Instructors

You will love our staff at the Fiddle & Pick. We recommend you pick an instrument first.  Then call every instructor who teaches that instrument. We want you to find the right teacher for your needs. Each instructor has a different teaching method and area of expertise. They also keep their own lesson schedule, tuition rates, and payment policies.

Download and print our handy Directory of Programs & Instructors PDF:

FiddleandPick-Teacher-Brochure (PDF)

FIDDLE & VIOLIN

Gretchen Priest-May

Irish, Old-Time fiddle tunes, Bluegrass; converting violin bowing to fiddle-style bowing; tenor banjo

Gretchen divides her time between performing with PLAIDGRASS, teaching various fiddle styles, and running the Musical Heritage Center of Middle Tennessee which she founded in 2008.

Prior to opening the Center, Gretchen toured with the Bluegrass Band, Crucial Smith, and the Celtic rock band, Ceili Rain. She has been a featured performer on the Grand Ole Opry, Mountain Stage, Winfield and many festivals across the country. She often teaches various fiddle workshops when traveling with her band PLAIDGRASS.

Gretchen Priest created PLAIDGRASS by merging the traditions of Irish, Old-Time and Bluegrass music. Her love of Irish melodies, Old-Time rhythms, and bluegrass harmonies with strong improvisation is what makes PLAIDGRASS unique. PLAIDGRASS features guitar, mandolin and stand-up bass for the bluegrass sound, or features bouzouki, bodhran drum, and banjo for a more Irish sound. Whatever the configuration, it is always an exciting journey that is executed with speed and finesse on a variety of instruments.

Contact: (615) 812-2192 Americelticowboy@comcast.net

Stephan-DudashStephan Dudash

Jazz, swing improv, classical, Suzuki method, contest fiddle

Stephan Dudash is a 5-string violist—the Big Fiddle with five strings (created by David Burgess). His music will move you, swing you to your feet, and fill your heart with romance with his own brand of gypsy violin music. Whether it’s popular love songs, standards or some of Stephan’s own sizzling compositions, you’ll wonder why you’ve never heard these songs done on a string instrument before. Born in Mankato, MN to a Hungarian father and an American-born Celtic mother, he tinkered on the piano until he discovered violin at age 11. Just two years later he was attending Interlochen Arts Academy in Michigan where he was privately and orchestrally trained.

At age 15, he started his professional career in a band headed by Chris Brubeck, son of jazz piano virtuoso Dave Brubeck. Since then, he has performed all over the world with a list of greats including: Olivia Newton-John, Shania Twain, and Janie Fricke. Most recently he has been specializing in Gypsy Jazz music touring with the John Jorgenson Quintet. Besides fiddling, Stephan is no stranger to vocalizing and is also known to play mandolin, guitar, bass guitar and hand percussion. Stephan has just finished his third CD, ‘Gypsy Quest’

Contact: (615) 585-3147

David JohnsonDAVID JOHNSON

Irish, Old-Time, Bluegrass, Classical, Country

David Johnson has extensive professional experience in the classical, jazz, Irish, Old Time, and country styles. Having studied Violin Performance at the University of Iowa and at Middle Tennessee State University, he is a member of the Paducah Symphony, the Jackson Symphony, and the Murfreesboro Symphony, and has recently been named Concertmaster for the new Parthenon Chamber Orchestra in Nashville.

Mr. Johnson toured with Country Music artist Randy Travis for 27 years, and has fiddled for square dances in Lebanon and Gallatin as his travel schedule permitted. He has studied Jazz with David Baker, with the MTSU Jazz Studies Program, and with the Nashville Jazz Workshop. Mr. Johnson teaches Violin/Fiddle lessons for the Cumberland University Arts Academy in Lebanon, TN, and is  the Adjunct Instructor for Commercial Violin at Trevecca Nazarene University.

Contact: (615) 478-2151 / johnsondais@comcast.net

Ellie HankansonELLIE HANKANSON

Ellie currently plays fiddle and sings with Missy Raines and Allegheny. Previously, she toured for five years with Jeff Scroggins and Colorado, performing and teaching internationally, and releasing a full length album in 2019. As a child she performed with the Hakanson Family Band at bluegrass festivals throughout Oregon and Washington, while also playing classical violin in youth orchestras.

Ellie was nominated with Jeff Scroggins and Colorado for the International Bluegrass Music Association emerging artist in 2018, and was nominated individually for IBMA Instrumental and/or Vocal Momentum Awards in 2017, 2018, and 2019.

