Instrument Lessons

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Lissie is the Principal Flutist of the Asheville Symphony, the Piccoloist of the Winston-Salem Symphony, a member of the Western Piedmont Symphony, and the Adjunct Instructor of Flute at Lenoir-Rhyne University. In addition to holding these posts, she has held the position of Principal Flute with the Asheville Lyric Opera and has performed with the New World Symphony (FL), Salisbury Symphony (NC), the Symphony of the Mountains (TN), National Repertory Orchestra (CO), and the Sarasota Music Festival (FL). She also has served as Guest Instructor at the Long Island Conservatory and at The Juilliard School Pre-College.

Lissie received her Master of Music from The Juilliard School in 2008 and her Bachelor of Music in 2006 from the Indiana University Jacobs School of Music. She has presented recitals at High Point University, Davidson College, Lenoir-Rhyne University, and St. Mary’s Music Academy in High Point. Lissie has performed as soloist with the Birmingham-Bloomfield Symphony (MI), the Blue Lake Festival Orchestra (MI), and the Asheville Symphony. Her other honors include First Prize in the 2003 Detroit Bohemian Concerto Competition, Third Prize in the 2011 Myrna Brown Artist Competition, and a performance with the New York Woodwind Quintet.

Emma began playing the flute at the age of 5 when her mother enrolled her in a group flute class at the local community center. Over the past nearly 20 years of flute playing, she has had the opportunity to perform around the country and around the world in Australia, Germany, the Czech Republic, DR Congo, and the Philippines. 

In addition to performing in orchestras and other chamber ensembles, Emma enjoys helping students discover their own love of music. She believes music adds happiness and beauty to life.

Emma is a recent graduate of Brigham Young University in Provo, Utah, where she earned a Bachelor of Music in Flute Performance. Her love of music has led her to continue her studies as a graduate student of Dr. Tadeu Coelho at the University of North Carolina School of the Arts.

Clarinetist/Saxophonist Mills has performed as a soloist and chamber musician throughout the United States and has participated in numerous conferences and festivals.  She has performed Broadway Productions under the direction of Broadway Conductors, Maestro Kevin Stites and Steven Freeman.  She is clarinet chair for 12 years with the Piedmont Wind Symphony and has performed with Grammy Award winning artists, Al Jarreau, Diane Schurr, Ronnie Milsap, Dionne Warwick, Arturo Sandoval, The Three Irish Tenors, Paul Anka, Kenny G, and Neil Sedaka.  Mills has been the principal clarinetist of the Salem Band.  She is also the Manager of the Salem Sax Quartet.

Mills studied with Charles Neidich from the Juilliard School and her masterclass performances include work with distinguished musicians, clarinetist Richard Stoltzman, jazz clarinetist Eddie Daniels, Alan Kay, and the New York Woodwind Quintet.  Mills studied with Robert Listokin, Daniel McKelway and Igor Begelman at NC School of the Arts.

Anthony Lacivita is a freelance trumpet player and current Graduate student at UNC School of the Arts, studying under the direction of Dave Dash, former member of the Presidents Own Marine Corps Band. Anthony received a Bachelor’s of Fine Arts degree from Gardner Webb University under the direction of the world famous orchestral trumpet player, Tim Hudson, and received annual masterclasses from the former principal trumpet of the Boston Symphony, Charles Schlueter. In addition to working on a Master’s Degree in trumpet performance, he is also teaching privately at Separk Music, performing as a local musician in the triad area at various churches, retirement homes, and special events, and preparing for professional orchestral and military band auditions. 

Bruce Brewster is a third-year undergraduate music student at University of North Carolina School of the Arts. He enjoys playing in the UNCSA Symphony Orchestra, Wind Ensemble, Nutcracker Orchestra, Opera Orchestra, Horn Ensemble, and the Cornichon Wind Quintet. He has been teaching horn at Separk Music since September 2016. His primary horn teacher is Dr. Maria Serkin, and his favorite performance so far was Beauty and The Beast with the Lexington Youth Theater.

Masters of Music Degree from UNCG. 21 years of teaching private/nonprivate lessons. Currently Michelle teaches elementary music at Langtree Charter Academy in Mooresville. She is also a member of the Greensboro Philharmonic Orchestra.

A recent graduate of Macalester College studying violin with Mary Budd Horozaniecki, Sarah Kissinger was concertmaster of the Macalester Symphony Orchestra and winner of the 2017-18 Macalester Concerto Competition. Sarah has participated in master classes with musicians including Osmo Vänskä, Paul Watkins, Chad Hoopes, and Harumi Rhodes, and is currently pursuing her Masters of Music in Violin Performance at the University of North Carolina School of the Arts, studying with Professor Kevin Lawrence.

Debbie graduated with a Bachelor's Degree in Music from Piedmont Bible College. She has been teaching piano for about 40 years. Around 1/3 of the years have also been with Separk Music. Some of her students have performed in the North Carolina Federation Music Clubs Festival. Debbie is a member of the Winston-Salem Piano Teachers Association.

