Teacher Bios
Dance
Ebone Camille Amos is an aspiring performer from Memphis, TN. She began studying dance at the age of nine at Gerri Leatherwood School of Dance where she was introduced to ballet, tap, jazz and lyrical. During this time, she also continued to create work and dance for her youth group (A.T.O.M.I.C.) at church. In 2008, she enrolled at the U of M as a dance education major and was introduced to modern dance, dance improvisation and composition. She choreographed a piece entitled ‘BegEnding’, and it was chosen to be presented at the American College Dance Festival. In school, she had the honor of training with DCDC, The Alvin Ailey American Dance Theatre, David Dorfman Dance, TU Dance and the American College Dance Festival (‘09-‘12). In 2010, she was cast in her first play, Hairspray, at Playhouse on the Square and she was honored to be chosen as dance captain for the production. Since then she has done Peter Pan (TigerLily), A Midsummer’s Night Dream (Mustardseed), Ragtime (Ensemble) and Footloose (Ensemble). She graduated from of the University of Memphis in May 2012, where she earned her Dance Education Degree along with a Teaching Licensure. This summer, she was awarded a full scholarship to attend the Debbie Allen Dance Academy Summer Intensive Program where she took classes from Mrs. Debbie Allen herself. She is currently Assistant Choreographing ThreePenny Opera at the University of Memphis. She also currently dances for two local modern companies, Project Motion Dance Collective and Bridging Souls Productions. She is looking forward to teaching eager students who are ready to learn and who can also teach her a thing or two!
Guitar
Jeff Haughton has been playing guitar for almost thirty years and teaching guitar for fifteen years in the Memphis area. Skilled in many different genres of music, He is efficient in teaching rock, country, blues, pop, and classical. As a well-seasoned teacher, he offers music theory, sight reading, aural theory, and guitar instruction for students. Growing up in Memphis, playing in local bands, touring and university schooling have made him a well rounded player. He believes that music should be fun as well as educational, all adding up to a great learning experience.
Josh Threlkeld is a Performer and Composer who has taught guitar for over 15 years, started the guitar program at multiple performing arts centers, and is the guitar instructor for Germantown Performing Arts.
Low Brass, Percussion
Michael Parsons serves as the Director of Bands at Briarcrest Christian School. His responsibilities include directing an overseeing all instrumental music programs at BCS including MS and HS Concert and Marching Bands, MS percussion ensemble, HS Indoor Drum Line, Commercial Music Ensemble, and the MS Praise Band. Michael holds a Masters of Music Degree in orchestral conducting along with a Bachelors of Music Degree in percussion performance, both from the University of Memphis.
In addition to classical music, Michael has had a very active career in commercial music, performing with artist such as Keith Urban, Booker T and the M.G’s, and with the national/ international touring band, Sound Fuzion. Michael has performed in China, Germany, Venezuela, Scotland and throughout the U.S., including a performance at the prestigious Juilliard School in New York.
Michael has been an instrumental music teacher for 7 years and is also the founding music director & conductor of the Memphis Summer Music Festival hosted by the University of Memphis.
Piano
Liz Parsons serves as the Vocal Music Assistant Director and the Assistant to the Fine Arts Director. Liz received her Bachelor’s degree in piano performance from the University of Memphis. After graduating in 2002, Liz served as the staff accompanist for the choral department at the University of Memphis until 2012. She has a strong background in collaborative piano and has accompanied many vocalists and instrumentalists in various performances on the collegiate level and also professional level, as well as accompanying numerous choirs throughout the city. Currently, Liz is the accompanist for the Memphis Symphony Chorus, playing for all rehearsals and assists in leading rehearsals.
In addition, to accompanying and performing as a professional pianist, Liz has taught private piano lessons for 18 years, teaching students from the beginning to advanced levels. She is a member of the Germantown/Collierville Piano TeachersAssociation and enters her students in the Germantown Piano Festival each spring. Being a performing pianist at the same time as being a teacher has enabled Liz to relate to her students in the need for personal practice and to constantly strive to grow as a musician. Liz’s passion is enabling other growing musicians to make music to the best of his/her ability.
Mary Aileen Simon received a Bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education and a minor in Piano Performance & Education from the University of Iowa. In post-graduate work, she has studied with two concert pianists and performed in various venues. She is an active member of the National Music Teachers Association and an adjudicator for competitions and auditions. For ten years, she hastaught Kindergarten through adult level in the Piano Division of the Conservatory, incorporating music appreciation and theory in the lesson time.
