Meet the Teachers

Young woman with red hair and blue eyes playing a violin outdoors during sunset.

Grace Wagenman

Director

Grace was born and raised in Music City, in a family where old gospel hymn singing runs generations deep. She started playing violin at age 6, and grew up playing in youth orchestras and going to chamber music camps at Oberlin Conservatory. Grace studied at Belmont University's School of Music, and has trained in classical, Appalachian, Celtic, and other world fiddle styles as well as branching out into other instruments including mandolin and viola. She has been a part of a folk rock band, performed professionally, and now plays in the first violin section of the Nashville Philharmonic Orchestra.

Grace founded Studio Arco to build a collaborative, joyful musical community with teachers she'd want her own kids learning from. She lives in East Nashville with her husband, two kids, and their dog, Hank Williams (Senior). Outside the studio, you'll find her trail running or working on interior design and real estate at gracewagenman.com.

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Erin Stricklin

Violin

Erin Stricklin is a classically trained violinist and music educator with a Bachelor of Music and Bachelor of Music Education. With years of experience as both a performer and teacher, Erin loves helping students build a strong foundation while discovering the confidence and joy that comes from making music. She has a special passion for helping shy students find their voice, grow their confidence, and feel comfortable sharing their music on stage. Erin’s teaching style is encouraging, supportive, and tailored to each student, creating a space where students feel motivated to grow as musicians while enjoying the process.

Daniel Chouinard

Cello

Daniel is a professional cellist, bassist, arranger, and educator with a degree in Cello Performance from the Berklee College of Music. He combines his classical upbringing with his love for traditional folk music to create his unique sound. Daniel primarily works out of his home studio as a session musician with Musiversal, as well as with clients including Lewis Capaldi, Lauren Spencer Smith, and Chance Emerson. He has also toured with the Renaissance Orchestra alongside Rick Ross and performed his own string arrangements for Jason Ji’s “Finger Pickin’ Good” concert at Carnegie Hall. As an educator with The Bluegrass Journeymen, he most recently spent a month teaching in Kalimpong, India, with his longtime friend and mentor, Andy Reiner. He believes in "teaching himself out of a job", striving to provide students with effective practice strategies they can use outside of the classroom, as well as challenging them to think critically about their own playing.

Joseph Christianson

Violin

Joseph Christianson is active as a session violinist and teacher in Nashville, Tennessee. For seven years he was a member of Quartet San Francisco, a pioneering non-classical crossover chamber ensemble. The quartet’s album Raymond Scott Reimagined received a 2024 Grammy nomination. He serves on the faculty of Belmont University as an instructor of violin. A trained Suzuki teacher, Joseph works with the individual strengths and interests of each student to help them hone their musical talent.

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Nic Townsend

Piano

Nic Townsend is a multi-instrumentalist, composer, and educator. Nic holds a Bachelor’s degree in Music Composition and Theory from Vanderbilt University and a Master’s degree in Music Composition and Theory from Baylor University. Nic has spent the last decade in Nashville working as a session musician, orchestrator, and live performer on piano, guitar, bass, and saxophone. Nic has been teaching private lessons since 2016 at all levels ranging from beginners to collegiate. As a teacher, he values helping students build technical fluency, musicality, and a deep understanding of theory.

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Kiran Gupta

Piano

Kiran Gupta is a pianist, composer, and educator with a passion for helping students build both strong musical foundations and a lifelong love of music. He holds a degrees in Music Composition and Ethnomusicology from UCLA, an MFA in Writing For Musical Theatre from NYU, and has spent more than a decade performing professionally across a wide range of styles, including jazz, funk, world music, and contemporary genres. Kiran's teaching emphasizes creativity, listening, and solid technique, with lessons tailored to each student's goals, interests, and learning style. Whether working with beginners or more advanced students, he strives to create a supportive, engaging environment where students develop confidence, curiosity, and genuine musicianship.