Meet the Teachers
Austin Moore
“Different kinds of music appeal to me for different reasons. I love the idea of helping someone along their own musical journey."
A former FYH guitar student, Austin is a Music Education Major in college where he is concentrating in percussion. He is gaining experience in teaching different kinds of people on different kinds of instruments so that he can be the best teacher possible. Austin was awarded the FYH Scholarship in 2020.
Music Experience
Grenada High School Marching Band/Wind Ensemble
Hinds Community College Marching Band/Wind Ensemble
HCC Steel Band
HCC Percussion Ensemble
Instruments
Mallet Percussion (Marimba, Vibraphone, etc.)
Drums (Marching Drums, Drum Set, Timpani, etc.)
Guitar
Lesson and Contact Information
Will teach students of any age: guitar or percussion
amoore171@cableone.net
662.417.2504
References
Paul Heindl: 601.540.5851
Sherry Worsham: 662.417.6119
Austin Rutledge
“I think having a teacher to help is a great way to keep the momentum going and push past those initial difficulties."
Austin has played guitar for over ten years. His background in music includes experience playing with bands of multiple genres. In fact, Austin has played Rock, Funk, R&B, and Metal music. He is a singer and a songwriter with a solid background in music theory. He is terrific working with students because he understands that learning an instrument can be hard at first. He doesn’t want his students to be frustrated because that can be discouraging. So, he strives to help people get past that learning curve and get to the fun part of being a musician. Austin is patient and nurturing because he knows that many people with great potential give up on learning music because they were stuck and needed a little support. His favorite music is Funk or Instrumental Jam Band.
Music Experience
Delta Music Institute bands
Jimi's People
Soul & Parliament
Instruments
Guitar
Bass
Basic Piano
Lesson and Contact Information
Prefers to teach guitar in person but can teach virtually to students at least 18 years old.
aus.rutledge@gmail.com
601.383.3511
References
Sherry Worsham: 662.417.6119
Barry Bays: 662.719.5146
Tricia Walker: 662.931.3799
Chelsea Young
“I love being able to share my musical talents with aspiring musicians. It’s always awesome to see the youth grow into his or her musical abilities."
Chelsea is an outstanding musician and teacher. Interested in music since the age of six, her first instrument was violin. She’s been learning, performing, showcasing, and sharing her talents ever since. She loves all kinds of music but her favorite genres are R&B, Gospel, Classical, Blues, and MoTown. A native of Jackson, Mississippi, Chelsea earned a B.S. Degree in Entertainment Industry Studies (2016) and a Master’s Degree in Business Administration with an emphasis in Entertainment Industry Studies (2020) from Delta State University. Chelsea is committed to advancing the importance of Arts Education. Over the years she worked with various arts organizations in the Mississippi Delta region, striving to connect with and empower the students of those organizations through the arts. Chelsea is the proud founder of Musical Expressions Experience arts organization of Jackson, MS. She founded the organization as a way to give back to her community by continuing to share her talents with aspiring young musicians. Chelsea joined FYH as a Tiny Guitar (ukulele) teacher in 2019 and has been a FYH Music Education Advocate.
Music Experience
B.S. Degree in Entertainment Industry Studies / Delta State University (2016)
Master’s Degree in Business Administration (Entertainment Industry Studies emphasis) / Delta State University (2020)
Founder of Musical Expressions Experience Arts, Jackson MS
FYH Tiny Guitar Teacher
Instruments
Violin
Ukulele
Bass Guitar
Beginners Keys
Beginner Guitar
Lesson and Contact Information
Prefers to teach students in grades 3 – 12: Violin, Ukulele, Bass Guitar, Beginner Keys, and Beginner Guitar
youngchelsea008@gmail.com
601.862.8410
References
Sherry Worsham: 662.417.6119
Barry Bays: 662-719-5146
Deidra Trotter
It would be better for them to be thrown into the sea with a millstone tied around their neck than to cause one of these little ones to stumble. Luke 17:2.
Deidra has a strong background of experience in music and has been playing guitar for 14 years. An active member of her church, Deidra has been part of musical events large and small. She understands the important role music plays in life. Deidra was recruited by FYH because of her natural talent and leadership style. She wants to use her skills to build guitar opportunities in her church and among her circle of family and friends. Accomplishing goals and tackling ambitious plans is nothing new to Deidra, she is also a full-time nurse! She has always had a passion for music and would love to share that passion with someone else.
Music Experience
Guitar Player for community and church events (14 years)
Music Ensemble Member for the Pilgrim’s Rest Missionary Baptist Church in Oakland, MS
Instruments
Guitar
Lesson and Contact Information
Wants to teach guitar to students of any age; virtual or in-person
deidra_trotter@yahoo.com
662.688.7940
References
Sherry Worsham: 662.417.6119
Libby Switzer
"There is nothing like sharing your gift with younger generations. Especially the universal language of music."
Libby is an artist willing to share her talent with others. Whether she is performing, teaching, or providing backup vocals, she brings a lot of energy to every project she tackles. Libby has supported FYH as an apprentice guitar teacher, Tiny Guitar teacher, and organizer / instructor for our songwriting workshops. In addition, she has been part of the FYH Music Education Advocacy program. Her favorite song at the moment is Weird Fishes by Lianne La Havas.
