Wlaf1450TOP PHOTO: Left to right are Samantha Hensley, Joseph Hensley and Tony Branam are featured at last month’s Christmas performance. The trio performs and also instructs music lessons.
By Charlotte Underwood
LAFOLLETTE, TN (WLAF) – Postmark LaFollette has a “wonderful opportunity” for those wishing to learn music, according to local musician and instructor Joseph Hensley.
In October 2022, Postmark LaFollette launched the music lesson program with the assistance of The Campbell County Enhancement Fund and A Fund of East Tennessee Foundation.
Currently the program has three instructors and is preparing to add another. Instructors include Joseph and Samantha Hensley, as well as Tony Branam.
“We are excited to have Clayton Carroll join our music team as an additional piano instructor beginning the first week of February,” Hensley said.
Instructors said they have enjoyed “watching music lesson students grow and continue to gain students interested in signing up.”
“Being a part of the Postmark LaFollette music lessons program has been a great opportunity to not only teach others, but also help improve the community and learn more myself,” Hensley said.
Music has always been an important part of Hensley’s life and he said he believe that it’s important to teach others to play instruments so they can express themselves.
“A lot of the students I have are still in school and while some kids express themselves though sports, others are drawn to the creative arts such as drawing, painting, theater, music, etc. which are as equally important,” Hensley said.
One of the goals of the program is to “provide an affordable opportunity for students of all ages” and to do it at an affordable price locally so students didn’t have to travel to bigger cities for lessons.
According to Hensley, in the near future, they hope to start a rental program for those who do not have access to an instrument. They also hope to expand by possibly offering lessons with additional instruments in the future.
“In the last couple of months, I’ve seen my students and myself grow. I love seeing them progressing and growing as musicians. Some have even joined our SongFarmers acoustic jam,” Hensley said.
Instruments needed:
According to Hensley, the program could use instruments donated.”We have had a few damaged instruments donated that Tony Branham and I have been repairing, but we could certainly benefit from having more. If you have any instruments that you no longer want, we would certainly make sure they benefit those who wish to learn,” Hensley said.
Lessons offered:
Lessons are only $60 per month for a 30 minute weekly lesson. •Banjo•Guitar •Ukulele •Bass•Keyboard/Piano•Fiddle
Postmark LaFollette Music Lessons can be contacted on Facebook, Instagram or by emailing postmarklafollettemusiclessons@gmail.com for more information or to sign up.
“Overall, I think the program is going well and I’m happy to see and be apart of how it grows and expands in the future,” Hensley said.
This program is provided by Postmark LaFollette, A Fund of East Tennessee Foundation and Campbell Enhancement Fund. (WLAF NEWS PUBLISHED – 01/06/2023-6AM)