Instrument Lessons

---

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.

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. 

Bobby Thomas is a versatile percussionist, composer, educator, and collaborator who loves working with other artists on various interesting multi-disciplinary projects. 

Bobby drummed for the beloved UNCSA Jazz Ensemble from 2016–2019. He performs weekly as the percussionist for First Presbyterian Church in Winston-Salem and remains a member of the Percussive Arts Society (PAS). Bobby has recently performed with The Union Symphony Orchestra, The UNCSA Nu-Ensemble, The UNCSA Symphony Orchestra, The UNCSA Wind Ensemble, and the UNCSA Percussion Ensemble, as well as various chamber groups and jazz bands while maintaining his private teaching studio at Separk Music.

As an educator, Bobby Thomas believes in using the music that the student loves to aid them in their musical journey, while cleverly applying the tried and true percussion pedagogical necessities within. Bobby tailors to the student’s individual needs and interests with a custom curriculum, while never neglecting the fundamentals and technical aspects of percussion playing, to aid in leading the student to a healthy and lifelong love of music. 

In his free time, Bobby composes, records, plays other instruments and goes skateboarding. Bobby Thomas is a graduate percussion student at the University of North Carolina School of the Arts (UNCSA), studying under John R. Beck.

Jose Olea Vico grew up in Winston Salem, N.C., and began playing the violin in 6th grade through the orchestra classes offered in middle school. After years of orchestra classes and self-instruction, he auditioned and was accepted into UNCSA’s High School program to study with Kevin Lawrence. After graduating from high school, he enrolled at East Carolina University, studying with Ara Gregorian and Hye-Jin Kim for a year of undergraduate study. In the fall of 2017 he transferred back to UNCSA to continue work on his Bachelor’s degree with Professor Lawrence, and Ulrich Eichenauer. In 2019 Jose attended the Richard Luby Violin Symposium at UNC Chapel Hill where he performed in a masterclass for Aaron Berofsky.

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.

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!