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Jan Williams School of Music and Theatre is one of the Southeast’s largest privately owned music schools.
History

This exciting venture started in Jan’s home in 1984. When she discovered the Suzuki- style piano instruction, demand for music lessons began to explode.  She added her first teacher by building a studio in half of her garage.   Jan then taught in her living room and her first teacher taught in the garage.  (The family loved that arrangement!)

Soon, a long waiting list for students forced her husband to find another home with enough parking and location that allowed him to convert that garage into 3 studios and a group teaching room.  Many of these students loved waiting for their lesson time in the Williams’ park-like back yard, bordered by two creeks.  By this time the Williams’ daughter was developing a “farm yard” in downtown Brentwood.  She had ducks, rabbits and two dogs!  Did it bother the neighbors?  Probably not.  You see, on one side they had dozens of prized show cats, and the neighbor on the other side raised Bull Mastiffs!!!

As demand continued, Jan began renting additional space in churches in the area.  She was blessed with wonderful teachers who partnered with her to support this growth.  In addition, she began contracting some of her teachers to provide music classes for mother’s day out programs in area churches.

Finally, in 1991, Jan had to admit that this had really become a business and moved to a commercial location in the Brentwood Business Center, 500 Wilson Pike Circle, Suite 125.  After knocking out walls and adding studio space there, she again had to start renting space in other locations.   In 1999, she moved around the corner to a much larger location in Suite 104.  The space had to be expanded again when suite 103 became available in 2003! 

Over the years, Jan has added more private piano, voice, and guitar instructors, all degreed professional musicians, but her personal joy was fulfilled when she added Kindermusik in 1991, a music class for children from infants to age 5.  She then added a class piano method using electronic keyboards for children ages 4 through 3rd graders.

After several exciting experiences with musicals, Jan decided to add a musical theatre department. Sondra Morton-Chaffin was hired as Theatre Arts Director in 2001 and directs three musical productions each year. Sondra is a professional actor with over 17 years of acting experience. The Act Too Players are becoming well known in the area. Already, there have been sold out performances for more than twenty shows including You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown, The Child in Me, Schoolhouse Rock Live!, A Little Princess, Alice in Wonderland, Oliver!, The Seussical, Fiddler on the Roof.  These productions take place in partnership with The Boiler Room Theatre at The Factory in Franklin. 

What a rewarding and thrilling “musical journey” this has been over the past 23 years!!!

We are so grateful to all of our students and families who have ever been a part of our studios, and look forward to being here to serve the community for years to come.

Quick Facts...
  • 1984 - began in Jan's home
  • 1986 - rented churches in addition to home studios                                                    
  • 1991 - commercial location and added Kindermusik                                            
  • 1995 - increased size of studio                                    
  • 1999 - moved to larger suite                                                
  • 2001 - hired theatre arts director for Act Too Players                                                                    
  • 2003 - took suite next door to expand again!                                                      
  • 2003 - partnered with Boiler Room Theatre for Act Too Players performances and camps                                         
  • 2007 - website launched!!
 


Jan Williams School
of Music and Theatre
500 Wilson Pike Circle Ste #104
Brentwood, TN 37027

jwsm88@bellsouth.net
phone: 615.371.8086
fax: 615.371.8637

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(c) 2007 Jan Williams School of Music and Theatre - All Rights Reserved