Our President and Instructors
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Dennis George
President
Fyffe, AL
Dennis is a 1981 graduate of Fyffe High School and attended the NACC when it was brought to Fyffe, AL. He attended the National School of Music for two years and attended the very first year of ASGM. He has also attended NGSGM and other schools of music as well as being president and vice president of the Alabama State Convention.
Mr. Tom Powell
Director of ASGM
Classroom Instructor
Ms. Tracey Phillips
Classroom and Private Instructor
ASGM Pianist
Tracey’s love for music began at a young age of three. Her mother, Eloise, would listen as Tracey played along on the autoharp and noticed that she would change chords in the right places. Eloise then decided to start Tracey in piano lessons which she quickly accomplished and became the church accompanist at age nine.
Tracey attended numerous singing schools throughout her childhood until she started teaching. Tracey is a graduate of Middle Tennessee State University and has been featured in numerous Gaither Homecoming Videos and worked with several Southern Gospel Artists. She received a Dove Award for her own Christmas CD in 2014, and has been nominated for Dove Awards for her work on Daywind's instrumental series.
Mr. Derek Meler
Mr. Derek Meler
Classroom and Private Voice Instructor
Derek’s love for gospel music began at a young age when Derek would lead songs with his great-grandfather at church. He attended southern gospel schools of music throughout his childhood. Derek is a graduate of Middle Tennessee State University where he graduated with a degree in vocal performance. During his time in Nashville, he sang with several different church organizations and with the Nashville Opera. Derek has worked in several singing schools throughout the southeast and is currently perusing his masters degree at the University of Southern Mississippi.
Mrs. Becky Walker
Private Instructor
Alias: "BWOK"
Albertville, AL
Mrs. Walker was born and raised in Tupelo, MS. She is a graduate of MS State University with a degree in Music Education. As she starts her 44th year of teaching, she continues to serve as the choral director at Douglas High School. Becky attends Fellowship Baptist Church where she serves as pianist for the choir. Her motto is "Success comes in cans, not CAN'Ts!"
Dr. Lisa Powell
Classroom Instructor
Mr. Eric Tippens
Classroom and Private Instructor
Ball Ground, GA
Mr. Tippens joined the ASGM staff in 2014 serving as a private piano and later as a classroom instructor. After attending singing schools as a teen, he went on to study and obtain a Master of Church Music degree from Lee University. Currently, Eric serves on the ministry staff as worship leader at Concord Baptist Church in Cumming, GA and gives private piano lessons. His heart is to see students of all ages discover, develop, and dedicate their musical talents and gifts as an offering to the Lord in their local church and throughout gospel music.
Mr. Daryl Williams
Classroom Instructor
Prattville, AL
Daryl Williams is an award winning songwriter, with over 1100 songs to his credit. He began writing songs at age 7. He has been nominated for many awards including Grammys, Doves, and Singing News Fan Awards, Daryl has made an undeniable impact on the Gospel Music Industry. For many years, he traveled with the Speer Family as both a member of the group and author of much of their musicThis prolific songwriter of over 900 songs has had his music recorded by the Speer Family, The Gaither Vocal Band, The Cathedrals, and many more! Daryl is currently the Worship Pastor and Hunting Ridge Church of God in Prattville Alabama.
Mrs. Jenice Fitts
Classroom Instructor
Carthage, TX
Jenice grew up singing with her family in the Wedgeworth Trio. She never remembers a time when southern gospel music was not part of her life, and attended her first singing school at age 5 directed by GC Staffored. Jenice has a degree in music from Panola College in Carthage, TX, and a Masters in Education with emphasis on music from Stephen F. Austin State University. She has taught in the public school system for 30 years. Jenice has served as a faculty member for the Texas School of Gospel Music many years. Jenice has played piano and directed choir in church since a young age. Jenice and is married to Skip Fitts whom she has two sons who are both married with children.
Mr. Gene McDonald
Private Voice Instructor
Gallatin, TN
Gene's roots in gospel music run deep, having spent his childhood singing tenor with his family as they traveled throughout the midwest. In high school, he was given the opportunity to sing with Jack Campbell & The Ambassadors, and during college he attended Ben Speer's Stamps-Baxter School of Music. It was during that time that Gene joined the Plainsmen Quartet, and later went on to spend nine years with The Florida Boys. Today, Gene is a regular on the Gaither Homecoming tour, as well as performing select solo dates across the country every year.