Ellie has been teaching private fiddle lessons, leading workshops, and organizing childrens’ music programs at festivals since 2003, and currently teaches fiddle and vocals at camps and in individual lessons.

Contact: Ellie at (971) 222-5721 / E-mail Ellie: elliehak@gmail.com

GUITAR, UKULELE AND VOICE

ERINN PEET LUKES

Erinn is the lead singer, songwriter and guitarist of her solo project and her bluegrass band, Thunder and Rain. Previously she lived in Colorado and toured with Thunder and Rain for seven years. They played all over the US as well as the UK, Ireland and Canada.

Erinn was accepted into the Kerrville New Folk songwriting competition in 2018 and the Merlefest Chris Austin songwriting competition in 2021, where she got 2nd place. She has 30K followers on her popular YouTube channel, and fans all over the world enjoy her original songs as well as her unique takes on cover songs.

Erinn has been teaching private guitar, voice and ukulele lessons since 2013. She helped coordinate and run two Kids Camps at Fiddle and Pick in the summer of 2021. She also helps organize the Fiddle and Pick student Hoe Down concerts.

Contact: Erinn at (310) 408-3518/ E-mail Ellie: erinn.peetlukes@gmail.com

 

MANDOLIN

JASON BAILEY

Are you looking to get better at the mandolin? Perhaps you have never played any musical instrument before and thought the mandolin would be nice? Maybe
you already play some but need help with chord voicings, music theory or you just wanna learn a few fiddle tunes? Regardless of your aspirations, I can help!
Lessons are available for any and all ages and skill levels. Beginners are not only welcome but are encouraged! – Jason Bailey

Mandolinist Jason Bailey has been performing and teaching professionally for 20 years. Originally from Birmingham, Alabama, Jason relocated to Nashville shortly
after completing his third solo album release, Mandolbug in 2010. This record, produced by mandolinist extraordinaire Matt Flinner, expresses Bailey’s talents in
new grass, jazz and celtic inspired genres. Bailey currently has five album releases.

“There is an excellent mandolinist in our city. He’s quietly accomplished – not the kind of guy to brag or boast – so we’d better do it for him.” -Mary Colurso (City Scene)

Lessons are also available for acoustic guitar, bouzouki, octave mandolin, mandola, mandocello and tenor banjo. Thank you!

Contact: Jason Bailey, (205) 612-2723, jasonbaileymandolin@gmail.com

 

 

JENNIFER MCLAIN

Teaching Instruments:
Mandolin 
Technique, Chords, Rhythm, Reading, Notation, Tablature
Repertoire: Fiddle Tunes, Classical, Hymns, Christmas

Guitar
Technique, Chords, Rhythm, Reading, Notation, Tablature
Repertoire: Fiddle Tunes, Classical, Hymns, Christmas

Piano
Reading Notation, Theory, Fingerings, Rhythm, Faber & Faber Series
Repertoire: Classical, Pop, Hymns, etc.

Bluegrass Banjo
Chords, Technique, Patterns, Rolls, Rhythm
Repertoire: Bluegrass, Scruggs Style

Saxophone
Fundamentals & Skills: Scales, Arpeggios, Sight-reading, Technique, Vibrato, College Prep, Improvisation, Patterns, Style
Repertoire: From different styles such as Classical, Jazz, Pop

Contact: Jennifer Mclain, (615) 351-6724  , BanksMcLain@gmail.com

BANJO

Alan-OBryantAlan O’Bryant

5-string banjo, Bluegrass, traditional; Blues for the banjo

Alan is a member of the Nashville Bluegrass Band.  He has played with some of the greatest bluegrass musicians including: Bill Monroe, Kenny Baker, Bob Block, Earl Scruggs, Ralph Stanley, Butch Robins, James Monroe, Jerry Sullivan and the Sullivan Family, and Wilma Lee and Stoney Cooper.

Alan has been nominated multiple times for IBMA Banjo Player of the Year. In addition to the awards he received with NBB, Alan appears on a number of award-winning projects including Dolly Parton’s The Grass Is Blue, which was recorded in 1999.

