Providing excellent instruction in Dance, Drama, Music and Visual Art for international and local children, youth and adults from a biblical worldview and for the glory of God.
Registrations for our Fall 2026 Semester are
NOW OPEN!
Classes begin on the week of August 10.
Classes Offered
Piano
Wednesdays 4:00 PM - 4:30 PM
Wednesdays 4:30 PM - 5:15 PM
Wednesdays 5:15 PM - 6:00 PM
Wednesdays 4:00 PM - 4:30 PM
Wednesdays
Drawing & Painting
Wednesdays 4:15 PM - 5:15 PM
Wednesdays 5:20 PM - 6:20 PM
Wednesdays 4:15 PM - 5:15 PM
Instructors & Other Info.
Instructors
Carole Collins, Director
Carole received her BFA with an emphasis in drawing and painting at the University of Georgia. She also received her Masters and Specialist Degree in Art Education there also. She studied with Lamar Dodd, Howard Thomas and several prominent artists from the Art Student League in New York. She has taught art in public and private schools an also served as Art Consultant for over 100 art teachers in Louisville, Kentucky.
Sietske Johnson - Teaching Artist
Sietske Johnson is a dedicated teaching artist with Fabarts, a nonprofit committed to bringing arts-based learning to schools, libraries, and community programs for children.
Originally from the Netherlands, Sietske began her professional journey studying and working in civil and family law. After moving to the United States to join her husband and raise a family, she discovered a new calling in art education. w in confidence, collaboration, and creative expression.
She went on to serve for 14 years as an art teacher at St. Luke School, where she nurtured creativity and foundational skills in young learners.Following a meaningful season caring for her elderly parents in the Netherlands, Sietske transitioned into her current role as a teaching artist—a path she has pursued with passion for the past eight years.In this capacity, she has led a wide range of impactful projects, including collaborative murals, large-scale wall installations, fiber arts, mixed media works, sculptural installations, and STEAM-based initiatives. Her work spans summer learning programs, weeklong residencies, after-school enrichment, and single-day creative experiences.Sietske’s approach intentionally integrates age-appropriate academic standards—science, math, social studies, and language arts—while also emphasizing social-emotional learning. Through her work, students are invited not only to develop artistic skills, but also to grow in confidence, collaboration, and creative expression.
Amy Galbright - Piano Instructor
A native of Pittsburgh, PA, grew up in a musical, faith-based household where she began studying piano at a very young age with her grandmother, Alverta Riddle, who was the organist at Christ Lutheran Church for over sixty years. Inspired by Prokofiev’s Peter and the Wolf, at age nine, she began playing the oboe in her elementary school band and soon after joined the Three Rivers Young Peoples Orchestra.
Growing up, she was also active in her church’s music program where she sang in the church choir and performed oboe solos for the worship services with her mother, composer Nancy Galbraith, who had taken over the role of Music Director and Organist at Christ Lutheran Church and is currently Professor of Composition at Carnegie Mellon University and endowed chair of the theory/composition department.
Upon completion of her Bachelor of Music (BM) from Ohio University and Master of Music (MM) from the Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music in oboe degrees, Dr. Galbraith returned to her hometown of Pittsburgh where she enjoyed a thriving music career. She taught at Chatham University and maintained a private studio. She was also very active as a freelance oboist, consistently performing with all of the regional orchestras in the area. In addition, she earned her Doctorate of Musical Arts (DMA) in oboe performance degree from West Virginia University. As a performer, Dr. Galbraith has been blessed with international opportunities, which led her to Bangkok, Thailand where she taught oboe at Mahidol University and was the principal oboist of the Thailand Philharmonic Orchestra for several years.
After becoming a mother to her two amazing children, Barry and Zoe Ogburn, she returned to the states with her family where she stepped back from her career for a few years to raise her kids. In Columbus, she taught music appreciation at Columbus State University and “Little Mozarts” for their Preparatory Division. Currently, Dr. Galbraith still performs as a freelance oboist, mostly in Auburn, AL, and is building a private studio again. She also enjoys participating in her church’s music program where she sings in the choir and plays in the handbell choir at Grace Presbyterian Church.
Kathy Morris, Piano Instructor
Director and Founder at The Church Music Academy.
Kathy is a native of Columbus, GA began piano lessons at the age of 6 and began accompanying for church in the 7th grade. In 1981, Kathy received a music scholarship to Columbus College where she studied piano for 2 years. In 1983, Kathy transferred to Shorter College in Rome, Georgia where she completed a Church Music Degree in 1986.
Kathy was listed in "Who's Who" among American Colleges & Universities, elected to Phi Kappa Lambda Music Honor Society, and active in the Baptist Student Union. In the fall of 1986, Kathy opened a private music studio and has been an active member of the Columbus Music Teachers Association. Kathy has been an active church musician in the Columbus area while serving Grace Presbyterian Church. Music interests include church orchestra, youth praise band, hand-chimes, children's choir, hymn improvisation, and composition. The studio performs hymn festivals, sacred music concerts, and community events to allow students the opportunity to perform sacred music. Rhythm, technique, accompanying, improvisation, arranging, & theory are examples of the curriculum offered within The Church Music Academy, founded in 2003.
Registration, tuition, and payment:
To register, please choose a course and fill out the registration form. Class tuition can be made in full or on a monthly basis (automatic payments). Payments also can be made in person, at the IFM office, or by calling us at (706) 653-0097.
If you choose to make in person monthly payment, please make payment on the first day
of class and before the first class of each month thereafter.
Class policies:
Because our classes meet only once a week, it is important for the student to be at each class to stay up to date with projects and their own personal growth! In order to maintain a balance between creativity and order, we ask that you/your children do your best to arrive on time to each class.
Please wear appropriate clothing for classes (will be communicated in email after registration and in class). Safety Information:
Parents are asked to help support our efforts to keep everyone healthy by keeping students at home if they are coughing, have a temperature, or other symptoms of illness.
We believe communication between parent, instructor, and student is important for a fun, safe, and successful classroom environment. Please feel free to contact the Instructor or IFM Arts Academy Coordinator Dallas Sims if questions or concerns arise at any time!
We are excited to see your student’s growth and look forward to a wonderful time together!
Building essential English skills for daily life, employment, and confidence.
Helping children develop creativity, identity, and confidence through the arts.
Bridging the local community with international students to build friendships and provide hospitality.