Holly Barnes

Holly J. Barnes has been an active piano faculty member here at the Lawson Academy since 1996. She holds a Master of Music degree from the University of Texas at Austin and a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Central Florida, both in piano performance. She has taught piano privately in Florida, Texas, and South Carolina over the past twenty two years as well as having taught college students at the University of South Carolina Upstate for nine years.

She is a certified teacher through the National Guild of Piano Teachers, Chairman for the National Piano Guild Center here in Spartanburg, and a teacher member of the National Federation of Junior Music clubs. It is through these organizations her students participate annually as well as in regular recitals and performances at local nursing homes. Some of her student’s recent achievements include Paderewski medalists, National Piano Guild High School Diplomas, National Piano Guild scholarship winners, Lawson Academy scholarship winners, and CYS Concerto Competition winner. Among some of Holly’s accomplishments include winning first place in the Chopin competition of Sarasota, Florida, the University of Central Florida Concerto Competition, and a Streep Steinway Competition winner.

Currently Holly is regularly teaching students of all ages, including pre-school, grade school, pre-college, and adults. She is interested in continuing to teach students of all ages, helping them to begin and further their personal interests and/or college plans in music study. Her personal goal is to always teach in a manner that is positive, and provide a comfortable and relaxed atmosphere for every student.