About
About the company
Our Mission
Oconee Music strives to provide a consistently great experience for every member of our community: parents, students & teachers. We want our students to feel joyful during their lessons and to be excited to come make music with us. We want our instruction to be so energetic and caring that students feel like music is an integral part of their lives.
We want to have a community of students and parents that are eclectic, friendly, modern, and technology-friendly. We want parents to be excited about our innovations and enthusiastic about their child’s progress. We strive to have the most cutting-edge music lessons in town. By teaching with music kids’ love, we hope to inspire passion, practice, and a lifelong enjoyment of music.
Happy Parents = Happy Kids
The Heart of Oconee Music
Oconee Music was founded by a mom and teacher. This is her story!
Confession time
I hated to practice when I was a kid! Everyday was battle with my mom over practice time. To me, the music was boring. My teacher never let me choose my own music and weekly lessons felt so slow. Did you take from the same teacher as I did?
Finding a Solution
I started Oconee Music after years of teaching piano lessons the “traditional way.” I was surprised when some of the most talented students quit because they were bored and struggling to learn to read music, even though they enjoyed music. As a mom, I know it’s not fun to be the bad guy with your kids, especially while pushing them to practice an instrument you thought they’d love.
The question is, how do we get our children to be excited to learn to play music? The truth is, kids do love music! We allow them independence to choose their music while focusing more on playing and less on reading notes.
The Oconee Music Method
Think of it like this, when children learn to read in school that they have already been speaking for years! Why should traditional lessons jump in with note-reading immediately?
From lesson one, we start playing songs the student enjoys. When children feel like they are playing real music, they will be more inspired to practice at home. Success nurtures more success. Our lessons and classes are designed to be adjusted according to the child’s needs, to foster their independence, and to build self-confidence through successful music performance.
Music in the Real World
Being able to play an instrument opens many doors in life – from rock bands to band programs to community choirs to church groups, there is never a lack of social opportunities for musicians. Musicians are looked up to and admired. Being a musician means being part of a supportive community of musical friends. I want that for your family and I hope you’ll join us at Oconee Music.
Our Talented Instructors
Tom Connerley
Piano Tom Connerley is a classical pianist and aspiring composer from Athens, GA. In his performance career, he has participated in masterclasses with Emanuel Ax and Dmitri Vorobiev, and has
Tiffany Yin
Tiffany Yin is currently a Masters (MM) student at the University of Georgia studying Piano Performance and Pedagogy with Dr. Grace Huang. Prior to moving to Georgia, she studied Piano
SaVana Cameron
SaVana Cameron is the Co-Owner and Director of Oconee Music. SaVana teaches voice at Oconee Music and is a versatile singer & songwriter. She obtained her Bachelor’s degree in Music
Harris Greenbaum
Coming from a family of music educators, Harris Greenbaum began playing saxophone and guitar in 2013, sparking his passion for music. His most recent musical ventures include playing tenor saxophone
Ellie Deener
Ellie Deener graduated from Georgia College & State University in May 2023, Magna Cum Laude with a BA in Music (piano primary) and double minors in Creative Arts Therapies and
Asila Folds
Asila Folds is a vocalist from New York City. She obtained her Bachelor’s Degree in Opera Performance from Ithaca College and is currently pursuing her Equivalency/Master’s in Music Therapy at
Amber Miller
Oconee Music Instructor, Amber Miller teaches guitar, piano, ukulele, and voice. Amber holds a Bachelor’s degree in Music Education from Georgia Southern University, as well as a Bachelor’s Equivalency degree
Allyson McKoon
Allyson, widely known as Ally, started her musical journey at six years old when she joined her elementary school chorus. From there, she participated in every musical opportunity that was
Master Calendar 2025
2025
January 2: Lessons Resume
March 21: Teen Night
April 5: OM Festival *
April 7 – April 12: Spring Break (No Lessons)
May 3: Spring Recital *
May 26: Memorial Day (No Lessons)
August 25 – 31: Bring a Friend to Class Week!
September 1: No Classes (Labor Day)
October 20 – 26: Halloween Costume Week!
October 25: Halloween Trunk or Treat and Open Mic
October 31: Halloween (No Lessons)
November 26-30: Thanksgiving Break
December 13: Holiday Recital *
December 23 – January 1: Winter Break (No Lessons)
* Hosted at Watkinsville First Baptist Church
OM Policies- Makeup Credits
Please keep your scheduled appointments. A minimum of 24-hour cancellation is required to be considered for a makeup credit. Makeup lessons are only offered for sickness and emergencies. Lessons that fall on days we are closed due to holiday closures or inclement weather are not made up. Tuition is a flat rate. We do not prorate or offer refunds for missed lessons.
Holidays coincide with the Oconee County School Calendar and include Labor Day, Thanksgiving, Winter Holiday Break, Spring Break and Memorial Day.
Inclement weather closings will follow any closings announced by OCSD.
Tuition and Fees
- Each payment is due on the first day of each month.
- Tuition is late after the 5th and will result in a 20% late fee charge.
- Tuition is not prorated or refunded for missed lessons.
Recitals and Festivals
Our 2025 festival and recitals will be held at Watkinsville First Baptist Church.
Recitals:
Open to all instruments and group classes.
Dress is casual best.
Must have been in lessons for 3 months.
Vocal music must be memorized.
Please bring music, tuner, picks if needed.
Festival: $25 Registration Fee
Currently for piano, voice, guitar, and ukulele.
Dress is casual best.
Must have been in lessons for 6 months.
Vocal music must be memorized.
Please bring music, tuner, picks if needed.
