Robert D'Andrade

Electric Bass Guitar

Robert D'Andrade, (better known as Dee) hails from New York State. He always knew he wanted to make a living as a musician. Studying at the State University of Brockport NY, Dee attained first chair in the music department's jazz band as a bassist.

In the 70's, Dee joined a touring show band that performed the music of Broadway musicals such as Hair and Jesus Christ Super Star.

For years, Dee studied with professionals, and played with several pop and jazz groups, both recording and performing. He has a wealth of experience playing old blues, jazz, funk, latin, reggae, and R and B with professional bands. As an employee of Vibe Records on Long Island, Dee taught professionally and recorded bass parts for the company.

Since moving to North Carolina in 1999, Dee has played bass in several Christian Music Ministries, the famous Celtic Christmas Concert, and is a founding member of the popular local band "American Holler" along side Danny Wicker, Studio3's newest guitar teacher.

We are proud to add such a quality musician like Dee to our faculty.

Contact Information:

Phone: 704-500-7669

Email: dee@studio3nc.com

*Text or Email preferred

Danny Wicker

Folk Guitar

Danny Wicker began learning guitar at age 11 from his father and became the guitarist and lead singer for his family band, "The Wicker Pickers." For over fifty years, Danny has embraced and studied the rich folk music heritage of North Carolina.

A very accomplished popular guitarist, teacher, and entertainer in the region, and very proficient in flatpicking and fingerstyle, Danny has taught privately and conducted workshops on traditional NC guitar styles.

Danny has won numerous first place awards including The NC State Folk Festival Fair, NC Mountain State Fair Gospel Sing, Charlie Poole Music Festival, Piedmont Blues Preservation Society, Happy Valley Fiddlers Convention. He has also served as a congregational song leader and Worship Band leader. Currently, Danny is the President of "Piedmont Folkways", a non profit in Statesville dedicated to the promotion and preservation of acoustic roots music.

Studio3 is very proud to welcome Danny Wicker to our teaching staff.

Contact Information:

Phone: 704-880-3405

Email: danny@studio3nc.com

*Text or Email preferred

Rachel Palmer

Violin

Rachel Palmer, has been playing the violin since she was 8 years old. Her training at The Conservatory of Annie Moses in Nashville, Tennessee, provided her with a comprehensive education in violin, mandolin, and stage craft, under the guidance of the esteemed Juilliard-trained and Emmy-nominated ensemble, The Annie Moses Band. She graduated from The College of Annie Moses with a degree in Violin Performance and Pedagogy.

Rachel has performed in the orchestra at Carnegie Hall in NYC and the Kennedy Center in Washington, DC. In 2018, she embarked on a diplomatic mission to Germany, representing Hickory, North Carolina, and performed at the Altenberg Music Festival.

Rachel has performed in many events in surrounding areas, notably the famous Celtic Christmas Concert, and many concerts in the Nashville area such as the television series The Annie Moses Show and at The Mule House Theater in Columbia, TN.

Contact Information:

Phone: 828-851-6261

Email: rachel@studio3nc.com

*Email preferred

Melody M. Beaty

Beginning Children's Chorus, Elementary/ Middle school Chorus, and Youth Chorus Conductor, Voice Lessons, Piano & Flute

Melody Morrison Beaty received a Bachelor of Music Education (flute) and Master of Music Education (voice) from Winthrop University. In the course of her career she has sung leading operatic roles and appeared in concerts from New York to Florida. She has been teaching music for over 30 years in both the private and group setting, and has been director of music for several churches. She enjoys sharing the art of making music with her students and colleagues. 

As a member of the National Federation of Music Clubs her private students participate in the NCFMC annual Junior Festival and have been awarded multiple state awards in voice and piano.

In addition to her solo career and achievements, she enjoyed creating and producing the Children’s Hope Alliance Benefit Christmas Concert for 20 years, mentoring and giving young musicians opportunities to perform alongside her. In 2022, she directed and produced a Christmas opera, Amahl and the Night Visitors with her private voice studio, the Studio3 Youth Chorus and children. Currently, Melody is busy preparing for the 5th annual Studio3 Music Theater Summer Camp in 2026. She is passionate about giving everyone of any age an opportunity to develop their vocal instrument and enjoy the art of singing.

As a choral director, Melody is equally at ease leading the youngest of voices to find pitch and rhythm or leading an advanced chorus in such works as Handel’s Messiah with orchestra. In the choral setting, Melody helps singers develop vocal technique and musicianship using a broad range of styles from classical to contemporary and sacred to secular. Her 30 year choral directing experience has been with Adults, Youth, and Children.

