The Johnson Ferry Conservatory for the Arts

It is with a heavy heart that the Conservatory "signs off". After 27 years, we are closing our doors at the end of this summer. Allow us to give a huge shout out to our incredible faculty, who have served and taught so faithfully.

This past Sunday night two of our JFC teachers participated in a beautiful "Night of Worship" at Johnson Ferry Baptist Church. You will see the very talented Rebekah Cottingham play the wonderful prelude at the beginning on the organ. She is one of the piano teachers at JFC. Also, if you look closely you will see the JFC trombone teacher, George Blevins, in the brass section. Enjoy this whole video.

Tribute - A Night of Worship – May 21, 2023 A Night Worship in Honor of Mark Cottingham's 35 Years of Service.

Some of our teachers are involved in summer music camps. The below promo is for a one-day strings camp in Cleveland, GA. One of our teachers, Mrs. Lively, is co-directing this camp. If you can't read the promo's small print, please reach out to Mrs. Lively directly at her email for more information. ([email protected])

Let's play this game of "I spy a The Johnson Ferry Conservatory for the Arts student at ______ " (fill in the blank) We'll go first, "I spy 2 JFC students in the Philharmonic Orchestra of GYSO (Georgia Youth Symphony Orchestra) and I spy 1 JFC student in the Camerata Orchestra at GYSO. I bet there were more JFC students in the concerts presented by GYSO. List your students below (not their names but the orchestras, school orchestras included)

Students ages 11 - adult performing the Bach Double at the recital on Saturday.

Bach Concerto for Two Violins in D Minor. 1st Movement Spring Recital, 29 April 2023Bach Concerto for Two Violins in D Minor. 1st Movement (Bach Double)Violin 1: Ms. Kara McCoy, Hayden Menezes, Charlie KopkasViol...

What a beautiful day for recitals at The Johnson Ferry Conservatory for the Arts!

Our very talented Bassoon teacher, Dr. Shelly Unger, will be performing this Saturday, April 29, with the Augusta Symphony. If you live near Augusta, please attend the concert.

Registration now available for summer music lessons! We are excited to offer lessons in guitar, piano and voice, along with band and orchestra instruments. Lessons begin May 30th. Register today!

Home - Johnson Ferry Baptist Church We exist to help people find truth, belonging, and purpose in Jesus. Sunday Worship Times Modern 8:30am | 10am | 11:30am Traditional 10am PLAN YOUR VISIT We are people of truth. We are a place to belong. We are living with purpose. We are people of truth. We are a place to belong. We are living with...

This weekend kicked off our spring recitals! We are proud of all of our students. Congrats to Lois Seeger’s outstanding students who performed many beautiful songs!

Time to sign up for summer lessons!

Some of our JFC teachers are very creative in challenging their students to practice in unusual places. Can you say "Fiddlers on the Roof"? (No child was harmed and the parents were in control the whole time) Where is an unusual place where you have practiced your instrument?

It is Spring Break Week here. I wonder what our JFC teachers are doing? (comments below)

Do you need a reason to celebrate today? (besides Spring Break😉) Let's have cake and ice-cream in honor of Franz Joseph Haydn's birthday! Haydn was born on March 31, 1732 in Austria. Now, that's a lot of candles on a birthday cake!

Our JFC teachers are very talented and creative. Here is Ariel Montero, one of our piano teachers, practicing on a harpsichord while holding a child. She is preparing for an "All-Baroque" recital with one of our string teachers.

Did anyone remember to celebrate JS Bach's 338th birthday on March 21? Who is your favorite composer?

One of the advantages of The Johnson Ferry Conservatory for the Arts being located so close to CFA is that sometimes a student will bring CFA "treats" for their teacher. In the "olden days" a student would bring an apple to the teacher but we appreciate the "modern days" with food treats.

Our JFC teachers are used to "emergencies" with students' instruments. The teachers are well-prepared to send students to local music stores for repairs. This violin bow is proof that accidents happen sometimes with students but our JFC teachers are prepared.

So proud of our percussion/drum teacher Christian Kilgore! Last night he rehearsed with the KSU Symphony Orchestra preparing for the World Premiere of his Percussion Concerto! Come check out the first performance on March 25th @ 8pm! Tickets are available for purchase:
https://ci.ovationtix.com/35355/production/1126699?performanceId=11099257

We have the best teachers! Laurel Harrell (piano teacher) and Colleen Lively (Suzuki violin teacher) participated in Solo Festival a few weeks ago in Waleska. Way to go!
We are nearly halfway through our spring semester and have a few openings available. Sign up today for an introductory lesson!
http://johnsonferry.org/default.aspx?page=4357&eventId=20505

What a great first day of our spring semester! So good to see our faculty and students! We have a few openings available if you are interested in taking private music lessons!

https://www.johnsonferry.org/default.aspx?page=4357&eventId=20505

The Spring semester starts next week! Interested in taking voice lessons? Hayley has a few openings on Monday afternoons. Register for a trial lesson TODAY!

Conservatory Spring Registration Registration and tuition payment for the conservatory spring semester music lessons, January 9 - May 20

Our Spring semester starts one week from today! We are excited to offer private music lessons in piano, voice, guitar, ukulele, clarinet, saxophone, trumpet, cello, violin, viola, bassoon, and drums! Register today!
http://johnsonferry.org/default.aspx?page=4357&eventId=20505

Our Spring semester starts January 9th! We are excited to offer private music lessons in piano, voice, guitar, ukulele, clarinet, saxophone, trumpet, trombone, cello, violin, viola, bassoon, and drums! Register today!

