Meet The Teachers
Anna Blanton
(Violin, Fiddle, Beginner Mandolin)
BA Violin Performance and Marketing Minor University of Louisville, Suzuki Violin Teacher Trained ECC – Book 4, Owner of Kentuckiana Music Center
Anna plays various genres from classical to folk music to rock. She currently plays for Jericho Woods, Croghan's Crossing, and the Paducah Symphony. In 2017, she went on tour playing fiddle and mandolin for Colter Wall. She has played in backup orchestras for Josh Groban, Disturbed, Hanson, 2 Cellos, Lindsey Stirling, Evanescence, Ambrosia, Michael Bolton, The Orchestra (former members of ELO), Laurence Juber (Paul McCartney's Wings), and the Trans-Siberian Orchestra. Anna has taught privately for over 10 years. Students achievements include acceptance into Sewanee Summer Music Festival, IU Bloomington, Cincinnati Conservatory of Music Prep Program, Floyd County Youth Symphony, Louisville Youth Orchestra, fiddle contest winners, and gold ratings at ISSMA Solo & Ensemble Contest.
(Violin, Fiddle, Beginner Mandolin)
BA Violin Performance and Marketing Minor University of Louisville, Suzuki Violin Teacher Trained ECC – Book 4, Owner of Kentuckiana Music Center
Anna plays various genres from classical to folk music to rock. She currently plays for Jericho Woods, Croghan's Crossing, and the Paducah Symphony. In 2017, she went on tour playing fiddle and mandolin for Colter Wall. She has played in backup orchestras for Josh Groban, Disturbed, Hanson, 2 Cellos, Lindsey Stirling, Evanescence, Ambrosia, Michael Bolton, The Orchestra (former members of ELO), Laurence Juber (Paul McCartney's Wings), and the Trans-Siberian Orchestra. Anna has taught privately for over 10 years. Students achievements include acceptance into Sewanee Summer Music Festival, IU Bloomington, Cincinnati Conservatory of Music Prep Program, Floyd County Youth Symphony, Louisville Youth Orchestra, fiddle contest winners, and gold ratings at ISSMA Solo & Ensemble Contest.
Lydia Mercer
(Violin, Viola, Fiddle, Beginner Piano)
BM Violin Performance Baldwin Wallace Conservatory and MM Viola Performance University of Louisville
Lydia became U.S. national Scottish fiddle champion at 16 years old. Her love of Scottish folk music led her to record her solo album of original and traditional Scottish music, entitled “A Peculiar Sense of Humor.” Teaching has been and continues to be an integral and meaningful part of Lydia’s life. She has maintained a private lesson studio over 10 years, and has taught clinics and masterclasses across the US and Scotland. She specializes in teaching both classical and folk music on the violin and the viola.
Meghan Casper
(Violin, Viola)
BM Cleveland Institute of Music, Indiana University, MM Northern Illinois University
Meghan joined the Louisville Orchestra in 2007 after having been a member of the Azmari Quartet and a faculty member at Northern Kentucky University. As an active performer she plays for orchestras, arena shows, and music festivals across the country. A passionate teacher since 2000, she has been certified in Suzuki training and pursues ongoing development of her teaching skills by shared interaction with teachers of all experiences and styles. She has also been on violin/viola faculty at Indiana University Southeast since 2008. She studied music performance at the Cleveland Institute of Music and Indiana University. Meghan enjoys travelling, hiking and volunteering for animal welfare.
Anna Oldham
(Cello)
BM Cello Performance University of Louisville and MM Cello Performance DePaul University
Growing up, Anna spent the majority of her summers at notable music festivals, such as the Sewanee Summer Music Festival, Green Mountain Chamber Music Festival, and the Pacific Region International Summer Music Academy. She received recognition in local competitions, such as the 90.5 WUOL Young Artist Competition and the Macauley Chamber Music Competition, and performed in the PBS documentary, Music Makes A City Now, featuring Louisville Orchestra director, Teddy Abrams. She spent three years as a working member of the Chicago gig scene, performing in a wide range of ensembles and venues – most notably at the Chicago Symphony Center with the DePaul Symphony Orchestra – and teaching for the after-school program Sistema Ravinia.
