Music Lessons

 Jim started playing fiddle at the age of 11 here at Bill’s. He spent hundreds of Friday nights honing his skills with the plethora of great musicians that frequent Bill’s on the weekends. He went on earn his degree in music education from USC in 2012. Since then he has won numerous awards including Renofest in 2015, the 2017 SC fiddle championship, and 2018 Old Time Guitar Championship. He was then voted Fiddler of the Year by the Carolinas Country Music Association in 2018 and 2019. In 2022 Jim won 6th place at Galax- the largest and oldest fiddle championship in the country.  ​In 2020 Jim found his greatest prize-his wife Kaelah. After a short engagement they were married and now perform weddings and concerts together. Their farm is called Fiddle & Flock​. 

 Martha can teach just about anything!  Her positive spirit and energy make lessons fun and productive!  One of Martha's students told her, " You actually asked me what I want to play and learn instead of telling me what to play." This sums up her customized approach to working with students. She also focuses on helping students get over fears of playing in front of others by having them play along with her and recorded music as soon as possible. Learning to play an instrument is supposed to be fun. Many of her students learn to play multiple stringed instruments once they learn the basics. Learning to play by ear is another skill she encourages since music is audible not visual. The activity of music is a great way to keep the brain healthy and sharp.​ 

Brent is a musician, teacher, and recording artist from the Columbia area.  He started playing the guitar at 4 years old.  Along with teaching guitar since 2014, he’s involved in several other musical projects.  He’s played with many local artists as well as Country Music Hall of Fame artist Tommy Cash (brother of Johnny Cash), Leona Williams, and Brenda K. Perry.  He’s played and recorded in Nashville!  As a teacher he guarantees that students will learn to play and understand the joy of music.  He’s excellent with beginners, children, and adults of all ages, and he looks forward to encouraging all aspiring musicians! 

Morgan Soard is a local musician and performer who first earned a Bachelor of Music Composition as well as a performance certificate in classical guitar from the University of South Carolina. He studied with well-known professors such as composer John Fitz Rogers and classical guitarist Christopher Berg. Currently, he performs in a jazz ensemble and a gospel church group as well as teaches guitar, ukulele, piano dulcimer, and voice. Morgan has been teaching private music lessons for over ten years and has the experience and privilege of teaching students of all ages and backgrounds. 

 Larry plays and teaches guitar, banjo, dobro, and mandolin and has a broad range of musical interests.  He feels that students should be able to start playing tunes early without requiring too much theory.  He also likes to help students develop the ability to play and analyze music by ear.  

Larry has a long history of interest in music and after retiring from his day job began to teach at Bills.  He has been President of the Boston Area Friends of Bluegrass Music, as well as President of the South Carolina Bluegrass and Old Time Music Association.  For 28 years he hosted The Bluegrass Sound  and for 10 years Guitars, Cadillacs and Hillbilly Music, syndicated programs on ETV Radio.  He is a recipient of the South Carolina Folk Heritage Award.  He has played and/or recorded with a number of regional groups including Snuffy Jenkins, Pappy Sherrill and the Hired Hands, Bill Wells (later Willie Wells) and the Blueridge Mountain Grass, Clarence Jackson, Palmetto Blue, The Amicks, the Skaredy Katz and Leftovers.