MIchael Puryear
|Cello

Difficulty Levels: Beginner to Advanced
Music Styles: Any
Locations: J Street Conservatory

Michael Puryear received his Master’s degree in cello performance at Lynn University while studying with David Cole in 2019. He won numerous competitions during his collegiate career, including the concerto competitions at Shenandoah University in 2015, the Virginia Music Teachers Association in 2016, and Lynn University’s in 2017, and the chamber music competition at Lynn University in 2018 and 2019. He has remained active as a freelance orchestral and chamber musician; performing with the Boca Symphonia, Space Coast Symphony, Punta Gorda Symphony, and several others. A proud native of Richmond, Virginia, Michael began his musical career studying with Neal Cary from the Richmond Symphony. Other primary teachers include Clyde Thomas Shaw and Vasily Popov. He has performed in masterclasses for Andres Diaz, Joel Krosnick, Lynn Harrell, and the Emerson String Quartet. He is passionate about learning diverse repertoire. He is new to the NWA area and enjoys classic movies, Indian food, and his dog.

Grace CLark
|Viola/Violin

Difficulty Levels: Beginner to Advanced Viola & Beginner Violin
Music Styles: Any
Locations: G Street Conservatory

Grace is an Northwest Arkansas native and is currently at the University of Arkansas completing her Bachelor’s degree in Viola Performance. Grace has been no stranger to the arts around NWA and has been doing performances with Symphony of Northwest Arkansas and the Arkansas Philharmonic Orchestra since 2016! Grace has also branched outside of the state and is a part of the Tulsa Symphony Orchestra as well! She has been doing private lessons for the past 5 years and we are so glad to have her here to share her knowledge of musical elements and theory. Grace is enthusiastic about being here and can’t wait to work with your students!

Nina Kinzer
|cello

Difficulty Levels: Beginner to Advanced
Music Styles: Any
Locations: J Street Conservatory

Nina is a passionate musician. She is dedicated to honing her craft and exploring musical expressions in unique and new ways. She possesses a strong foundation in classical technique and continually seeks opportunities that deepen her understanding of the cello while exploring new creative boundaries.

Nina is a recent addition to the teaching community. She if finding joy in sharing her knowledge and experience with her students. She draws much inspiration from her more than 13 years of masterful instruction and performances, she feels honored to be able to pass on that passion to her students.

“The cello is a beautiful instrument, but must be played with love.” - Yo-Yo Ma

Isaac orivn
|Violin/Viola/MAndolin

Difficulty Levels: Beginner to Advanced
Music Styles: Any
Locations: J Street Conservatory

Isaac Orvin began playing the violin at age 8 after a string demonstration in his 2nd grade classroom sparked a lifelong passion for music. By age 10, he was performing in youth orchestras, and at 12, he joined his first bluegrass band. In 2016, Isaac relocated to Arkansas, where he continued performing and pursued formal music studies at the University of Arkansas, earning a Bachelor of Arts in Music.

Isaac's diverse performance background includes playing with string quartets, bluegrass ensembles, an Elton John tribute band, and the Symphony of Northwest Arkansas (SoNA). His versatility spans classical, folk, and contemporary genres.

A dedicated music educator since 2012, Isaac teaches violin, guitar, mandolin, and upright bass to students of all ages and skill levels. He is a certified Suzuki Violin Instructor and is known for his patient, encouraging teaching style and strong student relationships.

In addition to teaching and performing, Isaac is skilled in communication, content creation, copywriting, and audio engineering, making him a well-rounded contributor in both live and digital music environments.

Emma carriveau
|cello/violin

With over 25 years of experience in music education, Emma Carriveau brings a deep passion for teaching and performance, specializing in the cello. She served for 10 years as the Music Director of the Sequim Washington Community Youth Orchestra, where she led students in orchestral, chamber, and solo performances, and prepared them for success in state-level competitions.

Since 1995, Emma has been a dedicated private cello instructor, working with students of all ages and skill levels. Her commitment to nurturing musical growth extends beyond the classroom—she has also served as a guest conductor for her local community orchestra, mentoring adult and senior musicians.

Emma’s performance background includes playing with the North Olympic Youth Orchestra, serving as principal cellist for the Port Angeles High School Chamber Orchestra, and performing with the Port Angeles Symphony Orchestra and the Ensign Symphony and Chorus at Seattle’s Benaroya Hall.

When she's not teaching or performing, Emma enjoys spending time with her family, tending her garden, and sipping on a dirty Diet Coke.

