Anne Coombs is a long time veteran of the Asheville area music scene, both as a performer and a teacher. It was that passion & experience that led her to start The Asheville Music School in 1996. At that time it was the first community music school in Asheville.
In 2008 she decided to try out what she called Guitar Jam Summer Camps to supplement her income during the summer. The first two were held at UNCA with great success. The third year she moved her camps to a warehouse at River Ridge Shopping Center. This time it included all instruments, vocalists and a steadily growing number of campers.
In fall of 2009 Anne decided to take her popular summer camps to a year round program and called it Rock Academy. Since it’s inception Rock Academy has come to host two Saturday Children’s classes, a Wednesday evening Adult class, and a soon-to-happen Teen class.
In March 2010 Anne took on yet another venture, a second school location. The Music Academy Asheville, which just happens to be neighbors with Rock Academy, as a matter of fact a hallway connects them. It’s from this location Anne oversees both RA and AMSW.
Now, that she’s created this musical environment, how does she make it available to all children who want it? In 2011, Anne’s final dream came to life. Thanks to Anne and our current board members who have worked painstakingly over the last year, our new non-profit Give to the Music was born.
Anne, you’ve fulfilled all your dreams. What are you going to do now? You guessed it, she went to Disney World!