Joni Hanna received both Bachelor of Music and Master of Music degrees from UNC-Chapel Hill. She studied piano and voice at Salem College before transferring to UNC as a junior undergraduate.  Joni's love for accompanying has led to performances playing for musicals, choirs in concerts and festivals, and she has served as pianist for Composer Showcase events. A lifelong church musician, plays for choirs at Ardmore Baptist and Sedge Garden United Methodist.  She is a founding member of the UNC Loreleis acappella group and has appeared as soloist with the Piedmont Chamber singers as well as other ensembles.  A passionate teacher and coach, Joni's goal is to instill and cultivate the love of music in her students.  She strives for excellence with her teaching which includes having fun and experiencing joy in the process.

Morgan Hunkele is an active performer throughout the state and beyond, appearing as a soloist, chamber musician, and collaborative pianist. She began studying piano at age 11 in Concord, North Carolina with Char Solomon. Since then, she has studied with Dylan Savage, and currently studies piano with Dmitri Shteinberg at the North Carolina School of the Arts. She has also performed in masterclasses for world-renowned pianists, such as Asaf Zohar, Arthur Greene, and Wu Han. Morgan has been awarded top prizes in the NCMTNA Young Artist and Senior Piano Competitions, the Charlotte Steinway Piano Competition, Greensboro Euterpe Club Instrumental Competition, the Triad Institute Young Artist Competition, and the NC Bach Festival Competition. She has also had the opportunity to study at prestigious summer programs, including Meadowmount School of Music, Green Mountain Chamber Music Festival, and Brevard Music Center. 

Morgan recently performed a program of solo piano works as part of the Music for a Great Space Concert series, and looks forward to performing as a NC Bach Festival guest artist in the coming weeks. Over the summer, Morgan gave a lecture-recital entitled “The Creativity Workshop,” which she designed to educate and involved audience members in a classical concert setting. She enjoys introducing students of all levels to excellent compositions written by the greatest composers, as well as catering to their own wish-lists. Morgan also designs her curriculum to help students develop healthy technique, aural skills, and theoretical knowledge, all of which help students accomplish their musical goals!

      As an up and coming artist, Douglas Rowe has made an impact in music education over the last several years. In addition to being a performer, he has served as an instructor, arranger, composer, and clinician throughout North Carolina. Doug completed his Bachelor’s degree in Music Education at Wingate University and his Master of Music degree in Percussion Performance at UNC School of the Arts.

Throughout college, Doug taught many marching percussion sections at Piedmont High School as well as Cuthbertson High School. Both groups are highly performing marching bands. He also served as the Percussion Instructor for Cuthbertson Middle School while completing his student teaching with the Cuthbertson bands. Because of his persistence in the music education field, Doug was recognized as the Outstanding Music Educator among his graduation class at Wingate University.

Doug is an active performer in many professional groups. He has served as a percussion section member of the Union Symphony Orchestra for the past 5 years. He serves as a substitute percussionist with the Salisbury Symphony, Hendersonville Symphony and North Carolina Brass Band. Doug has also been featured several times in a professional steel drum band called Panjive. In addition, he is a founding member of his jazz combo Real Deal Jazz.
Doug currently resides in Lexington, North Carolina where he is teaching Band, Percussion and Chorus at Central Davidson Middle and High School. He is a proud endorsee of Salyers Percussion sticks and mallets.

Started playing in Great Falls, MT. Studied with Anita D’Ascoli in Naples Italy, and graduated HS at NC School of the Arts. NCMENC concerto competition winner. Graduated from UNCG with a BM in Music Performance, and Music Education. Played with Greensboro Symphony and Philharmonia of Greensboro for 9 years. Played with Symphony Pro Musica in Massachusetts for two years. Taught music in public schools for 5 years in Moore County, NC and Lawton, OK. Currently works for Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center. 

Austin Knudsen is a Classical Guitar Performance major currently studying at the University of North Carolina School of the Arts (UNCSA). Before attending UNCSA’s undergraduate program he graduated from the UNCSA high school program with a focus in classical guitar. During his classical music career Austin Knudsen has performed in two Guitar Foundation of America Guitar Orchestras, two Guitar Orchestras at Guilford College and has performed in several UNCSA recitals. He has participated in several classical guitar festivals such as the GFA, Guitarganza, and the London School of Guitar festival. Before studying classical guitar, he studied songwriting and performed in several small venues and coffee shops in Utah. 

Austin Knudsen is currently teaching at Separk Music Company, a position he has held for two years now and teaches privately out of his home studio. His teaching includes general interest in guitar, focus in classical guitar, ukulele, and bass guitar. Austin is currently training to be a Suzuki certified teacher and is an active member of the Suzuki Foundation of America. Austin also has an interest in studying to be a luthier and in his spare time works on classical guitar building.

Coming soon!

Coming soon!