara Sarkissian in college. In December of 2013, I graduated summa cum laude from the University of Memphis with a Bachelor’s of Arts Degree in Music, violin performance.
I have also been a violist since 2008 and studied with Lenny Schranze at the University of Memphis for 3 years. I was also allowed to play viola in some chamber music and orchestra classes. In January of 2012, I sat as principle violist in a concert with the Annie Moses Band at Carnegie Hall, and sat as assistant principal violist in the Nashville Praise Symphony under the direction of Camp Kirkland in 2013.
I have taught violin since 2009 and I studied Suzuki pedagogy under Libby Armour while in college. I have also taught for several years at the Fine Arts Summer Academy with the Annie Moses Band in Nashville leading fiddle ensembles, chamber ensembles, and teaching some private lessons.
I enjoy fiddling and improvising in several settings from folk music to church music, and I perform often in local community orchestras. I believe that music is a gift from God to be used to glorify Him and draw others to Him. In 2012 and 2016, I traveled to Asia, where I helped lead worship in an underground church alongside my sister. I am also an active member of my church where I help lead worship and play in the church orchestra on a regular basis.
I am a violinist/violist who grew up in Memphis, studying with Joy Brown Wiener in middle and high school, and with Timothy Shiu and Ara Sarkissian in college. In December of 2013, I graduated summa cum laude from the University of Memphis with a Bachelor’s of Arts Degree in Music, violin performance.
I have also been a violist since 2008 and studied with Lenny Schranze at the University of Memphis for 3 years. I was also allowed to play viola in some chamber music and orchestra classes. In January of 2012, I sat as principle violist in a concert with the Annie Moses Band at Carnegie Hall, and sat as assistant principal violist in the Nashville Praise Symphony under the direction of Camp Kirkland in 2013.
I have taught violin since 2009 and I studied Suzuki pedagogy under Libby Armour while in college. I have also taught for several years at the Fine Arts Summer Academy with the Annie Moses Band in Nashville leading fiddle ensembles, chamber ensembles, and teaching some private lessons.
I enjoy fiddling and improvising in several settings from folk music to church music, and I perform often in local community orchestras. I believe that music is a gift from God to be used to glorify Him and draw others to Him. In 2012 and 2016, I traveled to Asia, where I helped lead worship in an underground church alongside my sister. I am also an active member of my church where I help lead worship and play in the church orchestra on a regular basis.
Heather Thompson-Violin-heathertheviolinist@yahoo.com
My joy and passion is teaching the violin! The teachers that have influenced me are Juilliard graduate, Ron Houston, Suzuki teacher, Jenny Burton, and Julia Bushkova from the University of North Texas. In my own teaching, I use the Suzuki method because of the success I have seen with this method over my 12 years of teaching. I enjoy playing with the Germantown Symphony Orchestra and at my church on Sunday mornings. I have also used my music to minister in orphanages and churches in Russia, Ukraine, Italy, Austria and Bolivia. Encouraging my own students to also use their music to reach out to others is important to my teaching philosophy.
My joy and passion is teaching the violin! The teachers that have influenced me are Juilliard graduate, Ron Houston, Suzuki teacher, Jenny Burton, and Julia Bushkova from the University of North Texas. In my own teaching, I use the Suzuki method because of the success I have seen with this method over my 12 years of teaching. I enjoy playing with the Germantown Symphony Orchestra and at my church on Sunday mornings. I have also used my music to minister in orphanages and churches in Russia, Ukraine, Italy, Austria and Bolivia. Encouraging my own students to also use their music to reach out to others is important to my teaching philosophy.
Voice
Shannon Bellamy-Voice-momawaitingchrist@gmail.com
Greg Sims-Voice-gregory.sims@acsk-12.org
*SEE PROFILE UNDER PIANO TEACHERS*
*SEE PROFILE UNDER PIANO TEACHERS*
