SHMC’s professional and creative staff offers excellence in performing arts education. We strive for a high level of professionalism in every area of instruction.  We have been blessed to have access to the fine staff of Mississippi State University and First Baptist Church of Starkville along with the use of their band and choral facilities.

Our Instructors

 Arey Wilson Hill | Music Adventurers

Arey Wilson Hill is a full-time mom, a singer/songwriter, and serves as Worship Leader of Bridgeway Church in Starkville, MS.

Arey is from the small town of Bellefontaine, MS, where she currently lives with her husband, Jay, and their two daughters, Olivia and Zoey. She is an alumnus of the Starkville Christian Home Educators and the Starkville Homeschool Music Cooperative. She graduated from Mississippi State University in 2017 with a Bachelors in Sociology.

During her time at Mississippi State, Arey completed a two year music internship at West Heights Baptist Church in Pontotoc, MS, where she both taught and led the youth worship band. After graduation, she began her journey on staff at the former Starkville Community Church (now Bridgeway Church) where she has served since 2017 leading the worship team.

Arey also leads worship for retreats and conferences across the south and is joined by her family. She released her first EP in 2018, “Writing My Story,” and released a single in 2020, “Your Song.” Her music is available across all digital platforms.

Dr. Clifton Taylor | Band

Dr. Clifton Taylor has served as Associate Director of Bands at Mississippi State University since 2005. At MSU, he co-directs the Famous Maroon Band and basketball pep bands, conducts the MSU Symphonic Band and the Jazz Ensembles, and teaches courses in the Department of Music. A native of Mississippi, he holds two music education degrees from the University of Southern Mississippi, and a DMA in wind conducting from the University of South Carolina. A veteran teacher, Dr. Taylor has taught instrumental music at every level, from the elementary school to the community college, and currently directs the band program for the Starkville Homeschool Music Cooperative.

Dr. Taylor is regularly engaged in composing and arranging for concert band, marching band, and other media. His original concert band works are published by Grand Mesa Music Publishers and Maroon Tune Publications. He is also the composer and publisher of Honor Band Sight Reading Etudes. Now in its 3rd edition, the collection contains 87 etudes written for all-district and all-state auditions in Mississippi and Louisiana. Dr. Taylor also maintains a steady schedule as a performing trombonist, playing in symphonic, chamber, and jazz settings. He has served as the principal trombonist of the Meridian Symphony since 2002.

Dr. Taylor is affiliated with the College Band Directors National Association; the National Band Association; the Mississippi Bandmasters Association; Phi Beta Mu; Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia; Kappa Kappa Psi; and the American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers. In addition to his work at MSU, he is the Director of Music at Grace Presbyterian Church (PCA), and serves as a leader of Trail Life USA Troop MS-0110.

Veronica Hickey | Concert Choir

Veronica is a native of Starkville and, as a homeschooler, was a part of the SHMC choir herself. She is now the Music Associate for FBC Starkville, where she is a worship leader and guitarist on Sundays, and she facilitates the youth worship team on Wednesdays, songwriting in-between.

While these are what she does, her most important title is Child of God, and she desires to make Him known in every aspect of her life. There is no separating what we do from who we are, and Veronica’s desire is to help younger musicians learn how to praise God through every kind of song they sing, showcasing the abilities He’s given them solely for His own glory.

Veronica is married to Kyle Hickey (a band director) and spends her free time with their four cats.

Gwyen Elizabeth Franklin | Music Adventurers/Concert Choir

Gwyen Elizabeth Franklin serves as the accompanist and assistant music director for both the middle school and high school choirs. In addition to her musical roles, she works as a web developer and designer for the Information Technology Services department at Mississippi State University where she holds a bachelor’s degree in Business Information Systems and a Master of Science in Information Systems. 

An accomplished pianist, Mrs. Franklin is well known throughout the Mississippi, Alabama, and Tennessee region. She has performed extensively across the Southeastern United States and parts of Europe, and was a featured guest artist at the MSU Charles Templeton Ragtime & Jazz Festival. She has presented several solo concerts and currently leads her own band, GE and The Velvet Measure. She is also a member of the Lonely Hearts Club Band, a newly formed Beatles tribute group, in which she contributes on piano, flute, keytar, and vocals. 

Beyond her performance career, Mrs. Franklin has served as a church pianist and organist for two local congregations and has accompanied numerous vocal ensembles, including church choirs, high school musical productions, and community theater performances. In her spare time, she enjoys teaching private piano lessons and performing at small venues and gatherings for friends and family.