Conservatory Spring Registration Registration and tuition payment for the conservatory spring semester music lessons, January 9 - May 20

What an amazing few days we have had celebrating the end of our fall semester with recitals! Friday evening was extra special as Colleen Lively’s students had the opportunity to perform at the mall. So proud of everyone! Colleen Lively-Strings
Stay tuned for more pics featuring all of our recitals this week!
Registration is open for our spring semester (limited openings):

https://www.johnsonferry.org/default.aspx?page=4357&eventId=20505

Congrats to our percussion/drum teacher, Christian Kilgore, for winning the Kennesaw State University Concerto Competition last week! Not only did Christian win, he composed his own concerto, "Percussion Concerto No. 1" for the competition. As a winner, he will perform with the KSU Symphony Orchestra during the spring 2023 semester. Join us in congratulating Christian!

What a wonderful concert Friday evening in downtown Woodstock! Loved seeing so many of Colleen Lively’s students performing. Way to go! Colleen Lively-Strings

We can't wait for Friday night! Join us for a fun evening as we hear Colleen's students perform! Colleen Lively-Strings

Join us in welcoming Christina Sutton! Christina is available to teach piano lessons!
Christina Sutton received her Bachelor of Arts in Elementary Education from Purdue University in 2015. She is a classically trained pianist who studied for a total of 9 years under former Depauw University professor Mary Heller and piano teacher Nadya Dubikovsky, who specializes in music theory and education. Over the years she has had the opportunity to perform in a variety of competitions and recitals, and also accompany various choral groups. Her love of music and passion for teaching is the driving force behind her piano instruction. Her goal is to help her students experience the joy of music, develop a solid foundation in technique and music theory, and grow a lifelong love for music.

Conservatory Fall Registration Registration and tuition payment for the conservatory fall semester music lessons, August 8-December 17

Join us in welcoming Wagner Gracciano! Wagner is available to teach lessons in guitar!

Wagner Gracciano is an Brazilian record producer, songwriter, composer, arranger & multi-instrumentalist, based out of Atlanta, GA. He studied Music Education and Classical Guitar at Federal University of Goiás (Brazil), teaching for University Arts programs. Played for long time in Caroço de Pequi a recognized students groups under the recency of Maestro Jarbas Cavendish (in memorial). Playing in some Jazz/Fusion bands like Jazz Nervoso. Wagner has performed and recorded albums and Dvd with many big sellers Brazilian artists and had some of his songs recorded by famous christian Brazilian singers. In 2013 he recorded his first solo album Across the Universe which he composed, produced and played all the songs with the participation of great musicians. This album was a success among the specialized critics and extensive media coverage at the time. Living in Atlanta for 6 years, he played, produced and directed several artists and won the tenth edition of the Prayze Factor Awards as producer of the year and international song of the year (his song As a prayer). In 2022 released 4 songs of his new solo album with the participation of great musicians.

Conservatory Fall Registration Registration and tuition payment for the conservatory fall semester music lessons, August 8-December 17

Space is still available for private music lessons this fall! We currently have openings in piano, voice, drums, guitar, clarinet, oboe, saxophone, trumpet, trombone, cello, violin, viola and bassoon! Join us for an introductory lesson!

Conservatory Fall Registration Registration and tuition payment for the conservatory fall semester music lessons, August 8-December 17

Interested in taking music lessons? We offer private lessons in piano, voice, drums, clarinet, oboe, saxophone, trumpet, trombone, cello, violin, viola and bassoon. Registration available now!

Conservatory Fall Registration Registration and tuition payment for the conservatory fall semester music lessons, August 8-December 17

Thankful for our amazing teachers! They are the best! Today we hosted a luncheon to kick-off, pray and prepare for the upcoming semester!
Our fall semester starts next Monday, August 8th! Openings are available for piano, voice, drums/percussion, as well as most band & orchestra instruments!
http://johnsonferry.org/default.aspx?page=4357&eventId=20133

MEET OUR TEACHERS: Anna McCoy
One of Anna's favorite things is playing duets with her students and making beautiful music with them during lessons. She has been teaching for 9 years! When she is not teaching, she enjoys cooking for family and friends.
Anna is available to teach cello lessons on Thursdays!
Our fall semester starts in one week on Monday, August 8th! Register today!
http://johnsonferry.org/default.aspx?page=4357&eventId=20133

MEET OUR TEACHERS: Kate O'Rourke
Kate has been teacher for 10 years! Her favorite thing about teaching is seeing her students grow in confidence and joy as they develop their musical knowledge and skills. So very rewarding! When Kate isn't teaching, she loves to hike and kayak (sometimes with her cute chihuahua Bella!)
Kate is available for voice and piano lessons on Mondays and Fridays!
Our fall semester starts Monday, August 8th! Register today!
http://johnsonferry.org/default.aspx?page=4357&eventId=20133

MEET OUR TEACHERS: Christian Kilgore
Christian has been playing for 10 years and teaching for over 4 years. One of his favorite things about teaching is interacting with new people and getting to play so many different things. When he is not playing music, Christian loves to read.
Christian is available for drum and percussion lessons on Mondays.
Our fall semester starts Monday, August 8th! Register today!
http://johnsonferry.org/default.aspx?page=4357&eventId=20133

Our fall semester begins August 8th! We are excited to offer private music lessons in piano, voice, drums, guitar, ukulele, clarinet, oboe, saxophone, trumpet, trombone, cello, violin and bassoon. Register today!

Conservatory Fall Registration Registration and tuition payment for the conservatory fall semester music lessons, August 8-December 17

We have the BEST teachers! String teacher Colleen Lively, and trumpet teacher, David Klausman, shared their instruments recently at a Math & Music Camp in Smyrna. Both of these teachers enjoy getting out into the community to share their music with children. Colleen Lively-Strings
Interested in lessons? Registration is now open for our fall semester! https://johnsonferry.org/default.aspx?page=4357&eventId=20133