Fine Arts
Music Conservatory
The St. Cecilia Academy Music Conservatory will open registration to new students for the Spring Semester on Monday, November 21st. Space is limited, particularly in the piano studios, but there is good availability in many other areas!
Please look over our many offerings! Group voice classes, intermediate/advanced woodwinds, beginning band instruments, and much more!
Please be in touch with any questions you may have!
Stephanie Hahn Nolan, Director nolans@stcecilia.edu
Important Documents
The St. Cecilia Academy Conservatory of Music continues a long tradition of excellence in music under the patronage of Saint Cecilia herself, the patroness of music. Our Conservatory of Music studios are open to elementary and high school students from across the Dominican campus and surrounding areas. Our commitment to all students and families is to provide excellent training by highly competent musicians and instructors who have studied and performed with their own instruments for decades! In addition, each teacher has pursued continuing education in the best pedagogical practices worldwide and across the centuries.
The practice of music adds joy to life. Many formal studies have shown that the study of music engages the whole brain and body while building individual confidence, personal discipline, and patience.
At SCA, we believe that we were born to make music! Psalm 98: 1-7 (excerpts) “Sing to the Lord a new song, for he has done marvelous things… Shout for joy to the Lord, all the earth, burst into jubilant song with music; make music to the Lord with the harp, and the sound of singing, with trumpets and the blast of the ram’s horn.” Though we do not at this time have any ram’s horn instructors, we as faculty, make the following commitments:The practice of music adds joy to life. Many formal studies have shown that the study of music engages the whole brain and body while building individual confidence, personal discipline, and patience.
- To provide a joyful experience in the learning process
- To foster mutual respect between teachers and students
- To continue our own adult learning and become ever more proficient and effective teachers
All styles—Classical, Pop, Broadway, Jazz, Liturgical, and more—will be taught in the Conservatory, with the permission of each instructor and in keeping with good pedagogical practice for each student regarding age and personal progress.
Contacts
- Caroline Bergan, Voice
- Elizabeth Browne, Cello
- Marcina Clark, Voice GR 2-6, Piano K-12
- Matt Davich, Intermediate/Advanced Woodwinds, Sax/Flute/Clarinet
- Antonia Ferguson, Private Violin/Suzuki Violin
- Deidre Fominaya Bacco, Private Violin/Suzuki Violin
- Debbie Lowry, Beginning/Intermediate Piano
- Stephanie Hahn Nolan, Director/HS Voice
- John Pennell, Guitar/Ukulele, Bass Guitar, Upright Bass
- Dawn Seidenschwarz, HS Piano Beginner/Organ
- Alan Suska, Brass and Percussion, Woodwinds and Recording Studio
New Classes for 2022-2023 School Year
List of 6 items.
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Guitar or Upright Bass
John Pennell, Guitar or Upright Bass, Private Lessons, in addition to guitar and ukulele! -
Studio Recording Class
Alan Suska, Studio Recording Class, Thursdays 3:30 - 4:30Will you need an audition recording? Do you want to create a podcast? Are you curious about utilizing the modern recording software that can be used to create these recordings?In this class, we will cover the following:- Fundamentals of sound, microphone types, usage, and placement
- Methods of recording different instruments and voice
- Various Hardware that is needed for the differing recording situations
- Creating, setting up, recording, editing, mixing, saving, and uploading a finished project
This will be a fun and engaging class for up to 4 students per class. Each student will have the role of audio tech, performer, recording engineer, and producer. -
Voice Class - Adult
Instructor: Caroline Bergan
Adult Class, Monday 4:30 PM - 5:30 PM
Grades 7-9, Tuesday 5:00 PM - 7:00 PM