Alan has a home project studio named OBanyon’s Terrace Studio. NBB’sTwenty Year Blues (honored with a Grammy nomination in 2005) was recorded there. This Could Be Magic, a tune that appears on David Lee Roth’s Strummin’ With The Devil cd was also recorded at his studio. O’Bryant’s studio is peaceful, relaxed and acoustic-friendly. He often works with veteran engineer Tim Roberts. Alan has recorded and produced projects for Gene Bush, Valerie Smith and Becky Buller, The LaWarre Family, Junior Barber, Roy Harper, Brittany Bailey, Cordless, Paul Hopkins, Adam Olmstead, and the Gibson Brothers. Chris Henry’s fine mandolin record Monroe Approved was mixed and mastered at Terrace Studio, too.

O’Bryant is a long time resident of Pegram, Tennessee.  Alan currently gives private banjo lessons at Fiddle & Pick. He is well qualified as an instructor. He has taught at numerous banjo camps over the years, including the Banjo Institute Clinic, The Disney Institute, and NashCamp.

Contact: Alan by text at 615-364-6205 (or you may leave a voice message) / obanyon@aol.com

GUITAR

Paul-AbramsPaul Abrams

Belmont/MTSU guitar instructor; specializes in Jazz, Gypsy Jazz, Ragtime and Bluegrass

Paul is an Adjunct Faculty Instructor of music (guitar) at Belmont and has been a member of the adjunct faculty since 1998. He teaches guitar to music majors and elective students.

Paul received a Bachelor of Arts in Communications from Fordham University in New York. Throughout his career, he has studied with Sal Salavador and Arnie Berle of Guitar Player Magazine. He has taught guitar at many schools around Tennessee: Nashville Jazz Institute, Nashville Tech, Belmont University, University of Tennessee, and Trevecca Nazarene College.

In 1969, Mr. Abrams joined Soulosophy, a jazz/rock group that had several single releases with Columbia Records. Mr. Abrams music credits: Performance – Bo Thorpe Orchestra, Paul Ross Orchestra, and Lynn Oliver Orchestra; Recording – Epic, Vanguard, RCA, and Mercury Records; Television – Hee Haw, Pop Goes the Country, and Kenny Rogers and Tammy Wynette specials; opening tours for Barbara Mandrell, Eddie Rabbit, the Statler Brothers, Conway Twitty, Marty Robbins, Dottie West, Don Williams, and Ken Kraggen. Mr. Abrams is currently a member of the American Federation of Musicians and the International Association of Jazz Educators.

Contact: (615) 310-7275

 

UILLEANN PIPE AND IRISH WHISTLE

EAMONN DILLON

Born in West Belfast, Northern Ireland, Eamonn Dillon plays the uilleann pipes and whistle for The Nashville Irish Trio. He has toured and recorded as a solo artist and with a varied group of performers, touring shows and bands throughout the United States, Canada, and Europe. His music has been featured on several film and TV programs around the world.

Eamonn has performed and recorded as a featured artist in traditional, theatrical, and mixed genre ensembles, including Needfire, John McDermott, The Irish Tenors, and Celtic Bridge. He first learned the tin whistle from his father and Tara Diamond.

The great master Sean McAloon made Eamonn’s first set of uilleann pipes and  mentored him for a period of time in his early training. Eamonn teaches Irish Whistle Classes beginner, intermediate & advanced. Also private lessons on Uilleann Pipes and Irish whistle.

Contact:  786-519-9548 or eamonndillon70@yahoo.com

 

PIANO

Becca DarlingBECCA DARLING

Piano and keyboards for jazz, popular styles, and beginners

Becca Darling is a pianist and multi-instrumentalist who came to Nashville over five years ago and has taught for about half that time. She plays many styles, including jazz, country, folk, and pop – and enjoys listening to even more styles. She has a passion for teaching students by helping them develop the musical genres that they are most interested in, and values the learning of different musical skills such as playing with other musicians, learning by listening, accompanying, duets, and reading both black dots and chord charts of all styles. Possessing a very fun-loving personality, she loves working with kids, adults, and everyone in between, including complete beginners. She genuinely enjoys a challenge, has an appreciation for all genres of music, and is a firm believer in outside the box thinking to allow students the flexibility to learn at their own pace.

Becca graduated from Belmont University with a degree in Commercial Piano (read: all the popular styles of music) and a secondary in popular voice. No one in Nashville knows it, but she also plays a mean Irish and Old Time fiddle and strums a few guitar chords now and again. In her performance career she has served as a pianist for the Grand Hotel on Mackinac Island, MI, holds a pianist and keyboard position at the West Nashville Cumberland Presbyterian Church, accompanies students at Belmont, and works in musical theatre around Nashville.

