Natalie L. Haslam College of Music

Dave Conte

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ADDRESS
University of Tennessee College of Music G041 Natalie L. Haslam Music Center Knoxville, TN 37996-4040
Phone
865-974-4885

Dave Conte

Piano Technician

As the piano technician, Dave Conte is responsible for keeping the roughly 125 pianos maintained and at the ready for use; whether needed for performance in the auditoriums, in teaching studios or practice rooms.

Dave completed his technical training at The University of North Texas College of Music, where he received his degree in Piano Technology. Prior to his arrival at UT School of Music, Dave owned and operated a respected private tuning, service and rebuilding concern where he was in practice for over 28 years. He has studied with Steinway and Sons, with Yamaha where he completed their training as an independent and graduated at the top of the class, participating in the final, prestigious “Little Red Schoolhouse” class. At Baldwin Piano, he received their coveted Concert and Artist Certification and maintained the artist pool pianos for the south-central region. He was also a Petrof Piano dealer and concert technician, and trained with Bosendorfer, Seiler, C. Bechstein, Kawai and other manufacturers, and was on call at various performance venues including The Dallas Opera, Dallas Symphony Orchestra, The Van Cliburn Piano Competition, Fort Worth Opera and for various artists, including among others: Vladimir Viardo, Michael Feinstein, Bruce Hornsby, Dongni Xie, Neil Diamond, Dino Kartsonakis, Dan Fogelberg, John Tesh and B.B. King.

Dave believes in using his considerable talents by also passing along what was so generously given him. To that end he worked to pass all the tests and exams to become a Registered Piano Technician with The Piano Technicians Guild so that he could also become an instructor, and has become PTG certified as a tuning and technical examiner for the Registered Piano Technician exams. Continuing his passion for teaching, Dave became an Instructor in Piano Technology at Tarrant County College which required developing the curriculum for the class he taught there. He also founded the North Texas School of Piano Technology which was operating as one of the last “brick-and-mortar” hands-on academies left in the USA until his departure to serve at UT.

Taking pride in calling Knoxville their new home are his wife, Sherllyn, daughter Allegra and son Benjamin.

Sara Carroll

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ADDRESS
University of Tennessee College of Music 103 Natalie L. Haslam Music Center Knoxville, TN 37996-4040
Phone
865-974-6134

Sara Carroll

Director of Admissions & Student Success

Sara Carroll is an energetic higher education professional, music educator and musician whose career spans k12 and collegiate work. Carroll serves as the Director of Admissions and Student Success for the University of Tennessee Natalie L. Haslam College of Music. Carroll is passionate about music education and loves working with our amazing Volunteer students. She directs recruitment and admissions, teaches the Introduction to Music Studies classes for first year music majors, oversees student success initiatives, and directs the Music Ambassador Program and Tour Program.

Prior to her move to Tennessee, Carroll lived and worked in Washington State. After graduating from college, she served as the Advising & Recruiting Specialist for her undergraduate alma mater’s Department of Music. In this role, she oversaw the recruitment for the program, advised the music majors, and assisted with the department’s special events. After serving in this position, she worked as a high school choir teacher in Eastern Washington. In this role, Sara directed the choirs, taught class piano, directed the jazz choir, and served as musical director for the school musicals. She also hosted regional festivals, served as a regional solo and ensemble judge, taught voice lessons, and coached her students through regional and state competitions.

Carroll holds a Doctor of Music Education from Liberty University and a Master of Science in Public Administration and Bachelor of Music in Music Education from Central Washington University. She earned membership in several honor societies throughout her collegiate pursuits including Kappa Delta Pi, Phi Kappa Phi, and Omega Nu Lambda and served as an officer in several collegiate organization chapters including the National Association for Music Education (NAfME), the American Choral Directors Association (ACDA), and the National Association for Teachers of Singing (NATS), maintaining her involvement in many organizations post-college. This past year, Carroll completed her doctorate as a graduate with high distinction. She has been an active musician throughout her professional life, singing in symphony choirs, chamber ensembles, opera choruses, vocal jazz ensembles, and in church music ministry. Carroll is an active member of the Knoxville Choral Society, singing in both the large choral ensemble and the select chamber chorale.

When not working, Carroll enjoys spending quality time with family and friends, exploring coffee shops, hitting the gym, attending shows and concerts, listening to her favorite podcasts, and making music. She also enjoys cheering on the Volunteers!

Education

D.M.E. in Music Education – Liberty University (2023)
M.S. in Public Administration – Central Washington University (2017)
B.M. in Music Education – Central Washington University (2012)