Whether you have studied singing before or have a newfound interest, class voice study offers a unique opportunity to focus on your instrument in a group setting.In addition to learning about the singing mechanism, healthy voice technique, and music learning methodology, you will gain a sense of confidence from your new set of skills. You will do this by observing your colleagues work with the instructors and engaging in group and solo singing. You will be asked to prepare and perform at least 1 song, in addition to group-assigned songs.Goals for this class:- Discover or rediscover your singing voice
- Develop fundamental habits of singing: vocal performance and technique
- Learn at least 1 solo song
- Experience private voice lessons in a masterclass setting
- Discuss readings and listening assignments
- Maintain vocal health
- Prepare and practice assigned music (outside classwork)
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Voice Class for Grades 10-12
Stephanie Hahn Nolan Voice Class for Grades 10 - 12. Wednesdays from 5 to 6 PM. Students, when you love to sing, there is a great temptation to believe that you are all alone in the belief that you actually can do it! All kinds of social criticism warn against singing in front of others - from Simon Cowell to friends and family members! Voice class provides a place where students can be brave "together"; to realize the good news that you were made to sing and that you will find joy and growth in the discipline. Students will learn techniques for using their God-given instrument and learn to sing songs with a piano accompaniment in a way that communicates meaning. Together with others, in a safe and caring environment, you will discover your own unique voice! (For 3 - 5 students) -
Voice Class Grades 5-6
Marcina Clark New Voice Class for Grades 5 and 6! Tuesdays, 4:00 - 5:00 PM -
Voice Class Grades 7-9
Instructor: Caroline Bergan
Class voice study offers a unique opportunity to focus on your instrument in a fun and supportive group setting.In addition to learning about the singing mechanism, healthy voice technique, and music, you will gain a sense of confidence from your new set of skills. You will observe your classmates work with the instructor and engage in group and solo singing. Class sessions will cover topics from healthy singing habits, singing and breathing technique, musicality, and interpretation. You will be asked to prepare 1 song (chosen in consultation with your teacher) and group-assigned songs.The goals for this class are:- Develop fundamental habits of singing: vocal performance and technique
- Learn at least 1 solo songs
- Experience private voice lessons in a masterclass setting
- Discuss readings and listening assignments
- Maintain vocal health
- Prepare and practice assigned music (outside classwork)
Fall & Spring Class Descriptions & Pricing
All Instruction (with the exception of Suzuki violin)
30 minutes x 15 lessons = $587
30 minutes x 15 lessons = $587
45 minutes x 15 lessons = $805
60 minutes group lessons x 15 lessons = $484 (non-violin)
Private violin instruction, without group, is available by prior permission of instructors only at the rates listed above.
60 minutes private violin = $1053
Suzuki Violin Instruction: (Levels determined by instructor)
Beginner - 30 minutes/30-minute group x 15 lessons = $689
Intermediate - 45 minutes/45-minute group x 15 lessons = $758
Advanced - 45 minutes/60-minute group x 15 lessons = $894
Lessons are not refundable. All students must inform their coaches and club directors of their commitments immediately. For a very limited range of issues, we will try to accommodate families (such as incremental athletic tournaments that could not be forecast in advance or serious personal illness with a doctor's note.)
If school is canceled, we will work with students to reschedule lessons.
New Classes for Fall 2022
- Recording Studio Techniques - Group Class (max. 4)
- Bass Guitar / Standing Bass
- Voice - grades 7-9
- Voice - Group Class, grades 10-12
- Voice - Group Class, adult
List of 11 items.
