MUSIC FACULTY
Jesse Atkinson
Bass Guitar, Guitar, Rhythm Section, Ukulele
Originally from Florida, Jesse Atkinson now lives in Tennessee. He has played guitar since age 7, and counts as mentors Mitchell Stevens, Alan Brandell, Mario DaSilva, and James DaSilva. His skills have been shaped by influences ranging from Led Zeppelin to his home church worship pastor, David Grimm. He has played at illustrious venues such as the Grand Ole Opry and the Bluebird Cafe. He has attended various music camps including performing in and working at the Annie Moses Summer Music Festival, often performing original music.
Olivia Atkinson
Handbells, Music I & II, Musical Theater, Voice
Olivia Atkinson is a seasoned vocalist, with a background in Opera, Theater, and commercial music. She has been a vocalist for the past 10 years, and has had a lifelong musical journey. Beginning with piano training in childhood, she transitioned to voice and studied at the Annie Moses Conservatory and Summer Music Festival, and studied under Juilliard graduate Melissa Shippen Burrows for 8 years. Her love for theater took her to masterclasses with Metropolitan Opera veteran Jeffrey Wells, and the great John Rhys-Davies, as well as performances at the Grand Ole Opry and Carnegie Hall. She is also a writer, having written for Musical Theater as well as her pop band, Aster, with her sister Sarah.
Olivia is a veteran of Peachtree, having been in its Choir and Handbell Choir since their inception through her graduation.
Olivia believes that the gift of singing is one of the most powerful gifts, connecting people across language and experience barriers. She hopes to inspire her students to pursue excellence; appreciating natural talent and encouraging disciplined skill in their music.
Olivia in addition is a professional photographer and teaches other music classes and musical theater at Peachtree.
Lilli Edwards
Beginning Fiddle
Lilli Edwards had been playing violin and reading music since she was four years old. Lilli has attended various music camps on violin including Governor's School for the Arts, MTSBOA, APSU Honors Orchestra, and TTU Summer Music Institute. In 2025, she was concertmistress at the Schermerhorn Symphony Center for the Tennessee Youth Symphony. She is classically trained, but enjoys many different genres of music including classical jazz, fiddle, worship, and pop. Lilli plays in a string quartet, TTU Orchestra, and worship band. She will enter Tennessee Tech University with majors in both Music Performance and Exercise Science. Lilli loves teaching and sharing the joy and glory of God through music. She encourages students to practice in order to excel, but also encourages them to have fun and enjoy learning, and adds instruction in music theory, reading, playing by ear, and more skills to help them be well-rounded musicians.
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Tia Gannod
Beginning Fiddle, Cello
Tia Gannod is a senior at Highland Rim Academy and has studied music since early childhood, with a strong focus on both violin and cello. She has studied violin for 8 years under Sarah Howell and cello for 7 years under Dan Allcott, director of the Bryan Symphony Orchestra. She has performed in MTSBOA’s Midstate Orchestra on cello for 3 years, and also earned a violin seat twice. She attended the TN Governor’s School for the Arts as a cellist and has performed with both the MTSU and APSU Honors Orchestras. In the 2025–2026 season, she served as second chair cellist for the TN Youth Symphony. Tia currrently performs with the TTU Orchestra and plays in a string quartet comprised of former Peachtree classmates. She is passionate about music education and plans to pursue a degree in music education with an emphasis in string instruction. She loves working with students of all ages and strives to create a positive, encouraging environment where they can grow in both skill and confidence. Tia emphasizes strong fundamentals, musical expression, and the joy of making music for the Lord, helping students become well-rounded musicians while having fun along the way!
Sarah Howell
Violin, Mandolin, Strings, Orchestra II
Sarah is a violinist and mandolinist. She has been classically trained at the Conservatory of Annie Moses, where she is now a faculty member. Alongside her classical repertoire and skills on both instruments she has studied fiddle and folk music extensively. She regularly writes her own music, often collaborating with her singer-songwriter sister, Olivia.
As a student of the Annie Moses Summer Music Festival, she has performed on the stages of the Grand Ole Opry, Carnegie Hall, and the Bluegrass Underground. She was in the orchestra for the Annie Moses Band’s PBS show “The Art of the Love Song." She has recorded with local orchestras/groups, published a solo EP of Appalachian music in 2016, and came out with a classical music video in 2019 which can be found on her FaceBook page @SarahMerrittMusic.
Sarah has taught at Peachtree Learning Center since 2012, and was excited to formally help organize Peachtree’s strings program in 2017. She is certified in the Annie Moses Method and in the Suzuki Method through level 2. She believes that the pursuit of excellence in music is a powerful tool in the Kingdom of God that can give the young and old alike a platform for spreading the Gospel of Christ. Her favorite part of teaching is to see the potential in a child and partner with their family to help train and bring out the most in them, garnering musical and life skills.
Haven Smith
American Girl I, Artsploration, Music I & II
Haven is a homeschool graduate and has studied and been trained in piano, music theory, songwriting, voice and theatre. She prioritizes teamwork, encouragement, and creativity. She loves working with students and creating a fun God-glorifying atmosphere for them to learn in.