Roxanne Daws has taught violin and viola lessons through the Briarcrest Conservatory for 32 years. She 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. She has maintained a large and highly successful private violin and viola studio in the Memphis Area since 1985.

Josh Threlkeld has been teaching and performing in the Memphis area for over 25 years. With several guitar programs started under his care (including Briarcrest in 2001, Germantown Performing Arts Center in 2010, Circuit Music Seen in 2020) and many students that have gone on to play professionally, he has a teaching approach that guides each student to their fullest potential. You can see him in action here at joshtunes.com, and watch live recital streams from when we had to move online during the pandemic (the show must go on!)

Lauren Fiveash is an alum from Briarcrest where she was a student accompanist for the choral program during her high school years.  She is an early retired Orff Music Specialist (elementary music teacher) from Memphis-Shelby County Schools where she started new elementary choirs at two different schools.  Lauren has played the piano for over fifty years and has played at Highland Heights Presbyterian Church for over twenty years.  At Highland Heights she accompanies the choir, plays during two services on Sundays and leads an ensemble and contemporary praise group.  She has taught piano off and on since the age of sixteen.  She currently has a home studio of about forty students.  Music is the passion of her life and she enjoys serving the Lord using this gift and instilling a love for music with students.

Lauren Fiveash Piano Studio

Susan Gambrell has taught piano lessons for 9 years through the conservatory at Briarcrest. She typically teaches students 1st-12th grade. Susan Gambrell is a private instructor of piano, voice and clarinet. She has taught in the Briarcrest conservatory for the past eight years and has taught in her home studio for 32 years. Susan holds a bachelor's in Music Education from Arkansas State University and is a member of GMMTA and GCPTA (Germantown Piano Teachers Association). Susan and her husband Stephen attend Harvest Church and Susan enjoys leading worship for Community Bible study.

Paula Hedgepeth has an at-home piano studio and a studio at Briarcrest. With more than 35 years of teaching experience, I work with about 80 students of all ages in private and group lessons.  Teaching and sharing music is my passion, and I’m always learning how I can do that better.  In addition to teaching, I am the pianist at Grace Evangelical Church, and I frequently play for weddings and other events. 

https://www.paulahedgepethpianostudio.com/teacher

Sarah Spain attended the University of Memphis on a music scholarship where she performed as a member of Sound Fuzion as well as the jazz and commercial music combo. She has ten years of classical piano training, and 4 years of choral experience. Throughout her time in college, she discovered her love for music education and became a director and private lessons instructor at the School of Rock. Outside of work, Sarah cultivates her love for the Memphis music community and sharing in God’s gifts by songwriting, performing, and playing as a recording session musician.

Carole Tidwell has taught privately in her home piano studio as well at several Memphis-area private Christian schools for  30+ years.  She has been teaching piano in the Briarcrest Conservatory since 1997. She has been a pianist/accompanist on the piano/keyboard for many area churches and theatres for 35+ years. Presently, she plays piano and keyboard in the orchestra at Germantown Baptist Church, where she is a member. Mrs. Tidwell is a member of the Germantown/Collierville Area Piano Teachers Association. God has allowed me the opportunity to have so many different boys and girls in my home and then watch them develop their piano skills and their love for music!  It is such a blessing! 

Brianna Reilly is a soprano based in Memphis, TN. She has earned a Doctor of Musical Arts degree in Vocal Performance at the University of Memphis. As a teacher, some of her students have performed with the Memphis Symphony Orchestra, been awarded an Orpheum Award nomination, and have received collegiate music scholarships. Aside from teaching, Brianna has also stage directed the mid-south premiere of The Boatswain’s Mate, the final scene from Of Mice and Men, and the “Shoe’s Duet” from Three Decembers all at the University of Memphis. As an up-and-coming singer, teacher, and director, Brianna’s mission is to use her vibrant and energetic performances to instill her love of music into anyone and everyone that she can. She is a strong advocate of performing different types of works and has found much success in being a flexible and diverse artist. Brianna currently attends Germantown Presbyterian Church where she sings in the choir and as a soloist.

Katie Zampini is a former professional ballet dancer with years of experience teaching dancers in the art of classical and contemporary ballet. Katie earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in Dance Performance from Southern Methodist University in Dallas, Texas. Katie entered her teaching career upon joining the faculty of Saint Cecilia Academy in Nashville, TN as the school’s dance teacher, Dance Company director, and choreographer. Her other teaching credentials include working with students ages two to eighteen in various schools and studios around the country. Katie and her husband, Paul, and three children are members of St. Patrick Church in Collierville, and are grateful to be a Briarcrest family! 

Ms. Curran has performed and choreographed for the Chicago Youth Ballet, Illinois Ballet, Chicago Dance, Hinsdale Opera Ballet (Chicago), Fox Valley Theater (Chicago), Gateway Theater (New York), Salt Creek Ballet (Chicago), Principia College (St. Louis), North Central College (Chicago), Vanderbilt University. Ms. Curran directed her own school in Dallas, Texas, was Artistic Director of the Salt Creek Ballet western locale in Chicago, founder and Co-Artistic Director of The American School of Russian Ballet in Memphis, TN, founder and Artistic Director of the Allegro Ballet Academy in Fayette County. Ms. Curran is married to Jim Curran.  They are members of Fayette Baptist Church and live in Oakland, TN.