Conservatory of Music

Facilities

Private lessons and classes take place on the Millsaps College campus, in the Gertrude C. Ford Academic Complex building. Recitals and other musical presentations are held in the 400-seat Recital Hall. The music facilities at Millsaps are excellent, with Steinway and Boston grand pianos in most of the teaching studios and practice rooms, two Steinway D concert grand pianos in the Recital Hall, and a 9-station piano lab for musicianship and group piano study.

Millsaps Conservatory of Music Students 

To register for studies at Millsaps Conservatory of Music, please see the registration information below. At the time of registration, you will have the option to either mail in a check or pay via credit/debit card online. Payment is due by the end of the first week of lessons to ensure your place for the semester.

If you would like to discontinue your private studies at Millsaps Conservatory of Music, you will need to let us know before September 19, 2023, to receive a partial refund for the fall semester, and February 6, 2024, to receive a partial refund for the spring semester. If you would like to discontinue your class or ensemble studies at Millsaps Conservatory of Music, you will need to let us know before September 19, 2023, to receive a partial refund for the fall semester, and February 6, 2024, to receive a partial refund for the spring semester.

Registration deadline for current and new students for 14-week semester of private instrumental or vocal studies in the fall is September 12, 2023, and January 30, 2023, for the spring.

See a campus map.

Individual, In-person Instruction

• • Parents and students will work with individual Instructors to schedule weekly lessons.
  • Studio space. Lessons will be taught in the Music Department on the campus of Millsaps College in the Academic Complex building.
  • Waiting Room. Millsaps Conservatory of Music students and family members may use the Music Department Student Lounge located on the second floor of the Academic Complex as a waiting room area. However, please be aware that many college students use this space to study.  We ask that all Conservatory students and family members to respect the space if the college students ask for quiet.
  • One parent or family member is allowed to attend lessons for pedagogical reasons when younger students are involved.
  • Health Screening List: Music teachers should instruct students not to come to the music studio lesson if they have flu-like symptoms, gastrointestinal upset, or a cold. Please respect the fact that music instruction takes place in a small space. When a student is ill, teachers will allow parents to reschedule their lessons.

Registering for MCM

To register for studies at Millsaps Conservatory of Music, please see the registration information below. At the time of registration, you will have the option to either mail in a check or pay via credit/debit card online. Payment is due by the end of the first week of lessons to ensure your place for the semester.

If you would like to discontinue your private studies at Millsaps Conservatory of Music, you will need to let us know before September 18, 2023, to receive a partial refund for the fall semester, and February 5, 2024, to receive a partial refund for the spring semester. If you would like to discontinue your class or ensemble studies at Millsaps Conservatory of Music, you will need to let us know before September 18, 2023, to receive a partial refund for the fall semester, and February 5, 2024, to receive a partial refund for the spring semester.

Registration deadline for current and new students for 14-week semester of private instrumental or vocal studies is September 12, 2023, in the fall, and January 29, 2024, in the spring.

The Millsaps College Summer Chamber Music Camp is a week-long camp for young artists, created to promote and encourage the development of string and piano Chamber music performance. Students who are rising 7th through 12th graders will have the opportunity to work with Millsaps faculty performing artists and members of the Mississippi Symphony Orchestra, in a supportive atmosphere of collaborative music-making. The daily schedule includes ensemble coaching, classes, rehearsals, master classes, and noonday performances by the artist faculty.

Prior to camp, each student will be placed in two ensembles, according to their level of performance and study. Students will be sent their ensemble music for study and preparation with their private teachers. During the camp, the faculty will work on this special material with each ensemble and in master classes. Ensembles will also be given time to rehearse on their own and as a group during the week.

Student performers must have at least two years of experience in private lessons, or instrumentalists must have at least three years of experience in orchestra.

Courses of Study

Millsaps Conservatory of Music offers private and group musical instruction for students of all ages, kindergarten through high school and beyond.

Private instruction is available for most all instruments and voice. Theory and musicianship classes are also available. Please consult the course calendar each semester for class offerings and availability.

