Music
Lessons
The Black Mountain Center for the Arts offers a variety of private music lessons taught by several highly skilled local professionals. All of our teaching artists are independent contractors, which means that they are responsible for setting and managing their own schedules, and we offer them administrative support by way of collecting payments, and marketing.
​
To schedule a lesson with one of our teaching artists, simply complete the Google form linked under their name, this will pass your information along to them. Once the teacher receives this information they will contact you to schedule a lesson or ask any questions that they may have for you.
​
If you are a current student with questions about lesson content or a specific student please contact your teacher however, if you have any questions about tuition please contact the program coordinator at programs@blackmountainarts.org. You can also contact the program coordinator if you have lost your teacher’s contact information, and they will happily pass your message along!
Click to learn more about specific instruments
Celtic Harp Lessons
About the Lessons
All ages and abilities welcome. Instrument taught by ear, with music to follow. Students must own or have access to a harp but can use Sue's second harp at lessons.
rates and scheduling
Lessons are $50 for 45 minutes. Contact Sue Richards to schedule a lesson via email at hazelharp9@gmail.com. Click here to check out her website!
About the Instructor
Richards won the American National Scottish Harp Championship four times and sat in with the Chieftains Irish band. She currently teaches and directs the harp program at the Ohio Scottish Arts School at Oberlin and has many recordings and books of arrangements and original tunes to her credit. Richards also plays and tours with Ensemble Galilei, a group of five musicians performing multi-media concerts commissioned by the National Geographic Society and the Metropolitan Museum of Art.
Bass Lessons
About the Lessons
Ryan’s approach to teaching involves a combination of popular songs, jazz standards, and classical etudes to help develop a well-rounded student, adjusting for each individual based on their ability and interests.
Rates and Scheduling
Lessons are available in 30, 45, and 60 minute sessions, weekly on Mondays, Wednesdays, Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays. Time slots start at 9:00 am and spaces are limited. Lessons are $35 for 30 minutes, $45 for 45 minutes, and $60 for 60 minutes. They are payable at the first lesson of each month for that month.
Click the link below to fill out the registration form, and then Ryan will contact you to schedule your lesson.
We prefer cash or check to avoid costly credit card fees.
You may also pay via Paypal or by debit/credit card in our main office.
(Leave student's name in the notes with your payment)
About the
Instructor
Asheville-centered bassist Ryan Crabtree began playing bass at the age of twelve. Since graduating with his Bachelors in Music Education in 2013, Ryan has traveled, recorded, and co-written with a multitude of artists across the southeast region and continues to maintain a full-time performance career. He has also studied with Robert “Bubby” Lewis (Snoop Dogg, Jhéne Aiko), Evan Marien (Allan Holdsworth, Tigran Hamasyan), and Elon JD (Jonathan Scales Fourschestra). Between live shows, Ryan also teaches band classes at various local charter schools and has experience working with string ensemble classes.
.jpg)
Violin & Viola
About the Lessons
Kelsey’s approach to teaching is eclectic, strength-focused, and centered in the student’s interests in order to support a love and basic knowledge of music that will hopefully last a lifetime. Students will learn technique basics such as how to hold the instrument, simple music theory such as how to read music, and more
Rates and Scheduling
Lessons are available in 30, 45, and 60 minute sessions, weekly on Fridays, and Saturdays. Time slots start at 9:00 am and spaces are limited. Lessons are $35 for 30 minutes, $45 for 45 minutes, and $60 for 60 minutes. They are payable at the first lesson of each month for that month.
Click the link below to fill out the registration form, then Kelsey will contact you to schedule your lesson.
We prefer cash or check to avoid costly credit card fees.
You may also pay via Paypal or by debit/credit card in our main office.
(Leave student's name in the notes with your payment)
About the
Instructor
Kelsey Crabtree is a classically trained violinist of 20+ years, with both private and classroom teaching experience. Kelsey has a B.S. in Psychology with a minor in Music, and. M.Ed. in Clinical Mental Health Counseling, both from the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga. She is a practicing therapist in Black Mountain with a wide range of knowledge and experience working with kids, adolescents, and young adults with varying differences and challenges. Kelsey has played with orchestras for most of her life, and has also performed with bands.
Piano Lessons
About the Lessons
Joel strives to impart a love for music and expression in his students through learning technique, theory, and ear training, while also focusing on the student’s musical interests. As a songwriter, he also enjoys working with students on discovering their voice and passions.
Rates and Scheduling
Lessons are available in 30, 45, and 60 minute sessions, weekly. Time slots start at 9:00 am and spaces are limited. Lessons are $35 for 30 minutes, $45 for 45 minutes, and $60 for 60 minutes. They are payable at the first lesson of each month for that month.
Click the link below to fill out the registration form, then Joel will contact you to schedule your lesson.
We prefer cash or check to avoid costly credit card fees.
You may also pay via Paypal or by debit/credit card in our main office.
(Leave student's name in the notes with your payment)
About the
Instructor
Joel Ragan is a multi-instrumentalist who began taking piano lessons at the age of nine. Throughout his life he has developed a love for music in many styles. He has lived in the Asheville area since he started attending UNCA in 2012, where he received a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Jazz and Contemporary Music (although his main focus was classical piano.) At school, aside from piano lessons, he also enjoyed playing guitar in the blue grass ensemble and singing in multiple choirs. Today, Joel finds joy in singing with the Asheville Choral Society and being heavily involved in the local and regional music scene while playing in multiple bands.
Guitar Lessons
About the Lessons
Ryan caters lessons towards the student's interests. His approach
emphasizes learning songs and using good technique to prevent injury.
His background in improvisation and functional theory are used to help
the student get to the point of making music as soon as possible.
Rates and Scheduling
Lessons are available in 30, 45, and 60 minute sessions, weekly. Time slots start at 9:00 am and spaces are limited. Lessons are $35 for 30 minutes, $45 for 45 minutes, and $60 for 60 minutes. They are payable at the first lesson of each month for that month.
Click the link below to fill out the registration form, then Ryan will contact you to schedule your lesson.
We prefer cash or check to avoid costly credit card fees.
You may also pay via Paypal or by debit/credit card in our main office.
(Leave student's name in the notes with your payment)
About the
Instructor
Ryan Furstenberg
.jpg)
Folk Guitar, Bass, Banjo & Singing
About the Lessons
All ages and abilities welcome. Cary blends concepts from classical music education with learning by ear and using traditional methods passed down in the mountain culture, and draws from an extensive repertoire of songs and styles.
rates and scheduling
Lessons are available in 30, 45, and 60 minute sessions, weekly on Wednesdays. Spaces are limited. Lessons are $35 for 30 minutes, $45 for 45 minutes, and $60 for 60 minutes. They are payable at the first lesson of each month for that month.
Click the link below to fill out the registration form, then Cary will contact you to schedule your lesson.
We prefer cash or check to avoid costly credit card fees.
You may also pay via Paypal or by debit/credit card in our main office.
(Leave student's name in the notes with your payment)
About the Instructor
Cary holds a master’s degree in Music Education from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro and currently resides in Asheville, NC. She continues to perform solo ballads and string band shows with The Cary Fridley Band. Cary teaches guitar, banjo and singing, and leads workshops in old-time music for schools and summer programs. Seven years ago she returned to our TAPS program in Buncombe County after three year teaching at Univ. of Eastern Tenn. Cary was one of our original string instructors for three years prior to that, making it a total of ten years with the Buncombe County TAPS at the Black Mountain Center for the Arts.
