Alice Armentrout, Artistic Director
Alice Armentrout received a Bachelor of Music in Music Education from Methodist University in Fayetteville, NC. She has taught in public and private schools and has toured with children’s choral programs along the east coast. Alice is the Artistic Director of Central Fine Arts Academy and the Music Teacher at St. John Neumann Academy. She is married to Scott Armentrout and they have two sons.
JC Hamilton, Guitar and Violin Instructor
Growing up in the New River Valley, JC has been active and passionate with music throughout his entire life. He enjoys playing an assortment of instruments, but primarily focuses on guitar and violin, with a specificity for the Suzuki Method. A graduate of Emory & Henry College, JC studied German & Mandarin Chinese languages. He was an active member in both Oratorio and Concert Choirs, as well as Gospel Choir, small group ensembles and a local bluegrass band. JC also serves as the Praise Team Leader for Unity Christian Church of Radford. JC currently lives in Dublin, VA; he enjoys music, creating, art, gardening, singing, languages, gaming, and spending time with friends and family.
Amanda Hill, Piano and Theory Instructor
Amanda Hill is a graduate of Radford University with a Masters Degree in Music Theory. Her undergraduate work was completed at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville in 1981. She has been teaching piano lessons locally for over 20 years. When she is not teaching she spends her time as the Praise Team Leader at Grove United Methodist Church, and likes to walk and cross-stitch.
Michelle Manning, Piano and Voice Instructor, Office Administration
Michelle Manning is a sophomore at Radford University studying Choral Music Education. She has prior experience teaching private piano and voice lessons in Lynchburg, Virginia. She currently participates in all three vocal ensembles that Radford University has to offer, and is President of Radford's NAfME chapter (National Association for Music Education) and ACDA chapter (American Choral Director's Association). She is a Highlander Arts Scholarship recipient, as well as the current Wilson Endowed Voice Scholar at Luther Memorial Lutheran Church in Blacksburg, Virginia. Michelle also works an apprentice artist with Opera Roanoke. She is a lifelong learner and lover of music, and is excited to teach many students at Central Fine Arts Academy.
Sharon Taylor, Art Instructor
Sharon Taylor is a long time Radford resident who has recently retired from nursing. She is active in the children’s programs at CUMC, Wonderful Wednesday, and Vacation Bible School. She is currently the Art teacher at Central Fine Arts Academy where she fosters a creative and fun environment for her students. She has been painting for many years and continues to take art classes in water color.
Briggs Robinson, Guitar, Ukulele, Piano and Woodwinds Instructor
Briggs Robinson is a graduate from Radford University's Music Education program and holds a teaching license in the state of Virginia. He was born and raised in the New River Valley and plans to settle down in the area. Music is his life's passion, and he believes that everyone should have equal opportunity to find as much joy in music as he does. Briggs specializes in brass and woodwind instruments as well as guitar and ukulele. As a licensed music educator, he is also qualified to teach beginning piano, recorder, and basic music theory. Briggs believes that music should be taught to everyone. Whether you are a child starting their music journey, a band students wanting to get better at their instrument, or an adult who wants to try a new hobby, you have every right to reach those goals!