(Cello)
BM Cello Performance University of Louisville and MM Cello Performance DePaul University
Growing up, Anna spent the majority of her summers at notable music festivals, such as the Sewanee Summer Music Festival, Green Mountain Chamber Music Festival, and the Pacific Region International Summer Music Academy. She received recognition in local competitions, such as the 90.5 WUOL Young Artist Competition and the Macauley Chamber Music Competition, and performed in the PBS documentary, Music Makes A City Now, featuring Louisville Orchestra director, Teddy Abrams. She spent three years as a working member of the Chicago gig scene, performing in a wide range of ensembles and venues – most notably at the Chicago Symphony Center with the DePaul Symphony Orchestra – and teaching for the after-school program Sistema Ravinia.
Charlie Blanton
(Upright Bass)
BM Bass Performance University of Louisville
Charlie Blanton studied with Sidney King at UofL and has continued performing and teaching privately part time. His students have been members of the Louisville Youth Orchestra and Floyd County Youth Symphony. In addition to teaching he has performed with the Huntsville Symphony and the Paducah Symphony. In addition to classical, he plays bluegrass music with The Porch Possums. Lessons are usually scheduled week to week.
(Upright Bass)
BM Bass Performance University of Louisville
Charlie Blanton studied with Sidney King at UofL and has continued performing and teaching privately part time. His students have been members of the Louisville Youth Orchestra and Floyd County Youth Symphony. In addition to teaching he has performed with the Huntsville Symphony and the Paducah Symphony. In addition to classical, he plays bluegrass music with The Porch Possums. Lessons are usually scheduled week to week.
Drew Alexander
(Voice, Piano, Beginner Guitar, Ukulele)
BA Voice University of Louisville
Drew Alexander is a 2019 voice major graduate from the University of Louisville. She has three years teaching experience in piano, guitar, and voice. She currently conducts the New Albany Community Choir. She is the Music Director for New Chapel United Methodist Church in Jeffersonville, Indiana. Drew has experience performing professionally in a variety of venues including, but not limited to, restaurants, bars, and fundraisers.
(Voice, Piano, Beginner Guitar, Ukulele)
BA Voice University of Louisville
Drew Alexander is a 2019 voice major graduate from the University of Louisville. She has three years teaching experience in piano, guitar, and voice. She currently conducts the New Albany Community Choir. She is the Music Director for New Chapel United Methodist Church in Jeffersonville, Indiana. Drew has experience performing professionally in a variety of venues including, but not limited to, restaurants, bars, and fundraisers.
Larry Ferguson
(Guitar, Ukulele, Beginner Bass - Ages 5 and up)
Larry has been a full time musician since the age of 14 and began teaching at 15 where his first teaching job was at Central Conservatory of Music. Ferguson studied with John Knowles, who was Chet Atkins' musical arranger. At 17 his band was signed to Chrysalis records. They toured most of the United States and opened shows for major acts of the day, Lynyrd Skynyrd, Molly Hatchet, Foghat and many others. He owned a vintage guitar store/teaching studio, House of Guitars, for 15 years where clients included The Rolling Stones, Robert Plant, Aerosmith, Motley Crue, and many other international recording acts. He has been a member of many of Kentuckiana's most popular groups including RUOK?, Caribou, The Beat Daddys and currently with Soul Kitchen. Teaching is his passion and loves helping people reach their goals!