Private Lessons Schedule for the Academic Calendar Year 2023-2024 will include the following:

Composition, Piano, Violin, Viola, Cello, Flute, Clarinet, Saxophone, Guitar, Voice, and Percussion

• Calendar includes 28-week lesson schedule from August through May.
• Parent may request to observe their child’s lesson at any time during the semester. Please consult with your instructor before attending a lesson. Lesson observation allows for parents to discuss the progress and share future plans for their child’s course of study.
• Student recital opportunities are offered throughout the year. Teachers will encourage their students to participate in these recitals for goal setting and in preparation for other festivals organized by local and state music teacher organizations.
• All students are encouraged to participate in local and state performance evaluations, and other group activities organized by the Millsaps Conservatory.
• Student performance evaluations may be scheduled at the end of the spring semester.
• Summer private lessons—Please consult with your teacher for availability. Students might like to try out a new instrument during the summertime, or to receive extra lessons or training in preparation for the coming year. Payment is based on per-lesson fee.

Class and Group Instruction Schedule for the Academic Calendar Year 2023–2024 will include the following:

Chamber Music Ensembles
String Ensembles
Piano and String Ensembles
Piano Ensembles

Theory/Musicianship Classes

Calendar includes 20-week class schedule from September through May. Students may enroll for one semester at a time. A list of current theory classes to be offered for the 2023-2024 school year is forthcoming. Ensembles will be formed based on enrollment.

Cheryl Coker, voice
BMEd, MM, University of Southern Mississippi; DMA, University of Minnesota
601.974.1425 | Email: cokercw@millsaps.edu

Alex Encinas, viola & violin
BM, Gnessin-Institut Moscow; MM, University of Southern Mississippi
601.974.1422| Email: encial@yahoo.com 

Gayle Entrekin, flute
BM, MM; Rice University; additional studies with Geoffrey Gilbert, DeLand, Fla.
601.974.1422 | Email: entrega@millsaps.edu

Taylis Fernandez, cello & bass
Conservatory Studies, Escuela Nacional de Arte (Havana, Cuba); Undergraduate Studies, Oklahoma State University; BM, MM, University of Southern Mississippi 601.974.1422 | Email: encial@yahoo.com

Ken Graves, clarinet/saxophone
BM, University of Cincinnati College Conservatory of Music; MM, University of Southern California; Conservatory Studies, The Colburn School
601.974.1422 | Email: gravekr@millsaps.edu

Rachel Heard, piano
BM, The Juilliard School; MM, The Juilliard School; DMA, Rutgers University
601.974.1420 | Email: heardr@millsaps.edu

Jason Mathena, marimba and percussion
BME, Auburn University; MM, University of Louisiana–Lafayette; DMA, University of Southern Mississippi
601.974.1422 | Email: matheje@millsaps.edu

Angela Powell, piano
BA in piano and composition, Millsaps College; MMEd, University of Southern Mississippi | Email: angelapowell73@yahoo.com

Lynn Raley, piano
BM, Southern Methodist University; MM, University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music; DMA, Rutgers University
601.974.1423 | Email: raleyhl@millsaps.edu

Donna Reed, piano
BM, Belhaven University; MM, Mississippi College
601.974.1422 | Email: reed118@comcast.net

Kazuaki Shiota, theory/composition/technology
BM, University of North Texas; MM, DMA – University of Cincinnati, College-Conservatory of Music

Cecelia Stearman, voice
BM, MM – Mississippi College
Email:  ccstearman@gmail.com

James Turner, guitar
BM, MM, University of Southern Mississippi
601.974.1422 | Email: turnejc@millsaps.edu

* Student teacher faculty list available upon request

2023-2024

FALL SEMESTER

August 1-31
Pre-Registration: All applicants should use the online registration form

August 21
Fall semester lessons begin

September 30
MCM Student Recital, 3:00 p.m., AC Recital Hall

November 11
MCM Student Recital, 3:00 p.m., AC Recital Hall

November 18
Music Forum of Jackson
Sonatina-Sonata Festival
Millsaps College

November 20–November 25
Thanksgiving Break

December 9
First semester ends

December 11–January 7
Christmas Holiday

SPRING SEMESTER

January 8
Spring semester begins

January 27
All-Baroque Recital, 3:00 p.m., AC Recital Hall

March 10-17
Spring break

March 23
Student Recital, 3:00 p.m., AC Recital Hall

March 29-31
Easter Weekend—No classes scheduled

April 20
Spring Recital, 3:00 p.m., AC Recital Hall

May 11
Second semester ends

Registration

Step 1

Fill out the online registration form completely. See Step 2 for payment options.