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Recording Studio Techniques
High School, Group -
Violin
Private Lessons
Group Class -
Brass
Private Lessons -
Cello
Private Lessons -
Guitar
Private Lessons -
Organ
High School Private Lessons, Beginners/Intermediate -
Percussion
Private Lessons -
Piano
High School Private Lessons, Beginners
Elementary Private Lessons, Beginning/Intermediate -
Ukulele
Private Lesson -
Voice
High School Private LessonsGroup Class, Grades 2 – 4Group Class, Grades 5 - 6Private Lessons, Grades 7 – 8
Group Class, 7-9
Group Class, 10-12
Group Class, Adult -
Woodwind (flute, clarinet, saxophone)
Private Lessons
Instructors
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Elizabeth Browne
Elizabeth Browne has studied and performed with some of the finest musicians in the world, under the auspices of prominent arts organizations, such as the Aspen Music Festival, the Grand Teton Music Festival, Interlochen Center for the Arts, and the Symphony Orchestra Academy of the Pacific. Browne’s teachers include Andrés Díaz, Jean Michel Fonteneau, Michael Reynolds, Stephen Geber, Katinka Kleijn, William Grubb, Cassell Grubb, Peter Sukonik, and Jean Dexter, who introduced a three-year-old Elizabeth to the cello. Browne plays as principal cellist of the Tennessee Philharmonic, as a member of the Nashville Music Scoring Orchestra, and as a substitute with the Nashville Symphony. In the popular music realm, she can be heard on the recordings of Evanescence and Zac Brown Band, as well as several video game, movie, and TV soundtracks, ranging from Call of Duty: WW2 to My Little Pony: The Movie. In addition, Browne is a past winner of the instrumental grand prize at the Christian Artists National Talent Competition. She obtained her Master of Music degree from the San Francisco Conservatory of Music, and her Bachelor of Music degree in cello performance and voice performance from Boston University, where she graduated summa cum laude. -
Marcina Clark
Marcina Clark – Group Voice (Grades 2—3), Group Voice (Grades 4-5), Private Voice (Grades 6 – 8), Piano An Indiana native, Ms. Clark has lived in Nashville for more than 30 years. She holds a Bachelor of Music degree from Belmont University, with a major in Piano Pedagogy and a minor in voice. She has been an accompanist for the children’s choirs of the W. O Smith Nashville Community Music School and Blair School of Music, as well as for local Chorister’s Guild Festivals. For the past 15+ years, she has served as Coordinator of Music at St. Ann Catholic Church, where she leads an adult choir and is a paid soloist. Prior to teaching at Overbrook Catholic School, Ms. Clark taught PK-8 Music & Guitar Lab and directed both an elementary and middle school choir at St. Ann Catholic School. She has sung with the Nashville Symphony Chorus, The Chapel Sessions Singers, where she also served as accompanist, and the Charles Heimmerman Chorale. As the choral director and general music teacher at Overbrook School, Ms. Clark brings years of liturgical, choral, vocal, Kindermusik and Orff experience to the SCA Music Lessons Program. Ms. Clark came to Overbrook School in 2017. She teaches music to PK3-8th grades and is music director for the school musical, the hand bell ensembles and other various musical programs. -
Stephanie Hahn Nolan
Ms. Stephanie Hahn Nolan, Conservatory Director, is a native of Burlington, Vermont, and has been a professional soloist/teacher for over 40 years. While in Vermont, she was a soloist with the Oriana Chamber Singers, for the Vermont Mozart Festival, and many other classical and oratorio presentations. She performed in many genres and with various accompaniments, including classical guitar, trumpet, clarinet, piano, and chamber orchestra (New York Chamber Soloists), and sang in Broadway and Jazz styles for masterclasses and shows. Ms. Nolan also received an honor from the Vermont Council on the Arts for “The Shepherd on the Rock” by Franz Schubert. She has taught choir and voice for decades in middle and high school classrooms, and adult classes at the Flynn Theater for the Performing Arts. Under her direction, the St. Cecilia Advanced Choir soloists and ensembles have received 100% Superior ratings from the MTVA Solo and Ensemble Festival. Ms. Nolan is passionate about showing students that their voices are a birthright! Voice technique study includes the McCloskey Method, Alexander Technique, Recording Techniques with Ron Browning, and song interpretation and technique with Dr. V. William Reed. She has earned a B. S. in Music Education, Voice (UVM) and a Master in Theology (St. Michael’s College). -
Antonia Ferguson
