The Studio: Meet the Instructors | Covenant United Methodist Church in Dothan

MEET OUR INSTRUCTORS

Nick Darts (Guitar) - Mr. Darts is a local musician brought up in Dothan, Alabama. He has been playing music since he was thirteen years old. At the age of eighteen, Mr. Darts became a singer/songwriter and has been going strong ever since. Mr. Darts spends a great amount of time playing different venues both near and far. Mr. Darts can often be found playing events for non-profit organizations, private parties, and solo acts.

Merrie Beth Eubanks (Harp) - Mrs. Eubanks has extensively studied the harp for more than twenty years and has performed publicly for over ten years. She graduated with honors from the exclusive performing arts school, Interlochen Arts Academy, studied at the Cleveland Institute of Music, and holds a bachelor of music degree. Mrs. Eubanks received instruction from world-class performers, instructors, and recording artists, including the principle harpists from the Cleveland Symphony, Metropolitan Opera, Toronto Symphony, Atlanta Opera, and Traverse Symphony Orchestras. She has performed for dignitaries such as George Bush, Jeanet Reno and Cathy Cox, and has been featured in Southern Living Magazine. She currently performs regularly at First Baptist Church at Albany. Mrs. Eubanks is married and has 3 children.

Jeanne Focht (Piano) - Mrs. Focht has a Bachelor of Science degree from Troy University. She has been teaching piano in Dothan for over 25 years. Mrs. Focht serves as Secretary-Treasurer of The Wiregrass Music Teachers Forum, Member of the National Music Teachers Association, the Alabama Music Teachers Association and the National Guild of Piano Teachers.

Aysegul Giray (Violin) - Violinist Ayşegül Giray was born in Istanbul, Turkey. She received her Bachelor's degree in Violin Performance from the MimarSinan University, Istanbul State Conservatory. As an orchestra musician, she was a member of the Istanbul State Symphony, Berlin Chamber, Stuttgart Chamber, Bavaria Chamber, Pittsburg State University Chamber (Concertmaster), Ohio Light Opera (Interim Concertmaster), Arkansas Philharmonic (Interim Concertmaster), Springfield Symphony, and Southeast Kansas Symphony Orchestra (Concertmaster) . While in Germany, she taught violin, viola, piano and music theory at state and private music schools. She completed her Master’s degree in Violin Performance from the Pittsburg State University. Currently, she is pursuing her Doctorate in Violin Performance, and is a graduate teaching assistant at the Florida State University. Throughout her career, Ms. Giray has performed in solo, chamber and orchestral settings with such well-known artists as Dave Brubeck, Jacques Loussier, and Valery Oistrakh.

Sabrina Hannon (Piano) - Mrs. Hannon graduated from Mercer University in Macon, Georgia with a Bachelor's Degree in Music Education. While in college, as partial fulfillment for her degree, she authored a music theory text book for 7th and 8th grade music appreciation classes which has been modified for her use in private teaching today. Mrs. Hannon's concentrations included choral conducting, as well as piano and organ performance. Through the years, she has directed musicals and conducted many different choirs with various ages, including a men's ensemble, in which she incorporated arranging and orchestration for these groups. Mrs. Hannon has held several music workshops for instruction, particularly for church choirs. Church accompaniiment, either on piano, organ or keyboard, has been a large part of her life since age 4. Mrs. Hannon has accompanied various ensemble groups, instrumentalists, and soloists, as well as played for weddings and special occasions. Local performances include several productions with SEACT (Southeast Alabama Community Theatre), Tri-State Community Orchestra, two performances of Tchaikovsky's Nutcracker Ballet with Dothan Chamber Orchestra, as well as Music South Symphony. Her passion for music has led to 29 years of experience in private piano instruction.