"Where words fail, music speaks." – Hans Christian Andersen

Katie Staed
|Violin/Viola/Cello

Difficulty Levels: Beginner to Advanced Violin, Beginner to Intermediate Viola, Beginner Cello
Music Styles: Classical, Fiddle
Locations: J Street Conservatory

Katie is a Music Education and Violin Performance Major at the University of Arkansas in Fayetteville, AR. She has been playing the violin for over 20 years. She is a member of the Arkansas Philharmonic Orchestra.
Katie has worked with several groups around the Northwest Arkansas area, including the Fayetteville after school string program at Vandergriff Elementary in Fayetteville and the Fayetteville Fiddle Choir, headed up by Mary Haley. She studied violin and viola with Dr. Er-Gene Kahng at the UofA. Her previous violin teachers have included Rossitza Jekova-Goza (former violin professor at the UofA) and Christopher Pinkston of Fort Smith, Arkansas. She has studied many different styles of music, including classical, country-western/bluegrass (fiddle), rock and jazz.

In addition to private lessons, Katie was also the Director of Orchestras at the Northwest Arkansas Classical Academy from 2012 - 2020.

Jennifer Underwood
|Viola/Violin/cello/piano

Difficulty Levels: Violin Beginner to Advanced, Viola, Cello, Piano Beginner to Intermediate
Music Styles: Classical and Various
Locations: J Street Conservatory

Jennifer began learning violin at age 10 and studied during her teens with the concertmaster of the Youngstown Symphony Orchestra in Youngstown, OH. This led to her early entrance to the Dana School of Music at Youngstown State University at age 16, where she received a scholarship to study violin performance. She added a viola minor to her undergraduate work.

After a neck injury, due to an auto accident just before her senior solo recital and graduation, she returned to the university to study Music Education with a cello and piano minor. During this time she also began teaching private lessons and has been teaching ever since.

After receiving a BA from the University of Pittsburgh, she worked as an international music teacher in the K-12 schools in South Korea, Dominican Republic and France, where she was director of the full-school musicals and seasonal productions. 

Jennifer enjoys teaming up her students for ensemble playing (duets, trios, quartets, etc). Sometimes giving them opportunities to perform at a variety of venues.  She has also conducted a Community String Orchestra in the past in Pittsburgh, PA.

Most recently, she has relocated to Bentonville AR, from AZ and NM, where she had been teaching privately for the past 20 years.  

She prepares her students with a strong foundation for whatever path they decide to take with their musical interests, talents, and careers while cultivating love for their instrument and their music.

Bella Adams
|violin

Difficulty Levels: Beginner to Advanced
Music Styles: Any
Locations: G Street Conservatory and J Street Conservatory

Bella Adams is a violinist and passionate music educator based in Northwest Arkansas. A proud product of the Bentonville Public Schools music program, Bella began playing violin at the age of 11 and quickly advanced through private lessons, youth orchestras, and community performances.

 She recently graduated from the University of Arkansas with degrees in Violin Performance and Music Theory and now performs regularly with the Symphony of Northwest Arkansas and the Arkansas Philharmonic Orchestra. Bella also enjoys playing for local musicals, weddings, and church services.

 As a teacher at Arkansas Music Conservatory, Bella is dedicated to creating a fun, supportive, and inclusive space for students of all ages. With a strong belief in balancing music with other interests, she encourages her students to pursue their passions both in and out of the practice room. Her experience working with children of all ages helps her connect with young musicians in a meaningful way.

 When she’s not teaching or performing, Bella loves spending time outdoors, discovering new adventures, enjoying her morning coffee, and exploring local vintage shops and bookstores.

DAyton STrick
|violin/viola

Difficulty Levels: Beginner to Advanced
Music Styles: Any
Locations: G Street Conservatory

Dayton Strick is a professional violinist based in Fayetteville, Arkansas. Originally from Little Rock, Dayton earned his Bachelor of Music in Violin Performance from the University of Arkansas, where he studied under Dr. Er-Gene Kahng.

During his time at the university, Dayton served as Concertmaster of the University Symphony Orchestra for five semesters under the direction of Robert Mueller. He was also awarded the Medaris Chamber Music Scholarship, which provided opportunities to perform cornerstone works of the string quartet repertoire.

Currently active as both a performer and educator, Dayton is taking time to teach and expand his performance experience before pursuing graduate studies in Music Education and Conducting.