Jimmy Bilbrey
Jimmy Bilbrey, a Cookeville native, is a multi-instrumentalist/singer-songwriter who grew up in a musical home. He graduated from Tennessee Tech in 1990 with a Bachelor of Science degree in classical violin. An award-winning songwriter, Jimmy has had songs recorded by national and international artists. Some of Jimmy's gospel songs are played regularly on the radio. He currently performs in his family bluegrass band, The Bilbreys, and has been the Minister of Music at University Heights Baptist Church since 1998. Jimmy has 37 years of teaching experience and currently teaches violin/fiddle, guitar, mandolin, banjo, piano, ukulele, bass, songwriting and harmony singing.
Jennifer Poore
Jennifer grew up here in Cookeville, where her parents home-schooled her and her four brothers. Music was not a central focus in their home, but the family was constantly listening to classical and folk music. Jennifer taught herself piano for a couple years before taking up the classical guitar in 9th grade through the inspiration of her older brother. They traveled monthly to Middle Tennessee State University in Murfreesboro to study under an incredibly talented master’s student from Venezuela, Salome Sandoval. A wonderful singer and classical guitarist, Salome’s performing and teaching crystallized Jennifer's love of music into a permanent part of her life. After a year of voice lessons during her senior year of high school, she followed her brother to MTSU on a guitar scholarship, majoring in guitar performance and vocal/general education. In college, Jennifer continued to pursue her vocal studies along with her guitar lessons. She discovered the joys of singing in a choir and playing with other musicians, and was introduced to the challenges, terrors, and joys of being a solo classical performer. In 2012, Jennifer graduated and moved back to Cookeville, where she is thrilled to be making a living passing on her love of music to private students, as well as singing in our local community choir, the Mastersingers. When not doing music, she enjoys reading, hanging out with family and friends, hiking, and attending musical and theatrical performances.
Connor Buckingham
Connor grew up in Spokane Washington. With a jazz drummer for a father, music had always been around the Buckingham household. At age 14 Connor started receiving one on one guitar instruction and began to song write and worship lead. Fast forward several years and Connor would be touring with a band all across the Pacific Northwest who would go on to record three EPs and have songs written by Connor featured in newspapers, magazines, and even ESPN. He would spend free moments worship leading for his local church. After feeling called by God to walk away from the band, Connor left Washington for Arizona to pursue a Bachelor of Arts In Worship Arts with an emphasis on Ministry at Grand Canyon University. During his time at University Connor joined the University worship team where he played electric guitar. He continued to lead and play at multiple churches in the phoenix valley throughout his program and did a few internships including a summer of worship leading in Oklahoma. After graduation, Connor and his wife remained in Phoenix for a couple of years before moving to Cookeville, TN where Connor enjoys teaching guitar, songwriting, bass guitar, and more.