Tracy Stuever

Tracy Stuever, Studio Owner - harp, piano, guitar, voice, drums

Tracy started playing piano (self taught) at the age of 7.  She added on many instruments over the years, singing and playing guitar proficiently by the age of 13.  By this point in her life, she began composing songs as well.

In the fifth grade, her formal training started with the snare drum.  Her self-developed skills as a pianist aided her in class as she quickly added timpani and mallet percussion to her skill set.  From there she participated in the GMEA District Band in 8th grade, and then did so again every year until she graduated high school.  

In her senior year of high school, she attended the Governors Honors Program for percussion, made the All-State band, and was a member of the prestigious Atlanta Symphony Youth Orchestra.  In addition to her commitments with the school band, Tracy was a dedicated member of the High School Choir and even student taught the Women's Choir during her senior year of high school.  She performed in over ten musicals and played guitar and sang in every talent show.

In 2007, Tracy graduated from the University of Georgia with a Bachelor of Music in Music Education.  She also received certification from the GAPSC (Georgia Professional Standards Commission).  During her time at the University, she performed in the Wind Symphony, Wind Ensemble, Tropical Breeze Steel Band, Georgia Brass and accompanied many other musicians in solo recitals.   She trained on over 40 different instruments during her college years!

Tracy has been teaching privately in Downtown Monroe for over 10 years now. It is her vision to fill the community with musicians who wish to share the gift of music for all to hear. She believes that music brings us together, enriches our lives and is always there to speak for us when words fail. She welcomes students of all ages and all ability levels!  

Emily Casey

Emily Casey, voice, piano, guitar, ukulele

Emily Casey began her musical career through voice lessons in elementary school. Not long after her vocal lessons began, she was encouraged to explore the piano. Emily received her first keyboard for Christmas in fourth grade, and has been hooked to it ever since! She began reading traditional sheet music, but quickly found that her passion lies with improvisation of chord sheets while singing and playing. In addition to learning an instrument, in fourth grade, Emily also began her acting career. Since elementary school, Emily has been in dozens of shows, including lots of musicals. Throughout middle school, Emily focused on playing the piano and vocal lessons. She also learned a great deal about music through experiences in musical theater. 

In high school, Emily found Stuever Studios and added ukulele and guitar to her skill set. Emily has studied voice, piano, ukulele, guitar and teaching methods under the guidance of Tracy Stuever for over three years. Throughout high school, Emily has continued to participate in theater- both in school and at On Stage Walton. Emily recently received a banjo, and is beginning to learn how to play it. You can never run out of things to learn once you have acquired the universal knowledge contained within music theory! 

Emily has found a passion sharing her musical gifts through teaching. She has served as the vocal director at Walnut Grove High School, George Walton Academy, and OnStage Walton. She has served as music worship leader at church. She began her career at Stuever Studios as a substitute teacher and has been teaching students of her own for 6 years.  Her experience leading the youth is not limited to her private musical teachings. She has been a leader in vacation bible school, supervised at summer camps, and served as a babysitter.

Emily has a Bachelor’s Elementary Education from the University of Georgia with a minor in Human Development and a Master’s in Education. She is so grateful to have been taught so much about music and is following in the footsteps of Tracy Stuever by sharing music in her community through teaching and performance. Tracy considers Emily to be her protégée. Emily hopes that everyone gets the chance to play an instrument as music is such a powerful thing! Click here to schedule a lesson with Emily.

Sarah Nienhiser

Sarah Nienhiser, violin and piano

Sarah Nienhiser, born in 2000, first began piano at age 7 and later started violin at age 10. Under her first instructor, Andrea Probus, she worked diligently and obtained a solid foundation. A few years later she transferred to Dr. David Kovac and under his guidance her skills and passion for playing increased. In 2014, Sarah won the MTNA state solo competition and placed 1st in the BJU chamber group competition. Under Dr. Kovac's coaching, Sarah participated in several years of chamber music further broadening her skills. In 2015, the chamber group she was a member of won the KMTA chamber group competition. In 2020 and 2021 she was accepted into the Maryland National Music Festival. 

Sarah graduated in May 2022 with her Bachelors in Violin Performance from Park University while studying under Ben Sayevich. After graduation, Sarah accepted a full-time assistantship position at the University of Georgia where she is currently studying under Dr. Levon Ambartsumian to earn her Masters in Violin Performance. 

