Lawson Academy Voted “Best Place for Music Lessons” by Post & Courier

Lawson Academy of the Arts is proud to announce the school has been recognized as the “Best Place for Music Lessons” by the 2025 Post & Courier Spartanburg Readers’ Choice Awards. This achievement is an honor for a program that has served Spartanburg and the surrounding communities for over 80 years.

“We are honored and thrilled to be recognized as the “Best Place for Music Lessons” by the readers of the Post and Courier,” said Lawson Academy Director Janae O’Shields. “This award is a reflection of the incredible dedication of our instructors, the passion of our students, and the unwavering support of our community. The Lawson Academy is committed to making high-quality music and arts education accessible to learners of all ages, and this recognition affirms the impact of that mission.”

The Lawson Academy is committed to making high-quality music and arts education accessible to learners of all ages.” 

Janae O’Shields

Rooted in a deep tradition of artistic excellence, Lawson Academy began in 1944 as the Converse Pre‑College, rebranded in 2006 to celebrate its founder Dr. Alia Ross Lawson, and has consistently provided transformative arts education to students of all ages. 

Lawson Academy offers a rich variety of music lessons, including private lessons in voice, piano, organ, strings, wind & brass; ensemble and band opportunities; music theory and composition; early childhood classes; and even specialized adult learning programs like New Horizons. In addition, the Lawson Academy hosts an annual summer Fine Arts Day Camp for students age 4 through rising 6th grade for hands-on experiences in art, music, creative writing, dance, and theatre performance.