Piano 

Paula Jenkins

What I most admire about my students is: "the inspiration they give to me"

Paula became part of the MAEC faculty in 2008. She studied piano and music education at Liberty University. Previously, she was the Assistant Music Director to the Troubadours, a music group at Lenoir Community College. Currently, she is the music director and pianist for Grace Baptist Church as well as a private teacher in Kinston and at MAEC. She grew up in Winterville, NC and her most influential music teachers were Nina Grace Register and Dr. David Ehrman. Though her favorite place to travel is Walt Disney World, Florida, when she's not at the MAEC, you can probably find her at home or at church. Her favorite movie is Somewhere In Time and favorite authors include Dani Johnson and John Maxwell. Some of her favorite things to do in Pitt County are attending concerts and shopping at New River Pottery or Stein Mart. Some people would probably be surprised to know that she enjoys interior decorating and worked with a decorating company for 18 years. 

Lori McLelland

My favorite movie is: "too many to mention! Musicals, Rom-coms..."

Lori received her Master in Music and Bachelor of Music-Music Education from East Carolina University and additional graduate studies in Choral Conducting from Appalachian State University. She specializes in classical, broadway, jazz, pop, rock, sacred, and contemporary Christian. Lori has 20 years experience in public and private school teaching, community music and theatre groups, and church music programs across North Carolina. She is an accompanist, music and theatre director, producer, choreographer across North Carolina. Lori was a founding member of contemporary Christian trio Faith, Hope, and Love. She is a vocal soloist with the Glenn Miller Orchestra and accompanist with the North Carolina Theatre and the East Carolina University School of Music. She has been recorded on the 2000 CD "Gentle Lightning."

Cory Whaley

My favorite place to travel: Dollywood!!

Cory began studying piano at age 6 and hasn't looked back! His most influential teachers are Catherine Garner, ECU piano instructor; Cathy Mason, Univ. of Mt. Olive piano instructor; Dowell Idol, piano and voice instructor and Daniel Shirley, ECU voice instructor. Cory finds inspiration with his students has been teaching music lessons for over 7 years, most recently with The Singer's Studio in Wilson, NC. He has decided to locate his teaching in Greenville and we are excited to have him as part of the Music Academy of Eastern Carolina's family! When not involved in teaching, he is studying music, working with church music (currenlty with First Presbyterian in Greenville) or playing wit his dog, Bartok. He enjoys movies such as Fried Green Tomatoes and Steel Magnolias or reading books from authors such as Suzanne Collins and Stephen King. When not in eastern NC, he enjoys traveling and is obsessed with American history!