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, a Bethlehem, NC native, has been playing the violin since she was 8 years old, first studying under Kathy Estes for several years. Currently, Rachel attends the Conservatory of Annie Moses in Nashville, TN where she is studying the violin with Juilliard-trained Annie Dupre.

Rachel has performed in the orchestra at Carnegie Hall in NYC and the Kennedy Center in Washington, DC. In high school, Rachel was Concertmaster for the Western Piedmont Youth Symphony. In 2018 Rachel traveled to Germany as the ambassador for Hickory, NC, and performed as a member of the Western Piedmont Youth Symphony Quartet at the Altenberg Music Festival in Altenberg, Germany.

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 Factory in Franklin, Mule House Theater in Columbia TN, Steinway Piano Gallery in Nashville, and the television show called The Annie Moses Show.

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 earned a BS in Instrumental Music Education and a Masters of Music in voice. In the course of her career, she has sung leading roles with Opera companies from NY to Florida.

She has worked extensively with children, understanding the unique needs of their growing voices, training them in technique, artistry, and performance, all with spirited fun!

Contact Information:

Phone: 704-437-0448

Email: melody@studio3nc.com

*Text preferred

Livia Palmer

Guitar, Piano and Mandolin

Livia Palmer, a Bethlehem, NC native, began piano lessons with Kathy Estes when she was five years old and later added the mandolin and guitar to her musical studies. In 2018 she enrolled in the Conservatory of Annie Moses in Nashville TN to attend their pre-college program. There she studied classical and commercial piano with Camille DaSilva, Bill Alexson, and Bill Wolaver, mandolin with Gretchen Wolaver, voice with Juilliard alumni Melissa Burrows, guitar with James Dasilva, composition with award-winning songwriter Bill Wolaver and extensive studies in performance etiquette and drama with Robin Wolaver.

She currently is working on her degree in the study of music at the Conservatory of Annie Moses. Livia has been featured in many notable 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 also been an ambassador for Performing Arts Live of the Iredell Artist Development Program since 2018. Livia loves watching her students grow, not only in their skills but also in their love for music!

Contact Information:

Phone:828-639-1259

Email: livia@studio3nc.com

*Text preferred

Janet Hayes

Piano & Improvisational Piano Class

Janet Hayes is an accomplished pianist. She has been teaching piano for over 40 years.

Janet has completed many courses of piano studies including playing church piano, studio piano, technique, runs and fill ins, composing, and transcribing music.

She is also a part of the southern gospel family group, The Hayes Family, from Boone, NC. She sings and plays the piano with them.

Janet is the director of music at Middle Fork Baptist Church in Blowing Rock, NC.

Contact Information:

Phone: 828-302-5706

*Phone or 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.