Meet the Teachers
Grace Wagenman
DirectorGrace 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.
Erin Stricklin
ViolinErin 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.
Hannah Koshgarian
CelloHannah Koshgarian is a Nashville-based cellist, ethnomusicologist, and interdisciplinary artist whose studio recording and live performance musical experience spans a wide range of genres including orchestral, chamber music, SWANA (Southwest Asian Northern African) folk, improvisational, alternative rock, indie pop, Americana, hip-hop/rap, musical theatre, and experimental ambient. A 2025 recipient of Belmont University's Master of Music in Classical Cello Performance, Hannah's personal teaching philosophy orbits around the core tenet of creating an individualized curriculum within a safe environment for curiosity and collaboration. Her pedagogy focuses on attunement to the needs of each student, flexibility for shifts in personal teaching plans as often as needed, and the facilitation of connection between the student and their instrument. Students are provided access to a wide range of materials to ensure the right fit, and to facilitate technical growth, creative expansion, and a relationship with music and art that transcends the classroom.
Steven Schumann
CelloSteven Schumann is an award-winning cellist, educator, and composer with a passion for music that spans a wide variety of style and form. Holding an MM in performance from Belmont University, Steven has traveled the United States performing as a chamber musician and sideman. As an educator, Steven is passionate about unlocking every student's potential, and driven to both push and support his pupils to achieve their musical dreams. In addition to his classical training, Steven regularly performs and composes in styles such as: world music, jazz, bluegrass, and other crossover genres.
Joseph Christianson
ViolinJoseph 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.
Nic Townsend
PianoNic 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.
Kiran Gupta
PianoBio