Chattanooga, Hixson, TN - Music Lessons

Jon Colston - Director Of Music Instruction Studio

Jon founded MIS along with Chris Goforth in 2004. In June of 2005 Jon became Director of MIS and sole owner of MIS. Since that time Jon has increased the staff and moved into a larger facility. In 2007 the Hixson Tennessee location opened.

Jon has been teaching music over two decades. He has toured professionally throughout the south. Has recorded with Michelle Young on her Marked For Madness album. Check out Jon's website.

Steve Brehm - Guitar & Piano (E Brainerd)

Originally from Chattanooga, has been playing guitar for thirteen years. He recently earned his bachelors degree from the Berklee College of Music in Boston, Massachusetts. Throughout his life he has studied and performed in a wide range of different styles from rock, jazz, and classical to name a few. He is currently active composing and arranging music for solo nylon string guitar.

Chris Morrow - Guitar (E Brainerd)

Chris Morrow, an early Music Instruction Studio student, has been playing guitar for over 10 years. His variety of influences has led him to play everything from blues, rock, alternative, metal and everything in between. Over the past 3 years he has played at various venues and churches with fellow friends and ministries in the southeast region and is currently at Dalton State College studying for his Bachelor of Arts degree in Secondary English Education.

Chris Goforth - Guitar (Hixson & E Brainerd)

Chris Goforth was a founding partner in Music Instruction Studio in 2004 and has been teaching guitar since 1999. His former students have gone on to study at, The Berkley College of Music, The Atlanta Institute of Music, The University of Tennessee, Middle Tennessee State University and other music programs across the nation. Chris has studied with or been in Master Class’ with such guitar greats as Rusty Cooley, Vinnie Moore, Bumblefoot, Johnny Highland, Carl Culpepper and John Petrucci. Rather than teach from a method book or text book Chris, molds his lessons around the abilities and goals of the student with a strong emphasis on the basics of guitar playing including theory and technique. Chris holds a B.A. in Communications from UTC and has spent more than 20-years working in radio and television. He currently host his own sports radio show on Fox Sports Radio 1310 and has handled play by play for more than 300 high school and college sporting events. A native of Jasper, Tennessee he currently lives in Chattanooga with his two beautiful daughters.

Drew McCallie - Drums, Percussion, Piano, Flute, Clarinet, Saxophone, Trumpet, Violin, and Cello . (Hixson)

Drew McCallie has been teaching music for six years and playing drums for over a decade. He has studied under Chip Hancock, Bill Brewer, and Dr. Monte Coulter in percussion and drum He has also been in master classes with greats such as Forrest Robinson, "Futureman," Jason Marsalis, and more. He has a Bachelor of Music degree with a concentration in Music Education. Drew is well versed in all styles of music from orchestral to contemporary. Drew has performed with the Chattanooga Symphony Orchestra, University of Tennessee Chattanooga Percussion Ensemble as a soloist in drum set and xylophone, and with numerous Chattanooga native bands. When not teaching at MIS, Drew is touring the southeast with the Seth Medley Band, playing on a weekly basis.

Linda Price- Piano & Voice (Hixson & E Brainerd)

Linda graduated from Grand Rapids School of Bible & Music in Michigan. She has 25 years of experience in directing choirs (adult and children, working with ensembles and many small music groups. She has taught piano and voice both privately and in a performing arts school. Linda likes to focus on teaching correct and basic vocal and piano techniques, while developing an individual's style and confidence in their performance. She has experience working with young adults in the area of music competition (i.e. Riverbend and other local contests.) She helps individuals select their music and also works with them on presentation and delivery of their music. Linda also performs as a soloist in the Chattanooga area and is a member of a southern gospel mixed quartet.

