We offer live music programs for Pre-K through 12th grade based on curriculum standards for banjo, guitar, mandolin, improvisation and bluegrass music - celebrating the cultural heritage of Tennessee.
The Tennessee Arts Commission has sponsored us as Tennessee Teaching Artists for 2019-20. This enables us to offer special programs in Tennessee public schools with support from TN Arts Education. Grant funding is allocated for each county in Tennessee (we come funded).
2019 school program - Paris, Tennessee
Cultural heritage of Tennessee
What is taught
Banjo, guitar and mandolin
How they are unique
Demostration of skills, techniques, and vocabulary
WSM 650
RFD Television
National Public Radio
National Public Television
Over 50 corporate clients
IBM
Belmont University
Library of Congress
Boy Scouts of America
Our background
Michael McLain (banjo, guitar, vocals) has performed in 49 states, Mexico, Canada, Japan and Brazil including concerts at Carnegie Hall and appearances on NBC's Today Show and the CBS Morning News. He holds a B.M. in Commercial Music and taught in the School of Music at Belmont University for 13 years.
A Virginia Girl, Jennifer McLain (mandolin, banjo, vocals) has a B.A. in Music Performance and a M. Ed. in School Counseling. She served in Nashville Public Schools as a school counselor for 8 years. Jennifer was an artist on Pinecastle Records and has performed on NPR, NPT, RFD, CMT and WSM.
Feedback from teachers
"... a great job of teaching music concepts to my three to eight year-olds while playing fun tunes that the students thoroughly enjoyed. I highly recommend them!" - (A. Hawkins - Rhea Elementary School)
"the students were engaged the whole time" - (L. Stancil - Una Elementary School)
"with a warm personality, ability to communicate clearly, and obvious sense of commitment ... a most valuable teacher" (J. Pell, Guitar Coordinator - Belmont University)
Option - add an evening concert
An evening concert at your school is a great occasion to bring students and families together as a community! We love this type of performance when we can share more of our music and personality. Students will gain a better understanding of skills, techniques and concepts taught in the lesson after hearing them in the context of a live concert. This will be an excellent opportunity to raise awareness of other performing arts offerings at your school and we hope everyone will enjoy this upbeat event. Click here for promotional materials.
