Music | St. Andrew's Episcopal School

List of 8 items.

Guitar Class, 2nd-4th, 2:45-3:45 on Tuesdays

FALL 2026: Guitar Class
Instructor: Sarah Walker & Jimmy Walker
Grades: 2nd-4th
Day and Time: Tuesday, 2:45-3:45 pm
Tuition: $495
Location: Lower School Performing Arts Room

Guitar Class is a group class offering instruction in the fundamentals of how to play the guitar, using various styles and varied song genres. Professor of Guitar at Millsaps College & MS College, Jimmy Turner, will be teaching this class alongside the direction of Mrs. Sarah Walker. Each participant receives a customized program binder containing all course materials, along with a canvas tote bag to keep everything organized throughout the program.

Each student will need a student size acoustic guitar in order to take this class. You may easily rent a quality student guitar outfit directly from Sarah Walker at https://sarahwalkerstudios.com/shop

All guitar students will collaborate with all violin students for the Christmas Recital in December the Center for Performing Arts located at the Upper School campus.

Instructor's Bio:
Jimmy Turner is a well-known and sought after guitar instructor and performer in the Jackson area. He teaches at both Millsaps, Mississippi College and has taught guitar at St. Andrews for many years. His approach to teaching is student centered and well varied in approach and genres. He is truly loved by all!
Guitar Class, 5th-8th, 3:00-4:00 on Wednesdays--NORTH CAMPUS

FALL 2026: Guitar Class
Instructor: Sarah Walker & Jimmy Walker
Grades: 5th-8th
Day and Time: Wednesday, 3:00-4:00 pm
Tuition: $495
Location: North Campus Classroom

Guitar Class is a group class offering instruction in the fundamentals of how to play the guitar, using various styles and varied song genres. Professor of Guitar at Millsaps College & MS College, Jimmy Turner, will be teaching this class alongside the direction of Mrs. Sarah Walker. Each participant receives a customized program binder containing all course materials, along with a canvas tote bag to keep everything organized throughout the program.

Each student will need a student size acoustic guitar in order to take this class. You may easily rent a quality student guitar outfit directly from Sarah Walker at https://sarahwalkerstudios.com/shop

All guitar students will collaborate with all violin students for the Christmas Recital in December the Center for Performing Arts located at the Upper School campus.

Instructor's Bio:
Jimmy Turner is a well-known and sought after guitar instructor and performer in the Jackson area. He teaches at both Millsaps, Mississippi College and has taught guitar at St. Andrews for many years. His approach to teaching is student centered and well varied in approach and genres. He is truly loved by all!
Kinder Piano Lab, K, 2:45-3:30 on Mondays

FALL 2026: Kinder Piano Lab
Instructor: Sarah Walker & Tyler Dennis
Grades: Kindergarten
Day and Time: Monday, 2:45-3:45 pm
Tuition: $445
Location: ECC Performing Arts Room

Kinder Piano Lab is a skilled-based program written by Sarah Walker which targets the first 25 basic piano skills needed to become an established pianist. This group setting makes for a fun atmosphere that everyone can enjoy! Each student will be assigned to a digital piano with headphones and be given both group and individualized instruction. It is literally the BEST of both worlds! In addition to piano skills, basic music literacy and theory will be presented and explored with each lesson, ensuring a full understanding of how music functions and works on and off the piano.

Instructors' Bios:
Ty Dennis is the current ECC Performing Arts Teacher and assists Sarah Walker in all the functions of the ECC & Lower School Performing Arts Programs. She has now served St. Andrew's for 5 years and holds a Master's Degree and several Certifications in Music.

Sarah Walker is the Performing Arts Coordinator for St. Andrew's, as well as the creator of The Violin Karate and Piano Lab. Sarah is passionate about finding creative and Innovative ways to teach music to kids, always seeking to make learning FUN!
Lower School Piano Lab, 1st-4th, 2:45-3:45 on Mondays

FALL 2026: Lower School Piano Lab
Instructor: Sarah Walker
Grades: 1st-4th
Day and Time: Monday, 2:45-3:45
Tuition: $495
Location: LS Performing Arts Classroom

The Piano Lab is a skills-based piano program designed to develop the first 25 essential techniques and concepts every pianist needs to build a strong musical foundation. While ideal for beginners, the program also welcomes experienced students who want to strengthen their technique, musicianship, and overall confidence at the keyboard.