Aaron Phillip

Aaron Phillip, drums and guitar

Aaron is a drummer, guitarist and arranger currently based in Athens, Georgia. He started music in middle school playing percussion in Concert Band and joined the high school marching band in 8th grade, sticking with it throughout high school. During lockdown he spent most of his free time practicing bass and guitar and joined the Jazz Band the latter half of high school. When Aaron got to Athens studying Music and Jazz at the University of Georgia, he immediately immersed himself into the music scene, playing in the UGA orchestra, jazz ensembles, and the Athens downtown scene playing any music he could and any venue he could, spending his time becoming a versatile musician. He’s played for a number of different people playing cabarets, musicals, folk, latin, rock and more.

Aaron now continues to hone his skills as a musician both as a guitarist and drummer. He prioritizes not just being able to play well, but understanding what makes good playing and communicating that with his students to help them become the best and most expressive musicians they can all while having fun!

Zachary Helms

Zachary Helms, cello and piano

Zachary Helms is a doctoral cellist pursuing the Doctor of Music degree in Cello Performance at the University of Georgia's Hugh Hodgson School of Music under James Kim. A passionate chamber musician and collaborator, he actively performs throughout Georgia with ensembles including the Augusta Symphony Orchestra, Lawrenceville Symphony Orchestra, Hidden Arts Collaborative, Athens Master Chorale, Athens Chorale Festival, Georgia Ballet Orchestra, and Atlanta International Symphony Orchestra. His diverse performing career allows him to bring a wide variety of traditional and contemporary repertoire to life. His studies have included masterclasses with the Pacifica, Harlem, Rosamunde, Pavel Haas, Dover, Borromeo, and New York Philharmonic String Quartets, as well as Eighth Blackbird, Camerata Nordica, and artists including Rainer Eudaikis, Massimo Macrì, Eli Lara, Julia Lichten, Christina Dahl, and David Ying. 

As an educator, Zach currently teaches undergraduate musicians at the Hugh Hodgson School of Music, where he was honored with the Outstanding Teaching Assistant Award in 2026. He has mentored private students throughout the Gwinnett and Athens areas, served as cello faculty for the UGA Summer Music Camp and String Institute, and regularly works with local orchestra programs as a clinician. 

Passionate about helping students discover their own musical voice, Zach emphasizes curiosity, active listening, and critical thinking in his teaching. He believes students learn best when they are encouraged to ask questions, make connections, and become independent musicians. His goal is to create a supportive and engaging environment where students develop not only strong technical foundations, but also confidence, creativity, and a lifelong love of music.

Justin Sheppard

Justin Sheppard, guitar

Justin is a classical guitarist and experienced music educator who holds a B.S. in Classical Guitar Performance from the University of Georgia and is currently pursuing his Master of Music in Classical Guitar Performance at UGA. His musical journey began at age 11 with his first guitar lesson. He later became an accomplished brass musician as well, earning All-State Band honors throughout high school and performing on trombone, tuba, and baritone. He began teaching music while still in high school, giving brass lessons to younger students.

Justin is passionate about helping students develop confidence, concentration, musicianship, and a genuine love of playing. He especially enjoys introducing students to the guitar’s incredible versatility and helping each student discover what they are capable of achieving.

Justin’s path eventually took him away from music for a time when he joined the U.S. Navy, serving ten years on active duty as both a nuclear reactor operator and Surface Warfare Officer. After leaving the Navy, he renewed his love for guitar and eventually returned to UGA to formally pursue Classical Guitar Performance.

Justin studied under internationally renowned guitarist Dr. Daniel Bolshoy and earned his B.S. in Classical Guitar Performance from UGA in 2020. He began teaching guitar professionally in 2017 and built a thriving studio of approximately 70 students. His students have earned top ratings and advanced through high levels of guitar repertoire with organizations including the Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music and the National Federation of Music Clubs. Many of his students have studied with him continuously for six to eight years and now perform repertoire commonly studied at the collegiate level.

Outside of music, Justin enjoys cooking and yoga. In addition to his B.S. in Classical Guitar Performance from the University of Georgia, he holds a B.S. in Criminal Justice from Florida State University and a B.S.A.S.T. in Nuclear Engineering Technologies from Thomas Edison State University.