If you have questions regarding lessons or classes, please contact Rachel Heard before sending in registration form and payment, especially if using the online form of payment. Find further information about tuition.

Step 2

After submitting the registration form, please submit tuition payment, via one of two options:

• Payment of full tuition amount by check*, sent to Millsaps Conservatory of Music, c/o Rachel Heard, Millsaps College, 1701 N. State St., Jackson, MS, 39210, or
• Payment via credit card online on the registration form.

Step 3

After receiving the registration form and tuition payment, MCM will contact each student with information regarding registration and teacher placement. At this time, students will also receive teacher contact information for all classes or private lessons. Private lesson times will be arranged between students and teachers.

* If you have any questions about tuition payment and the possibility of making monthly payments, please contact Dr. Rachel Heard.

Tuition

For Private Lessons, Musicianship Classes, and Chamber Ensembles

As part of the registration process, the tuition fee for private lessons can be paid in full at the beginning of each semester in August and January, in one of two ways:

1. By check

2. Online with a credit or debit card

Checks should be made out to Millsaps College and sent to: Millsaps Conservatory of Music, c/o Rachel Heard, Millsaps College, 1701 North State St, Jackson, MS 39210.

Please see the withdrawal policy below.

Lessons missed by the student are made up at the discretion of the instructor. Please see Attendance Policies and Withdrawal Policy for Classes or Lessons for details.

* If you have any questions about tuition payment and the possibility of making monthly payments, please contact Dr. Rachel Heard.

** Student teachers are available for piano only. Before registering for a student teacher, please contact Dr. Rachel Heard for more information.

Attendance Policies

1. Students are expected to regularly attend all lessons, classes, and ensemble rehearsals, and must notify the teacher 24 hours in advance of any absences. Since the teacher has reserved a weekly lesson or class time for each student, the teacher is not required to make up a lesson missed by the student due to illness, vacation, schedule conflict, etc. If a teacher has time available during their regular teaching hours, a courtesy make-up lesson may be offered, but only at the discretion of the teacher.

2. If a teacher cancels a lesson/class or if MCM closes for any reason, a make-up lesson/class will be offered. In addition, a credit is not available for make-up lessons or classes that are agreed upon and then missed by the student.

3. When illness is involved, please be responsible. Students should not attend lessons, classes, or rehearsals if they are ill and/or contagious. If a teacher determines that the student is too ill to have a lesson, they have the right to send the student home.

4. Exceptions to these policies will certainly be considered in the rare case of serious illness or other emergency situations and will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis.

Withdrawal Policy for Classes or Lessons

Students and parents who register for lessons or classes at the Millsaps Conservatory of Music must commit to continuing their studies for the full semester.

Withdrawal by the student from lessons or a class can only be made before the conclusion of the fourth week of classes each semester to receive a partial refund (fall semester—Monday, September 18, 2023; spring semester—Monday, February 5, 2024). Students will be responsible for paying for the number of lessons received up until (and including) the fourth week of the semester. After the fourth week of classes, students will be responsible for the entire semester of tuition. If you would like to discontinue your class or ensemble studies at Millsaps Conservatory of Music, you will need to let us know before September 18, 2023, to receive a partial refund for the fall semester, and February 5, 2024, to receive a partial refund for the spring semester.

Millsaps Conservatory of Music will discontinue lessons under the following circumstances:

1. Nonpayment, or late/insufficient funds payment of tuition.

2. More than four lessons missed without a valid excuse.