Ron Alley

CEO and Founder of Carpe Artista

Voice, Guitar & Harmonica Instructor

Founder and Executive Director of Carpe Artista

16 plus years experience as Director of Worship Arts for Lifepoint Church

More than 30 years in Choral Conducting with a focus on Contemporary Worship music.

Bachelor of Music in Vocal Performance, University of Tennessee Chattanooga

Graduate studies in Music Education at Belmont University, Nashville & Southwestern Seminary Ft. Worth

Over 23 years teaching Voice and Guitar.

Recording artist for Christian and Secular markets.

Ron has served on several board of directors for non-profit organizations

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Rob Higginbotham

Academy Director

Rob is a guitarist, singer songwriter, music educator and husband and father.

Rob founded Nashville Wedding Guitarist in 2005 and since has performed ceremony music for over 800 weddings and hundreds more events.

His music with his band “The Mysterious Undertones” can be heard on every major streaming service and he performs regularly with them locally.

Rob taught for Metro Schools for eight years through the Music Makes Us program, bringing the Modern Band concept to the classroom with Rock Band, Songwriting, and Guitar classes.

He partnered with the Little Kids Rock program (now called “Music Will”) to provide donated instruments and classroom resources to his classes. Using modern educational concepts like scaffolding, flipped classroom and project based learning, Rob’s students demonstrated high levels of excellence in every recital, captured on video and available on YouTube.

With a seemingly tailor made skillset for the organization, Rob is excited to bring his talents to the Carpe Artista team. While it wasn’t careful planning that brought him to this point, he is aware of a guiding hand in this opportunity.

As one of his favorite poets William Blake puts it, “Improvement makes strait roads, but the crooked roads without Improvement, are roads of Genius.”

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“Karen is an amazing photography instructor whose passion and love for the art is obvious with each lesson. Karen not only works on the techniques, but really goes the extra mile to share the “why” behind them. Her goal of passing on the love and knowledge of photography is evident. Our daughter has always been interested in photography, but her time learning from Karen has really taken that interest to another level. Not only have we seen her skills improve, but her knowledge surrounding photography has grown. It’s amazing to hear her excitedly critiquing pictures and making observations about what is good and what could be improved and what technique may have been better. Karen is definitely a golden nugget for anyone wanting to learn photography.”

Mike and Mary

“Karen Smith has that special “thing” when it comes to capturing those real moments on stage, and in a classy way…”

Thom Bresh - Legendary Entertainer

Karen’s teaching is easy to understand and she is able to go into detail about how certain aspects of the camera will affect your photo. Her directions are also simple and clear cut which helps you better understand the process of taking photos and how different elements play a part in a good photo.

Alison

Karen Smith

Photography Instructor Assistant Academy Director

Born in the picturesque mountain town of Frostburg, Maryland.

Freelance photographer for the Cumberland Times-News Newspaper, Cumberland, MD.

Holds an Associate of Arts Degree in Media Technology from Allegany College of Maryland

In 1990 she was chosen to photograph the Miss America Pageant for Miss Maryland and served as state photographer for the Maryland Jaycees.

Country singer, Lane Brody has introduced me to many of her colleagues’ “As one of the best events photographers in the Nashville area”.

My work can be found on book covers such as Collector Steiff Values, German Life Magazine.

Album covers for Thom Bresh, Joe Stampley and Johnny Counterfit and the back cover Of Tammy Wynette’s last tour book.

My husband, Danny & I have photographed concerts, portraits, wildlife, and major events as well as the Official Track photographers at the Nashville Fairgrounds Speedway. Brooks & Dunn Summer Legend Series, Mark Collie Foundation Race for the Cure, Walden’s Puddle Benefits and Carpe Artista, and major events at the Smyrna Airport.

Volunteer Photographer for Lifepoint Church.

My passion for capturing a particular image, as it will never happen again is truly a gift from God. Everything is a picture but we all see something differently.

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Joanne O’Kain

Musical Theatre Coordinator/Show Director

Joanne’s enthusiasm for musical theater and dedication to producing quality children’s performances has positively impacted hundreds of children over the last sixteen years.

In 2004 Joanne began founded an after-school musical theater program for students at Roy Waldron Elementary in LaVergne, TN. She has directed 25 musicals with this group, and developed choreography for many of those productions. This drama team of students aged 7-11 has participated in the Junior Theater Festival since 2012. Joanne was presented the Freddie G Spirit Award at the 2013 Junior Theater Festival in recognition of her accomplishments with students who may never have had an opportunity to participate in musical theater if not for the Roy Waldron drama program.

