About
Bristol Academy of Music offers Glee Club, musical theater, camps and events, group lessons, and private lessons. Students can take piano, voice, guitar, and ukulele lessons, including junior voice lessons, a musical theatre class, an after school piano program, and special events such as Parents Night Out: Kids' Karaoke!
• Ages: 5–18 years old
Bristol Academy of Music states that it provides a fun, modern learning experience that amplifies potential and inspires a lifelong love of music. The program offers private and deluxe lessons for both casual and serious learners, uses play-along games to engage young beginners, and emphasizes a positive, encouraging environment for all ages. Staff members have experience in both performance and education, and the program includes professional options for students who may pursue music at a higher level.
Owner and founder Rachel Helton established Bristol Academy of Music in 2019. She spent 15 years as an operatic performer and 10 years as a music instructor for private students and universities including East Tennessee State University, Milligan University, Emory & Henry College, and King University. She holds a Bachelor of Music and a Master of Music in vocal performance from Indiana University's Jacobs School of Music, has performed major operatic roles such as the title role in Carmen and Hänsel in Hänsel und Gretel, and has appeared with companies including Asheville Lyric Opera, Wolf Trap Opera, Central City Opera, Indianapolis Opera, Undercroft Opera, and Indiana University Opera Theater. She has been teaching voice and piano for 12 years and is an adjunct professor of voice at Emory & Henry University.
Additional instructors include Rebekah Rasnake Cash, whose primary instrument is piano and who serves as pianist for the Highlands Youth Ensemble of the Mountain Empire Children’s Choral Academy and pianist/organist at Glade Spring Presbyterian Church. Eva Kling earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Music and Education, has been teaching piano for seven years, and is the Music Director and Choir Director of First Christian Church of Abingdon. Gabe Helton holds a Bachelor of Music in voice, has extensive operatic and concert credits, and teaches voice. David King holds a degree in guitar performance and teaches guitar and ukulele.
Bristol Academy of Music was awarded the Ben Collins Entrepreneur Grant from Believe in Bristol. The program describes itself as community-oriented and offers a community for musicians of all ages to learn, inspire, and perform together. Its after school piano program operates at St. Anne Catholic School.
Parent and student comments about Bristol Academy of Music include statements that a student is learning how to sing properly as well as timing and posture, that the staff is professional, caring, and extremely knowledgeable in their craft, and that experiences with the academy have been a pleasure. One student comment states, “I wish I could come to music class every day!”
Last updated February 3, 2026.
• Ages: 5–18 years old
Bristol Academy of Music states that it provides a fun, modern learning experience that amplifies potential and inspires a lifelong love of music. The program offers private and deluxe lessons for both casual and serious learners, uses play-along games to engage young beginners, and emphasizes a positive, encouraging environment for all ages. Staff members have experience in both performance and education, and the program includes professional options for students who may pursue music at a higher level.
Owner and founder Rachel Helton established Bristol Academy of Music in 2019. She spent 15 years as an operatic performer and 10 years as a music instructor for private students and universities including East Tennessee State University, Milligan University, Emory & Henry College, and King University. She holds a Bachelor of Music and a Master of Music in vocal performance from Indiana University's Jacobs School of Music, has performed major operatic roles such as the title role in Carmen and Hänsel in Hänsel und Gretel, and has appeared with companies including Asheville Lyric Opera, Wolf Trap Opera, Central City Opera, Indianapolis Opera, Undercroft Opera, and Indiana University Opera Theater. She has been teaching voice and piano for 12 years and is an adjunct professor of voice at Emory & Henry University.
Additional instructors include Rebekah Rasnake Cash, whose primary instrument is piano and who serves as pianist for the Highlands Youth Ensemble of the Mountain Empire Children’s Choral Academy and pianist/organist at Glade Spring Presbyterian Church. Eva Kling earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Music and Education, has been teaching piano for seven years, and is the Music Director and Choir Director of First Christian Church of Abingdon. Gabe Helton holds a Bachelor of Music in voice, has extensive operatic and concert credits, and teaches voice. David King holds a degree in guitar performance and teaches guitar and ukulele.
Bristol Academy of Music was awarded the Ben Collins Entrepreneur Grant from Believe in Bristol. The program describes itself as community-oriented and offers a community for musicians of all ages to learn, inspire, and perform together. Its after school piano program operates at St. Anne Catholic School.
Parent and student comments about Bristol Academy of Music include statements that a student is learning how to sing properly as well as timing and posture, that the staff is professional, caring, and extremely knowledgeable in their craft, and that experiences with the academy have been a pleasure. One student comment states, “I wish I could come to music class every day!”
Last updated February 3, 2026.
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