Students learn in a dynamic group environment that combines the energy and encouragement of collaborative learning with individualized instruction. Each participant is assigned a digital piano equipped with headphones, allowing for focused practice while receiving both group demonstrations and personalized guidance—truly offering the best of both worlds.

Beyond piano performance, every lesson incorporates music literacy and music theory, helping students understand not only how to play music, but also why it works. This comprehensive approach equips students with the knowledge and skills to become well-rounded musicians both at and away from the piano.

Each participant receives a customized program binder containing all course materials, along with a canvas tote bag to keep everything organized throughout the program.

Instructor's Bio:
Sarah Walker serves as the Performing Arts Coordinator at St. Andrew's and is the creator of The Violin Karate Method and The Piano Lab. Dedicated to inspiring young musicians, she is passionate about developing creative, innovative teaching approaches that make music learning engaging, accessible, and fun.
Drawing on years of experience teaching internationally as well as in both public and private schools, Sarah brings a broad, global perspective to music education and pedagogy. She is currently pursuing a doctorate in Music Education, where her research focuses on developing innovative, student-centered curriculum designed to meet the evolving needs of today's learners. Through her work, Sarah is committed to equipping students with the skills, confidence, and joy that foster a lifelong love of music.
Kinder Violin Karate, PreK-4-K, 2:45-3:45 on Fridays

FALL 2026: Kinder Violin Karate
Instructor: Sarah Walker & Tyler Dennis
Grades: Pre-K4-K
Day and Time: Friday, 2:45-3:45
Tuition: $495
Location: ECC Performing Arts Classroom

Violin Karate is a fun, engaging, and highly motivating program designed to teach children the foundational skills of violin playing in a supportive group setting. Using a unique belt-ranking system inspired by martial arts, students earn colorful tassels to attach to their violin scroll as they master each new skill. These visual achievements celebrate progress and encourage confidence, consistency, and a love for learning.
The Kinder Violin Karate class focuses on developing the essential building blocks of violin playing through age-appropriate games, movement activities, and hands-on exercises. Students strengthen the fine motor skills, coordination, listening abilities, and cognitive connections that provide a strong foundation for future musical success—all while having fun!

Each student will receive a program bag, a student binder, and all of the colored belts (tassels) they earn throughout the course.

Please note that students must have a violin for class. Violins may be rented directly from Sarah Walker through https://sarahwalkerstudios.com/shop.

Instructor's Bio:
Sarah Walker serves as the Performing Arts Coordinator at St. Andrew's and is the creator of The Violin Karate Method and The Piano Lab. Dedicated to inspiring young musicians, she is passionate about developing creative, innovative teaching approaches that make music learning engaging, accessible, and fun.
Drawing on years of experience teaching internationally as well as in both public and private schools, Sarah brings a broad, global perspective to music education and pedagogy. She is currently pursuing a doctorate in Music Education, where her research focuses on developing innovative, student-centered curriculum designed to meet the evolving needs of today's learners. Through her work, Sarah is committed to equipping students with the skills, confidence, and joy that foster a lifelong love of music.

Ty Dennis is the current ECC Performing Arts Teacher and assists Sarah Walker in all the functions of the ECC & Lower School Performing Arts Programs. She has now served St. Andrew's for 5 years and holds a Master's Degree and several Certifications in Music.
St. Andrew's Cathedral Children's Choir, 1st-4th, 2:45-3:30 on Tuesdays

FALL 2026: St. Andrew's Cathedral Children's Choir
Instructor: Jessica Nelson & Alicia Bell
Grades: 1st-4th
Day and Time: Tuesday, 2:45-3:30 pm
Tuition: $0
Location: Jean Jones Chapel (Lower School)

St. Andrew's Cathedral Children's Choir will meet weekly in the Lower School Chapel for rehearsal. This ensemble is open to all students of all faith traditions, not just Episcopalians or members of St. Andrew's Cathedral. These choristers will learn music selected from the breadth and depth of the Anglican music-making tradition and will sing for selected Big Chapel services, as well as selected Sunday services at the Cathedral.

