Teacher Bios

Micah Watson

Private Piano, Songwriter's Journey Director

Growing up in a small farming community in Lola Kentucky, Micah's passions revolved around music and Kentucky Wildcats college basketball. From as far back as he can remember, he developed a love for the piano from listening to his mom play at home and church. At the age of 5, he began his own musical journey on the piano and has never looked back.

After moving to Missouri in 2008, he began studying piano with Kay Harrison at Kay's Music Studio in Sullivan Mo and would begin to develop his love of teaching after being given the opportunity to instruct beginning and intermediate students on the piano. Micah would later attend East Central College in Union, Mo and graduate with his AA degree in music. While there, he studied piano under Dr. Jennifer Judd and played in multiple ensembles including Jazz band (playing drumset, keyboard) and Percussion Ensemble. During his time at East Central, he also started positions at Washington Academy of Music as a piano instructor and Whitegate Montessori Land School teaching piano and music history.

Micah, and his wife Alex, opened Watson School of Music in 2019 and have focused on passing on their love of music to everyone that comes through their doors. In the summer of 2024, Micah started the Summer Concert Series which brings in musical artists that are passionate about sharing their craft with the public and inspiring others, no matter the age, to start a musical journey of their own. A phrase you'll hear Micah say at the school is, "Music is a gift that's meant to be shared." Through growing a community of musical artists at his studio and partnering with other musicians that are just as passionate about their craft, he's excited to get everyone out playing in their community and sharing their gift.

Alex Watson

Homeschool Music Program Director
Homeschool Program: Beginning Bands, Concert Band, Jazz Band

Alex Watson started her music journey in Ms. Kay’s Homeschool program in 2007 where she started on guitar and in the elementary choir. At her first Christmas concert, she heard the Jazz band play Hot Chocolate from the Polar Express and decided then that she had to join the band. She went on to add a new instrument every year from then on. After graduating High School, she went to East Central College and got her AA in Music with an emphasis in Piano. She played with the ECC Jazz band and String ensemble. She started teaching piano and cello privately in 2016. In 2017 her music life came full circle and she started teaching the Homeschool band program at Kay’s Music Studio. Along with her husband, Micah Watson, and her mother, Jodi Townley, she now owns and runs Watson School of Music & the Arts. With the Homeschool program that she started in so long ago now at WSMA, she gets to help students build some of the same memories that she considers her favorites.

Susan Eye

Private: Violin, Viola
Homeschool Program: Violin, Chamber Ensemble

Susan Eye has been giving private violin lessons at Kay’s Music Studio for over 17 years. She also gives viola lessons and teaches homeschool string classes including a 4-section chamber orchestra. She has been playing the violin for nearly 50 years and enjoys playing at church and performing at weddings. Susan grew up in the Chicago area in a school district with a very strong music program in which she was a violinist in various orchestras for 9 years, as well as taking private lessons. She played in the String Ensemble at Greenville University where she also sang in the A Cappella Choir and studied music theory. Susan has always had a passion for teaching and actually homeschooled her own children for 10 years. She strives to equip students with a solid technique foundation, with excellent intonation and tone production, and with a thorough knowledge of music theory in order to meet their performance goals.

Caiti McCluskey

Private Voice, Theatre Audition Prep
Homeschool Program: Choir, Worship

Caiti McCluskey received her BA in Music at Evangel University (Springfield, MO) and her AA in Music at East Central College (Union, MO). She teaches the choral program at Watson School of Music as well as private lessons in voice, violin, and viola. Caiti frequently performs professionally for public events, weddings, and the local theatre scene for both Fine Linen Theatre and Ozark Actors Theatre productions. Caiti most recently starred as the operatic role of Mabel in Pirates of Penzance (2023). Caiti has studied under Sheila Dugan, Jenifer Judd, Larry Dissmore, and Kay Harrison. She has been the vocal director for many theatre productions and enjoys sharing her love of music and the arts with others! She is a proud wife and mother who grew up in the Rolla area.

Outside of music, Caiti enjoys travel, learning new things, good coffee, basket weaving, deep conversation, and getting to know new people. She believes continued learning is the best thing a person can do for themselves, as broadening our scope and being open to growth is key to living a fulfilling life. “We all have something to learn from the people around us, all we have to do is ask questions.

Abby Smithson

Private: Guitar
Songwriter's Journey

Abby Smithson began playing guitar at the age of 12. He studied under many teachers, most notably Trey Alexander. He went on to receive a scholarship from the National Guitar Workshop. He enjoys exploring a wide range of music including rock, blues, and metal while focusing on bluegrass and bluegrass improv. He takes great pleasure in sharing the wonders and expressiveness of music with others.

Jeremiah Pellin

Private: Drums
Songwriter's Journey

Jeremiah is a lifelong percussionist and can always be found making music somewhere. Duties are split between work, family, church, teaching, playing live or recording. Jeremiah is married with four daughters! He currently plays in the Shawneetown Band does session work with local reggae artists in St. Louis and plays with the worship team at THE RIDGE CHURCH (Villa Ridge, MO). Jeremiah is also a past drummer for Franklin Blues Company and recording artist Tim Johnson. Working with Tim Johnson, he was afforded the opportunity to take a trip to Ashland Oregon to record with the critically-acclaimed Grammy award winning producer Sylvia Massy at Studio Divine. Other past experiences include recording with Mark Rubel of Pogo Studio (Champaign, IL), Will Reeves of Centro Cellar Studio (Columbia, MO), United States Percussion Camp, and playing with the Webster University Jazz Combos. Jeremiah is a past graduate of the Master Recording Program at the Conservatory of Recording (CRAS, Tempi, AZ, 1999) and completed the Music Theory Program at East Central College.