Rob Novell - Rob is the son of Dr. Charles Novell and is the Director of CNS. Rob grew up in this music school attending classes and learning from the great faculty and instructors in the school's rich history. Rob is an accomplished musician and studio producer. He traveled with Perfect Heart and has played with Triumphant Quartet and the Nelons. Rob is currently involved in a solo ministry and ministers through song and speaking. Rob owns Counterpoint Recording Productions and Counterpoint Music Group in Atlanta, GA. Rob sits on the board of the SGMA Hall of Fame & Museum.
 
Billy Blackwood - Billy is the youngest son of the legendary James Blackwood. Billy currently runs the Blackwood Brothers Quartet. Billy played drums for J.D. Sumner and the Stamps Quartet at the age of 14. He also played for the Blackwood Brothers, Gordon Jensen and Sunrise, and Andrus/Blackwood & Company, and he toured with Voice, the
opening act for the Elvis Presley show.

Allison Speer – Allison is not only a gifted vocalist, but an amazing speaker, communicator, and songwriter as well. Her passion for the Lord, and life itself, radiates from her like sunshine! Allison teaches voice and songwriting and assists in performance training class as well.

Brian Speer - Brian is the youngest of three children born to Brock and Faye Speer. Brock was the bass singer and manager of the gospel singing group, the Speer Family, and Faye sang alto. Brian traveled with the Speer Family playing guitar and bass from 1978 to 1982. Brian is a double-major in accounting and business administration.
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Mary Anne Oglesby Sutherly - With more than 20 years of experience in Health and Senior Care Industries,
Mary Anne is a strong advocate for our senior communities. In addition to this call on her life, she has been singing Gospel
​Music her entire life, and she is a sought after vocal coach in the Gospel Music Industry.
 
Roy Webb - Roy is a gifted pianist, arranger, and producer. He has been involved in gospel music his entire life and has traveled and played with Ernie Haase & Signature Sound, Gold City Quartet, Jonathan Wilburn, and Mark Lowry. Roy teaches piano at CNS.

​Ben Waites – Ben Waites is a Southern Gospel artist, vocal coach, and ministry leader from Nashville, Tennessee. For more than 25 years, he has traveled the country sharing the Gospel through music, including national appearances such as America’s Got Talent and Gaither-related events. He was inducted into the North Louisiana Southern Gospel Music Hall of Fame in 2014.

Channing Eleton - Channing has been involved in Christian Music since a very early age. Growing up in a musical home, Channing pursued music at the college level and then found himself involved in full-time music ministry playing piano for Phil Cross and Poet Voices, Gold City, and the Mike LeFevre Quartet. Channing is currently involved in ministry with his wife and two daughters.

Joseph Reed - Joseph Reed is a singer, musician, songwriter, and radio personality. With over 25 years of experience in radio and broadcasting, Joseph brings years of experience to CNS. Joseph is the Director of Affiliate Relations/Program Director for Singing News Radio. Prior to that, Reed served as product manager for iconic Christian Artist and Legend, Carman. He is currently singing and handling emcee responsibilities with The Perrys.

Garry Sheppard - Garry Sheppard is one of most recognizable tenors to ever sing Gospel Music. Garry sang tenor for the Kingsmen Quartet and Perfect Heart. Garry is also a songwriter. He has written with Niles Borop, Daryl Williams, Bruce Carroll, and Dave Clark. His songs have been recorded by the Kingsmen, Perfect Heart, the Florida Boys, Todd Nelon, and others.

Tim Owens - Tim is a pastor, author, and an award-winning Gospel music recording artist who travels as an evangelist to spread the good news of the Gospel of his wonderful Savior, Jesus Christ. Tim teaches voice and helps us with various seminars, devotions, and performance training. He also leads the CNS Hymn Sing class.

Paul Secord - Paul Secord is the Executive Vice President of Godsey Media Management. Paul is well known in the Southern Gospel circles as The Gospel Road Coach. He is passionate about what he does and cares about the artists he serves. He is a soloist, musician, and coach. Paul knows how to get an artist to thrive in their possibilities.

Buddy Bates - Buddy Bates has decades of music experience. He first began singing and playing for New Creations, a group founded by his father, Merle. He studied extensively with Charles Novell and attended the Charles Novell School of Music. He has traveled with The Blackwood Brothers, The Dixie Melody Boys, The Dixie Echoes, and did a European tour with The Stamps.

David Staton - Like so many artists, David grew up singing in a gospel music family. Through the years, his music has been recorded by artists like Gold City, The Kingsmen, Imperials, Singing Americans, Jeff & Sheri Easter, Brian Free, Ivan Parker, Dottie Peoples, and countless others across multiple genres. He has had over a hundred and fifty cuts by various artists. As a singer, he has sung with several artists through the years. He was the lead singer and founding member of the LeFevre Quartet from 2004 to 2012.

Aleah Novell - Aleah has grown up in a musical family and carries on the family tradition of teaching music. She is a private instructor by profession and teaches music theory and private lessons at CNS.

Corry Isel - Coordinator of Events and Students Activities, Corry is our go-to person during the conference. If you 
have a question, she has your answer. Corry is a gifted vocalist and has the performance skills to deliver a great performance.

Tara Jackson – With a vivacious laugh and warm personality that instantly illuminates a room, Tara Jackson is the friend you've always known. A consummate people person, her engaging spirit befits the calling to ministry and outreach she has long embraced. When she opens her mouth to sing, it's obvious what Tara was ultimately born to do.

Debbie Robbins - Debbie Robbins holds a degree in vocal performance from Belmont University and has enjoyed a distinguished career as a solo artist, worship leader, actress, director, critic, and teacher. She has released six independent albums, including a duet with legendary songwriter and Grammy and Dove Award-winning artist Dottie Rambo.

Jon Groves - Jon is the pastor of Victory Baptist in Inverness, FL. Jon's deep knowledge of the Bible, his genuine love for people, and his creativity allow him to find unique ways to bring forth God's word by constantly changing the method without changing the message.

George Groves – George is an alumni of the Charles Novell School of Music. He grew up studying with Jeff Stice during his time at CNS. George is a husband, father, musician, vocalist, and youth pastor. George teaches piano at CNS, helps us on the media side of things during the week, and serves as campus youth pastor, arranging events for our younger students.

Becky & Steve Carver - Becky and Steve are both graduates of Mississippi State University. Becky holds a music
degree, while Steve holds a broadcast television degree. They travel full time doing music for revival services, concerts,
conferences, and retreats. They have been in ministry together since 1994.

Jim Quales - Jim comes from Michigan and has an active solo ministry in Gospel music. Jim has performed in various
groups and ran 4 One Quartet for over 7 years. Jim has a unique call on his life to minister to our seniors and will perform in hundreds of senior care facilities all across the country in a given year. Jim helps us with sound systems, guitar, and performance training and is a private instructor.

Dana Simpson - Dana is a gifted pianist and vocalist. She teaches one of our music theory classes and is also involved in our performance training class. Dana's talent is only trumped by her heart and genuine spirit.
 
Dave Burdick – We love promoting from within at CNS. Many of our staff have been students themselves over the years, and Dave is just one example. He has been a student for several years and is now able to assist us at CNS as Student Relations and Campus Coordinator.

Jim Sheldon - Jim is known as “the Positive Cowboy." Jim is an award-winning solo artist in the Country Gospel field. Jim brings years of experience to the table and is willing to help our students in any way he can. Jim teaches seminars and performance class.