Instructors' Bios:
Jessica Nelson is a native Mississippian with degrees in music and liturgy from Millsaps College and Seabury-Western Theological Seminary and has been organist/choirmaster of St. Andrew’s Episcopal Cathedral since 2017. Her works for choir and organ have been published by Paraclete Press, Selah Publishing, and St. James Press and have recently been recorded by the choir of Trinity Church, Boston.

Hailing from South Africa, soprano Alicia Bell is a veteran music educator and seasoned performer who maintains an active schedule of teaching and performing. Alicia is an alum of the University of Southern Mississippi's School of Music, where she studied voice. She sings in the choirs of St. Andrew's Episcopal Cathedral and Cade Chapel MB Church in Jackson and operates Talent Tree Studios.
Violin Karate, 1st-4th, 2:45-3:45 on Wednesdays

FALL 2026: Violin Karate
Instructor: Sarah Walker & Nairi Seker
Grades: 1st-4th
Day and Time: Wednesday, 2:45-3:45 pm
Tuition: $495
Location: Lower School Performing Arts Classroom

Violin Karate is a fun, engaging, and highly motivating program designed to teach children the foundational skills of violin playing in a supportive group setting. Using a unique belt-ranking system inspired by martial arts, students earn colorful tassels to attach to their violin scroll as they master each new skill. These visual achievements celebrate progress and encourage confidence, consistency, and a love for learning.

Each student will receive a program bag, a student binder, and all of the colored belts (tassels) they earn throughout the course. Please note that students must have a violin for class. Violins may be rented directly from Sarah Walker through https://sarahwalkerstudios.com/shop.

Instructor's Bio:
Sarah Walker serves as the Performing Arts Coordinator at St. Andrew's and is the creator of The Violin Karate Method and The Piano Lab. Dedicated to inspiring young musicians, she is passionate about developing creative, innovative teaching approaches that make music learning engaging, accessible, and fun.
Drawing on years of experience teaching internationally as well as in both public and private schools, Sarah brings a broad, global perspective to music education and pedagogy. She is currently pursuing a doctorate in Music Education, where her research focuses on developing innovative, student-centered curriculum designed to meet the evolving needs of today's learners. Through her work, Sarah is committed to equipping students with the skills, confidence, and joy that foster a lifelong love of music.

Nairi Seker will be assisting Sarah in teaching this class. Nairi is a native of Turkey, holds a Master's Degree & Artistic Diploma in Violin Performance and is currently the Music Director at First Pres. Day School. Ms Seker brings full energy, passion and so much FUN into her classroom. Your kids will Love her!
Violin Karate Intermediate Class, 3rd-8th, 4:00-5:00 on Wednesdays

FALL 2026: Violin Karate Intermediate Class
Instructor: Sarah Walker
Grades: 3rd-8th
Day and Time: Wednesday, 4:00-5:00 pm
Tuition: $495 for ASC students, $545 for non-ASC students
Location: Lower School Performing Arts Classroom

Violin Karate is a fun, engaging, and highly motivating program designed to teach children the foundational skills of violin playing in a supportive group setting. Using a unique belt-ranking system inspired by martial arts, students earn colorful tassels to attach to their violin scroll as they master each new skill. These visual achievements celebrate progress and encourage confidence, consistency, and a love for learning. This particular level is not an entry level course but for those whom have already taken a Violin Karate Class before.

Each student will receive a program bag, a student binder, and all of the colored belts (tassels) they earn throughout the course. Please note that students must have a violin for class. Violins may be rented directly from Sarah Walker through https://sarahwalkerstudios.com/shop.

Instructor's Bio:
Sarah Walker serves as the Performing Arts Coordinator at St. Andrew's and is the creator of The Violin Karate Method and The Piano Lab. Dedicated to inspiring young musicians, she is passionate about developing creative, innovative teaching approaches that make music learning engaging, accessible, and fun.
Drawing on years of experience teaching internationally as well as in both public and private schools, Sarah brings a broad, global perspective to music education and pedagogy. She is currently pursuing a doctorate in Music Education, where her research focuses on developing innovative, student-centered curriculum designed to meet the evolving needs of today's learners. Through her work, Sarah is committed to equipping students with the skills, confidence, and joy that foster a lifelong love of music.