Meet Our Staff:

Ms. Tabitha began teaching in 2019, and has drawn from over a decade of piano experience to teach kids and adults alike how to find joy through music. After growing her own studio for multiple years, Ms. Tabitha founded the Florence Music Academy in 2023 to give a wider access of quality music lessons to the community.

Ms. Tabitha has studied under many different styles of pedagogy throughout the years from teachers all around the US including world-class musicians such as Dr. Paolo Andre Gualdi at Francis Marion University, where she received her BSc in Music Industry with a focus in music technology. 

Ms. Ashley Henry is a 2020 Francis Marion University alumnus, earning her Bachelor’s Degree in Music Industry. After her time at FMU, She began building a portfolio for graduate school, pursuing a master's degree in music composition. In the spring of 2021, she received the Smit Composition Award.

Ms. Ashley was accepted to the University of Memphis to study under Dr. Kamran Ince in the compositional studies program and received her Master’s in Music Composition in May of 2024.

During her time at the University of Memphis, she took piano lessons under Dr. Jonathan Tsay. She has played the piano for seven years, assisting in teaching group piano, and performed piano recitals during her time at the University of Memphis. Ms. Ashley will continue studying composition while building her portfolio for her doctorate. 

As well as teaching at FMA, Ms. Ashley is currently an adjunct music professor at Francis Marion University. 

Mrs. Dawn began piano lessons in 3rd grade, and after 6th, continued to study with her mom who provided instruction as well as opportunities to perform. She participated in band, and other musical groups throughout her high school years and college.

Mrs. Dawn graduated from Francis Marion College in 1973 and accompanied the choral group for a semester. 

Mrs. Dawn taught children's choirs at Immanuel Baptist church for many years before moving to Ebenezer Baptist where she has  accompanied children's choirs, directed and played for youth choirs, as well as accompanying the adult choir for over 30 years. In addition, she has played in the orchestra pit with Florence Little Theater, played for numerous  weddings, and accompanied multiple soloists. 

Mrs. Dawn has  taught private piano lessons in her home for many years, and is so excited to be joining the Florence Music Academy!  

Mr. Griffin attended Francis Marion University where he studied Music Business and Theatre. Mr. Griffin has played drums in many bands throughout the years including concert band, marching band, pop rock bands, the FMU jazz ensemble, and at church. He is proficient in many different styles of playing including bossa nova, slow jazz (brushes), punk, rock and roll, country, and gospel, as well as various pop genres. Mr. Griffin has had the pleasure of playing drums with several different professors during his time at FMU such as Dr. Shane Reeves, Dr. Paolo Andre Gualdi and Dr. Brandon Goff. 

Mr. Griffin has been playing music since he was 3 years old, and has been playing the piano since around the age of 12, ultimately taking classes with piano professors at FMU. Currently finishing out his final semester, Mr. Griffin plays piano for the Music Industry Ensemble, as well as playing for the choir, special singers, and youth at his church. 

Mr. Shammond began playing the guitar at the age of 14 after being inspired by rock bands from the 90's and 2000's. After graduating from Hannah Pamplico High School, he began attending Francis Marion University where he is currently pursuing a Music Technology degree with a minor in business. He studies under the guitarist and professor John Ware (BAMM), anlongside others such as Dr. Paolo Andre Gualdi and Dr. Brandon Goff. 

During his time at Francis Marion University, Shammond has played shows with many ensembles including the FMU Music Industry Ensemble and the FMU Jazz Ensemble. Mr. Shammond is dedicated to spreading the joy of guitar playing to people of all ages and is happy to teach at the Florence Music Academy.

Ms. Em has an extensive repertoire of varying vocal styles from contemporary, musical theatre and classical—as well as being a diligent song writer herself!

Ms. Em has been singing since she could talk, beginning her studies in Coventry, RI, under Berkeley College of Music graduate Stan Mundslow from the age of 6 until the age of 15. During this time, she was accepted into the High school all-state choir and performed for Berkeley College of Music professors for judgment and critiques. 

Once she moved to Florence, SC, she began vocal training under Dr. Fran Coleman  at Francis Marion University, where she received her BSc in Music Industry. While studying at FMU, Ms. Em participated in the FMU choir, FMU Select Choir, and FMU Music Industry Ensemble, where she is a lead vocalist and the FMU Percussion ensemble. Ms. Em is a studio recording artist and released an album with the FMU Music Industry Ensemble. 

She performed Handel's Messiah with the Florence Symphony Orchestra, and travelled to New York and performed under conductor Sonja Sepulveda at Carnegie Hall. Ms. Em also spent a year as a lead soprano for St. Mathews’s Apostolic church.

Outside of Music, Ms. Em has extensive experience in child care. She worked for five years in children’s physical, mental and social development at the Little Gym of Florence. She has spent time working with and teaching children of all ages, as well as those with learning disabilities.

Ms. Em is currently pursuing a Master’s of Music from Coastal Carolina University. 

Ms. Hanna graduated from Anderson University with a Bachelor of Music in Voice Performance and Pedagogy, with a minor in Theatre. She has earned honors through the National Association of Teachers of Singing Student Auditions. She qualified for the Mid-Atlantic Regional Student Auditions in both Musical Theatre and Classical in 2020, 2021, 2022, and 2023 and qualified for the National Student Auditions in Classical in 2020, in the Hall Johnson category in 2022, and in the Musical Theatre and Spiritual categories in 2023. She was also a finalist in the John Alexander National Vocal Competition in Musical theatre in 2022. 

She has participated in Opera Workshop productions, various choirs, and performed with the Jazz Band while at Anderson University. She was also a soloist with the Anderson Symphony Orchestra in 2022. She has also participated in Florence Little Theatre Productions. In the Summer of 2022, she studied with the International Performing Arts Institute in Germany. She continues her vocal studies under Deirdre Welborn, M.M, and is attending The Peabody Institute for her Masters in Music. 

Ms. Katie grew up in the upstate of South Carolina and moved to Florence in 2023 with her husband, Clay. 

Ms. Katie graduated from The University of South Carolina with a bachelor’s degree in Psychology  with  a minor in Public Health, and comes from a musical background of playing the cello. 

Before moving to Florence, Ms. Katie worked as a preschool teacher and camp counselor, and currently works as a Nutrition Educator for Florence County. 

She is excited to apply her past experience to help lead the Little Musicians classes at the Florence Music Academy!