A Community Music School for Southern Tennessee
The University of Tennessee Southern Music Academy provides lessons to young and old, to beginners, and advanced students, to all who love music.
We’re committed to providing quality music lessons to Giles County and surrounding areas!
The University of Tennessee Southern Music Academy provides lessons to young and old, to beginners, and advanced students, to all who love music.
We Love Music
The University of Tennessee Southern Music Academy provides lessons to anybody in the community who wants to learn. Whether you’re a beginner or advanced, college student or not—we’re here for all who love music!
We offer lessons in voice and piano. Other instruments may be available pending instructor availability.
What We Offer
Lessons
The University of Tennessee Southern Music Academy offers private music lessons in voice and piano. Music lessons are one-on-one, and are based around the individual’s own level, and are the best way to advance your musical skills!
Lessons are offered weekly throughout the year, in 30-minute, 45-minute, or 60-minute lessons. Schedules are flexible and may be started at any time. Tuition will be prorated depending on the starting date.
Tuition
- 30 Minute Lessons: $30 per lesson
- 45 Minute Lessons: $45 per lesson
- 60 Minute Lessons: $60 per lesson
Tuition can be paid in full at the beginning of the term (number of lessons per term can vary slightly) or be paid monthly.
Faculty
Andrew Martin
Voice
Peter Douglas
Piano
Andrew Martin, a choral conductor, clinician, and arranger, is in demand as a choral clinician and adjudicator and his arrangements are performed by choirs throughout the country. Martin currently serves as Director of Choral Activities at the University of Tennessee Southern in Pulaski, Tennessee after previously holding the same position at Eastern Illinois University in Charleston, Illinois. Martin also was a graduate teaching assistant at Ball State University in Muncie, Indiana where he conducted the University Choral Union and was the assistant conductor of the Ball State University Singers.
From 2006-2016, Martin served as the Director of Choral Activities at Lawrence North High School in Indianapolis, Indiana. His concert choirs consistently earned Gold ratings, with distinction, in ISSMA Organizational and State Qualification events and his show choirs received numerous awards in competitions throughout Indiana. Andrew is currently pursuing a Doctorate in Choral Conducting from Ball State University and holds a Bachelor’s degree in Music Education from Ball State and a Master’s degree in Music Technology from Indiana University, Purdue University, Indianapolis.
Peter Douglas, collaborative pianist, organist, and solo pianist, has established a career as a versatile musician. His performances have taken him throughout the United State and globally to Europe and South America. Dr. Douglas currently serves as Assistant Professor of Music in the Fine Arts Department at the University of Tennessee Southern (Pulaski, TN). He teaches applied piano lessons, class piano, music theory, and accompanies the UT Southern choirs. Previously, Dr. Douglas served as staff pianist for the Ball State University Chamber and Concert Choirs, accompanist for Muncie Masterworks Chorale, and organist/pianist for First Presbyterian Church (Muncie, IN).
As a collaborative pianist, Dr. Douglas is in high demand for performances with both singers and instrumentalists. At Ball State University (Muncie, IN), he was previously employed as a piano graduate assistant serving as répétiteur (rehearsal pianist) for the Ball State Opera Theater and accompanist for advanced ballet classes. He was also frequently engaged as a freelance pianist playing for voice/instrumental studios, auditions, masterclasses, and recitals. Dr. Douglas is also a freelance vocal coach helping singers learn to utilize correct diction and form historically informed interpretation.
Registration
Registration Process
Once your registration is received, our staff then will reach out to you to schedule your lesson time and arrange payment
Please Note – Tuition must be paid before lessons commence. Instructors are notified when payment is made and will only admit students after tuition has been paid. Tuition may be paid in full, or in monthly installments. You will be notified of late payments, with lessons stopping until payments has been completed.
Payment
For Check and Money Order
Checks and money orders should be made payable to ‘The University of Tennessee Southern Music Academy.’
They may be given to Andrew Martin (Gault Fine Arts Center, Room 209), or mailed to:
Andrew Martin
The University of Tennessee Southern Music Academy
433 W. Madison St.
Pulaski TN, 38478
For online payments, click below.
Online payments are temporarily disabled. We appreciate your patience while we resolve this issue. Payments can be made by contacting the Bursar’s office. We expect to have this problem resolved promptly. Thank you.
Student Policies
Parent or Legal Guardian Required at the Lesson
The UT System Policy requires that a parent or legal guardian be in the room at all times during one-on-one private instruction. That means that parents must attend each lesson if their child is under 18 years old. There are no exceptions to this policy for in-person lessons. Any person(s) found to be ignoring this policy may be asked to stop lessons without a refund.
If there is a lesson that a parent or legal guardian cannot attend, there are two options available:
- Online Lessons – Students may take a lesson on Zoom or Teams instead of an in-person lesson for that week.
- Reschedule – Instructors, at their own discretion, may reschedule the lesson to a time where the parentcan be present. Rescheduling of the lesson cannot be guaranteed and requires at least 24 hours notice (see Excused Absence and Unexcused Absence policies below).
Excused Absence for Individual Lessons
The student or parent must provide notice 24 hours in advance in order for a lesson to be excused. Per term, two excused absences are allowed. Both the instructor and student are expected to find a mutually agreed upon time for make-up lessons. Credits for excused absences will only be given after good faith attempts have been made at scheduling make-up lessons.
Unexcused Absence for Individual Lessons
Unexcused absences are absences for which a student or parent has not given 24-hour notice, or for any additional absence beyond the two allowed excused absences. Instructors are not required to provide make-up lessons for unexcused absences, and credits will not be given. If a student misses more than three consecutive lessons, the instructor has the right to drop the student and give their lesson spot to another student. Paid tuition for dropped students due to unexcused absences is non-refundable.
Make-Up Lessons Due to Instructor Absence
Instructors will make every effort to arrange make-up lessons canceled due to instructor absences. In the even that these make-up lessons cannot be scheduled, a prorated credit will be applied to the student’s account.
Inclement Weather
Notification for closure due to weather or other emergency situations follows The University of Tennessee Southern policy. In case of inclement weather, please use your own judgment and contact your private instructor.
If an individual teacher cancels, they will contact students directly. Please do not assume that the Academy is closed based on public or private school cancellations. When inclement weather forces the closing of school, make-up lessons will be offered. Credits will not be given.
Tardy Policy
Instructors are expected to wait 15 minutes after the scheduled start of a private lesson for a student to arrive. Students arriving more than 15 minutes late are considered unexcused absences and are responsible for the payment of that lesson. Instructors are not required to make up missed lessons due to student tardiness.
Instrument Loan and Rentals
The Academy is able to loan string instruments to students (guitar and violin). Deposits are required for rentals, determined at the time of rental. Once the student commits to regular lessons, it is strongly recommended to purchase their own instrument.
Photo, Video, and Recording Release
The University of Tennessee Southern Music Academy students are occasionally photographed or recorded during instructional and promotional activities. These photos and recordings may be used in the Academy’s publications, promotional materials, and social media profiles. By enrolling your child, you agree to this policy. However, if you do not want your child’s photos or recordings to be released, please submit a written note along with your completed registration.
Music expresses that which cannot be said and on which it is impossible to be silent.”
-Victor Hugo