School of Music
Western Carolina University's School of Music provides student musicians with academic, performance, and recording experiences that prepare them for careers in the profession. From our award-winning Pride of the Mountains Marching Band to our regionally acclaimed Music Education and Commercial Music & Audio Production programs, our students are surrounded by excellence. Students who wish to major or minor in music must be accepted academically to the university and by live audition to the School of Music.
About Our Studios
Bassoon
Our bassoon studio is led by Dr. Will Peebles, who in addition to being an accomplished musician has a small collection of historic double reed instruments.
Clarinet
The clarinet studio is led by Dr. Shannon Thompson, who performs with the Asheville and Hendersonville Symphonies and teaches in the summers at InterHarmony International Music Festival in Arcidosso, Italy.
Flute
The flute studio is led by Dr. Kelariz Keshavarz, co-founder of Petrichor Records and artistic director of the PR Young Iranian Composers Project. She has performed at many venues including the Tehran Contemporary Music Festival, World Flute Festival, and the International Chamber Music Festival of Barranquilla.
Horn
WCU's horn studio is led by Dr. Travis Bennett, who regularly performs with orchestras around the Southeast and has performed in concert tours in China, Germany, and Jamaica.
Jazz Guitar & Bass
Dr. Chris Beyt, a jazz guitarist, bassist, composer, recording engineer, and educator, leads WCU's jazz guitar studio. He has performed with distinguished artists such as Dave Liebman, Michael League, Randy Brecker, and the Mobile Symphony Orchestra.
Jazz Piano
Jazz pianists will study with Pavel Wlosok, a Czech pianist, composer, and educator. Pavel is a 2000 IAJE Gil Evans Fellowship recipient and has performed with jazz greats Bobby Watson, Joe Lovano, Kenny Wheeler and more.
Performance Technology Private Lesson Studio
The Performance Technology Private Lesson Studio is taught by Dr. Chris Lock. Students can learn to make music with the latest DAWs, launchpads, and analog synthesizers.
Oboe
Oboe players will study with Dr. Ann Valle, an accomplished performer and teacher who previously taught at Stetson University.
Percussion
WCU's percussion studio is led by Dr. Amy Yin, an advocate of new solo and chamber music for percussion.
Piano
WCU pianists will study with either Dr. Andrew Adams or Dr. Leonidas Lagrimas, both accomplished pianists and pedagogues with decades of performance and teaching experience. Students can train in classical and commercial styles.
Saxophone
The WCU saxophone studio is led by Dr. Ian Jeffress, the alto saxophonist of the award-winning Assembly Quartet, and saxophonist with the Asheville Symphony Orchestra.
Trombone
Students studying trombone will train under Dr. Zsolt Szabo, the Principal Trombone of the Brevard Philharmonic Orchestra and previously the Principal Trombone of the Ars Viva Symphony Orchestra in Chicago.
Tuba
The tuba studio at WCU is led by Dr. Nick Beltchev, a highly accomplished performer.
Trumpet
Trumpet students at WCU study with Dr. P. Bradley Ulrich, who also performs with the Asheville Symphony Orchestra and serves as Executive Director of the Trumpet Festival of the Southeast.
Voice
Whether your musical interests lie in classical, Broadway, jazz, opera, or gospel, the vocal and choral music program at Western Carolina University offers a wide array of opportunities.