Joanne worked as the Children’s Director for the cast of HONK! at Trevecca Nazarene University in 2013.

She also works with Carpe Artista, a Smyrna, TN arts program. She is the director of musical theater programming for summer education and musical theatre experiences and trips for children ages 5-18.

Joanne is a dedicated educator. Joanne was chosen as Teacher of the Year in 2009 by her peers at Roy Waldron Elementary.

Joanne received her Bachelors of Science degree in K-8 Education and her Master’s in Curriculum and Development from Trevecca Nazarene University, and her Doctorate of Education at Lipscomb University in Nashville, TN.

She has participated in theatre training in NYC with The Broadway Teacher’s Workshop and The iTheatics Method.

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Larissa Reed

Visual Arts Coordinator & Instructor

Larissa has served as Administrator and lead teacher for the Creative Clash visual art camp for Carpe Artista since its inception in 2011. She has taught art classes in drawing, acrylic, pastel and watercolor for Carpe since 2011.

Larissa received a Bachelor’s Degree from Belmont University with a minor in Art, studying Photography, Painting, Drawing, 2D design and 3D design with emphasis on sculpture.

She taught art at the Legacy Christian Tutorial and currently teaches at Priest Lake Academy home school tutorial.

She is also a floral designer at Tom’s Florist in Smyrna.

For several years Larissa assisted the drama department of Thurman Francis Arts Academy with set design and/or costumes. The costumes she designed for their production of Lion King Jr. were used by many local schools over a two year time period before being purchased by a local costume rental shop.

In her own words,” I believe “We are created in the image of an extravagant Creator”, therefore we should strive to be creative in everything we do. Creativity is not limited to visual art and music. We should be creative in the way we communicate, organize, parent and task set before us.”

Larissa is proud to be one of the founding members of the Smyrna Artist’s Co-op.

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Ivory and Orange Professional Profile Photo Instagram Post - 1

Haniyfa Branka

Visual Arts Instructor

Haniyfa Muhammad Branka is a mixed-media artist and published author whose creative journey began in childhood and has been shaped by a lifelong dedication to the fine arts. She has always held a deep love for art, exploring it in many forms throughout her life. She is the founder of HMB ArtHouse, a mobile studio offering eco-conscious art experiences, and Trust Yourself, a nonprofit dedicated to violence prevention.

Her textured, symbolic works often incorporate natural materials to explore themes of
transformation, resilience, and the joy found in everyday moments. Through her practice, she creates space for reflection and connection, inviting viewers to discover pieces of their own stories within her work. When she isn’t creating, Haniyfa can often be found enjoying a good book. Her artistic and community impact contributions have been recognized in various media outlets.

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Haydn Palmer

Guitar, Bass & Ukulele Instructor

A Graduate of Central Christian College in McPherson, KS, Haydn studied under the Contemporary Christian Music program with an emphasis on guitar performance and instruction.
With his passion for music, Haydn teaches a four-course lesson structure that includes Chords, Scales, Songs, and Note Reading.
He now resides in Nashville and enjoys spending time with friends, playing guitar at church, and teaching guitar and ukulele to the next generation of music lovers.

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Mark Thomas

Piano & Voice Instructor

Originally from St. Louis MO, now lives and works in Nashville as a musician, piano/voice teacher, music director, songwriter, and actor.

Mark, who holds both a bachelor’s and master’s degree in piano performance, studied with the world-renowned Dr. Maurice Hinson and Viennese concert pianist Evelyn Mitchell, who studied with Moriz Rosenthal, who was a student of Franz Liszt. Mark was a graduate teaching assistant while working on his master’s in the Conservatory at UMKC and has served as adjunct music faculty at Indiana University Southeast, TN Technological University, and Vol State, teaching piano, theory, music appreciation, as well as choral directing.

In his piano teaching, Mark emphasizes a strong classical approach combined with a very successful improv method that he has developed and refined over the years. Whether pop, rock, country, or Christian music, students learn to play in a commercial style very quickly.

Vocally, Mark has great success teaching students to discover and develop their commercial voice with a speech-level approach. Several of his students, including Colton Dixon, have gone on to professional careers in music

A published and award-winning songwriter, Mark also offers instruction in composition and songwriting. He wrote the music and lyrics for the new musical “Come Sing Jimmy Jo” based on the Katherine Paterson novel. Thomas appears regularly at the Bluebird Cafe.