Music Experience
Recording Artist
Songwriter
Background Vocalist
DMI Delta State University, BA Entertainment Industry Studies
Instruments
Ukulele
Piano
Vocals
Lesson and Contact Information
Prefers to teach Ukulele and Voice to students aged 6-18
Libbyswitzermusic@gmail.com
228.224.0624
Nick Aultman
"Music is a gift and I am happy to teach anyone who wants to learn."
Nick is a terrific teacher! What else would you expect from someone who has been a part of music in church, school, and college? He has a strong background in playing with bands and in the studio. While Nick was attending the Delta Music Institute, he joined the FYH program as an emerging teacher. He has supported large and small groups of students.
Music Experience
First Baptist Church Richland
MS Music Flowood Performance Band
Richland High School Jazz Band
DeltaRox and B4Y2K (Delta State University Bands)
Delta Deep Roots Music Project
Private Guitar Lessons
Studio sessions
The 97's (original band)
Jimi's People (original band)
Blue Elephant Club (cover band)
First Indianola Methodist Church
Instruments
Guitar
Bass
Drums
Lesson and Contact Information
Willing to teach any and all students: Guitar or Bass. Prefers in-person lessons.
nickaultman92@aol.com
601.760.0675
Sophia Kornegay
“If you wanna make the world a better place, take a look at yourself, then make that change.” - Michael Jackson
Sophia is a FYH Guitar student that stepped up to support students in our very first FYH Tiny Guitar class. She has been a Tiny Guitar apprentice teacher for two years. Always growing and stretching for higher goals, Sophia has become a FYH Emerging Teacher. We couldn’t be prouder of this high school senior!
Music Experience
Middle School Band
Middle and Highschool Competitive Show Choir
FYH Guitar Lessons
Instruments
Ukulele
Guitar
Lesson and Contact Information
Please email followyourheartarts@gmail.com
Tim Herrington
Being from Mississippi, I believe everyone should know how to play an instrument of some sort. So this is just my way of putting that belief into reality. Where words fail, music speaks.
Tim is a student at the University of Mississippi where he is majoring in finance. He has supported FYH as a teacher and a FYH Music Education Advocate in Washington D.C. Tim started playing piano in elementary school then picked up alto sax in middle school. He picked up guitar in high school and was a student in the first FYH class. He hasn’t put it down since that day. Tim is an outstanding youth leader and has played guitar for show choirs, bands and churches. In fact, he piloted the first satellite FYH Guitar class in the Abundant Life Church in a program created to expand FYH opportunities to more minority students in the community.
Music Experience
University of MS Gospel Choir
Visions Show Choir
Grenada School Band
FYH Guitar
Instruments
Lead guitar
Bass guitar
Piano
Alto saxophone
Guitar
Lesson and Contact Information
Prefers to teach guitar: in-person, any age
Timherrington2000@gmail.com
662.688.1812
References
Sherry Worsham: 662.417.6119
Zach Dickerson
"If you want to be a rock star or just be famous, then run down the street naked, you'll make the news or something. But if you want music to be your livelihood, then play, play, play and play! And eventually you'll get to where you want to be." - Eddie Van Halen
Zach is an extraordinary musician with a wide-range of experiences. He currently lives in Nashville, TN but keeps close ties with the music scene in Mississippi. Zach was a FYH teacher in our very first class! Year after year, he has never stopped supporting students or mentoring music teachers. For this reason, Zach is a FYH Master Teacher.
A lover of all kinds of music, Zach plays mostly Rock, Metal, 90s, and Modern Country. His favorite part of being a teacher is when students figure out something new and have that aha moment. He remembers having that moment when music became a passion and not a side hobby. Growing up, that happened to Zach a lot and it made him want to play more and more.
That passion has worked out well for Zach. He has had the chance to travel multiple times to Los Angeles with the DMI All Stars, Intern with Musicians Corner in Nashville, play alongside/share the stage with touring acts (The Band Perry, Cedric Burnside, Mac McAnally, Drake Bell, James Burton, William Michael Morgan, Frank Foster, American Blonde, etc.) and has worked with Pinelake church programs in Madison, MS. Zach has also had some humbling opportunities to tour France in 2019 and Australia American Blonde in late summer of 2021.
Music Experience
Delta Music Institute
DMI Student Council (Secretary)
DMI Mobile Lab (Teacher)
Clinton Ambassadors (Guitar)
Lakeland Music (Teacher)
Bands: Just Cauz, Mississippi Moonlight, The Dukes Of Country, and American Blonde
Nashville Intership: Musicians Corner (Event Manager)
Social Media
Instagram, Facebook, and Youtube: Zach Dickerson
Website: Zach Dickerson Music
Instruments
Guitar
Bass
Lap Steel
Ukulele
Mandolin
Lesson and Contact Information
Prefer guitar or bass lessons for high school students or adults; one-to-one lessons are best as these kinds of lessons are the fastest way to build skills.
zach.j.dickerson@gmail.com
601.826.0177
References
Barry Bays: 662.719.5146
Chris Schopmeyer: 601.918.4817
Tricia Walker: 662.931.3799
Sherry Worsham: 662.417.6119