About Stephen McCool
As a more seasoned music teacher, Mr. McCool knows it's essential to tailor music lessons to each family's individual goals. And no matter what the family's goals may be, life is too short for a music teacher to ever stress out a student or the parents. For this reason, he tries to impart as many smiles and laughs as he can into every music lesson. Also, he stresses that music lessons can have high standards AND be fun, not have high standards OR be fun; however, he always regularly communicates with parents and students to make sure that their high standards and his are on the same page.
As for training, Mr. McCool earned two degrees in vocal performance from Georgia State University and is currently "continuing education" as a staff singer at the renowned Episcopal Cathedral of St. Philip in Atlanta. While at Georgia State, he had the good fortune to observe some of Atlanta's most phenomenal musicians: Dwight Coleman, Dr. Peter Marshall, and Maestro Michael Palmer. Since that time, he studied voice privately with bass Jason Hardy and Sharon Stephenson and fine-tuned, pun intended, both his vocal and pianistic musicianship by singing in choirs lead by extraordinary directors like Dr. Eric Nelson, Walter Huff, and Dr. Dale Adelmann.
And not being a stranger to accomplishments in teaching (voice and piano), in 2013 he was recognized as a Top Teacher for student retention, communication with parents and staff, general positive feedback, and overall professionalism. In addition, both his piano students and voice students regularly receive superior ratings at the local National Federation of Music Clubs festivals, earn leading roles in school productions, and place in local talent shows.
