Instrument Lessons

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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. 

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.

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.

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.

      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.

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!