Leigh Stringfield joined the Briarcrest Fine Arts Conservatory staff in 2010. She also currently teaches Class Piano lessons for the Memphis City School system at Oak Forest Elementary as well as teaching private piano lessons in her home studio. In addition to teaching, she currently serves as the choral accompanist for the DeSoto Central Middle School choirs in Southaven, Mississippi. She has previously served as a church accompanist/organist for 18 years, a community choral accompanist for 3 years, and a children’s choir assistant and director for 12 years.
Leigh graduated with a Bachelor of Music degree in piano from Union University in 1986. She is happily married to her husband, Greg, and they have two sons, Carter and Davis and reside in Southaven, Mississippi. They are active members at Trinity Baptist Church in Southaven where Greg serves as Administrative Pastor. Leigh is a member of the Music Teachers National Association, Tennessee Music Teachers Association, Greater Memphis Music Teachers Association, and the American College of Musicians National Piano Guild
Carole J. Tidwell has taught privately in her home piano studio as well at several Memphis-area private Christian schools for over 25 years. She has been a pianist/accompanist on the piano/synthesizer for many area churches and theatres for many years. Presently, she plays piano and keyboard in the orchestra at Germantown Baptist Church, where she is a member. She also teaches piano at her home studio, at BCS, at the APA of CFB, and at GBC's Music Conservatory and is the Middle School Accompanist for BCS & Saintly Singers. Mrs. Tidwell is a member of the National Guild of Piano Teachers and the Germantown/Collierville Piano Teachers Association.
Mrs. Tidwell is a native of Memphis, Tennessee, where she graduated from Wooddale High School and attended the University of Memphis. “The biggest blessings of my life include my late husband, and my two daughters, and my 3 precious grandchildren. My favorite song is Blessings, by Laura Story, and my favorite Bible verse is 2 Timothy 1:7, For God did not give us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love, and of a sound mind.
Trumpet Lessons
Amon Eady is entering this third year as director of choirs at White Station High School in Memphis, Tennessee. He conducts the Chorale, Concert Choir, Women’s Choir, Ninth Grade Women’s Choir, and the Men’s Choir.
Prior to his time at White Station High School, he served as the director of choirs at White Station Middle School for five years. A veteran of Memphis City Schools, he also serves as a mentor to other teachers in the area, specializing in teaching music literacy in the urban environment.
Choirs under his leadership have performed throughout the United States, including two appearances at the Tennessee Music Educator’s Conference. He has appeared at national, regional, and state meetings of the American Choral Director’s Association as an ensemble member, conductor and presenter.
Also a church musician, Mr. Eady currently conducts the Chancel Choir at Highland Heights United Methodist Church in Memphis, Tennessee. He holds a bachelors degree in instrumental music education, as well as a masters degree in choral conducting, both from the University of Southern Mississippi.
Amon lives in Midtown with his wife, Deidra, son Liam, and daughter Rowan.
Violin
Roxanne Murray Daws received her Bachelor of Music Degree from the University of Memphis in 1989, Double Certification in Instrumental Music and Elementary Education in 1992 from the State of Tennessee, and Master of Music Degree in Viola Performance in May 2000 from The University of Alabama School of Music.
Mrs. Daws experience includes violin and viola instruction for Beginning to Advanced players, extensive quad-state performances, and years of clinical experience. She plays violin (or viola) in “The String Quartet of the South” which performs frequently in the quad-state area. She is Principal Viola of the Tupelo Symphony Orchestra and Delta Symphony (Jonesboro, AR) & also plays violin/viola in the Jackson (TN) Symphony.
Mrs. Daws has received numerous commendations from state and local pedagogues for excellence in education, including the “Outstanding Teacher Award” from the Tennessee Governor’s School for the Arts in 1995 and 1997. She has taught violin at the Briarcrest Conservatory of Fine Arts since 1992, violin at the Lausanne Conservatory since 2005, and violin/viola at the Germantown Baptist Conservatory since 2007. She also taught for the Community Music School at the University of Memphis from 1986 – 2001 and was the Adjunct violin/viola Instructor at Union University in Jackson, TN from 2001-2005. She has also maintained a large and highly successful private violin/viola studio in the Memphis Area since 1985.