Michelle Young - Voice & Songwriting (E Brainerd)

Michelle trained classically at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga, and has since become an established singer/songwriter/musician in the world of Progressive music, having been included in the 1997 book “The Billboard Guide To Progressive Music” and featured on the cover of various European Progressive music magazines. She performs regularly in Germany with Rudi Buttas of the band “PUR”, and her extensive recording career currently includes two solo albums, the second being recorded mostly in England, and mastered at Abbey Road Studios in London. She has worked with several outstanding musicians, including Doane Perry (Jethro Tull), Bobby Kimball (Toto), Pete Banks (ex-Yes), John Wetton (Asia, King Crimson), Michael Sadler (Saga), Steve Walsh (Kansas), James LaBrie (Dream Theater), Rudi Buttas (PUR), Peter Freudenthaler (Fools Garden), Jon Colston, Clive Nolan (Arena, Pendragon), Oliver Wakeman, and many others. Michelle uses a contemporary approach in her vocal lessons, incorporating classic vocalises and singing techniques with modern singing applications.

Checkout Michelle's website.

Cindy Solfest-Wallis - Flute, Clarinet, Saxophone and other wind instruments. ( E. Brainerd)

More to Come

Katie Talley- Piano-Voice-Kids Choir (Hixson & E. Brainerd)

Katie Talley brings a lifetime of experience, training and passion to her music. A former music teacher at Tennessee Christian Academy she received her B.A. from Lee University School of Music. Katie is also an alumnus of the Lee University Campus Choir, under the direction of Dr. David Horton and Dr. Mark Bailey, Lee University Choral Union, under the direction of Dr. William Green and the vocal studio of Mrs. Virginia Horton. But, her passion for music began long before college. As a child Katie performed regularly in musical theater and performances in both ministry and show choirs through adolescence. Most notably, Katie is an alumnus of various award winning choral ensembles from her home state of Ohio, winning multiple awards for small ensemble, large ensemble and small choir. Specializing in teaching private and group voice, beginning piano, choral music and both private and group music theory lessons, she brings a variety of musical experience to her lessons including classical, sacred, jazz, contemporary genres for both solo and group performance.

Rachelle Steele - Piano, Violin, Cello, & Viola
(Hixson & E Brainerd)

As a young person, Rachelle Steele enjoyed playing violin, viola, and cello in various school and church orchestras. She attributes much of her ability to concentrate and excel in what she does today to those early music education experiences. For this reason, Rachelle is a passionate and encouraging teacher, with a heart to see every one of her students excel. She began accompanying church and youth choirs at only sixteen years old, while touring much of the West Coast, including outdoor arenas in the beautiful Redwood forests of California, where she was able to hone her acoustic folk guitar skills. After graduating from Biola University in La Mirada, California with a major in Christian Education and a minor in Piano, Rachelle went on to accompany and lead various children’s, youth and adult choirs in California and Colorado. Aside from Tennessee, she has taught music in San Jose, California and Colorado Springs, Colorado, where one of her violin students took first chair in the Children’s Symphony Orchestra. She is currently a member of Abba’s Army, the adult choir at Central Baptist Church of Hixson. One of her passions is to join with other church choirs every year in an annual Worship Chattanooga event sponsored by the Nehemiah Project. Rachelle has found this event to be a marvelous way to connect with the community through music, dance, and other creative arts.

Sarah Highlander - Piano & Violin (Hixson & E Brainerd)

More to Come...

Kelly Ballard - Piano & Voice (Hixson)

Kelly has had a deep love and passion for music her entire life. She began playing the piano at age four, and began singing at age 10. She played the flute in her junior high and high school band, sang in her junior high and high school choirs and was also a member of the Roanoke College Children’s Choir in Roanoke, Virginia. Kelly studied vocal music at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville and was a piccolo player in the “Pride of the Southland” Marching Band. In 2005, she was selected as the first and only female Drum Major of the “Pride.” She graduated with her Bachelor of Arts degree in Music in the fall of 2008. She has since then substitute taught for many musical ensembles in Hamilton County Schools for 2 years and currently works as a teaching assistant at Big Ridge Elementary School. She believes that no one is too young to begin learning an instrument and with that in mind, she is currently learning the guitar. She enjoys bringing the joy of music to all of her students and loves what her students bring to her life.