Awards and achievements include:
South East Regional Finalist Metropolitan Opera Auditions
North Carolina Federation of Music Clubs Young Artist Winner
National Association of Teachers of Singing NC Winner

Contact Information:

Phone: 704-437-0448

Email: melody@studio3nc.com

*Text preferred

Livia Palmer

Guitar, Piano and Mandolin

Livia Palmer has been playing the piano since she was 5 years old. She later expanded her musical repertoire to include guitar, mandolin, voice, and drama with a deep passion for songwriting and live performance. She graduated from the College of Annie Moses with a degree in piano performance and composition. She studied under the Juilliard trained and Emmy-nominated group The Annie Moses Band, and award-winning songwriter Bill Wolaver. Livia was a featured soloist with her college’s chamber orchestra, performing the Grieg Piano Concerto and Rachmaninov’s Concerto No. 2.

Livia is a frequent performer and has appeared in the choir at Carnegie Hall in NYC and the Kennedy Center in Washington, DC. She has been featured in many shows such as the Celtic Christmas Concert, the television series The Annie Moses Variety Show, Mule House Theater in Columbia, and the Steinway Piano Gallery in Nashville, TN, where she had her debut performance of Rhapsody in Blue.

Livia has been an ambassador for Performing Arts Live of Iredell Artist Development Program since 2018. She loves watching her students grow, not only in their skill but also in their love for music!

Contact Information:

Phone:828-639-1259

Email: livia@studio3nc.com

*Text preferred

Jordan Dagenhart

Studio3 Chorale Conductor

Jordan Dagenhart, brings to Studio3 his own special energy and love for music! Graduating from Alexander County High School with many musical accomplishments, he continued with a degree from West Lenoir Ministries Association, and earned his Bachelors of Music Education from Wingate University.

His teaching experience includes award winning contributions in choral achievement to the North Carolina Christian School Association. Jordan is an accomplished and sought after pianist and singer in the region.

He is now teaching in the public school system and is the Director of Music at Calvary Baptist Church. Studio3 is honored to have Jordan as the Chorale Conductor.

Contact Information:

Phone: 828-228-7706

Email: jordan@studio3nc.com

*Phone or Text preferred

Bernadette Watts

Associate Conductor and Piano Accompanist

Bernadette Watts received her Bachelor of Science in Music Education with a major in Voice and Piano Education, and Board Certification.

Over the 33 years of her choral music teaching, Bernadette has received numerous distinctive awards and accomplishments, including teacher of the year at three schools, and North Carolina High School High School Choral Director of the year in 2018. She is an adjudicator and has served as an Honors Chorus Clinician in eleven counties. Over the years, her many choirs and choruses have consistantly received superior ratings.

Having recently retired from teaching choral music, she is now the Associate Conductor and Accompanist of the Studio3 Chorale, our adult Community Chorus.

The Chorale is proud to be represented by such an experienced and talented person.

Hunter Jamison

Piano Instructor

Piano Improvisational Class

Hunter Jamison has served as the pianist for First United Methodist Church of Taylorsville since December 2020, where he plays for both the choir and the worship band. He also serves as a co-pianist at Taylorsville Presbyterian Church and frequently fills in at churches of all denominations throughout Alexander County and beyond.

He is currently studying classical piano with Rick Setzer and gospel piano with Janet Hayes, and is an active member of the Studio3 Chorale. Alongside his musical involvement, Hunter is pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Systems Engineering and a Bachelor of Science in Mathematics at UNC Charlotte.

Hunter strongly believes that there is something to be gained from every style of music and that having a grasp on many styles is the key to true musical expression.

Contact Information:

Phone: 704-682-2665

Email: hunter@studio3nc.com

*Phone or Text preferred

Nola Rash

Student Teacher, Beginning Guitar

Nola Rash from Olin in Iredell County, has a long history with Studio3. She began with chorus in 2017 and then added piano in 2018 and guitar in 2019. She has also taken Orchestra, Music Theater Camp, Music Theory, and was in the original Studio3 Fiddle Club. She has had the benefit of a wide range of education with Livia Palmer, Kathy Estes, Melody Beaty, Rachel Palmer, Robert D’Andrade, and Andy Wallen.

In the summer of 2024, Nola was able to bring together all her knowledge and talent to begin to lead The Fiddlers3 which she still leads. This group has had the privilege of playing on the main stage at both the Taylorsville Apple Festival and Apple Blossom Festival as well as T’ville Scoops, Lake Mountain Coffee House, etc. She has expanded her experience by assisting Melody Beaty with the Beginner’s Children Chorus, the Elementary Chorus, and the 2025 Summer Music Theater Camp.

Nola has performed in many events including Celtic Christmas Concert, Broadway on Broad Street, Hickory Crawdads National Anthem, Easter Musical, Patriotic Concert, as well as many other local community events.

Contact Information:

Phone: 704-881-4243

Email: nola@studio3nc.com

*Phone or Text preferred