An experienced actor, Mark conducts acting workshops and has led several music/drama camps for students, as well as private acting coaching.

Various professional credits of Thomas’ include Actors Theatre Of Louisville, Stage One Theater, Sophie’s Theater, NYC, as well as Opryland, Six Flags, Kentucky Opera, Nashville Opera and various dinner theaters. Television credits include ABC’s Nashville, CMA Country Christmas (ABC), The Ralph Emery Show (TNN), The 700 Club (TBN), and voice-over work for the Emmy award-winning NPT documentary Women of the Civil War. Featured in numerous commercials, informercials, and music videos, he has also appeared in several feature films and independent movies. He is the lead actor in Casting Crowns’ visual album, a series of eleven music videos which won the 2019 Dove Award for long-form music video.

Mark has a heart for young people and finds it very fulfilling to bring his love for music and the arts, combined with his professional experience to his students. He fosters a love, as well as a confidence, for performing in his students, who can often be heard in recitals, in bands, and at their schools, churches, and in professional settings. Mark Thomas has a heart for encouraging, equipping, and inspiring his students to accomplish their best, enriching their lives through the arts.

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Tracy Broussard

Drum Instructor

Born and raised in South Louisiana, Tracy grew up on a steady diet of R&B, Funk, Blues and Country.

After earning a degree in public relations with a marketing/business minor and playing in local bands, he decided to take the next step in his musical career.

In August 1996, he headed to Nashville with dreams of becoming a touring Country drummer.

After stints with Shane Minor, Craig Morgan, Cyndi Thomson and Jamie O’Neal, he hooked up with Blake Shelton in 2003.

For 20 years, Tracy’s been the backbone of Blake’s live shows and television performances including Saturday Night Live, The Voice, the late night and daytime talk show circuits and numerous award shows, including The CMA’s, ACM’s and The Grammys.

In 2012, Tracy recorded with the funk/fusion group, Trypta-Funk, which combines odd time signatures with funky grooves.

He was also a co-writer on two songs on Blake’s RIAA certified gold album, “Cheers, it’s Christmas.”

He was a finalist in the 2009 and 2015 Modern Drummer Readers Poll in the Country category

Tracy also keeps busy with various live projects, the RoadDawg Online YouTube channel, featuring content on touring drummers and Over The Line, a streaming sports and music talk show.

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Pearl Goll

Violin and Piano Instructor

Pearl began her piano education at age 5 and violin at age 6. She first learned piano in group lessons, then eventually had private lessons with Dr. Heewon Kwon of the Colburn Music Conservatory in Los Angeles, California. Similar to the piano, she started with violin group lessons using the Suzuki method. She then took private lessons with a Juilliard graduate and afterwards studied at UCLA under Professor Guillaume Sutre.

Since living in Nashville, TN Pearl has been privately teaching and giving lessons to children as young as 4 all the way to adults in their fifties. Pearl finds teaching rewarding and fulfilling, which inspires her to continue to improve herself as an educator. She is also the author of Shapelies Music, a piano method book for young beginners and plays in orchestras and weddings.

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Geoff Butterworth

Voice, Piano, Guitar, Composing and Recording Arts Instructor

Geoff holds a Bachelor in Music Education from Evangel University

He has taught for over 16 years including two years with Lancaster Academy and done video production at Studio One Media. He has also served both full-time and part-time on the music/worship staffs for area churches.

Geoff owns his own recording studio and also performs regularly with Wildfire Trio (Reminiscing), Charlie’s River and other local acts.

Geoff has extensive experience and education in singing, playing, songwriting, and has scored scoring over 15 dramatized works that can be found in stores, featuring talent including Jim Caviezel, Neal McDonough, Stacy Keach, Kristen Bell, Sean Astin, Michael York, Blair Underwood, Max Lucado, Jack Hayford among many others, he has also scored music and done for independent film as well as scoring and sound design, mixing, and mastering for the upcoming TV series Reclaimed America.

Geoff has engineered and played in the studio with Russ Taff, Larry Hoppen (Orleans), Chester Thompson (Genesis), Billy Mason & Dancehall Doctors (T. McGraw), Vail Johnson (Kenny G.), Tom Proctor (Guardians of the Galaxy), and many others.

Geoff has been and instructor with Carpe Artista Academy since its beginning and teaches voice, piano, guitar, composing and recording arts.

