Pickett's Mill Music Academy

Dr. Cason began teaching in 1985 after receiving a Bachelor of Music Education from the University of South Carolina and a Master’s in Music in saxophone performance from Northwestern University. In 2011, his doctoral study from Walden University included a lesson plan that created a statistically significant increase in student achievement when teachers activated students’ prior knowledge with cues and questions.

Several standout events include his playing for the dedication ceremonies of Walt Disney World’s EPCOT Center in 1982, President George H. W. Bush in 1992, and recipient of the Walden University Presidential Alumni Research Dissemination Award for 2013-2014. As a founding member of the Cobb Wind Symphony, Glenn has received the Sudler Silver Scroll, performed at the Mid-west Band and Orchestra Clinic, Georgia Music Educator’s Convention, and the National Band Association/College Band Directors National Association Convention, among others.

Melissa Callender Reece is a professional vocalist and voice teacher specializing in many genres of music. Melissa holds a B.A. in music from Clayton State University, where she sang lead roles with the university’s opera company, was a featured soloist with the Clayton Community BigBand, and served as the Commencement Singer during her graduation ceremony. In high school, Melissa participated in All-State Chorus and the Georgia Governor’s Honors Program. With over two decades of musical experience, she has showcased her versatile abilities as a solo and backup singer for corporate events, churches, charitable functions, and recording projects.

Melissa has been dedicated to nurturing the next generation of musicians through private lessons since 2012. Melissa is steadfast in her belief that the joy of singing is a universal gift, accessible to all. She strives to create a space where her students not only develop their skillset, but also cultivate a lifelong love for the art of musical expression. Melissa has a special interest in coaching students who struggle with anxiety and stage fright. She also enjoys helping students with audition preparation.

Melissa is the mother of Victoria (16) and Jack (13); wife to Donnie; and caretaker to several animals. When she is not singing or teaching lessons, you can find her working in the Marietta legal community, performing various “band mom” duties for the East Paulding High School Raider Brigade, or serving with her ministry, Bundles of Grace, which provides infant supplies to single parents.

Taylor Ballew has had a passion for music education since she was young. She began taking voice lessons in elementary school and was an inaugural member of her high school’s choir. Throughout her studies, Taylor received superior ratings for her solos in music festival competitions and thrived in her choral experiences. At Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, Taylor took courses in voice pedagogy to further her education and better herself as a lesson instructor. She is always seeking opportunities to better herself as a musician and instructor.

Taylor has been teaching voice and beginning piano lessons since 2017 and loves watching her students grow in their musicianship! It brings her great joy to be a part of their musical journey. She and her husband, Justin Ballew, met through their musical studies in college, and continue to serve the Lord in the music ministry and Music Academy at Pickett’s Mill Baptist Church.

Jennifer Sersaw began studying the piano in the 1st grade and switched to the violin in 4th grade. She began her studies with Blair Jackson who was formerly from the Virginia Symphony and residing in Atlanta, GA at the time. Jennifer then went on to study with Lori Guidi in Atlanta, Georgia. For the latter part of high school, Jennifer studied with Frank Walton of the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra and was a member of the Metropolitan Youth Symphony Orchestra (MYSO). She furthered her studies as a violin performance major at the University of North Carolina Greensboro School of Music where she studied with Dr. John Fadial.

Over the years, Jennifer has been a member of various symphony orchestras, quartets, quintets, and other groups. She has performed with song artists such as Michael W. Smith and Amy Grant. Jennifer has served as a sub for the Augusta Symphony, Gwinnett Symphony, and is a section violin in the Georgia Symphony Orchestra. Jennifer also plays with various area churches for special events. She also helps contract string players for various special performances.

Suzanne Hale has taught music and piano for over 30 years. She received a BA in piano performance from Cedarville University. During the 4 years at Cedarville University, she played piano and organ for their traveling gospel teams. These tours included the East coast as well as the Midwest. As a graduate student at SIU, she taught piano pedagogy to music majors while receiving her K-12 music teaching certification.

She received an MA in Education from Wittenberg University. The degree concentrated on music and at risk students. While there, she published a book “Music Preference: Influence, Impact, and Surprises with 7th Grade  Adolescents."  Throughout her life, she has taught piano both in the private sector as well at the University level.

Her hobbies include training, raising and showing paint horses. Her horses have won 1st place in several states. She enjoys being with her family, two grandsons, as well as her Cocker Spaniel, Lucy and her ChiWeenie, Lady Bug.  As a retired music educator, Suzanne was led to Pickett's Mill Music Academy to continue sharing her love of music and the piano.

Carl Deal studied Music Performance and Education at Caldwell Community College and Appalachian State University in North Carolina. He has played a variety of woodwind instruments since 1975 with a focus on oboe, clarinet, and bassoon. He has performed with a host of community orchestras and community bands/wind ensembles in VA, NC, FL, and GA. Currently plays bassoon with the Atlanta Wind Symphony, and with First Baptist Atlanta Worship Orchestra.

“My philosophy of teaching is that all students are unique and need a stimulating educational environment where they can grow physically, mentally, emotionally, and socially. It is my foremost desire to create this type of atmosphere where students can meet their full potential. I will assist my students to express themselves and accept themselves for who they are, as well as embrace the differences in others. I will provide a safe environment where students are encouraged to share their ideas, and to take risks.”