In order to have great instruction, a school must have great instructors. SGMSA is proud of the vast experience each of our instructors brings to the school. All have been involved in similar music schools in the past.

Director of Instruction

C. Nelson Bailey – Nelson is no stranger to summer music schools. From age 10 to age 18, Nelson spent a portion of each summer at summer music schools and during that time was able to attend at least 6 different summer music schools. As an adult, Nelson had the privilege of teaching in three of the same schools he attended as a youth. Nelson holds a Master’s Degree in accounting from the University of Alabama and is a CPA and financial planner. He currently serves as minister of music at Community Baptist Church in Knoxville, Tenn. Nelson has taught private piano lessons for several years and is an accomplished songwriter. One of Nelson’s goals as director of instruction of SGMSA is to help instill a love of music in others that he was able to obtain through his music school experiences. Nelson currently resides in Knoxville, Tenn., with his wife, Kaylene.

Faculty

Michelle Bailey – Michelle has been involved in Southern Gospel music her entire life. She began studying piano at age 6 and continued through age 18. She attended various summer music schools for almost 10 years. She currently is the choir director and pianist of Sharon Baptist Church in Loganville, Ga.  Michelle is currently pursuing her Bachelor’s degree in music education from Georgia State University (GSU) in Atlanta. While attending GSU, Michelle teaches private piano and voice lessons and also participates in the GSU Elysium Chamber Orchestra and Chorus. Michelle is from Loganville, Ga.

 

Kathy Duren – Kathy brings years of teaching experience to SGMSA. She holds a Master’s Degree in church music from The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Louisville, Ky., and studied music theory and accompanying at Westminster Choir College in Princeton, N.J. Kathy has 20 years of experience teaching in summer music schools and was a music instructor at Truett-McConnell College in Cleveland, Ga. for 10 years. She has served as minister of music and worked with various choirs most of her adult life. Kathy is an accomplished pianist and accompanist. Kathy currently resides in Cleveland, Ga., with her husband, Jimmy.

K. Wayne Guffey – Anyone involved in Southern Gospel music is familiar with the name K. Wayne Guffey. Wayne has been writing music for around 45 years and has had more than 250 of his songs published. He has been teaching music schools at churches all over the southeast for more than 40 years. Wayne credits much of his love for music to his uncle, the late Roy Guffey, who was one of the best-known singers in the southeast for many years. Wayne currently resides in Lookout Mountain, Ga., with his wife, Mary Jo.

Jane Knight – Jane has been involved in convention music her entire life having grown up attending singing schools which her father, Charles W. McCoy, taught. She started learning to play the piano as early as age 4 and was able to take piano lessons from such teachers as Aurelia Parris, Hazel Denson Godbee, and James D. Walbert, grandson of James. D Vaughn. Jane has taught private piano lessons at the Stamps-Baxter School of Music in Nashville, TN for almost 10 years. She most recently represented Alabama in the senior adult division of the Church of God national music competition held April 2008 in Gatlinburg, Tenn., where she won 2nd place. Jane resides in Calera, Ala., with her husband, Johnny.

Dr. Bill Knowles – We are delighted to have one of Tennessee Temple’s own represented on the SGMSA faculty. Bill holds a Bachelor’s degree in Voice from Samford University, a Master’s degree in Voice from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Fort Worth, Tx., and a Doctoral degree in Voice, Conducting, and Musicology from The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Louisville, Ky. Bill has been teaching voice and serving in music ministry for almost 25 years and began teaching at Tennessee Temple in 2006 where he is currently Chair of the Music Department. Bill resides in Chattanooga, Tenn., with his wife, Diana.

 

Gary Martin – Gary has been teaching music for almost 30 years. He holds a Master’s Degree in music education and was director of choral activities in the Scottsville, Ky., school system until 1993. He has taught at various summer music schools for around 25 years. Gary directs the music at First United Methodist Church in Scottsville, Ky., and teaches private lessons in piano, guitar, and voice. Gary has written numerous songs, most of which were performed by his family’s singing group that traveled around the southeast for several years. Gary resides in Scottsville, Ky., with his wife Margaret.

Eugene McCammon – Many students from summer music schools past would consider Eugene McCammon one of the best instructors they ever had. His mastery of musical theory along with his dry wit in his presentation are just a couple of reasons Eugene is so effective. He holds a Bachelor of Music in piano and a Master of Arts in humanities from the George Peabody College for Teachers. His musical experience includes public school music teacher, church organist and choir director, songwriter, music editor, music typographer, and more than twenty years as an instructor in summer music schools. Eugene continues to be the director of instruction of the Cumberland Valley School of Music and also the editor of the Cumberland Valley Music Company. Eugene currently resides in Knoxville, Tenn., with his wife Barbara.

Joel Singleton – Joel was raised in a singing family and is one of six children. Joel has a sincere love of Southern Gospel convention music and enjoys sharing that love with his music students. Joel holds a Master’s Degree in music education from Columbus State University and an Educational Specialist Degree in curriculum and teaching from Auburn University. Joel has taught at summer music schools for six years and is currently choral director at Eastside High School in Convington, Ga.  He also is minister of music/associate pastor at North Rockdale Baptist Church in Rockdale, Ga.  Joel currently resides in Conyers, Ga., with his wife, Lewissa.

Nicole Wasendorf – Nicole has been continuously involved in Southern Gospel music since her days as a student at the North Georgia School of Music in Cleveland, Ga. Nicole holds an Associate’s Degree in music from Perimeter College of Georgia and a Bachelor’s Degree in sociology from the University of Georgia. Nicole has taught a couple of years at summer music schools and has been a private piano instructor for around 20 years. Nicole also shares her love of music working with the youth choir at her church. Nicole currently resides in Rutledge, Ga., with her husband, Tommy, and two daughters, Lindsey and Leslie.

Jody White – Jody’s love for Southern Gospel convention music is evident in the way his children also love it. You never see Jody at a summer music school or a convention singing without his wife and children. Jody holds a Master’s Degree in curriculum and instruction from Tusculum University in Greeneville, Tenn. Jody teaches high school math in Crossville, Tenn. He has taught for three years in summer music schools and has been the music minister at Oak Grove Baptist Church in Madisonville, Tenn., for the past 20 years. Jody currently resides in Crossville, Tenn., with his wife, Pam, and his three children, Kayla, Kory, and Kiffy.

Additions or Substitutions will be made as necessary