Christen Moore
Piano & Voice Instructor

With a love for music since childhood, Christen Moore participated in activities ranging from voice and piano lessons to community involvement outlets such as Mobile's Singing Children and Encore! choir. She then ventured into the Mississippi Delta to further her education at Delta State University.

Christen was a member of Delta State's Chorale, Chamber Singers, Opera, and Piano Ensemble classes, and competed collegiately in NATS and MMTA. She worked to support and promote music on campus as a member of the Phi Kappa Lambda music honors society and the Mu Phi Epsilon professional music fraternity. Christen gave lessons through Delta State's Music Department to local school children, and even had the opportunity to sing in New York's Carnegie Hall.

The following year, she went with Delta State on a singing tour throughout many towns in England including Oxford and London. Christen graduated with high honors, obtaining a Bachelor of Music in Vocal Performance and a Bachelor of Arts in Piano. Since returning home to Mobile, Christen has enjoyed singing with Bella Voce of Mobile and in Mobile Opera Chorus.

Bobby Atwood
Guitar Instructor

Bobby developed a passion for playing guitar at a young age. While other kids were playing sports and socializing he spent hours practicing and honing his skills. He has over 26 years experience playing guitar and several years of experience playing live and in recording studios.

Bobby Atwood offers a unique perspective to his students as an accomplished guitarist and an enthusiastic educator. His teaching philosophy is to first identify how an individual learns and then tailor his teaching to their style of learning.

Bobby teaches beginning and intermediate acoustic and electric guitar. He also teaches beginning bass guitar.

Justin Gipson
Piano, Voice, & Guitar Instructor

Justin Gipson was born in Tomsriver, New Jersey, however he has spent the last 11+ years in Mobile. As a teenager, he began performing at local coffee shops and while in high school was asked to join the A Cappella group Elements of Difference. As a member of this group, Justin toured churches, schools, and theaters across the southeast. Eventually competing in NBC's Sing Off and recording an original song "On High" (lyrics written by J Gipson and Deonte Evans, arranged by Justin Gipson).

After Elements of Difference released its final single, Justin began helping independent artists produce their own music. While producing music he fell in love with the teaching. He believes that teaching is one of the most important callings in the world. Justin is currently completing a degree in Music Education at the University of Mobile. He teaches guitar, voice, and piano in a manner that his students will learn not only to excel as instrumentalists, but will love music!

Walter Allen
Guitar Instructor

Walt has taught both visual art and music since 1970. He was named Faulkner State 'Teacher of the Year" and "Who's Who Among America's Teachers" in 1998. In both 1999 and 2003 Faulkner nominated him for state teacher of the year.

Walt focuses on the music that interests each student so they create the sounds and songs they enjoy as quickly as possible. He also encourages reading notation, tablature, and the study of musical structure so they understand the material they are playing.

Overall, he wants his students to develop a lifelong love for learning and playing the guitar.

Ian Austin
Violin Instructor

Ian began studying violin at the age of 6. He has enjoyed performing at a variety of churches and has participated in several youth symphonies including the Alabama and Mississippi All-State Festival Orchestras, Alabama Youth Symphony, Mobile Youth Symphony and the Metropolitan Youth Orchestra, where he served as concertmaster.

Since moving to Mobile, Ian has performed with the Bay Area Strings Community Orchestra. He continues his education while attending the University of South Alabama as an Information Technology major.

Ian’s primary focus is violin technique, with emphasis on scales and etudes, coupled with a classical violin repertoire.