GBC Conservatory Faculty
Dawson Hull
Pastor of Instrumental Worship Arts/Director of GBC Conservatory
Dawson began his ministry at GBC in 2015 after serving in churches in Georgia, Alabama, Maryland, and Tennessee. He has a Bachelor of Music in Piano Performance and Theory/Composition from Samford University, a Master of Music from The Peabody Conservatory of the Johns Hopkins University, and a Doctorate of Musical Arts from the University of Memphis. Dawson, his wife Taneea, and their three children enjoy performing together as a family everywhere they go. Their mission is to use music as a tool to share the gospel, and to lead others to do the same.
Mike Assad
Drums Instructor
Mike Assad received his Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Kentucky in 1999 and his Master's of Music degree from the University of Memphis in 2003. He has performed as a freelance drummer and percussionist since 1996 with various artists and groups such as Joyce Cobb, Ed Finney, Charlie Wood, Michael Jeffery Stevens, Diane Price, the Memphis Symphony Orchestra, the Corinth Symphony Orchestra, among others. Mike's teaching method draws upon a varied musical background. He has performance and teaching experience in all areas of percussion, which include drum set, concert/classical percussion, marching percussion, and ethnic percussion/hand drumming. Mike is currently on faculty at the University of Memphis, Rhodes College, and Lemoyne-Owen College serving as adjunct professor of percussion, drum set, and hand drumming.
Christi Hall
TAP TEACHER
Christi started studying dance as soon as she could walk. Her Mom and Aunt owned Morat School of Dance. She has also studied jazz, ballet, gymnastics, and baton, but her specialty is tap. She went on to run Bartlett Dance Factory for 25 years. She choreographed “Singin’ in the Rain” and “42nd Street” for Theatre Memphis as well as many others. She teaches and choreographs at New Day Children’s Theatre. She also works with the students at St. George’s, Lausanne, and St. Mary’s to produce their school musicals. She has choreographed over 100 productions. She has studied with Henry Le Tang, Savion Glover, Anthony Morigerato, and Gregg Russell. She is excited to be joining the GBC dance program and can’t wait to share her love of tap with her students.
Taneea Hull
CLARINET INSTRUCTOR
Taneea is a clarinetist with the Jackson Symphony, subs for the Memphis Symphony, and has a clarinet studio at Germantown Baptist Church. She is an active chamber musician, performing regularly with her husband (piano) for various recital series in the Memphis area. She received a Bachelor’s in clarinet performance from the Peabody Conservatory of Music, where she studied with Steven Barta. Prior to living in Memphis, she played with the Macon Symphony, Albany Symphony, and Ocmulgee symphonies, and was a guest artist with the Florida Orchestra Philharmonic, a soloist with the Ocmulgee Symphony, and soloist with the Sioux Falls Municipal Band. She taught in the Houston County band programs, and maintained a private clarinet studio while living in Georgia. She is also an essential oil educator and homeschools two young children.
Sheryl Lane
Piano Instructor
Dr. Sheryl Lane earned her Doctorate of Musical Arts at the University of Memphis, her Masters of Music from the University of Louisiana in Monroe, and her Bachelor of Music Education from Baylor University. She taught music in the Shelby County School System for 18 years and now teaches music classes at the University of Memphis, Mid America College and local private schools. She is the manager for the Germantown Youth Symphony and is the organist and choir director at Collierville Christian Church. She has been teaching private piano, violin, voice, and guitar for over 30 years and has presented a number of workshops at both the state and local levels focusing on student growth, helping young musicians compose and arrange, and teaching guitar in the public schools. Her favorite Bible verse is Jeremiah 29:11, For I know the plans I have for you, says the Lord. Plans for good and not for evil. Plans to give you a future and a hope.
Arden lindsey
BALLET TEACHER
Arden has a love of dance, children and the Lord Jesus Christ and is so excited to be able to combine those loves here at the Germantown Baptist Church conservatory. She strives to foster the creativity of young dancers in her classes and loves to watch their eyes light up when they gain a new skill. Arden began her ballet training at age 3 with the Tevlins in Memphis and continued with the Ballet Memphis School through her teen years. She danced with the Ballet Memphis professional company while attending Rhodes College. While with the company, Arden performed roles such as the title role in The Matchgirl and the Arabian in the Nutcracker. Arden trained as a teacher with Dorthy Gunther Pugh, founder and former artistic director of Ballet Memphis. Off and on during the last few decades, Arden has taught ballet and rehearsed children for the annual performance of The Nutcracker at the Orpheum Theater for the Ballet Memphis School. Most recently, Arden taught ballet at the YMCA in Collierville.
