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.

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.

Coming soon!

      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.

Coming soon!

Coming soon!

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Coming soon!