Contact: (307) 256-6083 (call or text) or beccadarlingmusic@gmail.com .

 

GUITAR/TENOR GUITAR (4-String Guitar)

DOBRO & STEEL GUITAR

IAN O’BRYANT

(615) 479-9757

ian.obryant@yahoo.com

HARMONICA

PT GazellPT GAZELL

Beginners to advanced instruction with styles including: Bluegrass, Country, Swing & Jazz.

PT Gazell has earned his position as a master of the diatonic harmonica by taking the long way around from Oconomowoc, Wisconsin to Nashville, Tennessee… First picking up the instrument in his late teens, the Wisconsin-born, self-taught player honed his craft by taking on all manner of musical styles and traveled a circuit that included bluegrass, folk, country and jazz festivals and venues.

He has toured with various country artists including Johnny Paycheck and Mel McDaniel. As a solo artist, PT has 5 solo CD’s and tours Europe and Asia regularly. Joining forces with German Harmonica manufacturer C.A. Seydel in 2007, PT introduced two signature model “Gazell method” instruments. These harmonicas feature a
revolutionary new valve material that PT researched, as well as his personal setup for half valved diatonics. These instruments are quickly becoming an industry standard.
Learn to learn to improvise and play melodically while getting the basic fundamentals that are required.

PT teaches using tablature from well-known songs and selections from his discography, as well as exercises designed to help you succeed.

MULTIPLE INSTRUMENTS

EVAN WINSOR

Evan has toured domestically and internationally, done recording work for TV and movies, played festivals, and has had the opportunity to play with many incredible musicians. He has played on stage with John Mayer, Ed Helms, Willie Watson of Old Crow Medicine Show, actor John C Reilly, The Preservation Hall Jazz band, Kesha, among countless others. During his touring experience he has performed at festivals all over North America including Grey Fox Bluegrass Festival, Grass Valley Bluegrass Festival, OGDEN Bluegrass & Acoustic Music Festival, Northern Lights Bluegrass Festival in Canada, Huck Finn Jubilee, and The Los Angeles Bluegrass Situation. While living in Los Angeles he performs regularly with The Get Down Boys who have had the honor of performing at The Hollywood Bowl’s 2013 Summer Sounds, The Grammys’ 2012 MP&E Wing event honoring T-Bone Burnett and The Grammys’ 2014 MP&E Wing event honoring Neil Young, the Porchlight Sessions Nashville premier at the Franklin Theatre with Steve Martin & Steep Canyon Rangers, and has provided music and live action film for the production of Hansel & Graeel Bluegrass produced by the 24th Street Theatre. Evan was honored to be involved in a 2016 Christmas project playing alongside two time GRAMMY winner Dan Wilson of Semisonic fame.

The movie and TV industry is built in Los Angeles which has landed some great opportunities for Evan including IMDB credits. He has performed on TLC’s ‘BBQ Pitmasters’ and Bravo TV’s ‘There Goes The Motherhood’. The Get Down Boys can also be heard on short films ‘Mr. Christmas'(2012), ‘Somewhere Between Protection and Feedom, Kansas’, and a 2013 episode of Comedy Central’s ‘Brickleberry’. Evan and The Get Down Boys performed at actor Donald Faison and CaCee Cobb’s wedding at actor Zach Braff’s house with singer Jessica Simpson serving as a bridesmaid which landed the band in the summer 2013 issue of Martha Stewart Weddings.

Evan also spent some time playing lead guitar alongside long-time friend Justin David in Paper Pilots. Paper Pilots had a featured track on HBO’s GRAMMY nominated True Blood Vol.3 Soundtrack. In 2014, Paper Pilots was asked to be featured extras on TRUE BLOOD as a vampire band alongside cast member ‘Vampire James’. The band can be seen on the season 6 finale episode.

Being a versatile musician that pays special attention to detail and style, he is well versed in Bluegrass, Country, Americana, Western Swing, Jazz, Blues, and Rock. Evan regularly plays with multiple artists and is a reliable sub-player when an artist is in need of players, including two mid-west tours with The Hillbenders(Compass Records). Not only does he have years of touring under his belt, he also spent time in London working for a music PR company during 2008.