(Guitar, Ukulele, Beginner Bass - Ages 5 and up)
Larry has been a full time musician since the age of 14 and began teaching at 15 where his first teaching job was at Central Conservatory of Music. Ferguson studied with John Knowles, who was Chet Atkins' musical arranger. At 17 his band was signed to Chrysalis records. They toured most of the United States and opened shows for major acts of the day, Lynyrd Skynyrd, Molly Hatchet, Foghat and many others. He owned a vintage guitar store/teaching studio, House of Guitars, for 15 years where clients included The Rolling Stones, Robert Plant, Aerosmith, Motley Crue, and many other international recording acts. He has been a member of many of Kentuckiana's most popular groups including RUOK?, Caribou, The Beat Daddys and currently with Soul Kitchen. Teaching is his passion and loves helping people reach their goals!
Larry Bourne
(Guitar, Bass Guitar, Piano, Mandolin, Ukulele, Violin)
Classical and Jazz Guitar and Piano at Bellarmine College
He has played in many bands and is currently a member of four, one of them an Elton John tribute band. He has been involved in church music since his teens and plays organ and piano at several area churches. At one time he was Director of Music at St. Clement Catholic Church in Louisville. He has taught private music lessons for 26 years.
(Guitar, Bass Guitar, Piano, Mandolin, Ukulele, Violin)
Classical and Jazz Guitar and Piano at Bellarmine College
He has played in many bands and is currently a member of four, one of them an Elton John tribute band. He has been involved in church music since his teens and plays organ and piano at several area churches. At one time he was Director of Music at St. Clement Catholic Church in Louisville. He has taught private music lessons for 26 years.
Paul Woods
(Drums, Guitar)
Percussion at University of Louisville and Murray State University
Paul has been performing on drum set professionally for over 42 years with various rock, country, rhythm and blues, top 40 and classical ensembles. He has toured in and around Southeastern, Midwestern and Northwen United States. Along with performing, Paul has also done commercial and group recording work. He currently performs in the Kentuckiana area on weekends with several groups.
(Drums, Guitar)
Percussion at University of Louisville and Murray State University
Paul has been performing on drum set professionally for over 42 years with various rock, country, rhythm and blues, top 40 and classical ensembles. He has toured in and around Southeastern, Midwestern and Northwen United States. Along with performing, Paul has also done commercial and group recording work. He currently performs in the Kentuckiana area on weekends with several groups.
Michael Sobieski
(Trumpet, Drums, Percussion, Piano, Theory)
Michael Sobieski started his music studies at eight years of age playing trumpet in the St. Thomas More Middle School band and is still the youngest child to be selected for the band. In his early years, Mr. Sobieski played for churches local to Munster / Floyd Knobs, Indiana, and has played with Orchestras such as the Louisville Youth Orchestra, Floyd County Youth Symphony, and the Louisville Community Orchestra. He has studied under Jerry Amend at Indiana University Southeast and Ansyn Banks at the University of Louisville for trumpet performance. At the age of 10, he started to teach himself the piano, later going on to study with Dave Issacs, and Gabe Evans at the University of Louisville. He has worked as a sideman for various local artists and organizations such as Louisville Laughs. In his studies at the University of Louisville, he spent a year studying with Brazilian graduate students, learning the idiosyncrasies of their music, and performing with the Brazilian Ensemble at the University of Louisville. Mr. Sobieski also has over eight years of Winter Guard International and Drum Corps International experience, playing Tenor Drums with his highschool in Scholastic A division for three years and with INov8 Winter Percussion in Independent Open class for three years. He has played a synthesizer (piano) with INov8 Winter Percussion, Rhythm X, and Legends Drum and Bugle Corps for a collective of five seasons. He offers lessons in brass, piano, marching percussion, concert percussion, Brazilian Batucada, and Theory/Composition. Michael currently teaches the percussion section at Scottsburg High School and has taught at Springs Valley High School. He currently resides in Floyd Knobs, Indiana.”
