Winter Quarter Dec 3, 2007-March 3, 2008

Three New Instructors Join the Music Arts Faculty

Francine Britto has lived, studied and worked all over the world. A native of Boa, India, she earned her Bachelor’s Degree in Piano Performance at the prestigious Trinity College of Music in London, England, following it up with several advanced degrees. She has taught at junior, middle and high schools in India and elsewhere overseas. While living in Oman, Middle East, she served as the Overseas Representative for the London Royal Schools of Music. In New Jersey, she worked as Treasurer for the New Jersey Music Teachers Association.

Since moving to Tennessee, she has been taking a break from active teaching in order to devote more time to her family, but that doesn’t mean her musical life has been inactive!  She’s one of the founders of Oak Ridge’s Sound Company, the Children’s Performing Choir of Oak Ridge. Currently, she’s music coordinator for St. Mary’s Catholic Church, serves as accompanist at St. Therese Church in Clinton, and serves on the board of the Oak Ridge Playhouse.

Speaking enthusiastically about teaching music, she says “It’s important to give students a good foundation by teaching them correct techniques from the beginning, while fostering a love for music.” Francine enjoys teaching students of all ages. “Children are like sponges,” she smiles. “They absorb and retain information so eagerly! Adults who are renewing their love for playing the piano are just plain excited to get back to it!” Francine say she’s excited about joining Music Arts’ faculty, and will be teaching in Oak Ridge on Fridays at the Alliance Church.

Bass player Preston Davis has returned from several years as a working musician in New York, and is now teaching string bass and bass guitar with Music Arts. 

Preston has been playing music since he was only five years old and but didn’t start bass until he was seventeen. Normally, that would be a late start for a string player, but within six months he had won the fourth spot in the All-State Orchestra. His enthusiasm for the bass spills over when he talks about it, saying, “The bass is my instrument of absolute adoration.”

While pursuing his Bachelor of Music Degree (emphasis in String Performance) at the University of Tennessee, he served as Principal Bassist for the UT Symphony and frequently played with the Kingsport Symphony, as well as with jazz and funk groups.

Immediately after graduation, Preston left for New York, where he played in the Long Island Philharmonic and occasionally with the Brooklyn Philharmonic. In addition to his orchestral work, he was an active player in various folk, funk, jazz and indie groups in the New York area, all while teaching as many as 18 students. Smiling broadly, he adds, “every one of those students loved coming to their lessons, partly because they were engaged in a fun atmosphere.”

Despite his success in New York, Preston’s heart lay in the hills of East Tennessee. He now lives in Knoxville with his wife and cat. He plans to soon start work at UT pursuing his Master’s Degree. His easy-going nature and array of experiences allow him to truly relate with a broad range of ages, goals and personalities.

Keith Terry has always enjoyed music, and guitar in particular. Inspired by the music his parents listened to, he started playing guitar at age 11.
 
“My folks told me they’d sign me up for lessons, but my part of the deal,” he grins, “was to practice and stick with it.” Keith adds, “That wasn’t a problem. It’s like what I was meant to do!”

Keith emphasizes that while everyone has to start from ground zero, they can have fun along the way. He feels strongly that it’s important for him to start by finding out what kind of music his students like, and what inspired them to play guitar. “I’m usually able to find out what a new student’s interests are,” he emphasizes.

Keith has over two decades of teaching experience behind him, having taught both in Oak Ridge and in Knoxville music stores. If you would like to learn more about Keith, please contact us at 865-482-5614.

Mystery Musician

NO ONE has correctly guessed the identity of our “Mystery Musician” in last quarter’s newsletter yet!  Keep trying – we’ve thrown in some additional hints!

CLUES:

• Our mystery musician is a former Music Arts student (look for an essay posted on the Music Arts website, written several years ago when he was a student of Bill Thiessen). 
• He now holds a masters degree and doctorate in Tuba Performance from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. 
• He is Director of Bands and Assistant Professor of Music at the University of the Cumberlands in Williamsburg, KY. 
• He recently performed as a soloist with the Oak Ridge Community Band. 
• He plays the tuba and euphonium quite well, and flute instructor Beth Sampsel worked as his camp counselor when he attended the Tennessee Governor’s School for the Arts over a decade ago. 
• His wife is a vocalist named Missy, and they have a little girl just two years old.

Can YOU guess his name?

With a little research on this Music Arts website, www.musicartsschool.org, you can be the first in town to wear one of our newly designed t-shirts! Call our office at 482-5614 or email your answer to njengland@comcast.net