Jeffrey Keever, Founder and Music Director, holds a Bachelor of Music in Trumpet Performance from the Blair School of Music at Vanderbilt University and a Master of Music in Orchestral Conducting from Middle Tennessee State University. During his conducting career, Jeffrey has quickly become a sought-after orchestral conductor throughout the world. Nationally, Jeffrey has previously served as Head Conductor of the Middle Tennessee State University’s Concert Orchestra and Assistant Conductor of both the Middle Tennessee State University’s Symphony and Chamber Orchestra. He has previously guest conducted the Tennessee Philharmonic Orchestra, Vanderbilt University Orchestra, the Vanderbilt Opera Studio, the Prague Summer Nights Festival Orchestra, the Curb Youth Symphony, and more. Internationally, Jeffrey has guest conducted the Hradec Kralove Philharmonic Orchestra, and the Vienna Sinfonia, and has been invited to guest conduct the Moravian Philharmonic Orchestra and Savarian Symphony Orchestra. He has conducted in numerous masterclasses and festivals with Gerard Schwarz, Toby Purser, John Nardolillo, Lior Shambadal, and more. For more information, please visit www.jeffreykeever.com.
Eliot Hinson, Assistant Conductor, is a music educator, conductor, and instrumentalist from Hendersonville, Tennessee. He is a recent graduate of Middle Tennessee State University (B.M. 2020) and currently teaches at Portland West Middle School in Portland, TN. During his time at MTSU, he guest conducted performances of the MTSU Concert Orchestra and premiered new works by composition students. As a collaborative pianist, Eliot has worked with music students at MTSU for recitals, juries, and competitions. In the summer of 2022, Eliot participated in the American Institute of Musical Studies in Graz, Austria where he focused on Lieder/Opera Vocal Coaching. He also holds a position playing Baritone Horn in the Southern Stars Symphonic Brass Band.
Erika Easterly, Director of Outreach, is a pianist from Greeneville, Tennessee and currently lives in Murfreesboro, Tennessee. She graduated with a Bachelor’s degree in music industry and piano from Middle Tennessee State University in December 2021. During her studies at MTSU, Erika enjoyed performing in ensembles and working on the School of Music Student Advisory Council to help carry out events at the School of Music. She currently teaches piano in the Middle Tennessee area and enjoys supporting and sharing musical opportunities with those in her local community and beyond.
Carley Fell, Director of Communications, is originally from Omaha, Nebraska. She graduated with a Bachelor of Music from Belmont University. Currently, she is working towards a Master of Communication Management from the University of Denver. Carley began an arts administration career because she wants to combine her classical music background with her marketing education and language skills. She has played horn for various ensembles including the Ball State University Symphony Band, Belmont University Wind Ensemble, Belmont University Symphony Orchestra, Nashville Collegiate Orchestra, and Middle Tennessee Sinfonietta. Carley can speak English, Spanish, German, and French. In her free time, Carley likes to read, write, dance, travel, and spend time with her family, friends, dogs, and cat.
Amanda Rebstock, Director of Recruitment and Orchestra Librarian, is a native of the Chicago area and moved to Nashville, Tennessee, where she received a Bachelor of Music in Classical Oboe Performance and Music Therapy from Belmont University. Since then, Amanda has taught a variety of private music lessons and led music therapy sessions. A Board Certified Music Therapist, she has led both individual and group music therapy sessions with adults and children with intellectual disabilities, older adults in nursing homes, adults in a psychiatric hospital, and children in a pediatric hospital. She specializes in teaching oboe, piano, guitar, ukulele, and adaptive music lessons. Her oboe students have found success in making Middle Tennessee’s Midstate bands. In her free time, Amanda enjoys spending time with family and friends, reading, and making music.
Brandon Stephens, Orchestra Librarian and Concertmaster, grew up in the Midwest (mostly Indiana), but moved to Nashville, TN, after finishing his undergraduate studies in both Classical Violin Performance and Mathematics at Belmont University in 2017. Since getting a Master’s degree in Mathematics from Middle Tennessee State University in 2019, he has returned to Belmont to teach undergraduate mathematics classes. Throughout his studies, Brandon was able to work with many amazing musicians as assistant concertmaster of Belmont’s Symphony Orchestra and concertmaster of Belmont’s Chamber Orchestra, and also performed in various string quartets, wedding trios, recording sessions, and more. He also was able to bring his passion for teaching to music, teaching both private lessons and volunteering as a quartet coach for the Music City Youth Orchestra. In between all the complicated equations and his musical pursuits, Brandon enjoys board games, traveling, and spending time with people.