Voice
Paula Cole is a vocal instructor with over 28 years of private experience. Prior to establishing her private studio, Paula worked at Oakhaven Baptist Academy, serving as vocal music teacher for grades K-12. She then was chosen to spearhead the entire vocal music department at Kirby High School, where she founded Show Choir, Gospel Choir, served as musical director for all musical productions, taught music theory, and was responsible for her student’s participation in All West Tennessee Vocal Music Association competitions. Recently, Paula served as program coordinator for the West Tennessee Youth Chorus’ international choir workshop and celebrity concert, Crossroads Children’s Chorus Festival, featuring Operatic Soprano KallenEsperian, Broadway’s Lawrence Hamilton, Grand Ole Opry member Ronnie Milsap and Conductor and Composer Stephen Hatfield.
Paula graduated from Union University in 1981, where she received her Bachelor of Music Education. While attending Union, she was invited to sing with the touring group, Proclamation, as well as the acclaimed Union University Singers and Union University Chorus. Paula also was personally chosen to serve in the role of student assistant to Dr. Bob Agee, Dean of Religious Affairs.
Paula has been married for 31 years to her college sweetheart, Johnny Cole, and they have three children: Ashley (25), Johnny Paul (22), and Austin (17). She enjoys sports, shopping, worshipping in her church choir, and spending time with her family.
Amon Eady is entering this third year as director of choirs at White Station High School in Memphis, Tennessee. He conducts the Chorale, Concert Choir, Women’s Choir, Ninth Grade Women’s Choir, and the Men’s Choir.
Prior to his time at White Station High School, he served as the director of choirs at White Station Middle School for five years. A veteran of Memphis City Schools, he also serves as a mentor to other teachers in the area, specializing in teaching music literacy in the urban environment.
Choirs under his leadership have performed throughout the United States, including two appearances at the Tennessee Music Educator’s Conference. He has appeared at national, regional, and state meetings of the American Choral Director’s Association as an ensemble member, conductor and presenter.
Also a church musician, Mr. Eady currently conducts the Chancel Choir at Highland Heights United Methodist Church in Memphis, Tennessee. He holds a bachelors degree in instrumental music education, as well as a masters degree in choral conducting, both from the University of Southern Mississippi.
Amon lives in Midtown with his wife, Deidra, son Liam, and daughter Rowan.
Ginger Statom, received the Bachelor of Music degree from the University of Mississippi in Music Education with piano and vocal emphasis, where for two years she received the Outstanding Undergraduate Award presented by the Department of Music. Ginger has performed recitals through the southeast and has performed in Menotti’s Amelia Goes to the Ball, Amahl and the Night Visitors, Mozart’s Cosi fan Tutte, and other operetta and musical theatre roles. Choruses she has directed, performed in and accompanied have performed at state, regional and national ACDA Conventions and have toured throughout Europe. As a soprano soloist she has sung Mozart's Requiem, Mozart’s Exsultate Jubilate, several Haydn masses, Rutter's Requiem, Rutter’s Mass of the Children, Rossini's Stabat Mater, Handel's Messiah, and numerous Bach cantatas.
She has accompanied and directed in churches and schools and was the Assistant Director and accompanist of the Lake Wales Chorale (Florida). In addition to Ginger’s vocal career, she taught high school chorus for four years, with choruses receiving superior ratings at district and state level competitions. In 2003, she led the Lake Region High School Chorus to perform in New York’s Carnegie Hall. Ginger currently directs the Second Presbyterian Church Youth Choir and teaches private voice and piano lessons while being a full-time mother to Margaret, Jennie, and Sarah.
J.D. Frizzell is a composer, conductor, and baritone, is the Director of Fine Arts and Director of Vocal Music at Briarcrest. He earned the double Master's in Music Theory/Composition and Conducting from The University of Southern Mississippi, where he also earned the bachelor's degree in Music History and Literature.
Mr. Frizzell, winner of the 2007 Intégrales Composition Contest, writes music for choir, orchestra, symphonic band, voice, handbells, chamber ensembles, and solo instruments. With music published by Choristers Guild, Sapience, AGEHR, Lorenz, Ring-Press, and Red River, he has had best-sellers throughout the world.
In 2011, the board of the Tennessee Music Educators Association named him the Oustanding Young Music Educator of the Year. He was also given the Dr. Clair E. Cox Award for Teacher Excellence.
As the Director of the Fine Arts department, Mr. Frizzell is responsible for coordinating all Fine Arts programs (K2-12th grade). He also serves as an advocate and school liaison for all of our outstanding visual, musical and dramatic arts at Briarcrest. As the Director of Vocal Music, he teachers the Concert Choir, Honors Chamber Singers, OneVoice, and AP Music Theory. In addition, he teaches private voice and piano lessons and directs the Briarcrest High School Praise Band.