Summerville - Cane Bay Location
Meet our instructors
Mitch Goodwin - Specializing in strings and voice
Mitch Goodwin is an active double bassist in the music community. He studied at UNCSA, and also received a full scholarship to Carnegie Mellon for his Masters. As a performer, his career in music has taken him across the globe, playing with many professional orchestras. As an educator, Mr. Goodwin has 2 years of orchestral teaching experience at several Title 1 middle-schools, along with many years of private instruction. He enjoys teaching all strings, along with several other instruments.
Rachel DePriest - Specializing in strings
Rachel DePriest is the orchestra director at Sangaree Middle School. She graduated with a Bachelor's Degree in Music Education from Baldwin Wallace Conservatory of Music in Berea, Ohio, where she studied violin with Dr. Julian Ross and Annie Fullard. Rachel conducted both of Baldwin Wallace’s Outreach Youth Orchestras and worked with the New Horizons Orchestra, which is an ensemble for adults wanting to learn string instruments.
At Baldwin Wallace University, Rachel performed in the Baldwin Wallace Symphony Orchestra, the Bach Festival Chamber Orchestra, and in opera pits for Mozart’s Don Giovanni and Puccini’s La Bohème. Rachel has performed in master classes for Takako Masame, Annie Fullard and the Cavani Quartet, and has been coached by Daniel McKelway and Regina Mushabac.
Rachel previously taught strings and was an orchestra director with the Charleston County School District. When she is not teaching, she enjoys watching hockey, boating, fishing, and exercising. Rachel lives in North Charleston with her husband Jonathan, and dog, Jack.
At Baldwin Wallace University, Rachel performed in the Baldwin Wallace Symphony Orchestra, the Bach Festival Chamber Orchestra, and in opera pits for Mozart’s Don Giovanni and Puccini’s La Bohème. Rachel has performed in master classes for Takako Masame, Annie Fullard and the Cavani Quartet, and has been coached by Daniel McKelway and Regina Mushabac.
Rachel previously taught strings and was an orchestra director with the Charleston County School District. When she is not teaching, she enjoys watching hockey, boating, fishing, and exercising. Rachel lives in North Charleston with her husband Jonathan, and dog, Jack.
McKenzie Anderson - Specializing in voice and piano
Soprano, McKenzie Anderson, is a native of Hickory, North Carolina. She graduated The College of Charleston with a Bachelor of Arts in vocal performance and remains at The College as an Artist Certificate student under the tutelage of baritone, David Templeton. McKenzie is an active performer with the Charleston Opera and College of Charleston Opera. She was most recently featured as Rosalinda in the College of Charleston Opera's production of Die Fledermaus by J. Strauss. In addition to opera performance, McKenzie is an avid concert soloist. She has been a featured soloist with the College of Charleston Madrigal Singers, Concert Choir, and Charleston Symphony Orchestra. McKenzie has also appeared in several Piccolo Spoleto concerts on the Young Artist Series. In her most recent concert, she premiered the "Dunbar Songs," a set of three songs by Department of Music Chair, Edward Hart. McKenzie has been awarded several accolades from the National Association for the Teaching of Singing over her nine years of vocal study. The College of Charleston School of the Arts awarded Ms. Anderson with the esteemed Marguerite Elfe Erckman vocal award for outstanding performances and musicianship. She has also just returned from Salzburg, Austria where she was a student of the American-Austrian Mozart academy. She coached with Met Opera stars, Sandra Moon and John Fowler, and participated in a masterclass with the esteemed Austrian Conductor, Manfred Mayrhofer. She also had the pleasure of performing the roles of Zweite Dame and Zweite Knabe in Mozart's Die Zauberflöte. Ms. Anderson can be seen next portraying Floria Tosca in the stunning and challenging soprano aria “Vissi d’arte” in a scenes production at The College.
Vincent Mignon-Specializing in piano and guitar
Vincent Mignon is a retired businessman who before embarking on his business career was a
classical pianist, conductor, church choir director and accompanist. In addition, he was a rock n’
roll pianist/guitarist under contract with Electra Records. He has performed in such venues as
Carnegie Hall and Lincoln Center and work as an assistant conductor at the Brooklyn Academy
of Music preparing choirs for such pieces as Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony, Dvorak and Verdi
Requiems.
Mr. Mignon began his college career at Syracuse University and ended with his acceptance at
the Manhattan School of Music in New York City as a conducting/piano major.
Mr. Mignon believes that while most students will not become concert artists, the study of a
musical instrument strengthens self-discipline, memory, develops coordination and allows the
student to find true self-expression.
classical pianist, conductor, church choir director and accompanist. In addition, he was a rock n’
roll pianist/guitarist under contract with Electra Records. He has performed in such venues as
Carnegie Hall and Lincoln Center and work as an assistant conductor at the Brooklyn Academy
of Music preparing choirs for such pieces as Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony, Dvorak and Verdi
Requiems.
Mr. Mignon began his college career at Syracuse University and ended with his acceptance at
the Manhattan School of Music in New York City as a conducting/piano major.
Mr. Mignon believes that while most students will not become concert artists, the study of a
musical instrument strengthens self-discipline, memory, develops coordination and allows the
student to find true self-expression.
Tierrhane Huff-Specializing in voice and piano
Tierrhane Huff is a recent graduate from Charleston Southern University with a Choral Music Education degree. She is from Inman, SC and is a staff singer at The Church of the Holy Communion. During her time at CSU she performed in many of the productions and was active in the choirs. In May 2017 she was a featured soloist in the Piccolo Spoleto show Take Me to Church. In August, she will join William Reeves Elementary School in Summerville S.C. as a music teacher.
Jessi Johnson-Specializing in band instruments
Jessica graduated with a degree in Music Education, with a focus on instrumental education, from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro in 2005 and has over 15 year’s experience teaching beginner and intermediate musicians in private lessons and in public school settings. She takes great pride in having fun with her students while helping them learn the fundamentals of reading and playing music. She loves to watch as they grow in their abilities and develop a passion for music.
Jessica performs publicly as well, and has performed with the Charleston Community Band, CofC Wind Ensemble, and the CofC Flute Choir since 2015.
Jessica performs publicly as well, and has performed with the Charleston Community Band, CofC Wind Ensemble, and the CofC Flute Choir since 2015.
Ryan Shrek- Specializing in guitar, bass, piano, drums and ukulele
Hailing from the Northeast, Ryan Sherk brings 13 years of music Instruction and over 20 years of playing various music styles ranging from Blues and Jazz, to Modern Rock and beyond. Ryan is available for Guitar, Bass, Ukulele, Percussion and Piano. Each lesson is tailored for each individual student with strong emphasis on theory, application and composition.
“Music has been the single greatest form of expression in my life, my goal is to share that experience with everyone who enjoys music.” -Ryan Sherk
Ryan currently performs in the Charleston area with various artists and is currently working on his first original project in the Low Country.
“Music has been the single greatest form of expression in my life, my goal is to share that experience with everyone who enjoys music.” -Ryan Sherk
Ryan currently performs in the Charleston area with various artists and is currently working on his first original project in the Low Country.