Music

Instructors

Garrett Arb — Banjo, Guitar

  • With the Creative Arts Guild since 2016
  • Guitar – Tablature and chord reading.
  • Acoustic finger picking with various styles, including bluegrass, rock, jazz and classical.
  • Banjo –  Studied with Ben Pellum. Numerous awards including 1st in Western Arts Banjo Competition (Cartersville, GA).
  • Performs or has performed with Lowdown Revival, Blue Plate Special Radio Show in Knoxville, Ringgold Depot, and Crosspointe Youth.
  • Performed at Box Car Memorial Bluegrass Festival, The Conasauga Bluegrass Festival, Dalton Distillery, Fat Shirley’s Trailer Park Opera and others.

 

Alan Cearley —Piano, French Horn, Clarinet, Trumpet, Oboe

  • With the Creative Arts Guild since 2018
  • Current Pianist/Organist/Choir Director for New Haven United Methodist Church
  • Principal Horn of L’Abri Symphony Orchestra
  • Served as Orchestra Director and Orchestra Member for Artistic Civic Theatre
  • Substitute teacher for Dalton Public Schools
  • Studied Business Administration at Berry College and University of Tennessee
  • Fluent in Spanish

Eddie Davenport — Voice

  • With the Creative Arts Guild since 2016
  • Studied voice under Professor JoAnn Dreyton, Jackson College, Jackson, Michigan
  • Teaches Various Singing Styles - Jazz, Gospel, Country, Etc.
  • Extensive Experience in Vocal Competitions - Local, State and National
  • Children's Pastor for 9 Years
  • Welcomes Students of All Ages
  • Recorded and Produced 7 CDs

 

Lisa Elders — Flute, Piano, Saxophone

  • With the Creative Arts Guild since 2000
  • B.S. in Music Education and B.A. in Music – Jacksonville State University, AL
  • Associate of Music Business and Master of Music in Flute Performance – Georgia State University, Atlanta
  • Principal Flute of L'Abri Symphony, Member of Rome Area Flute Ensemble
  • Has performed with the Rome Symphony Orchestra, Chamber Players of the South, Northwest Georgia Winds, Dalton Whitfield Community Band
 

 

Anna Joseph Faith – Music Play Tuesday Instructor

  • With the Creative Arts Guild since 2020
  • Bachelor of Arts in Speech and Dramatic Arts – Mercer University
  • Extensive experience in leading children’s choirs, teaching preschool, writing  and directing children’s musicals
  • Former Director of Worship Arts – Fellowship Bible Church, Dalton, GA

 

 

 

 

Christine Pope — Piano, Brass Instruments

  • With the Creative Arts Guild since 2003
  • Master of Music – University of Connecticut
  • Bachelor of Music Theory – Florida State University
  • Bachelor of Music Performance – Florida State University
  • Principal Horn - Cleveland Orchestra of Tennessee and UTC Orchestra
  • Masters Degree from Jung Tao School of Classical Chinese Medicine
  • Experienced Piano Technician (Guild Staff Piano Technician)

Justin Russell - Voice, Piano, Music Production, Songwriting

  • With the Creative Arts Guild since 2020
  • Bachelor of Music with emphasis on Voice & Composition - Columbus State University
  • Master of Music in Scoring for Film, Television, and Video Games - Berklee College of Music
  • Has recorded original music in Hungary, Spain, and England

David Rogers - Group Guitar Lessons

David has been playing the guitar for over 50 years and teaching guitar for over 20 years. Born in Dalton, Georgia in 1956, David raised a family in Athens, Georgia, and then returned to Dalton in 2005. He has a passion for playing and teaching the guitar and wants to share his knowledge of music and guitar technique. With an emphasis on creating original compositions, David states, “The creative process of composing original music on a guitar is so rewarding and is such a satisfying experience. Using and developing musical creativity can really enhance a person’s well-being.” 

Greg Smith — Percussion, Beginning Piano, Calypso Steel Pan Drums

  • With the Creative Arts Guild since 2006
  • Bachelor of Music, Teacher Education, and Bachelor of Arts, Music Performance Major - Berry College
  • A professional musician since 1987, Instructor since 1980
  • Instructed numerous high school marching drum lines
  • Composed and arranged original pieces for percussion ensembles and drum set methods curriculum
  • Done extensive touring throughout the United States 
  • See Gregg in action online as The Dynamic Drummer