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Katie has taught piano for nearly twenty years, and her love for the instrument began after taking lessons with a family friend at age six. Even in moments of deep frustration with the challenges of making ten fingers do ten different things, music kept calling her back.

After earning a Bachelor of Music in Piano Performance from Western Washington University, Katie taught at two music schools and enjoyed a vibrant performing career collaborating with local musicians, serving as pianist for the Whatcom Symphony Orchestra.

After developing persistent shoulder pain, her teacher suggested attending a Feldenkrais class where she immediately connected with the subtle movements and student-centered approach. What began as a path toward healing quickly became a new way to teach.

In 2021, Katie became a Guild Certified Feldenkrais Practitioner®. She is also a Certified Oxygen Advantage® Advanced Breathing Instructor and a Nationally Certified Teacher of Music.

Top 5 Songs of Encouragement
1) Blink by Hiroshi Yoshimura
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zaZI5KUC7U0&list=PLwxMX47xnWxczN8VEKwW16kwnKHYSNtFO&index=1

2) Chorale Prelude BWV 639, “Ich ruf zu dir, Herr” by Bach, Performed by Tatiana Nikolayeva
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9ckdRu6bXlw&list=PLwxMX47xnWxczN8VEKwW16kwnKHYSNtFO&index=2

3) En Gallop by Joanna Newsom
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aN6rRJ8ulQ0&list=PLwxMX47xnWxczN8VEKwW16kwnKHYSNtFO&index=3

4) How Far I’ll Go (from Moana) Lyrics : Auli'i Cravalho
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4PRQmLXC6TA&list=PLwxMX47xnWxczN8VEKwW16kwnKHYSNtFO&index=4

5) Rachmaninoff: 12 Songs, Op. 21 - V. Lilacs
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VTbylwbqtGU&list=PLwxMX47xnWxczN8VEKwW16kwnKHYSNtFO&index=5
Lyrics:
In the morning, at dawn,
Through the dew-clad grass,
I shall walk, breathing in the freshness of morning;
And to the fragrant shade,
Where lilacs cluster,
I shall go in search of happiness…

In life there is but one happiness
That I am fated to find,
And that happiness dwells in the lilacs;
On their green branches,
In their fragrant clusters
My poor happiness blooms…

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Michael Faire is a semi-active musician in North Georgia. A freelance collegiate trombonist turned music business professional, Michael now serves as the Instruments, Sales and Rentals Manager at Big Note Music. Since joining Big Note in late 2022 and rejoining in mid-2023, Michael has been focused on growing an organically started retail and lessons studio. Now on the second year of the studio and 2.5 years of retail, Michael assists the local community from beginning band members to the amateur guitarist. Michael also is learning instrument repair part-time as well, specializing in brass. An avid researcher still from their music history days, Michael also is the instrument research specialist for Big Note Music for sales and repairs.

Prior to this, Michael worked with the Alpharetta Symphony Orchestra in a variety of artistic and logistical roles, and was Principal Bass Trombone from 2019-2023. Other organizations Michael played with were the Alpharetta City Band, Atlanta Philharmonic Orchestra, Atlanta Musicians Orchestra, and more!

Top 5 Songs of Encouragement:
1) “Run It Up” by Bas
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gHpTLKsx7yg
2) Symphony No. 2 in D Major by Sibelius
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R9GlKx-3w2I
3) Time Adventure by Rebecca Sugar
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lrscdXiKnWc
4) Clouds from Kurios, Cabinet of Curiosities, Cirque de Soleil
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5tx9qhlo6nA
5) Adventure Time (feat. Ashley Erikkson)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xXQNdUpCQzw&t=2s

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Donna Hughes has written north of 500 songs. She has released 6 albums, containing mostly original material. Nominated for Songwriter of the Year in 2024 & 2025, for the SPBGMA Awards, her songs have been recorded & performed by Multiple Grammy Winner Alison Krauss & Union Station, Grammy Nominated Band-The Seldom Scene, Wyatt Rice's solo Album (with Vocals by Dale Ann Bradley & Russell Moore), Caroline Owens, The Snyder Family, Kati Penn, Kim Robins, Linda Lay, Wilson Banjo Co., Amanda Cook, Darren Beachley, A.J. Lee & The (Molly) Tuttles, Grass Country, Carlos & The Banditos, Nu-Blu & 2004 Country Colgate Showdown Winner Heather Shelley, as well as Bria Kelly of The Voice/America’s Got Talent, Newtown, and various other Artists both well known & undiscovered, around the world.

Donna recently received a Lifetime Achievement Award, and an Award for her "Naomi Wise" Video at the Sunset Film Festival. She wrote the words & music for the Naomi Wise song, based on the life of a girl from her area, who died in 1808. The Video features Jenee Fleenor on Violin, who was awarded the CMA Musician of the Year for the last four years in a row (first female ever to win.)

In 2014, Donna was awarded the "Key" to the City of Trinity, (where she resides), from the late Thomasville City Councilman Jesse Hill, as a gift of honor for all of her accomplishments.

Donna’s songs have been written about every subject from being stuck at Walmart, to dogs on chains. She tries to balance life through song, from the spectrum of emotions life has to offer, from hilariously funny, to extremely sad. Donna has judged Songwriting Contests & Conducted Songwriting Workshops around the Nation.

Donna's career received a huge boost, when the Late & Legendary Tony Rice, approached her about producing an album for her, which he did, entitled “Gaining Wisdom.”

Her next CD after that, “Hellos, Goodbyes & Butterflies,” was produced by the Late & Extraordinary J.D. Crowe.

Donna's more notable appearances have included private performances for Race Car Giant Richard Childress; opening for David Bromberg at B.B. King’s in NYC, playing the World Renowned Music Festival "Merlefest," playing The Bear Trap in Wyoming, The Ossippee Festival in Maine, the PBS “Song of the Mountains" in Marion, VA, the PBS Program "Live from the Dennison Lodge" in Dubois, Wyoming, multiple performances at Bluebird Cafe & The Station Inn, both in Nashville, multiple times at Eddie’s Attic in Atlanta, opening for Marty Stuart at a Premier Dinner Club near Washington D.C. known as "The Birchmere." Donna has opened for many Country Stars such as Ricky Skaggs, at Dollywood, Jerry Douglas, Sam Bush & Tony Rice on their solo Tours, Joe Diffie, Gene Watson, and numerous other popular, high profile venues.

Donna is an Award Winning Realtor in North Carolina, and enjoys spending her spare time on her Grandaddy's 3rd Generation Farm with her Belgian Horses, her Bassett Hounds, Beagles, other rescue Animals, and painting Barn Quilts.

Check out our Special Episode featuring “Divided We Fall”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5Ha_duIn0wI

Top 5 Songs of Encouragement
1) “One Less Dog In the Cold” by Donna Hughes
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TLfkg-vxkMo
2) “The Corona Virus Beer Song” by Donna Hughes
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TQAc82DPTNw
3) “The Stable Song” by Gregory Alan Isakov with the Colorado Symphony
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AqyAmmEkVvI
4) “Barbed Wire Boys” by Susan Werner
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xpsF2wb6NmE
5) “Picture in a Frame” by Tom Waits
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fphxDPTV2Bw

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