Just to go a little into depth my basic teaching philosophy is that every student is unique. I like to cater to each students needs, goals, and skill level. I’ve had many a sub-par teachers growing up because they taught, unbeknownst at the time to me, in one inflexible style which resulted in me not feeling connected to the music or learning. I like to set goals for each student, make music theory fun and comprehensible, ear training, transcribing, etc. I enjoy teaching and sharing my passion for music with others. It’s an extremely rewarding experience watching students progress and take new strides.

Evan teaches:

Upright bass / electric bass – Bluegrass, Country, Classic arco, Jazz, Blues

Bluegrass Flatpick Guitar: Fiddle tunes, In-depth study of rhythm guitar from Lester Flatt, Jimmy Martin, Doc Watson, Tony Rice, to Dan Tyminkski, Crosspicking, Tony Rice lead style, Western Swing chords 

Contact Evan directly for lessons at the Fiddle & Pick!

Eric Frey

Eric Frey is from Clay, Alabama and has been playing the Upright Bass since he was eight. He first learned from his father while attending local bluegrass jams almost every weekend and festivals in the summer. Eric took private lessons with Cleveland Eaton at the University of Alabama at Birmingham while in their Music Technology program.

In 2003, he was hand-picked to join the Red Stick Ramblers and became an invaluable addition to their brand of Cajun Gypsy Swing. Eric stayed with the band until their final performance in 2014 at the Blackpot Festival, a unique festival-cuisine-culture experience that he continues to help organize. Eric is currently playing with The Revelers, a Cajun/Swamp-Pop/Zydeco outfit based in Lafayette, LA. Over the years, he has appeared on almost 40 recordings singing and playing many different instruments including bass, banjo and triangle, and has lent his ears to producing and co-producing several projects.

His song, “Bloodshot Eyes” was nominated in 2010 for Song of the Year by “Offbeat Magazine.” Eric’s song “Katrina” was prominently used in the HBO series, Treme, as well as the film You’re In Charge. He has been featured on 4 Grammy nominated recordings, including the 2012 Grammy Award Winning Best Regional Roots category, for The Band Courtbouillon. Eric has acting experience in seasons 3 & 4 of Treme, 2013’s Bonnie and Clyde, and I Saw the Light-a biopic about Hank Williams.

Claw-Hammer Banjo

Eric will take students who have never played before and teach them the basic rhythm of the instrument. That will lead to exploring the different ways to use that rhythm in an Old-Time style. Eventually, he will teach different tunings and how to approach playing tunes in different keys. All along the way, students will learn tunes and how to play with other musicians. After all, accompaniment is the goal of playing music in the first place.

Bass

Bass is Eric’s favorite instrument and he teaches electric and upright. He begins with the basics of playing along with any kind of jam and works up to walking the bass over fun chord changes. Along the way, he teaches some applied music theory in ways that aren’t nearly as painful as they sound.

Guitar

Eric takes beginner guitar students. He starts with basics, like how to tune, proper technique, how to hold a pick. Then he will teach some chords and how to easily switch between them. Eventually, students learn right hand rhythm and how to play chords with an alternating bass. Before long, students will be backing up every jam imaginable.

Contact: 337-849-3523 / ericlfrey@yahoo.com

HIGHLAND BAGPIPE & IRISH WHISTLE

Goodman PicDAVID GOODMAN

David Goodman teaches private lessons at the Musical Heritage Center. His students take private lessons on a practice chanter before learning to play the Highland bagpipe. The practice chanter is a small investment used to master the melodic fingering of the instrument before going “all in” with the big pipe.

Piping students will have the opportunity to perform and compete on a solo basis at Highland Games across the country. They will also have the opportunity to play in a band setting with the Nashville Pipes and Drums.

David will also teach Irish whistle in a private and group class series. Whistle students will be taught tunes that they can play and perform in most Irish music sessions.

David began piping at the age of 11 at the Hamilton School of Piping, under Pipe Major Lars Sloan. Since studying under Lars, David has received mentorship from the likes of P/M William Caudill, and P/S Robert Beaton.

He attended St. Andrews University on scholarship for piping where he graduated in 2010 with a Bachelor of Fine Arts Degree, with a minor in Bagpipe Performance.

David currently plays in Grade 1 of the Eastern United States Piping Association. He plays with the Atlanta Pipe Band and is pipe major of The Nashville Pipes and Drums. He has recorded and performed with The Chieftans, Alyth McCormack, Trace Adkins, Rend Collective, Sloan Wolfe, The Tartan Terrors, and The Rogues.

Contact: (615) 979 1644