About Trinity Music Academy

The Trinity Music Academy is a ministry of the Trinity United Methodist Church. Its goal is to educate individuals on how to become organists and music directors for rural churches in the surrounding area. However, the academy is now not limited to Trinity Methodist Church. Several Board of Directors members are from other denominations and churches in many areas of Montgomery & Stanly counties.

Students from diverse cultural and financial backgrounds across central North Carolina are welcome at the academy, which aims to ensure that no one's lack of funds hinders them from studying music.

The academy offers up to collegiate-level instruction in piano, pipe organ, voice, bowed strings, woodwinds, brass, percussion, guitar, computer studio, and composition. The academy prioritizes educating artists to serve Christ in their home churches while producing well-rounded musicians.

TMA also maintains a respected concert series that brings outstanding artists to Montgomery County's communities. The academy aims to establish itself as an artistic focal point for the county and region's development.

In 1990, Trinity United Methodist Church established the Trinity Music Academy as a music program for Montgomery County, North Carolina youth. The Academy focused on music instruction in various areas such as piano, organ, brass, woodwind, percussion, voice, and Kindermusik. The aim was to train organists, pianists, and music directors in classical and Christian music.

During its first year, the Academy had around 55 students, which positively impacted the community. William Jones and his wife, Mylinda Dockery, were the Executive Director and lead piano, organ, and Kindermusik instructor, respectively. They ensured that the Academy succeeded in all areas of its mission.

The Academy believes no student should be denied music lessons due to financial constraints. To achieve this, the Trinity Music Academy Board of Directors established a Scholarship Fund and appointed a Scholarship Committee. About one-third of the students received full or partial scholarships, which played a significant role in building the Academy.

In 1994, Mr. Jones left to pursue his doctorate at the University of Kentucky, and Mylinda Dockery became the Executive Director. In 1995, Ms. Dockery joined her husband in Lexington, Kentucky, and their leadership, vision, and hard work during the early years laid a strong foundation for the Academy's future success.

After an extensive search, the Board appointed Jon Durkovic as the new Executive Director. Mr. Durkovic had a Master's in Organ Performance from the University of Alabama. Under his leadership, the Academy experienced growth, with enrollment reaching over 125 students. He also oversaw the Academy Concert Series, which grew in importance, with four or five concerts annually. Mr. Durkovic oversaw the installation of the Walker pipe organ donated by Leon and Nancy Capel to Trinity Church.

In 1998, the Durkovics had to move to Georgia due to family reasons, and the Academy began looking for a new Executive Director. After a thorough search, the Board hired Dr. Paul Chandley in August of that year. Dr. Chandley graduated from the University of North Carolina and received his doctoral degree from the Kansas City Conservatory. 

Dr. Chandley brought a new dimension to the Academy with his experience as a performer, accompanist, and teacher in New York City and Europe. He immediately began bringing gifted artists to perform in the Academy Concert Series, and they gave many outstanding performances during his first year at Trinity. The Academy also hosted the Kyiv Symphony Orchestra and Chorus, which presented two sold-out concerts, thanks to Dr. Chandley's contacts.

Magazines and educational TV programs covered the Academy's events, bringing them statewide attention. The concert series, which initially aimed to raise funds for scholarships, became a way to inspire and teach the students and the community.

One of the Kyiv group members, Sophia Pavlenko, was a brilliant young pianist and composer, and Dr. Chandley fell in love with her. After a one-year international courtship, they got married at Trinity Methodist Church in November 2001. Sophia Pavlenko Chandley brought her expertise as a composer, teacher, and performer, and her appearances across the state brought great acclaim.

The Academy continues to operate as an outreach program of Trinity United Methodist Church, but it draws support from other churches and communities. Its directors come from different denominations, and its student base includes Montgomery, Moore, Stanly, and Randolph County students. In 2018, the Academy served over 250 students.

Trinity Music Academy provides a unique service to the youth in this region of North Carolina. Under Dr. Chandley's visionary leadership and the support of the Board, the Academy expects to continue its success.