Catherine Littlepage

Cat Littlepage - voice, ukulele, guitar, piano

Born in 1996, Catherine is a lifelong Vocalist who had her start in Pre-K and Church Choruses consistently throughout 3-17 years of age in South Georgia and Rural Minnesota. She had a few instrumental seasons by age 12 in school bands, playing Alto Saxophone, Flute, and Violin. Throughout High School, she participated in multiple school Choirs every year, Womens’ Barbershop and Musical/One-Act Theater, as well as two seasons of Show Choir Camp at Gustavus Adolphus College in St. Peter, Minnesota. In her early twenties, she kick started her career as an independent working musician, teaching herself Ukulele (Soprano & Baritone) and Guitar with her own solo act as well as collaborating with Artists and Bands around greater Atlanta and Athens.

Catherine strives to pass on her refined vocal disciplines. As well as help her students understand and harness their unique voices. Specializing in Vocal Lessons, she will also be teaching Intermediate Soprano and Baritone Ukulele, Intermediate Guitar, and Basic Piano.

Tanner Fallin

Tanner Fallin - piano, percussion, bass guitar

Tanner Fallin is a recent graduate of the UGA School of Music with a bachelor’s degree in percussion performance and a certificate in music business, graduating magna cum laude and with the Excellence in Music Business award. He is a classically-trained percussionist, well-versed in piano and bass guitar, and is experientially familiar with both the casual and professional music scenes. Tanner is also a songwriter and recording engineer operating in the Athens area.

Growing up surrounded by music, Tanner officially began his training in middle school with piano and percussion, later adding bass guitar. Having began gigging around the Statesboro area in high school, Tanner currently plays in three Athens-based bands as well as several upper-level ensembles in the Athens and Atlanta areas. Previously, Tanner was an instructor at the Pladd Dot School of Music in Statesboro, Ga and Toombs County High School. His teaching has a heavy emphasis on honing strong foundations while ensuring that the learning process is motivating and enjoyable.

Jana Hornsey

Jana Hornsey began playing piano self-taught at the age of eight and later picked up the guitar at twelve.  She was accepted into the University of North Georgia Music Department as a Musical Arts major in  2023, where she studied classical piano.  She later transferred to the University of Georgia in 2024 after being accepted into the Music Therapy program.  She now studies jazz piano and improv in Dr. James Weidman’s studio and is the upcoming secretary for the Music Therapy Student Association of UGA.  She is also an active member of the Georgia Treble Choir and was a previous member of the University Singers at the University of North Georgia.

From a background of playing by ear and learning theory later in life, Jana is familiar with many different approaches to musical learning, as well as both the technical and aural aspects of music education.  She can be found practicing piano in the Hugh Hodgson School of Music and performing with electric guitar in local Downtown Athens venues.  Fueled by her passion for music and the way it connects people, she loves being able to share the joy of making music with others through many different mediums, whether it be in a clinical or educational setting.

Emily Elmore

Emily Elmore - flute, piano, cello

Emily Elmore is pursuing a Doctorate of Musical Arts in Flute Performance, with a Minor in Music Theory, at the University of Georgia, Hugh Hodgson School of Music, where she studies under Professor Angela Jones-Reus. She has served as Principal Flutist of both the UGA Symphony Orchestra and the Hodgson Wind Ensemble, and as a member of the UGA Contemporary Chamber Ensemble. As a performer, Emily’s highlights include performing Carmen Fantasie as a soloist with the UGA Symphony Orchestra as a winner of the UGA Concerto Competition, playing with the Chattanooga Symphony as a substitute flutist, and performing in the national conferences of the National Flute Association and the College Band Directors National Association. Her playing has received regional and national honors, as a prize-winner, finalist, or first-alternate in competitions by the National Flute Association, the Atlanta Flute Club, and the Florida Flute Association. She has performed in several music festivals, including the Brevard Music Center, the MasterWorks Festival, and Chamber Music Athens, and has performed in masterclasses for renowned flutists such as Jim Walker, Bonita Boyd, Christina Smith, Karl-Heinz Schütz, Lorna McGhee, Mark Sparks, William Bennett, Demarre McGill, Daniel Dorff, Jessica Sindell, Mimi Stillman, and Brandon Patrick George. Emily is an active and passionate educator, as she teaches flute privately, in public schools throughout Georgia, and on the faculties of the UGA Community Music School, Atlanta Music Academy, and Stuever Studios. She also serves as Graduate Assistant to the Hugh Hodgson School of Music Outreach programs, working in administrative roles with the University of Georgia Summer Music Camps and Community Music School. Emily holds a Master of Music in Flute Performance from the University of Georgia, and a Bachelor of Music in Flute Performance from the University of Central Florida.