Mrs. Antonia Ferguson—Private Violin (K-12), Group violin, Recording Studio Techniques, Toni Ferguson is a professional violinist with over 35 years of teaching and performing experience. She is the co-founder of the Suzuki Center of Nashville, on the faculty of the Overbrook School and the director of the St. Cecilia Academy Chamber Ensemble. She has been recognized and received twice, the Tennessee Governor’s School Outstanding Teacher Award. In addition to teaching, Mrs. Ferguson has performed in Washington, D.C. at The Kennedy Center and currently performs with regional orchestral groups, professional theatrical productions, private events, weddings, wedding receptions and charitable fundraisers. Mrs. Ferguson attended the University of South Carolina (BME 1980) and was awarded the Maria Monkton Scholarship for Music Education. She has also continued her violin teacher training through the American Suzuki Institute at the University of Wisconsin at Stevens Point. Mrs. Ferguson and her husband Jim, have one daughter who is an accomplished violinist! -
Debbie Lowry
Mrs. Debbie Lowry—Beginning to Intermediate Piano A native of Birmingham, Alabama, Debbie Lowry has maintained a career as a piano teacher/accompanist for over forty years. She currently is in her fourteenth year with Overbrook, St. Cecilia, and surrounding schools. She formerly taught at Jan Williams Music Studios and Shuff Music, and she operated a full private studio for students of all ages and ability levels. Mrs. Lowry is passionate about fostering music education and making it accessible and fun for all age groups, and she has attended and participated in many different piano pedagogy workshops focusing on these ideals. As an accompanist, Mrs. Lowry specializes in the Suzuki repertoire; she has been staff accompanist in the Blair School of School of Music Suzuki Department for over thirty years, and she frequently accompanies students from several area Suzuki studios as well as the Middle Tennessee Suzuki Association. Mrs. Lowry holds a Bachelor of Science in piano from David Lipscomb University, where she studied with Frances Crutcher. She currently resides in Nashville, Tennessee with her husband Tim; their two sons have gone on to become successful professional musicians, violist and composer Christopher Lowry, and violinist Nathan Lowry. -
Dawn Seidenschwarz
Mrs. Dawn Seidenschwarz—Beginning HS Piano, Organ Dawn Seidenschwarz is Organist/Choir Director for the traditional service at Our Savior Lutheran Church, Choir Organist at the Cathedral of the Incarnation and Assistant Choral Director/Accompanist at Saint Cecilia Academy. Her organist experience began as teenager in her hometown of Stuttgart, Arkansas, and she has since that time had opportunities to accompany worship and choirs in churches of many denominations and locations including Tokyo, Venice, Quebec, San Francisco, Little Rock, and for the last 30 years in Nashville. She taught piano for several years both in her hometown and at St. Cecilia Academy. Ms. Seidenschwarz earned a Bachelor of Music degree in organ performance from Middle Tennessee State University where she studied with Dr. Polly Brecht. She holds the Service Playing and Colleague certificates from the American Guild of Organists. She is a long-time member of the Nashville Chapter of AGO and has served as secretary and on the executive committee. Most notably, she is the beloved choir accompanist for St. Cecilia Academy! -
Alan Suska
Alan Suska— Private and Group Brass, Percussion and woodwind (flute, clarinet, saxophone) Alan Suska was born and raised in Pittsburgh, Pa. In 1980, having received an undergraduate degree in Music Education and a Masters in trumpet performance from Duquesne University, he moved to Nashville to pursue a career in music. Beginning his Nashville career at Opryland, Alan has continued an extensive career as a freelance musician and teacher. Currently, Alan is principal trumpet with the Murfreesboro Symphony and the Nashville Praise Symphony along with being the first call trumpet player for several contractors in the area. As an educator, Alan has been fortunate to have taught as an adjunct professor at Tennessee Tech University, Cumberland University, Lipscomb University, Middle Tennessee State University, University of the South, Welch College, and the Blair School of Music. Recently, Alan was the Director of Instrumental Music at Pope John Paul II High School. Additionally, Mr. Suska also travels extensively serving the Lord on musical mission trips and sharing the Gospel. Currently, he is the Band Director at Overbrook School. -
Deidre Fominaya Bacco