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Jennifer Warren

Violin/Viola Instructor

Jennifer graduated in 2004 with a Master of Liberal Arts and a Bachelor of Music with anemphasis in violin performance from Middle Tennessee State University. She returned for viola studies a few years later. In the following years, Mrs. Warren played the festivals, traveled, and played, always, as a professional and career orchestral violinist and violist.

She has since settled into a pleasant rhythm in Nashville of symphonic work, chamber music performance, teaching private lessons, and taking part in the metro Nashville program “Music Makes Us/Side by Side” during the school year. She primarily works with middle school orchestra students and adult beginners, but welcomes diversity in her studio.

She firmly believes that adults are great beginning students as they already know how they learn. All ages have their own starting point
in the path of musical enrichment. She enjoys trying to fix things, recording, and hanging out at home with her husband and three cats.

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Chris Simmons

Piano & Voice Instructor

Chris Simmons has several years of experience serving as Music Director and Lead Musician in mid to large size churches. Responsibilities entailed teaching vocal parts, directing choirs, playing piano/organ, preparing repertoire, and conducting band rehearsals. As a working musician, Chris is regularly engaged in the local music scene performing Jazz, Gospel, and Commercial Music. Chris holds Bachelors of Music with a concentration in Jazz Studies from Middle Tennessee State University.

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Ethan Penney

Drum Instructor

Plays drums at the professional level.

Tours regularly with local country artist Brandt Carmichael

Plays in 5 different worship settings in TN.

Experienced playing several styles of music including; rock, country, pop funk, progressive math rock, blues, and contemporary Christian music.

Opened for pop country artist Granger Smith and 90s rock band Jackyl.

Has been involved with Carpe Artista as a student through camps and lessons since 2018.

Was an instructor at Carpe’s Rock Band Camp in 2022.

Passionate for sharing his love of music with others.

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Suzanne LeBeau

Art Instructor

Tennessee artist Suzanne LeBeau started as a muralist.

She has been an elementary school teacher for most of her adult life, but recently has felt a calling to get back to her creative side.

She took up faux finishing about 15 years ago and specializes in metallic finishes, plasters, and murals.

Lately, she has taken those skills and applied them to the canvas. She does realistic plein air oils and large acrylic abstracts.

Ms. LeBeau has taken classes and workshops with Internationally known Patti Brady, Tom Jones, Sterling Edwards and Johannes Vloothuis, as well as local teachers Carol Berning, Kim Barrick, Gayle Levee, Dawn Whitlaw, Kevin Menck, Jim Himsworth, and Missy Veazie.

She is a member of the Rutherford Arts Alliance, Chestnut Group,

The Smyrna Artist’s Cooperative, Nashville Creative Group, and is the president of the Murfreesboro Art League, where she occasionally teaches art classes.

She has been the featured artist at the Murfreesboro Art League, as well as the Linebaugh and Smyrna Public libraries. She recently has had her work shown at the Parthenon in Centennial Park in Nashville, The Jewish Community Center, Shelby Bottoms, Radnor Lake State Park, and The Bridge Building.

She does portrait commissions, as well as pet and home “portraits.”

You can find her work on Facebook (Suzanne LeBeau, Artist) and Instagram, as well as suzannelebeauartist.blogspot.com . Contact: Suzanne.lebeau22@gmail.com for information on any pieces or commission work.

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Kimmi Wilson

Voice Instructor

Originally from Ohio and North Carolina and now based in Nashville, Kimmi Wilson is a soprano vocalist, worship leader, and voice instructor with experience in classical performance, worship music, musical theatre, and commercial styles including country and bluegrass. She received her Bachelor’s in Music: Vocal Performance from Trevecca Nazarene University, where she studied voice under Dr. Rachel Nyetam and Shiloah Fenn, with additional training in piano and music theory.

During her collegiate career, Kimmi performed advanced classical repertoire featuring works by Schubert, Bernstein, Schumann, Brahms, Fauré, Donizetti, and Schwartz, along with studies in Italian, French, and German diction. She has appeared in productions including Honk!, The Sound of Music, The Wizard of Oz, and All Shook Up, and spent several seasons performing at Tweetsie Railroad. She has also performed extensively in advanced choral ensembles, including the Charles Heimermann Chorale and Trevecca’s Madrigalians and Honors Choirs.

