Music Lessons

Caleb Mallett has studied music all his life. A graduate of the University of North Texas with a degree in performance, he has played with ensembles across a wide range of genres. During summer breaks, he studied at the St. Petersburg International Music Academy and the Summit Music Festival under renowned violinist Aaron Rosand, while also working as a freelance musician in New York. Caleb went on to earn his Master’s in Chamber Music and performed with the Wichita Grand Opera, the Wichita Symphony Orchestra, and the Bloomfield Quartet at Wichita State University. Now based in Dallas, he teaches at the RBR School of Music, performs with the 601 Ramblers, and coordinates music for private events.

Josh Mills began playing guitar at age 13 as a self-taught musician. He went on to earn a Bachelor of Music in Classical Guitar Performance from the University of Texas at San Antonio, followed by a Master of Music and a Performer’s Diploma from Southern Methodist University. Throughout his studies, he received numerous scholarships and grants, and performed in masterclasses with renowned artists including Jason Vieaux, Berta Rojas, Ricardo Cobo, Gabriel Bianco, Bill Kanengiser, and David Russell. Josh has been teaching and performing professionally since 2009.

Kathleen Parsons brings over 25 years of music teaching experience, including work in both the Dallas and Richardson Independent School Districts. She earned a Bachelor of Science in Music Education from SMU and continues her studies through seminars and workshops in piano pedagogy at SMU. An accomplished performer, Kathleen has played with the Dallas Civic Symphony, the Fort Worth Symphony Orchestra, and the Tulsa Philharmonic. She currently serves as Director of Handbell Ministries at First United Methodist Church and frequently accompanies events at Parish, including chapels and holiday performances.

James Tarbutton holds degrees in Guitar Performance from the University of Texas at Tyler and Southern Methodist University, where he studied with Robert Guthrie. He has performed in masterclasses with artists such as Pepe Romero, Sharon Isbin, and David Russell, and was a participant in the “Celebration of Pepe Romero” at USC’s Thornton School of Music. Mr. Tarbutton teaches at the University of Dallas and SMU and performs regularly throughout North and East Texas as a soloist and in various ensembles.

Josh Mills began playing guitar at age 13 as a self-taught musician. He went on to earn a Bachelor of Music in Classical Guitar Performance from the University of Texas at San Antonio, followed by a Master of Music and a Performer’s Diploma from Southern Methodist University. Throughout his studies, he received numerous scholarships and grants, and performed in masterclasses with renowned artists including Jason Vieaux, Berta Rojas, Ricardo Cobo, Gabriel Bianco, Bill Kanengiser, and David Russell. Josh has been teaching and performing professionally since 2009.

Kathleen Parsons brings over 25 years of music teaching experience, including work in both the Dallas and Richardson Independent School Districts. She earned a Bachelor of Science in Music Education from SMU and continues her studies through seminars and workshops in piano pedagogy at SMU. An accomplished performer, Kathleen has played with the Dallas Civic Symphony, the Fort Worth Symphony Orchestra, and the Tulsa Philharmonic. She currently serves as Director of Handbell Ministries at First United Methodist Church and frequently accompanies events at Parish, including chapels and holiday performances.

Please review the Private Music policy below for detailed information. Music lessons are enrolled and billed in the same way as Explorations, by the semester. If you have any questions, please let us know.

Private Music Policy 2025-2026

Welcome to Parish Extend private music instruction. Performance skills and comprehensive music knowledge are the goals of our lessons. To provide the highest standard of instruction, we ask that you meet the terms of the following private studio policy. The goal is to provide a well-balanced musical education to all students. 

Lessons

Students will join our Extended Day program at no charge before their designated lesson time and will have time for homework (if applicable), enjoy a snack, and participate in supervised free play. Students will be escorted to their lesson by Parish Extend staff.

Midway – Parents of 3rd-6th grade students will walk inside the building to sign out their student.  If your student is in 5th or 6th grade, they may self-sign out with written permission from a parent, and may leave the building to be picked up.  A homework and permission-to-sign-out form is available during registration.  Students in 7th grade and above may sign themselves out.

Hillcrest – Parents may pick up their student from the Snyder building. If care is needed after the lesson, please register for Extended Day.

Tuition/Fees

Private instruction fees are $45 per 30-minute lesson. Semester prices depend on the day of the week selected. Appropriate materials may be chosen by the instructor to meet the needs of each individual student, and they are included in the music fee.

Private music registration is a financial commitment for the entire semester. Instructors schedule their time, other students, and commitments around the lesson time.  If you do decide to withdraw from the lesson, there is no refund.

Attendance and Punctuality

Absences should be communicated to extend@parish.org. Missed lessons are not rescheduled. In the event of lessons being cancelled due to teacher illness or emergencies, the lesson fee will be credited back to your account.