Danielle Herrera (Violin) Ms. Herrera was reared in Lake Ridge, Virginia near Washington, D.C. She began playing the violin at the age of ten. In addition to school orchestra, Ms. Herrera participated in the Youth Orchestras of Prince William County, All County Orchestra, and Regional Orchestra. Prior to entering college, Ms. Herrera was accepted at the Virginia Summer Governor's School of Performing Arts, and selected as concert master of the All County Orchestra. Ms. Herrera attended the University of South Carolina earning a Bachelor of Music Education. While attending the University of South Carolina, Ms. Herrera particpated in the USC String Project, a community music program taught by undergraduate students. Danielle began teaching elementary orchestra in Fairfax County, Virginia in 2006. Ms. Herrera moved to Tacoma, Washington in 2008 where she concentrated on her private studio and taught at the prestigious Charles Wright Academy. She has studied under Jennifer Mermoli, Vernon Summers, and Dr. William Terwilliger.

Christopher Hodges (Double Bass and Electric Bass)

Gloria Kirkland (Piano) - Mrs. Kirkland was born and reared in Dodgville, Wisconsin. She has a Bachelor of Music Education degree from Cornell College. Mrs. Kirkland is a former public school music teacher. She has served as Director of Music for various churches as well as a private piano instructor in Florida, South Carolinam, and Kentucky. Mrs. Kirkland is a licensed Real Estate Broker in Florida and taught at Chipola College as a Real Estate Instructor for twenty-seven years.,

Adam Larison (Guitar)

Julia Martin (Cello) - Mrs. Martin grew up in Tuscaloosa, Alabama where she performed the cello with Carlton McCreery in the University of Alabama School of Music. She received a Master of Arts degree in Early Childhood Special Education. Mrs. Martin is a member of the Tri-State Community Orchestra and a former member of the Huxford Symphony Orchestra and the Tupelo Symphony Orchestra. She has also played with various chamber groups and currently plays with the Dothan Chamber Ensemble. Mrs. Martin taught Pre-K at Graceville Elementary School and preschool at University Church of Christ in Tuscaloosa. She is married and stays busy at home with two young children.

Marissa Mayfield (Piano) - Ms. Mayfield holds a Bachelor's degrees in Piano Performance from the University of Alabama. She began teaching priviate piano and conducting a small chamber choir in 2008 as partial fulfillment of her degree. In 2009-10, Ms. Mayfield taught at the Community Music School and served as church pianist for Hargrove Baptist Church in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. Currently, Ms. Mayfield is the pianist at Denton Road United Methodist Church and adjunct piano instructor and accompanist for Wallace Community College.

Sarah McLendon (Flute) - Mrs McLendon graduated from Troy State University. While in school, she was a member of the marching, concert, symphony, and jazz bands along with flute choir. Mrs. McLendon currently teaches elementary music in Enterprise and teaches priviate piano and flute lessons. She reside in Dothan with her husband, Marc and their two sons.

Sarah Szopinski (Piano) - Mrs. Szopinski is a graduate of St. Olaf College in Northfield, Minnesota where she received her Bachelor of Music degree as Magna Cum Laude in Instrumental Music Education. She attend St. Thomas University in St. Paul, Minnesota where she received her certification in Orff Shulwerk, Level I and II. Mrs. Szopinski is a certified instuctotor for K-12 Music Education in North Carolina, Oregon and Minnesota. She has taught at Cumberland County Schools in Fayetteville, North Carolina where she established an after school enrichment program in a low socio-economic population and implemented the Positive Behavior Intervention and Support program. Mrs. Szopinski has instructed orchestras and choirs. She was a member of the Cantate Singers in Fayetteville, North Carolina and was an accompanist with the All County Chorus. She has instructed all ages in piano, guitar and choir in Guyana, South American through a partnership with local churches. Mrs. Szopinski is currently the director of the Wiregrass Youth Symphony Orchestra.She and her husband are expecting their first child this summer.

Jeff Wickell (Saxophone) - Mr. Wickell holds a Master of Music degree in saxophone performance from the University of Illinois in Champaign/Urbana and an undergraduate degree from Louisiana State University in Baton Rouge. He was a semi-finalist in the prestigious Fischoff National Chamber Music Competition and Winner of the University of Illinois Bands’ Concerto Competition. Mr. Wickell has been teaching privately for more than 15 years, his students have won numerous honors including a winner of the Alabama All-State Solo competition as well as other awards. Mr. Wickell currently serves as Director of Music Ministries at Covenant United Methodist Church. He and his wife, Heather Peacock, have four children; Ryan, Camille, Grace and Joshua.