Corbin Miles
Acoustic and Electric Guitar Instructor
Mr. Miles has taught at The Germantown Baptist Church Conservatory since 1995. He also serves every Sunday Morning on the Praise and Worship team. Mr. Miles received his Bachelor of Music in Guitar Performance from East Carolina University. He also received his Master of Music in Guitar Performance from The University of Memphis. He has been a top prizewinner in several competitions and has performed throughout the country as a soloist and ensemble musician. He is currently the music teacher at Sea Isle Elementary where his students have performed throughout Mid-South including performances at the Fed Ex Forum, The Canon Center as well as AutoZone Park. His life verse is Corinthians 13:13: And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.
Zeynep Miles
Violin, Viola, Piano, Voice and Music Theory Instructor
Ms. Miles received the Bachelor of Music in Composition, Piano and Viola from the National Conservatory of Turkey and the Master of Music in Composition and Jazz Vocal at the University of Memphis. She taught music and performed in various ensembles internationally for the last 21 years including several tours throughout Asia and Europe. Some of her compositions have been played and recorded by orchestras around the world. Ms. Miles has also appeared in several local productions for Theatre Memphis and Opera Memphis. One of her favorite verses is Ephesians 4:2-3. With all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.
Carissa Perez
Suzuki Violin Instructor
Carissa Perez began her studies in violin at the age of three, north of Chicago, under the tutelage of Lisa Chodorowski. She is a Summa Cum Laude graduate of The Hartt School, obtaining both Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees under Anton Miller, and her Suzuki concentration with Christie Felsing. She is an avid performer as well, performing regularly with professional orchestras in the greater Memphis area – including both the Memphis and Jackson Symphonies.
Being taught Suzuki from a young age as well as making it her livelihood, she has had a myriad of students over the years of all levels. The most rewarding feeling is teaching aspiring violinists how to paint a picture with their instruments, using her experience to provide an environment that promotes and fosters not only creativity, but learning. Each student is met with the utmost care, balancing the line between positive encouragement and rigor to promote curiosity, self-awareness, and most of all, the love of making music.
In her spare time, Carissa enjoys reading, the outdoors, and spending time with her friends and loved ones.
Pat Plumlee
Piano Instructor
I have been teaching piano in the Germantown/Collierville area for 30 years. I am a native Memphian, graduated from the University of Memphis with a Bachelor of Music Ed. degree. My husband, Walter is a banker, son, Spencer is a pastor in MO., son, Stewart is a branch manager with Suntrust, Collierville. I have three beautiful grandsons, Seth, Patrick and Noah. My family loves music. Collectively we play piano, flute, sax, trumpet and percussion.
Verne Powell
Piano Instructor
Ms. Powell has been teaching music for over 47 years, including teaching music in various Memphis City Schools for over 26 years. She received a Bachelor of Music in Piano from Mississippi College and a Master of Arts in Music from Louisiana State University. She is a member of the Germantown/Collierville Area Piano Teachers Association and Germantown Baptist Church where she teaches a Sunday School Class. When her mentally handicapped daughter started playing piano at an early age she became certified in Suzuki Piano and now teaches both a combination of Suzuki and Traditional method. She has extensive experience in teaching handicapped children, including her Memphis City Schools classes and that of her own daughter. One of her favorite verses is Psalm 19:14: “Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O Lord, my strength, and my redeemer.”
Mark Vail
Trombone, Baritone and Tuba Instructor
Mr. Vail received the Bachelor of Music at North Texas State University. He has been an instructor at the Germantown Baptist Church Conservatory for over 25 years. He is the principal bass trombonist for the Memphis Symphony Orchestra. In addition, Mr. Vail plays with the Germantown Baptist Church Orchestra, the Germantown Baptist Church Jazz Orchestra and is the brass instructor for the Memphis Youth Symphony Orchestra. Mr. Vail’s favorite verse is Matthew 19:26. And looking at them Jesus said to them, “With people this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.”