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    Woodwinds

     

    Cheryl Stephenson

    Oboe, Music Therapy, Band, Choral

    My favorite place to travel is: "Europe or the Carribbean"

    Cheryl and her husband Michael founded the Music Academy in 1997. Cheryl received her Bachelor in Music Therapy and Music Education from East Carolina University and her Master in Music Therapy from Michigan State University. She also studied oboe performance at Brevard Music Center, and was the past president of Southeast Region of the America Music Therapy Association. She has been an oboe instructor and music therapist for over 30 years. Her most influential oboe teachers are Hollis Ulaky of the Charlotte Symphony, David Hawkins at ECU, and Dan Stolper at MSU. Currently, she freelances around eastern and central NC with various symphonies, wind ensembles, music theatre orchestras and churches. She is a member of Harmonious Camaraderie, a chamber music ensemble.  She greatly admires her students' joy when playing music. When she's not at MAEC, you can find her with her family, performing somewhere, or wanting to be on the beach! People may be surprised to know that her daughters were adopted from Russia. She has a dog, Nadejda, and two cats, Rimsky and Korsakov. Cheryl loves to see live theater and music performances, and her favorite restaurants include Shogun and Mi Cabana!

     

    Michael Stephenson

    Saxophone

    Michael is a saxophone performer and teacher, as well as the co-founder of the Music Academy. He received his Master in Music from Ithaca College and his Bachelor in Music form the North Carolina School of the Arts.  He moved to Greenville in 1990 as a North Carolina Visiting Artist with Pitt Community College and has stayed to call Greenville home.  Since being a Visiting Artist he has been a music and saxophone instructor with NC A&T University, Shaw University, Barton College and was the Music Instructor at Vance Granville Community College.  Currently is the Coordinator of Music and Drama with Pitt Community College and conducts the Pitt Community College Symphony Orchestra.

    He travels internationally and performs with the New Century Sax Quartet as the soprano saxophonist. (www.newcenturysax.com)  People may be surprised to know how much Michael truly enjoys teaching young musicians - seeing them progress and explore the world of music!  While his music performance takes him to many places, far and wide, he is truly a Grassroots music maker!  He loves being home and making music in his community.  When not involved in music, you may find him playing tennis, sailing, or enjoying time with his family and his Golden Retriever!