About our faculty
CPAA is proud to work with some of the best, and most respected, music instructors in all of East Tennessee. Our administrative team works to insure our instructors are not only exceptional at their art, but that they are people we would want teaching our own children. You will find many of our instructors are actively involved in church music, attend Christian college or teach music in Knoxville-area Christian schools. Interested in teaching at CPAA? contact us.
Charles Blake
Woodwinds
Charles Blake is a graduate of the University of Tennessee with a major in Instrumental Music Education. Charles is retired from the Knox County School system, where he spent 37 years teaching music students. Most of his teaching tenure was spent as Director of Bands at Carter and Halls High Schools, where his bands received many superior ratings at marching and concert festivals throughout East Tennessee. Charles continues to hone his craft, playing with the East Tennessee Concert Band and the Celebration Orchestra at First Baptist Concord.
James Clemons
Percussion and Drums
James Clemons has worked as a percussion instructor throughout Middle and East Tennessee since the mid-1990's. James studied at Tennessee Tech University, majoring in Music Education and Performance, and has studied under notable musicians such as Joseph Rasmussen, Gordon Stout and Leigh Howard Stevens. He has performed with the Nashville Symphony, Nashville Wind Ensemble, Bryan Symphony, Knoxville Wind Symphony and is currently a member of the Oak Ridge Symphony Orchestra. Additionally, James spent seven years as the resident percussionist and drummer with the Cumberland County Playhouse.
Stewart Cox
Trumpet, Trombone, French Horn
Stewart Cox has many years of professional experience, playing and arranging for artist such as Lee Greenwood and Shoji Tabuchi in Branson, MO. Stewart hails from Chicago where he played in shows, did recording work and taught privately for more than 20 years. Stewart received his B.A. in Music Education and in Jazz Studies and Performance from Indiana University, and his M.A. in Jazz Studies from the University of Tennessee. In addition to teaching 60-80 students at any given time, Stewart plays in the Knoxville Jazz Orchestra, ocassionally with the Knoxville Symphony Orchestra and in a variety of other ensembles, including his church orchestra.
Sherbie Hampson
Flute
For more than twenty years, Sherbie Hampson has been one of the most sought after flute instructors in the Knoxville area, teaching hundreds of young students, ranging from beginners to advanced flutists. Sherbie received her B.A. and M.A. degrees in Music with concentrations in Flute Performance from the University of Tennessee. She has taught at Maryville College, Roane State Community College and at the Westminster Conservatory of Music in New Jersey. Sherbie has played in a wide variety of local groups including the Oak Ridge Symphony and she currently plays in the Celebration Orchestra of First Baptist Church Concord.
Jamie Hensley
Piano
Jamie has been teaching piano since 2004, joining our CPAA staff in 2008. Jamie is an elementary education graduate of Carson Newman College. While at Carson-Newman, she was chosen to be part of a musical ensemble that traveled, promoting the Christian faith, as well as the college. For the last six years, Jamie has served on the staff of Concord Christian School as a music teacher. Jamie says she, "wants to help students learn to use the talents that God has given them to bring Him glory." She goes on to say, "We were made to worship!"
Conny Ottway
Violin, Viola, and Guitar
Conny Ottway joins the CPAA staff this year as an instructor of strings and guitar. Conny has taught privately for more than 32 years all across the states of Kentucky, Indiana and Tennessee. She has served as a teacher with the Murray State University String Preparatory program, and has participated in workshops with professionals such as Steve Kaufman and Mark O'Connor, even co-writing and recording a bluegrass fiddle book with Kaufman. Conny graduated from Murray State University with a degree in music, and also attended Purdue University, where she played with the Purdue Symphony Orchestra.
