Private Music Lessons

Private Music Lessons: Sherry Merideth
Register for Private Music Lessons

The Dominican Campus has a proud tradition of offering high quality music instruction, with an enduring connection to the past. Private lessons are taught by a faculty of talented and dedicated professional educators in the wonderful facilities near the chorus room at SCA.

Lessons are open to SCA and Overbrook students as well as students from other schools. Lessons are offered during recess, lunch, study hall, and after school.

Lessons are offered in violin, guitar, piano, clarinet and voice. See descriptions below.

Suzuki Violin Program

The Suzuki Violin Program is a group of teachers, parents, and students dedicated to the study of violin playing using the Suzuki Method. This method promotes excellence of playing technique, self-esteem, and confidence through careful nurturing of musical abilities. Founded in Japan by Dr. Shinichi Suzuki in the late 1940’s, this method became very popular after spreading to the United States in the 1960’s. Suzuki is now taught world wide. Our students have many opportunities to perform regularly in solo and group recitals, area youth ensembles, performances with the Nashville Symphony, and many Dominican campus events. Students are accepted as young as age 4. The 15-week semester includes one weekly private lesson and one weekly group lesson. Suzuki Violin requires that a parent be present at all lessons. Costs are:

30 min. private/30 min. group (beginner): $475
30 min. private/45 min. group (intermediate): $545
45 min. private/60 min. group (advanced): $750

Instructors:
Deidre Bacco holds a bachelor’s of music degree from Bowling Green State University and has been a member of the Nashville Symphony for 25 years. Ms. Bacco also founded the St. Cecilia violin program in 1988.

Toni Ferguson holds a bachelor’s of music education degree from the University of South Carolina. In addition to teaching, Ms. Ferguson is often the featured violinist in the pit for local musical theatre productions and enjoys spending her summers in Cape Cod performing at the Monomoy Theatre.

Sherry Francis Merideth holds a bachelor’s of music degree from DePaul University and a master’s degree of music from Belmont University. In addition to coordinating the Private Music Lessons Program, she teaches the Overbrook School band and the St. Cecilia chamber ensemble.

Piano Program

Private piano lessons teach theory, music reading, ear training, technique, and musicality in a fun and encouraging setting. Students have a variety of performing opportunities on and off campus. Students are accepted as young as kindergarten age. The 15-week semester includes one weekly private lesson.

30 minute lesson: $360
45 minute lesson: $480

Instructors:
Debbie Lowry holds a bachelor’s of music from David Lipscomb University. Ms. Lowry is well known throughout Nashville for her expert accompanying skills. She has teacher training in Suzuki and traditional methods and has taught piano lessons for over nine years.

Dawn Seidenschwarz holds a bachelor’s of music from Middle Tennessee State University. She accompanies the SCA choirs and is also an accomplished organist.

Voice Program

We are pleased to offer private voice lessons to all students. Private voice lessons teach the Italian bel canto technique, focusing on proper posture, breathing and diction. This method of instruction leads to a healthy, vibrant and natural sound. Older students may be introduced to songs in Italian, Latin, German and French. The recommended grade for voice lessons is fifth grade and up. The 15-week semester includes one weekly private lesson.

30 minute lesson: $360
45 minute lesson: $480
(Instructor must approve student for a 45 minute lesson)

Instructor:
Amy Hodge has been providing vocal instruction since 1998.
Presenting a kind and positive approach to singing, Mrs. Hodge
instructs practical and healthy application to her students while always
making sure to create enthusiasm for learning. Her lessons include
focus on posture, breathing, vocalization, vowel production, and stage
presence. Mrs. Hodge has a Bachelor's of Music Education from Central Methodist
University (Fayette, MO) and has completed master's work at Belmont University (Nashville, TN) in Vocal Pedagogy.

Guitar Program

Private guitar lessons are available in any style: classical, jazz, country, blues and other popular styles. The parent or student may select their choice of stylistic focus. In addition to developing proficiency with guitar, students will focus on the overall enjoyment and understanding of music. Lessons focus on the essential techniques and skills of guitar playing in a student-centered environment. In exploring melodies and chords, students will read guitar music, chord symbols, guitar tablature, and learn theoretical foundations of music theory.

Students are accepted as young as second grade. The 15-week semester includes one weekly private lesson. A minimum of 30 minutes of daily practice time is suggested to prepare for the student’s weekly lesson.

30 minute lesson: $360
45 minute lesson: $480
(Instructor must approve student for a 45 minute lesson)

Instructor:
Robert Thompson holds a bachelor's degree of music and a master's degree of music from Ball State University. Adjunct instructor of guitar at Belmont University, he is the founder and the director of the Belmont Guitar Ensemble, teaches Classical Guitar Seminar, and lessons to undergraduate and graduate guitar students. He also performs extensively and is a member of the internationally recognized Godwin-Thompson Duo.

Clarinet program

Clarinet lessons are open to beginners as well as those who have experience playing the clarinet. Technique, tone, and music theory are emphasized. Students are accepted as young as fourth grade.

30 minute lesson: $360
45 minute lesson: $480
(Instructor must approve student for a 45 minute lesson)

Instructor:
Katherine Morrice holds a bachelor’s of music in clarinet performance from North Carolina School of the Arts and a master’s degree of music from the University of Massachusetts at Amherst. She was the graduate teaching assistant for clarinet at UMass and taught both the clarinet techniques class to undergraduates and private lessons. Katherine was a co-founder of the Overbrook band and continues to play and teach around her duties as the Overbrook Spanish teacher.

Read our policies and proceedures for private music lessons.