Dr. Dave Wilken, Program Director

"Dr. Dave" has been a part of MusicWorks Asheville since 2014 and has served as Program Director since 2016. Dr. Dave studied composition at Illinois Wesleyan University, jazz studies at DePaul University, and trombone performance at Ball State University. He has taught music at Indiana Wesleyan University, Adams State College, University of North Carolina at Asheville, Western Carolina University, and Owen High School. When not teaching and administrating for MusicWorks, he performs as a freelance trombonist around western North Carolina, directs the Asheville Jazz Orchestra and the Land of the Sky Symphonic Band. He also composes and arranges music for a variety of student and professional ensembles. 

Amanda Durst, Assistant Director

Drawn to the mountains and vibrant arts community, Amanda moved to Asheville in 2018 from southern Maryland. Prior to joining MusicWorks she served as Development Manager of the Asheville Symphony Orchestra and Development Coordinator and Grant Writer at the YWCA of Asheville and WNC. In addition to her administrative work Amanda is a professional freelance cellist. She plays with several orchestras in the Western North Carolina/East Tennessee area and hosts a monthly classical music series at Citizen Vinyl in downtown Asheville. She is passionate about fostering connections through music and performing music by underrepresented composers.

Virginia Duquet, Academic Support Specialist

Jason McCoy, Strings Teaching Artist

Jason McCoy is a multi-instrumentalist with a diverse musical background. He has studied and performed a wide range of styles from Classical, Blues, Rock, and Jazz, to Traditional American folk music, and North Indian classical music. Jason has been teaching music since 2005. He worked as a strings clinician at various middle schools in Miami Dade county, and conducted intermediate ensembles for the Greater Miami Youth Symphony. Recently, he spent three years in Japan teaching English and violin classes. Jason moved to Asheville in October of 2017 where he plays regularly with the Asheville Symphony and maintains a private teaching studio.

Miranda Stone, Percussion, Bucket Band, and Musicianship Teaching Artist

Miranda has worked with MusicWorks since 2019 and has previously worked as a Kindergarten teacher with the program. She is a percussion performance graduate from Appalachian State University. Miranda has worked with children in the Asheville area since 2018 and enjoys connecting with students and encouraging them to succeed. She has previously worked with Making Waves, a program that provides STEM+music education to Elementary school students. Miranda currently plays Irish music in the area as well as with the Land of Sky Symphonic Band and Blue Ridge Orchestra.

Eleanor Vaughn, Chorus Teaching Artist

Eleanor Vaughn is a wife, mother of four adult children and grandmother of two boys, former Church musician, piano instructor, a retired public School Music teacher and a returning MusicWorks Teaching Artist. She holds certifications in Music, Elementary Education and Elementary Administration. She says, “Through the 40+ years of teaching Music to students of all ages, it has always been the best and favorite job of mine outside the home. Watching children learn and making music with them is extremely satisfying and rewarding for all. I am determined in life and I’m determined to help children be the best musicians that they can be!”

Dianna Nickell, Kindergarten Teaching Artist

Dianna Nickell is the Kindergarten Teaching Artist at MusicWorks. She was raised in the Asheville area and she and her husband have the good fortune to be raising our three daughters in Asheville. All three of her girls were MusicWorks students. Her passion for working with young children goes back as far as she can remember. She has worked with young children in various capacities over the last 30 years. Her time with MusicWorks began as a parent, then a substitute, and now a Teaching Artist with the program for the last four years. She is currently pursuing her Bachelors degree in Education at Western Carolina University and is on track to graduate spring of 2023.

Mamie Amin, Musicianship Teaching Artist and Program Assistant

Mamie Amin has been playing violin since the age of five and has also studied ukulele at the Old Town School of Music in Chicago, IL.  With parents who met at a music school (one teaching drums, the other piano), Mamie grew up in a household filled with a deep appreciation for music that is important for her to pass down to younger generations.  

Bennie Nickell, Program Assistant

Bio Coming Soon