Deidre Fominaya Bacco, Private Violin, joined the Nashville Symphony in 1982. During the 32 years with the Nashville Symphony, she recorded 26 CD's, 15 Grammy nominations and 7 Grammy wins. She holds a Music Performance degree from Bowling Green State University (Ohio), and studied with Dr. Eloy Fominaya (her father), Myron Kartman, Paul Makara, and Camilla Wicks. Prior to moving to Nashville, she played with the Birmingham Symphony Orchestra, Birmingham String Quartet, Concertmaster of the Hidden Valley Opera Company in Carmel, California, the San Jose Symphony, Monterey Symphony, the San Rafael Symphony and the Orquesta Sinfonica del Estado de Mexico in Toluca, Mexico. She is a founding member of the Suzuki Center of Nashville, a member of the lessons faculty at St. Cecilia Academy, Overbrook School, and the W.O. Smith School, as well as assisted with Early Suzuki Childhood Education classes in East Nashville and Franklin, TN. -
Caroline Bergan
Dr. Caroline Bergan, has taught group and private voice lessons for eight years and been an active performer for thirteen. Dr. Bergan earned her Doctor of Musical Arts degree and a Singing Health Specialization from The Ohio State University, a Master of Music and Artist Diploma from the Cleveland Institute of Music, and is currently on the faculty at Belmont University. She has performed leading roles in many classic and modern operas and sung in masterclasses for such greats as Renee Fleming and Renata Scotto. . Dr. Bergan is a past winner of the Mirabell Schloss Competition in Salzburg, Austria and is a recipient of the Anna Sosenko Artist Trust Fund Award. Most recently she has performed Verdi’s Salce and Ave Maria with Opera Project Columbus, Poulenc’s Gloria with the Firelands Symphony Orchestra, Berlioz selections from Beatrice et Benedict with the Duke Orchestra, and Rossini’s Petite messe solennelle with Opera Project Columbus. Dr. Bergan has a passion for helping young singers find their unique voices in an environment that is conducive for sound exploration. Dr. Bergan will offer group voice for grades 7 - 9 here in the SCA Conservatory, as well as groups class for Adults, and private lessons! -
John Pennell
Mr. John Pennell—Private/Group Guitar, Group Ukelele John Pennell has been a member of the Overbrook/St. Cecilia lessons faculty since the Fall Semester of 2014 teaching Guitar, his primary instrument. John has a Bachelor of Musical Arts degree from Arizona State University(1979 Magna Cum Laude) in theory/composition with a minor concentration in Classical Guitar. In 1980, Mr. Pennell was accepted into the Master of Music program at The University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, where he received a diploma in Musical Composition and Theory. During his tenure at the U of I, John picked up the Double bass as a secondary instrument to guitar and has become proficient in performing the instrument in various ensembles and genres since. In November of 2020, John received an Emmy Award for his song ‘Backroads’, (co-written w/ Graham Edwards) as part of a PBS documentary ‘Illinois Country’ , which began airing in March of 2020. Mr. Pennell also performs with his wife Julie Pennell (Julie and John Pennell) and they have released two albums worth of mostly original material. John was born in rural, east central Illinois, about two hours south of Chicago. He has lived in Nashville, TN since 1996 where he has pursued a career in songwriting. John was the original bass player in Union Station with Alison Krauss. -
Graduate of Ball State University(1978), Opryland theme park shows(1978-96), Woodwind doubler (clarinet, flute/piccolo,saxophone,recorders, oboe), Performed in pit orchestra for over 100 professional musicals at TPAC and other locations, 200+ performances with Nashville Symphony (pops and classical) on saxophone and clarinet, TV and recording sessions, Nashville Jazz Machine, Nashville Jazz Orchestra, Chamber music and free-lance orchestra performances, 100’s of wedding ceremonies/classical and receptions/jazz&pop, Adjunct faculty- Tennessee State U, Austin Peay St U, MTSU, Taught over 300 private students (gr 5-12) -
Shelley Schneider
Shelley Schneider, a native Texan and Baylor graduate of vocal performance, recently moved to Nashville to live closer to her parents. While in Texas, she taught private voice lessons in several colleges in Ft Worth, Houston and Austin. In addition to teaching, Ms. Schneider has also music directed and conducted several musicals. In 2010, Ms. Schneider studied at the Neighborhood Playhouse in New York. Her performing career is diverse and includes Shakespeare plays, musicals, operas and cabaret shows. She has performed across Texas with Houston Grand Opera’s educational outreach program. Some favorite performances include Amy in Company by Sondheim and Dinah in Trouble in Tahiti by Bernstein. Recently she performed with a chorus accompanying Andrea Bocelli at Bridgestone Arena. Currently, Ms. Schneider is a professor in the voice department at Belmont University and Lipscomb University.
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