(Trumpet, Drums, Percussion, Piano, Theory)
Michael Sobieski started his music studies at eight years of age playing trumpet in the St. Thomas More Middle School band and is still the youngest child to be selected for the band. In his early years, Mr. Sobieski played for churches local to Munster / Floyd Knobs, Indiana, and has played with Orchestras such as the Louisville Youth Orchestra, Floyd County Youth Symphony, and the Louisville Community Orchestra. He has studied under Jerry Amend at Indiana University Southeast and Ansyn Banks at the University of Louisville for trumpet performance. At the age of 10, he started to teach himself the piano, later going on to study with Dave Issacs, and Gabe Evans at the University of Louisville. He has worked as a sideman for various local artists and organizations such as Louisville Laughs. In his studies at the University of Louisville, he spent a year studying with Brazilian graduate students, learning the idiosyncrasies of their music, and performing with the Brazilian Ensemble at the University of Louisville. Mr. Sobieski also has over eight years of Winter Guard International and Drum Corps International experience, playing Tenor Drums with his highschool in Scholastic A division for three years and with INov8 Winter Percussion in Independent Open class for three years. He has played a synthesizer (piano) with INov8 Winter Percussion, Rhythm X, and Legends Drum and Bugle Corps for a collective of five seasons. He offers lessons in brass, piano, marching percussion, concert percussion, Brazilian Batucada, and Theory/Composition. Michael currently teaches the percussion section at Scottsburg High School and has taught at Springs Valley High School. He currently resides in Floyd Knobs, Indiana.”
Jim Smoak
(Banjo, Dobro, Guitar, Harmonica, Dulcimer, Beginner Mandolin)
Jim Smoak started his career in Knoxville, Tennessee. He moved to Nashville to play with Bill Monroe on the Grand Ole Opry. He did television shows for Martha White Flower with Hylo Brown and The Timberliners. He made recordings with Bill Monroe on Decca Records; with Hylo Brown on Capital Records, and with Arthur (guitar boogie) Smith on MGM Records. Jim organized folk group, The Cumberlands, with their own place of business, The Red Horse Inn in Louisiana. Smoak made the first recording under his own name for Folk Lyric Records: Bayou Bluegrass—Jim Smoak & the Louisiana Honeydrippers, now at Smithsonian Folkways. His other recordings are Carolina Boy—Jim Smoak; Orange Blossom Special—Jim Smoak and Smoak House Jam—Jim Smoak.
Call 812-972-1644 for lesson availability and pricing.
(Banjo, Dobro, Guitar, Harmonica, Dulcimer, Beginner Mandolin)
Jim Smoak started his career in Knoxville, Tennessee. He moved to Nashville to play with Bill Monroe on the Grand Ole Opry. He did television shows for Martha White Flower with Hylo Brown and The Timberliners. He made recordings with Bill Monroe on Decca Records; with Hylo Brown on Capital Records, and with Arthur (guitar boogie) Smith on MGM Records. Jim organized folk group, The Cumberlands, with their own place of business, The Red Horse Inn in Louisiana. Smoak made the first recording under his own name for Folk Lyric Records: Bayou Bluegrass—Jim Smoak & the Louisiana Honeydrippers, now at Smithsonian Folkways. His other recordings are Carolina Boy—Jim Smoak; Orange Blossom Special—Jim Smoak and Smoak House Jam—Jim Smoak.
Call 812-972-1644 for lesson availability and pricing.
Edward DeYoung Junior "Uncle Donnie"
(Piano)
Donnie has been playing the piano since he was 5 years old, over 60 years! He started playing the piano at church at the age of 13 and has been teaching in New Albany for about 30 years. In 1978 he recorded his first album in Nashville at Shaquita Records on Church Street. Since 1993 he has been playing at Tabernacle Missionary Baptist Church in Louisville as the Minister of Music. He has been with Kentuckiana Music Center since 1992.
Call 502-494-8858 for lesson availability and pricing.
(Piano)
Donnie has been playing the piano since he was 5 years old, over 60 years! He started playing the piano at church at the age of 13 and has been teaching in New Albany for about 30 years. In 1978 he recorded his first album in Nashville at Shaquita Records on Church Street. Since 1993 he has been playing at Tabernacle Missionary Baptist Church in Louisville as the Minister of Music. He has been with Kentuckiana Music Center since 1992.
Call 502-494-8858 for lesson availability and pricing.