Kimmi currently serves as a worship vocalist and Children’s Choir Director at LifePoint Church and previously toured with Living Proof Ministries. In her teaching, she emphasizes healthy vocal technique, breath support, stylistic versatility, and building confidence in each student’s unique voice. She also brings experience in studio recording, harmony layering, ensemble singing, and performance coaching, creating an encouraging environment where students can grow both artistically and personally.

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Amy Royer

Theatre Assistant Director/Choriographer

Amy Royer is from Ada, Oklahoma but has called the Nashville area home for almost 20 years.

After receiving a Bachelor of Music in Vocal Performance, Amy spent the better part of the next decade singing, performing and teaching all styles of dance.

Her experiences include performing in national tours, theme park shows and cruise ship productions.

Amy has been working with Carpe Artista since 2015 and loves being a part of each student’s journey. Amy says: “The arts educators I had growing up made a huge difference in my life and greatly impacted who I am today both personally and professionally. I hope to have that kind of an impact with our students at Carpe Artista. I love watching our students find their passions and hone their craft. Watching them grow as performers is so rewarding, whether that is throughout the course of one show or across years of doing shows with Carpe and/or in schools. I hope our students always remember that God is the source of their talents and their provider of every opportunity to share those talents.”

Outside of Carpe Artista, I enjoy performing, being involved with my Church, traveling, and trying new restaurants.

I am a wife to Andrew and mother to Everett, 6, and Emery, 4. I am also a music teacher for Murfreesboro City Schools.

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Carpe Artista Instructors

Click on a staff member’s picture to read their bio and for contact information.

Ron Alley

CEO AND FOUNDER OF CARPE ARTISTA
VOICE, GUITAR AND HARMONICA

Rob Higginbotham

ACADEMY DIRECTOR

GUITAR, BASS AND UKULELE INSTRUCTOR

Karen Smith

ACADEMY DIRECTOR ASSISTANT PHOTOGRAPHY INSTRUCTOR

Dr. Joanne O’Kain

MUSICAL THEATRE COORDINATOR/SHOW DIRECTOR

Larissa Reed

VISUAL ARTS INSTRUCTOR

Haniyfa Branka

VISUAL ARTS INSTRUCTOR

Mark Thomas

PIANO & VOICE INSTRUCTOR

Tracy Broussard

DRUM INSTRUCTOR

Pearl Goll

VIOLIN AND PIANO INSTRUCTOR

Geoff Butterworth

VOICE, PIANO, GUITAR, COMPOSING & RECORDING ARTS INSTRUCTOR

Jennifer Warren

VIOLIN & VIOLA INSTRUCTOR

Chris Simmons

PIANO, VOICE

Ethan Penney

DRUM INSTRUCTOR

Haydn Palmer

GUITAR, PIANO & UKULELE INSTRUCTOR

Suzanne LeBeau

ART INSTRUCTOR

Kimmi Wilson

VOCAL INSTRUCTOR

Amy Royer

THEATRE ASSISTANT DIRECTOR CHOREOGRAPHER

Ron Alley

CEO and Founder of Carpe Artista

Voice, Guitar & Harmonica Instructor

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Rob Higginbotham

Academy Director

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Karen Smith

Photography Instructor Assistant Academy Director

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Joanne O’Kain

Musical Theatre Coordinator/Show Director

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Larissa Reed

Visual Arts Coordinator & Instructor

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Haniyfa Branka

Visual Arts Instructor

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Haydn Palmer

Guitar, Bass & Ukulele Instructor

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Mark Thomas

Piano & Voice Instructor

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Tracy Broussard

Drum Instructor

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Pearl Goll

Violin and Piano Instructor

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Geoff Butterworth

Voice, Piano, Guitar, Composing and Recording Arts Instructor

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Jennifer Warren

Violin/Viola Instructor

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Chris Simmons

Piano & Voice Instructor

Ethan Penney

Drum Instructor

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Suzanne LeBeau

Art Instructor

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Kimmi Wilson

Voice Instructor

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Amy Royer

Theatre Assistant Director/Choriographer

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Carpe Artista Instructors

Ron Alley

Rob Higginbotham

Karen Smith

Dr. Joanne O’Kain

Larissa Reed

Haniyfa Branka

Mark Thomas

Tracy Broussard

Pearl Goll

Geoff Butterworth

Jennifer Warren

Chris Simmons

Ethan Penney

Haydn Palmer

Suzanne LeBeau

Kimmi Wilson

Amy Royer

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